Author: Vernon Miles

Vernon Miles is the ALXnow cofounder and editor. He's covered Alexandria since 2014 and has been with Local News Now since 2018. When he's not reporting, he can usually be found playing video games or Dungeons and Dragons with friends.

News

Meeting next month offers chance for public to shape new Housing 2040 Master Plan

By Vernon Miles
Advocates for greater affordable housing support at a City Council budget hearing (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Housing is one of the biggest issues impacting Alexandria, and a new meeting planned next month will give Alexandrians a chance to weigh in on future plans — and get a light dinner out of it.

The City of Alexandria is hosting a community meeting on Tuesday, March 18, at 7 p.m. in the Patrick Henry K-8 School (4643 Taney Avenue). Attendees are encouraged to register in advance.

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Alexandria rec center hosting free kids book swap event this Friday

By Vernon Miles
Old Town Books Junior at 130 S. Royal Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Kids and their parents can bring in gently used books to an Alexandria recreation center this Friday and swap them for fresh books from other locals.

The event, hosted by Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 28, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Leonard “Chick” Armstrong Recreation Center (40 Dale Street). The event is co-sponsored by the Duncan Library.

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News

ACPS safety report shows increase in fights but overall decrease in incidents

By Vernon Miles
Students get on school buses at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) data showed a decline in school safety incidents, but a notable uptick in fights/assaults.

The ACPS School Safety Data Review covers the first and second quarter of this 2024-2025 school year. Compared to the third and fourth quarters of last year incidents declined from 73 to 62, though that total still wasn’t as low as the first and second quarters from last school year at 57 incidents.

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DASH removes bus and trolley stops on King Street in bid to boost reliability

By Vernon Miles
King Street Trolley in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s DASH bus network is hoping that cutting half a dozen bus stops along King Street — as well as adding two others — can help make the bus and King Street Trolley lines that travel along the street more reliable and help reduce traffic congestion.

In a release, DASH said the new changes were implemented effective yesterday (Sunday).

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Department of Beer and Wine moving from Potomac Yard to Del Ray

By Vernon Miles
Wine at The Department of Beer and Wine (photo via Department of Beer and Wine/Facebook)

Department of Beer and Wine (DBW), a gourmet beer and wine shop in Potomac Yard, is moving to the Del Ray neighborhood.

In an email to DBW Wine Club members, the shop owners said they are moving to 2805 Mount Vernon Avenue. DBW will be moving into the location formerly occupied by the ASAP Printing and Mailing Company and will share the building with a Truist bank.

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News

Alexandria leadership bracing for cuts to federal grants and funding

By Vernon Miles
Planning Director Karl Moritz at the City Council meeting on Tuesday (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria relies on federal funding for a lot of projects, from housing and pre-k programs to transportation improvements. But with the new administration spearheading an effort to slash that funding, local leaders say the city is watching closely to see how those cuts will affect Alexandria projects.

The discussion took place on Tuesday night during the City Council’s discussion of the Long-Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program.

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News

Old Town North roads closing Friday and next week for historic canal relocation

By Vernon Miles
Temporary road closure for canal stones relocation (image via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria will be closing a portion of Old Town North to relocate a portion of a historic canal unearthed last month.

The Alexandria Canal operated from 1845-1886 and transported goods from Alexandria up to the C&O Canal in Georgetown. The canal fell into disuse and was eventually covered by new development, but a portion of the canal was recently discovered in Old Town North.

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News

Planning for new Eisenhower Metro station park to kick off next year (or sooner)

By Vernon Miles
Rendering of a proposed park under the Eisenhower Metro station (image via City of Alexandria)

A new park could be coming to the Carlyle neighborhood; built directly under the tracks at the Eisenhower Metro station

During a discussion last night of the FY 2026-2027 Long Range Planning Interdepartmental Work Program, city staff teased upcoming plans for a new park at the Eisenhower Metro station.

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News

Winter Weather Advisory issued for Alexandria as snow flurries start to fall

By Vernon Miles
Snowy weather over Falls Church (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Snow is starting to fall around Alexandria and the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a winter weather advisory.

The advisory is in effect until 11 a.m. on Thursday. This snow is likely to be significantly lighter than previous winter storms, with no more than one inch of snow accumulation expected.

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