Vernon Miles | ALXnow

TideLock project in Old Town North returning to Planning Commission next week

Published August 26, 2024 at 3:55PM

Location of TideLock project (image via Google/City of Alexandria)

The TideLock development in Old Town North will return to the Planning Commission next week for some alterations to the planned project.

The plan is to replace office buildings at the site with residential buildings, a mix of condominiums and multi-family rental.

News

‘Chalk-A-Block’ event coming to Old Town North next month

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2024 at 2:50PM

Chalk art from Chalk Walk 2022 (image courtesy Old Town North Alliance)

Chalk artists will be turning Old Town North sidewalks and parking lots into a canvas next month for “Chalk-A-Block”.

The event is hosted by the Old Town North Alliance and is scheduled for 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 29.

News

Del Ray residents hold farewell party to park closed by JD Vance’s Secret Service protection

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2024 at 10:45AM

Del Ray resident Erica Toler at Judy Lowe Park in front of JD Vance's Del Ray home (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Del Ray residents did not couch their feelings about losing a neighborhood park to JD Vance’s Secret Service protection.

The City of Alexandria announced last week that, at the request of the Secret Service, it would be closing Jude Lowe Neighborhood Park in Del Ray “until further notice.” The unit block of E. Del Ray Avenue between Commonwealth Avenue and Clyde Avenue is also restricted to resident traffic only and there will be no on-street parking on the east side of the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue.

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Secret Service and City of Alexandria closing Del Ray park near JD Vance home

By Vernon Miles

Published August 23, 2024 at 11:00AM

Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park (image via RPCA)

We have really bad news for the commentor on the story about JD Vance becoming Trump’s running mate who said “I hope secret service doesn’t close the Judy Lowe Park to expand the security buffer!”

The Secret Service is closing Judy Lowe Park to expand the security buffer.

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Alexandria City High School briefly evacuated due to fire alarm

By Vernon Miles and James Cullum

Published August 22, 2024 at 2:40PM

ACHS (staff photo by James Cullum)

In what’s become an annual tradition at this point, the first week of school at Alexandria City High School was disrupted with a fire alarm.

Students were evacuated from the school a little after 2 p.m. today (Thursday). Students returned to the school less than 30 minutes later as the Alexandria Fire Department confirmed there was no danger.

News

Faulty battery charger possibly to blame for garage fire in Old Town North

By Vernon Miles and James Cullum

Published August 22, 2024 at 2:30PM

Fire Department at work at 502 Pendleton Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

A homeowner in Old Town said they believe a faulty battery charger may be to blame for a fire that destroyed two cars and briefly closed a portion of Pendleton Street today.

The report of the fire came in around 1 p.m. for a detached garage at 502 Pendleton Street.

News

Cora Kelly School kicks off school year with new principal

By Vernon Miles

Published August 22, 2024 at 2:00PM

Cora Kelly Principal Molly McCabe (photo via ACPS)

Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology has a new principal to usher in the new school year.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) announced earlier this month that Molly McCabe will be stepping into the shoes of Jasibi Crews, ACPS’ Principal of the Year last year who left at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

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Old Town business featured at Democratic National Convention

By Vernon Miles

Published August 22, 2024 at 10:00AM | Updated August 22, 2024 at 12:10PM

Danielle Romanetti of fibre space at 1319 Prince Street in Old Town (via Sarah Marcella Photography)

The handful of Alexandrians at the Democratic National Convention (and those watching from home) might have recognized a familiar face on the big screen yesterday.

Old Town yarn boutique fibre space‘s owner Danielle Romanetti made an appearance at the Democratic National Convention last night in an ad with other local business owners supporting Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

News

Alexandria leaders journey to Chicago for Democratic National Convention

By Vernon Miles

Published August 21, 2024 at 3:50PM | Updated August 21, 2024 at 7:18PM

2024 Democratic National Convention (photo courtesy Sandy Marks)

The Democratic National Convention is a gathering this week of Democrats from across the country, including several prominent voices from Alexandria.

Attendees include Sandy Marks, Chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, Rep. Don Beyer (who is a superdelegate), Del. Charniele Herring, Del. Alfonso Lopez and City Council Member Kirk McPike.

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Alexandria pivots from hottest summer in years to coolest August low temperature

By Vernon Miles

Published August 21, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated August 21, 2024 at 1:20PM

Boats docked in Alexandria (file photo)

After a brutal heat wave this summer, the National Weather Service (NWS) said temperatures swung wildly to the coolest August low temperature in 20 years this morning.

The NWS said temperatures around the region dropped into the 40s and 50s, with D.C. experiencing a low temperature of 59 degrees, making it the coolest August low temperature in 20 years.

News

Bradlee Shopping Center, Port City and more celebrated in Beautification Awards

By Vernon Miles

Published August 21, 2024 at 10:00AM

The new mural at the Bradlee Shopping Center (staff photo by James Cullum)

What do the Bradlee Shopping Center, Winkler Botanical Preserve, and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office all have in common?

Well, the headline sort of gives away the answer, but: all three were among locations in Alexandria honored in last week’s 2024 Beautification Awards.