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.

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Alexandria City Public Schools launches backpack and school supply drive for students in need

By Vernon Miles
The first day at school at George Mason Elementary School, August 21, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

As families around Alexandria get ready for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is hoping for some help from the community to make life a little easier for some students and parents.

ACPS is running its 2024 Backpack and School Supply Drive with donors able to purchase backpacks and supplies for students from a wishlist or via direct donations.

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Del Ray bakery Taste of Eurasia closes after seven years

By Vernon Miles
Food at Taste of Eurasia (image via Taste of Eurasia/Facebook)

Del Ray bakery Taste of Eurasia (428 A Hume Avenue) closed last month after seven years serving cuisine from the Caucasus, Central Asia and beyond.

In a post on Alexandria Dining — a popular group dedicated to Alexandria cuisine run by The Zebra Press — owner Shohina Touraeva said the restaurant was closing as she pivoted back to work in real estate.

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Alexandria’s waterfront parks getting lighting upgrade this fall

By Vernon Miles
Writer Ellen Weston works alone along the Potomac River at Oronoco Bay Park (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The parks along Alexandria’s waterfront will be getting an upgrade to LED this fall.

In a memo to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Deputy Director Jack Browand said the lights in Rivergate Park, Oronoco Bay Park, Founders Park, Waterfront Park, and Roberdeau Park will all be converted to LEDs this fall.

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Kroger could sell off Old Town North Harris Teeter to facilitate grocery chain merger

By Vernon Miles
Old Town North Harris Teeter (image via Google Maps)

The Old Town North Harris Teeter could be sold and possibly rebranded if a new merger goes through.

The Washington Business Journal reported that Kroger Co. will be selling off multiple Harris Teeter locations, including one in Alexandria, if the acquisition of rival Albertsons Cos. Inc goes through.

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Alexandria once again voted one of top cities by travel magazine, but pushed down in rankings

By Vernon Miles
A boy marches alongside the 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 19, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Travel + Leisure readers still love Alexandria, but the city fell out of the top ten in this year’s Best in the U.S. ranking after multiple years among the elite.

Every year, the magazine hosts a World’s Best awards survey, with over 186,000 readers weighing in. The magazine said cities are rated on criteria like landmarks, culture, food and more.

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News

Employee chases off armed robber at Tobacco King on Duke Street

By James Cullum and Vernon Miles
Tobacco King (staff photo by James Cullum)

Police are investigating an attempted robbery at the Tobacco King (3104 Duke Street) last night (Monday) after an employee stared down a man with a gun and then chased him out of the store.

Surveillance video obtained by ALXnow showed a man entering the store around 9:35 p.m., inquiring about various brands, and then demanding that the cashier hand over the money. In the video, the cashier said he didn’t have cash and the robber threatened him with a gun.

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News

Founding Farmers to include outdoor dining in new Oakville Triangle location

By Vernon Miles

Regional restaurant chain Founding Farmers is one of three restaurants announced for the in-development Oakville Triangle project and it could include extensive outdoor dining.

An application filed with the Planning Commission for the September meeting outlined plans for outdoor dining along Swann Avenue and Route 1 in an L shape around Founding Farmers.

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You are invited to a birthday party for Alexandria this weekend

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

There are many Alexandria 275th birthday (doesn’t look a day over 200) celebrations this year, but the one on Saturday, July 13, might be the big one.

The party is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) with a fireworks display and music by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra at 9:30 p.m.

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New Microsoft Flight Simulator update greatly improves virtual recreation of Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria in Microsoft Flight Simulator (image via Xbox Game Studios/Microsoft)

This one will be niche, even for ALXnow readers, but: a new update to Microsoft Flight Simulator has included a much needed visual upgrade for Alexandria.

The game, which allows armchair pilots to visit any location on the planet, previously had a very barebones version of Alexandria, with little more than square blocks to denote local buildings.

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