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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While short term rental complaints are low, Alexandria leaders say that might not tell the whole story

By Vernon Miles
Short-term rental listings in Alexandria on AirBnB (image via AirBnB)

For as much controversy as there can be around short-term rentals — businesses like Airbnb  that rent out homes to visiting guests — a city report said there have been relatively few complaints about them in Alexandria.

In a report to the City Council last week, Land Use Services Division Chief Tony LaColla noted that there are 460 short-term rentals registered in Alexandria and 265 estimated unregistered units.

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New data shows Alexandria student enrollment declining over the next ten years

By Vernon Miles
ACHS graduation, June 1, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years of continued student enrollment growth, new projections say the student population in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) will likely decline over the next ten years after a peak in 2025.

The report to the Joint City Council-School Board Subcommittee from April shows student enrollment projections declining through FY 2033, a hard-turn from population projections pre-covid.

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King Street and Quaker Lane getting major repaving work this week

By Vernon Miles
King Street (image via Google Maps)

Major stretches of two arterial roads in Alexandria will see repaving work this week.

The Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) said in a release that North Quaker Lane and King Street will both be seeing repaving work this week, from today, June 3, through Friday, June 7.

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Unique 19th century Alexandria stamps up for bidding this month from NYC auction house

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria provisional stamp (image courtesy Siegel Auction Galleries)

A unique set of mid-19th century stamps celebrating Alexandria are up for bidding at a New York City auction house this week.

The Robert A Siegel Auction Galleries said in an email that, prior to the first federally issued postage stamps in 1847, local postmasters issued provisional postage stamps for use in their towns. Alexandria was one of 11 cities that issued its own postage between 1845 and the debut of federally issued postage in 1847.

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One year after zoning battle, Del Ray bar Hops N’ Shine returns to city review with rosier outlook

By Vernon Miles
Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

A year ago, popular Arlandria/Del Ray bar Hops N’ Shine faced a contentious city review as it faced criticism from both the Planning Commission and City Council zoning violations.

Now, a new staff report for a special use permit one-year review paints a much rosier picture of the situation with the bar.

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City manager names former New York fire chief as new head of the Alexandria Fire Department

By Vernon Miles
Felipe Hernandez Jr. (image via City of Rochester)

City Manager James F. Parajon named Felipe Hernandez Jr. as the new fire and emergency medical services chief for the City of Alexandria, according to a release from the city.

Hernandez is the first Latino to serve as a permanent fire chief in Alexandria and comes to the city after 25 years with the City of Rochester, where he previously served as chief of the fire department.

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Alexandria kicking off Pride Month with fair and drag story hour on June 1

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria Pride flyer (image via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is kicking off Pride Month in June with a Pride Fair on June 1.

The event will feature live music, food trucks and activities from 3-6 p.m. at Market Square (301 King Street). The event will include a Drag Story Hour at 3:30 inside City Hall.

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Deadline to update voter registration ahead of upcoming primary is this Tuesday

By Vernon Miles
A voter participates in the Super Tuesday primary at Mount Vernon Community School, March 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s a busy Memorial Day weekend coming up, but if you aren’t registered to vote in the upcoming primary, be aware that this coming Tuesday is the last day that you can register in advance.

The primary is scheduled for June 18. In Alexandria, the main attraction is likely the contested Democratic primary for Mayor and City Council.

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Amended guidelines that make BID creation easier headed to City Council next week

By Vernon Miles
Pedestrians cross Washington Street along King Street in Old Town on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019 in Alexandria. (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

An amendment to the Business Improvement District (BID) guidelines that could make it easier to pass is headed to City Council for review next week.

The idea behind a BID is that it would be an organization that could advocate and host programs and events that would draw people to the relevant area as well as providing other services.

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Alexandria police seek public assistance in hit-and-run death investigation

By Vernon Miles
Taney Avenue and N. Jordan Street intersection (image via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is seeking help from the public finding the driver who fatally struck a 70-year-old-man on N. Jordan Street earlier this month.

Police say the hit-and-run incident took place on Thursday, May 9, but the victim, Alexandria-resident James Thomson, died on Saturday, May 18.

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Apartment rent continues to rise in Alexandria, outpacing inflation rate

By Vernon Miles
Rent increases since 2014 in Alexandria (image via CoStar/City of Alexandria)

After a rare dip during the pandemic, apartment rents in Alexandria have continued to increase dramatically over the last few years, increasing by 4.8% so far this year.

CoStar data on rents, made available by the City of Alexandria, showed the asking rent per unit has continually risen over the last decade aside from a fluke dip in 2020 due to the pandemic.

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