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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Mixed-use building in Old Town sells for $38 million

By Vernon Miles
421 King Street (image via Google Maps)

A large mixed-use building in Old Town was sold last week for $38.85 million, Washington Business Journal first reported.

The sale is of Tavern Square, a building consisting of 421 King, 123 N Pitt, and 110 and 132 N Royal Streets, which occupies a full city block in Old Town Alexandria. The 171,738-square-foot property contains a mix of retail and office uses. The release notes the building was renovated back in 2019 to add a fitness center, a new conference center and more.

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News

Winter Storm Watch issued ahead of Tuesday snow

By Vernon Miles
A City of Alexandria marker in Arlandria, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

While it’s mostly clear blue skies today, the forecast calls for a couple inches of snow tomorrow afternoon.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Alexandria and other nearby localities. Snow is expected to start tomorrow afternoon and continue through Wednesday.

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Applications for affordable preschool program in Alexandria goes live later this month

By Vernon Miles
Child at preschool (photo via Erika Fletcher/Unsplash)

Parents with children ages 3 and 4 in Alexandria, mark your calendar: registration at the city’s ALX Preschool is scheduled to kick off on Monday, Feb. 17.

ALX Preschool is a program run by the Department of Community and Human Services, Alexandria City Public Schools, Center-based and Family Child Care homes to offer pre-school access — which can be famously cost-prohibitive in Alexandria — to families in need.

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Super Bowl LIX in Alexandria: where to watch the game on Sunday

By Vernon Miles
Sugar Rim Bar's tailgate party at The Garden ALX (photo via Sugar Rim Bar/Instagram)

There’s a big Kendrick Lamar concert in New Orleans with some people playing football before and after.

Super Bowl LIX and Puppy Bowl XXI are this Sunday, Feb. 9, and bars and restaurants around Alexandria have specials and events.

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Alexandria Police Department hosting community meetings with new police chief tonight and next week

By Vernon Miles
Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez (on left) and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire at the City Council installation at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police Chief Tarrick McGuire, sworn in last month, is meeting with community members in a series of public meetings to discuss past and current issues facing the city.

In a release, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said the meetings are part of “fulfilling his promise to gain a deeper understanding of historical challenges and urgent matters that need immediate attention within his first 100 days as Chief of the Alexandria Police Department (APD).”

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New Del Ray breakfast spot revives debate about trailers in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
French Toast food truck at 1506 Mount Vernon Avenue (image via City of Alexandria)

A new breakfast spot in Del Ray stirred up a discussion at the Planning Commission on Tuesday about whether Alexandria has too many trailers.

The plan is to add a pair of trailers for the food truck French Toast to the lot behind 1506 Mount Vernon Avenue. It was docketed for the consent calendar, but Planning Commissioner Mindy Lyle said the trailers represent a negative trend taking place across city planning in Alexandria.

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News

Popular Old Town coffee shop temporarily closed for renovations

By Vernon Miles
La Madeleine in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The La Madeleine at 500 King Street in Old Town is temporarily closed, but signs in the window say it will reopen next month.

The coffee shop, next to the Alexandria Circuit Court and directly adjacent to a Starbucks, has signs in the window saying the shop will reopen on March 16.

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Candlelight vigil in Old Town honors 67 victims of DCA plane crash

By Vernon Miles
On Feb. 5, 2025, locals in Alexandria gather at a vigil for the 67 victims of the Jan. 29, 2025 midair collision over the Potomac River (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Last night, a crowd gathered in Old Town for a candlelight vigil to commemorate the 67 victims of a midair crash near Reagan National Airport last week.

Among the speakers at the event were elected leaders from the region including Sen. Tim Kaine, Rep. Don Beyer and Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins.

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Alexandria City Public Schools announce two-hour delay Thursday morning

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria City High School, Jan. 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) will have a two-hour delayed opening tomorrow (Thursday) morning on account of expected sleet and ice tonight and tomorrow morning.

All students will report two hours later than the regular opening time, though essential personnel are expected to arrive at the normal time “if it is safe to do so based on weather conditions” while non-essential personnel should report two hours later.

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Alexandria presents plans for new pump station on waterfront to combat frequent flooding

By Vernon Miles
Draft designs for new pump station on Old Town's waterfront (image via City of Alexandria)

It’s no good to raise the elevation of Alexandria’s waterfront along the Potomac if it means the flood water that does get over the top just gets stuck inside that barrier. The solution: a new pumping station that city staff would help “drain the bathtub.”

The proposed pumping station is part of an extensive plan to fix flooding at the end of King Street, where high tides regularly turn the area around the Torpedo Factory into a Venetian canal system (complete with boats).

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