Vernon Miles | ALXnow

National Night Out returns tonight one week after multiple shootings

Published August 1, 2023 at 3:55PM

National Night Out 2023 (photo via Alexandria Police Department/Facebook)

Tonight is National Night Out — an event where Alexandria’s first responders interface with the communities. This year’s celebrations come after a rough week with the city rattled by multiple shootings, including one homicide.

“On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, The City of Alexandria will celebrate National Night Out (NNO), a day designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, and working with law enforcement to help prevent crime,” the city said in a release.

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Alexandria’s DASH bus network sees record high ridership after going fare-free

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2023 at 1:45PM

Alexandria’s DASH network has set a record high with 4.5 million boardings in a single year, according to the transportation company.

DASH said in a release that the record high boardings exceeded the previous ridership high of 4.3 million in 2015. DASH credited the success to a mix of taking the network fare-free and realigning the system to prioritize frequent service in higher-density corridors.

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Alexandria Mayor says city needs to combat police attrition after recent shootings

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2023 at 9:50AM

Saturday afternoon shooting in Braddock (photo via Alexandria Police Department)

After another pair of shootings last week, one that resulted in a death and one in a life-threatening injury, Mayor Justin Wilson said the multi-pronged response includes more police officers in Alexandria.

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Restaurant Week returns to Alexandria in two weeks

By Vernon Miles

Published July 31, 2023 at 3:45PM

Bucatini Carbonara at Thompson Italian (image via Thompson Italian/Facebook)

Alexandria Restaurant Week, a biannual event where restaurants around the city offer pre-set dinners, is making its return this August.

Visit Alexandria said in a release that the summer Alexandria Restaurant Week is set to run from Friday, Aug. 18, to Sunday, Aug. 27.

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What’s next for plans to bring more affordable housing and pedestrian safety to the West End?

By Vernon Miles

Published July 31, 2023 at 11:05AM

Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria’s long-term plans for the West End go back to 1992 and the city is in the process of bringing some of those up to date to address the current needs; namely housing.

The city’s “updated community vision” aims to address housing vulnerability and affordability in an area that’s traditionally been home to some of the city’s last bastions of market-rate affordable housing.

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International food festival returning to Old Town next month

By Vernon Miles

Published July 31, 2023 at 10:00AM

Brazilian music at the Around The World Cultural Food Festival (photo via Around The World Cultural Food Festival/Facebook)

An international food festival is making its return to Alexandria next month.

The Around The World Cultural Food Festival, which brings together food from fifty countries around the world, is returning to Alexandria’s Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) on Saturday, Aug. 26, from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

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Contentious new sidewalk under construction on Polk Avenue

By Vernon Miles

Published July 24, 2023 at 2:30PM

Construction work on Polk Avenue sidewalk (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Ten months after Alexandria’s City Council struck down an appeal from neighbors to prevent a sidewalk from being built on Polk Avenue, construction on the sidewalk is now underway.

The project would add a sidewalk to the north side of the street — with the goal of helping students in the neighborhood walk to the nearby Polk Elementary and Hammond Middle School.

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Alexandria ditching ‘pay and display’ parking meters citywide

By Vernon Miles

Published July 24, 2023 at 10:45AM

A parking meter in Old Town Alexandria on King Street

Alexandria’s garages aren’t the only parking tool getting an overhaul.

A report for a meeting of the Traffic and Parking Board later today (Monday) said the city is working through a replacement of the city’s parking meters.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 21, 2023 at 3:45PM

Market Square parking garage (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

ALXnow’s had some pretty busy weeks this year, but this week was a little slow.

Still, there was interesting news about locations around town that might become tourist destinations. First was the reveal that Landmark Mall plans included an ice skating rink, then that the Art League might have a new home on Slaters Lane.

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New principals chosen for Alexandria elementary schools

By Vernon Miles

Published July 21, 2023 at 1:30PM

Mount Vernon Community School at 2601 Commonwealth Avenue in Del Ray (via Google Maps)

A new principal has been chosen for the Mount Vernon Community School (MVCS) and George Mason Elementary School.

At a School Board meeting last night, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced that Jen Hamilton, the ACPS dual language coordinator, was picked to be the new principal of Alexandria’s largest elementary school.

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Alexandria School Board elects new chair and vice chair

By Vernon Miles

Published July 21, 2023 at 10:45AM

ACPS School Board Chair Michelle Rief (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has a new School Board chair and vice chair.

In a unanimous vote, with no other candidates nominated, Michelle Rief was chosen as the new school board chair, succeeding Meagan Alderton in the role. The term of leadership is one year.