News | ALXnow - Part 1021

Morning Notes

Published January 31, 2020 at 8:00AM

Alexandria Dog Featured in Puppy Bowl — “The Puppy Bowl features dogs from shelters and rescue groups like Alexandria-based dog rescue Operation Paws for Homes. The rescue group is holding a watch party Sunday, Feb. 2 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Wag & Brew, 614 S Pickett Street, Alexandria.” [Patch]

Crash Snarls Rush Hour Traffic — Just before 5:30 p.m. last night a crash, reportedly involving a car and a motorcycle, shut down portions of Sanger Avenue and Beauregard Street, snarling rush hour traffic. [Twitter]

Getting to Vision Zero: City Waits for Answers on Recent Pedestrian Death on Duke Street

By James Cullum

Published January 30, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 5:14PM

A pedestrian tries to cross Duke St. at N. Jordan St. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On Thursday morning, William Tate waited for the pedestrian signal before crossing at the intersection of Duke and S. Pickett Street. Traffic wasn’t too heavy, but Tate still waited for a few minutes and sipped his coffee until the light told him it was safe.

“The biggest problem I see on Duke Street is that people just cut across on foot wearing dark clothing, and they get clipped,” Tate told ALXnow. “Sometimes I’ll see people just running across where there aren’t crosswalks and drivers don’t pay attention. You’ve got to pay attention.”

WMATA and City Haggle Over Potomac Yard Metro Southern Access Costs

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2020 at 3:25PM | Updated January 31, 2020 at 9:01AM

Pedestrian ramp variant of southern access to Potomac Yard Metro station (photo via City of Alexandria)

(Updated 1/31) While construction is underway on the Potomac Yard Metro station, progress on the station’s planned southern access point is being stalled by a financing squabble between the city and WMATA.

The original southern entrance to the Metro station was cut from early plans to save money. As something of a consolation prize, a path to a pedestrian bridge, from neighborhoods to the south to the entrance on the north side of the station, was added.

JUST IN: City Employee Charged with Embezzlement

By ALXnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 12:45PM

A former employee of Alexandria’s Dept. of Transportation and Environmental Services has been charged with embezzling from the city.

In a press release Thursday afternoon, police said the employee sold more than $10,000 worth of electrical cable owned by T&ES to scrap dealers.

Del Ray Bar ‘Hops N Shine’ to Celebrate One Year Anniversary This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 30, 2020 at 12:00PM

Hops n Shine (photo via Hops N Shine/Facebook)

In just one year, local bar Hops N Shine has become a staple in Arlandria/Del Ray area and this weekend, the business is scheduled to host a celebration of that success.

The bar and beer garden sits at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection of Mount Vernon Avenue and E. Glebe Road. It is frequently packed, particularly on the weekly Wednesday night trivia events (where, full disclosure, at least one ALXnow reporter is a regular).

Seminary Road Diet Critics Commiserate at Ramparts

By James Cullum

Published January 30, 2020 at 11:15AM

Big things have small beginnings, and on Wednesday night a number of Alexandria residents critical of the Seminary Road Diet — including a former mayor — took their concerns to Ramparts Tavern and Grill.

Architect Tom Hoffman has lived near the affected area for 20 years, during which time he has taken Seminary Road to get on I-395 northbound to the District. That routine has changed, he said, since the implementation of the road diet — reducing the four through lanes of the roadway to two and adding bike lanes and a turn lane in the center.

MacArthur PTA Survey Finds Most Opposed to Affordable Housing on School Grounds

By ALXnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 10:00AM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 12:40PM

(Updated at 12:40 p.m.) A proposal to co-locate affordable housing on the grounds of MacArthur Elementary is unpopular with PTA members.

The MacArthur PTA recently conducted a survey asking how current and future MacArthur families felt about co-locating housing or city facilities on the site of the soon-to-be renovated school, an idea encouraged by the city and under consideration by the School Board.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published January 30, 2020 at 8:00AM

Summer Camp Guide Released — “Registration for 2020 summer camps offered by the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will begin at 9 a.m. on February 12 for City residents and February 14 for nonresidents. Registration will be available online, or in-person at the Lee Center (1108 Jefferson St.).” [City of Alexandria]

Women’s Guest House Profiled — “In the heart of Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood, there is a place that’s been quietly offering hope and rebuilding lives for 45 years.” [NBC 4]

Charlie’s On The Avenue Is Closing This Weekend

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2020 at 4:15PM | Updated January 30, 2020 at 7:06AM

Less than two years after opening its doors in Del Ray, Charlie’s on the Avenue is closing.

Owners Jeremy Barber and Justus Frank told customers that the family-friendly restaurant at 1501 Mount Vernon Ave. will be shutting down after this weekend. The last day will be Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 2).

Suspicious White Powder Along Duke Street Turns Out to be Chalk

By James Cullum

Published January 29, 2020 at 3:35PM

An athletic pursuit is leading to some hazmat calls around Alexandria.

The Alexandria Fire Department responded Tuesday afternoon to investigate a white powder discovered along the 800 block of Duke Street in Old Town, according to AFD spokeswoman Raytevia Evans.

Steep Discounts at GNC in Old Town Before Closing Next Month

By Vernon Miles

Published January 29, 2020 at 2:15PM | Updated January 29, 2020 at 3:25PM

The Old Town GNC is closing next month, and the store has discounts on nearly everything inside until then.

The nutrition store at 711 King Street is scheduled to close on Wednesday, Feb. 19, according to staff. GNC offers a variety of food, snacks and supplements, with an athletic focus.