News | ALXnow - Part 263

Notes: Alexandria man arrested for series of ABC store thefts

Published December 20, 2024 at 10:05AM | Updated December 20, 2024 at 11:21AM

ABC Store larceny underway (image via Fairfax County Police Department)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

🌨️ Today’s weather: Scattered snow showers will occur early, transitioning to mixed rain and snow showers between 9am and noon, followed by rain showers in the afternoon. The high temperature will be near 42, with a light northeast wind. Precipitation chances are 50%. For Friday night, expect mixed precipitation before 10pm, then scattered snow showers until 1am. Patchy fog may develop before 10pm. The evening will be mostly cloudy with a low of 31 and a northwest wind at 8-10 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

ACPS superintendent defends sending high school to virtual learning after brawls

By James Cullum

Published December 20, 2024 at 8:30AM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City High School students will return from winter break to a safe learning environment with “additional supports,” Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt told the School Board Thursday night.

The comments were made in the wake of fights at Alexandria City High School‘s King Street campus on Wednesday that injured a student and knocked out a teacher. Two students were arrested and charged with assault and battery.

PETA protestors dump Christmas coal at Ethiopian Airlines office in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published December 19, 2024 at 3:50PM | Updated December 19, 2024 at 5:04PM

PETA protestors dumped coal at the Ethiopian Airlines office at 3133 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (via PETA)

Ethiopian Airlines staff filed a police report Thursday against protestors with the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, after coal was dumped inside and outside their office in Del Ray.

Protestors posted “Closed FOR CRUELTY” signs one the business windows and dumped two wheelbarrows of coal in front of the airline’s D.C.-area office at 3133 Mount Vernon Avenue. Some protestors dressed as Santa Claus and Christmas elfs.

Police: Two students charged with assault and battery after Alexandria City High School brawls

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2024 at 2:40PM

ACHS (staff photo by James Cullum)

A series of fights at Alexandria City High School yesterday injured one student, according to the Alexandria Police Department (APD).

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) closed the school today and tomorrow after a series of “altercations” at the school yesterday (Wednesday). Classes are being taught remotely for the next two days and will resume in-person on Monday, Jan. 6.

Things To Do in Alexandria this Weekend: Dec. 20 – 22

By Ryan Belmore

Published December 19, 2024 at 1:50PM

A previous display at Ice & Lights: The Winter Village At Cameron Run (staff photo by James Cullum)

Here’s a roundup of all the festivities, events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend, Friday, December 20, through Sunday, December 22, 2024.

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Evaluator finds Alexandria guaranteed income pilot improved mental wellbeing and financial stability for participants

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2024 at 11:45AM

Money on a table (staff photo via Vernon Miles/ALXnow)

While $500 a month may not have been enough to bring participants out of poverty, an assessment of the city’s guaranteed income pilot program found that it had a substantial impact on participants.

The program, labelled Alexandria’s Recurring Income for Success and Equity (ARISE) in a bit of a backronym, was funded in 2021 for $3 million out of the American Rescue Plan Act. The program gave 170 low-income Alexandria residents $500 per month for 24 months to assess the impact it would have on their lives. In June, the program recieved another $550,000 from the City Council to extend the program to June 2025.

Notes: Old Town restaurant The Tasting Room closes

By ALXnow.com

Published December 19, 2024 at 10:10AM

Cocktails at The Tasting Room (photo via The Tasting Room Alx/Instagram)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny conditions and a high near 46 with a northwest wind of 6 to 9 mph. As night falls on Thursday, anticipate increasing cloudiness and a low temperature around 31, accompanied by calm wind.

Alexandria City High School going virtual today and tomorrow after school fights

By Vernon Miles

Published December 19, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated December 19, 2024 at 2:15PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Students at Alexandria City High School (ACHS) will be taught remotely today (Thursday) and Friday after a series of fights yesterday at the King Street campus.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt shared a letter with school families expressing disappointment with the rash of violence at the school. While Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) has shared few details about what occurred, ACHS students reported that a staff member was hit during one of the fights.

Alexandria man released after alleged attempted aggravated sexual battery at Thanksgiving party

By James Cullum

Published December 18, 2024 at 3:45PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 27-year-old Alexandria man is out on bond after being arrested for the attempted aggravated sexual battery of an incapacitated woman during a Thanksgiving party.

The party was held on Thanksgiving (Nov. 28) in an apartment in the 5600 block of Derby Court.

JUST IN: Alexandria City High School ‘placed on hold status’ after multiple fights at the school

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2024 at 2:45PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria City High School has been placed on ‘hold status’ until dismissal today “due to a number of altercations in the school building,” Principal Alexander Duncan said in a message to parents.

According to Duncan, the hold status means there is limited movement inside classrooms and hallways and after school activities — except for a concert at 7:30 p.m. this evening — are cancelled.

Potomac Yard Greek restaurant joining Maryland-based The Big Greek Cafe chain

By Vernon Miles

Published December 18, 2024 at 2:00PM

Baklava at SouvlakiBar (photo via SouvlakiBar/Facebook)

Just as the Delian League brought together an alliance of Greek city-states, The Big Greek Cafe is uniting SouvlakiBar locations around the region under a new banner.

Patch reported that SouvlakiBar, which has a location at 2732 Richmond Highway in the Potomac Yard neighborhood, will be transitioning to The Big Greek Cafe, a Maryland-based local chain with nine locations