News | ALXnow - Part 272

Gov. Glenn Youngkin highlights Alexandria in video inviting Trump administration to Virginia

Published November 26, 2024 at 3:55PM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

While largely liberal Alexandria has had a tense relationship with Republicans in the past, Gov. Glenn Youngkin included footage of Old Town in a video aimed at bringing Trump administration staffers to live in Virginia.

“To the new members of the President Trump administration moving to the area, I want to personally you to make Virginia your home,” Youngkin said in the 30 second video. Virginia is right across the Potomac. We offer a great quality of life, safe communities, award-winning schools where parents matter and lower taxes than DC or Maryland. ”

New details emerge for Victory Center redevelopment on Eisenhower Avenue

By Vernon Miles

Published November 26, 2024 at 3:05PM

Victory Center conversion plans (image via Stonebridge)

Land use attorney Kenneth Wire has seen six proposals for the redevelopment of the Victory Center come through in the last twenty years.

The latest one, which that would see the building converted into affordable housing while a neighboring lot is turned into market-rate housing, could be the one that finally overturns the Victory Center’s two-decade run of bad luck.

More than $27K in packages stolen from UPS facility on Eisenhower Avenue

By James Cullum

Published November 26, 2024 at 1:45PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

More than $27,000 worth of packages were stolen from the United Parcel Service facility last month on Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria.

A man scaled a wall into a secure package area of the facility at 5601 Eisenhower Avenue on Sept. 25 incident, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The area is where high-value items are kept.

Pursuit of suspected stolen vehicle in Alexandria ends in crash with injuries

By Vernon Miles

Published November 26, 2024 at 10:55AM

Virginia State Police (photo via Virginia State Police/Facebook)

After the drivers of a suspected stolen vehicle in Alexandria refused to stop late last night, a pursuit followed that ended in a crash and injuries in the Belle Haven area of Fairfax.

Virginia State Police (VSP) were assisting Alexandria Police with the stop of the suspected stolen vehicle, a Hyundai Elantra, near Duke and S. Van Dorn streets around 11 p.m.

Notes: Friends to Lovers bookstore raises over $40,000 to rebuild Old Town shop after fire

By ALXnow.com

Published November 26, 2024 at 10:10AM

There was a fire at 103 S. St. Asaph Street on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Expect cloudy skies to clear gradually by mid-morning, reaching a high of 62°F. A southwest wind will blow at 9-14 mph, shifting to northwest later in the morning and potentially gusting up to 25 mph. For Tuesday night, skies will be mostly clear with a low temperature near 36°F, and a northwest wind at 3-7 mph.

Thanida Thai Restaurant and Bar moves to new Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published November 26, 2024 at 8:30AM

Thanida Thai Restaurant and Bar has a new home in Old Town.

The traditional Thai restaurant was forced to move due to the redevelopment of the Montgomery Center in Old Town North. It’s now located at 1210 N. Fayette Street, which is about a half-mile from the Braddock Road Metro station.

ACPS wants more docs from parents proving kids live in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published November 25, 2024 at 3:45PM

Graduates at Alexandria City High School's graduation at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena, June 3, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools is ramping up efforts to make sure its more than 15,000 students getting free education actually live in the city.

The School Board and City Council, on Monday (Nov. 25), received a report from ACPS staff on the plan.

Divided City Council backs roadway changes near Cameron Station

By Vernon Miles

Published November 25, 2024 at 3:05PM | Updated November 25, 2024 at 3:31PM

Pickett Project Area Map (image via City of Alexandria)

Last week, Alexandria’s City Council voted to move forward with a plan to convert the four-lane S. Pickett Street near Cameron Station to one lane in each direction for much of the road, adding bike lanes and on-street parking.

The plan created considerable consternation among neighbors who expressed concerns that the changes would create cut-through traffic in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The outrage was reminiscent of the response to Seminary Road bike lane changes.

Longtime Subway restaurant closes in Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published November 25, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Subway at 3829 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria is closed, Nov. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Subway restaurant at 3829 Mount Vernon Avenue closed on Nov. 19.

The business has been in the Del Ray North shopping center for decades. The owner of the Arlandria franchise said that paying rent was becoming increasingly difficult and that he was forced to shut down.

PHOTOS: See the Alexandria Christmas tree lighting in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published November 25, 2024 at 11:15AM

Santa Claus and city leaders count down the Christmas Tree lighting in Alexandria's Market Square, Nov. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The holidays officially brightened up in Alexandria with the annual lighting of the city’s Christmas tree on Saturday night.

Mayor Justin Wilson joked with Santa Claus onstage in front of City Hall (301 King Street) before the official countdown to spark the 40,000 lights on the 40-foot-tall plastic tree.

Notes: Alexandria private high school named potential Team Base Camp for World Cup

By ALXnow.com

Published November 25, 2024 at 9:55AM

Playing soccer at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect a sunny day with a high near 59 degrees and calm winds shifting south at 6 mph in the afternoon. The night will bring a 50% chance of showers after 1am, mostly cloudy skies, and a low around 48 degrees with south winds at 3 to 7 mph.