News | ALXnow - Part 288

ACPS pushes back on intercampus high school transportation controversy

Published October 15, 2024 at 3:55PM

School buses preparing at Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

After an editorial from Alexandria City High School student newspaper Theogony said students walk between classes because buses are not available, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) leadership has responded that bus availability isn’t an issue and it could be cracking down soon on students walking between campuses.

Theogony reported that roughly 1,600 students travel between the King Street and Minnie Howard campuses of Alexandria City High School every day and hundreds of students say they’re unable to rely on bus transportation for that trip. Those students walk the 0.6 mile distance between campuses across the busy and dangerous Quaker-King-Braddock intersection.

Staffing crisis abated at Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published October 15, 2024 at 2:40PM | Updated October 15, 2024 at 3:09PM

Alexandria City High School's homecoming football game against West Potomac on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The staffing crisis at Alexandria City Public Schools has simmered, according to a recent presentation to the School Board.

The school system was significantly challenged by a shortfall of more than 150 positions in the 2023/2024 school year. Now ACPS is short 12 .75 teachers, 12 bus drivers and 23 central office staffers.

Alexandria’s ‘Girl Leading Change’ Zahra Rahimi returns to the White House

By James Cullum

Published October 15, 2024 at 1:20PM

Alexandria's Zahra Rahimi returns to the White House, Oct. 2024 (courtesy photo)

A year after being distinguished as one of 15 Girls Leading Change by First Lady Jill Biden, Alexandria’s Zahra Rahimi just returned to the White House.

The 18-year-old Rahimi says that being named to the group motivates her, and that she briefly spoke with the First Lady after the announcement of this year’s cohort.

PHOTOS: Check out these Spooktacular Halloween displays in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published October 15, 2024 at 11:15AM

A Halloween display in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, Oct. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The only reason Del Ray residents don’t have skeletons in their closets is because they’ve been moved to front yards.

At least temporarily.

Notes: Five injured and 25 residents displaced after Stevenson Avenue apartment fire

By ALXnow.com

Published October 15, 2024 at 10:05AM

A fire displaced multiple residents and injured five people at 6301 Stevenson Avenue, Oct. 14, 2024 (photo by Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly cloudy skies with a high around 56, as calm winds shift to a northwest direction at 5 to 8 mph during the morning. Tuesday night will see partly cloudy conditions with a low of approximately 41, accompanied by a northwest wind at around 7 mph.

Metro Transit Police seeking suspect in Metro employee stabbing at Braddock station

By Vernon Miles

Published October 15, 2024 at 9:35AM

Man suspected in Braddock Road Metro station stabbing (image via Metro Transit Police/Twitter)

The Metro Transit Police have put out a picture of a man suspected in the stabbing of an employee of the transit system at the Braddock Road Metro Station on Sunday morning.

Metro Transit Police said an employee was attacked and sustained a significant injury. Metro Transit Police said the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 13.

UPDATE: Alexandria firefighters battle multiple-alarm fire at Landmark apartment building

By Vernon Miles

Published October 14, 2024 at 5:10PM | Updated October 14, 2024 at 7:22PM

A fire displaced multiple residents and injured five people at 6301 Stevenson Avenue, Oct. 14, 2024 (photo by Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

A fire at an apartment building in the Landmark area is under control, though the Alexandria Fire Department is still working to remove smoke from the building.

According to the scanner, smoke was detected on the 12th and 13th floor of 6301 Stevenson Avenue around 2:45 p.m. today (Monday).

Man arrested Monday morning after burglary at Wells Fargo Bank in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published October 14, 2024 at 1:24PM

There was a burglary at the Wells Fargo Bank at 4601 Duke Street on Oct. 14, 2024 (via Google Maps)

A man was arrested this morning after allegedly breaking into the Wells Fargo Bank in the Shoppes of Foxchase in Alexandria’s West End.

APD was alerted at around 6:20 a.m. of a holdup alarm inside the bank at 4601 Duke Street, which is closed for Columbus Day. Video footage showed a male wearing a beige and orange hoodie and walking back and forth inside the bank, according to dispatch reports.

School Board chooses ‘Open Heart’ design for new George Mason Elementary School

By James Cullum

Published October 11, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated October 11, 2024 at 7:44PM

A rendering of the George Mason Elementary School Open Heart concept (via ACPS)

The Alexandria School Board approved the “Option A – Open Heart” concept for the modernization of George Mason Elementary School.

While the Board voted 7-2 for Option A, it was a contentious vote that saw two abstentions from Members Jacinta Greene and Abdel Elnoubi, who both said that the Board and ACPS staff did not do their “due diligence” in finding the best options to replace the 85-year-old school. They are also both running for City Council in November.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published October 11, 2024 at 2:50PM

Brandon Byrd outside Goodie's Frozen Custard and Treats at 200 Commerce Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been another busy week in Alexandria, but restaurant rankings never fail to land the top spots.

Washingtonian listed two Alexandria eateries as among the best dessert spots in the region: Thompson Italian’s (1024 King Street) olive-oil cake and the “big apple” at Goodies Frozen Custard and Treats (200 Commerce Street).

Alexandria hosting ribbon-cutting next weekend for new North Potomac Yard Park

By Vernon Miles

Published October 11, 2024 at 11:45AM

North Potomac Yard Park (image via City of Alexandria)

A new park extension will be officially opening next weekend in the Potomac Yard neighborhood.

Mayor Justin Wilson and members of the City Council are set to attend an opening of North Potomac Yard Park (3601 University Drive) on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 8-9 a.m.