News | ALXnow - Part 307

Teenager allegedly breaks into two Alexandria schools and posts about it on Instagram

Published August 29, 2024 at 10:30AM

A photo allegedly taken by a juvenile suspect inside Cora Kelly Elementary School at 2 a.m. on Aug. 3 and posted on Instagram (via Instagram)

A male juvenile in his early teens faces numerous charges after allegedly breaking into two Alexandria elementary schools and stealing equipment. The teenage suspect also posted pictures from inside one of the schools at 2 a.m. on Instagram, as well as a picture of a laptop computer belonging to the principal of Cora Kelly Elementary School.

The first incident occurred at Charles Barrett Elementary School (1115 Martha Custis Drive) on the afternoon of Friday, July 12. Security footage revealed a juvenile suspect enter the school main office at around 3:55 p.m. and pick up a portable speaker and take a photo of it, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

Alexandria opens new public aquatics facility inside Minnie Howard campus

By Vernon Miles

Published August 29, 2024 at 10:00AM

Minnie Howard Aquatics Facility (photo via Justin Wilson)

Alexandria’s brand-new, year-round indoor pool in the new Minnie Howard Campus (2795 West Braddock Road) is now open to the public.

The new facility features a 25-meter competition pool, diving boards, a training pool and more.

Notes: Italian restaurant replacing Vietnamese restaurant replaced with Turkish restaurant in Old Town North

By ALXnow.com

Published August 29, 2024 at 9:10AM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 10:02AM

682 N St Asaph Street (photo via Google Maps)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and potential thunderstorms after 2pm, mostly sunny skies, and highs near 90°F with a 6-10 mph east wind. A 60% chance of precipitation brings about a tenth to a quarter-inch of rainfall, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Thursday night has showers and possible thunderstorms until 2am, followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms until 5am and scattered showers afterward. The night will be cloudy with lows around 70°F, an east wind at 8 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation, with a quarter to half-inch of new rainfall possible.

What’s next for Potomac Yard and Old Town North?

By Vernon Miles

Published August 28, 2024 at 4:15PM | Updated August 29, 2024 at 9:47AM

Alexandria Economic Development Partnership CEO Stephanie Landrum 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)

On the eve of an annual report on the city’s economy from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, ALXnow sat down with AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum to discuss the future of development in three areas of the city: Carlyle, Potomac Yard and Old Town North, and the Landmark-Van Dorn corridor. These will be broken up into a multi-part series covering each location.

Potomac Yard and Old Town North are two of the major hubs of upcoming development in Alexandria, but some of the city’s ambitious plans for the neighborhoods have both hit stumbling blocks in recent years.

Local elected Democrats discuss how Harris housing plan would impact Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published August 28, 2024 at 2:55PM

City Council candidate John Taylor Chapman speaks at the ADC Straw Poll at Port City Brewing Company, April 14, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democratic leaders met today on a Zoom call to discuss proposals from Vice President Kamala Harris to address the housing crisis.

A lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, has been a major talking point in Alexandria for years. Last year, the City Council approved a suite of new zoning changes aimed at creating new housing, though those changes are still in a lengthy court battle.

Coke and Giant Food volunteers stuff 500 backpacks for Latino youth in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published August 28, 2024 at 1:30PM

Giant Food and Coca-Cola Consolidated volunteers filled 500 snack packs with non-perishable food for the Latin American Youth Center in D.C., Aug. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Dozens of volunteers stuffed 500 backpacks with food for local Latino youths at the Coca-Cola Consolidated facility (5401 Seminary Road) in Alexandria’s West End this morning.

Volunteers from Coke and Giant Food filled the bags with drinks, Rice Krispies Treats, Ritz crackers, apple sauce, cereal and more.

Alexandria nonprofit ALIVE! ‘Walkathon’ returns this fall

By Vernon Miles

Published August 28, 2024 at 11:05AM

ALIVE! Walkathon (photo via ALIVE!)

ALIVE!, an Alexandria nonprofit dedicated to providing housing, is bringing back its annual walkathon this fall to raise funding for neighbors in need.

The walkathon is scheduled to return on Sunday, Oct. 20. The walkathon is an optional 5k or five-mile walk through Alexandria starting at First Christian Church (2723 King Street). The walk is followed by snacks, live music and a raffle.

Two ‘multi-unit’ Mark Center developments to be unveiled next month

By James Cullum

Published August 28, 2024 at 9:45AM

The proposed apartment building at 1900 N. Beauregard Street (via City of Alexandria)

Two developments that could further transform Alexandria’s Mark Center area will be unveiled next month.

The Beauregard Design Advisory Committee will get a first glimpse on Sept. 9 of the multi-use developments at 1900 N. Beauregard Street and 4880 Mark Center Drive. The meeting will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at Patrick Henry Recreation Center (4653 Taney Avenue).

Notes: Alexandria under Heat Advisory, Air Quality Alert and Hazardous Weather Outlook

By ALXnow.com

Published August 28, 2024 at 9:00AM

The Old Town Alexandria waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect a sunny and hot day with temperatures reaching close to 100 degrees and heat index values as high as 104, accompanied by a west wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph. As for tonight, there’s a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before 2am, followed by partly cloudy skies and temperatures dropping to around 74 degrees. The west wind continues at about 7mph and shifts to a northerly direction after midnight.

What’s next for the Carlyle neighborhood after the Patent and Trademark Office downsizing?

By Vernon Miles

Published August 27, 2024 at 3:55PM | Updated August 27, 2024 at 4:51PM

The US Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On the eve of an annual report on the city’s economy from the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, ALXnow sat down with AEDP CEO Stephanie Landrum to discuss the future of development in three areas of the city: Carlyle, the Landmark-Van Dorn Corridor, and Potomac Yard. These will be broken up into a multi-part series covering each location.

The Carlyle neighborhood is in a tough spot.

Alexandria takes another look at trying to fix neglected Duke Street park

By Vernon Miles

Published August 27, 2024 at 2:05PM

John Ewald Park (image via RPCA)

A few years after looking for grants to revitalize John Ewald Park (4452 Duke Street), Alexandria is starting to put together plans to fix the somewhat neglected park.

The park still sees active use for its open field and basketball court, but few would argue the park is on par with other outdoor recreation areas around the city. In a release, the city said it’s seeking community feedback on recommendations to improve Ewald Park.