News | ALXnow - Part 322

Former attorney sentenced to seven years in prison after Arlington and Alexandria burglaries

Published December 3, 2024 at 11:40AM | Updated December 3, 2024 at 12:29PM

Arlington County police car (staff photo)

Former attorney Patrick Edwards, 44, was sentenced to seven years in prison after a series of burglaries in Arlington and Alexandria.

Edwards was arrested last March for a stealing credit cards from an Alexandria office building multiple times in 2022. He was convicted of felony statutory burglary and other charges and sentenced to six years of incarceration with all of that time suspended on conditions including supervised probation. However, the investigation was also connected to similar burglaries in Arlington in early 2023.

Notes: Alexandria voted one of the friendliest cities in the country

By ALXnow.com

Published December 3, 2024 at 10:00AM

A squirrel eats from the hand of Exxon attendant Ghulan Rabani at the station at 4001 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Sept. 23, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high near 41 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind ranging from 9 to 11 mph and gusts reaching up to 21 mph. As for Tuesday night, the conditions will be mostly clear with a low temperature around 24 degrees, and a mild west wind between 3 and 7 mph.

Mayor: Alexandria police are ‘easing a spike’ in crime

By James Cullum

Published December 3, 2024 at 8:30AM | Updated December 4, 2024 at 2:50PM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

“Dogged investigatory work” from the Alexandria Police Department is “easing a spike in crime,” says Mayor Justin Wilson.

Alexandria has seen an 8% overall surge in crimes against people and property so far this year, according to Part I crime statistics recently released by the APD Crime Dashboard. As of Oct. 31, there have been 3,929 incidents this year, versus 3,647 for the same period last year.

Alexandria City High School bus driver charged with Oxon Hill murder

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2024 at 9:45PM

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

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) said in an alert to parents that a bus driver has been “placed on leave” effectively immediately after being charged with a murder.

ACPS said the bus driver in question is Carlas William Carter. Carter, 37, was arrested along with Alexandria resident Mary Ashby, 26, for the fatal shooting of Tamara Jones, 26, in Oxon Hill.

Woodrow Wilson Bridge opening scheduled for Thursday night

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late night travelers be aware: the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is scheduled to open Thursday night through early Friday morning for maintenance.

The District of Columbia AlertDC system said the bridge will have multiple openings and traffic stops between 10 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, through 5 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6.

New survey asks Alexandrians their thoughts on local affordable housing needs and issues

By Vernon Miles

Published December 2, 2024 at 2:45PM

Advocates for greater affordable housing support at a City Council budget hearing (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria’s Office of Housing has launched a survey that could help shape the Housing 2040 Master Plan — a blueprint for Alexandria’s goals and policies shaping affordable housing in years to come.

The plan is an update to the Housing Master Plan from 2013 which is set to end in 2025.

Here’s the scoop on the 2024 Del Ray Christmas tree and Menorah lightings

By James Cullum

Published December 2, 2024 at 1:30PM

The Del Ray Christmas tree and menorah lighting on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Del Ray’s Christmas tree and menorah lightings are just around the corner.

The annual event will be held at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square (2311 Mount Vernon Avenue) on Sunday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.

U.S. Capitol Police officer injured in motorcycle crash Monday morning in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published December 2, 2024 at 1:00PM | Updated December 2, 2024 at 1:30PM

A Capitol Police officer was injured in a crash at Russell Road and W. Nelson Avenue, Dec. 2, 2024 (courtesy photo)

A U.S. Capitol Police motorcycle officer was injured in a crash in Del Ray Monday morning (Dec. 2).

The male officer sustained minor injuries in the crash and the driver of the vehicle remained at the scene, according to the Alexandria Police Department. There’s no word from APD on who hit who, and charges have not been filed at this time.

Notes: WMATA moves forward with new streamlined service in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published December 2, 2024 at 10:05AM

Metrobus near Potomac Yard (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high of around 39 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 7 to 9 mph. Monday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to around 26 degrees and a northwest wind between 6 and 8 mph.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published November 29, 2024 at 2:30PM

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)

It’s Thanksgiving week, which means a fairly slow news Friday in Alexandria. We’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming next week.

In the meantime, the most-read stories this week were:

Alexandria city staff recommend denial of new bank plans in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published November 29, 2024 at 1:50PM

515 King Street (image via Google Maps)

Earlier this year, TD Bank filed to move from its current location in Old Town to 515 King Street, right in the heart of Old Town. Now, however, those plans are being challenged by city staff, saying yet more King Street frontage taken up with another bank would harm the area’s vitality.

TD Bank has filed for a special use permit to open a personal service establishment — a bank, in this case — with 30 feet or greater frontage on King Street.