News | ALXnow - Part 343

Notes: Southern Towers air conditioning fails during intense heat wave

Published July 17, 2024 at 9:15AM

Southern Towers (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect scattered showers and thunderstorms from noon to 2pm, followed by showers and potential thunderstorms, with a high near 97 and heat index reaching 106. Southwest winds will be 5 to 8 mph, and there’s an 80% chance of precipitation with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and a half-inch. Wednesday night will have showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, likely showers and possible thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am, and scattered showers after 2am. Expect a low of around 75, southwest wind 5 to 7 mph, 80% chance of precipitation, and new rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria with storms and heat likely tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published July 16, 2024 at 4:05PM

As of 3:45 p.m., the skies above Alexandria are cloudy but not too ominous. The National Weather Service, however, warned that could change this afternoon.

Alexandria and many of the neighboring localities are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 10 p.m. tonight (Tuesday). The chance of precipitation is only 40% tonight, but goes up to 80% tomorrow with isolated showers and thunderstorms likely between noon and 2 p.m. tomorrow.

New emergency veterinary center opening in Foxchase tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published July 16, 2024 at 2:45PM

VEG staff treating a dog (courtesy photo)

A 24/7 Pet ER facility operated by the Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) is opening tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Shoppes of Foxchase shopping center.

The facility at 4525 Duke Street is scheduled to launch with an open house from 4:30-6:30 p.m. followed by a ribbon cutting.

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail wins National Park Service volunteerism award

By Vernon Miles

Published July 16, 2024 at 1:45PM

Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail is a volunteer group that’s worked tirelessly to maintain and improve one of the region’s most beautiful trails and the National Park Service (NPS) recently recognized the group for those efforts.

The group took home the National Park Service Impact Award: Team Category in the NPS’ Excellence in Volunteerism Awards.

After extensive delays and contractor firing, Simpson Dog Park finally reopens

By Vernon Miles

Published July 16, 2024 at 9:40AM

Dogs at Simpson Stadium Dog Park (image via Simpson Stadium Dog Park Group/Facebook)

Dog owners rejoice: the Eugene Simpson Stadium Dog Park reopened yesterday.

The park had been closed for since late 2022 and experienced several delays, with the city ultimately firing the contractor.

Notes: Popular lobster food truck setting up near Bradlee Shopping Center today

By ALXnow.com

Published July 16, 2024 at 8:55AM

Lobster tail at Cousins Main Lobester (image via Cousins Main Lobster/Facebook)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, accompanied by sunny, hot weather and a high near 101 degrees. The heat index may reach up to 109 degrees, with a southwest wind at 3-8 mph. The chance of precipitation is around 30%. Later, Tuesday night will see a chance of showers and thunderstorms, primarily before 8pm, and partly cloudy skies with a low around 79 degrees. Winds will continue from the southwest at 6-8 mph, maintaining a 30% chance of precipitation.

BREAKING: Del Ray resident tapped as Trump running mate

By Vernon Miles

Published July 15, 2024 at 3:40PM

J.D. Vance (image via U.S. Senate)

Author, Ohio Senator, Del Ray resident and yarn bomb victim J.D. Vance has been tapped as the Vice President pick for Republican Candidate Donald Trump.

Vance moved into an over $1.5 million home in Del Ray back in 2023, which was followed shortly by the home being yarn bombed and ringed with messages criticizing Vance’s opposition to LGBTQ rights. Republicans have often received a frosty reception in the predominately liberal Alexandria.

Alexandria’s Christian Tabash is rowing for Team USA in the Paris Olympics

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2024 at 2:45PM

Alexandria's Christian Tabash is heading to Paris as a member of the U.S. Olympic rowing team (via Facebook)

Alexandria’s Christian Tabash is rowing with Team USA in the upcoming Paris Olympics, and says that the games are the culmination of a lifelong dream.

Tabash has been training in Italy with his team, and stopped to talk for a few minutes with ALXnow. He’s lived in Alexandria with his family since 2017, and rowed four years on the varsity team of Gonzaga College High School in D.C., and then for four years at Harvard University where he earned a degree in government. He was selected to be on Team USA’s men’s eight rowing team at the end of March.

National Weather Service issues another excessive heat warning for Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 15, 2024 at 1:30PM

Hot day in Alexandria (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Just like it did last week, Alexandria is starting out Monday with warnings about extreme heat.

An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued to Alexandria and many of the surrounding localities. The temperature is hovering around 98 degrees, but it’s expected to hit up to 101. The heat index values are expected to go as high as 111 degrees.

Alexandria Police investigating shooting near Duke Street on Sunday

By Vernon Miles

Published July 15, 2024 at 11:15AM

Police investigating shooting near 4600 Duke Street (image via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) is investigating a shooting off Duke Street yesterday (Sunday) afternoon near 4600 Duke Street

APD described the incident as “a felonious assault with non-life-threatening injuries.

PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 275th birthday celebration on the waterfront

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2024 at 9:55AM | Updated July 15, 2024 at 12:29PM

Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cupcakes, music and fireworks punctuated Alexandria’s 275th birthday on Saturday.

It was a clear night for a party at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) along the Potomac River. Mayor Justin Wilson and city leaders spoke onstage before handing out thousands of birthday cupcakes.