News | ALXnow - Part 376

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

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.

Notes: Alexandria elected officials condemn Trump shooting

By ALXnow.com

Published July 15, 2024 at 9:15AM

Rep. Don Beyer, of Virginia's 8th District, speaks to supporters on election night at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray, Nov. 8, 2022 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with sunny and hot conditions reaching a high of 101°F and a heat index of 111°F. 30% chance of precipitation, and a west wind at 3-6 mph. Monday night, thunderstorms are likely before 8pm, followed by mostly clear skies and a low of 76°F. A southwest wind at 6 mph will become calm in the evening, and precipitation probability remains at 30%.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published July 12, 2024 at 3:50PM

Potomac Yard in Microsoft Flight Simulator (image via Xbox Game Studios/Microsoft)

On a personal note, it was exciting to see the Flight Simulator get some readership. It’s always satisfying when the Alexandria readership is just as geeky as the ALXnow editorial team, and similar looks at Arlington and Fairfax could be coming soon to our sister sites.

The most-read stories this week were:

Shirlington Circle bridge closed this weekend for rehabilitation work

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2024 at 2:45PM | Updated July 12, 2024 at 9:19PM

Shirlington Circle bridge closure (image via VDOT)

The Shirlington Circle south rotary bridge — which connects Shirlington to Alexandria — will be closed (again) this weekend for rehabilitation work on the bridge with drivers sent on a lengthy detour down I-395.

VDOT said in a release that the bridge will closed from 10 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, until 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 16.

New Carlyle development moving forward with one big criticism: it’s too short

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2024 at 1:45PM | Updated July 12, 2024 at 9:19PM

Block 20 Condo building compared to neighbors (image via Architects Collaborative/City of Alexandria)

The Block 20 East Condominiums project has garnered positive reviews from the City but with one bit of feedback that doesn’t come often in Alexandria: it’s not tall enough.

The project is heading back to the Carlyle/Eisenhower East Design Review Board on Thursday, July 18, and a staff report said the Board has generally been supportive of the project, but that it needs to be two stories taller.

Alexandria City Public Schools launches backpack and school supply drive for students in need

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2024 at 10:55AM

The first day at school at George Mason Elementary School, Aug. 21, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

As families around Alexandria get ready for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is hoping for some help from the community to make life a little easier for some students and parents.

ACPS is running its 2024 Backpack and School Supply Drive with donors able to purchase backpacks and supplies for students from a wishlist or via direct donations.