News

Months after autistic 4-year-old ran away, Jefferson-Houston Elementary School administrators returning to work

By James Cullum
Brianna Davis-Suggs was reunited with her daughter, four-year-old Riley, who walked away from Jefferson Houston Elementary School on March 19, 2024 (courtesy photo)

The head of school and academic principal at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 School are returning to work after four months of forced leave after an autistic four-year-old student walked away from the school and was found walking barefoot in the middle of the street near the King St. Metro station.

In a letter this week to Jefferson-Houston parents and staff, head of school John McCain thanked administrators PreeAnn Johnson and Julia Neufer for “serving as the acting leadership team and providing consistency for our community.”

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City Manager discusses successes and setbacks in ensuring abortion access in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles
Pro and anti-abortion activists at Alexandria City Hall, June 28, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

At a City Council meeting earlier this week, Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon said the city has seen some advances but also some hurdles in its efforts to make abortion and other women’s health services accessible.

Two years ago, Alexandria’s City Council adopted a resolution asking the City Manager to consider proposals ensuring “accessibility of reproductive health services, safe abortion services, accessible maternal and child health services for low-income Alexandria residents.”

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Alexandria hosting and participating in intermediate baseball state championship

By James Cullum
Alexandria Little League's Intermediate All Stars are heading to the state tournament, which will be held in the city from July 5 to 10 (via Facebook)

Alexandria Little League’s All-Star Intermediate baseball players are heading to the Intermediate Baseball State Tournament, and they won’t have to travel far.

Eight teams of 13-and-under players from across Virginia will participate in the tournament, which will be held at Alexandria’s Eugene Simpson Stadium Park.

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Alexandria Mayor echoes transit advocates’ concerns about Woodrow Wilson Bridge toll lanes

By Vernon Miles
Cars travel westbound I-495 on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge (via Google Maps)

On paper, the plan to add toll lanes to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge doesn’t preclude the possibility of adding Metro access one day, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson joined the Coalition for Smarter Growth in expressing concerns that the new express lanes would make future rail plans unfeasible.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is currently considering converting a portion of the bridge reserved for future HOV/express bus/rail transit into toll lanes. VDOT said future transit could be implemented by shifting one thru lane to a local lane and reducing to one express lane in each direction. But Wilson said Alexandria has had a history of legal fights over the bridge, the notable one being a lawsuit that resulted in the bridge being 10 lanes instead of 12.

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Outgoing members say Alexandria’s Independent Community Policing Review Board is still not functioning

By James Cullum
Police at shooting scene near 5563 Holmes Run Parkway (staff photo by James Cullum)

Three years after being established by City Council, Alexandria’s Independent Community Policing Review Board is still not up and running. Now after another delay, the board will have to postpone investigating hundreds of allegations of police misconduct until at least the fall.

It’s been more than four years since the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin. The event sparked international outrage, also resulting in protests in Alexandria where Mayor Justin Wilson and city leaders called for police accountability.

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Jet fuel pipeline replacement project starting next month near Braddock and Potomac Yard

By Vernon Miles
Route 1 over the Potomac Yard trail. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Pipeline company Kinder Morgan SE Products, formerly Plantation Pipeline, will begin a pipeline relocation and replacement project next month along the rail lines running through the Braddock and Potomac Yard neighborhoods.

The project will replace approximately 2.4 miles of pipeline in the CSX right of way.

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New Hotel Heron rooftop bar launching with festive 4th of July event

By Vernon Miles
Good Fortune bar (photo via Hotel Heron/Facebook)

A new rooftop bar called Good Fortune opened last week at Old Town’s brand new Hotel Heron (699 Prince Street) and it’s planning to capitalize on its scenic view with a 4th of July event.

The bar is hosting a party called “Red, White and Views” celebrating the new scenic view of the Potomac River and D.C.

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Notes: Lorien Hotel & Spa in Old Town could see redesign and rebranding under new ownership

By ALXnow.com

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and thunderstorms after 2pm, with increasing clouds and a hot high near 99°F. Southwest winds will be around 7-9 mph, and there is a 50% chance of precipitation. On Wednesday night, precipitation chances increase to 70%, with showers and thunderstorms likely before 11pm, possibly extending until 2am, followed by a chance of more showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will drop to a low of around 72°F under mostly cloudy skies. New rainfall amounts may range from half to three-quarters of an inch.

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