News

Two-term Alexandria School Board Member Jacinta Greene vies for City Council

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Council candidate and School Board Member Jacinta Greene and her supporters marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 2, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Jacinta Greene says that her two three-year terms on the Alexandria School Board have prepared her for City Council.

Greene faces 10 opponents for the six City Council spots in contention for the June 18 primary. She’s running against four incumbent City Council Members, against a fellow School Board Member, two candidates who are running for their second chance at the nomination after losing in 2021, and some newcomers. She’s raised about $50,000 for her campaign, and as of June 5 has about $31,000 in the bank, according to recently released quarterly finance reports.

Go to Two-term Alexandria School Board Member Jacinta Greene vies for City Council Read more

ACPS community members share concerns about English Learner job cuts and leadership shakeup

By Vernon Miles
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Teachers and other Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) community members spoke at a School Board meeting last week to express anger and disappointment at restructuring inside school leadership.

Much of the criticism focused on the budget cuts (page 352) to the Teaching, Learning and Leadership team, which saw a net loss of four English Learner (EL) Services positions.

Go to ACPS community members share concerns about English Learner job cuts and leadership shakeup Read more

Suspect smashes glass door and steals liquor from Old Town restaurant

By James Cullum
Cleaning up after a glass door was smashed and liquor stolen from Mae's Market & Cafe at 277 S. Washington Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

An undisclosed amount of liquor was stolen from an Old Town restaurant after a suspect used a brick to smash a glass door, according to staff.

Workers at the restaurant said that at some point overnight a suspect smashed a side door to Mae’s Market & Cafe at 277 S. Washington Street and stole liquor from the bar.

Go to Suspect smashes glass door and steals liquor from Old Town restaurant Read more

New mural coming to the Torpedo Factory exterior later this month

By Vernon Miles
Torpedo Factory Loading Door concept art (image via Silas Baker/City of Alexandria)

A new mural is coming to the exterior of the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The new mural, mixing abstract elements with American Dogwood flowers, is set to be installed on the Union Street-facing loading dock later this month.

Go to New mural coming to the Torpedo Factory exterior later this month Read more

Take a gander: Geese briefly take over portion of I-395 in Alexandria this morning

By Vernon Miles
Geese on I-395 (image via VDOT)

If you were wondering about all the honking on I-395 this morning: a gander of geese briefly took over a portion of the express lanes near Edsall Road this morning.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) briefly shut down two lanes of I-395 and received an escort from Virginia State Police and Safety Service Patrol.

Go to Take a gander: Geese briefly take over portion of I-395 in Alexandria this morning Read more

Notes: Developers present contrasting visions of Potomac Yard’s arena post-Arena deal

By ALXnow.com
Matt Kelly, CEO of JBG Smith, 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)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 78, accompanied by a northwest wind at about 6 mph. As for tonight, mostly clear conditions prevail with a low around 60. The north wind at approximately 5 mph will become calm during the evening.

Go to Notes: Developers present contrasting visions of Potomac Yard’s arena post-Arena deal Read more

Group protests VDOT plan to add express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By James Cullum
The Virginia Department of Transportation's 495 Southside Study extends from the Springfield Interchange to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (via VDOT)

A proposal to add express lanes to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is getting some pushback from the Coalition for Smarter Growth, which argued VDOT’s toll lane could take Metrorail’s right of way.

The Coalition says that, if enacted, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 495 Southside Study will create traffic bottlenecks. They’re asking locals to voice their displeasure by emailing public officials, and say that the express lanes will not improve general traffic on the bridge and that more cars will avoid the bridge and spill onto local roadways.

Go to Group protests VDOT plan to add express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge Read more

APD officers resuscitate lifeless baby boy in Arlandria

By James Cullum
APD Officers David Hiltz (left) and Liam Reilly recently saved a baby in Arlandria (via APD/Facebook)

Alexandria Police Department officers are being hailed as heroes after resuscitating a lifeless baby boy after its mother suddenly gave birth in Arlandria last month.

APD officers David Hiltz and Liam Reilly responded to a “frantic” 911 call in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue on Wednesday, May 29, to find that a woman “suddenly” gave birth and that the baby boy had no heartbeat, according to APD.

Go to APD officers resuscitate lifeless baby boy in Arlandria Read more

Business booms at Smoking Kow BBQ on Duke Street after making Yelp’s 100 best barbecue joints list

By James Cullum
Food at Smoking Kow BBQ at 3250 Duke Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been a busier month than usual for Smoking Kow BBQ.

After being listed as #79 in Yelp’s Top 100 barbecue joints in the country, the restaurant and its catering operation have seen a giant boost in sales, owner Diane Lee told ALXnow.

Go to Business booms at Smoking Kow BBQ on Duke Street after making Yelp’s 100 best barbecue joints list Read more

Braddock park to be dedicated to longtime civic activist Judy Guse-Noritake today

By Vernon Miles
Judy Guse-Noritake Park (image via City of Alexandria)

A park in the Braddock neighborhood is being dedicated today to late civic activist Judy Guse-Noritake, a longtime advocate for parks who died in 2022.

For years, Guse-Noritake was a regular presence at city commissions and public hearings to advocate for better park space and better amenities for mixed-income communities. She helped found the Braddock Metro Citizens’ Coalition and was a prominent voice in shaping Old Town North.

Go to Braddock park to be dedicated to longtime civic activist Judy Guse-Noritake today Read more
View More Stories