(Updated at 11:30 a.m.) The field of candidates is getting crowded in Alexandria’s Democratic primary for City Council.
The list of nine candidates includes four incumbents, two School Board Members, two community leaders and a former magistrate, who, if elected would be the first transgender City Council member.
Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly cloudy skies to gradually clear by mid-morning, giving way to a high of around 44 degrees. The northwest wind will start between 6 to 11 mph and increase to 12 to 17 mph in the afternoon, potentially gusting up to 25 mph. Tonight, the skies will be clear with a low of approximately 25 degrees, while the northwest wind continues at 6 to 14 mph, with gusts reaching up to 21 mph.
(Updated at 11:45 p.m.) The race for the next mayor of Alexandria has officially begun, sort of.
Last night, Vice Mayor Amy Jackson formally announced her candidacy to the Alexandria Democratic Committee (ADC), a rite of passage in Alexandria elected politics since the city has only ever elected a Republican mayor once, in 1872. Jackson’s opponent, City Council Member Alyia Gaskins, made her own announcement to the ADC on Dec. 2, and used the opportunity last night to announce her latest endorsements.
Another year, another multi-million dollar revenue shortfall in the city’s budget.
In a newsletter, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the city is seeing gradual growth in real estate taxes. The city is also seeing a return to normalcy in vehicle personal property tax revenues after a surge during the pandemic.
Jafaar Ouardi says his shave ice is like eating fluffy snow.
After launching Le Petit Ananas Hawaiian Shaved Ice two years ago in Fairfax County, Ouardi recently got City Council approval to set up shop in the alleyway outside Bagel Uprising at 2307 A Mount Vernon Avenue. He’s planning on reopening at the new location in March and staying open until November.
Say hello to Dash, a beautiful 5-year-old with very expressive ears!
Dash is currently up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
A Festivus for the rest of us is coming back to Del Ray this Saturday night.
The secular celebration that started in the 1990s sitcom Seinfeld will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Joy on the Avenue pop-up at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue.
(Updated 2:30 p.m.) A group called the Coalition to Stop the Arena at Potomac Yard is holding a rally tomorrow near the site of the proposed arena.
For those just now waking up from a month-long coma: Washington Capitals and Wizards owner Ted Leonsis announced, along with city leaders and Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, that the teams would be moving to a new arena in Potomac Yard — pending a series of approvals from various levels of government.
Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect partly sunny skies and a high near 47, accompanied by calm winds turning northwest at around 5 mph. For Wednesday night, there’s a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 1am, with cloudy skies and a low around 34. Winds will be light and variable, and the precipitation chance remains at 20%.
(Updated 12:15 a.m.) A three-alarm fire sent plumes of smoke up into the skies above Wheeler Avenue earlier this evening.
The 4000-4400 blocks of the street burned earlier this evening, but by 11 p.m. the fire had been contained.
Traffic is partially flowing again on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge after being temporarily shut down due to a possible standoff situation.
Vehicle traffic on the bridge was shut down around 7 p.m. when police pursued a vehicle onto the bridge, according to the scanner.
