News | ALXnow - Part 403

City Council amends outreach policy for creating Business Improvement District in Old Town

Published May 30, 2024 at 3:30PM

Enjoying the weather and outside seating on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council unanimously approved new outreach guidelines for the potential creation of a Business Improvement District (BIDs) in Old Town on Tuesday night.

Without buy-in from 60% of impacted property owners, previous efforts to get BIDs started in Old Town failed. Consequently, City Council on Tuesday night approved the amended rules stipulating that property owners will now be sent petitions via certified mail, and that their non-response within 30 days will be counted just as if they vote in opposition.

What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: Taste of Del Ray, Alexandria Pride Fair, Alexandria Aces, and more

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 30, 2024 at 2:45PM

Pride flag (photo via Sophie emeny/Unsplash)

Here’s a roundup of all the events, live music, and entertainment happening around Alexandria this weekend, Thursday, May 30, through Sunday, June 2, 2024.

Are you organizing an event? Submit events to ALXnow.

Guilty verdict for man who murdered his roommate in the West End

By James Cullum

Published May 30, 2024 at 1:00PM

Dontae Drumgold has been charged with the 2022 murder of a man in the West End (via Alexandria Sheriff's Office)

A 29-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering his roommate by shooting him in the head as he left for work in the West End.

Dontae Lashaun Drumgold was convicted of first-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a murder in the 2022 death of 25-year-old Elijah Williams.

City manager names former New York fire chief as new head of the Alexandria Fire Department

By Vernon Miles

Published May 30, 2024 at 11:35AM

Felipe Hernandez Jr. (image via City of Rochester)

City Manager James F. Parajon named Felipe Hernandez Jr. as the new fire and emergency medical services chief for the City of Alexandria, according to a release from the city.

Hernandez is the first Latino to serve as a permanent fire chief in Alexandria and comes to the city after 25 years with the City of Rochester, where he previously served as chief of the fire department.

Fire damages Episcopal High School building and destroys golf cart

By James Cullum

Published May 30, 2024 at 10:00AM

A small fire was extinguished at Episcopal High School at 1200 N. Quaker Lane (via Facebook)

There were no injuries after a building was damaged and a golf cart was destroyed by fire at Episcopal High School on Wednesday morning.

The fire was reported at around 9:30 a.m. and extinguished about 10 minutes later, according to dispatch reports. No one was injured.

Notes: Former Alexandria Fire Chief tapped to lead Montgomery County Fire Deparment

By ALXnow.com

Published May 30, 2024 at 9:05AM

Fire Chief Corey Smedley at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 10, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high of 75 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Thursday night will be mostly clear, with temperatures dropping to a low around 54 degrees, and a northwest wind blowing at 6 to 9 mph.

D.C. man sentenced 12.5 years for West End carjacking and police chase

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2024 at 3:30PM | Updated May 30, 2024 at 12:44AM

Police car lights (file photo)

A 33-year-old D.C. man was sentenced to 12-and-a-half years in prison for a carjacking that led to a chase with the Alexandria Police Department, a hit-and-run and more.

On Tuesday, Donte Tayvon Thomas was sentenced for his convictions for felony carjacking, felony hit-and-run, felony eluding police and falsely identifying himself to law enforcement.

Alexandria OK’s nearly $300K loan to Wesley Housing for dilapidated Arlandria properties

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2024 at 2:30PM

Wesley Housing has acquired the six-building Parc Square Apartments in Arlandria (via Wesley Housing)

It’s been two years since Wesley Housing acquired the affordable Parc Square Apartments complex in Arlandria, and repairs have proved more extensive than anticipated.

On Tuesday night, City Council approved (without discussion) a $291,300 loan to the affordable housing community for the partial renovation of eight units in the five-building, 66-unit complex.

PHOTOS: City leaders cut ribbon at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated May 29, 2024 at 3:41PM

Current and former Alexandria leaders at the ribbon cutting for Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus (staff photo by James Cullum)

After two years under construction, city leaders cut the ribbon today on Alexandria City High School’s new Minnie Howard Campus.

The $190 million project for the 343,000-square-foot, five-story satellite campus can hold up to 1,600 students — double the capacity of its 1950’s-era predecessor. The building will be home to six career and technical education academies, which administrators say will allow students to pursue their interests.

You get a puppy, you get a puppy and you get a Puppy!

By ALXnow.com

Published May 29, 2024 at 12:00PM

Puppy

Get ready to have your heart won over by Puppy, an 11-year-old dog searching for his forever home!

This beautiful and loving guy is currently up for adoption through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

POLL: How many dogs should be allowed to live in Alexandria households?

By James Cullum

Published May 29, 2024 at 10:45AM

Darth Vader walks his dog at the Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday, October 30, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

How many dogs should be allowed to live in Alexandria households?

Since 1995 it’s been illegal to own more than three dogs in Alexandria. The ordinance was passed with cat hoarding in mind, however, and the limit on cats as pets is remaining unchanged at four.