News | ALXnow - Part 440

BREAKING: D.C. man indicted on charges of abduction and attempted rape in Potomac Yard

Published February 29, 2024 at 11:25AM

2200 block of Main Line Blvd (image via Google Maps)

Washington D.C. resident Dykwon Perry Davis has been indicted by a multi-jurisdictional jury on two felony charges: abduction with intent to defile and attempted rape.

Davis is charged with the attempted abduction in the Potomac Yard neighborhood earlier this month. On Feb. 3, Davis allegedly attacked a woman who had just parked her car on the 2200 block of Main Line Blvd and attempted to pull her into an alley. Davis allegedly tried to remove the woman’s pants but she was able to fight him off.

There’s a new salon in Del Ray named after a Taylor Swift song

By James Cullum

Published February 29, 2024 at 10:45AM | Updated February 29, 2024 at 12:18PM

Monica Frias, owner of Enchant Hair Co at 2202 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

There’s a new hair salon in Del Ray and it’s named after a Taylor Swift song. Enchant Hair Co. opened at 2202 Mount Vernon Avenue in January, and it’s named after Swift’s song Enchanted.

“I love Taylor Swift,” owner Monica Frias told ALXnow. “She’s like a reflection of my personality.”

Alexandria achieves zero traffic fatalities in 2023

By Vernon Miles

Published February 29, 2024 at 9:55AM

A pedestrian tries to cross Duke St. at N. Jordan St. (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Vision Zero goal of zero roadway deaths and severe injuries is daunting, but the City announced that it closed 2023 with zero traffic fatalities.

In a release, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) noted that one year with zero fatalities does not a trend make or mean that the city should roll out the Mission Accomplished banner.

Notes: Gov. Youngkin allegedly offering Hampton Roads toll relief in exchange for Potomac Yard arena support

By ALXnow.com

Published February 29, 2024 at 8:55AM

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin 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 Thursday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny skies and a high temperature of around 47 degrees, accompanied by a northwest wind ranging from 10 to 14 mph with gusts reaching up to 23 mph. As for Thursday night, the skies will be mostly clear, and the temperature will drop to around 31 degrees. The northwest wind will be at about 6 mph and will turn light and variable after midnight.

Alexandria city manager says widening imbalance in tax base puts city in financial peril

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2024 at 3:55PM

Real estate tax base distribution (image via City of Alexandria)

Depending on how you cut it, the residential tax base comprises either 82% of the city’s revenue or 62% — but either way, Alexandria leaders said that’s a precarious balance for a local government’s budget.

It’s an issue that came up in both the city budget discussion and an update on the Potomac Yard Arena development at a City Council meeting last night.

Alexandria Amtrak station is the second busiest in the Southeastern United States

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2024 at 2:55PM

The Amtrak and VRE station (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Amtrak said last year was one for the books for train travel around Virginia and the Alexandria station had the state’s second-highest ridership in the southeastern United States.

Just behind Richmond at 424,617 riders, Alexandria Union Station had 327,285 riders in 2023.

ACPS targets 2026-2027 school year for middle and elementary school redistricting

By James Cullum

Published February 28, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated February 28, 2024 at 4:31PM

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

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) With a handful of schools exceeding 110% utilization, the Alexandria School Board is moving forward with a lengthy redistricting process to redraw elementary and middle school boundaries.

The School Board, which is now starting its redistricting process from scratch, wants any changes to go into effect at the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, according to School Board Vice Chair Kelly Carmichael Booz.

Upcoming Alexandria events uncover buried achievements of women in medical history

By Vernon Miles

Published February 28, 2024 at 11:15AM | Updated February 28, 2024 at 11:46AM

Alice Ball, who created a treatment for leprosy (image via University of Hawaii

March is Women’s History Month and there are events across the city discussing women who helped shape Alexandria.

Events include a lecture by Jane Plitt, Director of the National Center of Women’s Innovations, on how women shaped the world of healthcare, from curing leprosy to developing cataract eye surgery, but it took years for their role in the field to be recognized.

Alexandria’s ‘Mango’ Mike Anderson is grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By James Cullum

Published February 28, 2024 at 9:40AM

Dave Mammel (on left) and Mango Mike Anderson in front of their 1962 Aistream, which has been converted into a photo booth, at First Thursday in Del Ray, July 7, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

He’s not remotely Irish, but Alexandria restaurant owner “Mango” Mike Anderson is the grand marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday.

A local celebrity of sorts, Anderson will lead the parade down King Street and to the reviewing stand on Royal Street in the heart of Old Town.

Notes: Alexandria streamlines loading zone process for businesses

By ALXnow.com

Published February 28, 2024 at 9:00AM | Updated February 28, 2024 at 10:00AM

Loading zone at 218 N. Lee Street (image via Google Maps)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect rain and a possible thunderstorm after 4pm with a high near 68, accompanied by breezy south winds reaching 16-20 mph and gusts up to 37 mph. Precipitation chances are 90%, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half-inch. By Wednesday night, anticipate rain and a potential thunderstorm before 7pm, followed by a chance of rain until 10pm, with a low around 31. Winds will shift to the northwest, blowing at 15-25 mph with gusts up to 47 mph, and precipitation chances drop to 80%. New rainfall amounts will be less than a tenth of an inch, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Gaza ceasefire resolution ruffles feathers in Alexandria City Hall

By Vernon Miles

Published February 27, 2024 at 3:55PM

Protestors advocating for Palestinians' inclusion to the Human Rights proclamation (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Within days of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas on Israel, Alexandria’s City Hall was lit up with the colors of Israel. But after months of mounting civilian casualties in Gaza, a push for Alexandria to join cities calling for a ceasefire has faced significant opposition in City Hall.

A resolution calling for a ceasefire was raised as a recommendation at a Human Rights Commission (HRC) meeting earlier this month.