News | ALXnow - Part 443

Theft from Alexandria’s Virginia ABC stores jumped more than 200% in 2023

Published January 25, 2024 at 3:45PM

The Virginia ABC store at 3815 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria (via Google Maps)

Liquor store thefts jumped more than 200% in Alexandria in 2023, according to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority.

There are six Virginia ABC stores in Alexandria. The store with the most incidents is the Arlandria store at 3815 Mount Vernon Avenue in the Del Ray North Shopping Center, which saw 43 incidents of theft last year, up from just eight reported incidents in 2022. The store with the highest amount of theft is at 501 Montgomery Street in Old Town North, which saw 23 incidents.

What’s Up in Alexandria This Weekend: January 26 – 28

By Ryan Belmore

Published January 25, 2024 at 2:30PM

Brunch at Hen Quarter (photo via Hen Quarter/Facebook)

Alexandria Restaurant Week 2024 continues through Sunday, January 28. Don’t miss your chance to treat your taste buds to prix fixe dinners priced at $30, $40, or $50 at more than 70 restaurants throughout Alexandria.

Besides the great food, here’s a glimpse of the exciting events, live music, and entertainment awaiting you this weekend in Alexandria.

Family assisting Alexandria Police Department in abandoned toddler investigation

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated January 25, 2024 at 2:15PM

Abandoned child at 8 S. Van Dorn Street (image via Alexandria Police Department/Twitter)

(Updated 2:15 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department (APD) and the Child Welfare Services have launched a joint investigation into the abandonment of a child last night.

APD said the child was dropped off by an unknown person at 8 S. Van Dorn Street around 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday. APD said they are working with members of the child’s family as part of the investigation.

New Black History Month events announced for Alexandria, including upgrades to waterfront trail

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2024 at 11:00AM

Page from a 1858 registry of Black Alexandria residents (image via City of Alexandria)

Black History Month kicks off next week and events around Alexandria throughout February will explore, commemorate and celebrate Black history in the city.

One of the biggest new additions is the “African American Waterfront Heritage Trail” running along the waterfront.

Holmes Run Trail repairs delayed to 2026

By Vernon Miles

Published January 25, 2024 at 10:00AM

A trail entrance to Dora Kelley Nature Park after flood damage in 2018 (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

In a City Council meeting earlier this week, City Council member Kirk McPike reported that portions of the Holmes Run Trail won’t be fixed until 2026 — eight years after they were damaged by a storm.

In 2022, Mayor Justin Wilson said it was frustrating that some of the final pieces of the recovery wouldn’t be finished until 2024. The new timeline places final repairs two years later.

Notes: Alexandria Police Department says Wednesday school threats were another case of ‘swatting’

By ALXnow.com

Published January 25, 2024 at 8:45AM

Police at Charles Barrett Elementary School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Thursday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Expect rain and fog with a high near 61 and southwest winds of 5 to 8 mph. Precipitation has an 80% chance with amounts ranging between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. For Thursday night, rain is likely, along with possible thunderstorms after 4 am, but primarily cloudy and areas of fog will persist. Temperatures will drop to around 55 with south winds of 5 to 7 mph. A 70% chance of precipitation remains, with similar totals, but potentially higher amounts during thunderstorms.

Large fire on Wheeler Avenue this month caused $5 million in damages

By Vernon Miles

Published January 24, 2024 at 3:45PM

Fire on Wheeler Avenue (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) said a massive fire earlier this month on Wheeler Lane caused an estimated $5 million in damages.

In a release, AFD said the fire was “accidental and electrical in nature”. The fire caused $1.5 million in structural damage with an estimated $3.5 million in damage to the contents of the businesses in those buildings.

Alexandria man held without bond after allegedly shooting coworker in face with BB gun

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2024 at 2:45PM

A man was allegedly shot in the face on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 (via Google Maps)

A 25-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly shooting an adult male in the face with a BB gun on Monday night inside a hotel in the 5000 block of Seminary Road.

Police said that the victim sustained a non-life-threatening wound after getting shot with a BB gun at around 11:30 p.m. and was transported to a local hospital. The victim called 911 and told police that he was shot in the face by a coworker, according to the police scanner.

BREAKING: Charles Barrett Elementary evacuated and Cora Kelly on lockdown due to threats

By Vernon Miles

Published January 24, 2024 at 1:15PM | Updated January 24, 2024 at 3:01PM

Charles Barrett Elementary School (image via Alexandria Police Department/Twitter)

(Updated 3 p.m.) The Alexandria Police Department evacuated students and staff from Charles Barrett Elementary School (1115 Martha Custis Drive) earlier today and Cora Kelly has gone into lockdown after threats to the schools.

Police said a report came in of a weapons violation at Charles Barrett around 12:05 p.m., according to the scanner. The scanner indicated that a man was making threats to shoot at the school, targeting a teacher, and that a ‘device’ was placed in the school. At 3 p.m., APD said no threat was found at Charles Barrett Elementary School.

Former Francis C. Hammond student nominated at the Oscars

By Vernon Miles

Published January 24, 2024 at 10:55AM | Updated March 11, 2024 at 3:07PM

Killers of the Flower Moon Academy Award nominations (image via Killers of the Flower Moon/Facebook)

Jack Fisk, an acclaimed film production designer and former Francis C. Hammond High School student, has been nominated for best production design at this year’s Oscars for his work on Killers of the Flower Moon.

Fisk was born in Illinois but the Washington Business Journal noted that Fisk graduated Francis C. Hammond High School in 1964, where he went to school with filmmaker David Lynch. Francis C. Hammond became a junior high school in 1979 and a middle school in 1993.

Cold? Del Ray’s pop-up bar is going to resemble an Aspen ski lodge

By James Cullum

Published January 24, 2024 at 9:30AM

Skis for sale at Aspen On The Avenue at 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

If you need a break from those harsh winter conditions, Del Ray’s seasonal popup bar will resemble a ski lodge in Aspen, Colorado, when it opens early next month.

“Aspen On The Avenue” is the latest effort from Homegrown Restaurant Group owners Bill Blackburn and “Mango” Mike Anderson. The bar and restaurant is being outfitted with skis on the walls, fake fireplaces and more.