Alexandria’s revenue tax is growing, but too sluggishly to keep pace with the expenditures — leading to a $17 million shortfall as the city heads into budget season.
That estimate, from Mayor Justin Wilson’s monthly newsletter, is slightly lower than the estimate from a City Council meeting in November, but still presents a substantial challenge for city leadership attempting hold off on a tax rate increase.
With the holiday season approaching, a prerequisite for some family gatherings could be a negative Covid test. With Curative shutting down its testing kiosks throughout the region that might get slightly harder, but there are other resources.
The kiosks have provided around 195,000 Covid tests, the City of Alexandria said in a release, but demand for kiosk testing has dropped off dramatically since 2021.
Alexandria Delegate Elizabeth Bennett-Parker is running for reelection for Virginia’s 45th District, she announced on Wednesday.
Bennett-Parker will kick off her campaign formally on Jan. 7.
Inquisitive cat Loki is up for adoption in Alexandria.
The four-year-old black and white male domestic short-haired cat isn’t as mischievous as his name suggests, said Gina Hardter, spokesperson with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.
Braddock West Development Underway — “Wythe Street closure is part of sewer work ahead of construction.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
It’s Thursday — Clear throughout the day. High of 45 and low of 33. Sunrise at 7:10 am and sunset at 4:48 pm. [Weather.gov]
(Updated 4:25 p.m.) When trash pick-up comes around, it might be a little quieter than usual.
Alexandria’s Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) said the city is testing out new electric trash trucks.
Alexandria City Public Schools is in the initial stages of organizing a collective bargaining effort for thousands of its employees.
The school system has more than 2,400 employees and pays $11.6 million in salaries, with funds approved by the City Council. That means that any agreement reached between ACPS staffers and the school system will have to be approved by Council.
The Del Ray Menorah and Christmas tree lightings are back on Sunday.
Holiday carols will bring Santa Claus back to the neighborhood for the event, which starts at 6 p.m. at Pat Miller Neighborhood Square. The Avenue will also be lined with luminaries to honor the late Nancy Dunning.
American Horticultural Society plans for future — “Following a long saga of many ups, downs, twists and turns, the American Horticultural Society is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.” [Alexandria Times]
It’s Wednesday — Rain in the morning and afternoon. High of 58 and low of 44. Sunrise at 7:09 am and sunset at 4:49 pm. [Weather.gov]
A new authority responsible for promoting railways in Virginia said the only real solution to a degraded bridge over King Street is full replacement.
The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) made its recommendation to the Transportation Commission earlier this month. The CSX bridge over King Street is nearly 120 years old and is notorious for causing closures and shutdowns.
An Alexandria Police officer went undercover to assist in the arrest of a Baltimore man, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Monday (Nov. 28) for sex trafficking three women in the D.C. area.
Ryan Odell Oliver, 40, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, followed by 15 years of supervised release. He was arrested in Baltimore in January 2019, and admitted to forcing women against their will into prostitution.
