News | ALXnow - Part 564

ACPS vow to support transgender students despite new Youngkin policies

Published September 20, 2022 at 10:45AM

George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

In a letter to students, staff and families, Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) said it will continue to “develop and implement gender-affirming policies for all ACPS students” despite new policies outlined by Governor Glenn Youngkin.

On Friday, Youngkin’s administration proposed new policies to restrict bathroom use and which pronouns transgender students can use. The new policies would restrict students to the bathrooms and locker rooms associated with the sex assigned at birth regardless of gender identity, NPR reported.

Details emerge after woman shot in foot in Braddock area

By James Cullum

Published September 20, 2022 at 9:30AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

More details have emerged in the August 27 shooting in the Braddock area that resulted left a woman injured and a man behind bars.

At around 8:30 p.m., a 38-year-old woman was shot in the foot in an alley in the 700 block of N. Fayette Street. Police say the woman was an innocent bystander.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published September 20, 2022 at 5:00AM

Multifamily Units Approved on King Street — “Alexandria City Council made several notable decisions at its Saturday meeting, including an approval of multifamily residential units on King Street and denial of an appeal to remove nine parking spaces on Polk Avenue.” [Patch]

It’s Tuesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 81 and low of 67. Sunrise at 6:56 am and sunset at 7:10 pm. [Weather.gov]

Alexandria businesses to start paying rent for on-street dining and shopping

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2022 at 3:30PM

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

Without discussion, the Alexandria City Council on Saturday (September 17) unanimously approved a proposal to charge rent to local businesses that use their street parking spaces for dining and shopping.

The new rule combines the city’s commercial parklet program with the outdoor dining program that was implemented during the pandemic.

City Council strikes down Polk Avenue sidewalk appeal

By Vernon Miles

Published September 19, 2022 at 2:50PM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 9:25PM

After months of back and forth, Alexandria’s City Council ultimately rejected an appeal from neighbors to keep a sidewalk from being built on Polk Avenue at the western edge of Seminary Hill.

The north side of Polk Avenue directly abuts Polk Park with no sidewalk, meaning anyone walking along the north side of the street is forced to cross the street — without a crosswalk at the western end. But the proposed sidewalk would also involve eliminating nine parking spaces neighbors say are desperately needed and would slightly cut into Polk Park.

There’s a new interactive mural at fibre space in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 19, 2022 at 1:00PM | Updated September 19, 2022 at 8:39PM

Alexandria’s knitters and crocheters can celebrate their finished work at a new interactive mural at yarn shop fibre space (1319 Prince Street) in Old Town.

The mural allows for customers to take photos with their finished objects (known as FO’s), and pretend to be holding an umbrella under a shower of knitting notions and tools.

System update gives Alexandrians two days of free access to rec centers, pools and more

By Vernon Miles

Published September 19, 2022 at 11:00AM

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center and Aquatics Facility (image via RPCA/Facebook)

A system upgrade to the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) website could be a windfall for local residents who, today and tomorrow, can access most rec center amenities without charge.

The city is updating its WebTrac service today, leaving RPCA unable to access household information, handle reservations or registrations, or process payments or refunds.

Old Town North affordable housing redevelopment moves forward

By Vernon Miles

Published September 19, 2022 at 9:50AM

Ladrey High-Rise in Old Town North (image via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) has announced some next steps for plans to redevelop Ladrey High Rise, a public housing building in Old Town North.

The current building is an 11-story, 170-unit high rise building housing seniors and residents with disabilities. The redevelopment plans will see that building and an adjoining property demolished for a new mid-rise construction. The new development is slated to be a one-to-one replacement of the units on the site.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published September 19, 2022 at 5:00AM

Teen Killed in Fairfax — “Police are investigating a shooting outside an apartment complex in the Woodlawn section of [Fairfax] that left a 19-year-old man dead.” [FOX5]

It’s Monday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 83 and low of 66. Sunrise at 6:55 am and sunset at 7:12 pm. [Weather.gov]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published September 16, 2022 at 3:30PM

The top two stories this week in Alexandria pertained to an incident inside one of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) buildings.

It was a mental health crisis where police were involved but no one was killed, but it has kept the offices shut down until Saturday and neither the USPTO nor the Alexandria Police Department are sharing more information about what took place, which has only further fueled questioning and rumors from employees at the site.

Memorial services planned in Old Town for local journalist Lee Hernly

By Vernon Miles

Published September 16, 2022 at 2:15PM

Lee and Samuel Hernly (photo courtesy Jay Hernly)

A pair of gatherings are planned for Saturday, Sept. 24, to commemorate the recently deceased founder of local news sites Red Brick Town and Port City Wire: Lee Hernly.

Lee was a pioneer of local journalism in Alexandria, launching the popular hyperlocal blog Red Brick Town in 2006, which eventually grew into the local news site Port City Wire. Lee died suddenly in July from complications from a cerebral hemorrhage.