News | ALXnow - Part 582

July thunderstorm set early morning rainfall record in Alexandria

Published August 1, 2022 at 3:50PM

Water Levels at Cameron Run on July 9 (image via City of Alexandria)

A storm that postponed the city’s birthday celebrations last month set a rainfall record in Alexandria according to a floodwater mitigation newsletter prepared by the city.

The Flood Action Alexandria newsletter, prepared by Flood Action Alexandria communications specialist Amanda Dolasinski, noted that a storm on July 9 set the record for rainfall recorded before 7 a.m. The newsletter said the city saw nearly 4 inches of rainfall in the northeast section of Alexandria and pushed Four Mile Run to to the 10-foot stage at Shirlington Road Bridge.

Duke Street closures planned next week

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2022 at 2:45PM

Duke Street bridge of I-395, photo via VDOT

Some more closures are headed to Duke Street next week courtesy of the I-395 Bridge Rehabilitation project.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) said the street will have periodic closures from Sunday, Aug. 7 to Wednesday, Aug. 17.

ACPS warns community of phishing scam email after the school account is compromised

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2022 at 1:15PM

ACPS headquarters and clock (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

An email from Alexandria City Public Schools went out Saturday morning warning of a “Security Alert!”, but the schools later sent out another alert warning that the first email was a phishing scam.

The follow-up email said the email was the result of a compromised account.

Gallery highlights the Torpedo Factory’s newest artists

By Vernon Miles

Published August 1, 2022 at 11:05AM

Jeni's Ice Cream by Alanna Rivera (image courtesy Principle Gallery)

A new exhibit launching this Friday, Aug. 5, highlights some of the newest faces at the Torpedo Factory Art Center.

The exhibition is opening at the Principle Gallery (208 King Street) with an opening reception on Friday from 6-8:30 p.m.

Alexandria artist brings her talent to social media, sharing scenes from around the county

By Pia Kramer

Published August 1, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated August 1, 2022 at 11:34AM

A painting of the Pentagon (courtesy of Diana Gamerman)

When Diana Gamerman was little, she wanted to do exactly what her older sister did.

The Arlington resident has a studio in Alexandria called DianaArt, where she sells her work, but it’s on Nextdoor where she have been gaining a degree of local fame.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published August 1, 2022 at 5:00AM

Fox 5 Tours Alexandria — “This week’s FOX 5 ZIP TRIP takes us to Alexandria! Enjoy small-town charm and big-city amenities in this historic city located just south of the nation’s capital!” [Fox 5]

It’s Monday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 86 and low of 72. Sunrise at 6:11 am and sunset at 8:21 pm. [Weather.gov]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 29, 2022 at 3:45PM

Beyond Hello's Fairfax location (image courtesy Jushi)

One of the big stories of this week broke last night: ACPS has chosen a new interim superintendent, Melanie Kay-Wyatt, after the departure Superintendent Gregory Hutchings announced his resignation in June.

The top story of the week, though, was just outside the city borders. A new canabis dispensary, Beyond Hello, is opening just south of the city’s border at 5902 Richmond Highway in Fairfax. The site is, as some commentators humorously noted, formerly the location of Great American Buffet.

Alexandria’s Katrina Hill wins Jeopardy, competes again tonight

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2022 at 10:55AM

Alexandria’s Katrina Hill was crowned the Jeopardy champ on Thursday night’s (July 28) broadcast, and she’ll be defending her title tonight.

Hill, a partnership development manager with the $27,601 on Thursday’s show with host Ken Jennings. Tonight she faces Arlington attorney Luigi De Guzman and California rhetoric professor Darin Ciccotelli.

Human resources chief Melanie Kay-Wyatt chosen as ACPS interim superintendent

By James Cullum

Published July 29, 2022 at 10:00AM

The Alexandria School Board promoted Melanie Kay-Wyatt as the interim superintendent on Thursday night (July 28).

Kay-Wyatt was hired last year as the chief of human resources for Alexandria City Public Schools, and will have the interim superintendent position for at least the 2022-2023 school year or until a permanent superintendent is chosen.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published July 29, 2022 at 5:00AM

Skincare Service Opening on King Street — “Heyday, a skincare shop providing personalized facials, is opening an Alexandria location amid expansion plans around the U.S.” [Patch]

It’s Friday — Rain in the evening and overnight. High of 84 and low of 74. Sunrise at 6:08 am and sunset at 8:24 pm. [Weather.gov]

New ‘co-warehousing’ location opening on Eisenhower Avenue

By Vernon Miles

Published July 28, 2022 at 3:45PM

Saltbox cowarehousing space (image via Saltbox/Instagram)

Alexandria has seen a rise in coworking, increased interest in coliving, and now: co-warehousing.

Saltbox, a warehouse company that describes itself in a press release as a “small business logistics pioneer”, announced a new co-warehousing location opening on Eisenhower Avenue. Saltbox filed paperwork for the location last year, but a representative of the company said the Alexandria location is starting tours this week and officially opens in August.