Phillip Melville was just 19 years old when he escaped Nazi-occupied France in 1942. The retired civil engineer just turned 100, and on Tuesday (September 13) his longevity was recognized with a certificate on National Centenarian’s Day at City Hall.
Melville has lived in and around Alexandria for 50 years, and said he was blessed to escape France and become an American.
The City of Alexandria has issued a formal objection to a water rate increase proposed by Virginia American Water.
Virginia American Water, a statewide utility company, requested authority from the state to increase its rates to create a sales revenue totaling $14.3 million — a 27.6% increase over current revenues.
Chet Avery, a longtime community leader and educator who volunteered in Alexandria for decades, died at home on Thursday, September 8.
Avery, 85, was a lifelong advocate for disability justice and welfare. He lived in Alexandria with his wife, Sabra, for more than 50 years, and served on the Alexandria commission on Persons with Disabilities for 36 years and the city’s Human Rights Commission for more than 30 years.
(Updated 10:35 a.m.) Despite rumors to the contrary, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) said no one was killed at the Patent and Trademark Office yesterday.
Alexandria Police spokesman Marcel Bassett said APD received a call at approximately 10:45 a.m. yesterday (Tuesday) for a person having a mental health crisis.
Lena’s Oasis Closing as Outdoor Dining Program Ends — “Diners can experience Lena’s Oasis until it closes when Alexandria shifts from its temporary outdoor dining program.” [Patch]
It’s Wednesday — Clear throughout the day. High of 78 and low of 60. Sunrise at 6:51 am and sunset at 7:20 pm. [Weather.gov]
The Winkler Botanical Preserve (5400 Roanoke Avenue) has been a tucked away, isolated enclave of natural beauty not far from the Mark Center, but with a new acquisition it could be thrust into the limelight.
Regional parks organization Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority (NOVA Parks) announced today that it will take over ownership of the 44.6 acre nature preserve.
An Alexandria man is being held without bond for allegedly brandishing a handgun and destroying property near his West End apartment.
Jimmy Simms, 38, was charged with brandishing a firearm, destruction of property, driving on a revoked/suspended license and reckless driving.
Updated at 3 p.m. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office is hoping to limit access to the internet for a man acquitted for reason of insanity for a brutal stabbing death in Old Town.
Pankaj Bhasin, now 38, was conditionally released from the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services in May, nearly four years after killing 65-year-old Brad Jackson. Bhasin said that he thought Jackson — a complete stranger — was a werewolf, and used a box cutter to stab him 53 times. Bhasin was later diagnosed as bipolar by five doctors and was found not guilty by reason of insanity in July 2019. He was conditionally released in on May 27, 2022.
A new development replacing a former Walgreens and a Burke & Herbert Bank is headed to City Council review with a strong endorsement from city staff.
The new development, called The Mansly, will change relatively little of the King Street-facing exterior. The most notable change being the white painted brick restored to Old Town’s iconic redder hue.
A pilot project to convert the unit block of King Street — the part closest to the waterfront — into a pedestrian-only zone has been extended for another two months.
The pilot started over Memorial Day weekend and was scheduled to shut down after Labor Day, but Alexandria Transportation and Environmental Services announced on Twitter that the pilot was being extended to Nov. 20.
Pride of Baltimore docking in Alexandria next month — “The Pride of Baltimore II will dock in Alexandria this fall.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
It’s Tuesday — Partly cloudy throughout the day. High of 78 and low of 67. Sunrise at 6:50 am and sunset at 7:22 pm. [Weather.gov]
