News | ALXnow - Part 646

Man blames Ambien sleep medication for crashing into Arlandria apartment building

Published June 22, 2022 at 3:30PM

An Alexandria man faces numerous charges for allegedly crashing into this entranceway at 3802 Russell Road in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 28-year-old Alexandria man blamed the effects of being on Ambien on a crash that damaged an apartment building in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood.

The incident occurred on Friday, June 10, at around 4:30 p.m. in the 3800 block of Russell Road — directly across from St. Rita’s Catholic Church. A witness called police to report that a blue Ford Focus hopped the curb and smashed into the steps and rail of the entrance to the “Andrew Jackson” building of the Presidential Greens Apartments, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Bauer’s Optical is permanently closed in the West End

By James Cullum

Published June 22, 2022 at 2:20PM

Bauer's Optical (4680 King Street) in the Shoppes at Summit Centre is permanently closed. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bauer’s Optical at 4680 King Street is permanently closed.

The shop was broken into in January — one of many eyewear sellers that have been broken into this year across the region. About $17,000 in glasses was stolen from the store, which is located in the Shoppes at Summit Centre, a shopping center in the northwest corner of Alexandria.

Alexandria seeking grant to overhaul most crash-prone intersections

By Vernon Miles

Published June 22, 2022 at 1:30PM

Intersection of Quaker Lane and Duke Street (image via Google Maps)

Alexandria is hoping to get federal funding for an audit of the city’s high-crash intersections to look for possible solutions.

The project, which includes the audit, public engagement and design, is estimated to cost $1 million. The grant would cover up to $800,000, with the city or the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority.

Business Improvement District discussion to resurface at Alexandria City Council meeting

By Vernon Miles

Published June 22, 2022 at 10:45AM

Five years after the City Council struck down a plan to get a Business Improvement District (BID) up and running in Old Town, a discussion of BID frameworks is coming back to the city.

While the city earlier rejected the idea of a BID in Old Town, BID advocates managed to get the concept approved as part of the city’s American Rescue Plan Act funding.

ARHA headquarters to be named after local housing and civil rights activist

By Vernon Miles

Published June 22, 2022 at 9:45AM

ARHA headquarters (image via Google Maps)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA) announced that later this year, the headquarters will be renamed in honor of activist and former ARHA Chairman A. Melvin Miller.

Miller, who died in 2015, was a civil rights activist and affordable housing advocate in Alexandria who, among his many positions in city and state leadership, served as chairman of ARHA from 1970 to 1977 and from 2001 to 2012.

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published June 22, 2022 at 5:00AM

Stopped traffic along Duke Street near Quaker Lane (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Beyer wins primary — “Incumbent congressman Don Beyer has been declared the winner for the Democratic nomination in District 8, turning away the challenger Victoria Virasingh.” [FOX5]

It’s Wednesday — Rain in the evening and overnight. High of 85 and low of 70. Sunrise at 5:45 am and sunset at 8:39 pm. [Weather.gov]

Police: Foul play not suspected after man drowns in Four Mile Run

By James Cullum

Published June 21, 2022 at 5:05PM | Updated June 21, 2022 at 11:32PM

No foul play is suspected in the drowning death of a 52-year-old man in Four Mile Run, according to Alexandria Police.

Police were called around 2 p.m. on Monday, June 20. Rescuers found the man in the stream near the 3900 block of Richmond Highway.

Voting underway for the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary

By Brandi Bottalico

Published June 21, 2022 at 3:30PM

Alexandria Democrats on election day (photo via Alexandria Democratic Committee/Facebook)

Today (Tuesday) is the last chance Alexandrians have to vote in the Democratic primary.

In-person voting is underway for the 8th Congressional District Democratic primary, in which incumbent Rep. Don Beyer faces political newcomer, Arlingtonian Victoria Virasingh.

City Council approves potential pay-by-phone parking increase in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published June 21, 2022 at 2:45PM

Street parking on Main Line Boulevard in Potomac Yard (staff photo by James Cullum)

Paying to park your car in Alexandria by phone could be getting more expensive soon.

Alexandria’s City Council voted unanimously on Saturday to enable staff to up the cost of pay-by-phone parking.

Alexandria’s new Covid cases have dropped 40% since last month

By James Cullum

Published June 21, 2022 at 10:50AM | Updated June 23, 2022 at 10:27AM

New cases of Covid have fallen by 40% since last month in Alexandria, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

As of Monday, June 20, there are 36,134 cases reported in Alexandria. The seven-day average of new cases is 70.9 — down from 85.3 at this point last week, and down from 119.4 a month ago.

Historic preservationists share concerns about Alexandria’s proposed height change

By Vernon Miles

Published June 21, 2022 at 10:10AM

A cloudy day in Old Town (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A proposal that could push the city’s skyline even higher in exchange for more affordable housing is headed to the Planning Commission this week ahead of City Council review early next month.

Leveraging additional height and density in exchange for affordable housing is one of the city’s main tools for getting the private sector to supply more affordable housing. Currently, however, that trade is limited to areas of the city where the maximum height is set upwards of 50 feet.