News | ALXnow - Part 653

Covid numbers receding in Alexandria, but January has been one of the worst months ever for infections

Published January 24, 2022 at 10:00AM

Alexandria’s Covid numbers are still going down for the second straight week. The city has experienced 8,873 cases in January, making it one of the worst months since the beginning of the pandemic nearly two years ago.

There have been 27,353 total cases in Alexandria, an increase of 1,467 cases since this time last week. There have also been 8,873 cases reported in Alexandria so far this month, including 930 cases reported within Alexandria City Public Schools since Dec. 1, of which 288 are children and 620 are staff.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 24, 2022 at 5:00AM

Police presence in Alexandria over suspicious death — “A suspicious death is being investigated by the Alexandria Police Department (APD).” [Local DMV]

AHDC seeks city go-ahead to build large affordable housing development in Arlandria — “The proposed affordable housing development near the intersection of West Glebe Road and Mount Vernon Avenue has evolved since Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) requested City Council’s approval for a predevelopment loan back in September 2020.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2022 at 3:45PM

It’s been a busy week for city leaders as Alexandria City Public Schools, the City Council, and even the Sheriff’s Office faced new problems.

Meanwhile, local leaders have been working to adapt in one way or another to the change in state leadership. ACPS is carefully eyeing Governor Glenn Youngkin’s budget plans to see how they’ll impact a proposed raise for staff. It’s been a week of new opportunities for others, with former City Council candidate Monique Miles nabbing a state-level attorney position.

ACPS Superintendent Hutchings co-writing a book, will teach at Georgetown University

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2022 at 3:30PM | Updated January 24, 2022 at 1:43PM

Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. is co-authoring a book on educational leadership and will start teaching as an adjunct professor next fall and spring at Georgetown University, according to a memo that was sent to the School Board last week.

Last fall, the Board approved Hutchings’ request to write the book on public school equity with Georgetown University professor Douglas Reed. The Board also approved Hutchings’ request to teach at Howard University and the University of Southern California, although those plans have changed. Hutchings will instead teach at Georgetown University this fall and next spring, and the change is what prompted the Board to reconsider (and unanimously approve) his updated request.

Local labor activists push back against city financing in proposed hotel project

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2022 at 2:45PM

Hotel Heron, a proposed development at 699 Prince Street, image via Monarch Urban

Local labor representatives have come out in force against potential city funding in the development of the Hotel Heron in Old Town.

A proposal spearheaded by the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership (AEDP) would have the city take some of the tax revenue generated by the Hotel Heron project at 699 Prince Street to pay the project’s bond trustees.

School resource officers haven’t returned to Alexandria City High School since before winter break

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2022 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Police at Alexandria City High School’s Minnie Howard Campus. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s been more than a month after the school resource officers were placed on leave at Alexandria City High School, and police have yet to replace those officers.

The officers were placed on leave shortly before the winter break after a former student alleged having “sexually inappropriate conversations” while she attended ACHS, according to the Washington Post.

ACPS receives 88,000 KN95 masks after ignoring Governor Youngkin executive order

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2022 at 9:30AM | Updated January 21, 2022 at 2:50PM

Alexandria City Public Schools received 88,000 KN95 face masks for all students and staff last week, not long after newly installed Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order removing face mask mandates in public schools.

Alexandria, along with Arlington and Fairfax County, defied that order and are still requiring students, staff and visitors wear masks indoors. The Alexandria City High School athletic department has also reinstituted mask wearing during practices and competition.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2022 at 5:00AM

Horse outside Hard Times Cafe, staff photo by Vernon Miles

Jones Point Park live-action roleplayers fight with foam swords, create community — “It is Sunday at Jones Point Park, and today is the day Marcus finds glory on the battlefield.” [Alexandria Times]

Yunnan by Potomac Noodle House honored on 2022 Yelp 100 list — “The Alexandria restaurant is one of the top 100 restaurants in the country, according to Yelp.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Police investigating a smash-and-grab at West End eyewear store

By ALXnow.com

Published January 20, 2022 at 5:35PM | Updated January 20, 2022 at 6:44PM

Police are investigating a grand larceny from a local glasses business in the city’s West End.

The incident took place at the Bauer’s Optical (4680 King Street) in Shoppes at Summit Centre, a shopping center in the northwest corner of Alexandria.

Minnie Howard campus overhaul headed to City Council review this weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 20, 2022 at 3:45PM

Minnie Howard design renderings, photo via Perkins-Eastman/Alexandria City Public Schools

Three years after Alexandria’s School Board voted to stick with one high school, plans are headed to Alexandria’s City Council that could help shed light on what that one high school system looks like.

As a quick refresher: the Minnie Howard campus currently hosts 9th-grade classes but will be expanded to act as a larger satellite campus for Alexandria City High School with a total of 1,600 students.

Former Alexandria City Council Republican candidate Monique Miles gets state-level attorney position

By Vernon Miles

Published January 20, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated January 21, 2022 at 10:02AM

Monique Miles, photo via Monique Miles for City Council

Among the slate of new officials being picked for statewide positions under Governor Glenn Youngkin is a familiar face among Alexandria Republicans: former City Council candidate Monique Miles.

Miles was tapped to serve as deputy attorney general for Government Operations and Transactions, a division that represents executive agencies, state boards, authorities and commissions in all legal matters.