News | ALXnow - Part 685

Morning Notes

Published October 29, 2021 at 5:00AM

The legend of the burning bride — “Autumn is not only the season for brisk weather, mahogany and burnt orange color combinations and pumpkin bread with apple cider – it’s also the time of year when Alexandria’s spookiest ghost tales emerge from the shadows to take center stage.” [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria couple creates new non-alcoholic wine — “Michelle and David Toothman found a way that you can have your wine and drink it too but without the negative side effects.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Old Town braces for days of anticipated waterfront flooding

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 5:30PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 9:31PM

A cyclist rides through high tide on lower King Street, October 28, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) High water levels in Old Town marked the start of what could be several days of tidal flooding around Alexandria.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect starting tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. and running until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30). The National Weather Service warned that high tides could flood parts of the city, particularly along the waterfront.

Messy turnover at Al’s Steak House sees resignation from former owner’s son and longtime grill cook

By James Cullum

Published October 28, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 8:47PM

For the first time in more than 50 years, a member of the Severson family is not making Philly cheesesteak sub sandwiches at Al’s Steak House in Del Ray.

Nelson Rodriguez says it’s regrettable that Bo Severson, the son of former owner John Severson, and cook Mark Williams didn’t work out. It was only a month ago that Rodriguez took over at the Del Ray institution, and at the time he said he was going to keep the old hands to ensure that the cheese steak tradition continues.

Kitschy new art installation coming to Waterfront Park

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 2:45PM

I Love You park design, via City of Alexandria

The city has unveiled plans for the next art installation in Waterfront Park, which will be in place at the park for most of next year.

At a meeting of the Park & Recreation Commission Meeting, Diane Ruggiero, deputy director of recreation, parks and cultural activities and two-time ALXnow quotee this week, outlined the initial plans to work with R&R Studio in Miami on a new display meant to evoke joy and happiness after a dour couple of years.

Witnesses say Arlandria incident was drive-by shooting

By James Cullum

Published October 28, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated October 29, 2021 at 12:11AM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 12:10 a.m.) New details have been released regarding the suspected shooting of a man multiple times in Arlandria earlier this month.

Witnesses to the Sunday, Oct. 10, shooting in Arlandria told police that Rudy Bueso Macedo, a 37-year-old man sitting in the driver’s seat of his truck, drove by and fired multiple shots at people standing in front of the Lloyd Apartments in the 3800 block of Cameron Mills Road.

Two juveniles arrested after high-speed chase that ended in crash at Seminary interchange

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 2:54PM

Virginia State Police pursuing a vehicle on I-395 (photo via Dave Statter/Twitter)

Two Maryland juveniles have been arrested and face several charges after leading Virginia State Police on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash at the I-395 and Seminary Road interchange on Wednesday afternoon (October 27).

According to a release put out by the Virginia State Police, the chase started at around 2:30 p.m. after an Infiniti was clocked doing 89 mph in a 55 mph zone and displaying a fake temporary registration tag.

Coastal flood warning in effect for Alexandria starting tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 11:19AM

Propeller on the waterfront (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that low-lying areas of Alexandria could see as much as two or three feet of tidal flooding for the next few days.

In a coastal flood warning, the NWS said from tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30), high tides could flood parts of the city — particularly along the waterfront.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 5:00AM

Torpedo Factory artist starts petition to save art spaces — “Some of these plans include reduce the number of individual artist studios in the building by up to 40%, as well as sweeping aside ALL artist studios on the first floor and replacing it with cheap money-making venues such as restaurants.” [Change.org]

Parental group protests outside National School Board association headquarters — “In Alexandria, Virginia Wednesday Moms For America protested the request by the NSBA to have the FBI investigate parents at some school districts in front of the NSBA headquarters.” [WJLA]

ACPS superintendent says staffing shortages are due to last year’s hybrid learning

By James Cullum

Published October 27, 2021 at 3:30PM

A student behind her desk at Mount Vernon Community School on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools is seeing a shortage of classroom monitors, bus monitors and substitute teachers.

Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. told the School Board last week that ACPS’ Human Resources Department is working to hire more, and that staffing levels were impacted by hybrid learning last year.

Apology? Alexandria City Council wants restitution from Dominion Energy for ‘Art On The Avenue’ power outage

By James Cullum

Published October 27, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated October 27, 2021 at 4:10PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council wants more than answers from Dominion Energy for a recent power outage on the busiest day of the year in Del Ray — they want restitution.

After a 2020 hiatus, the weather was perfect for Art On The Avenue on October 2 along Mount Vernon Avenue. But a 16-hour power outage that morning ended up shuttering many businesses throughout the festival, which brought an estimated 50,000 visitors to Del Ray.

Landmark-area development doubles residential space while scaling back on retail eliminating office

By Vernon Miles

Published October 27, 2021 at 1:30PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 1:07AM

Landmark Overlook would transform the corner of South Wilkes Street and Stephenson Avenue into a mixed use property with hotels or office buildings, two-level stacked condominium units, apartments and retail. (Image via City of Alexandria)

A new sprawling West End development near Landmark Mall is headed to the Planning Commission, but with a bigger emphasis on housing than before.

Landmark Overlook is a proposed development at 5901 Stevenson Avenue across from Landmark Mall, where significant redevelopment is being planned in upcoming years.