News | ALXnow - Part 693

Alexandria may have found its Comcast competitors

Published February 16, 2022 at 2:45PM

Empty municipal fiber cables to be laid in the ground (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The City of Alexandria may have landed on agreements with two internet service providers to run broadband networks and open up the competition with the current internet monopoly: Comcast.

In January, the city announced that four companies had been shortlisted to operate a broadband internet service on cables the city was laying down alongside the new municipal network. An update scheduled for the Tuesday, Feb. 22, will as the City Council to approve right-of-way franchises to Lumos Telephone, Inc. and Ting, Inc.

Alexandria man arrested for stealing luxury cars with fake IDs

By James Cullum

Published February 16, 2022 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 30-year-old Alexandria man held without bond in the city jail is wanted across the country for at stealing at least luxury vehicles with fake identifications around the country.

Serge Ahmed Zeba, a native of Burkina Faso, West Africa, was arrested in the parking lot of the Extended Stay Hotel in the Landmark area on Jan. 26, and was charged with possessing a fictitious identification or license, possession of a stolen vehicle, unauthorized use of a stolen vehicle and providing a false identity to law enforcement.

Alexandria Police investigate Home Depot Robbery

By James Cullum

Published February 16, 2022 at 9:30AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating a robbery committed by five people at the Home Depot at 400 S. Pickett Street in the West End.

A Home Depot employee followed five people out of the store on Jan. 17, after they walked past the point of sale and out the exit with a shopping cart full of hand tools, gardening tools, and electric and gas-powered tools, according to a search warrant.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 16, 2022 at 5:00AM

Town homes in Old Town, Alexandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Sneak Peek: The Landing, luxe living for seniors, opens soon in Alexandria — “The Landing offers an opulent ambiance for four levels of senior living, opening next month in Alexandria.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Alexandria’s unique role in a bizarre Presidential story — “On the afternoon of Feb. 28, 1844, President John Tyler and about 400 guests were steaming down the Potomac River on the new warship USS Princeton, enjoying cocktails and music, when the world’s biggest naval gun, the ‘Peacemaker,’ exploded onboard. It came close to costing the nation its leader.” [Washington Post]

No tax increase in City budget proposal, ACPS gets fully funded

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 8:00PM

Alexandria City Hall lit up (staff photo by James Cullum)

New City Manager James Parajon may be trying to make a good first impression with city residents. His first budget — a continuation of one started under former City Manager Mark Jinks — comes with no new tax rate increase. Even so, with real estate assessments on the upswing, local homeowners can still expect to see taxes go up.

In a meeting today, Parajon joined Budget Director Morgan Routt and other city officials to present the fiscal year 2023 budget to the City Council.

Volunteer Alexandria announces annual award winners, Florence King gets posthumous lifetime achievement award

By James Cullum

Published February 15, 2022 at 3:30PM

City Council candidate Florence King speaks at a candidate forum at Tenants and Workers United in Arlandria on Thursday, May 13, 2021. Next to her is candidate Kevin Harris. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Florence King, a 2021 City Council candidate who died in December, has been posthumously awarded Volunteer Alexandria’s top award.

Volunteer Alexandria’s 2021 Volunteers are the Heart of Alexandria awards gala has been canceled due to Covid, but top honors were still announced on Monday (Feb. 15).

Classical Movements gets approval to expand Old Town music venue

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 2:45PM | Updated February 15, 2022 at 3:02PM

Garden portion of The Rectory set up as music venue during the pandemic in 2020. (via Classical Movements)

Despite complaints from neighbors, Alexandria’s City Council renewed Classical Movements’ permit to continue holding concerts in Old Town and even expand offerings.

Last year, international music tourism company Classical Movements (711 Princess Street) won approval from the city to transform the outdoor space behind their building into a venue for classical music performances. On Saturday, the City Council approved an earlier Planning Commission recommendation with a few amendments.

West End Mcdonald’s robber sentenced for series of similar robberies

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 1:30PM

McDonald's at 505 S Van Dorn Street, photo via Google Maps

A Maryland man has been sentenced to 17 years in prison after being found guilty for five armed robberies through the area, including one at a McDonald’s in Alexandria.

Jon Karl Mcree Fleet, 62, was found guilty of five robberies stretching from Jan. 24 to March 13. On Feb. 11, 2011, Fleet robbed the McDonald’s at 505 South Van Dorn Street.

Alexandria Wedding Showcase returning to Old Town in April as in-person event

By James Cullum

Published February 15, 2022 at 10:45AM | Updated February 15, 2022 at 2:59PM

The Alexandria Wedding Showcase is back to being an in-person event.

This year’s event will be held at The Alexandrian (480 King Street) in Old Town and feature a VIP champagne brunch with Alexandria resident Monte Durham, host of TLC’s “Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta”and owner of Salon Monte.

Old Town Waldorf school lays out plans for new location

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 9:45AM

If all goes well, this September the Potomac Crescent Waldorf School in Old Town will have a new home.

The private school is seeking a special use permit (SUP) to operate as a grades 1-5 school at 424 N. Washington Street.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 15, 2022 at 5:00AM

Homes along the waterfront in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Augie’s debuts new beer — “Partnership with Denizen’s Brewing to be revealed Thursday.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

City of Alexandria offering free tax prep service — “The City of Alexandria is offering a free tax preparation service to certain residents. To qualify for assistance, taxpayers must have an income below $55,000.” [Zebra]