News | ALXnow - Part 694

Alexandria School Board passes budget, asks City to fund 10.25% raise for all eligible staff

Published February 14, 2022 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria School Board unanimously adopted Superintendent Gregory Hutchings’ $346 million fiscal year 2022 Combined Funds Budget last Thursday night.

The proposal, which was approved without discussion, is a nearly 4% increase ($9.3 million) over last year’s request from the City, and asks for approximately $248.7 million from the city to give employees a 2.6% salary step increase and a 2.5% market rate adjustment. The school system is banking on the hope that the city will endorse former Governor Ralph Northam’s proposal to raise teacher pay by 10.25% across the state.

Athletic field off Duke Street getting new 30-foot-high netting

By Vernon Miles

Published February 14, 2022 at 2:30PM

Witter field, photo via Google Maps

To help neighbors tired of ball-related destruction, Alexandria is planning to add some new nets to a field just off Duke Street.

Alexandria is planning to put up some towering new netting around the Witter Recreational Fields (2660 Witter Drive).

Alexandria sees dip in Covid numbers despite reporting ‘inaccuracy’ by Virginia Department of Health

By James Cullum

Published February 14, 2022 at 1:00PM

Regardless of a reporting inaccuracy by the Virginia Department of Health, Alexandria’s Covid numbers are still going down.

VDH identified 220 cases that were “inaccurately auto-generated duplicated in the case reporting system,” which is why there were 19 cases reported on Feb. 6, 20 cases on Feb. 7 and 43 cases on Feb. 8 — all sharp contrasts to the hundreds of daily cases being reported the previous week. Additionally, three deaths from January were also added to the city’s death toll, which now stands at 176.

Former voter registrar Anna Leider has died

By Vernon Miles

Published February 14, 2022 at 11:00AM

Former Voter Registrar Anna, photo via Justin Wilson/Twitter

Longtime voter registrar Anna Leider, who retired last year after managing over 40 elections, died this weekend after a long battle with brain cancer.

Leider grew up in Alexandria and was a fixture of local election days before her retirement in 2020.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 14, 2022 at 5:00AM

St. Elmo’s opening third coffee shop — “St. Elmo’s awnings are up in Fairlington.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

ParcView II development draws support from Planning Commission, concern from neighbors — “Another controversial project that has raised concerns about density, parking and safety, but which would considerably boost Alexandria’s supply of affordable housing, will come before City Council at Saturday’s public hearing.” [Alexandria Times]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2022 at 3:45PM

Canadian Geese outside Landmark Mall. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Other than the stabbing, this week was relatively sedate — especially compared to last week.

With the drama behind Governor Youngkin’s recent visit mostly in the rearview mirror, the city’s been getting to the internal business of budget issues. Residential property assessments are up and hotel revenue down, not to mention an election safely behind a new Council, but remains to be seen whether the city will see a tax rate increase.

Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap wins 2022 Heart of Del Ray award

By James Cullum

Published February 11, 2022 at 2:15PM

Del Ray Business Association Board Members and past Heart of Del Ray award winners present the 2022 Heart of Del Ray to Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap. Joey Civali of the Yates family represented Lena's in accepting the award. (Via Bill Blackburn)

The thoughtful dining experiences have paid off. Lena’s Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap was awarded the Heart of Del Ray award on Friday (Feb. 11), beating out four other local businesses.

More than 1,000 voters cast ballots for the spot that captured the heart of the community. The Del Ray Business Association presented the restaurant with a large heart-shaped award on Friday morning — just in time for Valentine’s Day on Monday, Feb. 14.

Del Ray Vintage Flea Market returns this Saturday

By James Cullum

Published February 11, 2022 at 1:00PM

After being canceled last month due to weather and rising Covid numbers, the monthly Del Ray Vintage Flea Market is back this Saturday.

Looking for Valentine’s Day-inspired gifts? The market will feature more than 50 vendors and be open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot of 1900 Mt. Vernon Avenue and the back parking lot of the Salvation Army Corps building.

Alexandria Library hosting art contest for local teens, with deadline early next week

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2022 at 10:50AM

The Kate Waller Barrett Branch of the Alexandria Library (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Library is hosting an art contest for Alexandria teens and the deadline is early next week.

The Teen Winter Creativity Contest is open to all local writers, visual artists and photographers in grades 6 through 12. Entries must be received by the Alexandria Library by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 15). The entry forms are available at the bottom of the contest page and only one entry is permitted per student in each category.

Owner hosting community meeting on future of Alexandria power plant

By James Cullum

Published February 11, 2022 at 10:15AM

Tour gathers outside the GenOn power plant in Old Town North (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Community conversations about the future of the shuttered GenOn plant in Old Town North continue with another community meeting later this month.

A virtual community meeting on the future of the plant will be held on Thursday, Feb. 24, at 6:30 p.m.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 11, 2022 at 5:00AM

The Alexandria waterfront along the Potomac River (staff photo by James Cullum)

Freedom House Museum aims to reopen in April — “With its purchase of Freedom House several years ago, the City of Alexandria took tangible steps to ensure that its African American history is not forgotten. Now, following a long closure due to the global COVID-19 pandemic and several renovations, the Freedom House Museum is getting ready to reopen its doors.” [Alexandria Times]

Lee-Fendall House names new executive director — “Amanda Roper takes the reins at the historic property and museum in Old Town.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]