News | ALXnow - Part 698

Gov. Youngkin visiting Alexandria Safeway today to discuss reducing cost of living

Published February 3, 2022 at 9:45AM | Updated February 3, 2022 at 8:08PM

Safeway near the Bradlee Shopping Center (photo via Google Maps)

(Updated 8 p.m.) Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin is scheduled to visit an Alexandria Safeway (3526 King Street) today to discuss efforts the Governor’s office said aims to reduce the cost of living.

“Governor Glenn Youngkin will visit a grocery store in Alexandria, Virginia today,” Youngkin’s office said in a press release. “The governor will discuss the elimination of the grocery tax, the rising costs of groceries, and the impacts of inflation on Virginia families and the high cost of living.”

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 3, 2022 at 5:00AM

Police identify Alexandria man killed in Georgetown shooting — “Tarek Boothe, 27, of Alexandria, Virginia, was shot at around 6:15 p.m. on M Street between 32nd and 33rd streets, the police said in a news release Tuesday. He died later at a hospital.” [WTOP]

Bondsman convicted for role in Alexandria woman’s murder — “Man Nguyen, the bail bondsman involved in the Karla Dominguez murder case, was convicted for contempt of court on Jan. 26 in Alexandria Circuit Court.” [Alexandria Times]

Collapse of hotel tax revenue could put more pressure on Alexandria residents

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 3:30PM

In a glimpse at financial assessments for 2022, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said on Twitter that declining hotel revenue — and thus taxes paid to the city — will put more of the city’s tax burden on residents.

The decline of tax revenue for the City of Alexandria is just one part of a difficult financial recovery from the pandemic — one exacerbated by the omicron surge earlier this winter. While sales and meals tax have rebounded slightly, the dearth of hotel funding has even led the city to consider investing in a new hotel.

Man arrested after allegedly pushing girlfriend in Alexandria apartment

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2022 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 43-year Loudoun County man was arrested last month for allegedly pushing his girlfriend and causing her fracture her elbow.

After being wanted for outstanding warrants for more than a month, Thomas Abernathy was arrested on Jan. 20 and charged with malicious wounding and domestic assault and battery. He was released that same day on $1,500 and $500 bonds.

Police arrest two men allegedly attempting to flee from police in Landmark

By James Cullum

Published February 2, 2022 at 1:00PM

Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two Alexandria men were arrested last month for drug possession and allegedly attempting to flee from police in the Landmark area.

The suspects were arrested after getting pulled over in the 6100 block of Edsall Road on Saturday, Jan. 8.

ESP Tea and Coffee celebrates one year since reopening and rebranding

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 11:00AM

ESP Tea and Coffee, photo via ESP/Facebook

It’s been a year since Old Town coffee shop ESP Tea and Coffee (1012 King Street) reopened under new ownership following a spectacularly bad collapse.

Killer E.S.P closed in 2020 after its entire staff quit — twice — after alleged misconduct from former owner Rob Shelton. New owner Erik Muendel said the last year has seen extensive menu changes and an effort at revitalization.

Cafe 44 in North Old Town planning an extensive indoor expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 9:45AM

Photo via Cafe 44/Facebook

Rooftop bar and restaurant Cafe 44 (44 Canal Center Plaza) is getting could be getting a new bar, indoor dining room and more.

According to a special use permit (SUP) filed with the city, the outdoor restaurant could be expanding further into the Canal Center Plaza office building with new dining and cooking space.

Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published February 2, 2022 at 5:00AM

(staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Belle View’s Pampered Pet Boutique and Barkery is more than just a pet store — “If you have been to Belle View Shopping Center lately you may have noticed a new tenant at 1612 Belle View Blvd. Karencita Echeverri quietly opened Pampered Pet Boutique and Barkery in October 2021 and held a grand opening celebration and ribbon-cutting in December.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

Landmark Mall developer Foulger-Pratt gives site a new name — “The real estate and development firm Foulger-Pratt announced today that they have renamed the Landmark Mall site. It is now called West End Alexandria.” [Zebra]

ACPS on a recruitment drive in the face of staffing shortage

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is going through what it’s calling a “challenging recruitment year”.

In a memo to the School Board for their meeting on Thursday (Feb. 3), Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., said ACPS is stepping up the number of career fairs to try and drive up recruitment.

Fort Ward park overhaul gets a fresh timeline

By Vernon Miles

Published February 1, 2022 at 3:00PM

A man walks a dog at Fort Ward Park (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A local working group has been making its way through plans to update and improve Fort Ward Park, and last week the project got a timeline for when the public could see some of those changes.

Following the Civil War, the fort was home to a sizable Black community that was later pushed out by the City of Alexandria in the name of obtaining park space and historical preservation of the Civil War-era fort.

#GWCherryChallenge is back in Alexandria, and so is the George Washington Birthday Parade

By James Cullum

Published February 1, 2022 at 1:00PM

George and Martha Washington wave at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

With the George Washington Birthday Parade Celebration coming back to Alexandria, nearly 20 restaurants in the city are competing in the #GWCherryChallenge.

The challenge, which pits restaurants against each other to make the best cherry-oriented appetizer, entrée, beverage, or dessert, runs from Feb. 1 to Feb. 15. The winner will be announced on the official parade website.