The Alexandria Police Department honored its fallen officers in an annual wreath laying ceremony today (May 6).
The wreath laying is part of Alexandria Police Week, which included a memorial church service this morning. There will also be a wreath-laying at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 7, at Waterfront Park in Old Town.
Alexandria City School Board Chair Michelle Rief says the school system will have to look toward its own resources, and not the city, to fill a $5.6 million funding gap.
In a blog post last week, Rief addressed City Council’s decision to not fill the $5.6 million gap the school system needs to fund its proposed $12.7 million collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Council approved the city’s $979.1 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget on April 29, after some councilmembers expressed surprise that the proposed CBA was not part of a multi-year agreement.
Alexandria leaders will install a memorial bench next month at Rivergate City Park honoring the 67 people who died in last year’s mid-air collision over the Potomac River.
The City, in partnership with U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8), will install the memorial from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, June 1, in the northeastern area of the park at 2 Montgomery Street in Old Town North. The memorial includes the bench, newly planted trees and a plaque with the names of the 67 victims from American Airlines Flight 5342 and the PAT 25 U.S. Army helicopter.
A man was arrested last month after allegedly issuing a worthless check to buy a watch in Old Town valued at more than $6,600.
The 31-year-old suspect from Salem, Va., was arrested April 29 and charged with felony grand larceny. His arrest took place more than four months after he allegedly signed over a worthless check with his real name and address to buy a watch valued at $6,678 from a jewelry store on S. Fairfax Street in Old Town.
Tourists’ Spending Exceeded $1B — “If Alexandria feels more bustling than ever, the numbers help explain why. Visitor spending in the city topped more than $1 billion in 2024 for the first time, according to Visit Alexandria, the city’s nonprofit destination marketing organization. The milestone comes as Alexandria’s tourism growth rate has outpaced both Northern Virginia and the Commonwealth overall.” [The Zebra]
Virginia Opposes Gun Mailing Proposal — “Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones on Tuesday joined 21 other states in opposing a proposed United States Postal Service rule that would allow certain firearms to be sent through the mail, warning the change could undermine state gun laws and make it easier for prohibited individuals to obtain weapons.” [Virginia Mercury]
HRP Group wants to keep the pump house at the former coal-fired Potomac River Generating Station property in Old Town North, representatives said during meeting last night (Monday).
The developer rolled out the plan for Blocks B and C of the sprawling project in an hour-and-a-half-long Zoom meeting. The development is spread across six blocks, and entails the full deconstruction of the former power plant, replacing it with more than 10 acres of public open space, as well as mixed-use apartment and retail buildings.
A new proposal to regulate beekeeping in Alexandria is creating some buzz as it heads to the Planning Commission tonight (May 5).
The Planning Commission is slated to consider new rules that would limit the number of hives allowed on properties, create 5-to-10-foot setbacks for those hives, and allow beekeeping equipment as accessory structures.
Though still up more than 50% from the final days of the Biden administration, the total number of Alexandria residents recorded as unemployed in February was the second lowest over the preceding year.
A total of 3,323 city residents were counted as seeking jobs in February data reported last week by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.
Cinco de Mayo in Alexandria — “At Tequila & Taco (540 John Carlyle Street), the celebration of Mexico’s defeat over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 begins with 5-cent frozen margaritas from 9-10 a.m. … Elsewhere in Alexandria, events will feature extended happy hour deals, live music and specials on food and drink, including all-day $3.50 tacos at Taqueria Picoso.” [ALXnow]
Thousands of Virginians to Regain Voting Rights — “A federal court ruled earlier this year that Virginia’s current disenfranchisement of anyone with felony convictions violates laws that required former Confederate states to guarantee voting rights for newly-emancipated Black residents.” [Virginia Mercury]
A new shuttle service will soon make it easier to travel to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate from the King Street Metro station in Old Town.
Starting this Friday, May 8, $10 roundtrip shuttle tickets will be available with service to Mount Vernon on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through June. Each shuttle departing the King Street Metro station can hold up to 20 passengers for an approximately 20-minute ride to the historic estate.
First responders transported a nine-year-old girl to the hospital as a precaution after a driver struck her in Del Ray early Friday evening (May 1).
The child did not sustain serious injuries, and the driver, who had a learner’s permit and was accompanied by a licensed driver, received a citation for failing to yield at a crosswalk, APD told ALXnow in an email.
