News | ALXnow - Part 701

Government contractor in Alexandria under fire from Department of Labor for systemic racism in hiring practices

Published September 20, 2021 at 1:15PM

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed an administrative complaint against a janitorial government contractor operating in Alexandria for discriminating against Black and white job applicants in favor of Hispanic applicants.

The Department of Labor filed the complaint against New York-based ABM Janitorial Services on September 15, although the investigation into the contractor began in 2015. Three compliance reviews were made at ABM locations — one in Baltimore, Maryland, and two in Alexandria in the 100 block of Claremont Avenue.

City Council approves new plastic bag tax for local grocery and convenience stores

By Vernon Miles

Published September 20, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated September 20, 2021 at 12:01PM

This weekend, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a new five-cent tax on plastic bags — though with some grumbling that Arlington had beat them to the punch by a few hours.

The tax will only be applied to grocery stores and convenience stores, not restaurants or other businesses, and is similar to taxes implemented in D.C. and other localities across the country. Groups collecting trash around the area reported a three-quarter decrease in the amount of plastic bags being picked up and overall decreased plastic bag use — though some of those results have been brought into question.

PHOTOS: Alexandria City High School wins under new stadium lights

By James Cullum

Published September 20, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated September 20, 2021 at 10:17AM

Alexandria City High School wins over Justice High School at Friday Night Lights on September 17, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

After more than 50 years of playing football early and in the dark, the Alexandria City High School Titans won their first game under lights at the newly renovated Parker-Gray Stadium.

After a years-long renovation project was completed, City and Alexandria City Public Schools leaders cut the ribbon on the stadium, bringing a close to generations of legal challenges that prevented the installation of the lights.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 20, 2021 at 5:00AM

Community town hall on City Manager position on Wednesday — “Alexandria City Council will hold a hybrid town hall meeting to receive input from the community about the qualities and values that should be considered in the hiring of the next City Manager. The town hall meeting will be held at City Hall in Council Chamber (301 King St.), from 7 to 9 p.m. and community members will be able to participate either in-person or online.” [City of Alexandria]

Fall fest honors heroes at Greenstreet Gardens — “Greenstreet Gardens kicks off its annual Fall Fest this weekend with a special bonus: All heroes get in free.” [Zebra]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2021 at 3:30PM

What a week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

Our top story this week is about Ricardo Roberts, a District B candidate for the Alexandria School Board. Roberts, who intends to sue the school system, wants cameras in classrooms and “examples” made of unruly kids.

Goodwin House highlights memory care needs for growing local senior population

By Vernon Miles

Published September 17, 2021 at 2:45PM

Resident at Goodwin House, via Goodwin House/Facebook

Growing older hasn’t improved Dr. Robert Wallace’s memory, and he’s doing something about it.

For the last two months, the resident of Alexandria’s Goodwin House Incorporated has participated in StrongerMemory, a memory care program designed to combat memory loss in seniors. Goodwin House started the program in January 2020, with a handful of daily activities that encourage working memory and triggering brain activity in the prefrontal cortex.

Police dispatched three times for fighting at Alexandria City Public Schools in less than a month

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated September 17, 2021 at 3:03PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police have been dispatched to Alexandria City Public Schools three times to respond to students fighting since school started on August 24.

The most recent incident occurred on Tuesday, September 14, just before 1 p.m. at the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard campus at 3801 West Braddock Road. The student victim was not transported to the hospital.

Salons, restaurants and other businesses for sale in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2021 at 11:00AM

Ready to buy a restaurant or salon in Alexandria?

The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of businesses for sale in and around Alexandria. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.

ACPS laying the groundwork for in-school vaccination

By Vernon Miles

Published September 17, 2021 at 9:30AM

Students return to George Washington Middle School, August 24, 2021 (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

In a community update yesterday (Thursday), ACPS staff said they’re starting to make progress on plans to vaccinate students in-school.

Currently vaccination is only available for children ages 12 and above. Julie Crawford, chief of Student Services and Equity, said at a meeting yesterday that the teenager category has been one of the most thoroughly vaccinated age groups in the city. Crawford said ACPS is getting ready to offer in-school vaccination as a prelude for when vaccination is allowed for the younger age group.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 17, 2021 at 5:00AM

Friday Night Lights debut at Alexandria High School stadium — “A ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Parker-Gray Memorial Stadium will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 ahead of the Titans’ first home game at 7 p.m. Speakers will include Superintendent Dr. Gregory Hutchings Jr., School Board Chair Meagan Alderton, Mayor Justin Wilson, and more. Gates will not open to the public until 6 p.m.” [Patch]

City Council extends State of Emergency to January 2022 — The Alexandria City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to extend the state of emergency to January 31, 2022. [ALXnow]

BREAKING: Flooding reported in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published September 16, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated September 17, 2021 at 1:19PM

Flooding near the Braddock Road Metro on Thursday, September 16, 2021. (Courtesy Kerrin Nishimura)

(Updated at 5:50 p.m.) An afternoon storm has brought flooding and shut down some roads and services in Alexandria.

City bus service DASH announced via Twitter that all bus service was briefly suspended due to severe weather conditions, but service resumed roughly 30 minutes later.