News | ALXnow - Part 709

Historic Black cemetery under threat of being washed away in Old Town

Published August 30, 2021 at 10:45AM

Douglass Memorial Cemetery following flood damages in 2021 (photo courtesy Michael Johnson)

Michael Johnson’s grandfather, Albert, died two months before Michael was born and is buried somewhere in Douglass Memorial Cemetery. Where he is exactly buried is unclear, since Albert’s gravestone and several others have been lost as recent flooding threatens to wash away a historic Black cemetery.

The cemetery has been a burial site for Black Alexandrians since 1827 and was named after Frederick Douglass after the abolitionist leader died in 1895. Records who that around 2,000 people were buried in the cemetery until burials stopped in 1974.

No injuries or arrests after shots fired on Duke Street

By James Cullum

Published August 30, 2021 at 9:45AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

No one was injured or arrested after shots were fired early Sunday evening (August 29) in the 4600 block of Duke Street in the West End.

The incident occurred at around 5:30 p.m. near the Shoppes at Fox Chase and the 4600 Duke Street Condominiums. A helicopter assisted in the search for the suspect.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 30, 2021 at 5:00AM

Murphy’s reserves table for Marines lost in Afghanistan — “Last night, Friday, August 27, Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub on King Street reserved a table and set 13 places in honor of the 13 soldiers lost in Afghanistan earlier this week.” [Zebra]

4.1 million meals given to ACPS students during pandemic — “In March 2020, Alexandria City Public Schools called on Volunteer Alexandria to help distribute meals to students who were suddenly learning from home due to the pandemic… By the middle of August, Volunteer Alexandria and ACPS had delivered 4,106,889 grab-and-go meals and snacks to Alexandria students and their families.” [Alexandria Living]

Flash Flood Warning issued for Alexandria until 11 p.m.

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 4:00PM | Updated August 27, 2021 at 4:48PM

(Updated 4:45 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Alexandria and the surrounding area. The warning comes after a Flash Flood Watch was put in effect until 11 p.m.

Two-to-four inches of rainfall an hour is expected, according to NWS.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 3:35PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

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

Alexandria City Public Schools reopened their doors to full-time in-person instruction on Tuesday, and there have been a few hiccups. On Friday, we published a video taken of a brawl inside Alexandria City High School, and a teenager was hit by a car while walking home from school in Del Ray on Thursday.

13-year-old hit by car while walking home from school in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Fire Department ambulance. (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 13-year-old boy is fine after being hit by a car while crossing the street in Del Ray on Thursday afternoon, August 26.

The boy was walking home from George Washington Middle School when he was struck. He was transported to the hospital, and has since been cleared, police told ALXnow. The driver stayed at the scene and was not charged with anything.

BREAKING: Video shows brawl at Alexandria City High School cafeteria just two days after school starts

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 1:20PM | Updated August 27, 2021 at 5:16PM

A video has surfaced of a brawl Thursday (August 26) in the cafeteria of Alexandria City High School (ACHS). While the police weren’t called, it was one of two fights broken up that day, according to sources.

Caution: The following video contains disturbing behavior.

Tales of regret and hope win in creative writing contest at the Alexandria Jail

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 10:45AM | Updated August 30, 2021 at 10:33AM

The William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center (via City of Alexandria)

In his award-winning poem “I Cry”, Anthony Talbert laments over being incarcerated in the Alexandria Jail.

“Growing up I was told that the eyes are the windows to the soul,” reads Talbert’s poem. “So I cry to cleanse my soul of all the torment it holds.”

Alexandria man convicted for possessing child porn and violating parole

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated August 27, 2021 at 1:39PM

Federal courthouse (image via Google Maps)

A 58-year-old Alexandria man who spent years behind bars for possession of child pornography now faces at least 10 more years in prison after being convicted Thursday for the same offense in federal court.

James B. Clawson, Sr., was convicted in 2009 for possession of child pornography after it was discovered that he was the administrator for a forum dedicated to spreading around child porn. Clawson was on supervised release when, in July 2019, his probation officer found a laptop in a hidden shelf in his home, as well as multiple thumb drives with images of children having sex.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 27, 2021 at 5:00AM

Standards of Learning Test participation drops in Alexandria — “At ACPS, 60 percent of eligible students participated in the spring 2021 SOL tests. In past years, the school division had participation above 98 percent. The SOL pass rates for ACPS for all participating students were 57 percent for reading, 82 percent for writing, 44 percent for history and social science, 39 percent for mathematics, and 43 percent for science.” [Patch]

Fire Department trains at The Birchmere — “Recently, AFD conducted a multi-company drill at the Birchmere on Mount Vernon Avenue. Regular training, communication, and familiarization with their coverage areas keeps our first responders well prepared to respond during emergency situations in the City.” [Facebook]

JUST IN: Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published August 26, 2021 at 3:40PM

(Updated 3:45 p.m.) Alexandria and the surrounding localities are under a severe thunderstorm and flood warning.

Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately and avoid driving through water on roadways. More than half of all flood-related deaths happen when someone drives through flood waters, according to Consumer Reports.