News

Parker-Gray tiny lot home moves forward with some unique challenges

By Vernon Miles
Rendering of 1117 Queen Street home, courtesy Matt Gray

It will be a cozy fit, but a local home builder is hoping to turn a small, empty gravel lot at 1117 Queen Street into a new single-family home.

The home first went to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) in April where the appeal was approved with the condition that no construction can occur within three feet of a neighboring property. It’s now heading to the Board of Architectural Review on Wednesday, July 7, with questions remaining from the BZA about fire code implementation and setback requirements.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Council defers on School Resource Officer funding reallocation — “On Tuesday, Alexandria City Council deferred a decision on releasing funding for school resource officers for other positions at Alexandria City Public Schools. The decision is scheduled for a July 6 public hearing.” [Patch]

Levine agrees to pay for primary mailer on House letterhead — “Levine, who lost both his primary contests, said in an interview he saw the mailing as an “informational letter” explaining the unique circumstances of why he was appearing on the ballot twice. He said he still doesn’t think it clearly qualified as campaign advertising, but agreed to reimburse the clerk’s office to clear up the matter after others complained.” [Virginia Mercury]

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Researchers call out shoddy craftsmanship in buried 18th century Alexandria ship

By Vernon Miles

The discovery of the Old Town Armada was an unexpected boon to Alexandria archeologists. But impressive as it is that so much of the three ships have remained intact after centuries underground, recent archeological work has uncovered an interesting detail on one of them.

Somebody screwed up.

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Lee-Fendall House raises over $5,000 to repair collapsed 200-year-old wall

By Vernon Miles
Damage to Lee-Fendall House Museum garden wall, via Lee-Fendall House Museum and Garden

The garden wall of the historic Lee-Fendall House (614 Oronoco Street) in Old Town took a beating earlier this week, but support from the local community has helped put the wall on the road to repair.

A few days after announcing that a significant portion of the home’s wall had collapsed, the home has raised $5,005 to help boost repair efforts.

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UPDATE: Man taken into custody as West End apartment barricade situation ends peacefully

By ALXnow.com
Alexandria Police contend with a barricade situation at Seminary Towers at 4701 Kenmore Avenue in the West End on Thursday, June 24, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 3:45 p.m.) Alexandria Police have resolved the barricade situation at an 11th floor apartment in Seminary Towers (4701 Kenmore Avenue) in the West End.

Police tweeted that the standoff came to an end at around 3 p.m., and that evacuated residents have been allowed to return to their apartments. Residents in the 10th, 11th and 12th floors were evacuated by police at around noon and were told that tear gas may have to be employed against the suspect.

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Mother and boyfriend allegedly beaten by knife-wielding ex in Old Town North

By James Cullum
Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A D.C. man was booked into jail and released on bond for malicious wounding and domestic-related offenses after a harrowing incident against the mother of his children and her boyfriend in Old Town North.

Devin Denny, 31, was booked and released on bond on June 14, after allegedly breaking into the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority apartment at 905 N. Patrick Street on the evening of May 29.

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Pepper the adoptable guinea pig is actually very sweet

By James Cullum

Pepper the tricolor guinea pig is very sweet, and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is trying to find him a new home.

“Pepper is a clever guy who loves toys and entertainment, including wood and cardboard toys to chew, equipment for exercise, and, of course, a hiding hole for sleeping and spying,” said AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
Alexandria Fire Station 201 in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

2021 Valor Awards honor Alexandria heroes — “The annual awards are dedicated to honoring the public safety personnel of the Alexandria Fire Department, Police Department, Sheriff’s Office, and Department of Emergency Communications for heroic acts of valor.” [Alexandria Living]

PHOTOS: New Harris Teeter opens in Alexandria — “The new 72,000-square foot Harris Teeter at 4550 King St., at the West Alex development, opened its doors to the public Wednesday morning with balloons, lots of ‘2 for 1’ deals and even the store’s mascot, Harry the Happy Dragon, greeting customers.” [Alexandria Living]

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BREAKING: California man arrested for West End murder, indicted with 16 others in massive racketeering conspiracy

By James Cullum
An Alexandria police cruiser (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A 23-year-old man is awaiting extradition to Alexandria for the November 7 murder of a man in the West End.

Ahmed Mohammed Shareef, of Cosa Mesta, California, was indicted by a Grand Jury for killing 23-year-old Yousef Tarek Omar in the 4800 block of West Braddock Road. It was the City’s third and final homicide of 2020.

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With Alexandria City High School marquee unveiling, T.C. Williams High School is nearly gone

By James Cullum
Students unveil the Alexandria City High School marquee, June 23, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

In a victory for civil rights, the marquee for Alexandria City High School was unveiled Wednesday morning, replacing the old sign bearing the name of T.C. Williams High School.

It’s been nearly a year since the effort to change the name of Virginia’s largest high school began. The new name will go into effect July 1, as will the official renaming of Matthew Maury Elementary School to Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School.

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