News | ALXnow - Part 742

Morning Notes

Published June 10, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated June 10, 2021 at 4:43PM

Playing soccer at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Sheriff Dana Lawhorne to receive Lifetime Valor Award — “In recognition of his retirement, we are pleased to honor Sheriff Dana Lawhorne with a Lifetime Valor Award at this year’s Valor Awards. Join us virtually, on June 22nd, to honor Sheriff Lawhorne’s 43 years of law enforcement service to Alexandria.” [Chamber ALX]

West End Business Association hosting 1 p.m. conversation with Mayor — “Take this opportunity to ask questions and connect with Mayor Justin Wilson about how he would continue to serve the city of Alexandria.” [WEBA]

Democratic primary settled in Alexandria, but underlying issues linger

By Vernon Miles

Published June 9, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated June 9, 2021 at 5:46PM

Winners of the 2021 Democratic Primary (left to right) Councilman Canek Aguirre, Councilwoman Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Alyia Gaskins, Sarah Bagley, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who won the 45th District primary, and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) at a victory party at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. (Photo via Alexandria Democratic Committee/Facebook)

Last night was a rout for a vocal contingent of Alexandrians pushing for a change in city leadership, but both top dogs in the local Democratic party and their opposition say the fight isn’t over.

At Los Tios Grill in Del Ray, former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg told enthusiastic supporters that conversations over issues like the Seminary Road Diet and Taylor Run Stream restoration project would continue, although the candidates who put those issues at the forefronts of their campaigns lost.

Police ask for help finding 24-year-old man missing after landscaping job in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2021 at 2:00PM

The Alexandria Police Department is searching for 24-year-old Jose Eduardo Gonzalez Calimayor, who was last seen at around 2 p.m. working as a landscaper in Old Town.

Gonzalez Calimayor, a resident of Fort Washington, Maryland, was last seen working in the 300 block of Commerce Street, police said in a release.

Three incumbents and lots of newcomers running for Alexandria School Board this November

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated June 9, 2021 at 4:24PM

With the June 8 filing deadline, it’s confirmed that major changes are coming to the Alexandria School Board, as only three incumbents have filed to run for reelection.

Vice Chair Veronica Nolan is not seeking reelection in District B, and neither are Members Cindy M. Anderson and Margaret Lorber.

Alexandria Police investigate ‘Zoom bombing’ of Jewish synagogue meeting

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2021 at 11:00AM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating computer harassment against a Jewish synagogue in the city.

On Feb. 13, a Zoom meeting with the Agudas Achim Congregation was interrupted when repeated abusive messages were posted.

Beatley Central Library reopens for Friday service — sort of

By Vernon Miles

Published June 9, 2021 at 9:30AM

After a series of partial reopenings and reclosings, the Charles E. Beatley Jr. Central Library (5005 Duke Street) is scheduled to mostly reopen on Fridays, but with some coronavirus restrictions still in place.

The library will be open to the public starting this Friday, June 11, and will offer in-person services from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., though some things like reference services and passport services will be limited due to staffing shortages.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published June 9, 2021 at 5:00AM

Winners of the 2021 Democratic Primary (left to right) Councilman Canek Aguirre, Councilwoman Amy Jackson, Mayor Justin Wilson, Alyia Gaskins, Sarah Bagley, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, who won the 45th District primary, and Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-30) at a victory party at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. (Photo via Alexandria Democratic Committee/Facebook)

McAuliffe, Ayala, Herring win statewide Democratic primary — “Former Virginia governor and longtime fixture as a national Democratic Party leader Terry McAuliffe won the state’s Democratic nomination for a second term as governor in Tuesday’s primary election, the Associated Press reported at 7:44 p.m. In the two other statewide races, the lieutenant governor’s contest was called by AP for Del. Hala Ayala. In the attorney general race, Del. Jay Jones conceded to incumbent Mark Herring.” [Patch]

Council candidates pose after Democratic primary — “Congratulations to our 2021 Democratic nominees for Alexandria Mayor (Justin Wilson) and City Council (John Chapman, Alyia Gaskins, Amy Jackson, Canek Aguirre, Sarah Bagley, and Kirk McPike), and the 45th House District (Elizabeth Bennett Parker)! Onward to November!” [Facebook]

BREAKING: Incumbents hold on in Alexandria City Council Democratic primary

By ALXnow.com

Published June 8, 2021 at 10:30PM

City Councilman John Taylor Chapman in the voting booth with his son at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial on primary day, June 8, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City Council incumbents held onto their seats in a hotly contested Democratic primary, and will be joined by three new faces to the Council if the results carry over into the November election.

Alexandria City Councilman John Taylor Chapman received the most votes in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary, winning 12.07% of the vote. Alyia Smith-Parker Gaskins won the second most, with 11.96% of the vote.

BREAKING: Wilson wins Democratic mayoral primary, Silberberg concedes

By James Cullum

Published June 8, 2021 at 9:15PM | Updated June 8, 2021 at 11:06PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at a vigil against police brutality at the Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town on June 4, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 11 p.m.) Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson defeated his political rival, former Mayor Allison Silberberg, in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary.

“Thank you Alexandria,” Wilson said at Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray. “When the voters of Alexandrians get a choice between a list of things that they are against and a positive vision for the future for our city, they choose the positive vision of the future every single day of the week.”

BREAKING: Bennett-Parker declares victory in 45th District race, Levine loses Delegate and Lieutenant Governor races

By James Cullum

Published June 8, 2021 at 8:55PM

Elizabeth Bennett-Parker casts her vote on primary day, June 8, 2021, at Matthew Maury Elementary School. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker prevailed in her quest Tuesday night for the Democratic nomination for Virginia’s 45th District, defeating incumbent Del. Mark Levine, who as of this writing was also down in his race for lieutenant governor.

“I’m honored to be the Democratic nominee for the 45th District,” Bennett-Parker said in a statement. “Thank you for your votes; I look forward to working with all of the Democratic nominees to win in November, and to representing all of HD-45 in Richmond.”

Police announce progress investigating ‘shots fired’ incidents, recovering ghost guns

By Vernon Miles

Published June 8, 2021 at 4:45PM

Alexandria Police today announced the results of an investigation into a spree of confirmed shots fired calls late last year.

In a city press release, the police department said that 39 firearms had been confiscated since last October and that there have been 35 arrests. Some of the firearms confiscated, police said, were ‘ghost guns’ — privately made firearms without serial numbers that can be bought or built without a background check.