News | ALXnow - Part 745

AlexRenew breaks ground for massive Old Town RiverRenew project

Published September 30, 2021 at 3:30PM

Officials break ground at the RiverRenew project (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The groundbreaking for AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project was about as Alexandria as events get. The event was a who’s-who of current and former officials, complete with bagpipes, a poem about local sewage presented by the Town Crier, and even a cartoon mascot representing the boring machine getting ready to drill the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history.

The smiles and enthusiasm from city and state officials and organizations like the Potomac Riverkeeper Network were a marked departure from the occasionally contentious process that led to the $454.4 million RiverRenew project. Plans include replacing Old Town’s combined sewer system with a new sewer structure that will prevent 120 million gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River.

Relax: ESP Tea and Coffee unveils non-alcoholic evening bar and menu

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2021 at 2:30PM

If you’re looking to take the edge off in Old Town without having an alcoholic drink, there’s a new option.

On October 1, ESP Tea and Coffee will launch ESP Evenings and release its new tea and elixir menu. ESP Evenings will be held every Friday, from 7 p.m. and end at 10:30 p.m.

Union says low staffing within Alexandria Fire Department threatens to shut down a fire station

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2021 at 11:15AM | Updated September 30, 2021 at 3:41PM

The Alexandria Fire Department has reached a critical low with staffing, and the problem is so bad that it could shut down a fire station in the city.

This week, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2141 asked the public to sign a letter to send to City Council. The Fire Department agrees with the content of the letter, specifically that AFD is understaffed by 70 people.

Adoptable Chihuahua Dory only weighs 3.5 pounds

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated September 30, 2021 at 7:13PM

Dory the Chihuahua only weighs 3.5 pounds, and she also has a ridiculously long tongue that hangs out when she sleeps.

The 12-year-old is up for adoption, and is full of sass and snuggles, according to the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 30, 2021 at 5:00AM

Aslin Beer Co. opens new scratch kitchen in Alexandria — “For the past two years, Chef Taylor Gates has been learning about pizza and dough — and now the taproom at Aslin Beer Co. in Alexandria’s West End is ready to serve it up. Aslin is opening a new scratch kitchen concept this week called Knead.” [Alexandria Living]

City Council approves additional eviction prevention resources — “City Council’s decision funds $457,000 for two service navigator and two housing relocator positions; storage assistance for household belongings; and additional legal services provided by the Legal Aid Justice Center to assist people at risk for eviction due to the COVID-19 pandemic.” [City of Alexandria]

Upcoming Alexandria City Council and School Board election forums announced

By Vernon Miles

Published September 29, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated September 30, 2021 at 2:20PM

Voters line up to vote early in Old Town (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated 9/30) Alexandria’s incumbents running for re-election managed to hold on through the Democratic primary, but they face Republican and Independent challengers in the upcoming November election.

The Seminary Ridge Civic Association recently announced that it will be hosting two election forums throughout October, one for the City Council candidates and one for Mayoral candidates.

Man buys luxury car with fake driver’s license at Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2021 at 2:15PM | Updated September 29, 2021 at 9:28PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are looking for a man who bought a luxury car with a fake driver’s license at Lindsay Lexus of Alexandria.

On August 29, the suspect walked into the dealership and picked out a 2021 Lexus LS400 and provided the salesperson with an Oklahoma driver’s license, according to police. The customer also allegedly told the salesperson that he’d recently relocated from Oklahoma to Richmond.

Mayor Wilson: Potomac Yard construction delay ‘could have nothing to do with Metro station’

By Vernon Miles

Published September 29, 2021 at 1:10PM

After the previously announced delay for the Potomac Yard Metro station, Mayor Justin Wilson said at a meeting last night that the cause of the September 2022 date is still vague and the city is hoping the project can be completed sooner.

At the City Council meeting, Wilson said the delay to September could, in part, be the result of internal issues at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

Woman charged with DWI, leaving the scene of accident in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2021 at 11:00AM | Updated September 29, 2021 at 11:36AM

Alexandria Police in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A 25-year-old Alexandria woman was arrested for driving while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident in Old Town earlier this month.

The incident occurred in the 800 block of Duke Street at around 2 a.m. on September 13. A man called 911 and reported that a woman driving a white Honda hit a parked car on the side of the road, swerved and almost hit him and then hit another parked vehicle, according to police.

Protestors rally to return police to Alexandria schools, but officials say behind-the-scenes talks have stalled

By Vernon Miles

Published September 29, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated September 29, 2021 at 2:12PM

City Council member John Chapman speaks with protestors demanding the return of the SRO program (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Weeks of tension and frustration over violence in Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) boiled over last night with a small crowd of parents shouting at City Council members to restore the school resource officer (SRO) program.

In May, the City Council voted 4-3 in favor of reallocating funding away from SROs, a program started in 1997 that installed police officers in Alexandria’s high school and two middle schools. While the schools have additional security staff, SROs were authorized make arrests and carry weapons — a fact that made headlines in 2018 when an SRO accidentally fired his gun inside George Washington Middle School.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria appoints flood mitigation manager — “Effective Oct. 11, Daniel Medina will serve as the Flood Action Alexandria program manager. The new position will include coordination across city departments on the flood mitigation program and manage the city’s stormwater capital project lineup.” [Patch]

McAuliffe, Youngkin unload in feisty final Virginia debate — “Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin bickered their way through the second and final debate of Virginia’s competitive governor’s race on Tuesday, trading attacks and accusations from the start of the hourlong meeting.” [Politico]