News | ALXnow - Part 748

Morning Notes

Published September 23, 2021 at 5:00AM

Cyclists along the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River near Belle Haven (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria announces $7.1 million in funding for first-time homebuyers — “The City of Alexandria is pleased to announce the availability of Sponsoring Partnerships & Revitalizing Communities (SPARC) funds to provide eligible first-time homebuyers with permanent financing for their home purchase. SPARC is a special allocation to local governments to reduce first trust mortgage interest rates.” [City of Alexandria]

Six ways to celebrate Oktoberfest in Alexandria — “Port City Brewing Company’s Hefeweizen brew is a Bavarian-style wheat hale pouring hazy golden with fluffy white foam, tinged with aromas of clove and spice with a softer note of ripe banana. Pick up a four-pack via curbside pickup or Port City On Demand, or sip at an outdoor table at the West End headquarters.” [Visit Alexandria]

New Indian restaurant in Old Town eyes late October opening

By Vernon Miles

Published September 22, 2021 at 3:30PM

Acclaimed D.C. Indian restaurant Karma Modern’s Alexandria spin-off could be opening sometime next month.

Karma Modern staff told ALXnow that the plan is to open Kismet (111 N. Pitt Street) in mid-late October.

School Board to vote on transgender revisions in Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2021 at 2:20PM

The Alexandria City High School marquee (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria School Board on Thursday (September 23) will vote Thursday on a number of policy and regulatory revisions on the treatment of transgender students.

Among the changes are proposals to not segregate extracurricular activities by gender and allowing students to dress according to their gender identity or gender expression. Student athletes would still, sometimes, be segregated.

Police: Six hospitalized after overdoses on Alexandria-Fairfax border

By Vernon Miles

Published September 22, 2021 at 12:45PM

Police car lights (file photo)

On the 5500 block of Seminary Road yesterday morning (Tuesday), right along the line between Alexandria and Fairfax, the discovery of a woman unconscious on the sidewalk led to the rescue of six adults unconscious after overdosing on what is suspected to be fentanyl-laced cocaine.

Police said officers responded at 3 a.m. to an apartment on Seminary Road, which a Fairfax County Police Department spokesperson said occurred just inside the Fairfax border.

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By ALXnow.com

Published September 22, 2021 at 12:00PM

The George Washington Masonic Memorial Temple in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

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Delivering meals, teaching kids to read and more volunteer opportunities in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2021 at 11:00AM

If you’re looking to stay busy for a good cause, there are dozens of available volunteer opportunities in Alexandria.

Here’s Volunteer Alexandria’s list of new and upcoming opportunities.

What’s the difference between Alexandria’s co-living policy and regular apartments?

By Vernon Miles

Published September 22, 2021 at 9:30AM

Apartment kitchen, via Naomi Hébert/Unsplash

Alexandria is moving forward with a proposal to make it easier to build housing that allows several unrelated adults to share amenities. While that sounds an awful lot like “having roommates” — which is allowed, in case you’re renting an apartment in Alexandria and started to panic — city staff outlined some of the distinctions in the new policy at a Planning Commission meeting earlier this month.

According to a city report, a co-living unit is defined as:

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria seeks input on phase II revision of noise ordinance — “On May 15, the Alexandria City Council adopted phase I technical revisions of the City’s noise ordinance. The City is now seeking public input on a phase II revision that would address policy issues associated with land use, noise levels and changes with noise sources. The objective is to finalize this revision for Council consideration by the end of 2021.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria author writes book on 19th century Scottish migrant — “First-time author Ellen Hamilton has spent years working on the story of William Gregory, who settled here in Alexandria in 1807. Now, her first book, ‘A Scottish Migration to Alexandria’, is going into print.” [Alexandria Living]

Police: Juvenile shot at shopping center near Alexandria City High School

By Vernon Miles

Published September 21, 2021 at 5:00PM | Updated September 21, 2021 at 5:23PM

3600 King Street, photo via Google Maps

(Updated 5:15 p.m.) Police are currently investigating a shooting that occurred around 3:45 p.m. today (Tuesday) just a few blocks from Alexandria City High School.

According to an alert put out by the Alexandria Police Department, the incident started with a fight involving juveniles at the Bradlee Shopping Center (3600 King Street).

JUST IN: One person injured after shots fired in West End Tuesday afternoon

By James Cullum

Published September 21, 2021 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

One person was injured after shots were fired in the West End on Tuesday afternoon (September 21).

The incident occurred at around 1:15 p.m. in the 200 block of S. Reynolds Street.

Public events still happening in Alexandria, and transmission rate has been high for more than a month

By James Cullum

Published September 21, 2021 at 1:15PM

For more than a month, Alexandria has experienced high COVID-19 transmission levels, but that isn’t stopping public events from happening.

Last week, the City Council unanimously voted to extend the state of emergency until January 31, 2022. Just days later, there was a large gathering for the unveiling of Friday night lights at Alexandria City High School, followed the next day by an art festival in Carlyle and Irish festival at Waterfront Park in Old Town. Residents are encouraged to wear face masks at the events, although it is not required.