News | ALXnow - Part 752

Morning Notes

Published September 14, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria chooses historic trolley as 2021 holiday ornament — “The City of Alexandria is now taking orders for its 2021 Trolley ornament, depicting Car 303 of the Mount Vernon Alexandria & Washington Electric Railway. The fleet of art deco cars were purchased in 1918 for the essential trolley line that connected Del Ray commuters to DC and tourists to Mount Vernon. Car 303 ran until the railway’s closure in 1932. It became a diner in 1936.” [Zebra]

Missing 83-year-old West Ender found safe — “Mr. Navia has been located.” [Twitter]

Alexandria City Council to likely extend state of emergency to next year

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 3:30PM

The Alexandria City Council, on Tuesday, will likely extend its local emergency declaration until January 31, 2022.

The declaration, which was first approved by Council in March 2020, has been continually updated every six months, and finds that “the emergency continues to exist and will exist into the future.”

Alexandria Police report double-digit rise in burglary and drunk driving arrests

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 2:25PM

Alexandria police cruiser (file photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Police are reporting double-digit increases in burglary and drunk driving arrests so far this year.

In an update to the Health and Safety Coordinating Committee, police reported a 35% increase in driving while intoxicated arrests (136 incidents) — as of August 2021.

As selection deadline nears, Alexandria wants community input on incoming city manager

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 1:00PM

The Alexandria City Council will likely hire the next city manager before the end of the year, and next week the city will hold a hybrid town hall on the “qualities and values” the next manager should possess.

After six years as the highest-ranking government employee in Alexandria, City Manager Mark Jinks hinted to ALXnow in May that he was going to retire, and then made it official a month later. The city is currently undergoing a national search for his replacement.

School Board says vaccination will be required for staff

By Vernon Miles

Published September 13, 2021 at 11:00AM

News of over a dozen school deaths from COVID in Miami has led ACPS to reconsider it’s earlier position of allowing staff to decide whether to be vaccinated or not.

At a School Board meeting last week, the board voted to make it clear that in the coming weeks a plan will be put together on requiring all staff to be vaccinated — unless that falls into the broad category of claiming a medical or religious exemption.

Visit Alexandria attracting Black visitors with new ‘Drop-in’ campaign

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 10:00AM

Brandon Byrd, owner of Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Visit Alexandria launched a new advertising campaign last week focusing on attracting Black visitors. Using federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, Visit Alexandria hired D.C.-based Creative Theory Agency to develop the “Drop-in” campaign with help from business owners and leaders around the city.

“We’re thrilled to roll out this major new campaign to build on our last 8 years of painting a more complete and inclusive picture of Alexandria,” said Visit Alexandria President & CEO Patricia Washington. “Our destination is more ready than ever for this campaign given the City of Alexandria’s investment and development of new Black history experiences through the Office of Historic Alexandria, citywide priority around race and social equity, as well as newly-opened businesses and the transformation of our waterfront.”

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 13, 2021 at 5:00AM

City leaders mark 20th anniversary of 9/11 attacks — “A solemn gathering in Waterfront Park to remember those lost and commemorate the selfless service of so many during and after the attacks of September 11th. Honored to have @RepDonBeyer and the leaders of @AlexVASheriff @AlexandriaVAPD & @AlexandriaVAFD with us.” [Twitter]

Old Town’s ‘Art On The Avenue’ festival needs hundreds of volunteers — “As an entirely volunteer-run event, Art on the Avenue seeks over 200 volunteers to help with pre-event set up, business set up, monitoring the food court, handing out posters, and more before and throughout the day. Each volunteer may sign up for a specific position and shift time. The average shift is between 2 and 3 hours; there is no limit to how many hours one can volunteer.” [Zebra]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2021 at 3:30PM

Noah Lyles comes home to Alexandria City High School, Tuesday, September 7, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

What an interesting week in Alexandria. Here’s the rundown.

World champion sprinter Noah Lyles brought home his bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday. In a frank, TED Talk-like speech at Alexandria City High School, Lyles talked about the importance of mental health as he struggled to perform at the games.

Alexandria seeking state-funding to make fare-free buses long-term

By Vernon Miles

Published September 10, 2021 at 2:45PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

The city’s DASH bus network recently went fare-free, and the city is looking for more funding from the state to help it stay that way.

An item at the upcoming Tuesday, Sept. 14, City Council meeting includes an application to the Transit Ridership Incentive Program (TRIP) to help finance the city’s free bus ridership program.

Alexandria man arrested for sexual battery in Landmark area

By James Cullum

Published September 10, 2021 at 12:30PM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A 30-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond after allegedly committing sexual battery on a woman and following other women in the Landmark area on Thursday night.

Police responded to the 300 block of S. Reynolds Street at around 5:45 p.m. to investigate a report of a disorderly person, according to a release.

Old Town apothecary museum looking for volunteers to lead tours

By Vernon Miles

Published September 10, 2021 at 10:45AM

A few products on display at the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As Alexandria’s museums and historical localities start to reopen, some are looking for public help to handle new visitors.

The Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum (105 S Fairfax Street), part of the Office of Historic Alexandria, is looking for volunteers to help lead guided tours of the historic site, an 19th century pharmacy turned museum of medicinal herbs and apothecary accoutrements.