News | ALXnow - Part 754

Morning Notes

Published May 13, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated May 13, 2021 at 9:17AM

Fuel shortage hits Alexandria gas stations — “A Shell station on Duke Street in Alexandria had run out of all grades of gasoline. The Mobil station next door “got lucky,” an employee said, and received a shipment of fuel overnight after running out late Tuesday. The line at Mobil spilled out onto Duke Street just west of Telegraph Road.” [Alexandria Living]

Alexandria’s COVID-19 percent positivity falls to lowest level — “We continue to watch the percent positivity of COVID-19 tests. Alexandria’s 7-day average positivity is now 2.9%. This is our lowest rate ever. Only 3 other Virginia health districts are lower. Wear your mask, get your vaccine and let’s be done with this.” [Twitter]

Alexandria approved for $59.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2021 at 4:45PM

Alexandria City Hall (staff photo by Kalina Newman)

Alexandria was approved for $59.6 million in American Rescue Plan funding, City Manager Mark Jinks announced to the City Council on Tuesday night.

Jinks said the city’s Congressional delegation was successful in convincing U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to include Alexandria as not only a city, but as a county as well, resulting in the City taking home double what it would have otherwise received.

UPDATE: Woman arrested for firing gun near Alexandria Courthouse in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2021 at 4:25PM | Updated May 13, 2021 at 9:25AM

King Street shut down between St. Asaph and Washington Streets after a woman allegedly fired a gun in the street at another car, May 12, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 9:10 a.m. on May 13) Virginia State Police have arrested a woman after she allegedly fired a gun outside near the Alexandria Courthouse on King Street. One shot was allegedly fired, and no one was injured in the incident.

The area of King Street between Washington Street and St. Asaph Street was shut down for hours in the late afternoon. A VSP special agent was walking out of his vehicle near the courthouse when he heard the shot.

Alexandria Republican candidate joins City Council race

By Vernon Miles

Published May 12, 2021 at 3:45PM

While much attention has been paid to the ongoing Democratic primary for the City Council election, a small but growing pool of Republican challengers for the general election has gotten slightly larger with the addition of Darryl Nirenberg.

Nirenberg, a partner with the law firm Steptoe & Johnson in D.C., joins Mayoral candidate Annetta Catchings as the Republican candidates currently filed for the local elections.

Poll: Will gas shortage concerns affect your driving plans?

By Vernon Miles

Published May 12, 2021 at 2:20PM

With 17% of gas stations in Virginia currently dry, there are concerns about a potential gas shortage.

The temporary scarcity is the result of a cyberattack on a pipeline that shut down production, resulting in a state of emergency, some price hikes and some… ill-advised attempts at hoarding.

Alexandria Master Gardener Joyce Hylton awarded Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2021 at 1:00PM

Master gardener Joyce Hylton was awarded the Ellen Pickering Environmental Excellence Award by the Alexandria City Council on Tuesday night.

Hylton, a local training coordinator for the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program, received the award during a virtual City Council meeting. The award, which is the top environmental honor given in the city, is usually handed out in person at the annual Earth Day celebration and cleanup on April 22, but the pandemic forced the event to shift to a virtual format.

AHDC proposes nearly 500 units of affordable housing for Arlandria

By Vernon Miles

Published May 12, 2021 at 11:00AM

AHDC's proposed Arlandria housing development (image via AHDC)

The City Council unanimously approved a $500,000 loan to get a new affordable housing development for the Arlandria neighborhood off the ground.

As part of an effort to preemptively combat gentrification likely incoming with Amazon’s arrival, the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation (AHDC) has put together plans to build a new affordable housing complex at 221 W. Glebe Road, former location for Safeway.

Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks hints at retirement, says city birthday celebration is a go this July

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2021 at 9:30AM

Mark Jinks isn’t getting any younger, and the Alexandria city manager says he is closing in on the end of his career.

“I turn 70 in 2022,” Jinks told ALXnow. “I am closer to the end than the beginning, that’s for sure.”

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2021 at 5:00AM

Walking on the street to the King Street - Old Town Metro station. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

State of emergency declared in Virginia over gasoline shortages — “Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency Tuesday afternoon to address gasoline supply disruptions across the state due to a cyberattack on the Colonial Pipeline.” [Patch]

Potomac Riverkeepers disavow Silberberg mailer — “Potomac Riverkeeper Network learned today that Allison Silberberg’s campaign to be the next Mayor of Alexandria recently distributed a flyer that included an apparent endorsement by Dean Naujoks, the Potomac Riverkeeper and a member of our staff… Potomac Riverkeeper is neutral and does not endorse Alison Silberberg’s candidacy for Mayor of Alexandria. Potomac Riverkeeper Network supports clean water, not individual candidates.” [Twitter]

Go-go music star-turned Alexandria teacher ‘Sugar Bear’ in the spotlight after Oscars shoutout

By Vernon Miles

Published May 11, 2021 at 4:45PM

Most of Gregory Elliott’s students at T.C. Williams High School know him as a longtime, dedicated special education instructor.

But for parents and staff, many remember Elliott as frontman “Sugar Bear” for D.C.-based go-go band Experience Unlimited — also known as E.U.

Similar on policies, Bennett-Parker and Levine differ on style in 45th District debate

By James Cullum

Published May 11, 2021 at 3:40PM | Updated May 11, 2021 at 4:50PM

At a debate Monday night, Delegate Mark Levine couldn’t think of any policy differences between his opponent, Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker.

“I’m not sure there are any,” Levine told Alexandria and Arlington Democrats in a Zoom debate.