News | ALXnow - Part 758

Knife pulled on woman who chases would-be thieves in Old Town

Published May 5, 2021 at 9:35AM

Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Police are investigating an incident where a knife was brandished against a woman outside the La Madeline restaurant in Old Town.

The incident occurred at around 1 p.m after the victim was eating lunch with her son at the restaurant at 500 King Street. The woman noticed that the strap to her purse, which was on the back of her chair, was moving. When she turned around, her purse was no longer on the back of her chair and her wallet was gone. There were two unknown men sitting at the table behind her, and she saw one of them fumble with her wallet.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2021 at 5:00AM

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus gets $50M commitment from Boeing — “Boeing’s multi-year gift will help the campus provide scholarships to students and recruit faculty to the Innovation Campus.” [Patch]

Coalition launches video series to encourage youth to be alcohol free — “The Substance Abuse and Prevention Coalition of Alexandria (SAPCA) has launched a prevention campaign featuring a series of short videos created by T.C. Williams High School students that encourage youth to be alcohol free.” [City of Alexandria]

What’s next for GenOn and the rest of Old Town North?

By Vernon Miles

Published May 4, 2021 at 5:15PM

Exercising near the closed GenOn power plant in Alexandria near the Potomac River. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hilco Redevelopment Partners is preparing a sweeping redevelopment for the GenOn power plant in Old Town North, and at a public meeting held last week the developer and city staff gave an overview of how plans for the site fit alongside other nearby developments.

Jeffrey Farner, Deputy Director Department of Planning and Zoning, said the GenOn team faces the challenge of designing something that is in many ways the opposite of the current plant. The GenOn site is a closed off and very likely polluted site, and the city aims to work with the developer to turn the site into an open mixed-use development complete with open park space.

NOW: Alexandria under severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m.

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 4:45PM

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. in Alexandria and the surrounding area.

Wind gusts could reach 60 miles per hour, and NWS is warning that the storm could cause trees and large branches to fall.

Police: Armed robberies occur minutes apart in Del Ray and Arlandria

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 3:00PM

Police car lights (file photo)

Alexandria Police are investigating two armed robberies that occurred within a half hour of each other in Del Ray and Arlandria on Tuesday (May 4) afternoon.

A male victim was robbed of his cell phone at gunpoint by two male suspects at around 12:15 p.m. in the unit block of E. Oxford Avenue in Del Ray. Then at around 12:40, another male victim was robbed of his cell phone and wallet at gunpoint by two male suspects in the 3900 block of Courtland Circle in Arlandria.

NEW: Man sentenced 41 months for targeting Alfred Street Baptist Church, journalists and others in ‘swatting’ conspiracy

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 1:55PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 27-year-old Texas man was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison today for his role in calling in a bomb threat to Alfred Street Baptist Church, as well as other “swatting” incidents against a U.S. Cabinet member, journalists and Old Dominion University.

John Cameron Denton of Montgomery, Texas, a leader with the Atomwaffen Division neo-Nazi group, participated with three others in at least 134 swatting attacks around the country between October 2018 and February 2019. He pleaded guilty last year after being arrested in a sting operation to committing an offense against the United States and interstate threats to injure.

Alexandria City Council to end School Resource Officer program at Alexandria City Public Schools

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 10:50AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City Council on Monday night effectively put an end to the School Resource Office program between the police department at Alexandria City Public Schools.

School resources officers (SROs), police officers stationed inside T.C. Williams High School, Francis Hammond Middle School and George Washington Middle School, will no longer have offices in those schools.

Two injured in hit-and-run in Old Town, driver leaves car and flees on foot

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 9:15AM | Updated May 4, 2021 at 3:01PM

Alexandria Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of S. Patrick and Franklin Streets in Old Town on Tuesday morning, May 4, 2021. (Image via Alexandria Police/Twitter)

(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) Traffic is reopening as Alexandria Police are investigating a hit-and-run crash at the intersection of S. Patrick (Route 1) and Franklin Streets in Old Town on Tuesday morning (May 4).

Two of the drivers were injured and transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries and the third driver left his car at the scene and ran away on foot, according to police.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 5:00AM

Statewide vaccine town hall tonight — “The Virginia Department of Health will host a live broadcast Town Hall on May 4, from 7 to 8 p.m. The program will feature in-depth discussion about COVID-19 vaccines and offer a forum to ask questions about the vaccines and the next steps in the vaccine roll out. Panelists include Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Norm Oliver and State Vaccine Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula, as well as other academic, medical, and public health experts.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria Democratic Committee’s City Council candidate debate is at 7 p.m. — “Please join us to watch the ADC City Council Debates!” [Facebook]

New auto-shop could move in across from Victory Center

By Vernon Miles

Published May 3, 2021 at 3:30PM

When the Victory Center parking lot does eventually get turned into a housing development, locals won’t have to go far to get their car checked out.

The Planing Commission is scheduled to review an application by Vijay Laxmi LLC to open a light automotive repair shop at 4936 Eisenhower Avenue, directly across from the Victory Center.

These Alexandria businesses are offering deals for Teacher Appreciation Week

By James Cullum

Published May 3, 2021 at 2:15PM | Updated May 3, 2021 at 4:53PM

A new group of Alexandria businesses has launched an effort to support local teachers with discounts, perks and donations in recognition of National Teacher Appreciation Week.

From May 3-8, discounts will be posted on the new ALX Business Gives Back Facebook page.