News | ALXnow - Part 760

City breaks ground on new broadband network

Published August 23, 2021 at 11:00AM

City leaders break ground on new fibre optic network (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The city is starting work on a new municipal fiber optic network, but while the project should boost internet speeds at city facilities and schools, the big news for most local residents is higher internet speeds could be a few years and a few contract negotiations away.

Two coils of plastic tubing were wrapped up at the dig site this morning (Monday), where city officials stuck shovels into the ground. One will carry the new municipal network, but the other — added at minimal expense — will be empty for now but built to house a future network put into place by a private provider.

Juvenile stabbed in West End Sunday night

By James Cullum

Published August 23, 2021 at 9:30AM

A juvenile male was stabbed in the West End on Sunday evening, according to Alexandria Police.

The juvenile was found with a non-life threatening injury in the 5700 block of Drake Court, which is near Dora Kelley Nature Park.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 23, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated August 23, 2021 at 9:32AM

Participants of the Bands & Brews Summer Bar Crawl on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Saturday, August 22, 2021. (Via Elijah Walter Griffin, Sr.)

Noah Lyles places first and brother Josephus Lyles gets third in 200 meters at Prefontaine Classic — “He’s baaaccckk! @lylesnoah takes 1st with 19.52!”

Alexandria starts program to prevent opioid overdoses for former inmates — “The program is the first of its kind in Virginia and one of a few in the country. It is a collaboration between the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Community and Human Services.” [Zebra]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated August 20, 2021 at 11:17PM

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne in the alley behind his house after flooding in Del Ray. (Courtesy photo)

What a week in Alexandria.

Public uproar over Sunday’s flooding spilled out throughout this week, which continued to be threatened by near-daily flash flood advisories from the National Weather Service.

Mayor Wilson talks flooding, vaccine requirements, and Arlington gondola with WAMU

By Vernon Miles

Published August 20, 2021 at 2:25PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson gestures while delivering remarks at TC Williams High School (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Today on WAMU’s The Politics Hour, Mayor Justin Wilson laid out plans for flood infrastructure work, predicted a decision this fall over whether recreation centers will require proof of vaccination, and tacitly endorsed the Arlington-Georgetown gondola.

The discussion of the mayor took up the back half of the hour-long program hosted by Kojo Nnamdi and Tom Sherwood. As fitting the program’s name, the show started with a question of politics and whether Mayor Justin Wilson is planning to debate Republican candidate Annetta Catchings.

Olympic boxer Troy Isley welcomed back to Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2021 at 1:00PM

Troy “The Transformer” Isley was welcomed home to cheering supporters in Old Town Thursday, as the Olympic fighter signed autographs and talked about future bouts.

Isley got back to Alexandria from Tokyo last week, and says folks are treating him a little differently.

ACPS announces vaccination requirement for staff, but some aspects still uncertain

By Vernon Miles

Published August 20, 2021 at 10:55AM

Last night (Thursday), just four days before the school year is scheduled to start, the Alexandria School Board voted to require staff to either be vaccinated or take weekly COVID-19 tests.

The School Board unanimously voted approval of the vaccination and testing requirements, but with significant changes throughout the meeting over when staff would be required to submit their proof of vaccination.

Flash Flood Warning in effect in Alexandria until Friday afternoon

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2021 at 9:25AM

Road may flood sign (image via T&ES/Twitter)

In what’s turning out to be the wettest week of the year, Alexandria is once again under a Flash Flood Warning. The warning is in effect until 12:15 p.m.

NWS warns that thunderstorms may produce life-threatening flash flooding.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated August 20, 2021 at 1:14PM

Booster shot preparations for adults made in Alexandria — “After a White House announcement that a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine could be available to adults as soon as Sept. 20, the City of Alexandria is preparing to administer the additional doses.” [Patch]

Efforts underway to educate public as city adjusts to marijuana legalization — “In order to spread awareness about the details of the bill and quell community concerns, the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria worked with the governor’s office to release a “Top 10″ list for youth and adults that concretely explains the new measure’s rules and regulations.” [Alextimes]

Flash Flood Watch in effect for Alexandria until Friday afternoon

By James Cullum

Published August 19, 2021 at 4:15PM

Get ready for more serious weather, as the National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch in Alexandria. The advisory is in effect until 2 p.m. Friday.

Humid conditions will result in showers and scattered thunderstorms in the evening hours, the National Weather Service tweeted.

Alexandria kicks off Restaurant Week tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published August 19, 2021 at 3:40PM

Spice Kraft Indian Bistro, courtesy Chris Cruz/Visit Alexandria

Over 70 restaurants city-wide are planning to host special deals on meals for the biannual Restaurant Week.

The local event is organized by Visit Alexandria and features meal specials at restaurants across the city — though most of them are in Old Town and Del Ray.