News | ALXnow - Part 763

Morning Notes

Published April 23, 2021 at 5:00AM

Early voting begins for June 8 Democratic primary — “Early voting will begin on April 23 for the June 8 Democratic primary election in the City of Alexandria. The ballot includes contests for Virginia Governor;Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; House of Delegates (45th District); Mayor and City Council.” [Zebra]

Alexandria to renovate baseball field near Mount Vernon Community School — “The project is scheduled to begin Monday, April 26 and work will occur Monday through Friday from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Work is planned for the restoration of approximately 39,600 square feet turf. This includes the installation of irrigation. The work area will be closed to the public during the installation period.” [Zebra]

&pizza files special use permit for restaurant in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 4:45PM

&pizza just filed a special use permit to operate at 207 Swamp Fox Road next to the Hoffman Town Center in Carlyle.

The location would join the other &pizza location at 3525 Richmond Highway in Potomac Yard.

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria lets animals hang out in their offices

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated April 22, 2021 at 3:48PM

Chanel likes hanging out in an office more than her cage. Every day, she and about 10 other “office animals” are let out to play in offices at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“A shelter isn’t a natural environment for an animal,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “We’ve got seven dogs and three cats in offices right now, and we do whatever we can make this experience better and more comfortable for them.”

JUST IN: Alexandria Police investigate suspicious package in Carlyle

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 1:30PM | Updated April 22, 2021 at 4:26PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 4:25 p.m.)

Henock Seyoum Pastoor, a 27-year-old Alexandria man, was arrested by Metro Transit Police on Thursday and charged with threats to bomb or damage buildings or means of transportation.

ACPS announces Virtual Academy, will open to 4-days a week for special needs students

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 1:05PM | Updated April 23, 2021 at 11:16AM

While Alexandria City Public Schools plans on reducing distancing to three feet in classrooms on April 26, the school system will also reopen to four days a week of in-person instruction for students in the citywide special needs program.

Additionally, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. has announced that the VirtualPLUS+ hybrid learning model will come to a close. In its place will be an ACPS “Virtual Academy”.

Alexandria celebrates Earth Day virtually

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 9:45AM

Today is Earth Day, and for the second year in a row Alexandria is celebrating virtually.

The theme of the 51st annual celebration is “Restore Our Earth,” and residents are encouraged to participate with projects on the city website, including restoration efforts around water, land, air quality and climate.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 22, 2021 at 5:00AM

Animal Welfare League unveils van for onsite surgeries — “Biscuit, an eight-year-old gray and white cat, was the first to receive surgery.” [Zebra]

Free food distribution this Saturday — “On Sat, Apr 24, 8:30-10:30am, @ALIVE4AlexVA will distribute food in Cora Kelly Elem School parking lot and parking lot B-1 of NOVA-Alexandria Campus (map at alive-inc.org, if college closes due to weather, distribution cancelled). More resources alexandriava.gov/115053.” [Twitter]

Canek Aguirre says experience matters, cites racial equity work in race for reelection

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2021 at 4:45PM | Updated April 21, 2021 at 7:09PM

Alexandria Councilman Canek Aguirre

Like a ship during a storm, Canek Aguirre wants to guide Alexandria to more equitable waters.

The trick, though, is through proper communication.

New Alexandria museum shifts focus away from slavers to the lives of their victims

By Vernon Miles

Published April 21, 2021 at 3:45PM

Freedom House at 1315 Duke Street (photo via City of Alexandria)

The city has opened up a little about plans to reshape a former slave trading headquarters in Alexandria into a museum centered around the Black Americans enslaved in early American history.

The reopening of the Freedom House Museum at 1315 Duke Street is planned for this fall — after it was originally planned for opening this spring.

Rate adjustment could mean higher water bill this year for Alexandrians

By Vernon Miles

Published April 21, 2021 at 2:30PM | Updated April 21, 2021 at 4:43PM

(Updated 4:40 p.m.) Alexandrians could see their wastewater bill go up an average $50 per year with a new rate adjustment aimed at funding the extensive RiverRenew program.

The adjustment has been in the works for a while but was delayed last year in light of the impact of COVID-19 on the local economy. The rate would be in place for two years to finance AlexRenew’s state-mandated efforts to overhaul the city’s sewer system.

Alexandria City Council candidates focus on racial equity, affordable housing and flooding in DPC forum

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2021 at 1:45PM | Updated April 21, 2021 at 9:29PM

A voter leaves City Hall after casting a callot (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Affordable housing took center stage on Tuesday night, as Alexandria’s mayoral and City Council candidates participated in a long candidates forum hosted by the Departmental Progressive Club (DPC).

During the forum, former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg praised the Tuesday unveiling of the Lineage affordable apartment complex in Old Town earlier that day. Silberberg voted against a rezoning for the project on one of her first meetings as mayor in February 2016. That vote was unanimously rescinded days later.