News | ALXnow - Part 765

West End bus lines locked in battle with regional projects for funding

Published April 19, 2021 at 2:30PM

Alexandria is seeking state funding for a couple of transportation projects, but competition is fierce in a region full of localities hoping to overhaul their transit systems despite the pandemic’s dire financial ramifications.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) recently announced the shortlist of proposed transportation projects that could receive funding through the Commuter Choice program. Each project is scored based primarily on technical merit — like how many people benefit and how much travel time is saved — but also on criteria like cost effectiveness and interagency collaboration.

Alexandria City Council unanimously adopts collective bargaining ordinance

By James Cullum

Published April 19, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated April 19, 2021 at 2:07PM

Security guard Destin Davis waves at City Hall at 301 King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

After months of fine-tuning, the Alexandria City Council unanimously passed a collective bargaining ordinance on Saturday. Its passage was praised by Alexandria’s employee unions as a step forward in employee rights.

“I want to thank you, the members of the City Council, for moving for an ordinance that allows employees voices to be heard,” Josh Turner, president of the Alexandria Fire Fighters Inc. and International Association of Firefighters Local 2141, told Council.

Alexandria City Council approves creation of Community Policing Review Board

By James Cullum

Published April 19, 2021 at 11:05AM | Updated April 19, 2021 at 11:23AM

Alexandria Police in Old Town. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

City Council unanimously approved the creation of an eight-member community policing review board [CPRB] at its public hearing on Saturday.

City Councilman Mo Seifeldein proposed the CPRB ordinance last year, and said that its creation is long overdue.

Update: COVID-19 vaccine alert for residents 16+ today

By James Cullum

Published April 19, 2021 at 9:30AM

Three more Alexandria residents have died of COVID-19 since this time last week, as an emergency alert will go out Monday at 10 a.m. to notify anyone 16 and older that they are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.

“Virginia will send alerts through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) to participating wireless carriers, which then push the alerts to compatible mobile devices in the area,” according to the Virginia Department of Emergency Management.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 19, 2021 at 5:00AM | Updated April 19, 2021 at 9:10AM

TikTok captures promotion for first Hispanic Alexandria Fire Department battalion chief — “‘Hi dad, it’s Nicholle,’ the voice said before listing all the other people in the room. ‘It is my honor to announce your promotion to battalion chief.'” [7News]

Emergency alert at 10 a.m. announcing 16+ eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine — “On Monday, April 19, around 10 a.m., #Virginia will be issuing a Wireless Emergency Alert System message alerting everyone 16+ that they are now eligible to register for a #COVID19 vaccine under phase 2. More information: bit.ly/3mXUfTC #VaccinateVA” [Twitter]

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 3:35PM | Updated April 16, 2021 at 10:05PM

It was another busy week in Alexandria. Here are some of the highlights.

This week, ALXnow profiled Mayor Justin Wilson and his opponent, former Mayor Allison Silberberg. The pair are facing off in the June 8 Democratic primary, and have vastly different ideas on city governance.

D.C. man arrested for pharmacy burglaries in Del Ray and West End

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 2:30PM

Police car lights (file photo)

A 23-year-old Washington, D.C. man faces at least two years in prison for allegedly breaking into two Alexandria pharmacies late last year.

The suspect will go to court April 28 on two counts of entering a structure to commit larceny and stealing more than $1,000 from the Walgreens at 1517 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray on Dec. 8, 2020, and the MedPlus pharmacy at 5130 Duke Street in the West End, on Dec. 18.

Alexandria Police find meth, thousands in cash in hotel robbery investigation

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 12:45PM

A 34-year-old Arlington man was charged with distributing methamphetamine after reporting to police that he was the victim of an armed robbery in his fifth floor room at the Embassy Suites in Old Town.

On March 24, at around 7:15 a.m., Alexandria Police responded to a 911 call and met the suspect in the lobby. He told police that he’d just been robbed of money by a man with a knife in his room. He also said that a backpack belonging to a friend of his was stolen.

NEW: Alexandria Police report 15% drop in Nuisance crimes

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 10:35AM

An Alexandria police cruiser (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Nuisance crimes fell nearly 15% last year in Alexandria, and it’s largely due to the decriminalization of marijuana and the COVID-19 pandemic, according to police.

On Friday, the Alexandria Police Department released its stats on Nuisance crimes, which are “unreasonable and unlawful use of property, which causes inconvenience or damage to others.” They include destruction of property/vandalism incidents, drug offenses and disorderly conduct.

‘Dogs Of Del Ray’ mural to be finished next month

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 9:35AM | Updated April 16, 2021 at 10:31PM

It’s no secret that Del Ray loves its dogs, and next month a new mural will be unveiled in their honor.

For the last month, local artist Patrick Kirwin has been working on the “Dogs Of Del Ray” mural, which is on the north side of Stomping Ground, facing the Pat Miller Neighborhood Square in the heart of Del Ray.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria health director reflects on sudden retirement, tenure with city — “When Dr. Stephen Haering, director of the Alexandria Health Department for the past 11 years, unexpectedly announced his retirement on April 9, he did so for what he called ‘deeply personal’ reasons. Haering, whose retirement was effective immediately according to a city news release, told the Times in an interview that his departure was ‘not associated with the pandemic response.'” [Alex Times]

Vaccination drive brings a dose of hope for restaurant workers — “More than 1,000 restaurant and small business employees have filed through the doors of the old Fireflies restaurant over the past few weeks with the same purpose: receiving COVID-19 vaccinations. The location’s current vacancy made this the perfect site to administer such a large number of shots, Bill Blackburn, restaurateur and co-owner of Homegrown Restaurant Group, said. Blackburn joined forces with community organizer Charlotte Hall and Scott Shaw of Alexandria Restaurant Partners – who donated the space – to orchestrate the Alexandria Restaurant Drive whereby restaurant workers could receive vaccinations in a streamlined way.” [Alex Times]