News | ALXnow - Part 779

Morning Notes

Published August 12, 2021 at 5:00AM

Mayor urges use of resources to halt evictions — “Today, Mayor Justin Wilson issued a letter to Alexandria landlords requesting that they work with the City and its partners to access the many available sources of rental assistance for households unable to pay rent due to the pandemic.” [Patch]

NOVA Parks partners with Alexandria Treatment Court, donates rewards for participants — “NOVA Parks has given passes to Great Waves Water Park and the Cameron Run Mini-Golf Park… These passes will be a reward for select ATC participants as they make successful progress in the program.” [Zebra]

Alexandria under Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m.

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2021 at 4:45PM

Alexandria is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued the advisory at 2:12 p.m.

Del Ray CrossFit gym owner says exercise keeps clients focused amid pandemic

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2021 at 3:30PM

Melissa Graves calls CrossFit her medicine.

Last year, though, she was forced to shut down her brick and mortar gym, CrossFit MVA at 1712 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray. Graves and her team of a half dozen coaches kept the ship afloat with Zoom workouts, as members who stuck it out took home weight sets and medicine balls from the gym.

Alexandria poised to receive opioid settlement funding

By Vernon Miles

Published August 11, 2021 at 2:15PM

Photo courtesy Michael Longmire/Unsplash

Alexandria will likely be getting an influx of funding from a statewide opioids settlement, but how much and where exactly that funding will be going remains to be determined.

The City Council met last night for a special session — interrupting the brief summer break due to the need to have a decision the city should join the Virginia Opioid Abatement Fund and Settlement Allocation Memorandum.

Amy DuVall quit her career as an environmental lawyer in D.C. to bake Italian cookies in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated August 17, 2021 at 10:48PM

Amy DuVall still can’t believe she’s baking Italian cookies for a living in Alexandria. The owner of From Politics To Pastry says its surreal to be her own boss, especially after nearly 20 years of rubbing elbows on Capitol Hill as an environmental lawyer and lobbyist.

“So far, everything is working out well,” DuVall told ALXnow. “I will say that I am definitely more relaxed. It’s very surreal to not have a boss. I mean, other than taxes and laws, but to not have somebody to report to is very surreal.”

Salons, restaurants and other businesses for sale in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2021 at 9:30AM

Ready to buy a pastry shop or salon in Alexandria?

The latest listings on BizBuySell show all kinds of businesses for sale in and around Alexandria. Many are restaurants, which have been heavily impacted by the pandemic.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 11, 2021 at 5:00AM

Hula hoop fusion classes through the Department of Recreation outside Old Town Pool at 1609 Cameron Street. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria ranks ninth in Virginia for small businesses — “Alexandria ranked ninth overall among Virginia localities with a small business index score of 39.17. The city was seventh for percentage of small business income — 10.11 percent.” [Patch]

Alexandria ranked by CDC as third best city in U.S. for surviving zombie apocalypse — “It seems the CDC-yes, the Centers for Disease Control were kind of bored a while back and actually posted a Zombie Apocalypse Preparedness Guide which recently inspired a company called Lawn Love to dig into a bunch of data and develop 2021’s Best Cities for Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse and Alexandria, Virginia turns out to be a good spot to be in such an event.” [Zebra]

Traffic Alert: Crash on Duke Street ramp off northbound Interstate 395

By James Cullum

Published August 10, 2021 at 3:00PM

Traffic on I-395 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Expect traffic around the Duke Street exit on northbound Interstate 395, after a crash occurred at around 2:40 p.m. Tuesday (August 10).

The crash involved a black SUV and a tow truck, according to officials.

King Street underpass closed tonight and next week for maintenance

By Vernon Miles

Published August 10, 2021 at 2:15PM

King Street underpass, via Google Maps

A block of Alexandria that’s seen sudden repairs in recent years is undergoing something a little more-planned over the next week.

Maintenance on the rail bridge traveling over King Street near the eponymous Metro station will close the underpass tonight from 10 p.m.-5 a.m. tomorrow. It will also be closed the same times from Tuesday, Aug. 17, to Wednesday, Aug. 25. The underpass will be closed for both vehicle and pedestrian/cyclist traffic.

ACPS wants more community input on Minnie Howard redesign

By James Cullum

Published August 10, 2021 at 1:00PM

Alexandria residents are being invited to weigh in Tuesday (August 10) on the design for the Alexandria City High School Minnie Howard campus.

The community will be provided a design update at 6 p.m. in a Zoom meeting with staff from the ACPS Office of Capital Programs, Planning and Design. The recently approved competition-sized swimming pool will also be discussed.

West End man arrested for gun possession and selling marijuana

By James Cullum

Published August 10, 2021 at 10:45AM

A 26-year-old Alexandria man is being held without bond for gun possession and selling marijuana in the West End.

On June 29, Alexandria Police conducted a search of suspect’s apartment in the 5400 block of Roanoke Avenue after a weapons offense, according to a search warrant. They found a gun, and also 3.7 pounds of marijuana in plastic bags, two digital scales and $4,200 in cash.