News | ALXnow - Part 791

Morning Notes

Published February 19, 2021 at 9:00AM

Sledding on the lawn of the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Old Town, Feb. 18, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Wants Federal Employees to Get Vaccine — “Our region has the largest concentration of federal employees. Many qualify as essential workers with local jurisdictions responsible for vaccinations. We’re asking the federal government to vaccinate feds via a separate federalized allocation to speed up vaccinations in the DMV.” [Twitter]

Alexandria Vaccinates 20,000 Residents — “On a hopeful note, Alexandria also hit the milestone this week of more than 20,000 residents vaccinated. AHD and private providers continue to vaccinate and work to schedule the tens of thousands of residents who pre-registered for vaccines.” [City of Alexandria]

Weather Update: Expect Another Inch of Snow and Slippery Conditions

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 4:00PM

Slushy roadways and moderate snowfall in the area of Four Mile Run Park on Feb. 18, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Much of the heavy snowfall has left the area, and Alexandria remains under a Winter Weather Advisory until 6 a.m. Friday.

As of 1:05 p.m., the National Weather Service said the region should expect up to another inch of snow and sleet and up to one tenth of an inch of ice.

BREAKING: Alexandria Police Investigate Second Car Stolen While Owner Pumps Gas

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 3:05PM

An Alexandria police cruiser (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating the second car stolen this month from a gas station — while the owner is pumping gas. The most recent incident occurred at around 9 a.m. Thursday morning at a gas station in the 2300 block of Richmond Highway in Crystal City.

“The victim had just finished pumping gas when the vehicle was stolen around 9:30 this morning,” according to Alexandria Police. “The suspect accessed the vehicle through an unlocked door.”

Six Displaced After Bathroom Exhaust Fan Fire in Parkfairfax Rowhouse

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 2:30PM

Six people in three rowhouses in Parkfairfax were displaced from their homes Thursday morning after an electrical malfunction in a bathroom exhaust fan, according to the Alexandria Fire Department.

Fire damage was contained to the bathroom of the home, which is the 1600 block of Preston Road. Damage was estimated at $80,000. The rowhouses share walls and neighbors from two other homes were affected by smoke and were displaced.

Local Facebook Watchdog Former Administrator Bill Rossello Announces Run for City Council

By Vernon Miles

Published February 18, 2021 at 1:45PM | Updated March 1, 2021 at 11:53AM

(Updated at 12:15 p.m. on 2/25/21) Bill Rossello, one of the early members and administrators of the 2,200-member-strong Bring Integrity Back to Alexandria Facebook group, has announced that he will be running for City Council in the June 8 Democratic primary.

Rossello, who works as principal at Greenhouse Consulting LLC according to his LinkedIn profile, has been active in neighborhood advocacy for a few years, but said in earlier interviews that the Seminary Road debate was when he really threw himself into it.

Cedric the 8-Month-Old Tabby is Looking for a New Home in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 11:30AM

Cedric is up for adoption in Alexandria. (Image via AWLA)

Cedric, an eight-month-old tabby who was found wandering the streets of Alexandria, is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

“Cedric can be a bit shy at first, but if you show him a bit of patience, he quickly comes around and will be your best snuggle buddy in no time,” AWLA spokesperson Gina Hardter told ALXnow. “Cedric is currently staying in an AWLA staff office, where he has claimed a cubby of his own, but don’t be surprised to find this adventuresome young man in all kinds of entertaining and interesting locations.”

Police Identify Woman Found Dead in Arlandria, Mayor Says Homelessness Increasing

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 10:30AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police have identified the homeless woman found dead in Arlandria on Tuesday as 49-year-old Isabelle Hernandez Saballa.

Police said Saballa, who went by the name “Dora”, was a known subject in the community and her death was not suspicious in nature.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 18, 2021 at 9:00AM

Sleeping on a bench on the Alexandria waterfront. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

More Than 20K Vaccines Distributed in Alexandria — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: 20,726 doses administered to Alexandrians; 4,666 Alexandrians fully vaccinated (2.9%); Positive tests up 19 to 10,056 in the City (259 in last week); 7-day Positivity Rate steady at 6.4%; 1 new hospitalization.” [Twitter]

Beyer Elected Chair of House Committee of Space and Aeronautics — “Really exciting news: my colleagues have elected me chair of @HouseScience‘s Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee! I am ready and eager to boldly go forward with an ambitious space policy agenda in the 117th Congress.” [Twitter]

Snow: Up to 6 Inches of Snow and Ice Expected in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published February 17, 2021 at 8:45PM | Updated February 17, 2021 at 9:06PM

Three-to-six inches of snow and ice are expected in Alexandria, as the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning that will remain in effect from 3 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. on Friday.

The NWS predicts heavy snow with sleet and freezing rain throughout the region, and up to a quarter of an inch of ice. The snowfall is expected to start between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and the snow will turn into sleet in the late morning and early afternoon hours.

Poll: Have You Experienced a Power Outage in the Last Year?

By Vernon Miles

Published February 17, 2021 at 4:30PM

Dominion employees (image via Dominion Energy/Facebook)

Alexandrians are starting to get suspicious that the repeated power outages aren’t just the fluke that Dominion officials claim.

Old Town was hit with another power outage last week that left over 2,000 customers in the city’s southeast corner in the dark for hours. It was the latest in a series of outages over the last year.

Alfred Street Baptist Church’s Annual HBCU Festival Goes Virtual, College Applicants Sought

By James Cullum

Published February 17, 2021 at 3:30PM

The largest festival for historically black colleges and universities in the country is going virtual, and all application fees have been waived for this year’s annual event.

The Alfred Street Baptist Church HBCU Festival has been held annually since 2003, and the church is calling for high school students and parents to register. The festival is on Saturday, Feb. 20, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.