News | ALXnow - Part 796

ACPS Releases Semifinalist Names for T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School Renaming

Published February 8, 2021 at 1:15PM

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Congressman John Lewis and 1972 Titan Petey Jones are just a few names that have made the latest cut in the rename process for T.C. Williams High School and Matthew Maury Elementary School.

The semifinalist names for the schools have been selected, and ACPS has launched another set of polls to further slim down the selection. The polls close on Feb. 19 and the top three names from each poll will be presented to the School Board for final consideration on March 4. There will be a public hearing on March 18, and then the Board will vote on the names on April 8.

BREAKING: Large Power Outage Reported in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

Published February 8, 2021 at 11:30AM | Updated February 8, 2021 at 2:11PM

Update at 2:10 p.m. — Power has been restored for many customers in the area, with only around 80 now without power. An equipment problem was found to be the source of the outage.

Over 2,000 Dominion Energy customers in Old Town are currently without power.

COVID-19 Deaths at 105, Cases Surpass 9,700 in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published February 8, 2021 at 10:30AM | Updated February 8, 2021 at 11:30AM

Alexandria’s COVID-19 deaths are now at 105, and the number of cases has reached 9,744.

That’s one more death and 623 cases since this time last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health. The latest death was a man in his 60s.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 8, 2021 at 9:00AM

Carjacking at Gunpoint Near Potomac Yard — “The Alexandria Police Dept. is investigating a carjacking in the 400 block of Calvert Ave. It happened just before 5pm. Victim’s vehicle stolen at gunpoint. No injuries were reported. Expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

Port City Brewing Co. Turns 10 — “We can’t celebrate 10 years of PCBC w/ a big in-person event so we’ve put together a Virtual Event to celebrate 10 years. The Anniversary video includes a message from our Founder, a Tasting Room update, 2021 beers, & a Colossal X tasting w/ a brewer!” [Twitter]

Weather Alert: Up to Three Inches of Snow Expected in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published February 7, 2021 at 8:45AM

For the second Sunday in a row, the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning until noon in Alexandria and the surrounding area, as the city is expected to receive up to three inches of snow.

“Plan on slippery road conditions,” NWS said in its alert on Sunday morning. “Visibility will be reduced to around one- quarter mile at times through late this morning. Temperatures will rise well above freezing this afternoon, but temperatures will fall quickly below freezing this evening.”

ALXnow’s Top Stories this Week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published February 5, 2021 at 3:30PM

What a news-filled week in Alexandria.

Things got off to a snowy start on Monday and Tuesday, as the city was under a winter weather advisory.

ACPS to Return to In-Person School on March 16

By James Cullum

Published February 5, 2021 at 2:45PM | Updated February 5, 2021 at 5:18PM

Alexandria City Public Schools will reopen its doors to students on March 16, after being shut down for a little more than a year due to the coronavirus, Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr. told the School Board on Thursday.

“Now it’s time, and we will be returning back to our school buildings,” Hutchings said. “We are now ready. It is now time for this pivot to occur.”

Handful of Super Bowl Deals Around Town Amid Lackluster Sporting Season

By Vernon Miles

Published February 5, 2021 at 1:30PM

Well it’s the Superbowl, I guess.

In a national championship game sapped of all build up and anticipation by a year of pandemic and political upheaval, some local restaurants are still using the upcoming event to promote specials.

Alexandria Civil Rights Figures Praise Naming of Lynhaven Park

By Vernon Miles

Published February 5, 2021 at 11:45AM

Several figures instrumental Alexandria’s Civil Rights movement crowded a typically unremarkable Naming Committee meeting last week to express support for naming a park for former school board member Shirley Tyler.

The naming committee voted unanimously in support of naming the unnamed 3550 Commonwealth Avenue Park the Shirley Tyler Unity Park, a blend of the “Shirley Tyler Park” and “Unity Park” suggestions.

Just In: James Lewis Files Paperwork to Enter City Council Race

By James Cullum

Published February 5, 2021 at 10:35AM | Updated February 5, 2021 at 11:11AM

James Lewis, a longtime democratic staffer on Capitol Hill, has joined the race for the Alexandria City Council.

The 33-year-old democrat has lived in Alexandria for more than a decade and is the vice chair of the city’s Traffic and Parking Board. He filed his statement of organization on Thursday, according to the city’s registrar of voters. He will also soon launch a campaign website, he said.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 5, 2021 at 9:00AM

Polk Elementary Crossing Guard Dies — “It is with a heavy heart that we share that our beloved Charlotte Mills Ross, passed away peacefully January 31, 2021 at the age of 95. Mrs. Ross served for 50 years as our school crossing guard. She welcomed and protected generations of Polk Owls at the same corner, rain or shine. How blessed we are to have been able to have her for 50 years as a treasured legend of our community. The walkway from our gym to our fifth grade wing was named ‘Ross Walk’ in her honor, upon her retirement.” [Facebook]

Beyer Thanks 11 Republicans for Voting to Remove Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Committees — “My thanks to the 11 Republicans who joined us tonight to hold Marjorie Taylor Greene responsible for encouraging political violence against our colleagues. There should have been more. The resolution just passed with bipartisan support.” [Twitter]