News | ALXnow - Part 803

Alexandria Mayor Formally Requests Dominion Energy Step Their Game Up

Published January 22, 2021 at 1:15PM | Updated January 22, 2021 at 2:07PM

Dominion employees (image via Dominion Energy/Facebook)

(Updated 2:05 p.m.) Alexandrians have had to deal with a frustrating uptick in power outages this year, and Mayor Justin Wilson said locals are getting tired of it.

The city has faced several large-scale power outages in 2020 — including a particularly large one in October that hit 12,750 residents in Del Ray, North Ridge, Rosemont, Seminary Hill and Potomac Yard. Dominion representatives said the outage was a fluke, but city representatives pointed to the recent spate of outages as evidence to the contrary. In a letter sent yesterday, Wilson outlined local concerns and what Dominion can do to improve the situation.

Alexandria Police Investigate West End Hit and Runs

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2021 at 11:30AM

Alexandria Police are investigating a series of hit-and-runs that damaged cars in the West End last month.

On Dec. 13 at around 11:15 p.m., Alexandria police responded to the area of N. Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue in the West End in reference to a motor vehicle crash.

BREAKING: Body Found in the Water Near Cameron Station

By Vernon Miles

Published January 22, 2021 at 10:40AM | Updated January 22, 2021 at 12:32PM

Alexandria Police investigate the area of Holmes Run has been shut down after a body was found in the water on Friday, Jan. 22, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Police are currently investigating a body discovered in the area of Homes Run Parkway near Cameron Station.

Alexandria Fire Department spokeswoman Raytevia Evans said that around 9:35 a.m. they received a call and dispatched an inland rescue unit for the report of a possible body in the water.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2021 at 9:00AM

Four Mile Run at the Alexandria and Arlington border, January 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Beyer Says Congress Needs to Pass COVID-19 Relief Bill — “Last week was the 44th week in a row in which more Americans filed new unemployment claims than in any week on record prior to 2020. Damage from delaying relief still hitting American families, which shows how important it is for Congress to move quickly on the next relief bill.” [Twitter]

Mayor Says Alexandria Needs More COVID-19 Vaccines — “My friend @JeffreyCMcKay is absolutely right. NoVa jurisdictions have been planning for administration of vaccinations for months. We have the staffing, volunteers, processes and community partnerships in place to vaccinate our population. We just need more vaccine doses.” [Twitter]

Proposed Dealership Overhaul Headed to City Council This Weekend

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2021 at 4:45PM

After a recommendation for approval by city staff and the Planning Commission, a proposed replacement of the Linday car dalership campus North Ridge is headed to the City Council this weekend.

The plan is to build a new 36,500 square foot Volvo automobile sales/service facility building, a 34,873 Lexus sales facility building and a 63,066 square foot Lexus service facility building with above grade and under-ground parking facilities throughout the site.

BREAKING: Woman Gets Arm Amputated, Police Investigate if She Was Thrown From Car in West End

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2021 at 3:30PM | Updated January 21, 2021 at 5:23PM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Just after midnight on Dec. 21, Alexandria Police received a 911 call from a city resident saying that she could hear a woman screaming for help in the 2200 block of N. Van Dorn Street in the West End.

The woman in distress allegedly pulled out a knife when approached by police, and was then commanded to drop it. An officer used a TASER on the woman and she was placed in handcuffs, according to a search warrant affidavit.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson Announces Reelection Bid

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2021 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson speaks at a vigil against police brutality at the Charles Houston Recreation Center in Old Town on June 4, 2020. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson announced his bid for reelection to a second term this morning. He currently stands unopposed in the Mayor’s race, according to the city’s office of Voter Registration and Elections.

Wilson, who defeated then-Mayor Allison Silberberg in the democratic primary in June 2018, has presided over an unprecedented period in Alexandria’s history that has been marked by social strife and a pandemic.

Kitty Cuddler ‘Odie’ is Looking for a New Stomping Ground in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2021 at 1:15PM

Odie is up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (Photo via AWLA)

Odie is all about domesticity, and the 10-year-old gray and white domestic short-haired cat is looking for a new home in Alexandria.

The affectionate feline is currently up for adoption with the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

Poll: Are You Concerned About Gunfire in Alexandria?

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2021 at 11:30AM

Police confirmed last week that roughly one-third of the the shootings last year were connected.

In 2020, Alexandria experienced an increase in shots fired calls with a total of 55 confirmed cases as compared to 37 in 2019. One-third of those occurred last fall, between September and December.

Local Business in Hot Water with City Architects After Unauthorized Paintjob

By Vernon Miles

Published January 21, 2021 at 10:30AM

A Parker-Gray business could have to un-paint their property after an unauthorized paint-job over a building’s historically significant architecture.

A commercial building at 1000 Queen Street may have looked significantly whiter late last year after the applicant, Anchor Property Services, painted over the existing yellow-brick exterior with a white coat of paint.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published January 21, 2021 at 9:00AM

Photos: Beyer Attends Presidential Inauguration — “It was a thrill for Megan and me to be at the inauguration of Pres. @JoeBiden and Vice Pres. @KamalaHarris.” [Twitter]

Former Beyer Chief Of Staff To Begin Job In Biden Administration — “(Tanya) Bradsher will take on the new role as the senior director for partnerships and global engagement. Previously, she served as the National Security Agency lead for the Biden-Harris Transition Team.” [Patch]