News | ALXnow - Part 851

Morning Notes

Published February 25, 2021 at 9:00AM

Virginia Rolls Back Some Restrictions on Dining, Outdoor Gatherings — Effective Mar. 1, Virginians will be able to buy and drink alcohol at restaurants, food courts, breweries, distilleries, and wineries until they are required to close at midnight. The changes to the current executive order come amid declining rates of hospitalizations and infections and rising vaccination rates in the Commonwealth, Northam said during a press conference this morning (Wednesday).” [Reston Now]

Alexandria Black History Museum Launches Online Exhibition — “Following George Floyd’s murder on May 25, 2020, the Alexandria Black History Museum (ABHM) requested that Alexandria residents share their thoughts, artwork, and more. ABHM wanted to document the Alexandria community’s response of this tragic event and preserve it for future generations. An online exhibition featuring the items received so far launched recently on the Historic Alexandria Online portal. The items collectively are called the Black Lives Remembered Collection.” [Zebra]

Bridgette Adu-Wadier Gets Full Scholarship to Study Journalism at Northwestern University

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2021 at 4:45PM | Updated February 24, 2021 at 8:09PM

Alexandria’s Bridgette Adu-Wadier has a soft spot in her heart for Black female investigative journalists.

At the top of the 17-year-old’s list of favorites are Gwen Ifill, Yamiche Alcindor and Ida B Wells, and this fall she will get her chance to study journalism at Northwestern University.

Agenda Alexandria Budget Discussion Turns Wary Eye to Future Tax Rate Balance

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2021 at 3:50PM | Updated February 24, 2021 at 4:07PM

In the latest Agenda Alexandria conversation, local business and civic leaders came together to discuss the highs and lows of the recently proposed City Manager’s budget.

The budget included a proposed tax rate reduction, but City Council candidate Bill Rosssello challenged the overly sunny narrative about the reduction.

Environmentalists to Argue Against Taylor Run Project in Upcoming Meeting

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2021 at 2:30PM

Taylor Run (Photo via City of Alexandria)

In response to the city’s public information meetings about the Taylor Run Stream Restoration project, local advocacy group Environmental Council of Alexandria (ECA) is hosting its own meeting tomorrow outlining its opposition to the plan.

The city is planning to overhaul the stream’s design to reduce erosion of the banks and cut down on the flow of pollution from the watershed further down the creek into the Potomac River. Critics of the plan, including the city’s own natural resource manager Rod Simmons, have questioned project contractor’s figures on the pollution in the stream and the benefit of the proposed changes.

Half of Alexandria Police Detectives Are Teleworking From Home

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2021 at 1:15PM

Alexandria Police cruiser (staff photo by James Cullum)

Half of Alexandria Police detectives have been teleworking from home for nine out of the last 11 months, and a department spokesperson says that it will stay that way until it is safe to work out of police headquarters.

A significant portion of Alexandria police teleworked in the initial months of the pandemic. The practice was questioned by the City Council last May, however, while patrol officers went back out on the streets, half of detectives stayed home until September, when plexiglass shields and other safety measures were implemented at police headquarters.

Used Car Dealership Off Duke Street Could Lose Permit Over Lengthy History of Violations

By Vernon Miles

Published February 24, 2021 at 11:45AM

M&B Auto Sales has reportedly been a difficult neighbor, and it could cost the used car dealership at 26 S. Dove Street its special use permit.

At an upcoming March 2 meeting, the Planning Commission will consider revoting the dealership’s automobile sales and repair special use permit after what staff called repeated violations.

El Chapo’s Wife to be Isolated in Alexandria Jail for One Month Per COVID-19 Distancing Rules

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2021 at 10:30AM | Updated February 24, 2021 at 1:58PM

Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman Loera, will be isolated from the general population for a month in the Alexandria jail, in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office has a contract with the U.S. Marshals to house inmates in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, and other details of Coronel’s stay have not been released, such as whether she will be secluded from other inmates after the month.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published February 24, 2021 at 9:00AM

Volunteers Needed to Unload 40K Pounds of Food for Five Food Pantries — “Getting this food is a huge opportunity and we are excited to provide love and security to families in our neighborhood. Thank you for your help!” [Zebra]

Juvenile Robbed of Phone in West End — “The Alexandria Police Dept is investigating a robbery from a person in the 1400 blk of N. Beauregard St. A juvenile female had her cellphone stolen by a group of juvenile males. No injuries reported. Expect police activity in the area.” [Twitter]

Virtue Feed and Grain Sows Seeds for Alleyway Expansion

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2021 at 4:30PM

Old Town waterfront restaurant Virtue Feed and Grain could make a recent its outdoor dining expansion permanent if the closure of a nearby alleyway by the waterfront goes through.

At the Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 2, the city is putting forward a proposal to close Wales Alley between S. Union and Strand streets to vehicle traffic.

90 Seniors Get Second Vaccine Doses at Ladrey Senior Highrise in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 23, 2021 at 3:35PM | Updated February 23, 2021 at 4:14PM

Ladrey resident received his second vaccine shot on Saturday, February 20, at a vaccination POD (point of dispensing) event at the high-rise’s community room. (Photo via ARHA)

A number of residents of the Ladrey Senior Highrise Apartments in Old Town received their second doses of the coronavirus vaccine on Saturday.

Delores Tyler was one of about 90 residents who got her second shot.

North Ridge Residents Fight to Save 19th Century Home

By Vernon Miles

Published February 23, 2021 at 2:40PM

506 N. Overlook Drive (image via North Ridge Citizens' Association)

The North Ridge Citizens’ Association has launched a Change.org petition to save a 100-year old home in the neighborhood from development.

The home tucked away behind some trees at 506 N. Overlook Drive was built sometime in the late 19th century, although exactly when is a matter of some disagreement. The home was owned by Hampshire Fractious (page 12), a freed Black man who lived in the city sometime in the late 19th century.