News

DASH is Preparing to Collect Fares Again

By James Cullum
A DASH bus on King Street in Old Town Alexandria

Alexandria’s DASH bus service is at 40% of pre-pandemic ridership, and near-term changes include bringing back fare collection and adding a partition protecting drivers from passengers, according to an annual presentation given to City Council by the transit system on Tuesday night.

“We have some exciting things going on,” DASH Board Chair David Kaplan told Council. “We have been creative, we have worked together with other departments, with the health department and others to ensure that it is safe to use transit.”

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Exercise Clothing Store Athleta to Replace La Tasca in Old Town

By Vernon Miles

A new women-focused athletic wear chain Athleta could replace the now-closed tapas restaurant La Tasca at 607 King Sreet.

According to a filing at the Board of Architectural Review for the March 3 meeting, Athleta owner Gap Inc. is seeking permits to restructure the store to better function as retail. The storefront windows would be replaced with larger, aluminum framed ones and the front door replaced with a new glass one.

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Mayor Says Comcast Data Throttling Highlights Danger of Company’s Internet Monopoly

By Vernon Miles

Comcast sent shockwaves through localities in the northeast with plan to implement data caps, and Mayor Justin Wilson said this emphasizes more than ever the need to break the cable company’s monopoly on internet in Alexandria.

“It’s frustrating to see Comcast put new policy in place…basically data caps,” Wilson said. “They’ve said there’s a small number of customers who would be impacted by this, but in the end it’s not great timing.”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum
As seen in Del Ray (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Beyer Says Images of Capitol Siege Should be Viewed by Everyone — “These images of one of the darkest days in our nation’s history are disturbing. But these things happened, and we cannot erase these events, their causes, or their meaning. Everyone should watch this.” [Twitter]

Pat Malone, Cancer Survivor to ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ for 24 Hours Straight — “Patrick J. ‘Pat’ Malone, a seven-year cancer survivor, and 20-year Air Force veteran will ‘stand up to cancer’ for 24-hours straight, during his Seventh Annual Stand Up To Cancer.” [Zebra]

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Alexandria Sheriff: Jailed ‘QAnon Shaman’s’ Organic Food Request is Normal

By James Cullum

“Since he has been placed here, I have received numerous inquiries from people wanting further explanation,” Lawhorne told ALXnow. “We are used to addressing special diets. We also deal with hunger and hydration strikes every day. We got asked by the U.S. Marshal’s if our food vendor Aramark could comply with the court order, and we said yes.”

The 33-year-old Chansley gained notoriety for his outlandish outfit during the Jan. 6 siege at the U.S. Capitol. He is one of 43 people charged with interference with law enforcement, weapons crimes, threats or property crimes but not conspiracy or assault. He went on a hunger strike while in custody in Arizona, and reportedly lost 20 pounds before his transfer to a facility in D.C. Earlier this month, a U.S. District Court Judge ruled that he be fed organic food.

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Just In: Police Reveal Suspect Photos After Car Stolen From Old Town Gas Station

By James Cullum

Alexandria Police released photos of two suspects they say stole an SUV from a city resident while she was pumping gas at the Liberty gas station in Old Town on Sunday afternoon.

Police said that security cameras caught the suspects stealing the white 2017 Lexus GS400 from local business owner Allison Priebe on Sunday at around 1 p.m. at the gas station at 700 S. Patrick Street.

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Mark Center Office Building Sold for $71.7 Million

By Vernon Miles

(Updated 2/11) One of the prominent office buildings in the Mark Center, 2001 N. Beauregard, has been sold for $71.7 million to a Mexican real estate investment firm..

The Mark Center is a West End office park that served as a hub for Department of Defense offices before 2005 Base Realignment and Closure forced many of those offices to relocate to more secure facilities.

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City Council Receiving Torpedo Factory ‘Action Plan’ Tonight

By James Cullum
The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria city staff are proposing that the Torpedo Factory Art Center undergo a transformation. The city, which took over the waterfront attraction in 2016, is looking at a new jurying process for artists, installing pop-up shops and restaurants, a renovated first floor with family-friendly “make-it spaces” and more educational experiences.

The “Action Plan for Vibrancy & Sustainability at Torpedo Factory Art Center” is the culmination of multiple city reports on how to improve the facility, which traditionally sees more than a half a million visitors annually. Staff say that 24- month short-term and five-year long-term plans have been developed to take care of immediate and long-term needs.

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