News | ALXnow - Part 923

Gas Usage in Alexandria and Surrounding Localities Drops Dramatically

Published September 4, 2020 at 12:15PM

A regional gas tax usually goes to supporting the capital funding for WMATA, but data presented at the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission meeting last night showed that regional gas spending has taken a nosedive in the last few months.

Starting in March, gas tax revenue started to dip below $3 million. While the gas tax revenue has fallen to $2 million in March in years past, by June it had plummeted far below that. For the entire region, roughly $500,000 was collected in gas tax revenue, compared to over $3 million in February.

No Injuries in West End Carjacking at Gunpoint

By James Cullum

Published September 4, 2020 at 10:30AM

Alexandria Police are investigating another violent carjacking yesterday in the West End of city, this time in the 3400 block of Berkeley Street near Northern Virginia Community College.

The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. in a residential area across the street from the Alexandria Gateway shopping complex. The unknown suspect approached the victim with a gun and took their car. No one was injured in the incident.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 4, 2020 at 9:00AM

COVID Cases in Alexandria Jump by 21 — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: Positive tests up 21 to 3,436 in the City; 7-day Positivity Rate down to 4.0%; 1 new hospitalization; Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Alexandria Democratic Committee Hosting Virtual Labor Day Picnic — “Thrilled to announce that the Biden Harris campaign’s National Political Director Erin Wilson will be joining the ADC as a special guest at our Labor Day Celebration!! You will not want to miss this unique opportunity to hear from Erin about the upcoming 2020 election!” [Facebook]

Tornado Watch in Effect in Alexandria Until 10 P.M., Flooding Expected

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 7:20PM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 9:07PM

The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Alexandria until 10 p.m.

“Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the warned area,” according to NWS, which also issued a Flash Flood Warning for the area. “Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”

Del Ray’s New ‘Wellness District’ Expands Offerings With Wellness Month

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 4:45PM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 10:14PM

The wellness-related businesses in Del Ray have banded together to form The Wellness District, and the annual week devoted to providing care to the community has expanded into the entire month of September.

All this month is Wellness Month in Del Ray, and the offerings include gong meditations, outdoor yoga and free mental health webinars.

Personal Space is a Foreign Concept for this Local Cat Looking for a New Home

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 3:30PM

Alex, a tabby up for adoption at the AWLA (photo courtesy AWLA)

Cats have a reputation for being somewhat aloof, but nobody has told that to Alex yet.

The five-year-old tabby up for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is desperate for attention and affection.

Planning Commission Approves Density Compromise Despite Outrage from Civic Associations

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 2:45PM

Alexandria’s civic associations came out in force to speak against a loosening of zoning restrictions at public school properties. While the Planning Commission ultimately pushed forward a modified version of the zoning change, there was widespread agreement that the public outreach could have been handled better.

The change had been proposed in 2019 and was docketed for meetings earlier this year, but had disappeared as the pandemic led to those meetings being cancelled until it quietly resurfaced for the Sept. 1 meeting.

‘The Company of Books’ Used Book Store Opens in Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 1:30PM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 2:55PM

When one door closes another opens, and that’s definitely the case with The Company of Books, Del Ray’s new used book store is turning the page and replacing the Book Bank in Old Town. The new store opened at 1712 Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray a little less than two weeks ago.

The Del Ray location is still a little empty, and books and shelves are being brought in daily. Readers might find a few noticeable differences between the new and the old book stores. For one thing, the Company of Books is a nonprofit and its founder and Executive Director Rachel Baker wants to use future profits toward community events.

Local Methodist Church Offers to Bless Chromebooks Before School Starts

By Vernon Miles

Published September 3, 2020 at 11:45AM

A local church is offering the ultimate tech support: a divine blessing for local students’ laptops.

This Sunday, Sept. 6, at 5:30 p.m.,Trinity United Methodist Church (2911 Cameron Mills Road) is planning to host an Outdoor Blessing of the Chromebooks & Ice Cream Social (Social Distanced Edition).

Police Investigating Multiple Gunshots Fired in Parker Gray/Braddock

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 10:15AM | Updated September 3, 2020 at 10:43AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Police are investigating reports of multiple gunshots fired in the 700 block of N. Fayette Street in the Parker Gray/Braddock neighborhood early on Wednesday evening.

There were no reported injuries, no one was arrested and a number of shell casings were found at the scene. It is unclear if anything was hit, police spokesman Lt. Courtney Ballantine told ALXnow.

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 3, 2020 at 9:00AM

Twenty New Coronavirus Cases in Alexandria — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: Positive tests up 20 to 3,415 in the City; 7-day Positivity Rate down to 4.4%; 2 new hospitalizations. Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]

Beyer Says White House Blocking Stimulus Negotiations — “Across the country, millions of workers are facing paycheck uncertainty inflicted on them by the Trump Administration to trick people into thinking the White House is providing help so that they can continue blocking stimulus negotiations. We need answers on this ASAP.” [Twitter]