Alexandria Police are investigating a single gunshot that was heard in the area of Wythe and Fayette Streets in the Parker Gray/Braddock neighborhood on Sunday afternoon.
There were no reported injuries. Police found no suspects and nothing was reportedly hit. The incident was reported on Twitter just before 3 p.m. on Sunday. It occurred just blocks from the Braddock Road Metro station and a number of local businesses, town homes and apartments.
Missing Man Found and Returned Home — “Mr. Walter ‘George’ Winstead has returned home safe and without incident.” [Facebook]
Beyer Says Trump Colluded With Russians — “The Trump campaign was offered Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign sought Russian government assistance. The Trump campaign received Russian government assistance. Trump campaign personnel coordinated efforts with Russian intelligence operatives and Wikileaks.” [Twitter]
The Alexandria Health Department has issued a self-quarantine advisory for anyone who attended Kidane Mehret Church (75 S. Bragg Street) in the West End from August 14-17.
“Anyone who entered the building or was on the church grounds on August 14, 15, 16 or 17 may have been exposed to the virus and should immediately stay home and away from others for 14 days from their last visit to the church, and monitor for symptoms,” the city said in a news release. “Visitors to the church on those days should avoid having guests visit them, not share items like towels and plates, stay at least six feet away from others, and wear a mask when around people who have not had the same exposure.”
Alexandria has put another summer work week to rest.
As the City Council enjoys a legislative break, the School Board conducted a virtual meeting to discuss the renaming process for T.C. Williams High School. Superintendent Gregory Hutchings, Jr., and the board advocate a public engagement process that could result in the board voting to change the name this December, followed by a vote on a specific name next spring. A group of community activists, however, believe that the name should be taken off immediately, since ACPS acknowledged Williams was an avowed racist and segregationist.
The City of Alexandria is looking locals to help run the upcoming election in November.
“There are 30 precincts in the City of Alexandria, each requiring a minimum of 5 election officers,” the city said on its website. “These officers are needed to maintain a high level of service throughout Election Day… More than 200 election officers are needed to conduct each election (and as many as 500 for the Presidential Election). Alexandria enjoys an excellent reputation for conducting honest and efficient elections. The City needs your help to maintain this tradition.”
Even though it’s just three blocks away, Heather Lesley doesn’t let her teenage daughter walk to the Braddock Road Metro station to meet her when she gets back from work.
“I don’t feel comfortable letting her do that anymore,” Lesley told ALXnow. “My neighbor has bullet holes in the brick wall of their home.”
The Alexandria Tutoring Consortium has launched a fundraising campaign to continue a virtual program that teaches young children how to read.
The 24-year-old nonprofit needs $22,000 to fund a leveled reading program that started after its personalized literacy tutoring program was shifted online after the pandemic hit the city in March. So far, Burke and Herbert Bank donated $1,000 to kick things off, and donations can be made on the ATC website.
The Alexandria Animal Welfare League has been overrun but a veritable vermintide as it seeks to find a new home for five spicy rats.
“Anise, Basil, Nutmeg, Paprika and Saffron may sound spicy, but these ladies are the sweetest rats in town,” said Gina Hardter, spokesperson for the AWLA.
COVID-19 Cases up 21 to 3,186 in Alexandria — “The latest update from the City on COVID-19: Positive tests up 21 to 3,186 in the City 7-day Positivity Rate steady at 5.8% 0 new hospitalizations Still safer at home, wash hands, wear masks and support our essential workers.” [Twitter]
Ebbin Bill Would Require Landlords Offer Tenants Payment Plans — “Senator John Bell and my bill to require landlords to offer payment plans to tenants who miss a payment due to COVID-19 rather than evicting them reports unanimously from the General Laws committee. This bill is a win-win and will stem the potential tide of evictions in Virginia, and has consensus support from tenants and landlords alike.” [Facebook]
Just four days after announcing the launch of the Alexandria Drive-In Theatre, all six shows are sold out.
Now, with a waitlist of sponsors wanting to get involved, organizers are thinking about expanding the offerings, but only after they’ve ironed out the wrinkles from these first shows.
The city is requesting a $1.73 million in funding from Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to finance a wide series of programs aimed at improving the city’s affordable housing.
A release from the City of Alexandria said the funding would go to improvements under the Rental Accessibility Modification Program (RAMP). RAMP provides accessibility modifications to rental units occupied by low and moderate income tenants at no cost to the tenant or landlord.
