Adam Ebbin | ALXnow

ELECTION: Virginia Democrats win big in Alexandria

Published November 8, 2023 at 9:45AM | Updated November 8, 2023 at 4:15PM

U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine (center) with Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker and State Sen. Adam Ebbin outside Pork Barrel BBQ in Del Ray on election night, Nov. 7, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Democratic members of the Virginia’s General Assembly were swept back into office on election night.

There were no surprises from the unofficial election returns Tuesday night. Facing no opposition, Democratic incumbents Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (5th) was reelected to a second term with 21,622 votes, and Del. Charniele Herring (4th) was reelected to her eighth two-year term with 10,368 votes. Del. Alfonso Lopez (D-3rd) was also reelected with 81% (16,837 votes) and defeated independent candidate Major Mike Webb.

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PHOTOS: Santa helps light Alexandria’s holiday tree in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published November 21, 2022 at 3:30PM

The holiday tree lighting at Market Square in Old Town, Nov. 19, 2022. (Via Griffin Vision)

Old Town just got a little brighter.

On Saturday (Nov. 19), Santa Claus made his way to City Hall on the King Street Trolley to help members of City Council light the holiday tree at Market Square in front of City Hall.

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Alexandria dedicates massive RiverRenew Tunnel Boring Project

By James Cullum

Published July 14, 2022 at 2:15PM | Updated July 14, 2022 at 3:47PM

Mayor Justin Wilson christens Hazel, the tunnel boring machine for AlexRenew's RiverRenew Tunnel Project, July 14, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It moves at a snail’s pace, but Alexandria’s tunnel boring machine is ready to drill through 100-foot-deep soil to prevent millions of gallons of combined sewage from flowing into the Potomac River, Hooffs Run, and Hunting Creek.

On Thursday, Alexandria’s leaders were on-hand for the unveiling and dedication of AlexRenew’s RiverRenew Tunnel Project. The $454.4 million project is the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history, and will result in a 12-foot-wide, two-mile-long waterfront tunnel, which will divert approximately 120 million gallons of sewage every year.

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Del. Mark Levine raises eyebrows with letter that passes buck on constituent service

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2021 at 10:45AM

Delegate Mark Levine says a recent letter to a constituent has been taken out of context, and that his office is still helping 45th District residents deal with unemployment and other issues with state agencies.

In the June letter, Levine apologized to a constituent and said his recent election loss limited his ability to help with issues related to the Virginia Employment Commission.

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Alexandria State Senator Introduces Bill Requiring Landlords to Offer Payment Plans

By Vernon Miles

Published August 25, 2020 at 2:30PM

While a moratorium on evictions is temporarily back in place, state Sen. Adam Ebbin (D) has proposed legislation that could give residents more of a chance to avoid them in the long term.

“This bill is a win-win and will stem the potential tide of evictions in Virginia,” Ebbin said on social media, “and has consensus support from tenants and landlords alike.”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated August 21, 2020 at 11:48AM

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]

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published August 4, 2020 at 9:00AM | Updated August 7, 2020 at 12:41PM

(Updated 8/7) Upcoming Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend Canceled — “The coronavirus has canceled one of Alexandria’s most beloved traditions this winter.” [Alexandria Living]

Beyer Blames Trump for Coronavirus Response Failures — “The White House is simultaneously blaming state governments for Trump’s failed pandemic response and blocking federal assistance to support state and local governments.” [Twitter]

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First Lady Northam, Officials Promote Safe Tourism Amid Pandemic in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 23, 2020 at 10:30AM | Updated July 23, 2020 at 1:02PM

First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam talks about tourism at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town on Thursday

Tourism in Alexandria isn’t what it used to be. With local economies devastated by the pandemic, First Lady of Virginia Pamela Northam visited Alexandria on Wednesday (July 22) to promote safe tourism and congratulate the city on winning a $10,000 grant for its Great Walks program.

“In 2018, Virginia tourists spent more than $26 billion here, and this put 235,000 people to work and contributed $1.8 billion in local and state tax revenue,” Northam told a small audience in the Torpedo Factory Art Center. “This year, however, our tourism and hospitality industries have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2020 at 9:00AM

Mayor Marries Couple in Socially Distant Ceremony — “Alanis sang about rain on your wedding day. I’m not sure she envisioned THIS.‬ ‪It was such an honor to put on real pants (first time in weeks!), grab my mask and walk to Parkfairfax to marry a wonderful couple whose original plans were scrambled.‬ ‪Congrats!‬” [Facebook]

‘Mind The Mat’ Hosting Virtual Meditations at 9 a.m. — “Join MtM Monday-Friday mornings for this free 15 minute guided mediation to start your day off right.” [Facebook]

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Here’s What Alexandria’s Lawmakers Are Proposing Now That Dems Control the State Legislature

By James Cullum

Published January 6, 2020 at 3:45PM

Passing the Equal Rights Amendment, decriminalizing marijuana and giving localities the power to move Confederate monuments — those are just a few of the pieces of legislation that local Democrats will unveil over the next two months in the Virginia General Assembly.

As Democrats prepare to arrive in Richmond with complete control of all branches of Virginia’s government, there are a slew of bills that will result in serious changes to the way the Commonwealth does business.