election | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published May 7, 2021 at 5:00AM

Elo’s Italian pop-up opens in Live Oak space — “The owners of Live Oak in Del Ray have opened a pop-up Italian restaurant in the Live Oak space in Del Ray. Chef Justus Frank is offering family Italian fare Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. Brunch is ‘coming soon’ according to the owners. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, flatbreads, paninis, seasonal pasta dishes, fish, chicken and more. A kid’s menu is available.” [Alexandria Living]

Police asking for help finding robbery suspects — “APD is following active leads and working with neighboring jurisdictions on the investigation into 2 armed robberies that occurred on May 5. One happened at 12:15pm on E. Oxford Ave. The second happened at 12:40pm in the 3900 blk of Courtland Cir… Witnesses and anyone with security video should contact Det. Stephen Riley at [email protected] or 703.746.6225. Even the smallest details can be significant.” [Twitter]

News

City Council candidates clash on critical local issues, Part 2

By ALXnow.com

Published May 6, 2021 at 3:30PM

(Clockwise from top left) Michael Lee Pope, Kevin Harris, Kirk McPike, Sarah Bagley, Bill Capbell, John Taylor Chapman, Amy Jackson, and Patrick Moran in the center in the Alexandria Democratic Committee's City Council debate. (Image via YouTube)

In a crowded City Council election, the Alexandria Democratic Committee split the candidates into two groups for moderated debates, which posted Tuesday night.

Alexandria journalist Michael Lee Pope moderated the discussion, which touched on critical talking issues in city races over the last few years, from parking to broadband to — of course — Seminary Road. Interestingly, the coronavirus pandemic was not a main topic of discussion.

News

City Council candidates clash on critical local issues, Part 1

By Vernon Miles

Published May 5, 2021 at 2:45PM | Updated May 5, 2021 at 3:38PM

In a crowded City Council election, the Alexandria Democratic Committee split the candidates into two groups for moderated debates, which posted last night.

The debates, moderated by Alexandria Gazette-Packet journalist Michael Lee Pope, touched on various issues that have become critical talking points in city races over the last few years, from parking to broadband to — of course — Seminary Road.

News

NEW: Alexandria School Board shakeup looms as few incumbents have filed to run for reelection

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2021 at 1:00PM | Updated May 6, 2021 at 8:40AM

(Updated at 4:30 p.m.) Only three sitting members of the Alexandria School Board have filed to run for reelection, and four newcomers have entered the race.

The last three years have been a contentious period, and the school system has been under intense scrutiny throughout the pandemic.

Opinion

Poll: Do endorsements in local elections matter to you?

By Vernon Miles

Published May 4, 2021 at 1:00PM

Voters participate in the Super Tuesday primary at Mount Vernon Community School, March 3, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

With the Democratic primary underway, candidates for the city council, mayoral, and state seats are putting together lists of endorsements from organizations and other notable locals.

As a local voter, how much do endorsements matter to you?

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2021 at 5:00AM

Statewide vaccine town hall tonight — “The Virginia Department of Health will host a live broadcast Town Hall on May 4, from 7 to 8 p.m. The program will feature in-depth discussion about COVID-19 vaccines and offer a forum to ask questions about the vaccines and the next steps in the vaccine roll out. Panelists include Virginia State Health Commissioner Dr. Norm Oliver and State Vaccine Coordinator Dr. Danny Avula, as well as other academic, medical, and public health experts.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria Democratic Committee’s City Council candidate debate is at 7 p.m. — “Please join us to watch the ADC City Council Debates!” [Facebook]

News

Bryan Porter running unopposed for third term as Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2021 at 2:35PM

Commonwealth Attorney for Alexandria Bryan Porter speaks at the swearing in of Greg Parks as clerk of the Alexandria Circuit Court (staff photo by James Cullum)

Bryan Porter wants to be known for “quiet competence,” except while playing guitar in his office to relieve stress.

Porter, the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Alexandria, is running uncontested as a Democrat for his third term, and says the city has become a safer place under his watch.

News

Incumbent delegate and Alexandria vice mayor square off in unique 45th District race

By Vernon Miles

Published April 28, 2021 at 3:30PM

The race for the 45th District House of Delegates seat is a weird one.

Delegate Mark Levine announced in December that he would be running for Lieutenant Governor. A month later, Alexandria Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker announced that she would be running for Levine’s delegate seat. The wrinkle in all of this, however, is that Levine is also running for reelection in the 45th district as a precaution in case he doesn’t win the fairly crowded Lieutenant Governor primary.

News

Parents and students protest for expanded in-person instruction outside ACPS Central Office

By ALXnow.com

Published April 27, 2021 at 10:00AM | Updated April 27, 2021 at 1:34PM

Protesting outside of ACPS Central Office on Monday, April 26, 2021. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Surrounded by about 100 other protestors outside of Alexandria City Public Schools’ Central Office, Kathryn Grassmeyer started to cry.

The mother of three wants schools to reopen to four or five days a week, and got emotional when talking about some of the difficult choices she and her husband have made regarding their children’s education.

News

Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published April 26, 2021 at 5:00AM

T.C. Williams completes comeback to win school’s first volleyball state championship — “For a moment, T.C. Williams sophomore Milan Rex was scared. The Titans were trailing Kellam two sets to one in the Virginia Class 6 championship Friday in Alexandria, and the chance at a perfect season seemed to be fading. Coach A.J. DeSain reminded the Titans they belonged in this moment, enabling Rex to lock in. She then powered T.C. Williams to a 23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 25-19, 17-15 victory — the program’s first state title. [Washington Post]

Mayor Wilson defends donation from Planning Commission Chair — “Planning Commission Chair Nathan Macek gave Wilson a donation the day after Wilson voted with the majority of council to reappoint Macek to his post. Macek’s employer, the engineering firm WSP, has played a leading role in numerous large projects in Alexandria, including the under-construction Potomac Yard Metro.” [Alex Times]

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 23, 2021 at 4:15PM

It was another week full of news in Alexandria. Here are the top headlines of the week.

Our top story was on the 34-year-old Arlington man charged with distributing methamphetamine after reporting to police that he was the victim of an armed robbery in his fifth floor room at the Embassy Suites in Old Town. The investigating officer asked if there was anything illegal in the man’s room, and he reportedly said, “There is some meth in the room, but it’s for personal use.”