election | ALXnow

Morning Notes

Published March 4, 2020 at 8:00AM

Biden Wins Virginia — “Virginia voters have overwhelmingly given former Vice President Joe Biden a sizable win over Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in Tuesday’s primary election. According to unofficial state election returns, Biden has been called the winner of the state with 53.3 percent of what was a record primary turnout, and will capture the largest share of its 99 delegates.” [Patch, Washington Post]

City Holding Coronavirus Info Session — “The City of Alexandria, the Alexandria Health Department, Inova Health System, and the Alexandria City Public Schools will hold an online virtual information session on Thursday, March 12, from 8 to 9 p.m., to provide information and answer questions about the COVID-19 coronavirus. The session will be accessible at alexandriava.gov/Health.” [City of Alexandria, Alexandria Living]

News

Super Tuesday: Alexandrians Head to the Polls

By James Cullum

Published March 3, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated March 5, 2020 at 1:20AM

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

Alexandrians are on pace to cast ballots in significantly greater numbers today than during the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.

Thousands of Alexandria residents have participated in the presidential primary day in Virginia, which joins 13 other states across the country in the race for the Democratic candidate to face off against President Donald Trump, in November.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published March 3, 2020 at 8:00AM

Presidential Primary Day in Alexandria — Today is Super Tuesday, the presidential primary day in Virginia and 13 other states across the U.S. Here in Alexandria, polls are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m. [City of Alexandria]

New Development Near Braddock Road Metro — “CRC Cos. LLC is pitching a plan to redevelop several single-family homes across from the Braddock Road Metro station into a new mixed-use building. The Arlington-based real estate firm submitted plans to Alexandria officials last week for a seven-story, 177-unit building along North West Street, bounded by Madison Street and Wythe Street. The proposal also calls for a small space set aside for ground-floor retail.” [Washington Business Journal]

News

Biden Wins Alexandria Democratic Committee Straw Poll

By James Cullum

Published March 2, 2020 at 9:15AM | Updated March 2, 2020 at 7:10PM

Former Florida Sen. Bill Nelson spoke as a surrogate for former Vice President Joe Biden at the ADC Straw Poll at Lost Boy Cider on Sunday, March 1, 2020 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Former Vice President Joe Biden won the Alexandria Democratic Committee’s nearly annual straw poll on Sunday.

The event, which was attended by more than 100 people at Lost Boy Cider, is the first indicator of how Alexandria might turn out in the run up to Tuesday’s primary. Virginia is one of 15 states participating in Super Tuesday primary on March 3.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published March 2, 2020 at 7:00AM

People enjoy the Mount Vernon Trail on a warm January day at sunset (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Schools Preparing for Coronavirus — “ACPS has partnered with the Alexandria City Health Department and local first responders to form a COVID-19 Task Force Planning Committee to work closely to monitor this evolving situation. We plan to provide updates as we progress with this planning and work.” [ACPS]

Reminder: Primary Day is Tomorrow — “On Tuesday, March 3, there will be a Democratic Party presidential primary election in the City of Alexandria. Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.” [City of Alexandria]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published February 25, 2020 at 8:00AM

School Board Approves New Budget — “The Alexandria City School Board has approved an Operating Budget for the 2020-21 school year focused on supporting students socially, emotionally and academically while also increasing graduation rates. The Operating Budget of $299.1 million is an increase of 4.4% on last year’s budget, in line with ACPS’ anticipated continued enrollment growth and needs.” [ACPS]

City Unveils New 311 System — “The City of Alexandria has launched a new customer service initiative called Alex311, to connect customers to more than 175 City services in a variety of convenient ways. The service includes new web, mobile app, social media and phone options to submit requests for service or information… Alex311 replaces the City’s previous Call.Click.Connect. service.” [City of Alexandria]

News

These Alexandrians are Working for Democratic Candidates in Iowa

By James Cullum

Published January 22, 2020 at 3:30PM | Updated January 25, 2020 at 4:21AM

Boyd Walker has never done this before. On the night of Jan. 29, the Alexandria resident will travel nearly 1,000 miles with 18 others in a four car caravan from Alexandria to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to volunteer with Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

“It’s fun. It’s an adventure. It’s a road trip with a bunch of people who share your values and goals,” Walker told ALXnow. “Whoever the candidate is, there should be tremendous enthusiasm, because Donald Trump is the most corrupt, dangerous president we’ve ever had and will be very damaging to our democracy and our planet if he spends another four years in office.”

News

Democratic Control of Virginia Legislature Reignites Alexandria Self-Governance Questions

By Vernon Miles

Published November 6, 2019 at 9:30AM

Voting at Douglas MacArthur School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

It’s an early Christmas for Alexandria leadership, with Democrats taking control of the Virginia legislature opening the door for efforts to assert local control of several key policy questions.

Virginia is a Dillon Rule state, which means that localities like Alexandria can only exercise powers expressly granted by the state. In practice, Mayor Justin Wilson said this leaves localities forced to seek approval from the state for basic city policy questions, particularly on fiscal issues. Under a Republican majority, Alexandria struggled to have many of its legislative priorities addressed.

News

How to Vote in Alexandria’s Election Tomorrow

By Vernon Miles

Published November 4, 2019 at 2:00PM | Updated November 4, 2019 at 2:22PM

(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) Virginia’s election on Tuesday (Nov. 5) could shape the future of the Commonwealth as Republicans fight to hold onto a slim majority in the state legislature.

But don’t expect to see those fireworks in Alexandria. In all but one of the five state Senate and House of Delegates races, the incumbents are running unopposed.

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published October 15, 2019 at 8:00AM

The Holmes Run Trail (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Voter Registration Deadline Today — “FYI: The deadline to register to vote in Virginia’s Nov 5 General Election is Oct 15.” [Twitter, City of Alexandria]

Alexandria’s Top Nats Fan Weighs In — Mayor Justin Wilson tweeted during last night’s Nationals win to pull to 3-0 in the NLDS series with the Cardinals: “This is exhilarating and so foreign to me… 27 more outs. #nats” [Twitter]

News

Morning Notes

By ALXnow.com

Published October 8, 2019 at 8:00AM

New Senior Care Center Set to Open in 2021 — “Construction is progressing quickly on a new senior care community in Old Town. Sunrise Senior Living broke ground on its new facility at the intersection of North Washington and Princess streets early this year. The McLean-based company is building a 93-room assisted living community.” [Alexandria Living]

Waterfront Construction Projects Well Underway — “Anyone living on Union Street in Old Town 10 years ago might not recognize it now… During the week, the street is crowded with construction vehicles, and there are several places where the sidewalk is temporarily blocked or under a protective awning because of the construction. Hardly the setting for tourists taking selfies.” [Gazette-Packet]