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Alexandria: Residents React to Revenge Killing
Police chief says July 2 murder was “street justice.”
The July 2 murder of Saquan Hall in the 1000 block of First Street comes only weeks after the murder of Pierre Clark less than a block away. At a community meeting on July 6, local residents urged the audience to come together. But many said they couldn’t escape the sense that these same pleas and plans had been spoken again and again at these meetings but the violence keeps occurring.
Appreciative Farewells for Superintendent Crawley
Leaving Alexandria City Public Schools for George Mason University.
Candidates Debate Future of Arlington’s Growth
Arlington County Board Democratic candidates debate future of Arlington‘s growth.
With County Board members Mary Hynes and Walter Tejada announcing that they would not seek reelection to their seats, six Democrats have thrown their names into the ring to be one of the party’s two candidates to the County Board this fall.
Alexandria Neighborhood Outlook: Developments Underway for Oakville, Eisenhower, Landmark
Incremental steps require time and negotiations.
With the approval of the Oakville Small Area Plan by the City Council in late 2015, that small corner of Alexandria is receiving a major facelift. The area referred to in council discussions as the “Gateway to Alexandria” will see expanded density and retail as the city braces for the opening of the nearby Potomac Yard Metro Station.
Alexandria: ‘The Math Doesn’t Add Up’
Fights over debt and development heats up in final council debate.
The light at the end of the campaign tunnel is within sight. Alexandria’s City Council candidates fought their last debate of the campaign season on Oct. 14 at the Nannie J. Lee Recreation Center hosted by the Old Town North Civic Association.
Arlington: County Board Approves $1.16 Billion Budget
Schools adopt Tier One reductions.
After months of negotiations, the Arlington County Board and School Board settled on a compromise that sees cuts to projects on both sides.
Addressing Growing Student Population in Arlington
New schools and boundary changes in the works in Arlington Public Schools.
While the rest of county moves into the new year, Arlington County Schools are finding themselves in the middle of a challenging one. Arlington schools have faced a 21 percent increase in student population over the last five years and anticipate a 19 percent increase over the next five. This has put a strain on school resources, and consequently has forced the schools to ask for budget increases. Meanwhile, the schools have begun plans to shift school boundaries to spread the student population as evenly as possible.
Alexandria's Year of the Manhunt
Local law enforcement looks back on pursuing a killer and plans ahead for 2015’s goals.
For much of Alexandria’s law enforcement, 2014 was defined by a manhunt across state boundaries to catch a suspect in killings that haunted the city’s streets for 10 years. In 2015, the most immediate concern for the police and sheriff’s office is the no less complicated task of finding a way to maintain their efficiency with the prospect of a tightening budget from the city.
Alexandria: Money Talks
Citizens unite over city budget priorities.
Above all else, Alexandrians want a healthier and more transit accessible city, and they’re willing to pay for it. At a meeting on Oct. 13 at Patrick Henry Elementary School, the city’s FY2018 budget process kicked off with an opportunity for the 50 citizens present to voice their thoughts on what parts of the budget merited further investment.
Alexandria: The Unlikely Republican
Hernick
Republican candidate Charles Hernick meets at Commonwealth Joe’s, a coffee shop in Pentagon City so new it hasn’t even had its official opening. It’s populated almost exclusively by millennials, and Hernick fits right in. When asked about the political issues that matter to them, the students and baristas at Commonwealth Joe’s all answer that climate change and combating student debt are their key voting issues. It’s a liberal atmosphere, but that doesn’t stop Hernick from trying to win them over.
Stabilizing the City's Affordable Housing Crisis
At its Jan 28 public hearing, the City Council adopted the FY2017 through 2022 Strategic Plan.
Arlington: Lift Off for Potomac Gondola
A look at the initial feedback from citizens and advice from an existing gondola system.
The Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola baffles people. The proposed tram alongside the Key Bridge has drawn a mixture of interest and confusion.
Alexandria: Murders Spotlight Gang Presence
MS-13 gang members in custody over Beverley Park and Four Mile Run homicides.
After months of investigating, two of Alexandria’s 2015 homicide cases may have been solved. Police announced on Jan. 13 that suspects were in custody for the murders of Jose Luis Ferman Perez and Eduardo David Chandias Almendarez.
Arlington: Garvey, Gutshall in Democratic Primary
Democratic Primary pits incumbent Libby Garvey against establishment-backed newcomer Erik Gutshall.
Two years ago, County Board member Libby Garvey refused to back the Columbia Pike Streetcar.
Researching Alexandria’s African-American Ancestors
Two genealogists help African-Americans in Alexandria trace their families’ roots.
Tracing genealogies is not only impossibly frustrating for many African-American families, but many of the results they find are predictable and grim. But for two genealogists who hosted events at Alexandria’s Black History Museum, that idea obscures the powerful histories and proud legacies of many families.
Alexandrians Of Two Minds
Zoning amendment for memory care center draws crowd of supporters and opponents.
After seven hours of debate in Alexandria’s City Council meeting, the room was still deeply divided between those in favor of rezoning a property on King Street to create a memory care facility and neighbors to the property entrenched against it.
Alexandria Budget Winners and Losers
Acting city manager presents budget proposal to City Council
When Acting City Manager Mark Jinks presented Alexandria City Council with the $647.9 million proposed budget, the generally positive reception was tempered with the knowledge that many departments would not be receiving the funding they had requested.
Alexandria: IB to the Rescue?
Jefferson-Houston to expand International Baccalaureate program.
Alexandria’s unaccredited Jefferson-Houston elementary and middle school is expanding its International Baccalaureate (IB) program to the full school in hopes of reforming the school’s image. Jefferson-Houston will be the first and only school in the Alexandria school system to have a full International Baccalaureate program.
Stop Sewage in Potomac River? Just Takes Money
City speeds Oronoco Bay sewage review, but still 10 years away.
Every year, Alexandria dumps 11 million gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac through Outfall 001.