House Rejects Amendment Requiring Consent for Ultrasound Procedures
Effort was reaction to bill requiring women seeking abortions to undergo transvaginal ultrasound.
The effort to require women seeking abortions to undergo an ultrasound has also sparked some of the most heated debate in Richmond this year.
In Session
Abortion has sparked some of the sharpest exchanges in the General Assembly session this year, with two controversial bills making it out of the House of Delegates at the halfway point this week.
Alexandria Paramedic Remembered for Perpetual Optimism and Wry Humor
Joshua Weissman, 33, dies while responding to a car fire on Interstate 395.
Joshua Weissman, a popular and optimistic Alexandria paramedic with a wry sense of humor, died last week after receiving a head injury while responding to a fire on Interstate 395. He was 33.
Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board Steps Out of the Jazz Age
Bill would increase representation for Northern Virginia, Richmond and Hampton Roads.
For almost a century, the Commonwealth Transportation Board has been partying like it was 1922.
Council Notebook
The Fat Lady has yet to sing an aria for the waterfront plan, and now the controversial upzoning has been put on hold. At least for now.
Redevelopment Spotlight Moves to Alexandria's West End
Developers stand to gain a fortune, but what about low-income residents?
Ever since city officials annexed the half of Alexandria west of Quaker Lane in 1952, the West End has had to fight for a place at the table.
Bill Would Set Aside Unallocated Money for Preschool Funding
Effort seen as way to use money for preschool rather than returning it to the general fund.
Every year, millions of dollars worth of preschool funding goes unused. Here in Alexandria, for example, Virginia offered $1.6 million worth of matching funds for preschool programs in the city.
New City Manager Offers Proposal to Increase Average Residential Property Tax Bill by $52
Rising property values mean most residential property owners would pay more.
With two months under his belt as the city’s new chief executive, City Manager Rashad Young proposed his first budget to City Council members on Valentine’s Day.
Motor Fuels Tax Runs Out of Gas in Richmond
Bill would have raised revenue to construct or operate high-capacity transit systems.
In Richmond, as in life, you win some and you lose some. Such is the case with House Bill 1027, which Del. David Englin (D-45) introduced at the request of the Alexandria city government.
Cracking Down on Texting While Driving
Bill would make it a primary offense rather than a secondary offense.
Although he hasn’t been reading them while driving, state Sen. George Barker (D-39) has been receiving a flood of emails about distracted driving. Increasingly,
Alexandria Court Sides with City in Lawsuit Challenging Notification of Waterfront Plan
Three Alexandria residents and one Fairfax County resident brought suit questioning legal notice.
Alexandria officials met the minimum standard for notification of a public hearing on the waterfront plan, according to a ruling this week by Alexandria Circuit Court Chief Judge Lisa Kemler.
Tightening Asbestos Regulations
Bill protecting workers passes Senate with unanimous vote.
It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. Yet labor advocates say the people who are licensed to remove asbestos may not be fully aware of the dangers posed by toxic chemicals.
Week in Alexandria
The field of Democratic candidates became more crowded this week, with two more candidates officially announcing their candidacies for the primary for City Council.
Bracing for Massive Change Along the Route 1 Corridor
Whether called it Route 1, Richmond Highway or Hyland Highway, it won’t be the same.
What’s in a name? As William Shakespeare once wrote, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Then again, the bard never got stuck in traffic.
Community Mourns Lenny Harris
As family and friends gathered to remember slain civic activist, final suspect was being charged.
Even as hundreds gathered at the Charles Houston Recreation Center to remember slain civic activist Lenny Harris, the Prince George’s Police Department was executing a warrant for the arrest of the third and final suspect to be charged with first-degree murder.
In Session
Although he hasn’t been reading them while driving, state Sen. George Barker (D-39) has been receiving a flood of emails about distracted driving.
Waterfront Plan Challenged in Court
Five Old Town residents file lawsuit asking court to overturn controversial upzoning.
Five Old Town residents are set to file a lawsuit this week challenging the controversial waterfront small-area plan, which the City Council adopted last week on a party-line five-to-two vote last month.
Third Suspect Charged in Lenny Harris Murder Investigation
Maryland police say this is the final suspect in the case.
In Maryland, police have arrested a third suspect in the murder of civic activist Lenny Harris, whose body was discovered last week at the bottom of a 25-foot well.
Lawmakers to Take Second Stab at Killing King's Dominion Law
Senate version may be dead, but the House version will be headed to the Senate.
For those keeping score, mark one for King’s Dominion.
Iron Ladies of Old Town Challenge Waterfront Plan
Appeal of protest petition to move forward, either in Circuit Court or Board of Zoning Appeals.
The controversial waterfront small-area plan may have squeaked through City Hall on a five-to-two vote last month, but a final resolution could be months away
Cementing the Districts
Republicans try to lock in eight-to-three advantage in congressional redistricting.
Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape.
Moderate Mutiny
With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb. In an interview on Thursday, Jan. 19, Kaine said he hopes to promote a "talent economy" in Washington. It’s a reality the former governor says has become evident in the last few decades, when Virginia moved from being one of the lowest median income states to being one of the wealthiest.
Going Wireless at City Hall
Wi-Fi project returns.
Here’s a paradox for the digital age: When members of the Alexandria City Council were presented with the Digital Cities Award from Government Technology Magazine last week, members of the public who were in attendance would have had a difficult time sending an email about it or update their Facebook status.
Budgeting for Crisis
Community service boards push legislators to create five crisis centers.
Johnny is a 13-year-old student at school in Northern Virginia. He’s been acting out lately, running away and confronting other children on the playground.
Lenny Harris: From Missing to Murdered
Maryland man confesses to crime; three or four more suspects remain on the loose.
Since last summer, friends and supporters of missing Alexandria civic activist Lenny Harris have been hoping and praying that he would show up.
In Session
For those keeping score, mark one for King’s Dominion. That’s the popular and powerful amusement park that holds a strange power over school officials across Virginia.
Week in Alexandria
The controversial waterfront small-area plan may have squeaked through City Hall on a five-to-two vote last month, but a final resolution could be months away.
Moderate Mutiny
Former governor wants to impose Virginia “talent economy” on Washington; increase bipartisanship.
With the sluggish economy at the forefront of voters’ minds this year, former Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine hopes to put fiscal issues at the top of his campaign to fill the seat vacated by Democratic U.S. Sen. Jim Webb.
Politics of Notification
Father takes his plight for increased parental notification to Richmond.
Steve Stuban can’t help but wonder if things could have turned out differently.
Council Notebook
Smoking is still legal in Alexandria, but it’s increasingly discouraged.
In Session
Now that congressional redistricting has moved through the House of Delegates and the Virginia Senate, a picture of 2012 is beginning to take shape
West End Worries
Beauregard small-area plan raises concerns about displacing poor residents.
Like the street that bears his name, Confederate Gen. Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard was difficult to manage.
It’s Done, Sort Of
Controversial plan passes on 5-to-2 vote; opponents vow to overturn.
After hearing more than eight hours of heated testimony for and against a controversial plan to allow hotels and increase density at three sites on the waterfront, Alexandria City Council members cast a party line vote on the planning documen
Protesting the Vote
Alexandria officials say City Hall is not open for business during a public hearing.
Is City Hall open for business during a public hearing? Alexandria officials say no, but that could be a matter litigated in the Alexandria Circuit Court.
Urban Renewal on the Waterfront
City Council poised to adopt controversial plan to increase density and allow hotels.
In the game of Monopoly, players that have four houses on each property in a color group can buy a hotel from the bank and plunk the red plastic piece down and start raking in cash.
Living the Dream
Living the Dream
By the time 15-year-old Justin Cox was finished reciting the “I Have A Dream” speech from memory Monday afternoon, Jan. 15, at City Hall, several in the audience were holding back tears
Undercutting King’s Dominion Law
Governor supports Northern Virginia’s plight to start schools before Labor Day.
Ever since Republicans gained a narrow one-vote majority in the state Senate, many in Northern Virginia have been fearing a loss of influence in Richmond.
Cutting Back Between the Semesters
Proposal would cut back on ‘intersession’ classes at two schools, distribute money more broadly.
As School Board members prepare for the upcoming budget season, Superintendent Morton Sherman is suggesting the school system go back to the drawing board on “intersession” classes — the five weeks of instruction offered between semesters at the city’s two year-round schools
Democrats Launch Primary Campaign
Candidates are eager to win back two seats lost in the last election cycle.
Six candidates officially launched their campaigns this week at a meeting of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, and several more are expected in the coming weeks.
Plan Heads to Rocky Conclusion
Supporters have votes to pass plan, but opponents are plotting final stand.
The first rule in politics is knowing how to count. By almost any standard, that means that a controversial proposal to allow hotels and increase density at three properties on the waterfront is likely headed for approval.
Allen Declares War on Unions
Former governor goes on the offensive against organized labor.
Hoping to capitalize on anti-union sentiment in Virginia this year, Republican George Allen is giving labor issues a starring role in his bid to recapture the Senate seat he lost to Jim Webb in 2006.
Where is Lenny Harris?
Prominent civic activist has been missing since last week.
Lenny Harris was last seen at a place that was close to his heart, the Charles Houston Recreation Center.
Fresh Uncertainty
New insurance requirements puts two farmers markets in a state of limbo.
The tomatoes aren’t the only bumper crop at the farmers’ market this year. Liability insurance has also blossomed in recent months, creating a fresh sense of uncertainty at two Alexandria farmers markets.
Civil War Looms Large at Cemetery
The first burial took place in June 1861: Corporal Allen Greely, from Bravo Company of the Vermont Infantry.
Emission Ambition
County sets goal to reduce carbon emissions by 10.4 metric tons over the next 40 years.
Arlington County has a new goal to slash carbon emissions. But the first-ever community energy plan unanimously adopted last month imposes no mandates or penalties if residents and business fail to clean up their act. And it doesn’t set any money aside for strategic investments.
Wireless Unplugged
City officials shut down free wireless service to avoid a fight with the FCC.
In the old days, investigators could wiretap telephone lines by placing an alligator clip on a copper wire.
Demanding Better Budgets
School Board rejects budget document, calls for comprehensive audit.
Demanding Better Budgets
The Adventures of Roger Fons
Old Town Theater owner’s life could be a motion picture.
The setting is an old vaudeville theater on King Street, and the star of the show is Roger Fons. Our camera begins a slow advance, moving toward the oversized marquee with a sense of imminent arrival. Cue the music, “Un bel dì vedremo” from “Madame Butterfly.” Fons sits on a barstool in front of the theater smoking a cigarette, its wafts of white ribbons swirling toward the sky. He is charming and effervescent as patrons, employees and strangers greet him.
Prev Next