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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.
New Leadership At Gunston Hall
Museum director ousted by regents after year of controversy.
After surviving more than a year of calls for his resignation, Gunston Hall museum director has been removed as head of the historic house site. In a meeting last week, the Board of Regents voted to replace David Reese, effective immediately. Mark Whatford, a senior staff member, will serve as acting director until a permanent replacement is hired. The decision comes after harsh criticism of financial mismanagement and unprofessional behavior.
Reclusive Former Sheriff Dies; Mystery of His Wife’s Murder Remains Unsolved
After years on the public stage, Jim Dunning withdrew after the death of his wife.
James Herbert Dunning, the once popular sheriff who became increasingly reclusive after the mysterious 2003 murder of his wife, died last week at his home in Hilton Head, S.C.
Federal Money for Streetcars Derailed; Arlington Leaders Vow to Press Ahead Anyway
Critics call for independent cost-benefit analysis; county manager refuses to answer questions.
Plans for Arlington officials to receive federal money for a proposed $250 million streetcar line have been derailed, although county leaders say they are pressing ahead anyway.
Coalition Wages War on Brick Sidewalks in Old Town
Group calls for action now, before more brick sidewalks are installed in new development.
They may be charming, but many people say Alexandria's brick sidewalks have become a dangerous burden. Now they are asking City Hall to do something about it.
City Council Debate Heats Up Over Taxes and Spending
Candidates clash over budget issues at contentious candidates forum.
The high-water mark of Tuesday’s City Council candidates forum was a clash between former Councilman Justin Wilson and two incumbent members, Councilman Frank Fannon and Councilwoman Alicia Hughes, over taxes and spending, a key issue that hits voters in the pocketbook each year when property tax bills are issued.
On the Campaign Trail
With five weeks to go before Election Day, Republicans and Democrats have targeted a small number of jurisdictions as key battlegrounds, including Henrico County and Virginia Beach. Here in Northern Virginia, the key swing jurisdictions are Loudoun County and Prince William County, where Republican George W. Bush won in 2004 followed by Democrat Barack Obama in 2008 only to flip back the next year and vote fore Republican Bob McDonnell in 2009.
Eleven Candidate In Epic Democratic Primary to Replace Moran
Successful candidate could emerge with 10,000 votes.
The Democratic primary is shaping up to be the most competitive election in recent memory, one with an unprecedented number of candidates.
Stakes Are High in Virginia Budget Standoff
Lawmakers flee Capitol, where partisan gridlock reigns.
The budget standoff in Richmond could have drastic consequences in Northern Virginia, where every service from education to transportation is on the line.
Gutter Politics
City Council candidates campaign on fixing Alexandria's flooding problem.
None of the candidates for Alexandria City Council are for flooding, which has swamped the city's aging infrastructure in recent years as a series of major storm events have repeatedly submerged parts of Alexandria.
Do Backyard Hens Pose Threat to Public Health in Arlington?
Here's the scoop on potential hazards of proposed zoning change.
Do backyard hens pose a risk to public health in Arlington? That question will be at the center of a debate now taking place in the county.
Panel to Evaluate Middle Schools
School Board creates committee to take a look at reorganization.
Consider the scenario: Two eight-grade students get into a fight in the cafeteria of Hammond Middle School.
Huntington Residents Remain Unprotected in the Face of Flooding
$30 million floodwall is at least two years away.
Fairfax County voters may have approved a $30 million floodwall for Huntington, but neighbors in this working-class neighborhood don’t seem particularly satisfied.
Will Route 1 Corridor See Improvements as a Result of Transportation Agreement?
Playing the money game on Richmond Highway.
People in Mount Vernon have been talking about widening Route 1 for decades.
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.
On the Campaign Trail
Year after year, members of the General Assembly consider efforts to restore voting rights to nonviolent felons. But year after year, the effort is killed — usually by House Republicans.
Six Feet Over
City officials planning flood mitigation for the waterfront.
Every heavy rainstorm seems to bring a flood of news trucks, which arrive at the foot of King Street and set up television cameras. The images of flooded streets have become a regular feature for television news segments because the images are so shocking. Now city leaders are planning to raise the elevation of the waterfront to six feet, preventing flooding for most major storms.
Connecting the Unconnected
Less than 3 percent of broadband spending to help low-income people gain internet access
About 15 percent of Alexandria students did not have access to the internet when the pandemic began last year, a statistic that reveals how many households in Alexandria are locked out of the modern economy.
Civil War Looms Large at Cemetery
The first burial took place in June 1861: Corporal Allen Greely, from Bravo Company of the Vermont Infantry.
Arlington County Board Considers New Housing Grants
Expanded program would help increasing number of people in poverty.
For Arlington’s poorest residents, the recession is far from over.