Seeking Funds for Schools’ Capital Improvements
School Board seeks $4 million more than council’s cap.
The Alexandria City Public School Board approved Superintendent Alvin Crawley’s $305 million 2016-2025 Capital Improvement Plan Budget, including $42 million for the 2016 fiscal year, at its Feb. 5 meeting.
Scott, Tejada To Move on
Two Arlington Public Figures announced that they will finish their term of service in 2015. Arlington Police Chief M. Douglas Scott will retire in March after 12 years as Arlington’s Chief of Police. County Board member Walter Tejada has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination for another term in office.
Board Revisits Plan To Address Growing Enrollment
Goal of 725 new elementary school seats no later than September 2018.
The Arlington School Board responded to the County Board’s decision not to approve a new elementary school site with a statement expressing the School Board’s renewed commitment to engaging with the community to find a solution.
‘Love the Run You’re With’
Valentine’s Day race draws a crowd.
After weeks of miserable cold, the weather warmed up just enough to make the Pacers Running “Love the Run You’re With” 5 kilometer race in Arlington bearable.
Working Toward Restorative Justice in Alexandria Schools
TC students take aim at suspension rates and new disciplinary policy.
A word of warning to students at T.C. Williams High School hoping to skip out on classes in the second half of their senior year: Don’t. A new policy implemented at the beginning of the 2014-2015 school year gives teachers at TC final say over whether a student can pass or fail a class regardless of the final grade.
Too Poor for Benefits in Alexandria
New advisory panel tackles lack of healthcare options for Alexandrians.
An estimated 5,000 people living in Alexandria are without access to healthcare. Without any assistance from the state, the struggle for many Alexandrians has potential to grow into a city-wide moral and financial crisis.
After Defeat of Jefferson Site Project: What Next?
Unanswered questions divide County Board on proposal.
With the defeat of the proposed Thomas Jefferson Elementary School at the Arlington County Board, the public schools face overcrowding and a widening of the school “relocatables” program.
Alexandria Working Against a Slowdown
Alexandria developments hope to reverse job loss trends.
When asked how Alexandria’s doing, interim City Manager Mark Jinks’ reaction is tepid. The good news is that income is high, as is hotel occupancy, but it basically stops there.
Arlington Aiming To Rebound
Arlington looks for new industries, double-downs on contracting.
With an average of 20 percent office vacancy across the county, it’s clear that the exodus of federal government jobs has impacted Arlington. Local neighborhoods have struggled with their own losses and have, in turn, found a diverse range of solutions to try and rebound.
Supporting Music in Alexandria Schools
Award-winning violinist helps Alexandria Public Schools play its biggest concert.
Every elementary, middle, and high school in Alexandria, 18 schools in total, came together on Janu. 7 for the biggest concert in the school system’s history: 370 students, 200 of them from local elementary schools, 170 from middle and high schools, participated in Electrify Your Strings (EYS).
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.
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 Budget Looms Over 2015 Plans
Alexandria city officials discuss goals and funding for 2015.
For Alexandria City Council, 2015 kicks off with a continuing discussion of the budget and the city’s priorities. With an anticipated decrease in federal spending, city officials are preparing for a difficult budget process.
Arlington-Alexandria Coalition Moves Forward
Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for Homelessness undergoes transformation to “Bridges to Independence.”
At the end of 2014, the Arlington-Alexandria Coalition for the Homeless (AACH) will cease to exist. The organization, with its nearly 30 years of work transitioning homeless families into apartments and houses across Northern Virginia, will be going through a transition itself when it becomes “Bridges to Independence.”
Sharing Struggle Against Addiction in Alexandria Detention
Sober Living Unit Celebrates 26th Anniversary
A recurring theme of loss and hope for recovery weaved through the songs, poems, and presentations at the Sober Living Unit’s 26th anniversary. Inmates and alumni of the program shared their stories of addiction and the long road to recovery.
Arlington Celebrates Richard Thompson
Local cartoonist’s work exhibited in film and book at Arlington Central Library
Nick Galifinakis and David Apatoff had a problem. They wanted to keep meeting at the home of fellow cartoonist Richard Thompson, creator of Washington Post comic Richard’s Poor Almanac and his nationally syndicated comic Cul de Sac, to chat and to pour over his work, but were afraid that Thompson would kick them out if they didn’t come up with a good reason to stay. This was the origin of “The Art of Richard Thompson.” Though likely apocryphal, the story is indicative of the reverence and humor with which the editors compiled the collection.
Hooray for Small Business in Alexandria
Celebrating community role of small businesses.
On 2012’s Small Business Saturday, President Barack Obama visited One More Page Books in Arlington and set a trend for politicians in the Washington area: small Northern Virginia bookstores are the place to be on Nov 29. That tradition continued in Hooray for Books! on this year’s Small Business Saturday when U.S. Small Business Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet , U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, and local politicians converged to emphasize their patronage of the King Street bookstore.
Arlington: Where Everybody Knows Your Name
Arlington Small Business Saturday promotes local entrepreneurs.
For many small businesses, making their way in the world today takes everything they’ve got.
Arlington: Board Defers Apartments’ Demolition
An application to the Arlington County Board to demolish the existing Key Boulevard Apartments and construct a new affordable housing project has been deferred.
Alexandria Domestic Violence Shelters Offer Relief Year-round
Local nonprofits Bethany House and ALIVE face challenges during holiday season.
“I thought if I loved him enough, he would change.” Jasmine Witcher, interim executive director for the Bethany House domestic violence shelter, says she hears these words all the time.
The Great Gadsby in Alexandria
A weekend at Alexandria’s Gadsby Tavern
Supposedly, The Hunt Ball at the historic Gadsby’s Tavern in Alexandria took place the evening of Nov. 22, 2014. But inside, there was nothing to indicate it was not Nov. 22, 1800.
Alexandria: Lawsuit Over Rezoning Hits City Council
Neighbors oppose change allowing restaurant.
A lawsuit against the City Council by local residents claims that the rezoning of a residence on Princess and Washington streets, allowing it to become a restaurant, deprived the residents of equal protection of the laws.
Arlington: School Board Faces $20 Million Budget Gap
County Board details gaps in funding for 2016 budget.
With no tax rate increases, the Arlington County Board is projecting a $24 million gap between revenue and expenditures for fiscal year 2016.
Alexandria: Bench to Bedside
Collegiate inventors show off cutting edge technology at Alexandria conference.
At his table at the Collegiate Inventor’s Conference, Keith Hearon from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology had a variety of plastic objects on display next to a bowl full of oranges.
Alexandria: Preparing for Next School Budget
Alexandria Public Schools staff meet with local community to discuss the future of the budget
At a public forum on the Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) Budget, parents and local citizens split into groups and were asked what programs were needed for the children.
Alexandria: News briefs
The Supreme Court of Virginia has agreed to hear the appeal in the Alexandria waterfront litigation. Two years ago, Old Town residents April Burke, Beth Gibney and Marie Kux filed a lawsuit against the city challenging the waterfront plan. In a decision announced Nov 6, the court said that it will hear arguments that challenge the dismissal of their case.
Thriving in Arlington
Local nonprofit fights to offset funding loss from Fannie Mae. jump
The reactive approach to homelessness isn’t working. For Thrive, an Arlington-based nonprofit that provides financial assistance to local citizens in need, the aim is to end homelessness by keeping it from happening in the first place.
Arlington County Board Cancels Streetcar
Fisette cites “political realities.”
After nearly 10 years of planning, the Arlington County Board has decided to end the Arlington-Fairfax Streetcar project.
Alexandria: Union Soldier Revisits Fort
Local historian takes on role of civil war veteran for a tour.
Fort Ward doesn’t do as good a job holding out Southerners as it used to.
Alexandria: Flood of Sewage
Burst water line on South Jordan Street results in flooding of 14 homes.
Helping a crew remove his water-damaged belongings from his 89-year-old mother’s home was not how Guy Foster, discharged from the Navy in 1969, had planned on spending his Veterans Day.
Alexandria:Found Money
School Board votes to fund increased cost of TC tennis courts. jump
The six tennis courts at T.C. Williams High School will not cost $800,000 as originally planned.
Alexandria: Friends Mourn Death of David Abshire
Ambassador and public policy leader dies.
For a career spent around the world, David Abshire always considered Alexandria home.
Arlington Votes
A morning of low turnout at Arlington’s Madison and Marshall precincts.
Arlingtonians lined up to vote on Election Day to choose between Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie.
Northern Virginia Democrats Hold Their Ground
In uneasy election, Beyer takes 8th district, but leaves Senate too close to call.
Despite the election still being too close to call, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner gave his supporters at the Doubletree Hotel in Crystal City a full smile and a victory speech. With less than 1 percent of the vote favoring Warner over his Republican challenger Ed Gillespie, the question is whether or not Gillespie will ask for a recount. But if this was troubling Warner as much as it was the Democrats gathered the night of Nov 4, he didn’t show it.
Arlington Votes
A morning with the election staff and voters at Arlington’s Madison and Marshal precincts
Arlingtonians lined up to vote on Election Day to choose between Democratic U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and Republican challenger Ed Gillespie. At a more local level, they also chose a candidate to represent the 8th district in the House of Representatives, to vote on the candidates for County Board and School Board, and to vote on four bonds.
Reunited
After 70 years of searching, a family split by war comes together.
Years of starvation and war had robbed Galina Lodoba and her half-sister Tatyana Schremko of their parents and their homes, and the sisters had struggled in the years that followed to keep together and stay alive.
Buried Alive
Poe and poetry in an Alexandria crypt.
Apparently, reading Edgar Allen Poe stories in Alexandria’s haunted Athenaeum wasn’t creepy enough, so the Guillotine Theater upped the ante.
City Suspends Ticketing of ‘For Sale’ Cars
Cars displaying for “For Sale” signs on Alexandria public streets will no longer be ticketed.
Severance Trial Set for October 2015
The murder trial of Charles Severance has been set for Oct 5., 2015.
Bonds on the Ballot
Arlington puts $200 million in bonds to a public vote.
This year, Arlington is putting the fate of $219 million in the hands of its citizens. On the Nov. 4 ballot, residents will have a chance to vote on four major bonds.
Beachcomber To Be Rebuilt for Boat Club
The Beachcomber Restaurant, an abandoned building on the Alexandria Waterfront, will soon be restored as the new home for the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Not the Victim’s Fault
City officials draw attention to domestic abuse.
Every year, there are around 400 cases of domestic violence in Alexandria where the police can make an arrest. The city’s hotline for reporting domestic abuse or sexual assault receives nearly 2,000 calls.
Little Development for Low Income Housing
Six years after the Alexandria Council of Human Services Organizations (ACHSO) compiled a list of needs in the community, the group has met with local leaders to see what progress has been made. In regards to housing and affordable development in Alexandria, the answer is not much.
Vihstadt Fights To Keep Seat
Incumbent John Vihstadt fights to keep seat and kick out the streetcar.
After 15 years of a Democratic-controlled County Board in Arlington, John Vihstadt, an Independent, has been throwing a few wrenches into the board’s plans.
Facing Off in County Board Rematch
Democrat Alan Howze campaigning for comeback victory.
Things did not go well in Alan Howze in the previous election.
Don’t Panic
Alexandria Health Department lays out plan for Ebola.
Despite one death in Texas, the Alexandria Health Department reassured local citizens at a City Council meeting that a widespread outbreak of Ebola was unlikely.
Visitors Explore Cherry Blossom at its Open House
Local riverboat complements city’s history.
The Cherry Blossom was commissioned at least 100 years after a paddlewheel riverboat would have been considered a financially viable investment. The boat remains docked along the waterfront for most of the year, used almost exclusively for private events. It doesn’t happen often, but on Monday, Oct. 13, the Cherry Blossom opened its doors to the public for an open house.
An Economic Debate
8th Congressional District candidates differ over priorities.
Congressional candidates Don Beyer and Micah Edmond squared off last week at a forum in what could rank as one of the election season’s tamest political debates.
Waging Upstream Battle Against Mainstream Parties
Taking a Chance on an Independent.
John Saylor says with pride that he was Gwendolyn Beck’s friend long before he became her campaign manager. Like most friends in the Washington area, he’d talk politics with Beck.
Carson Runs as Libertarian
Jeffrey Carson, the 8th district’s Libertarian candidate, has an unconventional campaign.