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Vernon Miles

Stories by Vernon

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New Lines, Old Problems

School Board approves redistricting plan 9a.

For the first time since 1999, the Alexandria Elementary School boundaries are shifting.

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Of Lives Lost

Maximum sentence in murder case ignites brawl in courthouse.

Rashad Lonzell “Snap” Adkins found guilty of second degree murder of Shakkan Elliot-Tibbs in 2015 and a related weapons charge, so the jury gave him the maximum penalty of 43 years in prison with no chance of parole.

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Hidden Valley: Long neglected Four Mile Run reimagined and redeveloped.

S Four Mile Run Drive is not the prettiest view in Arlington.

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Code of Silence

Reluctant witnesses at center of murder trial.

The conviction of the man accused of murdering Shakkan Elliot-Tibb may come down to the testimony of five witnesses putting their lives on the line to testify.

School Board Votes To Ease Redistricting Pain

School boundaries.

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Chief Brown Sworn In

Citizens express support for new chief of police at swearing in ceremony.

Chief Michael Brown officially became Alexandria’s new chief of police on Jan 24.

2017 Brings in New Restaurants and Retail

Fourteen businesses sprouting up throughout the city.

As the new year rolls around, new businesses are springing up across Alexandria.

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Bolstering Hope in Arlington

Yoga and Beer fundraiser scheduled to help local girl fighting rare genetic disease.

Ellie McGinn is horse crazy. Like many 8-year olds, she loves all animals, but horses are her favorite.

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What’s New in Arlington?

A look at recent retail and restaurant additions to Rosslyn, Ballston and Crystal City.

Every month in Arlington, stores and restaurants close their doors for the last time while others down the street open for the first time.

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Former California Highway Patrol commander named new chief of police.

Michael Brown has been selected as Alexandria’s new chief of police.

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Raiders of the Lost Art

Robert Luther introduces himself as a treasure hunter, and next Tuesday, will auction a piece of ‘50’s art legend Stan Galli.

Democrat Disunity

Alexandria Democrats unite to support ACA, but Warner draws fire for amendment vote.

As Republicans in Congress begin the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more than 100 citizens from throughout the region rallied on Jan. 15 at the Charles Houston Recreation Center in support of affordable healthcare.

Crawley: $9.6 Million Gap in Proposed Budget

Despite 2 percent departmental cuts.

Superintendent Alvin Crawley’s proposed budget leaves Alexandria Public Schools’ with $9.6 million funding gap, even with 2 percent funding cuts to every school department.

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West End School Revealed

Parents express support, but Beauregard future raises concerns from neighbors.

Office building will be retrofitted to become a school.

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Arlington Democrats Unite to Support ACA, but Warner Draws Fire for Amendment Vote.

Democratic Disunity

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010, the number of uninsured Virginians has fallen by 31 percent.

Key Bridge Being Repaired

Work is underway on repairs to the Key Bridge connecting Rosslyn to Georgetown.

WMATA requests more funding from Alexandria.

Even with cuts to rail and bus service, the elimination of 500 more Metro employees, and fare increases, Metro is still asking Alexandria for $32.5 million more in FY2018 than they did in FY2017.

Talking about Talking in Alexandria

City Council approves change to public comment procedures.

At the City Council meeting on Jan. 10, the City Council spent an hour discussing whether or not the City Council takes too long discussing things.

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A New Start in Alexandria

Gary Sinise Foundation helps wounded veteran build smart home in Alexandria.

There are roughly 11,200 veterans living in Alexandria, according to the Military Times, and with the help of several national charities and actor Gary Sinise, this spring there will be one more.

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Breakfast After the Bell in Arlington

Minor change to morning meal makes major difference in Arlington school.

Tina Oxendine wasn’t sure about the new breakfast program.

Fisette Elected Arlington Board Chair

For the fifth time in his 19 years on the County Board, Jay Fisette was unanimously elected County Board chair.

Arlington Hotline Yields Leads, No Evidence of Fraud

In 2015, Arlington County’s Waste, Fraud and Abuse Hotline was opened to allow employees to confidentially report potential cases of financial malfeasance.

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A New Year in the Old City

New year

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In the Red

Schools, Metro, and infrastructure form trinity of 2017 city budget priorities.

Budget priorities

Carpenter Shelter Project Approved in Alexandria

On Dec. 17, the City Council approved the final plans for the newly redeveloped Carpenter Shelter in North Old Town.

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A Collaborative Future for Arts in Alexandria

City approves Arts and Culture Master Plan.

Torpedo Factory artists turned out in force to the City Council meeting on Dec. 17 in a show of support for the artists’ institution.

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From Ground Up in Alexandria

A few blocks away from where the Ramsey Homes are set to be redeveloped, the Alexandria Redevelopment And Housing Authority (ARHA) has set its eyes on the redevelopment of another neighborhood.

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Who Spots the Spotters in Arlington?

County Board approves predatory towing reforms.

The Arlington County Board voted unanimously at its Dec. 13 meeting to approve new measures aimed at curtailing predatory towing practices in Arlington.

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Shelter Seeks Animal Foster Parents

Program provides temporary homes.

Forty-eight animals at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria are looking for temporary homes.

Torpedoes Away

Concerns over Torpedo Factory leadership derail Arts and Cultural Master Plan discussion.

The Arts and Cultural Master Plan is a 36-page document outlining the city’s 10-year plan to develop priorities for allocating resources to Alexandria’s arts community. Yet, the entire discussion at the Dec. 13 City Council meeting centered on one sentence.

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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.

For Rent in Arlington County

Airbnb and homesharing legalized

If looking for a place to stay in Arlington this weekend, there are at least 108 rooms available on Airbnb.

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Candyland in Arlington

Families build gingerbread houses together at Arlington County event.

Sometimes, families need a chance to unwind.

Alexandria Commission Approves Patrick Henry Design

Unanimous approval for option A.1, despite community divide.

While neighbors and local parents are still divided over designs for the new Patrick Henry School, a plea from school principal Ingrid Bynum helped move the Planning Commission to support the School Board’s plans for the facility at its Dec. 6 meeting.

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Ongoing Legacy in Alexandria

Sixty years after leading Parker-Grey Men’s Basketball to state championship, Walter Griffin voted into ACPS Athletic Hall of Fame

Walter Griffin was an all star.

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Homicide in North Old Town

Former Alexandria resident killed returning to neighborhood he grew up in.

There was more to Colby Dielle McClennon than a criminal record.

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A Commission For Veterans in Alexandria?

Proposal to create a veterans’ commission moves forward.

The last two audience members at the Nov. 29 City Council meeting weren’t waiting on a docket item.

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Church Plan Ascending in Alexandria

Board approves Alfred Street Baptist Church expansion.

Alfred Street Baptist Church, one of the oldest faith communities in Alexandria, just passed the first major hurdle for ongoing plans for an expansion.

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What’s New in Ballston?

Parks, Robberies, and Lingering Specter of Ballston’s Founding Father Haunt Civic Association Meeting.

Nearly 50 people crammed into a room at The Jefferson Hotel in Virginia Square designed to fit no more than 30.

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Alexandria: Cider City

Sipping cider’s history.

From hand-cranked wooden presses to the tab at an Old Town pub, hard cider has a long history in Alexandria.

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The Extra Mile in Arlington

The Jennifer Bush-Lawson Foundation hosts second Memorial 5k Run

At last year’s race, Neal Lawson said he was so caught up in the event that he never had a moment to let the day’s events soak in.

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Refugees Gather in Arlington to Celebrate Thanksgiving

Ethiopian Community Development Council hosts “Refugees’ First Thanksgiving.”

Arabic. Amharic. Burmese. Spanish. There were dozens of languages spoken from the nearly 200 people at the “Refugees’ First Thanksgiving” dinner.

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Alexandria: Port of Call

Ships sail in and out of Alexandria’s marina every day, but over the weekend a special visitor dominated the harbor view.

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Alexandria: Deepening Boundaries

Community expresses concerns about lack of diversity in proposed redistricting.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) need to redistrict.

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Deepening Boundaries in Alexandria

Community expresses concerns about lack of diversity in proposed redistricting.

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) need to redistrict. But among parents, teachers, and students there are deep concerns that the redistricting hadn’t done enough to balance the diversity of the schools.

Homicide in Nursing Home

An assault in a nursing home resulted in the death of 82-year-old Hunter Alexander, a resident of Sunrise of Alexandria.

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Despite County’s Voters, It’s President Trump

Democrats re-elect Beyer but lose the country.

Unofficial Election Results As of Monday, Nov. 14

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Aging in Arlington

Residents share struggles of the elderly in region.

The Legislative Forum on Aging was themed as a fireside chat with the elected representatives, something Carol Downs, chair of the Northern Virginia Aging Network (NVAN), joked she could remember.

Alexandria City Council and La Bergerie Win Court Case

Judge upholds city’s arguments.

La Bergerie faced opposition from neighbors when it was announced that the inn and restaurant would be moving into a historic location at 329 North Washington St., but after a legal battle, the Court has ruled in favor of La Bergerie and the City Council.