Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille Elected to Fourth Term
Democratic incumbent wins handily against independent challenger.
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille hasn’t been in a competitive election since 2003, when he was first elected mayor against Republican Bill Cleveland and independent Townsend Van Fleet.
Alexandria School Board To Get Seven New Members
One School Board incumbent ousted as voters select new direction for school system.
The past few years have been some of the most turbulent in the history of Alexandria City Public Schools, which was blasted in a recent audit as having a budget office with a “dysfunctional environment.”
Democrats Sweep Alexandria City Election
Moving local elections from May to November helped solidify one-party rule.
Three years ago, “Plunkee the Elephant” helped an independent and a Republican unseat two incumbent Democrats on the Alexandria City Council.
Week in Alexandria
Here’s a dilemma that will soon be facing the next City Council: Where to place the new Metro station at Potomac Yard.
A Beacon of Things to Come on Richmond Highway
Mixed-use development may signal a sea change on Richmond Highway.
It’s the highest spot in Fairfax County, and it may also be a fulcrum for Richmond Highway.
Alexandria City Council Election Returns: Precinct By Precinct
How the candidates ranked in all of the city's voting precincts.
A listing of which candidates won which precincts.
Reevesland for Sale? County Board to Consider Selling Historic Property
Last working dairy farm in Arlington may go on the auction block.
Arlington County Board members are about to consider selling Reevesland, the county’s last dairy farm.
Alexandria Voters to Determine Direction of City Government
Growth, development, taxes and spending are the hot-button issues dividing candidates.
Are voters pleased with the recent direction of city government, which has dramatically increased the amount of density available to developers in recent years?
Invasive Restrictions: Effort to Restrict Sale of Invasive Plants May Wilt in Richmond
Legislative delegation wary of running afoul of the free market.
They’re all over Mount Vernon — English ivy, Bradford pear, porcelainberry, oriental bittersweet and bamboo.
Redrawing the Elementary School Poverty Map in Arlington
Adding two new elementary schools could create opportunity for more diversity.
When Linley Mancilla was preparing to send her child to elementary school, she looked at the boundary map and examined the demographics. Then she considered her options. Ultimately, she decided against sending her child to the local neighborhood school, Carlin Springs Elementary.
Week in Alexandria
October Surprise Virginia election officials are asking the attorney general's office to investigate the son of U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) discussing a plan to cast fraudulent ballots and the person who made the recording of the incident.
Sandy Leaves Clean-up Behind
The hybrid hurricane and nor’easter known as Sandy smashed into Alexandria Monday night, packing wind gusts of up to 60 miles an hour.
Voters to Determine Fate of Amendment to Limit Use of Eminent Domain
Measure will allow property owners to seek damages for loss of profits and access.
Nowhere is the debate about eminent domain more intense than the foot of King Street in Alexandria, where city officials threatened to take land owned by the Old Dominion Boat Club using the power of eminent domain for flood mitigation.
Council Notebook
Alexandria has become a whistle stop town — in more ways than one. Trains have been a regular feature of life in the city since before the Civil War.
School Board Candidates Offer Perspectives on Failing Scores for Students with Disabilities
Incumbents defend record; challengers call for more action.
The last three years have seen test scores plummet for students with disabilities, a group that constitutes an expensive and vexing challenge for Alexandria City Public Schools.
The Passover Amendment: Should Legislators Meet on Religious Holidays?
Former Del. David Englin (D-45) was behind amendment now before voters.
Every year, the Virginia General Assembly convenes several weeks after the session to react to the governor’s vetoes.
The Message is not the Median: Fairfax Roadsides Now Free of Political Speech
New law cracks down on political signs in public rights of way; $100 fine for violators.
Here’s a sign of the times for campaign 2012 — the roadsides in Fairfax County are almost completely free of political speech.
Artist Loses Freedmen’s Cemetery Commission Because He Used Religious Symbols
Traditional African symbols prompted rejection of winning design.
The Contraband and Freedmen’s Cemetery is no stranger to controversy. Now a new conflict has emerged at the final resting place for dozens of former slaves.
Choice for Alexandria Voters: Insiders Versus Outsiders at City Hall
Growth, development, taxes and spending form dividing line between city candidates.
When they head into the voting booths on Election Day, Alexandria voters will be confronted with a choice: Do they like the recent direction of government at City Hall, where controversial planning decisions have divided the city and the average residential tax bill has nearly doubled in the last decade? Or are they looking for people who will work against the status quo?
Council Notebook
Private Virtue is a public good. That’s the result of a decision this week at the Alexandria Circuit Court, which is giving the green light to city officials who want to lease part of a public alley to a private restaurant known as Virtue.
Arlington Election Officials Prepare for Record Breaking Number of Absentee Ballots
Last two presidential cycles have seen dramatic spike in absentee voting.
Election officials in Arlington are predicting another record-breaking turnout for absentee ballots, which have been dramatically increasing in recent years.
Is Money Buying Influence in the Race for Alexandria City Council?
Candidates accept contributions from people with business at City Hall.
Campaign finance documents show candidates for mayor and City Council have taken hundreds of dollars from people with business at City Hall.
Council Notebook
The story about how the Potomac River Generating Station closed its doors this month is an Erin Brockovich story with an Old Town twist.
Freshman Arlington County Board Member Faces Two Opponents in November
Streetcar debate dominates discussion this election cycle.
It’s only been about seven months since voters in Arlington chose longtime School Board member Libby Garvey to fill the unexpired term vacated by Barbara Favola, who was elected to the Virginia state Senate last year.
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.
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.
City officials and Neighbors Look to Future After Coal-Fired Power Plant Shuts Down
Lines of communication are created to avoid mistakes of the waterfront plan.
Seeking to avoid the problems that emerged on the waterfront earlier this year, city officials have taken an early lead meeting with residents in North Old Town to start planning for the future of a now-shuttered coal-fired power plant.
Jefferson-Houston Challenges Denial of Accreditation
Troubled elementary adds hour-and-a-half to school day as part of transformation effort.
Standing in the lobby of Jefferson-Houston Elementary School, Bea Porter is frustrated and angry. She sent her children to the school, and now her grandson is enrolled. But that may change unless the school makes drastic improvements soon.
Clash for Mayor: Bill Euille Squares Off with Andrew Macdonald
Candidates for mayor meet in the first of three debates.
In their first of three scheduled debates Tuesday night at George Washington Middle School, three-term incumbent Democrat Bill Euille and independent challenger Andrew Macdonald clashed over the waterfront plan, the Base Closure and Realignment Commission and the scale of development in Alexandria.
Council Notebook
Everything old is new again at City Hall, where former Councilman David Speck has been tapped by Alexandria Circuit Court Chief Judge Lisa Kemler to fill the unexpired term of former Councilman Rob Krupicka, who was recently elected to fill the unexpired term of former Del. David Englin (D-45).
Wake for an Irish Restaurant: Pat Troy Bids Farewell to Ireland's Own
After decades in business, outspoken restauranteur sells his business and enters retirement.
Friends and supporters — and even some former enemies — gathered at Pat Troy’s Ireland’s Own Restaurant last weekend to say goodbye.
Two independents and a Libertarian Offer Variety for Voters in City Council Race
Three candidates hoping to land seats at City Hall without major party labels.
Alexandria politics has long been dominated by Democrats, although Republicans have been successful from time to time.
Alexandria Cracks Down on Old Town Grocery
Two arrested for selling stolen goods; city officials say investigation is ongoing.
Don’t look for a sign announcing the Old Town Grocery. There isn’t one. But customers and investigators have been flocking to the business in the 800 block of Pendleton Street.
As Virginia Loses Federal Money, Debate Emerges About Fairfax County’s Course of Action
County leaders are not willing to go with the flow as feds change the rules.
Across Mount Vernon, large-scale 1960s-era parking lots dominate the landscape and flood the streams.
Incumbents and Former Incumbents Take Heat for BRAC Site Selection
Ghosts of 2008 haunt the BRAC five.
The ghosts of 2008 are haunting the campaign for mayor and City Council, as candidates clash over events leading up to the relocation of more than 6,000 daily commuters to the city’s West End.
Return of the Arlington Planetarium: Facility to Reopen After Existential Crisis
It looks like something from space, a Neo-Brutal landmark that descended next to Washington-Lee High School.
Trio of Challengers on the Ballot to Challenge Moran This November
Republican, Independent Green and independent offer a variety of options for voters.
A trio of challengers will oppose longtime U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8) this November, although the Northern Virginia district is solidly blue and not considered competitive.
Supporters of Woodlawn Stables Hold Out Hope That Horses Will Be Able to Stay
Will National Trust strike a deal and approve new lease?
For months, the debate at Woodlawn has been about which option for widening Route 1 is appropriate.
On the Campaign Trail
With six weeks to go before Election Day, it’s starting to look like Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille will not be debating former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald — at least not in a debate that doesn’t include all 12 of the City Council candidates.
Buchanan Gardens Reopens as Dedicated Affordable Housing on Columbia Pike
Uncertainty is over for hundreds of low-income residents in rapidly gentrifying neighborhood.
As Pedro Gonzales walks up the stairs to his second-floor apartment at Buchanan Gardens, he beams with pride.
City Officials Clash with Descendants of Long-Neglected Graves at Fort Ward
African-American burials may never be discovered as city prepares management plan.
Two years ago, city officials aimed a high-powered radar from California at the ground in various spots at Fort Ward.
On the Campaign Trail
Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell may not have received the vice presidential nomination, but he got a great consolation prize this week — a prime-time speaking slot this year at the Republican National Convention in Tampa.
Rob Krupicka Wins Special Election In Landslide Victory
Councilman wins every precinct in special election for 45th District of House of Delegates.
Back in 2003, a former AOL executive named Rob Krupicka launched his campaign for Alexandria City Council at Fireflies — a popular Del Ray restaurant a stone’s throw from the Krupicka house on East Nelson Avenue.
Capital BikeShare To Expand
County officials are considering 42 potential locations for 30 new stations.
By next spring, Arlington residents will have 30 new BikeShare stations to choose from — expanding the existing program of 44 stations dramatically and reaching beyond the Metro corridors for the first time.
Aquatics Center On the Ballot
State-of-the-art facility to be considered by voters this fall.
When they head to the polls this November, voters may be thinking of Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps.
Known and Unknown: What Would Candidates Do In Richmond If Elected?
Two candidates in special election say they don't know what bills they would introduce next year.
Voters in next week’s special election will be faced with a choice between the familiar and the unknown in the Sept. 4 special election.
Voters to Have Final Say on Waterfront Plan as Legal Challenges Linger
Boat Club occupies the Strand as tensions mount over controversial small-area plan.
Last weekend, members of the Old Dominion Boat Club staged an annual ritual that’s something of a cross between a tailgating party and Occupy Wall Street. Every year, members shut down a section of the Strand for several hours to make sure everybody knows that the land is officially Boat Club property. The yearly affirmation usually goes without much notice.
Hidden History of St. Asaph Racetrack
Del Ray was once home to an infamous gambling operation creating by a double-dealing senator.
You’d never know it today, but Del Ray was once the capital of gambling in Northern Virginia.
On the Campaign Trail
So far, three-term Mayor Bill Euille has yet to agree to a one-on-one debate with independent challenger and former Vice Mayor Andrew Macdonald.
Three-Way Race for the House of Delegates Special Election
Voters to choose between Democrat, Republican and Libertarian in lightning-fast campaign.
Voters in the special election for the House of Delegates have a variety of choices, offering candidates on the left and the right and somewhere in between.