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Inside the Alexandria Police Department: Street to Cell
An occasional series, drawn from the Alexandria Citizen’s Police Academy.
Whether it’s being pulled over for a traffic violation or being directed around the site of a crash, virtually every Alexandrian has had some interaction with the Alexandria Police Department’s Traffic Section.

Arlington: Reevesland Renovations Put on Indefinite Hold
When Ron Battocchi first moved to Boulevard Manor neighborhood in Arlington in 1977, he said one of the first knocks at his door was from his new neighbor: Nelson Reeves.

Expanding Scope of Alexandria’s Public Art Projects
“We’re looking at things like traffic boxes, but do we want to do more or look at other projects?”
Traffic Control boxes are metal containers. They help make sure the traffic lights run smoothly, but they’ve never been accused of being beautiful.

West End School Revealed
Parents express support, but Beauregard future raises concerns from neighbors.
Office building will be retrofitted to become a school.

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.

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.

Arlington Courtroom Drama
Public Defenders protest pay inequality with Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
“You have a right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed for you.”

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.
Alexandria: Trial of City Council Underway
City faces allegations of corruption in rezoning case.
329 N. Washington St. is a quintessential Old Town mansion. It’s a historic, four-story home facing the George Washington Parkway on one side and the the cobblestone Princess Street on the other. Unlike most Old Town homes, however, the property is currently at the heart of a lawsuit against the City Council with allegations of corruption within City Hall.
Strategic Plan Part 3: Well-Managed Government
Plan calls for flexible funding and greater accessibility.
Alexandria strategic plan.

Alexandria: Building on Giant’s Bones
Despite traffic concerns, Planning Commission green lights North Old Town development.
Currently, the city block between in North Old Town that formerly housed the Giant grocery store sits empty except for a lone ABC store.
Alexandria: Rejoicing on Decision Day
Multifaith gathering celebrates national same-sex equality.
As Rev. Robin Anderson from Alexandria’s Commonwealth Baptist Church discovered this weekend, planning a party around a U.S. Supreme Court decision can be problematic. First, when Anderson began planning the Northern Virginia Multifaith Gathering for Marriage Equality, there was no set date for the decision. Decision day could have been anything between June 25 to June 29. And second, there was no way to determine the outcome of the decision. Hanging a festive banner could make for an awkward situation if the Supreme Court ruled against marriage equality.

Alexandria: What’s Shaking Old Town?
Neighbors rattled by Robinson Terminal South demolition.
Robinson Terminal South is going through demolition, and neighbors say they can feel it. While developer EYA proved that the vibrations from construction work falls within the standard set by City Council, local residents argued that a stricter standard be put in place.
Alexandria: Bikeshare Installation Draws Local Ire
“I’m not happy when the city is acting as though they are above the law.”
The Capital Bikeshare’s journey into Old Town is off to a bumpy start. While city officials say the Capital Bikeshare has been a success so far, one particular station has incensed local residents who say the city isn’t following its own implementation rules. Residents say their objection to the South Royal Street Bikeshare station has nothing to do with the bikeshare or bikes in the city, but anger over the city installing a colorful sign without any type of approval or public outreach.