Community Corner
Richmond Highway Barricade, Aldi: Top Greater Alexandria News Of 2023
Top news of 2023 included serial burglar, police shooting after cop attacked, speed limit lowered, and co-located fire station, shelter.
HYBLA VALLEY, VA — There was plenty of news that interested readers around greater Alexandria in 2023, from development and business news to road safety initiatives.
The top crime and safety news of the year was a 36-hour barricade shutting down Richmond Highway and the fatal shooting of a man who police accused of attacking an officer in his police cruiser. Other top stories included a serial burglar from Hybla Valley arrested several times, Bijan Ghaisar's family receives a settlement,
In business and development news, the Richmond Highway corridor saw new developments open like North Hill and The Arden. The South Alex development, which was opened after a massive four-alarm fire in 2020, welcomed its anchoring Aldi grocery store.
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In transportation news, part of Richmond Highway saw the speed limit reduced, environmental analysis was released for the George Washington Memorial Parkway safety improvements, an update on the Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit project is planned, and an extension of Capital Beltway Express Lanes is being studied in the Alexandria area.
In school news, Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology had updates in its court battle over the school's new admissions policy and scrutiny over delayed National Merit Scholarship commendations. Fairfax County Public Schools also affirmed its policies supporting transgender students amid the Youngkin administration's model policies. The school system also boosted staff background check measures after a now-former employee was charged with a sex crime.
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There were also more positive stories from the community, like volunteers building a playset for a child battling cancer, Fairfax County's oldest African American community of Gum Springs being honored for its 190th anniversary, River Farm getting a boost to help its long-term future, and Mount Vernon's horticultural director helping with the White House preservation.
Here are the top stories of 2023 in greater Alexandria. Click on each link for more coverage, and be sure to subscribe to Greater Alexandria Patch for more news in 2024.
Business and Development
- New ALDI Store Opening At South Alex Development In Groveton
- 4 More VA Bed Bath & Beyond Stores To Close As Retailer Seeks Funds
- Population Loss In Fairfax, Strong Economy Noted In Business Outlook
- Peruvian Restaurant Moves Down Richmond Highway To Mount Vernon
- The Arden, Affordable Housing Community Near Huntington Metro, Opens
- Affordable Housing, Townhouse Community Opens On Richmond Highway
- New Richmond Highway Apartments Open For Leasing
- Park At North Hill Development In Hybla Valley Set To Open
- Honeygrow Opening New Location At Mount Vernon Plaza
- Italian Restaurant Via Veneto To Close In Fort Hunt: Report
- Zen Press Reopening After Relocation From Richmond Highway Corridor
- Redevelopment Plan For Huntington Condominium Paused
Transportation
- Richmond Highway Speed Limit To Be Reduced To 35 Mph Over 7 Miles
- New Rollins Drive Intersection Concept Presented In Fort Hunt
- Road Diet, More NPS Proposals For Southern GW Parkway Analyzed
- 8 School Zone Speed Cameras Activated Friday Across Fairfax County
- Metro To Georgetown, National Harbor: Long-Term Options Explored
- Bus Rapid Transit Project Update For Richmond Highway Coming Up
- Metrorail Consideration Sought For I-495 Express Lanes Extension Study
Crime and Safety
- Richmond Highway Standoff Involved Abduction Suspect: Police
- Law Enforcement Praised For Peaceful End To Richmond Highway Standoff
- Man Shot Dead By Cop After Attack On 2nd Officer: Fairfax Police Chief
- Man Fatally Shot By Cop After Alleged Attack On 2nd Cop Identified
- Child Dies From Fall At Alexandria Apartment Building: Reports
- 'Serial Burglar' From Hybla Valley Tied To More Crimes: Police
- Bijan Ghaisar's Family To Continue Advocacy After Settlement
- Rape Attempt At Richmond Highway Bus Stop Leads To Arrest
- Sandburg Middle School Shooter Threat Found To Be Prank
- Arrest Made In Killing Of Woman Found In Mount Vernon Hospital Parking
- Woman Found Dead In Mount Vernon Hospital Parking Lot Leads To Arrests
- Mount Vernon Fire Boat Fire Traced Back To Engine
- Arrest Made For Attempted Armed Robbery Of Juveniles In Gum Springs
- Indecent Exposure Suspect Lured Minor To Van In Fort Hunt: Police
- 14-Year-Old Charged In Hybla Valley Shooting With 1 Injury
- Dog Found Shot, Chained To Fence In Woodlawn: Police
- Hybla Valley Shooting With Infant In Car Leads To Charges For Man
- Pedestrian Dies In Richmond Highway Crash In Groveton: Police
- Fatal Shooting In Woodlawn Leads To Charges For Teen
- Carjacking Of 81-Year-Old Victim In Hybla Valley Leads To Arrest
- Arson Arrest Made In Woodlawn Apartment Fire
- Bomb Threat At Hospital Leads To Charges For Alexandria Woman
- 7-Eleven Gaming Machines Thefts In Fairfax County Lead To Arrests
Schools
- Investigation Into TJ High School Sought By Youngkin, Miyares
- Merit Notification Delay Not Intentional: Fairfax Superintendent
- U.S. News Best High Schools 2023: TJ Ranking Falls
- TJ Students Secure First Place In Global Math Competition
- TJ Admissions Applications To Open With New Policy Continuing
- Amid VA Model Policies Affecting Trans Students, FCPS Policies Stand
- TJ's Musical 'Pippin' Has Meaning For Graduating And New Students
- West Potomac High School Makes AP Honor Roll In 2023
- Bryant Grad Earns First High School Diploma In Family As New Mom
- National Merit Scholarship Awarded To West Potomac Student
- Sex Offender Registry Checks Run More Often At FCPS After Arrest
- Belle View School Named Purple Star School In 2023
- Collective Bargaining Rights For Fairfax Schools Employees Allowed
- 13 Seniors Receive Mount Vernon Chamber Business Scholarships
Politics and Government
- Co-Located Fire Station, Homeless Station To Be Considered By Board
- State Sen. Scott Surovell Named Democratic Majority Leader
- Route 1 Corridor Election Results: How Precincts Voted In Key Races
- Car Tax Assessments Not Increasing For Most Vehicles In Fairfax County
- Fairfax County Budget Approved With Lower Real Estate Tax Rate
- Elimination Of Vacuum Leaf Collection On Pause In Fairfax County
- Woodlawn, Reston Fire Stations Lead Way For County With Solar Panels
- Original Mount Vernon High School Renovations Slated For 2024
- 'Kite Fighting' Banned In Fairfax County Parks, Danger Cited
More Community News
- Woodlawn Child Battling Cancer Gets New Playset Built By Volunteers
- Dan Snyder Leaving $48M Fort Hunt Property Amid Commanders Sale
- Niche Names Hybla Valley Most Diverse Place To Live In Virginia
- Mount Vernon Landmarks, Listings Featured On 'If You Lived Here'
- Free Dental Care Day Is 25-Year Tradition For Mount Vernon Dentists
- Hollin Hills House And Garden Tour 2024 Tickets Go On Sale
- Woman Who Fought VA Poll Tax In Supreme Court Honored With Marker
- One Of DC Region's First Babies Of 2023 Born At Fort Belvoir Hospital
- Gum Springs Honored By Fairfax County Board For 190th Anniversary
- River Farm's Future Gets Boost At 50th Anniversary Gala
- Gum Springs Trail Addition Planned By Park Authority
- Mount Vernon Horticultural Director To Help Preserve White House
- George Washington's Mansion Restoration Work To Impact Visitor Access
- Volunteers Make Difference For Route 1 Nonprofit New Hope Housing
- Shelter Operator New Hope Housing Names New Director
- Nonprofit's STEM Education In Richmond Highway Corridor Gets Support
- Mount Vernon Rec Center Renovation Groundbreaking Held
- George Washington Prize Nominees Offer New Take On America's Founding
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