Alexandria Dispatches

Welcome to Alexandria Dispatches, a collection of this week's top stories you may have missed in the City of Alexandria and surrounding communities.

From West End Alexandria Patch:

Gov. McDonnell Declares State of Emergency for Hurricane Sandy: Officials urged residents to prepare for the storm before the weekend.

Outbreak of Copperhead Sightings Hits West End: Director Mark Kelly of the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center calls number of sightings ‘extremely unusual.’

: Congressman says his office will cooperate with investigation.

Tenants Protest Beauregard Redevelopment at Awards Luncheon: The Beauregard Small Area Plan calls for developers to demolish about 2,500 market-rate affordable apartments.

From Old Town Alexandria Patch:

Cuccinelli: Eminent Domain Amendment Prevents Government ‘Bullying’: Virginia’s attorney general spoke on a panel before the Old Dominion Boat Club Thursday evening.

Fireworks Return to First Night Alexandria: Alexandria's New Year's Eve festival brings back the fireworks — this time over the Potomac — and offers new activities for families, kids and even dogs.

Alexandria Begins Left Turn Restrictions on Washington Street: These restrictions are the result of a 2011 safety study of the Washington Street corridor, which was approved by the city's Traffic and Parking Board late last year.

: Historic property used to be a nursery specifically for African Americans and funded by Congress, but the building could be converted to condominiums next year.

From Del Ray Patch:

The Mystery of the Missing Sod: New sod in the median of Route 1 was removed just as quickly as it was installed to make way for BRT construction.

Swing's Coffee Aims to Begin Operations in Del Ray By End of Year: Wholesale operations at new Monroe Avenue facility will begin first, with a cafe opening sometime in the first quarter of 2013.

From Annandale Patch:

: Backlick Road business catered to local pastor, gynecologist and military men.

Police: Burglary Reported on Cheyenne Knoll Place: The following information was supplied by the Fairfax County Police Department.