Alexandria Dispatches: Homicide in Del Ray, Giant Renovations, Waterfront Redevelopment and More

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

West End Alexandria Patch:

Giant Expanding Duke Street Location: Giant is to undergo more than $250,000 in renovations in 2013.

Beauregard Survey: More Affordable Units Needed for Very Low-Income
The city plans to subsidize 800 rental units under the Beauregard Small Area Plan.

Beatley Library Displays Potomac River's Majesty: F11, a group of women photographers, put together an exhibit of photographs showcasing some of the many views of the Potomac River.

Alexandria Doctor Pleads Guilty to Distributing Drugs: Larren Wade practiced medicine in an office on Dawes Avenue in Alexandria's West End.

Old Town Alexandria Patch:

Alexandria City Council to Vote Once Again on Waterfront Plan: City Manager Rashad Young, at the request of City Council, introduces new zoning amendment that if passed will allow city to "get beyond litigation."

Graf: School Control Bill Could Merit Legal Action: A bill pending in Virginia's General Assembly could give control of several Alexandria schools to a state body.

Alexandria Sheriff's Deputy Fatally Shoots Burglar at Fort Washington Home: A deputy sheriff was confronted by a burglary suspect when he arrived at his Maryland, according to Prince George's County police.

Del Ray Patch:

Johnson Likely to Be Charged in Roehrs' Murder: Marie Maybell Johnson was arrested early Thursday morning in connection to a burglary that happened at Elmer Roehrs’ house in November 2012.

Roehrs' Death Now Considered a Homicide: Holly Street resident was found dead early Wednesday evening in his home.

GW Middle School Evacuated Following Report of Strange Odor: Smell linked to smoking power line across from the school on Mount Vernon Avenue.

Virginia House Subcommittee Kills Ebbin's Nondiscrimination Bill: Ebbin: Proposed law was aimed at protecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender state employees.

Annandale Patch:

Annandale Goodwill Store to Host Grand Opening Saturday: The Annandale location, which opened last month, is the organization's 14th retail store and donation center.

Fairfax Water Replacing Water Mains on Columbia Pike: Crews will work daily for the next three months to replace older mains in Annandale with newer mains.

Fairfax County Names New Fire Chief: Richard Bowers Jr. is currently fire chief of Montgomery County, Md.