Press Releases
Alexandria, La. (Jan. 3, 2020) —Alexandria Police officers received a report of an explosion at 10:04 a.m. Thursday morning at a business in the 0-99 block of MacArthur Drive. Officers arrived at the scene at 10:08 a.m. and learned that a small explosion had taken place outside the former Buds n’ Suds business at MacArthur Drive and Hynson Street. No one was injured by the explosion, which was later determined to be an improvised explosive device that had been placed inside a large trash can outside Buds n’ Suds. In addition to APD officers, members of the Alexandria Fire Department, Rapides...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 26, 2019)—The City of Alexandria Customer Service Office, The Alexandria Zoo, City Hall and other city offices and departments will be closed on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in observance of the New Year holiday. Additionally, the Alexandria Zoo closed at 3 p.m. today but will reopen at 5:30 p.m. for Holiday Light Safari. The zoo will also close at 3 p.m. and reopen at 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, for the final weekend of Holiday Light Safari. ATRANS bus service will operate from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 31). Bus...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 18, 2019) — Soon a new crosswalk system will become operational on Masonic Drive. It is the first of its kind to be used in Alexandria.
“Masonic Drive is a busy four-lane corridor with youth activities, the hospital and shopping. Keeping pedestrians safe here and throughout the city is a top priority,” said Mayor Jeff W. Hall.
The HAWK (High intensity Activated cross WalK) pedestrian crossing system is currently installed across Masonic Drive near City Park. This system will become active on Jan. 6, 2020. The new crossing system is less costly than a full...
Alexandria, La., (Dec. 19, 2019) — The City of Alexandria has received reports of scam artists trying to take advantage of those citizens who may or may not have been affected by this week’s tornado, according to Alexandria Utility Systems Director Michael Marcotte. Along with calls, there may be scammers knocking on doors and saying they are roofers or can fix whatever damage residents sustained. Here are some tips to avoid getting “scammed”: • If you are called by someone about your damage, hang up. FEMA, or other government agencies will not contact you in this manner. • Do not discuss...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 18, 2019)—The City of Alexandria Customer Service Office, City Hall and other city offices and departments will be closed on Tuesday, Dec. 24 and Wednesday, Dec. 25, in observance of the Christmas holiday.
ATRANS bus service will operate from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve (Tuesday, Dec. 24). Bus service will be closed on Christmas Day (Wednesday, Dec. 25). Regular bus service will resume operation on Thursday, Dec. 26.
The Christmas week sanitation schedule will run as follows:
• Monday, Dec. 23 – regular pickup
• Tuesday, Dec. 24 – closed
•...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 18, 2019) — Monday’s tornado created a great deal of storm-related debris. The City of Alexandria will collect tree limbs and other plant-based storm debris left curbside by residents. “We have identified the areas of the city that were most heavily impacted, and we will be monitoring those areas and scheduling trucks to make pick-ups as needed,” explained Merriell F. Lawson, director of Public Works for the City of Alexandria. Residents are also reminded that it is illegal to burn trash, including tree limbs, within the city limits. As far as other debris, such as...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 18, 2019) — The City of Alexandria Utility Services Department has scheduled a planned power outage from 9 a.m. until noon Thursday, Dec. 19, in the vicinity of Lodi Road. The outage, which will affect approximately 310 customers, is necessary to complete relocation of electric lines related to construction of the roundabout at the intersection of Jackson Street, Horseshoe Drive, Twin Bridges and Lodi roads. Areas that will be affected (see attached map) include Lodi Road starting at the intersection with Jackson Street, a large portion of the West Pointe subdivision,...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 17, 2019)— The City of Alexandria has opened Bolton Avenue Community Center as a shelter for residents, according to Alexandria Utility Systems Director Michael Marcotte. Power crews are continuing to work on restoration, and we expect to have all but about 20 customers’ power back on tonight. “While our employees and contractors have worked long hours for the last two days, we may not be able to restore power to all customers this evening, and if we are able to restore power, it will be late today,” said Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall. “As temperatures drop this evening,...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 16, 2019)—Severe weather along with tornadic activity caused some significant power outages in several areas due to broken poles, downed trees and lines on Monday contained mainly on the western side of the city along the Hwy. 28 West corridor, according to Alexandria Utility Systems Director Michael Marcotte. “Crews are working as long as they can safely tonight,” Marcotte said. “However, the extensive damage may mean that some areas will likely experience extended outages into tomorrow.” The areas most affected are expected to have power restored sometime Tuesday...
Alexandria, La. (Dec. 16, 2019)—A line of severe weather that passed through Alexandria today, Dec. 16, brought some tornadic activity and caused some significant damage to buildings, roadways, power lines and such mostly on the western side of the city along the Hwy. 28 West corridor, according to Alexandria Utility Systems Director Michael Marcotte. “We are blessed,” Alexandria Mayor Jeffrey W. Hall said. “This could have been so much worse, but we have had no loss of life and that’s the most important thing. Crews are assessing damage now and making repairs to utilities. We will work to...