News

A 27-year-old Alexandria man was arrested and charged with brandishing or pointing a firearm during what police are describing as a road rage incident in the West End.

Around 11:40 p.m. on Friday, April 24, the Alexandria Police Department responded to the Wendy’s restaurant at 229 S. Van Dorn Street to investigate a report of a brandished firearm, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. In the parking lot, the victim told police that the suspect — who was in a silver Toyota in the Wendy’s drive-thru when police arrived — had pointed a handgun at him while they were across the street in the parking lot of the Van Dorn Plaza.


News

The City of Alexandria has fully transitioned from gas-powered to electric leaf blowers as it prepares to implement a citywide ban on the gas devices later this year.

The city reported this week that it has completed the transition to electric devices for city maintenance and operations. The May 17 phase-out came one year after City Council approved the ban, which made Alexandria the first locality in Virginia to approve such a measure.


Sponsored

Noteworthy: Combination of historic character & modern luxury

Two blocks from the heart of Old Town, this home offers a rare combination of historic character, modern luxury, and livable space. Just minutes from King Street, the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and parks, you will be directly in the center of it all. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence spans approximately 2,600+ square feet and has been thoughtfully updated to support both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The home features high-end appliances, including Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking, paired with a layout that feels intuitive, comfortable, and functional. Built in the early 1800s, the home is an example of Alexandria’s historic “flounder house” style, though what stands out most is how seamlessly that history has been adapted for modern living. Original hardwood floors anchor the heart of the home, while preserved architectural details, particularly in the family room, highlight its 200-year legacy. The upper level includes a flexible primary suite with an adjoining office or sitting room, offering an ideal work-from-home setup or private retreat. A standout feature is the redesigned, two-tier courtyard, creating a true outdoor living environment rarely found in Old Town. Entered through a private gate and enhanced with thoughtful landscaping, the space includes both an upper courtyard and a lower patio with direct access from the kitchen, allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. Additional features include a copper roof and six fireplaces, further reinforcing the home’s blend of enduring craftsmanship and modern updates.


News

The Education Association of Alexandria’s upcoming officer elections were postponed this week due to alleged campaign or election violations, according to the union’s communications to members.

The EAA broadly cited campaign or election violations in a Sunday (May 17) email update to its members on officer elections. Andrea Hill, chair of the EAA Credentials/Election Committee, told members the virtual elections — originally scheduled from Monday (May 18) to Wednesday (May 20) — would be postponed to Thursday (May 21) and Friday (May 22). Hill said an investigation into the allegations had taken place.


Weather

A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Alexandria Wednesday.

The watch is in effect until 8 p.m. National Weather Service forecasters say a a strong cold front will bring scattered strong to severe thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Isolated quarter-sized hail, scattered gusts up to 70 mph and frequent lightning are possible.


Event

Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.

Tickets are $20.


Around Town

As Alexandria prepares for a major waterfront festival next month, the Office of Historic Alexandria is seeking hundreds of volunteers to assist with four tall ship tours.

The city put out a call for volunteers to take shifts at the Sails on the Potomac waterfront festival from June 12-14, one of the city’s America250 events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A highlight of the three-day festival will be free timed tours of four tall ships — Swedish Navy warship replica Kalmar Nyckel, Royal Navy schooner replica Sultana, historic fishing vessel Gazela and Alexandria’s own Continental Navy ship replica Providence.


News

Plans to redevelop the shuttered Potomac River Generating Station in Old Town North are heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission and City Council next month.

The Planning Commission will get the first crack at the massive proposal to convert the 18-acre site at 1300 N. Royal Street into a mixed-use development at its meeting on Tuesday, June 2, followed by a City Council public hearing June 13. City Council will also be presented with a $135 million financing deal for the project June 9 (Tuesday), which property owner HRP Group says will catalyze more than $2 billion in private investment into the site. City Council will hold a public hearing for the financing agreement on Saturday, June 13.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 20, 1809 the ‘Long Bridge,’ built just north of Alexandria opened, connecting Virginia with the new capital city of Washington, D.C. across the Potomac River. During this time, Alexandria’s 18th century isolation and dependence on waterways for regional travel was being reduced as new highways were extended from Alexandria’s dead end street grid southward from Henry Street across Great Hunting Creek to Richmond, and northward from North Washington Street to Washington, D.C. along what is now Powhatan Street.” [Historic Alexandria]

Spanberger Vetoes Marijuana Retail Market Bills — “Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has vetoed legislation that would have created a legalized marijuana marketplace but is vowing to work with elected officials to resume work on plan ahead of the next General Assembly session. In a statement Tuesday afternoon, Spanberger said the plan, as is, would have created a retail market without the ‘timeline, structure or resources to be successfully implemented.'” [WTOP]


News

Alexandria’s Amy Decker can’t say exactly what happens in her upcoming appearance on Food Network’s new show “100 Cooks.” Still, she felt comfortable enough to say that she didn’t win the $250,000 final prize but told ALXnow, “I got pretty damn far.”

Decker lives in Old Town with her husband and started cooking in 2020 while working as a staff operations officer for the CIA’s director of operations. She says she learned everything from cookbooks and that same year started Decker Delights, creating how-to videos for people stuck at home during the pandemic. That same year, she applied to be on a Food Network show hosted by Valerie Bertinelli, but it didn’t get picked up.


News

The student population in Alexandria City Public Schools is projected to drop steadily over the next decade, driven mainly by residents having less kids.

That’s according to data from the Virginia Department of Health presented to the Joint City Council/School Board Subcommittee’s monthly meeting Monday night (May 18). The number of ACPS students is projected to increase slightly from 15,928 this year to 15,958 in 2027 before dropping to 15,415 by 2036 — a 3.4% decline from 2027.