After announcing its impending closure last month, The Dog Store on Mount Vernon Avenue in Del Ray has had its lease extended to January.
Owner Paul Haire confirmed to ALXnow that Ray Mahmood, the new owner of 2301 Mount Vernon Avenue, extended the pet shop’s lease to Jan. 6, 2027. Even though his rent is going up significantly, Haire credited former Mayor Bill Euille and Del Ray Business Association members Gayle Reuter and Bill Blackburn with convincing Mahmood to extend the lease.
After the permanent closure of the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic was approved last year, Alexandria is making upgrades to the block.
The Alexandria Department of Transportation & Environmental Services announced plans to add permanent improvements to the pedestrian block. The last city budget allocated $350,000 to make improvements to the 200 block pedestrian zone.
No matter your age, having a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your family. A properly prepared will ensures your wishes are carried out, helps reduce family disputes, and can make the estate administration process much smoother.
Unfortunately, many Virginians make avoidable mistakes that can create unnecessary stress and expense for their loved ones. Here are five of the most common.
Online templates and DIY wills may seem like an easy way to save money, but they often create bigger problems later. Virginia law has specific requirements for a valid will, including proper signatures and witness requirements. Even small mistakes can leave a will open to challenges or delay the administration of an estate.
A will shouldn’t be something you create once and forget. Marriage, divorce, the birth of a child or grandchild, buying a home, or losing a loved one can all affect your estate plan.
Reviewing your will every few years—or after a major life event—helps ensure it still reflects your wishes and keeps your loved ones protected.
Virginia no longer has a state estate tax, but federal estate taxes may still affect larger estates. As home values and investments continue to grow, more families may find themselves closer to the federal exemption than they expected.
Planning ahead can help minimize tax consequences and preserve more of your estate for your beneficiaries.
For parents, a will does more than distribute assets—it allows you to name a guardian for your minor children. Without that designation, a court may ultimately decide who will care for them.
Many families also choose to establish a trust so inherited assets can be managed responsibly until children reach an age or milestone they determine is appropriate.
Your executor is responsible for carrying out your wishes, paying debts, and distributing your assets. Selecting someone who is organized, trustworthy, and capable of handling those responsibilities is just as important as deciding who inherits your property.
It’s also essential to clearly identify your beneficiaries. Vague language or outdated information can create confusion and, in some cases, disputes among family members.
A will is only one part of a comprehensive estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may also benefit from:
Together, these documents can help protect your finances, outline your healthcare wishes, and simplify matters for your family if you’re ever unable to make decisions yourself.
A well-prepared estate plan provides peace of mind for both you and your loved ones. By avoiding these common mistakes and keeping your documents up to date, you can help ensure your wishes are honored while reducing stress for your family in the future.
If it’s been several years since you’ve reviewed your will—or you’ve never created one—it may be time to speak with an experienced Virginia estate planning attorney about your options.
At PJI Law, PLC, we work with clients across Fairfax and Northern Virginia to build estate plans that reflect their intentions and align with Virginia law. Our estate planning attorneys take the time to review your assets, beneficiary designations, business interests, and family structure so your plan works as intended.
Whether you’re creating your first will or revisiting an existing one, our team will help you avoid the mistakes that can undermine your entire estate plan.
Call (703) 865-6100 or contact us online to schedule your complimentary consultation today.
PJI Law, PLC
3900 Jermantown Rd, 2nd Floor
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 865-6100
https://pjilaw.com
No injuries were reported after a fire Tuesday night (July 28) in the rear of a townhouse in the Fairlington neighborhood of Arlington, just outside the Alexandria border.
Alexandria firefighters were called to respond to a fire in the 4100 block of 36th Street S. around 11 p.m. The occupants of the home evacuated safely, the fire was extinguished less than 10 minutes later and damage was limited to the outside of the home, according to radio dispatches.
An Alexandria man has been sentenced to 40 years in prison, and a Falls Church man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison after their convictions for rape and robbery at a hotel in the city’s West End in 2022.
Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Heidi E. Meinzer, on July 9, sentenced 37-year-old Ja’Real Wilkins, of Alexandria, to 40 years of active incarceration on two felony counts of rape and one felony count of forcible sodomy. Less than a week later, on July 14, Judge Kathleen Uston sentenced Wilkins’ partner in crime, 27-year-old Tysheem Boykins of Falls Church to 16 years of active incarceration on one felony count of forcible sodomy and one felony count of robbery by threat.
The Del Ray Business Association’s 6th Annual Bands & Brews is a signature community event that transforms Del Ray into a vibrant celebration of live music (30+ artists), local businesses (15+ restaurants), and community spirit. Featuring costume contests, swag giveaways, and a grand prize raffle. A portion of the proceeds benefits the non-profit, the Scholarship Fund for Alexandria. Pre-sale: $15 per individual ticket/$50 per 4 pack of tickets.
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 29, 1952, the witnesses reported UFO sightings across Northern Virginia. The Alexandria Gazette said, “Flying saucers circled the Northern Virginia area again this morning.” A week and a half earlier, an Alexandria man reported seeing “a red cigar-shaped object” over his house, which he estimated to be about the same size as a DC-7 airplane.” [Historic Alexandria]
Final Sprint for 8th Congressional District Candidates — “With just one week to go until the primary, the four challengers to U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8) are trying to stand out from the crowd. Lorena Bruner, Michael Duffin, Adam Dunigan and Mo Seifeldein are attempting to overtake Beyer in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Beyer was first elected to Congress in 2014.” [ARLnow]
Good Tuesday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.
The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 28, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
Here is what’s going on Wednesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
It will be sunny and warm with a high of 84°F. Expect northwest winds of 10 to 13 mph, with gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Wednesday night will be partly cloudy with a low of 68°F, and northwest winds around 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. See more from Weather.gov.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thanks for reading!
A 68-year-old Fredericksburg man was found guilty today (Tuesday) of reckless driving for causing a five-vehicle crash that killed a 69-year-old Massachusetts woman on Interstate 495 in Alexandria on Nov. 5, 2024.
In a two-day bench trial, Circuit Court Judge Katie Uston found Lee Allen MacKall guilty of reckless driving, and sentenced him to a year in prison, all suspended on the condition of his uniform good behavior. MacKall tearfully apologized to the family and friends of the victim, Lauren Johnson-Lavender, who died at the scene.
Parking changes will be coming to Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School after action by the Traffic and Parking Board Monday.
The Traffic and Parking Board voted 5-2 to remove 20 parking spaces in several blocks of Russell Road. Board Member Dane Lauritzen made the motion to recommend more parking space removals than city staff had proposed. Staff’s proposal would have resulted in a net loss of two parking spaces.
There was an increased police presence in Old Town midday Tuesday in response to a trespassing incident.
Around 12:36 p.m., the Alexandria Police Department said it was responding to an “ongoing situation” in the 1700 block of Cameron Street. An APD spokesperson said officers responded when an unauthorized person entered a vacant home.
