News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 31, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Two children playing on a playground swing under a dark banner that reads 'ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 31, 2026'

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 31, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Poll: The best bar in Alexandria (1240 views)
  2. Alexandria dog daycare owner sued for $585K two years after dog’s death (1131 views)
  3. Alexandria man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly throwing woman’s dog (738 views)
  4. Beats, Bites and Brews and Friendship Firehouse Festival lead the lineup of Alexandria’s weekend events (463 views)
  5. Morning Notes for July 31, 2026 (396 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Alexandria officials and residents push back against planned data center near city limits (8522 views)
  2. Two men sentenced to combined 56 years in prison for rape and robbery at Alexandria hotel (3724 views)
  3. UPDATED: No injuries after Tuesday night house fire in Fairlington near city border (2927 views)
  4. JUST IN: Trespassing at vacant home leads to police presence in Old Town (2717 views)
  5. Man found guilty of reckless driving in 5-vehicle crash that killed woman in Alexandria (2496 views)
  6. Alexandria’s drinking water utility calls for voluntary water conservation amid drought (2430 views)
  7. Upgrades underway for permanent 200 block of King Street pedestrian zone (2326 views)
  8. Alexandria parking battle moves to Russell Road near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary (2097 views)
  9. Alexandria board OKs removing 20 Russell Road parking spaces, seeks solution for ACPS staff (1915 views)
  10. Dream Chaser’s Coffee reopens in Eisenhower West after abrupt closure (1874 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high of around 91°F. The wind will be light from the south, increasing to 5 to 10 mph in the morning, with possible gusts up to 20 mph. Saturday night will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures dipping to about 74°F and a southeast wind around 10 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Alexandria dog daycare owner sued for $585K two years after dog’s death

By James Cullum
Exterior of a light purple-brick building with two large banners advertising a dog store and services; a white door is centered on the wall, with a sidewalk and a streetlamp to the right and a purple car in the background.
Your Dog's Best Friends at 2000 Richmond Highway (via Google Maps)

The owner of a dog that died after being abused at an award-winning dog daycare in Del Ray has sued the business owner for $585,000.

Earlier this month, Andrew Cheslock filed a civil suit against Paul Haire, the owner of Your Dog’s Best Friends (2000 Richmond Highway). It’s been two years since Cheslock’s 14-month-old golden retriever Abigail died after being strangled by Kevin Malik Sanders, a former groomer who pleaded guilty to one count of felony animal cruelty and four misdemeanor counts of animal abuse. Cheslock’s suit was filed soon after Sanders surrendered to authorities to serve a two-year prison sentence.

Go to Alexandria dog daycare owner sued for $585K two years after dog’s death Read more
Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Golden girl Charlotte will be your chill sidekick

By Emily Leayman
Brown adult dog with white muzzle wearing a red collar, standing on green grass in a park, on a leash.
Adoptable senior dog Charlotte (via AWLA)

If you’re in need of a mellow office assistant at your home, look no further than Charlotte.

Meet Charlotte, a 10-year-old golden girl who will be a reliable companion for strolls around the block or time lounging at home. According to an AWLA volunteer, the senior’s ideal day is moving from her dog bed to the couch and back with her human at her side.

Go to Adoptable pet of the week: Golden girl Charlotte will be your chill sidekick Read more
News

Alexandria man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly throwing woman’s dog

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An Alexandria man was arrested earlier this month for cruelty to animals after allegedly picking up and throwing a woman’s companion dog and injuring it in Oakville Triangle.

On Thursday, July 2, the dog’s owner reported that around 10:15 p.m., the suspect allegedly picked up her companion animal “twice without due cause or lawful permission to do so,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The incident occurred near the suspect’s apartment building in the 400 block of Swann Avenue, in the city’s Oakville Triangle neighborhood near Potomac Yard.

Go to Alexandria man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly throwing woman’s dog Read more
Event

6th Annual Bands & Brews: The Del Ray Bar Crawl

Promotional poster for Del Ray's Summer Bar Crawl 'Bands and Brews' with a sunburst design; date Aug 15, 2026, 12:30–6pm, benefiting The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria.

Restaurants Along Mt. Vernon Ave

2312 Mt. Vernon Ave

Alexandria, Virginia 22301

Website Contact Social

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.

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Opinion

Poll: The best bar in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com
Three cocktails on a bar counter: a green martini with lemon wheel, a red drink with a cherry, and a tall mojito, blurred bottles in the background with an ALX Now Choice badge overlay.

Between dives with no frills and modern outposts with crafty cocktail options, Alexandria is abundant with bars locals and visitors can patronize.

Here are the nominees for “Best Bar in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your go-to bar? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Family Dinner Spot in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Race for Runners. The results are now official:

1. PNC Alexandria Half

2. Alexandria Turkey Trot

3. George Washington Patriot Run

Around Town

Beats, Bites and Brews and Friendship Firehouse Festival lead the lineup of Alexandria’s weekend events

By Emily Leayman
2025 Friendship Firehouse Festival (courtesy of Office of Historic Alexandria)

July will turn into August this weekend as a packed lineup of events arrives in Alexandria.

Alexandrians may see aspiring witches and wizards around for several Harry Potter-themed events lined up for the weekend — the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum’s A Magical Apothecary tour and Lee-Fendall House’s Pop Culture Trivia: Harry Potter Edition. Both events are already sold out.

Go to Beats, Bites and Brews and Friendship Firehouse Festival lead the lineup of Alexandria’s weekend events Read more
News

Morning Notes for July 31, 2026

By ALXnow.com
Kids playing at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On July 31, 1934, a contract was let for the construction of George Washington High School at 1005 Mount Vernon Avenue in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The new school, which opened a year later, replaced the old Alexandria High School on Cameron Street and merged it with the George Mason High School, the former high school of the Town of Potomac, annexed as part of Alexandria several years earlier. The new high school was designed in the Del Ray’s prevalent Art Deco style, and was funded as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) project. The school initially housed a student population of 1,200 with a staff of 35. At the time of its construction, critics claimed that the school was built so large that there would never be enough students to fill its cavernous halls. By 1944, the addition of three wings proved them wrong! The old George Mason High building is still standing as part of the Mount Vernon Elementary School.” [Historic Alexandria]

Rep. Beyer Urges Fairfax County to Deny Substation Associated with Data Center — “U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) [Thursday] urged the Fairfax County Planning Commission to deny the permit application filed for Edsall Data Center Substation 2232 at the Plaza 500 site at 6299 Edsall Road in Lincolnia … In a letter to the Fairfax County Planning Commission, Beyer noted that while Fairfax County has adopted guidelines intended to minimize the impacts of data center infrastructure on surrounding neighborhoods and preserve land for housing, economic opportunity, and transit-oriented development, he shares the concerns of many residents and stakeholders that the proposed substation is inconsistent with those goals.” [Rep. Don Beyer news release]

Go to Morning Notes for July 31, 2026 Read more
News

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 30, 2026

By ALXnow.com
ALXnow Daily Debrief for Jul 30, 2026 over a construction site with a brick building in the background

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Jul 30, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Alexandria police ask dog walkers to watch out for crimes and other emergencies (728 views)
  2. Morning Notes for July 30, 2026 (553 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect sunny skies with temperatures reaching a high of 90°F, accompanied by a gentle northwest wind at 3 to 5 mph. On Friday night, the weather will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 70°F and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
– Eleanor Roosevelt

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

News

Alexandria opens remote court e-filing to non-attorneys, reversing decades-long policy

By James Cullum
Desk setup with a ThinkVision monitor and keyboard; rows of labeled filing drawers fill a large archival room in the background.
Computer at the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office in the Alexandria courthouse in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s Clerk of the Court just launched an e-filing system for non-attorneys representing themselves in civil and criminal case filings.

Clerk Greg Parks launched the portal on July 20, reversing a decades-long practice where only Virginia attorneys have been able to file cases and look at court records remotely. The new system allows people who aren’t lawyers to register in the court’s e-filing portal and file documents via the Virginia Judiciary eFiling System.

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