
This week continued to see the fallout of a fatal shooting in the Lynhaven neighborhood last Friday.
Junior Espinal-Calix, a 19-year-old Alexandria resident, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter after fatally shooting 21-year-old Nabel Chávez.
Alexandria resident John Romano was also charged with attempted poisoning of a companion animal after allegedly throwing tainted meat into the backyard of a neighbor with multiple dogs. The incident was caught on camera and Romano faces a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail if convicted.
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria said animal poisoning is extremely rare in Alexandria, but still offered some advice for concerned pet owners on how to keep their animals safe.
The most-read stories this week were:
- Alexandria teen charged with involuntary manslaughter after ‘sudden death’ last Friday
- POLICE: No arrest after 130 mph chase through Alexandria
- Notes: Suspect charged in alleged attempted dog poisoning in Del Ray
- Notes: Victim identified in fatal Lynhaven shooting
- Alexandria man arrested after alleged carjacking Saturday night in the West End
- The slippery ‘State of Scooters’ in Alexandria in 2023
- ARHA requesting $1 million loan and tax credit help after cost increases for Braddock project
- Notes: Did you know you can get a Virginia State Park Pass via the Alexandria Library?
- Motorcycle crash closes Callahan Drive
- Alexandria implementing new ‘slow zone’ for scooters in Old Town’s Robinson Landing neighborhood
Recent Stories

If you had a chance to enhance a child’s future with a time commitment of less than 2 hours a week, how would you respond? You have that opportunity right now to join over 200 Alexandrians as a reading tutor volunteer with the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium (ATC).
ATC tutors work with one child in kindergarten, first, or second grade in Alexandria public schools who need extra help with reading. Tutors meet with their Book Buddy 1-2 times each week for 30 minutes October-May at school, during school hours. Many struggling readers only receive one-on-one instruction through this program, and it makes all the difference. Last year, ATC served 195 children, of whom 82% ended the year reading on grade level and 96% made substantial reading gains. But the need is great, and we are still seeing learning lags from the pandemic.
This year, ATC plans to significantly increase the size of the program to reach over 250 students and to serve every elementary school in Alexandria. This is very exciting news, but we will only succeed if we can recruit more tutors. ATC trains you, matches you with a child, and provides ongoing lesson materials and support.

If you have been thinking about buying your first home or haven’t owned one in the last three years, THIS IS FOR YOU!
In the DMV area, it can be difficult to save the downpayment necessary for you to get into your own home. We have a solution. The Funder’s Summit!
We have assembled a summit with different municipalities to tell you how to access their funds for your home purchase.
Family Fun Fall Fest
Mark your calendars and join us for the Family Fun Fall Fest on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 11am – 2pm!
This FREE in-person event will be held at the Shoppes at Foxchase, located at 4641 Duke St, Alexandria, VA
2023 Alexandria Fall Festival
Food trucks, bounce houses, pony rides, magic shows and more at the 2023 Alexandria Fall Festival, an Alexandria Living event presented by The Patterson Group. Join us at River Farm on Sunday, Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.