News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum
Jeffrey Gary (via APD)

It’s been a busy week in Alexandria.

Our top story was on Jeffrey Gary, a 35-year-old Fairfax County man released on bond after allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting two women at the Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metro stations last month.

Gary, a Georgetown Law graduate, was employed as an assistant division chief by the Federal Communications Commission until his arrest on June 1. Alexandria Circuit Court Judge Katie Uston granted bail for Gary on condition that he remain on house arrest and wear a GPS ankle monitor, complete substance abuse and mental health evaluations, and stay away from the Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metro stations.

Alexandria City High School Executive Principal Alexander Duncan III speaks at the ribbon cutting for the ACHS Minnie Howard Campus, May 29, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

ALXnow’s second top story this week is on the fallout after the sudden resignation of Alexandria City High School’s Executive Principal Alexander Duncan III.

On June 16 (Monday), the PTSA of Alexandria City High School sent a letter to the School Board conveying “serious concerns” that behavior from the school system’s central office is resulting in high turnover, including the loss of seven veteran principals in the last two years.

“We strongly urge each School Board member to insist on accountability for the loss of so many key personnel when evaluating the Superintendent’s performance and find ways to reverse this trend going forward,” the PTSA wrote.

School Board Chair Michelle Rief responded by stating that Alexandria needs to figure out if the single-principal model is working for ACHS, the biggest public high school in Virginia.

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map at 5:40 p.m. on Thursday, June 19

Our third most-read story this week was about Thursday’s storm, which caused thousands of residents to lose power.

Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria (via ALXnow)

What’s the best bagel shop in Alexandria? Check out the results from this week’s poll.

ALXWEBA – West End Business Association will celebrate Pride In The West End on June 20 (via ALXWEBA)

Looking to get out this weekend? Don’t miss ALXnow’s weekend events guide.

The most-read stories this week were:

  1. Suspect out on bond after allegedly abducting and sexually assaulting women at Alexandria Metro stations (13152 views)
  2. Alexandria City High School PTSA has ‘serious concerns’ with Superintendent and ACPS Central Office (10426 views)
  3. More than 8,800 Dominion Energy customers currently without power in Alexandria (8753 views)
  4. Development of Robinson Terminal North, the last open area on the waterfront, gets green light (6210 views)
  5. School Board Chair says Alexandria needs to figure out if single-principal model for Alexandria City High School is working (4398 views)

Have a safe weekend!

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.