Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at ALXnow’s top stories of the week.
With less than a month until the Nov. 4 general election, this week’s most-read story is on the controversy surrounding Virginia’s Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. The National Review broke the news last Friday (Oct. 3) that in August 2022, Jones sent text messages to Del. Carrie Coyner (R-75), “fantasizing about shooting then-House Speaker Todd Gilbert and his children,” according to the Virginia Mercury story posted on ALXnow.
The revelation has upended the attorney general’s race. Incumbent Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares said that Jones’s comments should disqualify him as a candidate.
“Jay Jones has proven he is reckless, biased, and willing to trade away his integrity,” Miyares said. “This conduct is disqualifying.”
Miyares and Jones will face off in a debate on Oct. 16 in Richmond.
ALXnow’s second most-read story this week is on a 60-year-old Alexandria man charged with abduction, assault and battery, and brandishing a firearm in an incident that allegedly “stemmed from dropping ice cream,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.
The Alexandria Police Department arrested the suspect at an apartment in the unit block of Sunset Drive, which is near the King Street-Old Town Metro station. During their investigation, police saw a video of the suspect holding a black handgun and yelling at the victim, according to the search warrant affidavit. The victim told police that the incident was sparked by dropping ice cream.
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court for his preliminary hearing on Monday, October 27.
ALXnow’s third most popular post is about the opening of a small grocery store inside the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden.
Owner Jay Portlance soft-opened the grocery store at 1913 Mount Vernon Avenue on Wednesday, Oct. 8, selling vegetables, fresh bread, and eggs. He said that the store will support local vendors and farms. Portlance noted that the store is a “micro-version” of a standard grocery store and plans to expand its offerings over the next several weeks.
“The last six months we’ve been building out the inside to be a farm-to-market grocery store,” Portlance said. “We didn’t think that the Del Ray Farmers’ Market one day a week was enough of a platform, so we decided to have a seven-day-a-week farmer’s market where we are. We’re buying directly from the farms.”
Tough news this weekend for dogs and their owners, as the annual Paws in the Park festival at Oronoco Bay Park on Sunday has been canceled due to a rain forecast.
There’s still plenty happening all over Alexandria. Check out ALXnow’s comprehensive list of weekend events for more.
The most-read stories this week were:
- ‘Beyond disqualifying’: Jay Jones controversy jolts Virginia’s pivotal 2025 elections (9885 views)
- Alexandria man charged with abduction, assault after ice cream dispute (8078 views)
- Grocery store opens inside Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (7081 views)
- Alexandria-area bakery lands Capital One Arena pretzel deal (5045 views)
- Finn and Fire to replace Kismet in Old Town (3280 views)
- Alexandria activist group plans 1,200-person protest along Route 1 as part of national ‘No Kings’ movement (3090 views)
- Alexandria Police locate missing 24-year-old woman (2369 views)
Have a safe weekend!
