Welcome to Friday in Alexandria. What a week we’ve been having.
To start things off, ALXnow broke the story of an Alexandria Police Department’s arson and burglary investigation after Sunday morning’s (March 30) shopping center fire that shuttered multiple businesses in the 5200 block of Duke Street.
According to APD:
On Sunday, March 30, the Alexandria Police Department responded to the 5200 block of Duke Street for the report of a commercial burglary and arson. In conjunction with the Alexandria Fire Department and the Fire Marshal’s Office, APD is conducting a criminal investigation that is ongoing. No arrests have been made as of this writing.
Anyone with information on this incident can contact the APD non-emergency number at 703-746-4444. Callers can remain anonymous.
Kennedy and Rollins visit Alexandria
Our number-two story was about a last-minute visit by U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School on Thursday (April 3).
The pair spoke of a joint effort to bring fresh food to schools nationwide. The visit was made in the wake of last week’s HHS announcement of the firing of thousands of federal employees as part of the Trump Administration’s strategy to “Make America Healthy Again.”
U.S. Rep. Don Beyer (D-8th) was not invited to participate in Kennedy’s visit. His office later sent us a statement saying that Kennedy’s “appointment and dangerous anti-vaccine agenda are a major calamity for public health in this country.”
Crime
Our number-three story was on a 44-year-old Alexandria man awaiting trial in Arlington for indecent exposure and simulated masturbation, now being held without bond for allegedly committing similar offenses at bars in the city.
Our coverage wasn’t all crime and politics.
In business news, we reported the following:
- CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union opening new branch this summer at the Shoppes of Foxchase
- Eclairons Pastry and Coffee House preparing to open in former Firehook Bakery location
- Notes: New co-working space to open in Del Ray
- Life Alive Organic Cafe to open location in Old Town
- Arlandria’s sole gas station seeks 10-year extension from city
- Notes: Taqueria Picoso, Port City Brewing Company bring Alexandria flavors to Nationals Park
Alexandria is known as a top destination for dogs and their owners. This weekend, there are two big doggie-related events.
The ALX Dog Walk kicks off the weekend on Saturday at Oronoco Bay Park. From 7 a.m. to 11 a.m., dog owners and their pets can enjoy a two-mile riverside stroll, live performances by the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and Alexandria Singers, and a sustainability festival.
Sunday marks the return of the Del Ray Dog Fest. Now in its third year, the event occurs at the George Washington Middle School parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This outdoor celebration features dog-focused activities, special menu items for pups, live music, vendors, and food options.
The most-read stories this week were:
- Alexandria firefighters extinguish shopping center fire; assist with auto fire in underground parking garage (14805 views)
- HHS Secretary Kennedy and USDA Secretary Rollins make last-minute stop in Alexandria to talk food safety in schools (5190 views)
- Alexandria man held without bond after alleged indecent exposures in Old Town bars (4888 views)
- Tall Ship Pride of Baltimore II to visit Alexandria this weekend (4459 views)
- Shooter McGee’s reopens, some neighboring businesses remain closed following shopping center fire (4021 views)
- Arlandria’s sole gas station seeks 10-year extension from city (3762 views)
- Life Alive Organic Cafe to open location in Old Town (3441 views)
- BREAKING: Arson, burglary investigation underway after Duke Street fire; police seek leads (3234 views)
- Notes: Meetings next week offer Alexandria residents the chance to comment on proposed I-495 express lanes extension (3115 views)
Have a safe weekend!
