On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 5, 1860, President James Buchanan, accompanied by none other than the Prince of Wales, passed through Alexandria on their way to pay the heir-apparent’s respects at the tomb of our nation’s first president, George Washington, at Mount Vernon. Earlier that year, Her Majesty Queen Victoria had sent her eighteen-year-old son, Albert Edward, also known as ‘Bertie,’ on his first Royal visit, a good will tour of Canada and the United States. Although the young Prince (later he became King Edward VII) had not yet developed his unusual sense of fashion and roguish behavior, he was indeed received as a ‘Royal Spectacle’ in the locations he visited, and Alexandria was no exception.” [Historic Alexandria]
What Streets Are on the Maintenance Schedule This Week — Roads scheduled for repaving and maintenance this week are North Beauregard Street (from Lincolnia Road to Sanger Avenue), North Overlook Drive (from Halcyon Drive to end) and North Chambliss Street (from Fillmore Avenue to end). [Alexandria T&ES]
Santa Train Tickets on Sale Today — “The fun begins at 1 p.m., when ticket-holders gather at Alexandria’s King Street Station. From there, the train rolls to Manassas, with Santa and one of his elves working their way through the cars to visit with children and hand out stickers and candy canes.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
Teen Charged in Shopping Center Shooting in Hybla Valley — “The 16-year-old boy was charged with willfully discharging a firearm in a public place, causing injuries, yesterday (Thursday) after the Fairfax County Police Department identified him as the alleged suspect in the Sept. 29 shooting.” [FFXnow]
T&ES Director Responds to Board’s Latest Russell Road Vote — “Transportation and Environmental Services Director Leah Riley has accepted part of the Traffic and Parking Board’s recommendation on parking near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School, dropping the five spaces and two loading zones her staff proposed for the 600 block of Russell Road while adding six spaces on Johnston Place.” [Alexandria Brief]
Substitute Teacher Incentives Added at ACPS — “The 2026–27 Substitute Incentive Pay Program resumed October 1 and will continue through May 30, 2027. ACPS said the program ‘will provide compensation to current ACPS substitute teachers and substitute instructional assistant employees based on frequency of assignments accepted and completed.’ Under the program, eligible substitutes can receive a $250 stipend before taxes for completing 20 student learning days in a consecutive two-month period.” [The Zebra]
AWLA Nears 100 Adoptions in September — “We finished September with 99 adoptions! 😍 Thank you to everyone who opened their hearts to a shelter animal in need this past month. As always, we love to hear from our #AlexAlumni.” [Animal Welfare League of Alexandria/Facebook]
K-12 Federal Scholarship Tax Credits Starting in January — “Created through President Donald Trump’s massive tax and spending law in 2025, the Education Freedom Tax Credit program allows individuals to claim a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for donations to certain scholarship-granting organizations (known as SGOs) and taxpayers can contribute to an eligible organization regardless of where that taxpayer lives … These contributions are meant to fund K-12 scholarships, primarily at private schools, though the scholarships can cover tutoring, books, supplies, extended-day programs and disability services for students who remain in public schools, and tutoring can take place during or after school.” [Virginia Mercury]
Plane Takeoff Delayed Nearly 12 Hours — “First, a technical issue in the cockpit. Then, the bad weather the flight was trying to avoid rolled in while it was lined up to take off. Bliden said the pilot pulled the plane to the side and turned it off to conserve fuel. Three hours later, the plane went back to the gate to refuel. At this point, Bliden said flight attendants offered people the chance to leave the plane.” [WJLA]
It’s Monday — Expect mostly cloudy skies through mid-morning, clearing up gradually with a high near 70°F. Northwest winds will blow at 6 to 13 mph, occasionally gusting up to 21 mph. By Monday night, skies will be clear, with temperatures dropping to around 47°F and a northwest wind at about 7 mph. [NWS]
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