Author: ALXnow.com

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Friday, April 14, 1865, a procession of Union troops fourteen blocks long paraded through Alexandria to mark the anniversary of the start of the Civil War and the renewed Union control of Fort Sumter, the South Carolina fortification where the war had begun just four years earlier. But by the very next morning, Alexandrians were stunned to hear rumors of the shooting of President Lincoln the evening before, and then confirmation of his death by Dr. David P. Smith, the surgeon in charge, when he returned to Alexandria early that morning. With the escape of assassin John Wilkes Booth, and fearing a larger conspiracy, guards were immediately posted at all entry points to Alexandria preventing any passage to civilians. That evening a citizen meeting developed plans for a period of mourning, including the closing of all businesses, placement of black crepe on homes and public buildings, and the tolling of bells throughout the City.” [Historic Alexandria]

Voter Registration Deadline for April 21 Special Election — “The deadline to register or update existing voter registration for the April 21, 2026, Special Election is Tuesday, April 14. After that date, the same day registration period will begin. Please be aware that individuals choosing to register same-day will be required to cast a provisional ballot.” [Office of Voter Registration & Elections]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 13, 1876, building supply entrepreneur John Leatherland and his son, John W., opened a new brass foundry at Queen and Lee Streets, aptly named Leatherland and Son. The new industrial facility opened its doors just in time to be featured on page 102 of Chataigne’s Alexandria City Directory, that also included several other listings outlining the extensive business interests of the Leatherland family in the city during the last quarter of the 19th century.” [Historic Alexandria]

Civic Leader, Veteran Susan B. Kellom Dies — “Susan B. Kellom, a longtime Alexandria resident, Army veteran, and devoted civic leader whose decades of service helped shape the city’s political and community landscape, died [Saturday] morning.” [The Zebra]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “In the early Spring of 1907, a number of Alexandria residents came forth with reports of the unusual fecundity of fowls belonging to them, some with their eggs linked, others with their daily egg output suddenly multiplied. On April 10 of that year, it was reported that Mr. John Travers of South Henry Street had the most unusual output of all. One of his hens had laid a huge ‘triplicate’ egg, the size of a goose egg that, when opened revealed three distinct eggs inside. The event was described locally as just ‘another lusus naturae,’ meaning ‘freak of nature.'” [Historic Alexandria]

Former Del Ray Business Owner Dies — “We are heartbroken to share the news that our friend, neighbor, and Del Ray trailblazer, Barbara Mancini, passed away this week. In 1995, Barbara took a chance on an up-and-coming neighborhood and opened Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery in Del Ray, becoming one of the female small business owners who helped lead Del Ray’s transformation.” [Del Ray Business Association/Facebook]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “When news of the fall of the Confederate capital at Richmond reached Alexandria during the first week of April 1865, days before the surrender of Robert E, Lee’s forces at Appomattox, the grim city immediately took on a festive air. The first sign was the tolling of church bells throughout the downtown, and later the firing of victory rounds at local fortifications as a salute by Union soldiers. The celebration by Union forces and those loyal to their cause lasted several days, with parades spontaneously occurring on main thoroughfares and constant noise making of citizens by blowing horns and whistles.” [Historic Alexandria]

ACPS Collective Bargaining Agreement’s Uncertain Path Forward — “City Council has not yet stated if or how it plans to close the $5.6 million gap between ACPS’ requested fiscal year 2027 budget and the city’s proposed $340 million allocation. If the $5.6 million is not funded, ACPS must make a choice between fulfilling its agreement with the EAA or making further cuts elsewhere … At the same time, educators remain unsure of whether they will vote to approve the collective bargaining agreement – two years after EAA’s two bargaining units voted in support of the union.” [Alexandria Times]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “April 8, 1861, an election was held to determine the Overseers of the Poor. This four-member board was responsible for the Almshouse, the publicly-funded poorhouse where indigent tenants worked, growing their own food on a large tract of farmland.” [Historic Alexandria]

Noah Lyles Ties the Knot — Olympians Noah Lyles and Junelle Bromfield married on April 4, 2026, at The Conservatory at Blackberry Ridge in Trenton, Ga. The wedding, which followed a theme of “All Shades of Melanin,” included a performance by gospel singer Tasha Cobbs Leonard. [Vogue]

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 7, 1846 the City of Alexandria authorized the first paid curator at the Market House Museum, then located in the second City Hall building which faced North Royal Street. Originally established in 1812, in conjunction with Alexandria’s Masonic Lodge which leased the space in the northwest second floor corner of the building, the museum was often the site of major events, including a festive reception for the Marquis de Lafayette when he visited Alexandria for a month in 1824. Originally, museum artifacts relating mostly to George Washington were placed decades before by the local Masonic Lodge, of which the nation’s first President was a member.” [Historic Alexandria]

Alexandria Follows Arlington, D.C. as Third-Priciest Rental Market — “The median one-bedroom apartment in Arlington costs $2,420 a month, topping all other metro-area cities in Zumper’s monthly Washington D.C. Metro Report, released today (Monday). Washington, D.C. was second at $2,250, followed by Alexandria at $2,230.” [ARLnow]