Author: Emily Leayman

Emily Leayman is the editor of ALXnow and contributes reporting to ARLnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.

News

Alexandria Soccer Association families among victims of soccer coach’s alleged Italy summer camp scam

By Emily Leayman
Police car lights (file photo)

A soccer coach who was involved with the Alexandria Soccer Association has been accused of scamming over a dozen victims out of tens of thousands of dollars through promises of a travel soccer summer camp in Italy.

Ahmed Mohamed, 31, of Fairfax, was arrested on June 30 and charged with 13 counts of embezzlement and another 13 of computer fraud, according to Fairfax County police.

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Around Town

Italian restaurant Floriana targets late summer opening in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
Brick, multi-story commercial building at 277 with arched windows and a metal mansard roof, storefronts along the sidewalk.
The Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street (via Google Maps)

Italian restaurant Floriana is set to occupy restaurant space in the Atrium Building in Old Town, but permitting has delayed the opening.

Floriana is leasing space in the Atrium Building at 277 S. Washington Street, replacing a vacancy left by Virginia’s Darling and Mae’s Market. This will be Floriana’s second D.C.-area location, joining the original D.C. location that opened in 1979 and later moved to 1602 17th Street NW. The new location is being led by owner Jamie Branda and co-owner Dino Tapper, son of restaurant founder Floriana Nestore.

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Around Town

Alexandria children’s book author starts Finch & Squirrel to mentor self-publishing writers

By Emily Leayman
Barbara Leary, founder of Finch & Squirrel to mentor authors (via Barbara Leary)

Navigating the world of book publishing can be an overwhelming task for new authors, and that’s where Alexandria resident Barbara Leary wants to step in.

Leary founded Finch & Squirrel as a literary mentorship studio providing coaching, resources and indie publishing services for writers of all skill levels. The studio recently celebrated three debut authors on publication of their first children’s books — “When There Are More Than Two” by George Mason University communications professional Buzz McClain, “Jack’s Journey: One Kitty, Three Cities” by Leary’s friend Lynn Hays and “Would a Kitten Do That?” by Alexandria Tutoring Consortium tutor Sherry Harowitz.

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News

JUST IN: Dog may have accidentally started fire at West End home, owner says

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Fire in the 600 block of N. Ripley Street, July 13, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A kitchen fire may have been accidentally set off by a dog this morning (Monday) at a West End home, according to the owner.

The Alexandria Fire Department responded around 9:31 a.m. after a resident reported the smell of smoke from a neighbor’s home in the 600 block of N. Ripley Street. Units encountered a fire on the stovetop and confirmed it was out as of 9:50 a.m., according to scanner traffic.

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Around Town

Alexandria birthday fireworks show leads July 10-12 weekend events

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria’s birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A fireworks show tops the list of events happening around Alexandria for the city’s birthday weekend.

While many communities around the D.C. region held their fireworks last week, Alexandria’s event falls on the weekend after July 4. This year, Alexandria celebrates its 277th birthday and America’s 250th birthday. Alexandrians have the option to attend the full event with performances and vendors at Oronoco Bay Park or catch the fireworks in a less crowded spot.

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News

Sidewalk closure for City Hall renovation project extended through rest of July

By Emily Leayman
Construction progress at City Hall and Market Square, June 25, 2026 (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

Pedestrians will have to keep taking a detour when walking around Alexandria City Hall and Market Square.

The city government extended the north sidewalk closure in front of City Hall along King Street between N. Royal and N. Fairfax Streets through July 31. The sidewalk has been closed since June 15 for City Hall and Market Square renovations.

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Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: Mac the fun-loving sidekick

By Emily Leayman
Adoptable Mac (via AWLA)

Meet Mac, a fun companion who hasn’t met a person he didn’t like.

Mac will enthusiastically greet you with doggie kisses and loves to play games like tug-of-war. He also likes to show off his smarts with tricks like “sit” and “down.” But he’s ready to learn more with the bribery of treats.

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Around Town

French restaurants in Alexandria line up special menus, events for Bastille Day

By Emily Leayman
French flag at Bastille (via Bastille/Facebook)

Several Alexandria restaurants will celebrate the spirit of the French Revolution with special Bastille Day events.

Bastille Brasserie & Bar (606 N. Fayette Street) never passes up the chance to have a big celebration for its namesake holiday.

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News

Drawbridge opening on Woodrow Wilson Bridge to bring traffic stoppages tonight

By Emily Leayman
An airliner approaches Ronald Reagan National Airport, viewed between the spans of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

If you’re traveling over the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge overnight, expect some traffic disruptions.

The Woodrow Wilson Bridge’s drawbridge will have multiple openings between 10 p.m. Thursday, July 9 and 5 a.m. Friday, July 10 for maintenance work. Capital Beltway drivers crossing the bridge should expect traffic stoppages when the drawbridge opens.

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News

New water quality dashboard helps residents track Potomac River’s real-time conditions

By Emily Leayman
A sailboat on the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A new public dashboard will help residents stay informed on different aspects of water quality in the Potomac River.

The Reservoir Center for Water Solutions launched the dashboard in June alongside Anacostia Riverkeeper, Anacostia Watershed Society and Potomac Riverkeeper Network.

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News

AWLA wins largest grant in its history to address veterinary care access

By Emily Leayman
Vaccine clinic hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has won the largest grant in its 80-year history as it continues an initiative to improve access to veterinary care.

AWLA announced today (July 8) that it was awarded $600,000 from the PetSmart Charities Incubator grant program over the next three years. It marks the second phase of the Incubator grant, following $100,000 provided to AWLA in July 2025.

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