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.

Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: A sweet older girl looking for a best friend

By Emily Leayman
Happy tan dog with tongue out, on green grass, as an adoption photo (ADOPT ME logo in top-left corner).
Stallings, an adoptable dog from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (via AWLA)

Meet Stallings, an older lady who wants nothing more than a new best friend to chill with.

This 8-year-old girl adores people, treats and a calm home. Stallings has a gentle nature and will do a sit trick for a prompt treat reward.

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News

Thousands lose power and multiple rescued from floodwaters as strong storms hit Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Downed tree branches block a street and sidewalk after a storm, with a large tree leaning over the road and debris scattered nearby, sky cloudy at dusk
Downed tree at Chinquapin loop road (courtesy of Eric Keber)

Downed trees and thousands of Dominion Energy customers with power outages were without power in Alexandria after a strong thunderstorm system that rocked the region overnight into Friday.

Most power outages had been restored. More than 2,300 customers were without power at 10 a.m., and that number dropped to about about 400 by 4 p.m.

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Around Town

Alexandria mobile fitness studio founder draws inspiration from entrepreneurial grandfather

By Emily Leayman
Instructor leads a group cardio class in a bright studio; participants stand on colorful yoga mats with mini step platforms nearby.
Loretta Richardson with class participants at the Oswald Durant Center (courtesy of I’m Possible Wellness)

As I’mPossible Wellness founder Loretta Richardson reflected on Black Business Month in August, she thought of her late grandfather who died last year. A graduate of Howard Medical School, her grandfather ran a dermatology practice and started a real estate business.

Coming from a doctor-heavy family, Richardson is honoring her grandfather in her own way through her mobile Pilates and wellness business in Alexandria.

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News

Labor Day weekend prompts closures and schedule changes around Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Sunny day in Old Town (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Residents will unofficially bid farewell to the summer season during Labor Day weekend, which will also bring some closures and schedule changes to services in Alexandria.

Labor Day falls on Monday, Sept. 7, resulting in an extended holiday weekend for many employees and students. All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed for the Labor Day observance on Sept. 7.

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News

Alexandria officials mark major milestone in George Mason Elementary reconstruction

By Emily Leayman
Construction site with red steel beams and corrugated metal decking under a blue sky.
Topping out at George Mason Elementary School (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria officials gathered yesterday (Sept. 2) to mark the topping out of the reconstructed George Mason Elementary School, the latest of Alexandria City Public Schools’ modernization projects.

Monday’s topping out ceremony represented the installation of the final structural steel beam on the school. The school at 2601 Cameron Mills Road in the North Ridge neighborhood is being rebuilt to address capacity needs and replace an aging facility, according to ACPS. Built in 1939, the school was renovated before in 1949 and 1977.

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News

Bennett-Parker, more lawmakers seek special session on Dominion-NextEra merger

By Emily Leayman
Del. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker speaking at a debate for Virginia’s 39th Senate District at Charles Houston Recreation Center, Jan. 12, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

 

Alexandria’s state Sen. Elizabeth Bennett-Parker (D-39) and a handful of other Democratic lawmakers are calling on Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) to convene a special session in September on the proposed Dominion Energy and NextEra merger.

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News

Alexandria residential parking permit confusion prompts apology from Mayor Gaskins

By Emily Leayman
Parked cars in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

As residents received their latest car tax bills in the mail starting last week, they were surprised to find their residential parking permit stickers have not arrived.

Vehicle owners used to receive permit stickers at the same time as personal property tax bills. But that did not occur this year when the tax bills arrived.

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News

Alexandria resident seeks good Samaritans who pulled him out of the Potomac River

By Emily Leayman
Around Jones Point Park (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

An Alexandria resident is hoping to find the people who assisted him in a water rescue emergency at Jones Point Park in Old Town over the weekend.

The resident, who opted to remain anonymous, was flying a kite at Jones Point Park on the afternoon of Saturday (Aug. 29). Not realizing there wasn’t a barrier along the Potomac River’s edge, he stepped backward and accidentally fell in.

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News

UPDATED: Juvenile pedestrian not seriously injured in crash at Arlandria intersection

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Bystanders at the scene of a pedestrian crash at Mount Vernon Avenue and Russell Road, Aug. 31. 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A juvenile pedestrian was struck in the Arlandria neighborhood Monday afternoon, leading to a police and fire response.

The crash was reported around 3:49 p.m. at Mount Vernon Avenue and Russell Road.

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News

Alexandria pet adopters step up to ease strain on nearly full AWLA shelter

By Emily Leayman
The Vola Lawson Animal Shelter at 4101 Eisenhower Avenue (via Google Maps)

Pet adopters stepped up to help the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria over the weekend as the animal shelter was near capacity.

On Friday (Aug. 28), AWLA reported that the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter (4101 Eisenhower Avenue) was “very full and nearing capacity” and it had more anticipated animal surrenders on the way.

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News

ACPS superintendent search on track as School Board reviews candidates

By Emily Leayman
Panel of diverse officials seated along a curved wooden dais in a formal meeting room, microphones and laptops in front of them; a screen on the wall shows a blue logo.
The Alexandria School Board at its meeting on Aug. 27, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The superintendent search remains on track as the Alexandria City School Board discusses candidates.

On Thursday (Aug. 27), the School Board held a closed session to discuss prospective candidates and their “qualifications, experience, references, suitability, potential appointment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment.”

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