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: Niko has a passion for people, outdoor adventures

By Emily Leayman
Niko, an adoptable pet at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Niko, a dog who has a zest for life and a love for all things people and outdoors.

This 1-year-old dog has a black coat with white markings and weighs 52 pounds. The pup is eager to continue his training — with treats as a reward.

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News

Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site

By Emily Leayman
Aspect rendering at WestEnd development (courtesy of Foulger Pratt)

The WestEnd redevelopment replacing Landmark Mall has kicked off construction of its first residential buildings, developer Foulger Pratt announced.

Developers broke ground on the two Aspect buildings (Blocks E and G, 5801 Duke Street), which will be connected by a sky bridge. Construction began as the developers secured financing from Atlantic Union Bank, with Truist Bank serving as administrative agent.

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Around Town

Alexandria commission seeks 250 ‘patriotic gardens’ for America250

By Emily Leayman
White coneflower, a native plant (via Yakov Leonov/Unsplash)

To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Alexandria Beautification Commission is hoping to meet a goal of 250 “patriotic gardens” planted by residents and business owners.

The Beautification Commission is launching a Plant for America250 challenge, seeking to have 250 properties to plant red, white and blue native plants this spring.

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Around Town

Cherry blossom events arrive with spring starting this week in Old Town

By Emily Leayman
Cherry blossoms in Del Ray (Staff photo by James Cullum)

As cherry blossom season gets into full swing in the D.C. region, Alexandria will try to draw visitors with its own cherry blossom-themed events.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival kicks off Friday (March 20) and runs through April 12. According to the National Park Service’s prediction, the Tidal Basin’s famous cherry blossom trees could reach peak bloom from Sunday, March 29 to Wednesday, April 1. The start of the festival coincides with the first day of spring on March 20.

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News

ACPS seeks to hire new Alexandria City High School principal by late May

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools has started the process of selecting a new principal for its high school in time for the next school year.

Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced a hiring process and timeline for the next principal of Alexandria City High School. A job posting was released on Monday, and a community survey to gather input will open today (Wednesday) through March 23.

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News

JUST IN: Full Potomac River advisory lifted by state health department

By Emily Leayman
Views by the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Virginia’s recreational water advisory has been lifted for the remaining part of the Potomac River affected by the Jan. 19 sewage spill, the state’s health department announced today (Tuesday).

The Virginia Department of Health’s advisory is no longer in effect in the Potomac River between the Capital Beltway/American Legion Bridge and Route 120/ Chain Bridge. The advisory, first issued Feb. 13, had been partially lifted on March 5 between Route 120 Chain Bridge to Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge in King George County. The change is effective immediately.

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News

Woman assaulted, flashed in West End park assault

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria Police are seeking a suspect in a Tuesday, March 10 assault of a woman around Tarleton Park in the West End.

Police confirmed to ALXnow that officers responded to the assault in the 4400 block of Vermont Avenue around 12 p.m. on March 10. According to scanner traffic, the victim reported she was walking home when a man pulled her pants down. The caller told police the suspect exposed himself.

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News

Next ‘No Kings’ protest in Alexandria planned later in March

By Emily Leayman
The No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Following two local “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration in 2025, a third will be held in late March.

Indivisible Do Something Alexandria will host the No Kings 3 protest on Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. along northbound Richmond Highway from Powhatan Park to the Potomac Yard Shopping Center. The Alexandria event will be part of the third round of nationwide “No Kings” rallies.

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Weather

UPDATED: Tornado watch canceled amid severe storm forecast in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman
Thunderstorm rolling into Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and the rest of the D.C. region braced for severe thunderstorms today (Monday), but the tornado threat has declined. The National Weather Service has canceled the tornado watch for Alexandria as of 3:29 p.m. Monday.

The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center now expects a slight to enhanced risk level from storms in the region. That’s down from the moderate risk level predicted earlier.

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Weather

JUST IN: ACPS to release students early due to severe storm outlook

By Emily Leayman
George Washington Middle School (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria City Public Schools will change up its schedule today (Monday) ahead of potential severe weather, including thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.

ACPS will dismiss students two hours early, and all afternoon and evening classes are canceled. The change comes after several regional school systems made their early dismissal decisions on Sunday.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Kelly, an easygoing canine companion

By Emily Leayman
Kelly, an adoptable dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (courtesy of AWLA)

Meet Kelly, a handsome dog at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria who will bring a mix of his playful and chill nature to his next adopter.

This 2-year-old is no longer a puppy, making it an ideal point for positive reinforcement training, an AWLA volunteer told ALXnow. The pup weighs 43 pounds and has a black and tan coat.

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