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

Sunday snowball fight barred from Alexandria landmark’s grounds as winter storm looms

By Emily Leayman
The George Washington National Masonic Memorial under the snow, Jan. 4, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

An earlier version of this story indicated a snowball fight would occur on the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, but the organization is not permitting the public to access its grounds during the storm.

Shawn Eyer, a spokesperson for the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, told ALXnow the event is not authorized and that the grounds will be closed to the public Sunday.

Go to Sunday snowball fight barred from Alexandria landmark’s grounds as winter storm looms Read more
Around Town

Health inspector probe into Old Town juice shop’s emotional support dog prompts petition

By Emily Leayman
Zen Press Juice's storefront (staff photo by James Cullum)

Following a health inspection at an Old Town juice shop earlier this month, a community petition has launched to allow the business owner’s emotional support animal inside the establishment.

The recent Change.org petition focuses on a recent city investigation into a complaint about dogs inside Zen Press Juice. That includes owner JuAnn Wong’s emotional support dog, Coco, who previously made frequent visits to the shop at 806 King Street.

Go to Health inspector probe into Old Town juice shop’s emotional support dog prompts petition Read more
News

City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal

By Emily Leayman
A rendering of the proposed City Hall and Market Square renovation (via City of Alexandria)

City Council last week made a few changes to a review board’s conditional approval of the upcoming City Hall and Market Square project.

On Jan. 13, City Council considered an appeal of the Board of Architectural Review’s approved certificate of appropriateness with conditions for the City Hall and Market Square project on Nov. 19, 2025. The Council voted to remove the review board’s recommendation to maintain decorative chimneys on the south-facing side of City Hall, as well as colonial-style windows at the center entrance pavilion.

Go to City Hall renovation plans move forward without decorative chimneys after BAR appeal Read more
News

Outgoing Gov. Youngkin says he regrets failed deal for Potomac Yard sports arena

By Emily Leayman
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin speaks at the announcement of a new arena for the Washington Wizards and Capitals in Potomac Yard in Alexandria, Dec. 13, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Outgoing Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin doesn’t have many regrets as he prepares to leave office. But he named the inability to get an Alexandria arena deal done in 2024 as one lost opportunity.

The Washington Capitals and Wizards arena would have gone in Potomac Yard as part of an entertainment district. But in March 2024, the City of Alexandria announced that the proposal wouldn’t be moving forward.

Go to Outgoing Gov. Youngkin says he regrets failed deal for Potomac Yard sports arena Read more
News

Virginia’s first flu-related child death of season confirmed by state health officials

By Emily Leayman
Medical office equipment (via fr0ggy5/Unsplash)

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first flu-related pediatric death this season, as public health officials across Virginia continue to monitor increased flu activity.

Health officials yesterday (Thursday) said a preschool-aged child — between newborn age and 4 years old — died from flu-related complications. The child was from Virginia’s Eastern Region, which largely covers the Tidewater and Eastern Shore areas. The health department is not releasing additional information about the child to protect the family’s privacy.

Go to Virginia’s first flu-related child death of season confirmed by state health officials Read more
News

City’s top prosecutor will not seek criminal charges for police from August in-custody death

By Emily Leayman
Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Porter speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s top prosecutor is declining to bring criminal charges against officers involved in the Alexandria Police Department’s in-custody death of a Woodbridge man last summer.

Officers involved in the Aug. 15, 2025 death of Allan F. Tucker, II, will not be charged, Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter announced this afternoon (Thursday), following investigations by the medical examiner and Northern Virginia’s Critical Incident Review Team.

Go to City’s top prosecutor will not seek criminal charges for police from August in-custody death Read more
News

Alexandria introduces new leaders, outreach programs at Natural Resources Division

By Emily Leayman
New natural resource managers in the Natural Resources Division (via Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities)

Alexandria’s Natural Resources Division is introducing new leadership and a slate of upcoming community engagements in 2026.

The city has hired Raychel Frye and Katrina Napora as new natural resource managers, it announced yesterday (Wednesday), with Oscar Mendoza continuing to oversee the division as chief. Under the new leadership, Natural Resources will have a “renewed focus on education, stewardship, and community engagement.”

Go to Alexandria introduces new leaders, outreach programs at Natural Resources Division Read more
News

Torpedo Factory Art Center could receive new operator, with selection process into the spring

By Emily Leayman
The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The city of Alexandria could take a step closer to choosing a new operator for the Torpedo Factory Art Center, following last night’s City Council meeting (Tuesday).

City Council voted to advance to public hearing and final vote an agreement for an operator to lease, manage and operate the historic arts facility at 105 N. Union Street. The public hearing and final vote are scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 24.

Go to Torpedo Factory Art Center could receive new operator, with selection process into the spring Read more
News

City Council approves plan to boost Alexandria’s economic growth amid challenges

By Emily Leayman
Stephanie Landrum, CEO of the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership, at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus ribbon cutting, Feb. 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a roadmap for Alexandria’s economic future last night (Tuesday) as the city tries to strengthen its economic competitiveness.

The ALX Forward framework will shape how the city pursues economic growth, from development to business recruitment and retention. It details strategies like leveraging economic opportunities in Old Town North, Eisenhower East, the West End, and Potomac Yard; retaining local businesses; attracting industries like artificial intelligence and strengthening support for entrepreneurs.

Go to City Council approves plan to boost Alexandria’s economic growth amid challenges Read more
Around Town

Upcoming restaurant weeks will feature deals from more than 85 Alexandria eateries

By Emily Leayman
Pupatella Neopolitan PIzza at 700 Slaters Lane in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

Foodies will have two opportunities to score dining deals from restaurants across Alexandria in the coming weeks.

In Alexandria, 11 eateries plan to offer prix-fixe menu deals through the Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week, which returns Monday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 25. Hosted biannually in the winter and summer by the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, the week features multi-course meal deals at participating D.C.-area restaurants.

Go to Upcoming restaurant weeks will feature deals from more than 85 Alexandria eateries Read more
Around Town

Del Ray resident’s hand-painted designs will be featured at Spanberger inauguration market

By Emily Leayman
Alexandria-based business Ella Bella (courtesy of Ella Bella)

The hand-painted designs of Del Ray-based Ella Bella will soon be in the hands of people from around Virginia attending Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s inauguration market.

Ella Bella Flourish Fearlessly is one of two businesses from the D.C. area invited to participate in the Made in Virginia Market in Richmond on Friday, along with Occoquan’s Hello Jackson Home Fragrance Co. Spanberger will make remarks at the market to kick off a weekend of inauguration festivities.

Go to Del Ray resident’s hand-painted designs will be featured at Spanberger inauguration market Read more
View More Stories