Emily Leayman | ALXnow

Multiple drawbridge openings anticipated overnight on Woodrow Wilson Bridge

Published September 10, 2026 at 10:00AM

Views by the Potomac River (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Late-night drivers should be prepared for delays during the next drawbridge opening on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge.

The drawbridge will open between 10 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 10) and 5 a.m. Friday (Sept. 11) for maintenance work. According to AlertDC, multiple bridge openings and intermittent traffic stoppages will occur.

News

Alexandria remembrance ceremony to mark 25 years since 9/11 attacks

By Emily Leayman

Published September 10, 2026 at 9:15AM

Alexandria's Joint Public Safety Honor Guard at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Alexandria's Market Square, Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and the rest of the nation will take a day to reflect and remember Friday (Sept. 11) on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The City of Alexandria will hold its annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony from 10-11 a.m. Friday at Alexandria Police Department Headquarters (3600 Wheeler Avenue). The ceremony, remembering the victims, survivors, first responders and others impacted by 9/11, will include a presentation of colors, remarks by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and public safety officials and a return to quarters ceremony.

News

Federal leases and housing conversion push down Alexandria office vacancy rate

By Emily Leayman

Published September 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

The new U.S. Housing and Urban Development building, pictured with an America 250 flag, in the Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Office vacancies are trending down in Alexandria, although Old Town and Old Town North are going against the trend.

That’s according to the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership’s Mid-Year Market Report released Tuesday (Sept. 8) looking at commercial real estate trends for the first half of the year through June 30, 2026.

News

Jean B. Reid Media Center dedicated at Alexandria school for longtime reading specialist

By Emily Leayman

Published September 9, 2026 at 9:15AM

The Jean B. Reid Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School was dedicated on Sept. 8, 2026 (via ACPS/Facebook)

Alexandria City Public Schools carried out the third of four facility namings Tuesday (Sept. 8) — this time in honor of a longtime educator.

The Jean B. Reid Media Center at Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School was dedicated in honor of the educator who worked for the school system for 30 years. Reid was a reading specialist from 1971 until her 2001 retirement and held leadership positions at various schools.

News

Old Town townhouse proposal prompts debate over city’s development review process

By Emily Leayman

Published September 8, 2026 at 2:45PM

The parking lot of 330 N. Washington Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town neighbors say a pending townhouse development application exemplifies why the city needs to better align the Board of Architectural Review process with development special use permit reviews.

The BAR continues to consider a concept review of Merion Row at 330 N. Washington Street, where the property owner seeks to build six three-story townhomes with rear-loading parking garages and rooftop terraces. The homes would take the place of two of the three drive-thru banking aisles at the Wells Fargo bank.

News

Pedestrian dies after being struck on I-395 in Alexandria: state police

By Emily Leayman

Published September 8, 2026 at 10:50AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

A pedestrian on Interstate 395 was killed in a crash Monday night (Sept. 7) in Alexandria, according to Virginia State Police.

Around 8:29 p.m., a pedestrian was struck on southbound I-395 north of Duke Street. Police say the striking vehicle stopped a short distance from the crash and contacted 911.

News

UPDATE: Over 4K more lose power after earlier transformer-related outage in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published September 8, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 8, 2026 at 10:59AM

Dominion Energy’s outage map shows over 4,300 outages remaining in Alexandria on Sept. 8, 2026 (courtesy of Dominion Energy)

Thousands of additional Dominion Energy customers are experiencing power outages Tuesday morning (Sept. 8) after an earlier outage tied to a transformer.

As of 11 a.m., more than 4,300 customers are without power in North Ridge, Fairlington/Bradlee, Seminary Hill, Taylor Run, Rosemont and Del Ray. Dominion Energy attributed the outage to a circuit being out and estimated that restoration would happen between 2-5 p.m.

Around Town

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

By Emily Leayman

Published September 4, 2026 at 3:45PM

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.

News

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

By Emily Leayman

Published September 4, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 4, 2026 at 3:54PM

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.

Around Town

Alexandria mobile fitness studio founder draws inspiration from entrepreneurial grandfather

By Emily Leayman

Published September 3, 2026 at 1:45PM

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.

News

Labor Day weekend prompts closures and schedule changes around Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published September 3, 2026 at 10:00AM

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.