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.

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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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News

Alexandria maintains top 10 ranking on Travel + Leisure’s best U.S. cities list

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

Alexandria’s ranking isn’t as high as last year on Travel + Leisure’s annual “Best Cities in the U.S.” list, but it has remained in the top 10.

Travel + Leisure announced the winners of the 2026 World’s Best Awards yesterday (July 7). Winners were determined by feedback from about 207,000 readers around the world.

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News

JUST IN: Resident revived, taken to hospital amid house fire in North Ridge

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum
Fire response in the 2800 block of Valley Drive, July 7, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

First responders revived a resident with a medical emergency during a house fire in Alexandria’s North Ridge neighborhood this afternoon (Tuesday).

The fire was reported around 12:52 p.m. in the 2800 block of Valley Drive. Firefighters came out of the home with a resident who was inside during the fire, according to radio dispatches. An Alexandria Fire Department spokesperson told ALXnow one resident had cardiac arrest on scene and was revived with CPR. The resident was taken to MedStar Washington Hospital Center and is intubated.

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News

National Innovation Quarter gets state funding to launch Alexandria tech lab

By Emily Leayman
Virginia Tech in the background of the Potomac Yard Shopping Center (staff photo by Emily Leayman)

An innovation lab based in Alexandria will be launched through state grants for the new National Innovation Quarter.

The innovation district, launched in February in the area of Arlington and Alexandria called National Landing, received $3.93 million in Go Virginia grants to start up programming. Nearly $2 million in local matching grants will also support the innovation district.

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