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

Rus Uz bids farewell to Alexandria as Hoffman Town Center location closes

By Emily Leayman
Storefront with tall beige columns and black banners advertising Russian Uzbek authentic cuisine, large window displays of food images, a street lamp in front.
Rus Uz

Diners in Alexandria will have to look elsewhere to find the flavors of Uzbekistan and Russia.

Rus Uz closed at Alexandria’s Hoffman Town Center (210 Hoffman Street) on Aug. 31 at the lease end, owner Ismoil Rakhmatullaev told ALXnow. The Uzbek family-owned restaurant’s other locations remain open at 1000 N. Randolph Street #3a in Arlington and 2600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in D.C.

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News

Early voting begins Sept. 18 in Alexandria for congressional races, constitutional amendments

By Emily Leayman
Voters at Mount Vernon Recreation Center in Del Ray on Election Day, Nov. 4, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election in Alexandria will kick off Friday (Sept. 18) at the Office of Voter Registration and Elections.

The general election ballot will include races for Sen. Mark Warner’s (D-Va.) U.S. Senate seat and Rep. Don Beyer (D-8)’s 8th Congressional District seat. Three constitutional amendments — regarding reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and voting rights for former felons — are also on the ballot.

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News

Rollover crash on Richmond Highway in Potomac Yard sends two to hospital

By Emily Leayman
Two heavily damaged cars after a crash on a city street, with debris and an overturned vehicle on the right and a fire engine in the background while responders assist nearby.
The rollover crash Sunday, Sept. 13 at Richmond Highway and E. Reed Avenue (courtesy of Bob King)

A rollover crash in Potomac Yard sent two people to the hospital Sunday (Sept. 13), according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Police and fire units responded around 3:12 p.m. to Richmond Highway and E. Reed Avenue. An APD spokesperson told ALXnow two vehicles were involved.

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Around Town

Adoptable pet of the week: AWLA’s longest stay pet seeks forever home

By Emily Leayman
Long stay resident Bruno is seeking a home (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is hoping to find a landing place for its longest-stay pet.

According to AWLA, 5-year-old Bruno is an easygoing dog weighing about 46 pounds with a white and brown coat. He can be a shy guy at first when meeting new people and will warm up to them slowly before revealing his gentle nature.

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Around Town

Makers markets, 9/11 day of service and Oktoberfest top Alexandria’s weekend lineup

By Emily Leayman
Outdoor market stall under a white canopy selling vintage clothing; racks of jackets and bags line both sides, with a sign reading 'The Vintage Keeper Shop'.
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market vendor (via Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market/Facebook)

Residents and visitors in Alexandria can expect a full lineup of weekend events in September, starting with this weekend.

As Alexandrians remember 9/11, the day will be followed by a National Day of Service and Remembrance for volunteers at Alexandria National Cemetery.

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News

Aspasia Xypolia appointed as permanent Alexandria Office of Housing director

By Emily Leayman
Aspasia Xypolia has been appointed as the permanent director of the Alexandria Office of Housing (via City of Alexandria)

The acting director of Alexandria’s Office of Housing has been chosen to fill the permanent role.

City Manager Jim Parajon appointed Aspasia Xypolia as director of the Office of Housing, the city announced today (Sept. 10). The city had conducted a national search to fill the role after former director Helen McIlvaine announced her retirement at the end of April.

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News

Alexandria’s DASH ridership climbs as state evaluates Northern Virginia bus merger

By Emily Leayman
Front view of a blue city bus with DASHBUS.COM on its sign, stopped on a street beside a walkway and wooden railing, trees in the background
A DASH bus driver leaves the Braddock Road Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

As the state studies a potential consolidation of several Northern Virginia bus systems, year-over-year data showed Alexandria’s DASH continues to see ridership growth.

The data presented to the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission on Sept. 3 focused on transit providers in Northern Virginia — Arlington Transit, City of Fairfax CUE, Alexandria DASH, Fairfax Connector, Loudoun County Transit, Metro and Virginia Railway Express.

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News

Multiple drawbridge openings anticipated overnight on Woodrow Wilson Bridge

By Emily Leayman
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.

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News

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

By Emily Leayman
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.

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News

Federal leases and housing conversion push down Alexandria office vacancy rate

By Emily Leayman
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.

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News

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

By Emily Leayman
Group photo in the Jean B. Reid Media Center lobby with a man in a wheelchair at center and smiling staff and visitors surrounding him.
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.

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