News

Charles Barrett Elementary School in Arlandria evacuated earlier today due to smoke in the building, according to scanner traffic.

Around 11:26 a.m., the school was evacuated due to reports of smoke in the building. Around noon, the school was cleared for students to return to classes.


News

Alexandria’s City Hall and Market Square (301 King Street) will be illuminated by purple lights this weekend in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day.

The lights will go on from Saturday, Aug. 29, until Sunday morning, Sept. 1, and the city says that the information on local overdoses and their impact on the Alexandria community will be displayed in the light show.


News

Alexandria residents fighting the city’s massive Zoning for Housing/Housing for All overhaul won a battle in court today, as Judge David S. Schell ruled their case has standing and can go to trial.

The plaintiffs, all Old Town residents, have been fighting to reverse the zoning changes since they were approved by City Council in Dec. 2023. While initial efforts were dismissed in court, their amended filing specified how their individual properties would be harmed as a result.


News

One way or another, Lauren Fisher is sticking around Del Ray.

Fisher started her first one-year term as president of the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) at the height of the pandemic in 2021. Since then she’s rebuilt the association’s offerings, with virtual and distance-related neighborhood events transitioning back to in-person get-togethers. Those live in-person events include monthly first Thursday neighborhood parties on Mount Vernon Avenue, bar crawls, contests, farmer’s markets, a Halloween parade and festivals that bring tens of thousands of people to the neighborhood.


News

The announcement that Red Lobster is closing in Alexandria’s West End was met by surprise and skepticism from restaurant staff.

The international seafood chain closed about 100 locations after declaring bankruptcy in May, and an August court filing revealed that it will not renew leases at 23 unprofitable locations. Listed locations set to close by Aug. 31 include Alexandria’s at 555 S. Van Dorn Street, according to a report from the Washington Business Journal.


News

Washington Wizards forward Anthony Gill handed out 200 stuffed backpacks to fourth and fifth graders at Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School in Alexandria’s West End this afternoon.

The event is one of many from team owner Monumental Sports and Entertainment was part of a regional giveaway at schools in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. In Alexandria, the students at Tucker also received a free book from MahoganyBooks, a Wizards t-shirt, and an autographed card.


News

In what’s become an annual tradition at this point, the first week of school at Alexandria City High School was disrupted with a fire alarm.

Students were evacuated from the school a little after 2 p.m. today (Thursday). Students returned to the school less than 30 minutes later as the Alexandria Fire Department confirmed there was no danger.


News

A homeowner in Old Town said they believe a faulty battery charger may be to blame for a fire that destroyed two cars and briefly closed a portion of Pendleton Street today.

The report of the fire came in around 1 p.m. for a detached garage at 502 Pendleton Street.


News

Alexandria City Public Schools is looking for 40 diverse residents to help craft the direction for the school system over the next five years.

During that time, the School Board and ACPS staff will be directed to focus their attention and resources on the five-year strategic plan that this group will mold into shape.


News

A new employment bureau focusing on employing adults with disabilities is opening this fall in Old Town.

The BEST (Building Employment Solutions Together) employment program is opening at 919 King Street, in the former home of metaphysical bookstore Sacred Circle, which closed in June.


News

Alexandria experienced a nearly 13% rise in Part 1 crime so far this year, with larcenies jumping 23%.

Part 1 crimes, or crimes against people, include homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny and auto theft. There have been 2,692 total Part I incidents so far this year, a 13.5% increase over the 2,371 total incidents reported until this point last year, according to the Alexandria Police Department Crime Dashboard.


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