Author: Katie Taranto

Katie Taranto is a reporter at ALXnow. She previously covered local businesses at ARLnow and K-12 education at The Columbia Missourian. She is originally from Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.

Around Town

In Alexandria this weekend: ‘The Nutcracker’, bar crawls, cookie decorating and more

By Katie Taranto
Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at the Alexandria Christmas tree lighting at Market Square, Nov. 22, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This December weekend in Alexandria brings a hefty helping of holiday cheer with festive concerts and markets, bar crawls and opportunities for holiday light viewing.

Locals can get into the spirit with the Alexandria Citizens Band’s holiday sing-along tonight, or try their hand at cookie decorating at the Made in VA store. Folk rock legend Don McLean will make a special appearance at The Birchmere on Sunday night, where he’ll perform a mix of classics and holiday tunes.

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News

Speakers call for renaming ACHS fields at Minnie Howard after late Mayor Kerry Donley

By Katie Taranto
Former U.S. Rep. Jim Moran speaks at an ACPS facilities renaming public hearing on Dec. 11, 2025 (via ACPS)

Several community members braved the cold yesterday evening (Thursday) to voice their support for a petition to rename The Fields at Alexandria City High School after former Mayor Kerry Donley.

Eight out of thirteen speakers yesterday spoke in support of the measure during a public hearing on Alexandria City Public Schools’ considerations to rename four facilities across the district. Among them were Gayle Reuter, former U.S. Rep. Jim Moran and Kaitlin Donley, one of Donley’s daughters.

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Around Town

Three Old Town shops open late tonight for ‘Midnight Merriment’ festivities

By Katie Taranto
Red Barn Mercantile holiday decorations (courtesy of Red Barn Mercantile)

Three local businesses along King Street in Old Town will be open late tonight (Friday) for a holiday-themed celebration.

Red Barn Mercantile (1117 King Street), Pippin Toy Co. (1310 King Street) and Penny Post (1201 King Street) will remain open from 8 p.m. to midnight for “Midnight Merriment” festivities. The shops plan to offer refreshments and activities throughout the night as shoppers enjoy “the magic of Old Town Alexandria after dark,” according to a release.

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News

JUST IN: Missing Alexandria man found dead in Joseph Hensley Park

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria police (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria Police Department has recovered the remains of an Alexandria man who went missing earlier this month.

Hieu Ngo, 29, was found dead yesterday (Thursday) in a wooded area of Joseph Hensley Park at 4200 Eisenhower Avenue near the Capital Beltway, according to an announcement from APD this morning (Friday). An initial investigation “does not indicate that the death is suspicious,” and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is working to determine the official cause of death, according to the announcement.

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Around Town

Adoptable Pet of the Week: Jax, a ‘shaggy dog full of fun personality’

By Katie Taranto
Jax (courtesy of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet Jax, an adorably furry four-legged friend and resident of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

The five-year-old pooch weighs about 40 pounds and is starting to settle into his mature personality, making him “ideal for adopters who prefer to skip the rambunctious puppy phase,” according to an AWLA volunteer.

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Around Town

Holiday ‘condom trees’ arrive at Alexandria clinic and bookstore

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria Health Department's holiday "condom tree" (courtesy of AHD)

New holiday trees from the Alexandria Health Department are seeking to spread cheer while preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections.

A small, artificial tree in AHD’s clinic waiting room at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center (4850 Mark Center Drive) is decorated with about 20 to 30 sexual health items, including internal and external condoms, as well as fentanyl test strips. A second “condom tree” has been placed at Friends to Lovers Romance Book Store at 301 Cameron Street.

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News

Public hearing on Alexandria Police Department in-custody death expected in early 2026

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria Police at night (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Office of the Alexandria Independent Policing Auditor is continuing to investigate the August death of a Woodbridge man under Alexandria Police Department custody.

The office’s investigation into the death of 32-year-old Allan F. Tucker II is nearing its final stages, Independent Policing Auditor Ameratu Kamara told City Council during its Tuesday meeting. Once it is complete, the Independent Community Police Review Board is expected to host an early 2026 public hearing.

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News

ACPS student performance holds steady behind state levels, new data shows

By Katie Taranto
Alexandria City High School's graduation at George Mason University's EagleBank Arena, May 28, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Student achievement across Alexandria City Public Schools appears to be hovering steady compared to last year, according to new state data, but the district’s numbers still linger behind the commonwealth.

In the 2024-2025 school year, 62% percent of ACPS students passed state reading tests, up one percentage point from the year prior, according to Virginia Department of Education’s accountability system, the School Performance and Support Framework.

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News

More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish’ economy

By Katie Taranto
City Manager Jim Parajon provides a city economic update to City Council, Dec. 9, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have continued to seek out local tax assistance as the city’s economy reels from federal layoffs, rising living costs and increased unemployment.

Alexandria has currently provided a total of 95 car tax payment plans averaging some $1,053 each, in addition to 12 real estate payment plans that average $4,189 per year.

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Around Town

Washington Capitals bringing new youth street hockey league to Alexandria

By Katie Taranto
Capitals street hockey programming (courtesy of the Washington Capitals)

Francis C. Hammond Middle School is among three regional venues that will host a new, co-ed youth hockey league led by the Washington Capitals in the new year.

Registration has opened for the team’s first-ever Capitals Street Hockey League (CSHL), intended for kids ages 5-12. The season’s eight weekends of games, lasting from March through May 2026, will take place at three venues, including the middle school at 4646 Seminary Road, according to a release.

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News

Ameratu Kamara appointed as Alexandria’s new Independent Policing Auditor

By Katie Taranto
Ameratu Kamara speaks at her appointment as Alexandria's Independent Policing Auditor on Dec. 9 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Ameratu Kamara has been appointed as Alexandria’s second Independent Policing Auditor.

Kamara was first appointed as the city’s acting auditor in January following the December 2024 death of former auditor Kim Neal, who had fulfilled the role since its commencement in 2022. City Council unanimously appointed Kamara to the role during its legislative meeting last night (Tuesday).

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