Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria Fire Department seeks former dispatchers for 50th anniversary

Published September 23, 2025 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Fire Alarm 50th Anniversary (Credit: Alexandria Fire Department on Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department is seeking former employees ahead of the 50th anniversary of its Fire Alarm Headquarters, set to be celebrated in 2026.

The department began hiring its first civilian dispatchers in January 1976 to handle all fire and emergency medical calls within the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The change allowed firefighters previously assigned to Fire Alarm Headquarters to return to suppression duties or retire.

News

Virginia State Police seek help finding family of man with possible Alexandria ties found dead in Colorado

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 12:45PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 7:02AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

UPDATE (Sept. 23, 2025): Thanks to numerous tips from the public, next of kin has been notified, according to a Virginia State Police social media post.

Virginia State Police are asking for the public’s help to notify the family of a man with possible Alexandria ties who was found dead in Colorado more than a month ago, according to WDBJ7.

News

Springfield man killed in I-395 crash after vehicle struck at high speed

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 12:10PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

A Springfield man died Saturday after his disabled vehicle was struck by another car traveling at high speed on Interstate 395 in Alexandria, according to a Virginia State Police press release.

Hennry O. Ortuno Flores, 45, was driving a 2008 Toyota Corolla southbound on I-395 when his vehicle crashed and became disabled in the travel lanes near the 3-mile marker around 2:20 a.m. Saturday.

Around Town

Old Town Cocktail Week returns with 40-plus restaurants, signature events

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 12:00PM

Old Town Cocktail Week (Credit: Visit Alexandria)

Old Town Cocktail Week will run Sept. 25 through Oct. 6, featuring specialty cocktails at more than 40 restaurants and four curated events throughout Alexandria’s historic district.

Suntory Global Spirits presents the event in partnership with Captain Gregory’s. Participating restaurants will offer signature cocktails designed to highlight Alexandria’s cocktail scene, according to organizers. A complete list of participating restaurants was not available at press time. Organizers encourage checking captaingregorys.com/cocktailweek for updates.

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Join 10,300+ locals getting daily headlines delivered free

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 10:13AM

First off, thank you for following us on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Bluesky, and X. (And if you don’t already, you know what to do.)

If you want more local news, join the 10,300+ people who have already signed up for the free daily newsletter.

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Notes: Nepenthe Gallery extends pop-up sculpture garden at River Farm through October

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 8:19AM

Li Doo Mooh is a life-size adolescent elephant made from the invasive weed “lantana camera” by villagers in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. She is part of The Great Elephant Migration Project. Nepenthe Gallery purchased her in Los Angeles and brought her across the country to showcase her at River Farm. (Credit: Nepenthe Gallery)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 23, the 266th day of 2025. There are 99 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86°F. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65°F. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

News

Alexandria schools join Fairfax County appeal over federal funding dispute

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 6:21PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools escalated its legal battle against the Trump administration Monday, filing a motion to intervene in Fairfax County’s appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and requesting emergency injunctive relief to halt federal funding restrictions tied to the district’s transgender student policies.

The development was first reported by Josh Gerstein, senior legal affairs reporter for Politico, who shared the 101-page court filing on social media Monday evening.

News

Metro service restored after ‘trespasser’ struck by train in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 3:46PM | Updated September 22, 2025 at 5:57PM

Police are seen outside Potomac Yard Metro station following an incident that has suspended train service between National Airport and King Street stations. (Photo by James Cullum/ALXnow)

Metro train service has been restored between National Airport and King Street as of 4:08 p.m. after a “trespasser” was struck by a train outside Potomac Yard, according to Metro officials.

Service on track 1 and track 2 was shut down for approximately 30 minutes. During the disruption, Metro established shuttle bus service and offered route A1X as an alternative for travel between Braddock Road, Potomac Yard and Pentagon.

News

Alexandria native Kara Lawson named USA Basketball women’s national team head coach

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 3:22PM

Kara Lawson Named 2025-28 USA Basketball Women’s National Team Head Coach (Credit: USA Basketball)

Alexandria native Kara Lawson was named head coach of the USA Basketball Women’s National Team through 2028, the organization announced Monday.

Lawson, who was born on February 14, 1981, in Alexandria, Virginia, will lead the team at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin and the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028.

News

Family seeks funeral funds for Alexandria man killed in Woodlawn shooting

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 2:15PM

GoFundMe for Jaylin Theodore Hartless (Screenshot)

The sister of Jaylin Theodore Hartless says the family is struggling to process the sudden loss of the 21-year-old Alexandria man who was fatally shot Friday morning in Fairfax County’s Woodlawn area.

“Friday, 9/19, our beloved Jaylin Theodore Hartless was taken from us way before his time, at 21 years young,” Brianna Hartless wrote on a GoFundMe page established to help cover funeral expenses. “We just overcame a family battle with our sister, and now having to bury our brother is the most shocking and sad thing my family has ever faced.”

News

Faith leaders to hold prayer vigil in solidarity with Alexandria’s immigrant community

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 22, 2025 at 1:06PM

Sign at the Mount Vernon Avenue entrance to the Four Mile Run Park Trail (Staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria faith leaders will gather Tuesday evening for a prayer vigil expressing solidarity with the city’s immigrant community amid what organizers describe as increased federal immigration enforcement activity in the area.

The interfaith vigil is scheduled for 6:00-7:00 p.m. at Four Mile Run Park Plaza, located at 4121 Mt. Vernon Avenue. The event is being organized by Tenants and Workers United, Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement (VOICE), and Community Lodgings.