Author: Ryan Belmore

Ryan Belmore is a journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. He served as Publisher of ALXnow from March to October 2025. He can be reached at [email protected].

Around Town

Things to do this weekend in Alexandria: Sept. 12 – 14

By Ryan Belmore
The Old Town Alexandria Art Festival on Sunday, September 18, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria comes alive this weekend with an exciting blend of live music, cultural events, and community gatherings that showcase the city’s vibrant arts scene and rich history.

From tribute bands rocking The Birchmere to intimate jazz performances in cozy neighborhood venues, music lovers will find everything from Eagles covers to contemporary folk acts. The weekend also features major cultural happenings, including the 23rd Annual Alexandria Art Festival at John Carlyle Square Park, where visitors can browse works from juried artists, and the monthly Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market, offering unique treasures and local crafts.

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Notes: Historic marker to honor displaced Alexandria neighborhood

By Ryan Belmore
The City of Alexandria’s Office of Historic Alexandria, in partnership with community members and descendants, will lead the unveiling of a new state historic marker commemorating the legacy of Colored Rosemont, a vibrant African American neighborhood established in 1926. The unveiling ceremony will take place on September 13th at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Wythe and West Streets. (Credit: City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Sept. 11, the 254th day of 2025. There are 111 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 59. Calm wind.

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Alexandria native seeks New Jersey governor’s office

By Ryan Belmore
FILE - Rep. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., greets people during a "Get Out the Vote" rally June 7, 2025, in Elizabeth, N.J. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa, File)

Rep. Mikie Sherrill, born in Alexandria in 1972, is two months away from potentially making history as New Jersey’s first female Democratic governor.

The three-term congresswoman from New Jersey’s 11th District secured the Democratic nomination in June with 34% of the vote, defeating Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop in a crowded primary field.

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School board to discuss DASH bus proposal for ACHS students Thursday

By Ryan Belmore
Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

The Alexandria City School Board will discuss a proposal on Thursday, Sept. 11, to transition Alexandria City High School students from school buses to the city’s DASH public transit system.

City Manager James F. Parajon recommends a phased approach starting in the 2026-27 school year, according to a June 20, 2025 memo to the City Council and School Board. The proposal comes after City Council members Abdel Elnoubi and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley directed staff in January to study using Alexandria’s public transit system for high school transportation.

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Mayor Gaskins swears in Alexandria Country Day School student leaders

By Ryan Belmore
Mayor Gaskins swears in the Alexandria Country Day Student Council Members for the 2025-2026 school year on Wednesday, September 10, 2025. (Credit: Alexandria Country Day School)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins administered the oath of office to Alexandria Country Day School’s Student Council members on Wednesday, Sept. 10, continuing a tradition that has marked the beginning of the school year for most of the institution’s 42-year history.

The ceremony at the private school represented Gaskins’ first participation in the annual event since taking office. Previous Alexandria mayors have regularly conducted the swearing-in as part of the school’s start-of-year activities.

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Dominion reports $18M invested in Alexandria grid reliability since 2022

By Ryan Belmore
Dominion Energy Update at Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting on Sept. 10, 2024 (Screenshot of presentation)

Dominion Energy has invested $18.02 million in reliability projects across Alexandria from 2022 through the first quarter of 2025, completing 37 projects that have benefited 56,792 customers, External Affairs Representative Gaston Araoz told the Alexandria City Council Tuesday night.

The utility company serves 62,500 residential customers, 5,600 commercial customers, 440 governmental customers, and two industrial customers in Alexandria, according to Araoz’s presentation to the council.

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Traffic Alert: Signal work at Duke Street and Walker Avenue causing delays

By Ryan Belmore
Traffic Light Outage (Credit: Alexandria Police Department)

Alexandria drivers should expect delays and exercise extra caution this morning at the intersection of Duke Street and Walker Avenue, where ongoing traffic signal work is affecting the morning commute.

The Alexandria Police Department issued an alert at 7:42 a.m. Wednesday advising motorists that work is being performed on the traffic light at the busy intersection. Officers are currently on scene directing traffic to maintain safety and flow.

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Notes: VRE set to welcome 100 millionth rider this October, vice mayor announces

By Ryan Belmore
A VRE train heading south through Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Good morning, Alexandria!  Today is Wednesday, Sept. 10, the 253rd day of 2025. There are 112 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 72. North wind around 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 59. North wind 3 to 6 mph.

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Alexandria council approves 1st reading to permanently close 200 block of King Street

By Ryan Belmore
200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance Tuesday night to permanently close the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic, following a pilot program that demonstrated overwhelming public support.

The ordinance, which passed 7-0, sets a public hearing and final vote for Saturday, Sept. 13. If approved, the permanent closure would take effect Oct. 1.

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Alexandria reports mixed economic signals as office vacancy climbs, retail stays strong

By Ryan Belmore
City Manager James Parajon provides Alexandria City Council with an update on Tuesday, Sept. 9. (Screenshot via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon presented the first in a series of monthly economic updates to the city council on Tuesday, Sept. 9, highlighting mixed economic signals and rising uncertainty that could complicate budget planning.

The presentation, requested by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, showed commercial office vacancy rates climbing to 21.6% in 2025 from 15% in 2023, while retail markets remained strong with Old Town posting a 5.8% vacancy rate.

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Alexandria announces first project labor agreement for $35M city hall renovation

By Ryan Belmore
City of Alexandria Announces First-Ever Project Labor Agreement for City Hall and Market Square Renovation (Credit: City of Alexandria)

Alexandria announced Tuesday its first project labor agreement for a $35 million renovation of City Hall, Market Square Plaza and an underground garage set to begin in January 2026.

City Manager James Parajon presented the agreement during Tuesday’s city council meeting, calling it “a major milestone in the history of the city of Alexandria.” The city announced the agreement via a press release following Parajon’s presentation.

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