Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson named NOVA Parks Executive Director

Published August 15, 2025 at 8:52AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 1:50PM

Justin Wilson has been selected as NOVA Parks next Executive Director (Photo provided by NOVA Parks)

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has been selected as the next executive director of NOVA Parks, the regional park authority announced Friday.

Wilson, who served 14 years on the Alexandria City Council, including two terms as mayor, will assume the role of Executive Director in a full-time capacity beginning Oct. 6, succeeding Paul Gilbert, who announced his retirement in April after 20 years leading the organization. During Gilbert’s tenure, NOVA Parks expanded significantly, adding 15 new parks and acquiring more than 1,800 acres of parkland through 22 acquisition transactions.

News

ARHA CEO responds to tenant complaints, acknowledges past challenges

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 8:47AM

ARHA properties in Old Town, Alexandria. (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority CEO Erik C. Johnson issued a lengthy statement Thursday morning acknowledging “valid” tenant concerns and detailing reforms implemented since he took the helm in September 2024.

The statement comes two days after ALXnow reported that tenants plan to protest on Wednesday, Aug. 20, at ARHA headquarters over delayed payments, service issues, and other problems.

News

Bidding suspended on Alexandria home as two other properties head to tax sale Wednesday

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 14, 2025 at 6:45PM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 2:12PM

5340 Holmes Run Parkway (via tacssale.com)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated with developments as of Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. Bidding has been suspended on one of the three properties originally scheduled for tax sale.

Bidding was suspended Friday on one of three Alexandria properties scheduled for tax sale next week, while the other two properties continued to attract bids ahead of Wednesday’s auction deadline.

News

Mayor Gaskins calls for federal, state audits to assess impact of new federal mandates

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 14, 2025 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins is urging state and federal leaders to conduct expedited audits of Virginia’s readiness to implement new federal requirements affecting Medicaid and food assistance programs.

In letters sent this week to Alexandria’s congressional delegation and General Assembly representatives, Gaskins requested reviews by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission and the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the state’s preparedness for mandates in the recently enacted federal legislation known as H.R. 1, or the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

News

Alexandria councilman repays city $820 for taxpayer-funded mailer

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published August 14, 2025 at 3:00PM

Alexandria City Council Member Abdel Elnoubi (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Councilman Abdel-Rahman Elnoubi has reimbursed the city $820.33 after using taxpayer funds to mail a letter to constituents that highlighted his accomplishments during his first six months in office.

The four-page letter, sent on official city letterhead, detailed Elnoubi’s role in various city initiatives, including student transportation improvements, budget passage, housing plans, and infrastructure projects. When questioned about the appropriateness of using public resources for communication, Elnoubi acknowledged potential concerns and stated that he had voluntarily repaid the city with a check.

News

Man convicted in Alexandria hit-and-run that injured teen, prompted school lockdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 14, 2025 at 9:45AM

Montgomery and North Patrick Streets, where a teen was struck in a hit-and-run (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 30-year-old man was convicted Tuesday by an Alexandria jury on felony charges stemming from a 2023 hit-and-run incident that left a 15-year-old hospitalized and prompted a lockdown at George Washington Middle School.

Zsavon Gionte Walters was found guilty of malicious bodily injury and hit-and-run causing personal injury to another in connection with the Oct. 4, 2023, incident in the Parker-Gray area of Old Town Alexandria.

News

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita scales back hours after neighbor concerns in Del Ray

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 7:45PM

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita (via Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita)

A new Mexican restaurant in Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood will close daily at 2 a.m. rather than operate around the clock after facing opposition from residents, the Alexandria Times reported.

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita received approval Friday from Alexandria’s Department of Planning and Zoning for its special use permit at 529 E. Howell Ave., but with modified hours from its original 24/7 request, according to the Alexandria Times.

News

Beyer, Gaskins, Jan. 6 officer Fanone to headline Alexandria Democrats’ Labor Day picnic

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 7:15PM | Updated August 14, 2025 at 1:25PM

Labor Day Picnic will include special guests Congressman Don Beyer, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Officer Michael Fanone, and more. (Credit: Alexandria Democratic Committee)

The Alexandria Democratic Committee announced Tuesday in a newsletter to supporters that it will host its annual Labor Day picnic at a new indoor-outdoor venue this year, marking a shift from previous outdoor-only locations to ensure the event remains accessible regardless of weather conditions.

The picnic is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 1, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Garden Alexandria, located at 5380 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria.

News

Police arrest D.C. man in series of Alexandria indecent exposure cases

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 5:15PM | Updated August 14, 2025 at 10:08AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria police have arrested a 29-year-old Washington, D.C., man in connection with multiple indecent exposure incidents that occurred over two months in three city neighborhoods.

Marc Westbrooks was arrested Monday following a grand jury indictment on 10 misdemeanor counts, including four counts of indecent exposure and six counts of simulated masturbation with the intent to be seen, according to a news release from the Alexandria Police Department.

News

Man who jumped from King Street balcony was indicted for dating app fraud

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 4:15PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The man who died Aug. 8 after jumping from a 15th-floor balcony during an FBI arrest attempt had been indicted on multiple counts of wire fraud for allegedly defrauding women he met on dating apps, according to court documents obtained by ABC 7/WJLA.

Shawn Steven Harris jumped from the Alexander Apartments in the 4300 block of King Street around 6 a.m. as federal agents attempted to serve an arrest warrant for wire fraud and false impersonation of a federal officer, according to an indictment filed in the Eastern District of Virginia.

News

Mount Vernon Trail widening project to close East Abingdon Drive starting Monday

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 13, 2025 at 2:15PM

Construction on East Abingdon Drive North of Slaters Lane to Begin August 18 (via City of Alexandria)

Construction will close East Abingdon Drive north of Slaters Lane starting Monday as part of a long-awaited project to widen the Mount Vernon Trail, the City of Alexandria announced.

The work is scheduled to begin Aug. 18, weather permitting, and continue through early October. Construction crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.