Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria Sheriff’s Office opens applications for fall community academy

Published July 11, 2025 at 9:00AM

Sergeant Mauck supervises a PepperBall® launcher training activity with members of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Community Academy. (via Alexandria Sheriff’s Office)

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its fall Community Academy, providing residents and city workers with a free opportunity to learn about local law enforcement operations.

Sheriff Sean Casey announced Thursday (July 10) that the program will run for four consecutive Saturday mornings, from September 6 to September 27, with sessions held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications are due by Friday, August 29; however, officials warn that space is limited.

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Senator Warner slams ‘worst legislation’ of career, says GOP bill will strip healthcare coverage from 300k Virginians

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 10, 2025 at 6:30PM

Senator Warner held media availability on July 10 (screenshot from media availability)

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner held a media availability Thursday afternoon (July 10) to condemn what he called “one of the worst pieces of legislation” he has seen in his career, referring to a recently passed Republican bill that he says will devastate healthcare access and veteran services across Virginia.

The Virginia Democrat told reporters the legislation will strip healthcare coverage from 17 million Americans, including at least 300,000 Virginians, while providing tax cuts for wealthy Americans and adding $3.5 trillion to the national debt.

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Alexandria Library to debut new online catalog system next month

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 10, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Charles Beatley library in Alexandria (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria Library will unveil an upgraded online catalog system on August 19, which will require all library branches to close for the day as staff migrate to the new platform.

The new integrated library system, provided by Innovative Clarivate, promises to enhance the user experience for both patrons and staff while making the library’s collection of books, audiobooks, DVDs, and other materials easier to discover and access.

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Notes: Nearly 600 use SoberRide service during Independence Day weekend

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 10, 2025 at 8:00AM

Lyft. Credit: Lyft

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, July 10, the 191st day of 2025. There are 174 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Light southwest wind. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

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AWLA receives $100,000 grant to expand veterinary care access in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 3:30PM

The AWLA has been hosting Pets & People Community Wellness Events. (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to address barriers that prevent residents in historically excluded communities from accessing veterinary care, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The one-year Incubator grant will focus on neighborhoods near the Mark Center off North Beauregard Street, where rising costs and geographical, cultural, and systemic barriers have left many pet owners without adequate veterinary resources.

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Chinquapin Park Recreation Center begins major accessibility upgrades

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 2:45PM

The City of Alexandria launched a major accessibility improvement project at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility on Tuesday (July 8), marking the beginning of a six-month construction effort designed to make the popular community hub more accessible to all residents.

The Phase 1 project, which runs through January 31, 2026, will incorporate several key accessibility features, including a new accessibility lift in the main lobby, a more accessible front desk, additional family-changing rooms, and a new lifeguard office. The facility will remain open throughout most of the construction period.

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Alexandria Community Cookout moves indoors due to storm advisory

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 2:00PM

Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street in Old Town (photo via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria’s Community Cookout, initially scheduled for the Andrew Adkins Public Housing Community tonight (July 9), has been moved indoors to the Charles Houston Recreation Center due to a thunderstorm weather advisory, city officials announced on Wednesday.

The event, organized by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), will take place at 6 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center located at 901 Wythe Street. Residents can expect a variety of free activities, including games, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with neighbors and learn about city services and programs.

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Rep. Beyer highlights research grants canceled by Trump administration at Capitol Hill event

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:00PM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer called out Elon Musk at his office in Old Town on March 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined scientists from across the nation on Capitol Hill today to showcase research that has been halted due to grant cancellations by the Trump administration.

Congressman Beyer, who represents the 8th Congressional District of Virginia (which includes Alexandria), spoke at “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants,” a three-hour event hosted by House Democrats on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. More than twenty researchers whose federal grants have been terminated presented their work to lawmakers and discussed the impact of the funding cuts.

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Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Alexandria as triple weather threat targets region

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 2:00PM

Severe Thunderstorm Watch for ALX. Radar valid at 154 pm EDT, Jul 8th 2025 (via National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Alexandria and much of Northern Virginia until 9 p.m. Tuesday evening (July 8), as the region faces a dangerous combination of extreme heat, potential flash flooding, and damaging winds.

The watch covers 22 counties in Virginia, including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, and Prince William, along with portions of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Meteorologists warn that scattered severe thunderstorms will be capable of producing damaging winds throughout the afternoon and evening hours.

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Bestselling author Adriana Trigiani to host special evening in Alexandria benefiting Campagna Center

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 1:45PM

Bestselling Author Adriana Trigiani to Host Special Talk Benefiting Campagna Center (via Campagna Center)

Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to spend an evening with bestselling author Adriana Trigiani on Friday, July 25, at a special fundraising event benefiting the Campagna Center at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.).

The evening will feature Trigiani in conversation with Christine Gunderson, a former television journalist, Capitol Hill press secretary, and debut novelist. The event celebrates “the power of storytelling, literature, and conversation” while raising funds for one of Alexandria’s oldest nonprofit organizations.

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Woodlawn Press Winery will permanently close on July 26

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 12:00PM | Updated July 8, 2025 at 1:49PM

Woodlawn Press Winery has announced that it will permanently close on July 26 (via Woodlawn Press Winery on Instagram)

After six years of bringing handcrafted wines and community spirit to Northern Virginia, Woodlawn Press Winery announced today (July 8) that it will permanently close its tasting room (8733-B Cooper Road, Alexandria) on Saturday, July 26, marking the end of an era for the urban microwinery that became a beloved fixture in the Fairfax County community.

Andrew and Bonnie, the husband-and-wife team behind Woodlawn Press, shared the bittersweet news through an emotional Instagram post and detailed announcement on their website, revealing that their decision comes as they prepare to join family wine operations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.