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

Alexandria lights up with Pride, Juneteenth, and endless summer fun this weekend

By Ryan Belmore
ALXWEBA - West End Business Association will Celebrate Pride In The West End on June 20 (via ALXWEBA)

Alexandria is set to burst with activity this weekend, offering a vibrant mix of Pride celebrations, Juneteenth commemorations, and a plethora of summer events for all ages.

From lively block parties and historical tours to outdoor movies and family-friendly workshops, residents and visitors alike will find no shortage of ways to soak up the sun and community spirit across the city from Friday, June 20, through Sunday, June 22.

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News

Notes: Celebrating Juneteenth in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore
Enjoy traditional African American storytelling and songs reflecting the journey toward freedom with the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble on Juneteenth at Market Square (via Visit Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, June 19, the 170th day of 2025. There are 195 days left in the year. Today is Juneteenth.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m.. Increasing clouds, with a high near 94 degrees. Heat index values as high as 101. Southwest wind 7 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

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News

Alexandria calls off Community Cookout at Patrick Henry due to weather

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria community cookout (file photo)

Due to inclement weather, Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) has been forced to cancel Wednesday’s (June 18) Community Cookout at the Patrick Henry Rec. Center (4643 Taney Ave.).

Celebrating its 18th Annual Community Cookout Series, this marks the fourth time this year that RPCA has had to cancel a cookout due to weather. With free food, games, and more, the annual series of cookouts began in late April, aiming to connect residents with their city government and leaders.

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Weather

Weather Alert: Severe Thunderstorm Watch, Flood Watch in effect for Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore
Severe Thunderstorm Watch for ALX (via National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch and a Flood Watch for Alexandria and surrounding communities.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 7 p.m., and the Flood Watch is in effect until 8 p.m. on Wednesday (June 18).

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News

Old Town sewer upgrade set for July, Wilkes Street Tunnel to close briefly

By Ryan Belmore

Alexandria is preparing to replace the old sewer pipes on the 500 block of South Lee Street. The project aims to boost capacity and prevent backups by replacing existing 6-inch and 8-inch pipes with larger 10-inch ones between Wilkes and Gibbon streets.

Set to kick off in July, this $250,000 upgrade is expected to take four months. City officials will share details at a community meeting for the South Lee Street Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project at City Hall on June 25, with a Zoom option available for those who cannot attend in person.

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News

Center for Alexandria’s Children names Terri Cheshire its Executive Director

By Ryan Belmore
The Center for Alexandria’s Children Announces Terri Cheshire as Executive Director (via The Center for Alexandria's Children)

The Center for Alexandria’s Children has named Terri Cheshire as its new Executive Director.

Cheshire, who’s been serving as Acting Executive Director recently, got the job after a nationwide search. She brings more than two decades of experience in child welfare, forensic interviewing, and advocacy to the table.

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News

Virginia Democrats move to round out ticket in key off-year election

By Olivia Diaz | Associated Press/Report For America and Ryan Belmore
Vote Here sign outside of Mount Vernon Recreation Center. Voters in Alexandria are participating in a Democratic Primary Election for Lt. Governor and Attorney General on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Former Del. Jay Jones will look to be the face of legal resistance to President Donald Trump in Virginia after winning Tuesday’s closely watched Democratic state primary for attorney general.

Jones will face Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares in the November general election. His victory was a critical step for Democrats in rounding out their ticket ahead of a bellwether election later this year.

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News

Six Alexandria students receive Community Foundation scholarships

By Ryan Belmore
2025 Grantees & Scholarship Awardees (via Community Foundation for Northern Virginia)

The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia has awarded scholarships to six Alexandria students, part of a group of over 100 recipients who will share more than $350,000 for the 2025-2026 school year.

These scholarships, which range from $1,200 to $5,000, assist students in managing the costs of higher education.

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News

Alexandria’s historic Pendleton Rooming House getting a makeover

By Ryan Belmore
1022 Pendleton Street (Credit: Corrine Jackson Lee Dixon)

A 100-year-old rooming house in Alexandria’s Parker-Gray neighborhood is getting a significant facelift to keep providing affordable housing.

The Pendleton Rooming House (1022 Pendleton St.) is starting a big renovation project, according to the City of Alexandria’s Office of Housing. They’re upgrading the building’s central systems to make it safer and more accessible while preserving its historic charm.

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News

A guide to what the Juneteenth holiday is and how to celebrate it in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore and Terry Tang, Associated Press
Alexandria celebrates Juneteenth. (Credit: Carol Jean Stalun Photography)

It was 160 years ago that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, learned they had been freed — after the Civil War’s end and two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.

The resulting Juneteenth holiday — its name combining “June” and “nineteenth” — has only grown in one-and-a-half centuries. In 2021, President Joe Biden designated it a federal holiday — expanding its recognition beyond Black America.

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Opinion

Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore
Poll: The best bagel shop in Alexandria (via ALXnow)

Whether you’re craving an egg sandwich or a bagel piled high with your favorite toppings, there are quite a few spots around Alexandria to get your fix.

Here are the nominees for “Best Bagel Shop in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

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