Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Notes: Power outages persist for Alexandria residents following storm

Published May 17, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated May 17, 2025 at 10:31AM

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map for Alexandria on May 17. (Screenshot)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers are likely, mainly before 8 a.m. Mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 87 degrees. Southwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch are possible.

News

Thousands without power in Alexandria following Friday night storms

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 11:21PM

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map on Friday, May 16 (screenshot)

As of 11 p.m. on Friday (May 16), more than 14,250 Dominion Energy customers in Alexandria are experiencing a power outage following severe thunderstorms that passed through the area earlier this evening.

Dominion Energy’s outage map does not have an estimated time of restoration for most of the outages with many stating that the outages are pending investigation and awaiting assignment. Dominion Energy serves more than 70,000 customers in Alexandria.

News

Historic Alexandria celebrates LGBTQ+ Pride with new website and events

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 3:00PM

Historic Alexandria Honors World Pride Month & Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ History (via Office of Historic Alexandria)

The Office of Historic Alexandria is rolling out new initiatives from May 17 to June 24 to honor Pride Month and showcase the city’s LGBTQ+ history.

On May 13, a new website dedicated to Alexandria’s LGBTQ+ history will go live. It will highlight the impact of LGBTQ+ individuals and businesses on the city’s heritage. You can find it at alexandriava.gov/historic-alexandria/lgbtq-history-in-alexandria. The site will feature expanded online storytelling and emphasize Alexandria’s role in LGBTQ+ rights.

Around Town

Del Ray’s Well Ray Festival returns for 9th year of health and wellness

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 2:00PM

Yoga at a previous Well Ray festival (photo courtesy Del Ray Business Association)

Get ready for the ninth annual Well Ray Festival, Alexandria’s largest outdoor wellness event. It’s happening on Saturday (May 17) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the corner of Mt. Vernon and Bellefonte Avenues. And the best part? It’s completely free.

This year’s festival features over 50 wellness and holistic health experts offering a wide range of services. You can get health screenings, therapeutic massages, acupuncture, physical therapy advice, and nutrition tips. There’s also wellness merchandise, food samples, and fun activities for the whole family, including face painting and a rock climbing wall.

News

Alexandria couple honored as 2025 Foster Parents of the Year

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 11:45AM

David and Carrie Field of Alexandria (Screenshot from COG Video)

David and Carrie Field of Alexandria are among the 2025 Foster Parents of the Year honorees, an honor bestowed by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG).

The couple is being recognized for their dedication to providing safe, nurturing homes for children in need.

News

ACPS superintendent, parent advocate, and two school PTAs recognized for outstanding advocacy and engagement

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 9:30AM

ACPS Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt speaks at the recognition of James K. Polk Elementary School 3rd grade teacher Sharon Phox as Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year, March 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is celebrating recent recognition from the Virginia Parent Teacher Association (Virginia PTA). Several community members and organizations received Impact Awards for their exceptional advocacy and engagement work.

The Virginia PTA has honored ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, parent and Alexandria Parent Teacher Association Council (PTAC) Vice President of Advocacy Maureen McNulty, and two school PTAs for their contributions to student success and family involvement.

News

Weather Alert: Coastal Flood Advisory issued for Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 8:16AM

Flooding in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria and Arlington County are under a Coastal Flood Advisory until 2 p.m. on Friday (May 16). Low-lying areas along the shoreline are at risk of tidal flooding.

The National Weather Service in Baltimore, MD/Washington, DC warns that water levels could rise up to half a foot above ground. Tides are expected to be two to two and a half feet higher than usual.

News

Alexandria Police issue alert for missing 70-year-old woman

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 16, 2025 at 6:00AM

Critical Missing Person Alert (via Alexandria Police Department)

The Alexandria Police Department is asking for help to find Virgie Nadine Goolsby, a 70-year-old woman who went missing Thursday morning.

Goolsby was last seen around 10 a.m. in the 700 block of North Patrick Street. She was wearing a black blouse and black pants at the time.

News

Alexandria to host Vietnam Veterans’ events displaced by DC parade

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 15, 2025 at 8:00PM

The Wall That Heals exhibit features a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The replica is 375 feet in length and stands 7.5 feet high at its tallest point. Visitors experience The Wall rising above them as they walk towards the apex, a key feature of the design of The Wall in D.C. (via VVMF)

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) is moving its annual Father’s Day weekend events from Washington, D.C., to Alexandria, because of a planned military parade in the capital.

On Thursday, the VVMF announced that the In Memory Ceremony and Father’s Day Rose Remembrance will now take place at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial on June 14-15. These events have been held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for over 30 years, making this relocation a significant change.

Around Town

Sweet and playful Peaches seeks a loving home in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 15, 2025 at 7:00PM

Peaches (via AWLA)

Meet your new best friend, Peaches – this week’s adoptable dog of the week.

Sweet and playful Peaches, a 2-year-old, 56-pound pup with a gray coat and white markings, is available for adoption from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA).

News

Alexandria’s 2025 Real Estate Tax bills hit mailboxes, due next month

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 15, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated May 15, 2025 at 6:20PM

Money (staff photo by James Cullum)

The City of Alexandria has mailed bills for the first half of 2025 real estate taxes, refuse fees, and stormwater utility fees to property owners and mortgage companies. Payment is due by June 16.

For 2025, the real estate tax rate is $1.135 per $100 of assessed value. The first-half refuse fee is $250 per can, and the first-half stormwater utility fee is $162.05 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).