Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Alexandria City Council approves changes to police auditor and review board ordinances

Published April 28, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated April 28, 2025 at 10:41AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Alexandria City Council voted 5-2 to approve changes to the Independent Community Police Review Board ordinance, bringing an end to a years-long process to get the board fully operational.

The approved changes include limiting the board’s subpoena power to documents only and requiring City Council approval for investigations when there’s disagreement between the board and the independent auditor.

Around Town

Got local news? Promote your news directly to Alexandrians with ALXnow announcements

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 28, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated April 29, 2025 at 7:59AM

Submit an announcement to ALXnow (screenshot)

You already know that ALXnow is the go-to place for local news. But did you know that you can also promote your news on the site?

Yes, the new item on your menu or the award you just won from an industry association is unlikely to be headline news that we would cover. But you can submit it to us as an announcement.

News

BREAKING: Three males shot in Arlandria Sunday night

By Ryan Belmore and James Cullum

Published April 27, 2025 at 9:42PM | Updated April 28, 2025 at 4:52PM

This man was among three men shot in the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard in Arlandria on Sunday, April 27, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A shooting in Alexandria’s Arlandria neighborhood has left three men injured. The incident occurred on Sunday (April 27) just after 9 p.m. in the area of the 3800 block of Old Dominion Boulevard and the 600 block of Notabene Drive.

The Alexandria Police Department (APD) had initially been dispatched to West Glebe Road for reports of gunfire and a report of a victim shot in the back.

News

Notes: Alexandria’s action-packed Sunday – marathons, markets, music & more

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 27, 2025 at 7:45AM | Updated April 28, 2025 at 6:01AM

The Study at Morrison House (via The Study at Morrison House on Facebook)

Good Sunday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers likely before 11 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80 degrees—southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible. Tonight there will be scattered showers before 8 p.m.. Mostly clear, with a low around 47 degrees. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

News

Ross Dress for Less building in Old Town to become Linder Academy Upper School

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 26, 2025 at 9:15AM | Updated April 26, 2025 at 10:30AM

The Linder Academy's Middle & Upper School is opening in Fall 2025. (via The Linder Academy)

The Linder Academy is growing.

The private school, which now teaches kids from kindergarten through 8th grade, is adding a new upper school for grades 7-12. It’s set to open in fall 2025 in downtown Alexandria.

News

Notes: Explore gardens, support bookstores, participate in civic events on this packed Saturday

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 26, 2025 at 8:00AM

Old Town Books (Photo via Old Town Books Facebook)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers likely before 11 a.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80 degrees—southwest wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 70%—new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible. Tonight there will be scattered showers before 8 p.m.. Mostly clear, with a low around 47 degrees. Northwest wind 11 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

News

Alexandria firefighters battle two-alarm apartment fire on Sheffield Court

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 26, 2025 at 7:30AM | Updated April 26, 2025 at 12:01PM

Fire in the 5400 block of Sheffield Ct. on April 25 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

A fire erupted in a top-floor apartment in Alexandria on Friday night (April 25), triggering a two-alarm response from emergency services.

Alexandria Fire Department’s Engine and Truck 208 were first on the scene at the 5400 block of Sheffield Court. Firefighters encountered flames coming from a top-floor apartment and quickly worked to put out the fire, which had spread to the attic.

Around Town

Alexandria gears up for Independent Bookstore Day celebrations

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:00PM

Old Town Books (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Alexandria is preparing to celebrate the annual Independent Bookstore Day, with local literary havens, Old Town Books (130 South Royal Street) and Friends to Lovers Bookstore (301 Cameron Street), planning a range of engaging activities and special offerings as participating stores.

Independent Bookstore Day is a one-day national party that takes place at indie bookstores across the country on the last Saturday in April. This year, the event is scheduled for Saturday (April 26). This day aims to celebrate the unique and independent nature of each bookstore.

News

Free Food, Fun, and Resources: Alexandria’s Community Cookouts return this spring and summer

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 25, 2025 at 11:00AM

Community Cookouts (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is once again preparing to host its beloved annual Community Cookout events this spring and summer, marking its 18th year as a way to connect the community with city resources.

The City of Alexandria announced on Friday, April 25, the schedule for these free events, inviting residents to connect with their neighbors and City resources while enjoying food, games, activities, and giveaways.

News

Walk through Sudan’s tragedy: Massive floor art installation coming to Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 24, 2025 at 8:30PM

Artist Rosemary Feit Convey with her Sudan inspired art work (via American Friends of the Episcopal Church of the Sudans)

A compelling art exhibit is coming to Old Town on May 10, shedding light on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

“Red-Handed – Sudan: Don’t Turn Away” features a massive 40-by-35-foot floor artwork by South African-born artist Rosemary Feit Covey. The mixed-media piece shows stylized bodies of hundreds of victims with red-painted hands.

News

CareerCon offers career exploration and $4,000 in scholarships for high school and college attendees

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 24, 2025 at 7:45PM

Hosted by The Chamber ALX and presented by Virginia Tech Innovation Campus, Careercon connects students with professionals across industries like Cybersecurity, Healthcare, Finance, Entrepreneurship, and more. (via The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce)

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its annual CareerCon, a free event designed to help high school and college students explore career options and get valuable tips on college applications, resume writing, and scholarships.

Set for May 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., the event will take place at the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (3625 Potomac Avenue).