Ryan Belmore | ALXnow

Free Expungement Clinic on April 26 will assist residents in clearing Alexandria criminal records

Published March 25, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 11:47AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria is hosting an expungement clinic on Saturday, April 26, as part of Second Chance Month. The clinic will give residents a chance to clear their criminal records.

The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street), is designed to help people expunge court and police records that originated in Alexandria.

News

Alexandria’s Complete Streets Program sparks debate at Agenda: Alexandria forum

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 24, 2025 at 9:10PM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 10:30AM

Dane Lauritzen, Alex Carroll, Kanti Srikanth, Carter Flemming, and Rod Kuckro. (Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Alexandria’s Complete Streets program continues to spark debate among residents, with some praising its safety benefits while others criticize its impact on traffic flow. The issue took center stage at the Lyceum during an Agenda: Alexandria forum on Monday, March 24, where panelists representing various perspectives discussed the merits and challenges of the city’s approach to street design.

Complete Streets is a national movement adopted by over 1,500 communities across the United States, including Alexandria. The concept aims to design roadways that safely accommodate all users – pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and transit riders.

Around Town

Adoptable Benny is a ‘guaranteed best bud’

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 24, 2025 at 2:30PM

Benny. (via Alexandria Welfare League of Alexandria)

Meet your new best friend, Benny – this week’s adoptable dog of the week!

Benny, an eight-year-old male mixed-breed, is available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria.

News

Lowery’s Dial moving to a new location on King Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 24, 2025 at 11:30AM

Lowery's Dial plans to open its new doors at 1225 King Street in early April

Lowery’s Dial, a beloved vintage store in Old Town, is moving to its own space on King Street.

The business shared the news on Instagram, revealing that the new location will double the shop’s size and allow for an expanded product range. Lowery’s Dial’s Instagram post captured their mix of emotions: “We’re excited, shocked, hopeful, dreamy, and maybe a little nervous about this new adventure.”

News

Alexandria Film Festival finds new home at MetroStage Theater

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 24, 2025 at 10:30AM

Rendering of the new permanent home of the Alexandria Film Festival at MetroStage in the Old Town North Arts District. (via Alexandria Film Festival on Facebook)

The Alexandria Film Festival is set to make MetroStage‘s new theater its permanent home starting in 2026.

According to a press release published by both organizations, this four-day event, which showcases independent features and short films from around the world, will be the first “In Residence” arts organization to share space with MetroStage.

News

Alexandria Little League will kick off spring 2025 season with an opening day celebration on March 29

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 24, 2025 at 9:00AM

An Alexandria Little League home run. (Photo via Alexandria Little League/Facebook)

The Alexandria Little League is ready to start the Spring 2025 season with a bang on Saturday, March 29 at Little Simpson Field (426 E. Monroe Avenue). Players should arrive by 10 a.m., with the parade and ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m.

The event promises plenty of excitement for players and families alike. There’ll be free donuts and coffee, a team parade, and high school alumni players giving on-field high-fives to the young athletes.

News

Notes: Alexandria Police clean up park to honor fallen officer

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 23, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated March 24, 2025 at 8:55AM

Members of the APD Special Operations Team, Hostage Negotiations Team and Tactical Support Unit cleaned and beautified the Charles W. Hill Park. (via Alexandria Police on Facebook)

Good Sunday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 57 degrees. North wind 5 to 9 mph, becoming light and variable. Tonight – Showers are likely, mainly after 2 a.m. Cloudy, with a low of around 45 degrees. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible. Monday -Showers likely, mainly before 11 a.m. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 67 degrees. South wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch possible.

News

Former U.S. Attorney Jessica Aber passes away unexpectedly

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 22, 2025 at 5:32PM | Updated March 25, 2025 at 5:57PM

Jessica D. Aber (via U.S. Department of Justice Archives)

Jessica D. Aber, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, has died at 43, officials say.

Alexandria police responded to a call about an unresponsive woman in the 900 block of Beverley Drive in Alexandria around 9:18 a.m. on Saturday (March 22). They found Aber dead at the scene.

News

Notes: Spicelife Indian Fare opening next week in Bradlee Shopping Center

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 22, 2025 at 8:00AM

Spicelife Indian Fare is opening at 3616 King Street. (Photo by Ryan Belmore)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today's weather: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 69 degrees. Light southwest wind becoming west 11 to 16 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear, with a low around 36 degrees. Northwest wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

News

Alexandria therapist Melanie Froemke named Virginia’s Play Therapist of the Year

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 2:45PM

Melanie Froemke, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, received the Play Therapist of the Year Award for 2025 from Sarah Harig, LPC, RPT-S, at the recent Virginia Association for Play Therapy annual conference in Richmond, Virginia. Melanie was awarded the honor as a therapist who elevates play therapy through work with clients & families, trains, supervises, and develops new play therapists.

Melanie Froemke, owner of River Grove Therapy in Alexandria, has been recognized as the 2025 Play Therapist of the Year by the Virginia Association for Play Therapy.

The award, given out at VAPT’s Annual State Conference in Richmond on March 7, highlights exceptional leadership and commitment to advancing play therapy in Virginia.

News

Firefighters extinguish porch fire in Old Town North

By Ryan Belmore

Published March 21, 2025 at 2:15PM

Alexandria firefighters responded to a porch fire on Friday, March 21. (photo via Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF Local 2141)

Alexandria firefighters tackled a porch fire that had spread into a first-floor apartment on Friday morning (March 21) in Old Town North.

According to Alexandria Firefighters, the blaze in the 1300 block of East Abington Drive was quickly extinguished by Engine 209 and Truck 205, the first units on the scene.