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].

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Oct 10, 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Oct 10, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Finn and Fire to replace Kismet in Old Town (1330 views)
  2. 32-townhome project in Old Town returns to BAR in November (721 views)
  3. Traffic Alert: Lanes closed due to vehicle fire on I-95 near Eisenhower Avenue (628 views)
  4. What’s happening this weekend in Alexandria: Oct. 9-13 (415 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. ‘Beyond disqualifying’: Jay Jones controversy jolts Virginia’s pivotal 2025 elections (9885 views)
  2. Alexandria man charged with abduction, assault after ice cream dispute (8078 views)
  3. Grocery store opens inside Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden (7081 views)
  4. Alexandria-area bakery lands Capital One Arena pretzel contract (5045 views)
  5. Finn and Fire to replace Kismet in Old Town (3280 views)
  6. Alexandria activist group plans 1,200-person protest along Route 1 as part of national ‘No Kings’ movement (3090 views)
  7. Alexandria Police locate missing 24-year-old woman (2369 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Showers are possible before 11am and after 2pm, with mostly cloudy conditions and a high near 69°F. There’s a 30% chance of precipitation and an east wind at 5-8 mph. On Saturday night, showers are likely after 2am, accompanied by a cloudy sky and a low around 60°F. There’s a 70% chance of precipitation, with new amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, and a northeast wind at 8-13 mph with gusts up to 21 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.”
– Lyndon B. Johnson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

News

Alexandria named a top innovation hub by national business publication

By Ryan Belmore
City of Alexandria (Photo credit Hover Solutions for Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria has been recognized by Business Facilities magazine, a leading resource for site selection and economic development, as one of the nation’s top innovation hubs to watch in 2025.

The magazine featured Alexandria in its September/October issue, citing the city’s combination of research institutions, federal agencies and corporate partnerships.

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News

Ada’s on the River earns spot on Tom Sietsema’s final ‘Best Restaurants’ list

By Ryan Belmore
Ada's On The River (Credit: Ada's On The River on Instagram)

Ada’s on the River has secured a coveted spot on Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema’s final list of the best restaurants in and around the District, the only Alexandria establishment to earn the distinction among 40 dining destinations featured in the annual guide published Tuesday.

The waterfront restaurant in Robinson Landing received particularly high praise from Sietsema, who called it “the exception to the rule about good views canceling good cooking in tourist zones.”

Go to Ada’s on the River earns spot on Tom Sietsema’s final ‘Best Restaurants’ list Read more
News

Alexandria private equity firm DC Capital acquires UK maritime technology company

By Ryan Belmore
DC Capital Partners logo (via dccp.com)

Alexandria-based private equity firm DC Capital Partners has acquired Aeronautical & General Instruments Limited, a leading UK provider of integrated maritime technologies and systems.

The acquisition, announced Friday, allows AGI to operate as an independent company after being owned by Trident Maritime Systems since 2022. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Go to Alexandria private equity firm DC Capital acquires UK maritime technology company Read more
News

Nor’easter forces cancellation of Alexandria’s Paws in the Park

By Ryan Belmore
The 2025 Paws In The Park has been canceled due to weather. (Credit: AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria has cancelled Sunday’s Paws in the Park festival due to an approaching nor’easter forecast to bring high winds and flooding to the area.

The free community event was scheduled to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park, featuring pet adoptions, live music, a costume contest, and vendors.

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News

Alexandria defense contractor SPA acquires Vienna-based Group W

By Ryan Belmore
SPA Acquires Group W, Expanding Support for Mission Critical Modeling and Simulation Across All Domains (via Systems Planning & Analysis)

Alexandria-based Systems Planning & Analysis has acquired Group W, a Vienna defense analytics company, in a deal that combines two prominent firms specializing in modeling and simulation for the Department of Defense.

The acquisition, announced Thursday, brings together companies with complementary expertise in defense wargaming and analytical tools used across military planning and operations. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Go to Alexandria defense contractor SPA acquires Vienna-based Group W Read more
News

Alexandria residents can safely dispose of unused medications at Drug Take Back Day

By Ryan Belmore
Drug Take Back Day (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unused or expired medications during National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Alexandria Police Department, Alexandria Sheriff’s Office, and Alexandria Health Department — in cooperation with the Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition of Alexandria — will staff four drop-off locations across the city as part of the Drug Enforcement Agency’s nationwide initiative.

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Around Town

Alexandria gears up for Halloween with parades, parties and poison tours

By Ryan Belmore
Halloween on Lee Street in Old Town, Oct. 31, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

From boutique trick-or-treating to drag brunches and poison tours, Alexandria is pulling out all the stops for Halloween 2025. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities, pet parades, or adults-only thrills, the city’s packed calendar offers something for every ghoul and goblin.

Here’s your guide to the best Halloween happenings around the city.

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News

Morning Notes for October 10, 2025

By Ryan Belmore
The U.S. Naval Torpedo Station, 1925. Courtesy, National Museum of the U.S. Navy, Washington, DC.

$84M Refinancing for Meridian at Eisenhower — Berkadia has arranged an $84.1 million loan for the refinancing of Meridian at Eisenhower, a 369-unit residential high-rise located at 2351 Eisenhower Ave. in Alexandria. Patrick McGlohn, Patrick Cunningham, Brian Gould, Hunter Wood, and Natalie Hershey of Berkadia arranged the 10-year loan on behalf of the borrower, Paradigm Development Co. LLC. The direct lender was not disclosed. [Rebusiness Online]

Alexandria Targets Crash-Prone Intersections — Alexandria is cracking down on serious crashes at several intersections this month. Officials are identifying so-called “crash corridors” in the city using data to figure out where the most serious collisions have occurred. The targeted areas include Duke Street and South Washington Street, Duke Street at Van Dorn Street, and King Street, where it meets I-395. [News4]

Go to Morning Notes for October 10, 2025 Read more
News

Alexandria City Council to consider flood preparedness grant, board appointments Tuesday

By Ryan Belmore
Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The Alexandria City Council will consider a grant application for flood mitigation projects and vote on dozens of board appointments when it convenes Tuesday, October 14 at City Hall.

The Legislative Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. at 301 King St., will be preceded by a Landmark Community Development Authority meeting at 5:45 p.m. and a closed executive session (if needed) regarding specific legal matters pertaining to the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

Go to Alexandria City Council to consider flood preparedness grant, board appointments Tuesday Read more
Around Town

What’s happening this weekend in Alexandria: Oct. 9-13

By Ryan Belmore
Pets at Paws in the Park (photo by Martyn Griffen/Animal Welfare League of Alexandria)

Discover all that’s happening for events, live music, entertainment, and happenings around Alexandria this weekend; enjoy!

Organizing an event? Submit your event to ALXnow’s Event Calendar.

Go to What’s happening this weekend in Alexandria: Oct. 9-13 Read more
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