News | ALXnow - Part 107

Kingstowne burglary suspects’ vehicle found in Alexandria

Published September 23, 2025 at 6:30PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Three men suspected of running an organized burglary operation were arrested after their getaway vehicle was discovered in Alexandria with stolen goods and professional burglary equipment, according to the Fairfax County Police Department.

The arrests came after a burglary on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at a Kingstowne home where suspects stole $20,000 to $30,000 worth of items. Police later found the suspects’ vehicle in the 5600 block of Gary Avenue in Alexandria with stolen property and sophisticated burglary tools, including Wi-Fi jammers and a license plate flipping device.

Amid school board safety concerns over student transport, DASH says it doesn’t ‘expressly prohibit’ hiring sex offenders

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2025 at 5:52PM | Updated September 24, 2025 at 6:03PM

A DASH bus in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

UPDATE (Sept. 24, 2025): Following this reporting, DASH has placed both registered sex offenders on administrative leave. The transit agency said it is now assessing “the rigor of our recruitment standards” and confirmed that one of the employees is a bus driver, contradicting its initial statement Tuesday that no drivers were on the registry. DASH places 2 registered sex offenders on leave following ALXnow reporting

Following a discussion on the Alexandria School Board’s safety concerns about the proposal to transport Alexandria City High School students on DASH buses, ALXnow investigated the transit agency’s background check policies and discovered that it does not “expressly prohibit” sex offenders from employment.

Seven Alexandria sheriff’s deputies graduate from regional training academy

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 2:45PM

Photo (l-r): (back) Sheriff Sean Casey, Deputy Desmond Angus, Deputy Jason Rowland and Deputy Parmah Njoh; (middle) Deputy Lola Pitts, Deputy Amarachukwu Igwe and Deputy Micah Peffer; (front) Deputy Ashley Matias. (Credit: Alexandria Sheriff's office)

Seven recruit deputies from the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office graduated from the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy on Sept. 17 after completing eight weeks of intensive training as part of Jail Officer Basic Class 219, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

The graduates are Deputy Desmond Angus, Deputy Amarachukwu Igwe, Deputy Ashley Matias, Deputy Parmah Njoh, Deputy Micah Peffer, Deputy Lola Pitts and Deputy Jason Rowland.

Alexandria Fire Department seeks former dispatchers for 50th anniversary

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 2:15PM

Alexandria Fire Alarm 50th Anniversary (Credit: Alexandria Fire Department on Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department is seeking former employees ahead of the 50th anniversary of its Fire Alarm Headquarters, set to be celebrated in 2026.

The department began hiring its first civilian dispatchers in January 1976 to handle all fire and emergency medical calls within the city 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The change allowed firefighters previously assigned to Fire Alarm Headquarters to return to suppression duties or retire.

Burke & Herbert Bank seeks approval for illuminated signs

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2025 at 1:45PM

Burke and Herbert Bank at the corner of Fairfax and King Street in Old Town (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

After 120 years at 100 S. Fairfax Street in Old Town, Burke & Herbert Bank wants to illuminate its signs.

In a proposal that’s going to the city’s Board of Architectural Review, the bank wants to install halo-lit signs facing S. Fairfax and King Streets. The signs would be repainted and LED lights installed behind them, shining on the wall and creating a halo effect around the letters.

Virginia State Police seek help finding family of man with possible Alexandria ties found dead in Colorado

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 12:45PM | Updated September 26, 2025 at 7:02AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

UPDATE (Sept. 23, 2025): Thanks to numerous tips from the public, next of kin has been notified, according to a Virginia State Police social media post.

Virginia State Police are asking for the public’s help to notify the family of a man with possible Alexandria ties who was found dead in Colorado more than a month ago, according to WDBJ7.

Springfield man killed in I-395 crash after vehicle struck at high speed

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 12:10PM

Virginia State Police vehicle (photo by John Calhoun/JC Photography)

A Springfield man died Saturday after his disabled vehicle was struck by another car traveling at high speed on Interstate 395 in Alexandria, according to a Virginia State Police press release.

Hennry O. Ortuno Flores, 45, was driving a 2008 Toyota Corolla southbound on I-395 when his vehicle crashed and became disabled in the travel lanes near the 3-mile marker around 2:20 a.m. Saturday.

Pak Soii Izakaya to hold menu preview popup before Del Ray opening

By James Cullum

Published September 23, 2025 at 11:00AM

Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar is hosting a pop-up at their sister restaurant Gin Ramen & Asian Tapas (500 John Carlyle Street) on Oct. 4 and 5, 2025 (courtesy image)

Pak Soii Izakaya and Bar is set to open in Del Ray, and will finalize its menu with a popup at their sister restaurant, Gin Ramen & Asian Tapas (500 John Carlyle Street), on Oct. 4 and 5.

“We need to get feedback from our customers,” owner Jay Chainam told ALXnow, and said that the offerings will include sushi, yakitori, highballs, and sake.

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By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 10:13AM

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Notes: Nepenthe Gallery extends pop-up sculpture garden at River Farm through October

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 23, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 8:19AM

Li Doo Mooh is a life-size adolescent elephant made from the invasive weed “lantana camera” by villagers in India’s Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. She is part of The Great Elephant Migration Project. Nepenthe Gallery purchased her in Los Angeles and brought her across the country to showcase her at River Farm. (Credit: Nepenthe Gallery)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, Sept. 23, the 266th day of 2025. There are 99 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 86°F. South wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms tonight before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65°F. South wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Virginia Democrats and some Republicans want to extend ACA tax credits as shutdown looms

By Charlotte Rene Woods, Virginia Mercury

Published September 23, 2025 at 5:15AM | Updated September 23, 2025 at 5:46AM

Patient rooms at Inova Health Center - Oakville (staff photo by James Cullum)

Several members of Virginia’s Democratic congressional delegation met virtually Monday morning to discuss their efforts to extend special tax credits that help people purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. The credits will expire at the end of the year unless Congress renews them.

About 400,000 Virginians purchase health insurance through the state’s exchange, and some of those people qualify for Enhanced Premium Tax Credits, which were established in 2021, extended in 2022 and apply to people that earn between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level. About 100,000 Virginians are expected to lose marketplace coverage, the state exchange’s director said.