News | ALXnow - Part 111

ACPS seeks 1% sales tax for school construction, end to School Board chair salary cap

Published October 13, 2025 at 4:30PM | Updated October 14, 2025 at 5:19AM

Alexandria School Board Chair Michelle Rief speaks at Alexandria City High School's 25th anniversary celebration of the film Remember The Titans, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Public Schools supports a 1% local sales tax increase for school construction, in addition to several other legislative priorities that will be discussed at a School Board work session this week.

The Board will discuss its legislative priorities at a work session on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6 p.m. Those priorities include the 1% sales tax increase, which would require voter approval after City Council action, as well as access to education support regardless of student immigration status, and eliminating the cap on compensation for the chair of the school board.

Silent reading party with Halloween twist set for Oct. 18 in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 3:30PM

Reading in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Settle back with a good book and relax next Saturday, because Hotel AKA Alexandria (625 First Street) is hosting a silent reading party with a Halloween twist on Saturday, Oct 18.

Tickets for the event cost $39, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., book lovers can relax to live piano music in the hotel’s a.lounge+bar. The ticket also includes a festive cocktail, mocktail, and light bites, according to the event announcement. Old Town Books will also be on hand to provide a selection of seasonal books. More on the reading party is below.

Suspect with knife steals cigarettes from West End convenience store

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 2:30PM

The 7-Eleven at 6120 Lincolnia Road (via Google Maps)

No injuries were reported after a male with a knife robbed a West End convenience store of cigarettes on Sunday, October 12

A clerk at the 7-Eleven store at 6120 Linconia Road called police after the incident occurred at around 5:30 a.m., according to Alexandria Police Department radio dispatches. The suspect, who fled the scene on foot, is described as a Black male wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and black shoes.

Magpie Reclamations closing Del Ray store, moving to Hollin Hall Shopping Center

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 2:01PM

Magpie Reclamations announced on October 8 that beginning December 1 that you will be able to find them at Urban Redeux. (Credit: Magpie Reclamations)

Magpie Reclamations, a sustainable furniture and home décor shop, announced last week that it will close its Del Ray storefront and relocate to Urban Redeux in Fairfax County this winter.

The vintage furniture retailer posted on social media Tuesday that its store at 202 E. Custis Ave. will close after two years in the neighborhood. The last day of regular store hours is scheduled for Nov. 16.

Agenda: Alexandria to discuss the art of civil discourse on Oct. 27

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 1:30PM

A packed house at the Agenda Alexandia discussion on building heights and affordable housing, October 24, 2022. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Is civil discourse a dying art? The topic will be discussed at Agenda: Alexandria‘s upcoming forum in the city’s Carlyle neighborhood on Monday, October 27.

Panelists at the event include Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kate Woodsome; JoAnn Koob, director of the Liberty and Law Center at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School; Alexandria living legend Carter Flemming; and Victor Ignacio of the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office. Tickets for the hour-and-a-half-long discussion are $10. The event starts at 7 p.m. and will be held at Cowo & Creche (2034 Eisenhower Avenue).

Government shutdown could be the longest ever, Speaker Johnson warns

By The Associated Press

Published October 13, 2025 at 12:47PM | Updated October 13, 2025 at 1:42PM

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., praises President Donald Trump's peacemaking efforts leading to a ceasefire pausing two years of war in the Gaza Strip, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

By LISA MASCARO AP Congressional Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republican Speaker Mike Johnson predicted Monday the federal government shutdown may become the longest in history, saying he “won’t negotiate” with Democrats until they hit pause on their health care demands and reopen.

Del Ray Halloween Parade set for Oct. 26

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 12:30PM

As seen at the Del Ray Halloween Parade, Oct. 27, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Get your Halloween costumes ready, because an Alexandria tradition is returning on Sunday, Oct. 26.

Thousands of participants are expected at the 29th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade. Every year, Ghostbusters, superheroes, fairies, princesses, and many more costumed Alexandrians march along Mount Vernon Avenue at the intersection with E. Bellefonte Avenue to the fields at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue). The festivities start at 2 p.m., and always end with the Del Ray Business Association (DRBA) awarding the winners of the best decorated house and business in Del Ray, as well as the best-dressed group, pet costume, and stroller.

AFD assists in extinguishing house fire in Franconia

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 11:30AM

The Alexandria Fire Department assisted in extinguishing a fire at a home in the 5800 Block of Queens Gate Court in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department assisted in extinguishing a fire at a home in the 5800 Block of Queens Gate Court in the Franconia area of Fairfax County on Sunday morning (Oct. 12).

No injuries were reported. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and AFD responded to the blaze at the two-level home at 8:10 a.m., and the fire was extinguished around 30 minutes later, according to radio dispatches.

Driver rescued after crashing into parked tractor-trailer in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published October 13, 2025 at 10:30AM

One person was extricated from a pinned vehicle in the 4100 block of Wheeler Avenue on Oct. 12, 2025 (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department rescued one person who was pinned in their vehicle after crashing into a parked tractor-trailer in the city’s West End on Sunday, Oct. 12.

The crash was reported at around 2:45 p.m. in the 4100 block of Wheeler Avenue, and the victim was removed from the vehicle 30 minutes later, according to dispatch reports. The pinned driver was bleeding from the head and chest, was alert and conscious, and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to dispatches.

Alexandria wins state award for budget communications approach

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 9:30AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The City of Alexandria received a 2025 Innovation Award from the Virginia Municipal League on Sunday for its fiscal year 2026 budget outreach efforts.

The award, presented at the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke, honors the city’s efforts to make its budget process more transparent and accessible amid potential federal funding cuts. Alexandria was one of seven Virginia localities to receive awards recognizing excellence in local government.

Missing 13-year-old Alexandria girl found safe

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated October 13, 2025 at 12:59PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 13-year-old girl who was reported missing Monday morning has been located safe, the Alexandria Police Department announced.

Tajim Hossain was found safe, according to an update posted on the department’s X account at 12:56 p.m. “Thank you for sharing the message,” the department wrote.