News | ALXnow - Part 111

Students voice strong opposition to DASH bus proposal in survey results

Published September 19, 2025 at 5:31AM | Updated September 19, 2025 at 2:28PM

Electric DASH bus, photo via DASH/Facebook

Three out of five Alexandria City High School students oppose the city’s proposal to replace school buses with DASH public transit, student representatives told the school board Thursday.

A survey of 131 high school students found 60.3% oppose the proposal — with 37.4% strongly opposed and 22.9% moderately opposed. Only 26% support the plan, while 13.7% reported being indifferent, according to data presented by student representative Madesen Lynch during the representatives’ regular update to the board.

Former Alexandria City High swimmer Emil LaSida, 21, dies; held college records

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 4:15PM

Former ACHS swim and dive team captain Emil LaSida (via Facebook)

Emil LaSida, 21, a record-holding swimmer at Case Western Reserve University and a former captain of the Alexandria City High School swim and dive team, died Sept. 15.

Case Western Reserve University announced Sept. 17 that LaSida had died, but the cause of his death has not been released. A fourth-year student majoring in engineering, LaSida set the school record last year in the men’s 50 freestyle with a time of 19.98 seconds at the NCAA Division III Championships and earned All-American Second Team honors, according to the university.

Alexandria to hold pre-construction meeting for Fort Ward Park playground

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 3:15PM

Rendering of planned Fort Ward Park playground (photo via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will conduct a pre-construction meeting for the Fort Ward Park playground later this month.

The city will conduct the virtual meeting on Monday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. and provide information on the project construction and archaeological monitoring. Construction is expected to start this fall and be finished next summer, according to the city.

New farmers market opens Sept. 25 near King St.-Old Town Metro station

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 2:45PM

Farmers' Market (photo courtesy Visit Alexandria)

A new farmers market opens Thursday, Sept. 25, across from the King St.-Old Town Metro station.

The King Street Station Farmers Market will be held every Thursday from Sept. 25 to Oct. 30 from 3 to 7 p.m. at the King Street Station Office Plaza at 1800 Diagonal Road. The market is free to attend and sponsored by the King Street Station Association.

Warner slams federal ‘politicization’ of Alexandria schools

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 18, 2025 at 2:15PM

Senator Mark Warner during Virginia media availability on Sept. 18 (screenshot of video)

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner criticized the Trump administration’s targeting of Northern Virginia school districts over transgender bathroom policies during a media availability Thursday, calling the federal government’s actions against some of the state’s best school divisions “remarkable.”

Warner responded to a question from ALXnow about the timeline for potential federal funding cuts to Alexandria City Public Schools, which along with four other Northern Virginia districts faces ongoing disputes with the U.S. Department of Education over Title IX compliance.

Safety report highlights dangerous Alexandria intersections after 318 near-miss incidents

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 18, 2025 at 1:45PM

A heat map shows the concentration of near-miss incidents reported in Alexandria between January 2024 and July 2025, with darker areas indicating higher incident density. (Image via NoVA FSS)

Six Alexandria intersections have emerged as critical safety hazards where pedestrians and cyclists face daily risks from distracted drivers and inadequate infrastructure, according to a new report analyzing more than 300 near-miss incidents over 18 months.

The report, provided to ALXnow on Thursday by Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets, examined 318 near-miss incidents reported between January 2024 and July 2025. According to the report, 47% of incidents involved children, with most occurring during school commuting hours from 6-9 a.m. and 3-6 p.m.

Alexandria man convicted of distributing child sexual abuse material while on supervised release

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 18, 2025 at 1:15PM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Alexandria man who was already under court supervision for a previous child pornography conviction has been found guilty of continuing to distribute and possess child sexual abuse material through a mobile messaging app.

Antonio Rudy Gonzalez, 41, was convicted Wednesday on two counts of distribution of child pornography and one count of possession following a bench trial in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 40 years due to his 2013 conviction for similar crimes.

Alexandria man arrested after gun brandishing at Groveton store

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 12:45PM

A handgun retrieved by the Fairfax County Police Department that was allegedly used in a brandishing incident in the Groveton neighborhood, resulting in the arrest of an Alexandria man (via FCPD)

An Alexandria man was arrested Friday after allegedly brandishing a handgun at a store in the Groveton neighborhood of Fairfax County.

Fairfax County Police arrested Dorian Claytor Jr. after he allegedly brandished a black handgun inside a store in the 6300 block of Richmond Highway and then fled on foot Friday afternoon. Claytor was arrested soon afterward, and police later found a handgun hidden in an aisle of the store.

Charles Barrett Elementary unveils new reading corner with Amazon, community support

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 11:45AM

Amazon and Reading is Fundamental collaborated to make a new reading corner at Charles Barrett Elementary School, Sept. 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Charles Barrett Elementary School unveiled a new reading corner Thursday, funded by a $75,000 Amazon donation and community partnerships aimed at boosting student literacy.

The project, six months in the making, transformed a corner of the school library with custom murals by artist Shawn James, comfortable seating and hundreds of new books. Amazon also donated 500 backpacks filled with books and supplies, while Reading Is Fundamental contributed more than 1,000 books to the school library.

Waterfront group proposes moving pump station to 1 Prince Street as city seeks design input

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 18, 2025 at 10:11AM | Updated September 18, 2025 at 12:59PM

AWA presentation slide showing aerial view with pump station relocated to 1 Prince Street (Screenshot of Alexandria Waterfront Alliance presentation)

The Alexandria Waterfront Alliance proposed moving Alexandria’s controversial flood mitigation pump station from Waterfront Park to the long-vacant building at 1 Prince St., according to presentation materials from Tuesday’s Waterfront Commission meeting.

The unsolicited presentation to the Waterfront Commission included detailed architectural renderings showing how the pump facility could be integrated into the existing structure while creating space above for a maritime museum, education center or commercial development. The group argued the location would preserve the park while utilizing the building’s existing deep foundation piles.

Notes: DASH throws block party today to thank riders for record ridership

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 18, 2025 at 7:32AM

DASH will host a block party on Sept. 18. (Credit: DASH)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Sept. 18, the 261st day of 2025. There are 104 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 83. North wind 3 to 5 mph. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 62. Calm wind.