News | ALXnow - Part 116

Alexandria school board expresses caution on DASH transit proposal

Published September 11, 2025 at 9:36PM

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

The Alexandria City School Board voiced significant concerns Thursday about a city proposal to transition high school students from school buses to public transit, with several members calling for scaled-back pilot programs or questioning the timing of such a significant change.

During a work session at 1340 Braddock Place, board members weighed City Manager James Parajon’s recommendation to implement a three-phase plan moving high school students to DASH buses beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

Alexandria cidery Lost Boy Cider listed for sale at $1.5 million

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 9:07PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 11:41PM

Lost Boy Cider (Image via Lost Boy Cider/Facebook)

Editor’s Note: All three business sale listings mentioned in this story were removed from BizQuest, BizBuySell, and LoopNet shortly after publication of this story on September 11, 2025.

Lost Boy Cider was listed for sale with an asking price of $1.5 million, according to professional business listings that appeared on BizQuest, BizBuySell, and LoopNet. The listing information was identical across all three business sale platforms.

Virginia health officials clear path for updated COVID vaccines

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 6:28PM

A man gets a vaccine. (Photo via CDC on Upsplash)

Virginia is moving to ensure residents have quick access to the latest COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the fall respiratory illness season, with State Health Commissioner Dr. Karen Shelton signing a statewide standing order this week that expands pharmacy vaccination authority.

The order, signed Tuesday and announced Thursday, allows pharmacists across Virginia to administer the 2025-26 COVID-19 vaccine formulation to residents 65 and older, as well as adults aged 18-64 with underlying medical conditions, without requiring individual prescriptions.

Ken Burns to preview ‘American Revolution’ documentary at Mount Vernon Oct. 29

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 6:00PM

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate (via Facebook)

Registration opens September 24 to see Emmy and Grammy Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns unveil his latest documentary series at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate.

Burns will offer remarks and share clips from the six-part series “The American Revolution” on Oct. 29. The event runs from 5 to 8:15 p.m. on the estate’s 12-acre bowling green, with the film preview starting at 6:15 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs, as seating will not be provided, according to Mount Vernon.

Alexandria police clear hazardous materials scene on N. West Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 4:36PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 8:10PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria Police have cleared the scene in the 400 block of North West Street and reopened the area to traffic after finding no illegal amounts of hazardous materials, authorities announced Thursday evening.

The street closure, which had been in effect since late afternoon, was lifted around 8:09 p.m., according to a police social media update.

Life Alive Organic Cafe seeks permit for Old Town location

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 3:15PM

Life Alive Organic Cafe has filed paperwork to open at 400 King Street in Old Town (via Facebook)

A popular Massachusetts-based fast-casual organic restaurant has filed paperwork to open at 400 King Street in Old Town.

Life Alive Organic Cafe has filed a special use permit application to open in the space formerly occupied by Long and Foster Realtors. The building is currently home to The Alexandrian Old Town Hotel at 480 King Street and Southern restaurant King & Rye, near City Hall at 301 King Street. Life Alive is planning on a 3,000-square-foot, 97-seat restaurant to be open seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Alexandria-based defense contractor to add 1,200 jobs in $46.9M expansion

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 2:45PM | Updated September 11, 2025 at 3:18PM

Officials cut a ribbon at Systems Planning & Analysis announcement on Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Systems Planning & Analysis announced Thursday it will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia.

The defense contractor, which has operated from Alexandria since its founding in 1972, purchased its 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street and plans extensive renovations to create what CEO Rich Sawchak described as “a modern, collaborative workspace.”

Alexandria man, juvenile charged in Woodlawn carjacking

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 2:20PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An Alexandria man and a juvenile were arrested Sept. 8 (Monday) after a carjacking in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County Police Department announced Wednesday (Sept. 10) that detectives from their Major Crimes Bureau arrested Noel Isaac Sanchez, 20, and a 17-year-old juvenile when they were tracked down in the stolen vehicle in Burke. Police said in a release that the suspects went to the 5800 block of Saint Gregory’s Lane to meet a man looking to sell clothes he listed for sale online, and that one of the suspects displayed a firearm and made off with the victim’s vehicle.

Alexandria leaders mark 9/11 anniversary with call for unity, civility

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 12:15PM

Alexandria's Joint Public Safety Honor Guard at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Alexandria's Market Square, Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders commemorated the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on Thursday, Sept. 11, and reflected on the personal and societal impacts that followed.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins was joined by Sheriff Sean Casey, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr., and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire onstage at Market Square in front of City Hall (301 King Street). Gaskins urged the audience to “remember the lives lost on 9/11 and to look forward with hope and a call to action for peace and a better world.”

Alexandria to host inaugural breast cancer 5K at Cameron Run park

By James Cullum

Published September 11, 2025 at 10:00AM

There will be a Breast Cancer 5K at Cameron Run Regional Park, Lake Cook (4001 Eisenhower Avenue) on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will host its first-ever Breast Cancer 5K at Lake Cook in Cameron Run Regional Park next month.

Participants can walk or run at the October 5 event at 4001 Eisenhower Avenue, which will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Registration costs $25 per person and is open for anyone ages 10 and up, according to the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

Notes: Historic marker to honor displaced Alexandria neighborhood

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 11, 2025 at 8:00AM

The City of Alexandria’s Office of Historic Alexandria, in partnership with community members and descendants, will lead the unveiling of a new state historic marker commemorating the legacy of Colored Rosemont, a vibrant African American neighborhood established in 1926. The unveiling ceremony will take place on September 13th at 3 p.m. near the intersection of Wythe and West Streets. (Credit: City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Sept. 11, the 254th day of 2025. There are 111 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, with a high near 81. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 59. Calm wind.