News | ALXnow - Part 121

Warner blames Trump for shutdown, warns of health care crisis in Virginia

Published October 1, 2025 at 5:00PM

Senator Mark Warner during media availability on Oct. 1. (via Warner's office)

Sen. Mark Warner blamed the Trump administration on Wednesday for the government shutdown that began at midnight, saying the president bears responsibility for failing to prevent the closure despite Republican control of both chambers of Congress and the White House.

Speaking to Virginia media during a remote availability from the Capitol, Warner said the shutdown differs from previous ones because bipartisan negotiations completely broke down. The Virginia Democrat said Trump had only one meeting with Democrats before the shutdown deadline.

Proposal to build 3 townhomes on vacant lot in Old Town heading to BAR

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 4:30PM

A proposal to build townhomes at 806 N. Columbus Street in Old Town is heading to Alexandria's Board of Architectural Review, Oct. 16, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to build three four-story townhouses on a vacant lot in Old Town is scheduled to be reviewed by the city’s Board of Architectural Review later this month.

Land use attorney Ken Wire is requesting a concept review from the BAR to develop the townhomes at 806 N. Columbus Street, located near the intersection with Madison Street and two blocks east of N. Patrick Street (Route 1). The proposal is scheduled to head to the BAR on Thursday, October 16.

Two Alexandria PR firms awarded top industry honors

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated March 3, 2026 at 12:47PM

Two Alexandria firms were named to the PR Net 100 2025 on Sept. 17, 2025 (via Instagram)

Two Alexandria companies were recently honored with top public relations awards.

Spotted MP and Meraki Communications Group were named to the PR Net 100 2025, a distinction recognizing the top-performing firms in the world of public relations. The winners were presented with the awards on Sept. 17 in New York City, and chosen from a panel of experts, including L’Oréal Vice President Jackie Staub; Saba Landmann, a senior vice president for Marriott; Brian Strong, Bloomberg Media’s global head of communications; Jessica Stacey, a senior vice president for Sephora; and Colleen Leahy, an executive director with The Estee Lauder Companies.

Visit Alexandria offers free attraction passes during government shutdown

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 3:15PM

Carlyle House in Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The federal government shutdown is affecting residents and visitors across the Washington region, but attractions, restaurants, shops, and hotels in Alexandria remain fully open for business.

Visit Alexandria announced Wednesday it has launched a dedicated webpage highlighting things to do in the city during the shutdown and is offering free attraction passes to hotel guests and federal employees.

Alexandria to hold inaugural State of the Arts event Oct. 15

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria will host its first-ever State of the Arts ALX event this month at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (3625 Potomac Avenue).

The city’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities — Office of Arts is hosting the free event on Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Speakers discussing the local art scene and artistic accomplishments in Alexandria include Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso and Jen Goold, executive director of the Neighborhood Design Center.

Patent office lays off staff, closes Denver office amid broader federal workforce cuts

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 2:15PM

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office laid off employees on Wednesday as part of a reduction-in-force plan that has been in development for months, according to multiple sources and internal emails reviewed by Bloomberg Law.

The Alexandria-based agency cut positions across several departments, including the communications team, the Office of Public Engagement, and the Patents Unit, according to Bloomberg Law. The layoffs occur as the federal government shut down on Wednesday due to a funding impasse in Congress, although the USPTO remains open and operational, funded by operating reserves from fee collections.

Oct. 19 is the deadline to nominate Del Ray’s best decorated Halloween house and business

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 2:00PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 2:20PM

A Halloween display in Alexandria's Del Ray neighborhood, Oct. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The deadline to nominate a home and business in Del Ray’s annual Best Decorated Halloween House and Business Contest is Sunday, Oct. 19.

The winners of the contest will be announced at the conclusion of the 29th annual Del Ray Halloween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 26. Visit Del Ray will also present awards for the best pet costume and best stroller/group. “For over 30 years, local residents and businesses have gone all out decorating for Halloween, competing for bragging rights for best decorated house and business,” Visit Del Ray said. “A map of the finalists will be available the week before Halloween.”

Alexandria man charged with sexually assaulting 2 students at Edison High

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 1:30PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

An instructional assistant at Thomas Edison High School, located at 5801 Franconia Road, Alexandria (Fairfax County), has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two students.

Derrick Burroughs, a 40-year-old Alexandria man, was arrested after Child Protective Services received two referrals that two students were “inappropriately touched,” according to the Fairfax County Police Department. Burroughs, an instructional assistant with Fairfax County Public Schools since 2023, was transported to the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center and charged with two counts of aggravated sexual battery and indecent liberties by a custodian. He was released after posting a $3,000 bond, according to FCPD.

Alexandria businesses offer discounts for federal workers during government shutdown

By James Cullum

Published October 1, 2025 at 12:30PM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 12:54PM

via Made In ALX/Instagram

Several Alexandria businesses are offering discounts and freebies to federal employees affected by the government shutdown.

Made in ALX (415 King Street) is offering discounts on workshops, has items on sale, and is putting out one of their artists’ 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles for anyone to work on during regular business hours. “I’m in a federal family, and have gone through several shutdowns in the past,” Beth Lawton, a cofounder of Made In ALX, told us. “I know firsthand how stressful it is, and if we can make things easier on people affected this year, we’re happy to do that.”

Alexandria moves forward with next phase of Confederate street renamings

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 11:30AM

The committee proposes rededicating Calhoun Avenue, currently named for a major in the Confederate army, to Robert Calhoun Avenue. Robert "Bob" Calhoun was a former Alexandria City Council member. (via Google Maps)

The Alexandria City Council’s Naming Committee is moving forward with plans to rename or rededicate four streets currently named for Confederate military leaders, focusing on honoring local historical figures and civic leaders instead.

Councilman John Chapman presented the committee’s Phase 2 recommendations during Tuesday’s council meeting, outlining proposed changes for Calhoun Avenue, Stevens Street, Frost Street, and Iverson Street. The changes are part of an ongoing effort to address street names established by a 1953 ordinance that required north-south streets to be named after Confederate leaders.

Alexandria receives state planning award for AlexWest Small Area Plan

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 1, 2025 at 10:00AM | Updated October 1, 2025 at 10:21AM

The American Planning Association (APA) presented the Virginia Plan of the Year Award to the City of Alexandria for the AlexWest Plan Legislative Meeting. A proud moment for staff, who are pictured with members of APA and City Council. (Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

Alexandria officially received the 2025 Virginia Plan of the Year Award on Tuesday for its AlexWest Small Area Plan, with state planning officials presenting the honor to the City Council more than three months after it was announced in June.

Nick Rogers, president-elect of the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association, and Sophie Huemer, chair of the chapter’s 2025 awards committee, made the formal presentation during Tuesday night’s council meeting. Huemer is also the director of the Office of Capital Programs, Planning, and Design Services at Alexandria City Public Schools.