News | ALXnow - Part 137

25 Northern Virginia residents take citizenship oath in Alexandria City Hall ceremony

Published September 12, 2025 at 2:50PM

New American citizens raise their hands during the Oath of Allegiance ceremony Friday at Alexandria City Hall. Twenty-five residents from 17 countries became U.S. citizens in the Constitution Day ceremony. (Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

Twenty-five Northern Virginia residents from 17 countries became United States citizens Friday afternoon during a naturalization ceremony at Alexandria City Hall, marking Constitution Day with a celebration of America’s newest citizens.

The ceremony, administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the council chambers, welcomed new Americans from Bangladesh, Colombia, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Portugal and Vietnam.

Teen charged with armed robbery on Metro train in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2025 at 2:00PM

Waiting for a train at the King St-Old Town Metro station (staff photo by James Cullum)

A 15-year-old Alexandria male has been issued a detention order and charged with robbery using a firearm after allegedly robbing a man on a Metro train near the King St-Old Town Metro station.

The incident occurred on Monday, Aug. 4, just after 7 p.m. The victim was on a train traveling from the Van Dorn Street Metro station to the King Street station when he was approached from behind by a masked male, put in a choke hold, hit in the face and then had a black handgun “jammed into his person,” and allegedly said, “Give me everything,” according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The victim told the Metro Transit Police Department that the suspect stole $300 in cash, an Apple watch, and a Louis Vuitton backpack.

Youngkin orders election security changes one week before early voting begins

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 12:15PM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin on Friday signed an executive order requiring Virginia to strengthen coordination with federal agencies and conduct a statewide election preparedness exercise before early voting begins next week.

Executive Order 53 directs the state Department of Elections to expand data sharing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Election Assistance Commission to identify ineligible voters and update Virginia’s voting system certification standards to incorporate new federal guidelines.

Popular Del Ray open mic marks third anniversary Wednesday

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2025 at 11:45AM

The What-Have-You open mic night is held every first and third Wednesdays at Evening Star Lounge in Del Ray (courtesy photo)

A popular open mic night in Del Ray is celebrating its third anniversary next Wednesday (Sept. 17).

Greg Roth and Gabe Fry started the What-Have-You open mic at Evening Star Cafe (2000 Mount Vernon Avenue) in September 2022, and since then — with the exception of January — have hosted the event from 8:30 to 11 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Next Wednesday’s event has a numbers, acronyms, and abbreviations theme, with musicians asked to perform hits from bands like R.E.M., AC/DC, INXS, and the B-52s, among others.

Warner warns up to 600,000 Virginians could lose healthcare coverage

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 11:24AM

Senator Mark Warner hosted a media availability on Thursday, Sept. 11. (Screenshot of media availability)

Sen. Mark Warner warned Thursday that between 500,000 and 600,000 Virginians will lose healthcare coverage due to Medicaid cuts and the expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits, while also calling for national unity on the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The Virginia Democrat highlighted the closure of three rural health centers in Augusta County as evidence of mounting healthcare system strain during a media availability on Thursday. The facilities in Buena Vista, Weir’s Cave, and Churchville have shut down due to cuts from recent legislation.

ARHA board terminates CEO amid ongoing investigation into public housing residency

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 9:53AM

Erik C. Johnson, former CEO of ARHA, asks City Council to back the Silver Fox plan, June 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted during a special meeting on Wednesday to terminate CEO Erik Johnson, effective immediately, ending a weeks-long controversy over his unauthorized stay in a public housing unit.

The decision comes as an independent investigation into Johnson’s actions continues, according to a statement released by the board on Friday.

Notes: Alexandria City Council to consider King Street closure, climate resilience measures at Saturday hearing

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 8:13AM

200 block of King Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

Good Friday morning, Alexandria!

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny, with a high near 82 degrees. North wind 5 to 8 mph becoming east in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 59 degrees. East wind around 6 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Alexandria school board expresses caution on DASH transit proposal

By Ryan Belmore

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.