News | ALXnow - Part 142

Adoptable Dog of the Week: Sweet-natured Honey seeks forever home

Published August 21, 2025 at 1:15PM

Honey (Credit: AWLA)

After the recent adoption of last week’s featured pet Lucas, the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) is highlighting another deserving canine ready for her forever home: Honey, a 2-year-old mixed breed whose warm personality matches her golden-tan coat.

Weighing 49 pounds, Honey represents the ideal companion for families seeking a dog past the unpredictable puppy stage but still energetic enough for an active lifestyle. Shelter volunteers describe her as affectionate and intelligent, with a temperament suited for both outdoor adventures and quiet evenings at home.

Metro riders have until Friday to vote on new train designs

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2025 at 12:30PM

Metro is asking the public to vote on three design options for its upcoming 8000-series rail fleet (via WMATA)

The deadline is Friday, Aug. 22, for the public to vote for one of three proposed designs for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s upcoming 8000-series rail fleet.

Voting on the three exterior design options opened on Aug. 18 and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Friday. The winning concept will be announced in a week, according to Metro. The new trains feature “safe and spacious connected cars” with space for wheelchairs, scooters, and bikes, and additional seating. The “fleet of the future” is expected to go into service in 2027.

Pedestrian injured in Old Town crash Thursday morning

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated August 21, 2025 at 12:02PM

A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle in the area of King Street and Fairfax Street in Old Town, Aug. 21, 2025 (via Google Maps)

A pedestrian suffered minor injuries Thursday morning after a driver struck them with their car at a busy Old Town intersection, Alexandria police said.

The incident occurred around 9:45 a.m. at King Street and Fairfax Street, near City Hall. The adult male pedestrian was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Old Town North pub crawl to highlight Alexandria’s historic canal

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2025 at 10:00AM

Canal Watering Holes: A History Tour and Canal Crawl is being held from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025 (via NOTICe)

An upcoming pub crawl in Old Town North will teach participants a little bit of Alexandria history.

On Saturday, Sept. 13, the North Old Town Independent Citizens Association (NOTICe) is hosting Canal Watering Holes: Alexandria Canal History and Pub Crawl. Tickets for the event, which runs from 1 to 4 p.m., cost $35 for individuals and $60 for couples.

Afghan refugee tutoring program expands to Alexandria middle school

By James Cullum

Published August 21, 2025 at 9:00AM

Afghan families at a recognition ceremony for NOVA RAFT's summer reading program, at William Ramsay Recreation Center, Aug. 12, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

A program teaching Afghan youth living in Alexandria has expanded to a West End school and is seeking tutors for the 2025-26 school year.

Northern Virginia Resettling Afghan Families Together (NoVA RAFT) launched in 2021 after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The nonprofit has helped move refugees into new homes and taught English to hundreds of children and adults at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Avenue). NoVA RAFT now needs tutors after announcing a “dynamic partnership” with the Fresh Start Refugee Assistance Center, student leaders at Alexandria City High School, and George Mason University’s Afghan Refugee Mentorship Program to provide tutoring at Francis C. Hammond Middle School (4646 Seminary Road).

Notes: Commuters face nightly I-395 lane closures near Pentagon for bridge repairs

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 21, 2025 at 8:14AM

I-395 southbound nighttime lane closures near Pentagon Aug. 24-28 (Credit: VDOT)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Thursday, Aug. 21, the 233rd day of 2025. There are 132 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: Isolated showers before 8 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

On This Day in History – Aug. 21, 1939: America’s first sit-in takes place in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 21, 2025 at 6:20AM

Police leading participants in the sit-down strike out of the Alexandria Library. Courtesy, Alexandria Black History Museum.

Five African-American youths staged America’s first deliberate and planned sit-in at the segregated Alexandria Library on Queen St. on Aug. 21, 1939 — more than two decades before the tactic would become the trademark of the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, according to Historic Alexandria.

The protest had its roots in earlier efforts by attorney Samuel Wilbert Tucker and retired Army Sgt. George Wilson, who on March 17, 1939, had walked through the doors of the whites-only library and requested applications for library cards. Library policy prohibited issuing cards to “persons of the colored race.”

Beyer, Norton to reintroduce federal police body camera bill

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 21, 2025 at 5:59AM

Masked federal agents arrested construction workers at the Eaton Square Apartments in Chirilagua on Aug. 18 (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Rep. Don Beyer and Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton plan to reintroduce legislation requiring federal police officers to use body and dashboard cameras when Congress returns in September.

The announcement on Wednesday comes after federal law enforcement officers were filmed in Washington using excessive force, obscuring their faces with masks, and refusing to identify their agencies.

Congressional candidate alleges wrongful arrest by Alexandria sheriff’s deputies

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 20, 2025 at 8:42PM | Updated August 25, 2025 at 9:14AM

An Alexandria Sheriff's vehicle (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

A Democratic candidate for Virginia’s 8th Congressional District has accused Alexandria Sheriff’s Office deputies of wrongfully arresting him during an eviction Monday morning, despite having what he claims was a pending appeal with the Virginia Court of Appeals.

Frank Ferreira, one of three Democrats challenging five-term incumbent Rep. Don Beyer in the primary, issued a press release early Tuesday morning detailing his arrest at 409 N. Pitt St. on Aug. 18. According to Ferreira’s account, he was arrested for obstruction after requesting to speak with Sheriff Sean Casey during the eviction process.

INTERVIEW: Alexandria’s Poet Laureate wants to focus work on the city’s immigrant experience

By James Cullum

Published August 20, 2025 at 7:30PM

Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso speaks at Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Poet Laureate Cristi Donoso says that her future work will focus on the immigrant experience in the city.

Donoso has lived in Alexandria for more than a decade and has so far written four poems as poet laureate. Her work, which includes the city’s birthday poem that she read onstage to thousands last month, can be seen on the Office of the Arts website and her personal website.

Former Alexandria councilman’s use of city polo at protest draws questions

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 20, 2025 at 7:22PM | Updated August 21, 2025 at 4:36AM

Former Alexandria City Councilman Mo Seifeldein wearing an official City Council polo at ARHA protest on Aug. 20 (Staff Photo by James Cullum)

Former Alexandria City Councilman Mo Seifeldein‘s decision to wear an Alexandria City Council polo shirt while participating in a housing protest Tuesday has drawn questions from residents about the appropriate use of city-branded clothing by former officials and potential voter confusion.

Seifeldein, who served on the City Council from 2019 to 2021 and is running for Congress, wore the official city polo while positioning himself as a mediator during a demonstration outside the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority headquarters on Wythe Street. More than a dozen current and former ARHA tenants protested poor living conditions and delayed repairs.