News | ALXnow - Part 147

Woodbridge man dies in Alexandria police custody after public intoxication arrest

Published August 16, 2025 at 4:53AM | Updated August 18, 2025 at 6:29AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with information from Alexandria Police provided at 3:59 p.m. Saturday. Following a Sunday, Aug. 17 press conference, we have a follow up story here – Alexandria Police Chief provides preliminary details on in-custody death, emphasizes ongoing investigations.

Allan F. Tucker II, 32, of Woodbridge died in police custody at the Alexandria Adult Detention Center on Friday evening, hours after officers arrested him for public intoxication following reports of a disturbance at an apartment complex.

Code Rising gives Alexandria students laptops after summer program

By James Cullum

Published August 15, 2025 at 6:00PM | Updated August 16, 2025 at 10:32PM

Participants of Code Rising's 2025 summer camp (courtesy image)

Code Rising gave dozens of Alexandria students a nice surprise with the end of their second annual summer camp this month — new laptops.

The Alexandria nonprofit was founded two years ago to help underprivileged kids learn about science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The summer program provided elementary, middle and high school students with an introduction to STEAM education (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) through the summer months, with students learning coding, making short movies and video games. They also went on weekly field trips, including to Continues Arcade in Old Town and more.

Skill games crackdown, dating fraud death lead week’s top Alexandria stories

By James Cullum

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:30PM

Skill games at Tiger Mart & Bakery, 3903 Mount Vernon Avenue in the city's Arlandria neighborhood (staff photo by James Cullum)

Welcome to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories.

Our top story this week is on two Alexandria business owners charged with possession of an illegal gambling device for operating skill games. The news marks the first indictments against Alexandria business owners for the devices. Dozens of skill game machines operate at multiple convenience and grocery stores in the West End and Arlandria neighborhoods, despite police hand-delivering warning letters to more than a dozen offending businesses. Skill games were outlawed as illegal gaming by the Virginia legislature in 2020, and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter told ALXnow that his office is assessing “all potential investigative leads.”

Washington Wizards give backpacks to 700 Alexandria students

By James Cullum

Published August 15, 2025 at 3:00PM

The Washington Wizards helped tip off the 2025-26 school year with a giveaway event at William Ramsay Recreation Center on Friday, Aug. 15, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Washington Wizards helped tip off the 2025-26 school year with a backpack and supplies giveaway today (Aug. 15) at William Ramsay Recreation Center.

Wizards forward Anthony Gill made a surprise appearance and joined rookies Tre Johnson, Will Riley, and Jamir Watkins at the event. The players, along with mascot G-Wiz and the Wizards Dancers, gave 700 backpacks to the students at William Ramsay Elementary School (5700 Sanger Avenue), which is located next to the recreation center and officially opens for the first day on Monday, Aug. 18.

Alexandria Restaurant Week returns Aug. 22-31 with nearly 90 participants

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria Restaurant Week (Credit: Visit Alexandria)

Alexandria Restaurant Week, one of the city’s biggest summer events, will return Aug. 22-31 with dozens of participating restaurants offering special prix fixe menus across the city’s diverse neighborhoods.

The 10-day culinary event, hosted twice yearly by Visit Alexandria since 2009, will feature multi-course prix fixe dinner menus at $30, $40 or $50 per person. Select fast-casual restaurants throughout Alexandria will also offer additional special offers, making it easy to sample a wide range of cuisines at every budget.

Man indicted on murder, child abuse charges in infant death

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 1:30PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 21-year-old Alexandria man has been indicted on murder and child abuse charges in connection with the death of his 3-month-old daughter nearly two years ago.

Travon Anthony Hugee was charged by a grand jury on Aug. 11 following a lengthy investigation into the infant’s death on July 19, 2023, according to a press release Thursday from the Alexandria Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Alexandria schools reject federal Title IX demands

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated August 18, 2025 at 12:31PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, defying a U.S. Department of Education ultimatum that required a response by today’s deadline.

In a statement released Friday at 12:24 p.m., School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief and Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt announced that ACPS “disagrees with the legal analysis in the Letter of Findings, and cannot agree to the VRA [Voluntary Resolution Agreement] currently proposed by OCR.”

Alexandria schools face federal Title IX deadline today

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 1:02PM

Alexandria City High School (staff photo by James Jarvis)

UPDATE: Alexandria City Public Schools has rejected federal demands to change transgender policies, keeping current inclusive policies in place.

Alexandria City Public Schools faces a critical deadline today to respond to federal demands that it change policies allowing transgender students to use facilities matching their gender identity, or risk losing federal funding and potential legal action.

Spitfire Club concludes second annual summer camp for Alexandria girls

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 11:15AM

Spitfire Club's second annual summer camp. (Photo Credit: Kathryn Hopper)

The Spitfire Club wrapped up its second annual Camp Spitfire this week, providing 50 girls from across Alexandria with a week of reading, community building, and confidence-boosting activities at Trinity United Methodist Church.

The weeklong camp, which concluded Tuesday, centered around the organization’s core values of curiosity, resilience, empathy, authenticity, and tenacity. Campers kicked off the week exploring the question “How can we show up as our most authentic selves?”

Adoptable dog of the Week: Lucas seeks walking buddy as AWLA waives large dog fees

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 10:00AM

Lucas (Credit: AWLA)

Lucas, a 7-month-old black and white pup with striking blue eyes, is looking for his forever home through the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria’s “Back to School” adoption event.

The 64-pound mixed breed has already mastered leash walking and would make an ideal companion for hiking or neighborhood strolls, according to AWLA volunteer Maria Stebbins. Lucas also excels at fetch and enjoys squeaky toys.

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson named NOVA Parks Executive Director

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 15, 2025 at 8:52AM | Updated August 15, 2025 at 1:50PM

Justin Wilson has been selected as NOVA Parks next Executive Director (Photo provided by NOVA Parks)

Former Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson has been selected as the next executive director of NOVA Parks, the regional park authority announced Friday.

Wilson, who served 14 years on the Alexandria City Council, including two terms as mayor, will assume the role of Executive Director in a full-time capacity beginning Oct. 6, succeeding Paul Gilbert, who announced his retirement in April after 20 years leading the organization. During Gilbert’s tenure, NOVA Parks expanded significantly, adding 15 new parks and acquiring more than 1,800 acres of parkland through 22 acquisition transactions.