News | ALXnow - Part 153

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

Published August 8, 2025 at 3:30PM

Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita will open at 529 E Howell Ave in Alexandria (via Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita Mexicana on Facebook)

We made it to Friday, Alexandria! Here’s a look at this week’s top stories.

Our most-read post is on a proposal to open a 24-hour Mexican restaurant in the city’s Del Ray neighborhood. The effort is facing some pushback from neighbors wary of potential crime and safety issues. In July, Tortas Y Tacos La Chiquita officially announced in a special use permit application that it wants to open at 529 E. Howell Avenue, the former home to Bark Social. It would be the fourth restaurant for the local chain, and while the restaurant won’t serve alcohol, outside patio hours would be 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, according to the application. The inside area is proposed to be open 24 hours a day.

Maryland man sues Alexandria police officer, former chief over K-9 attack

By James Cullum

Published August 8, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated August 9, 2025 at 1:22AM

The Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A Maryland man who says an Alexandria K-9 officer injured him during his 2023 arrest has filed a civil lawsuit in federal court against that officer’s handler and former Alexandria Police Chief Don Hayes.

William Kyle III claims to be the victim of excessive force by police after he was pulled over on July 15, 2023, near a northbound entrance to Interstate 495. Kyle alleges the actions of Alexandria Police Department officer Matthew Wilson and K-9 officer Ares resulted in what he describes as a “severe and permanent” injury to his right shoulder. It was inflicted after Kyle was handcuffed and in police custody, according to the civil complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Gov. Youngkin declares statewide ‘Day of Play’ to combat youth screen time, promote mental health

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 8, 2025 at 2:30PM

The Commonwealth Day of Play will take place on Saturday, August 9 (via Secretary of Health and Human Resources website)

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared Saturday, Aug. 9, as the Commonwealth’s inaugural “Day of Play,” a statewide initiative designed to encourage families to step away from screens and engage in outdoor activities to support youth mental health.

The celebration is part of Youngkin’s broader “Reclaiming Childhood” initiative, launched through Executive Order 43 in November 2024 following a youth mental health summit. The initiative aims to reduce screen time among young people by 25% in 2025 and promote face-to-face social connections.

Luxury pet hotel seeks permit for Duke Street location

By James Cullum

Published August 8, 2025 at 1:30PM

(via Facebook)

Room service, playtime, and Dog TV are just a few of the amenities that a luxury pet hotel franchise wants to bring to 2836 Duke Street.

The owners of a K9 Resorts franchise recently filed a special use permit request to open their doggie daycare and hotel at 2836 Duke Street. The 8,800-square-foot space is the former longtime home of Burke & Herbert Bank, which closed in 2023.

Alexandria police captain retires after breaking barriers in 23½-year career

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 8, 2025 at 12:30PM

Captain Monica Lisle (via Alexandria Police Department)

Captain Monica Lisle retired from the Alexandria Police Department this week after 23½ years of service, marking the end of a groundbreaking career that saw her become the first woman to lead the department’s Criminal Investigations Section.

The retirement comes just one day after ALXnow reported that Captain Courtney Ballantine retired from APD last month after 25 years to join Georgetown University Police as deputy chief.

Kids in Alexandria’s Summer Youth Employment Program get free laptops from Comcast

By James Cullum

Published August 8, 2025 at 11:30AM | Updated August 8, 2025 at 11:56AM

Comcast donated 100 new Dell laptops to participants in Alexandria's Summer Youth Employment Program, Aug. 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Participants in Alexandria’s Summer Youth Employment Program got a pleasant surprise at their closing ceremony on Thursday — free Dell laptops from Comcast.

The program, which started on June 30 and pays $12.41 per hour, recognized nearly 100 students Thursday night (Aug. 7) at the Virginia Tech Innovation campus. Katrina Ashmore, chief of the city’s Workforce Development Center, said that the program is more than just a summer job.

Local Acting Opportunities: Three film projects currently casting in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore and Backstage

Published August 8, 2025 at 10:00AM

Grusho Anna // Shutterstock

The glitz and glam of Hollywood captures the attention of Americans starting from an early age. Beyond celebrities’ Instagram Stories and red carpet poses, there are actors out there paying […]

Man dies jumping from 15th-floor balcony during FBI arrest attempt on King Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 8, 2025 at 8:54AM | Updated August 8, 2025 at 2:26PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A man died Friday morning after jumping from a 15th-floor balcony while FBI agents were attempting to serve a criminal arrest warrant at the Alexander Apartments on King Street.

Federal investigators from the FBI’s Washington Field Office were executing a court-authorized criminal arrest warrant around 6 a.m. when the man went out a window onto the balcony and jumped from the 15-story balcony, according to an FBI statement released Friday afternoon.

Notes: Umiya Sushi opens at long-vacant Alexandria site

By ALXnow.com

Published August 8, 2025 at 8:00AM

Umiya Sushi will open at 3000 Duke Street in Alexandria. (Credit: Umiya Sushi)

Good morning, Alexandria! 👋 Today is Friday, Aug. 8, the 220th day of 2025. There are 145 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83 degrees. East wind 6 to 10 mph. Partly cloudy tonight, with a low around 64 degrees. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.

Amtrak Virginia ridership increased exponentially this year. But is future growth in jeopardy?

By Ian Stewart, Virginia Mercury

Published August 8, 2025 at 5:23AM | Updated August 8, 2025 at 6:06AM

Amtrak Virginia’s ridership numbers continue to show increases, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. Ending fiscal year 2025, more than 1.4 million passengers traveled on state supported rail service — an increase of 4.8% compared to the same time last year. It was the region’s highest ridership recorded since the service launched in 2009, with one roundtrip route between Washington D.C. and Lynchburg.

“The growth that we are continually seeing in our Amtrak Virginia ridership just confirms our work to expand passenger rail in Virginia,” said DJ Stadtler, executive director of VPRA in a press release.

619 young inventors showcase creativity at annual Thingamajig convention in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published August 7, 2025 at 7:30PM

More than 600 local kids participate in the YMCA's 31st Annual Thingamajig Invention Convention (Photo Credit: YMCA of Metropolitan Washington)

More than 600 local children ages 5-14 gathered at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria on July 31 for the 31st annual Thingamajig Invention Convention, a free event hosted by the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington.

The convention drew 619 participants who engaged in more than 25 hands-on activities designed to promote science, technology, engineering, art, and math skills during the summer break between school years.