On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Friday, April 14, 1865, a procession of Union troops fourteen blocks long paraded through Alexandria to mark the anniversary of the start of the Civil War and the renewed Union control of Fort Sumter, the South Carolina fortification where the war had begun just four years earlier. But by the very next morning, Alexandrians were stunned to hear rumors of the shooting of President Lincoln the evening before, and then confirmation of his death by Dr. David P. Smith, the surgeon in charge, when he returned to Alexandria early that morning. With the escape of assassin John Wilkes Booth, and fearing a larger conspiracy, guards were immediately posted at all entry points to Alexandria preventing any passage to civilians. That evening a citizen meeting developed plans for a period of mourning, including the closing of all businesses, placement of black crepe on homes and public buildings, and the tolling of bells throughout the City.” [Historic Alexandria]

Voter Registration Deadline for April 21 Special Election — “The deadline to register or update existing voter registration for the April 21, 2026, Special Election is Tuesday, April 14. After that date, the same day registration period will begin. Please be aware that individuals choosing to register same-day will be required to cast a provisional ballot.” [Office of Voter Registration & Elections]


Good Monday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 13, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. USPTO cafeteria reopens to the public with chef-curated menus (1630 views)
  2. Pedestrian struck during fire response in Landmark area (876 views)
  3. Crooked Beat Records closing May 3 in Del Ray after flood impact (477 views)
  4. Morning Notes for April 13, 2026 (385 views)
  5. Ulta opens new location at Potomac Yard Shopping Center (378 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Tuesday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

  • No events today. Have one to promote? Submit it to the calendar.

☀️ Tuesday’s forecast

It will be mostly sunny with a high of about 89°F, and a southwest wind will increase to 5 to 10 mph in the morning, with gusts potentially reaching 18 mph. Tuesday night, expect partly cloudy skies and a low of around 69°F, with southwest winds at 5 to 7 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.”
– Dalai Lama

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


A public hearing will be held Thursday (April 16) on the revised memorandum of understanding between the Alexandria City School Board and the Alexandria Police Department.

Alexandria City Public Schools is required to have an MOU with the police department due to the presence of school resource officers in schools, and it must be reviewed at least every two years. The proposed agreement would be in effect from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028.


Alexandria leaders are mourning the death of Susan Bulkley Kellom, a longtime city resident, veteran, volunteer and former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. Kellom died on Saturday, April 11 at age 78. Her cause of death has not been disclosed.

Kellom moved to Old Town in 1983 with her husband, Ben, who died in 2021 at the age of 90. She was ADC chair from 1999 to 2010, chair of the Alexandria Electoral Board from 2012 to 2014, former chair of the city’s Human Rights Commission and member of the Youth Policy Commission. Kellom also served as a military police officer and was in the U.S. Army from 1968 to 1980.


A man was struck by a vehicle that swerved to get out of the way of an Alexandria Fire Department engine on Saturday (April 11), according to radio dispatches.

The fire was first reported before 7:15 p.m. as an odor of smoke in the 200 block of Gretna Green Court in the Landmark area. AFD called for backup after finding smoke coming from the attic of a three-level townhouse.


On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 13, 1876, building supply entrepreneur John Leatherland and his son, John W., opened a new brass foundry at Queen and Lee Streets, aptly named Leatherland and Son. The new industrial facility opened its doors just in time to be featured on page 102 of Chataigne’s Alexandria City Directory, that also included several other listings outlining the extensive business interests of the Leatherland family in the city during the last quarter of the 19th century.” [Historic Alexandria]

Civic Leader, Veteran Susan B. Kellom Dies — “Susan B. Kellom, a longtime Alexandria resident, Army veteran, and devoted civic leader whose decades of service helped shape the city’s political and community landscape, died [Saturday] morning.” [The Zebra]


Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 10, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. The Majestic reopens with new owner, New American menu in Old Town (713 views)
  2. Del Ray eatery’s free milkshakes for dancing customers offer goes viral (515 views)
  3. Poll: The best real estate agent for sellers in Alexandria (511 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. Free timed tours of four tall ships lined up at Old Town’s Sails on the Potomac festival (6930 views)
  2. UPDATE: Adult pedestrian hit in West End Alexandria (6329 views)
  3. Alexandria sheriff’s deputy fired after accusation of drug smuggling attempt in jail (3859 views)
  4. Driver cited after pedestrian struck in Del Ray: police (3572 views)
  5. New coffee shop and wine bar aims for spring opening on Queen Street (2786 views)
  6. Five Alexandria restaurants make appearance in regional RAMMY finalists (2679 views)
  7. Alexandria City Manager pushes for paid parking on Sundays, parking fee increase (2163 views)
  8. State trooper injured during I-495 chase into Alexandria, suspect arrested at Metro station (2060 views)
  9. Del Ray splash pad construction nears finish line after years of planning (2054 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

☀️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect sunny weather with a high near 69°F and a north wind at 9 to 11 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Saturday night will be mostly clear with a low around 48°F and light, variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Success is not how high you have climbed, but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
– Roy T. Bennett

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


Two Alexandria City High School seniors got a surprise today (Friday) when they were awarded $40,000 Amazon Future Engineers scholarships.

Seniors Zhi McMillan and Mohammad Elyas Noorzai received the scholarships as well as internship opportunities with the multinational technology company. The awards were presented by 2022 scholarship recipient Sai Naraharisetti, who will start work as an Amazon software engineer in Seattle after graduating next year.


Volunteers will gather this weekend to clean up Waterfront Park, a popular gathering spot for Old Town visitors along the Potomac River.

The Alexandria Beautification Commission and NOVA Cleanups are hosting the volunteer cleanup from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Sunday (April 12). Volunteers will pick up litter and debris throughout the park, covering walking paths, green spaces and the waterfront.


On This Day in Alexandria History — “In the early Spring of 1907, a number of Alexandria residents came forth with reports of the unusual fecundity of fowls belonging to them, some with their eggs linked, others with their daily egg output suddenly multiplied. On April 10 of that year, it was reported that Mr. John Travers of South Henry Street had the most unusual output of all. One of his hens had laid a huge ‘triplicate’ egg, the size of a goose egg that, when opened revealed three distinct eggs inside. The event was described locally as just ‘another lusus naturae,’ meaning ‘freak of nature.'” [Historic Alexandria]

Former Del Ray Business Owner Dies — “We are heartbroken to share the news that our friend, neighbor, and Del Ray trailblazer, Barbara Mancini, passed away this week. In 1995, Barbara took a chance on an up-and-coming neighborhood and opened Mancini’s Cafe & Bakery in Del Ray, becoming one of the female small business owners who helped lead Del Ray’s transformation.” [Del Ray Business Association/Facebook]


Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Apr 9, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. The Birchmere Music Hall turns 60, several shows canceled in April lineup (1205 views)
  2. Alexandria city manager pushes for paid parking on Sundays, parking fee increase (1053 views)
  3. Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge to have drawbridge openings tonight (520 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

☀️ Friday’s forecast

Expect patchy fog between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., then partly sunny skies turning fully sunny, with temperatures reaching a high near 75°F. A light south wind will pick up to 5 to 9 mph by morning. Friday night will see increasing clouds and a low around 56°F, with a south wind shifting to the west after midnight at 6 to 8 mph. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!


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