News | ALXnow - Part 176

Alexandria unveils historic marker honoring Colored Rosemont community

Published September 13, 2025 at 8:08PM | Updated September 13, 2025 at 9:36PM

Officials and community descendants unveil the new Virginia State Historic marker commemorating the Colored Rosemont neighborhood Saturday near the intersection of Wythe and West streets. Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow

The City of Alexandria unveiled a Virginia State Historic marker Saturday commemorating Colored Rosemont, a thriving African American neighborhood that existed from 1926 until it was dismantled in the mid-20th century through discriminatory housing policies.

The ceremony took place at the intersection of Wythe and West streets, near where the community once stood, bounded by Pendleton, Fayette, Madison, and N. West streets. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, descendants of former residents, and representatives from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources gathered for the dedication.

Adoptable dog of the week: Social senior Shyla seeks her permanent retirement home

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 13, 2025 at 2:27PM

Shyla (Credit: AWLA)

Some dogs are puppies at heart, no matter their age, but Shyla embraces her senior status with the grace and social charm of someone who knows exactly what she wants out of life. At 12 years old, this 62-pound beauty is proof that the golden years can be the best years.

Shyla is what you might call the social butterfly of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. If dogs had retirement communities, she’d be the resident who never misses bingo night and always has the best stories to share over dinner. This tan and white sweetheart thrives on companionship and social interaction, lighting up whenever someone tells her how pretty she is—which, let’s be honest, probably happens quite often.

21 residents address Alexandria City Council on housing conditions, divestment, and waterfront development during public hearing

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 13, 2025 at 11:19AM | Updated September 14, 2025 at 4:33PM

Alexandria City Council hosted a Public Hearing on Saturday, Sept. 13. (Screenshot via City of Alexandria)

Twenty-one Alexandria residents signed up to speak during the public discussion period at Saturday’s City Council meeting, addressing issues ranging from housing authority conditions to international divestment and waterfront development.

The large turnout required the council to extend its usual public comment format, with 15 speakers addressing the council at the beginning of the meeting and six additional speakers heard after regular business concluded.

Alexandria City Council approves permanent closure of 200 block of King Street

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 13, 2025 at 10:53AM | Updated September 13, 2025 at 11:11AM

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

The Alexandria City Council unanimously voted Saturday to permanently close the 200 block of King Street to vehicular traffic, extending the city’s pedestrian zone after a successful pilot program.

The 7-0 vote on second reading makes the closure effective immediately, eliminating 16 metered parking spaces and one short-term visitor space in front of the Alexandria Visitor Center.

Alexandria partners with Brady to distribute gun locks with suicide prevention information

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 6:00PM

Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks, left, stands with Brady President Kris Brown, center, and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley outside the Alexandria Circuit Court on Friday evening during the announcement of a new partnership to distribute gun locks with suicide prevention information. (Photo by Ryan Belmore/ALXnow)

The Alexandria Circuit Court Clerk’s office is distributing gun locks featuring suicide prevention information through a new partnership with Brady, officials announced Friday evening.

Circuit Court Clerk Greg Parks said his office gives out about 60 gun locks monthly to concealed carry permit applicants and walk-ins. The locks now include stickers with QR codes linking to Brady’s End Family Fire program, which provides resources on safe firearm storage and suicide prevention.

Systems Planning and Analysis expansion into Alexandria leads this week’s top stories

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2025 at 3:47PM

Officials cut a ribbon at Systems Planning & Analysis announcement on Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Here’s a rundown of our top stories.

Our top story this week is on the Thursday, Sept. 11, announcement that Systems Planning and Analysis (SPA) will expand its Alexandria headquarters and create 1,200 new jobs over the next five years as part of a $46.9 million investment across Northern Virginia. The defense contractor bought, and will renovate, a 239,000-square-foot office building at 2001 N. Beauregard Street. Attendees at the announcement included Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay.

Holmes Run Trail opens 2 more sections, creating continuous path

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 12, 2025 at 3:21PM

Holmes Run (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

The city of Alexandria opened two more sections of the Holmes Run Trail on Friday, creating a continuous off-street path for walkers and cyclists between Beauregard Street and Eisenhower Avenue.

Sites 2 and 3 of the multi-year trail repair project were completed in September, according to Jack Browand, deputy director of Park Services, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities. Site 2 encompasses the Holmes Run Trail Bridge at Morgan Street Cul-de-Sac, while Site 3 covers the trail section at North Ripley Street.

Video: Inside Pupatella’s new Old Town North location opening Sunday

By James Cullum

Published September 12, 2025 at 3:15PM

(Left to right) Pupatella vice president Natasha Neely, managing partner Michael Berger and CEO Jim Biafore at the new location at 700 Slaters Lane in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

It takes about one minute to cook a pie in the 1000-degree oven at Pupatella Neapolitan Pizza, and ALXnow just got a sneak peek inside their newest location in Old Town North.

The new restaurant is the twelfth for the company, and has been in development for more than two years. It will officially open on Sept. 15. Today, (Sept, 12) Pupatella had a soft opening for special guests and the restaurant’s Managing Partner Michael Berger was at the opening today, and was joined by company CEO Jim Biafore and Vice President Natasha Neely. Biafore said that the opening feels like crossing the finish line.

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

By Ryan Belmore

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.