News | ALXnow - Part 180

Flash Flood Warning issued for Alexandria through 8:45 p.m.

Published July 9, 2025 at 5:57PM

Flooding in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Alexandria and surrounding areas effective until 8:45 PM tonight, as Doppler radar shows thunderstorms capable of producing dangerous rainfall rates approaching the region.

The warning, issued at 5:44 PM, covers Alexandria along with Arlington County, northeastern Fairfax County, Falls Church, Washington D.C., and south central Montgomery County in Maryland. Weather officials warn that rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches within 20 minutes are anticipated, with total additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible across the warned area.

AWLA receives $100,000 grant to expand veterinary care access in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 3:30PM

The AWLA has been hosting Pets & People Community Wellness Events. (via AWLA)

The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) has been awarded a $100,000 grant from PetSmart Charities to address barriers that prevent residents in historically excluded communities from accessing veterinary care, the organization announced on Wednesday.

The one-year Incubator grant will focus on neighborhoods near the Mark Center off North Beauregard Street, where rising costs and geographical, cultural, and systemic barriers have left many pet owners without adequate veterinary resources.

Chinquapin Park Recreation Center begins major accessibility upgrades

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 2:45PM

The City of Alexandria launched a major accessibility improvement project at Chinquapin Park Recreation Center & Aquatics Facility on Tuesday (July 8), marking the beginning of a six-month construction effort designed to make the popular community hub more accessible to all residents.

The Phase 1 project, which runs through January 31, 2026, will incorporate several key accessibility features, including a new accessibility lift in the main lobby, a more accessible front desk, additional family-changing rooms, and a new lifeguard office. The facility will remain open throughout most of the construction period.

Alexandria Community Cookout moves indoors due to storm advisory

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 9, 2025 at 2:00PM

Charles Houston Recreation Center at 901 Wythe Street in Old Town (photo via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria’s Community Cookout, initially scheduled for the Andrew Adkins Public Housing Community tonight (July 9), has been moved indoors to the Charles Houston Recreation Center due to a thunderstorm weather advisory, city officials announced on Wednesday.

The event, organized by the Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), will take place at 6 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center located at 901 Wythe Street. Residents can expect a variety of free activities, including games, giveaways, and opportunities to connect with neighbors and learn about city services and programs.

George Washington’s Mount Vernon mansion to fully reopen in December after year-long renovation

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated July 9, 2025 at 2:46PM

George Washington's Mount Vernon estate (via Facebook)

Visitors at George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate will have to wait until this December to see the founding father’s fully renovated mansion.

Since January 2024, the mansion in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County has undergone a comprehensive renovation, leaving large sections unavailable for the public.

Alexandria School Board to name Chair and Vice Chair for 2025-2026 school year

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2025 at 12:45PM

Alexandria School Board meeting in 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On Thursday (July 10), the Alexandria School Board will elect its chair and vice chair for the 2025-2026 school year.

Last month, current Vice Chair Kelly Carmichael Booz announced that she would not seek the vice chair or chair positions, leaving the question of her succession open. Rief is currently supported by several Board Members for reelection to a third term, according to sources.

Former Alexandria Mayor Silberberg launches weekly Substack, takes aim at political issues, public policy, and causes

By James Cullum

Published July 9, 2025 at 11:00AM

Former Alexandria Mayor Allison Silberberg watches the City Council candidate debate at Charles Houston Recreation Center on Oct. 16, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Allison Silberberg has something to say.

The former Alexandria mayor says she has received a great response after launching her own Substack on July 1. So far, she posts once a week with “Allison Silberberg’s Plain Talk,” weighing in on the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill in Congress (BBB) and the devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country.

Notes: Alexandria Aces dominate All-Star selections with 11 players named to South Division Team

By ALXnow.com

Published July 9, 2025 at 8:00AM

Alexandria Aces schedule (via Alexandria Aces)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Wednesday, July 9, the 190th day of 2025. There are 175 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 3 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 92. Heat index values as high as 101. Calm wind becoming south around six mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Showers and thunderstorms tonight before 2 a.m., then scattered showers between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Patchy fog after 10 p.m. Low around 72. South wind around five mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible.

Inova Alexandria Hospital employee fired after patient’s credit cards stolen, used at Target

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2025 at 4:30PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at 4320 Seminary Road (staff photo by James Cullum)

An employee at Inova Alexandria Hospital has been fired, and the Alexandria Police Department is investigating after a patient’s credit cards were stolen from a room at the hospital and used at a nearby store.

A woman in hospital scrubs with an Inova lanyard around her neck was later identified by an Inova Alexandria Hospital staffer, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The police have filed no charges, and although Inova did not disclose the employee’s job title, the hospital system confirmed that the employee is no longer employed at the hospital.

Florence Drive shooting suspect was released from jail months before attack

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:30PM

Cristian Gonzales Gomez has been charged with shooting two men on Florence Drive on May 26, 2025 (via APD)

ALXnow has uncovered more details on the suspect charged with the May 26 quadruple shooting in Arlandria.

Cristian Gonzales Gomez, the 21-year-old Falls Church man charged in connection with the firefight, was in jail for 14 months until earlier this year for possession with intent to distribute Schedule I/II drugs to juveniles and possession of a firearm on school grounds in Fairfax County in 2023.

Rep. Beyer highlights research grants canceled by Trump administration at Capitol Hill event

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 3:00PM

U.S. Rep. Don Beyer called out Elon Musk at his office in Old Town on March 7, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) joined scientists from across the nation on Capitol Hill today to showcase research that has been halted due to grant cancellations by the Trump administration.

Congressman Beyer, who represents the 8th Congressional District of Virginia (which includes Alexandria), spoke at “The Things We’ll Never Know: A Science Fair of Canceled Grants,” a three-hour event hosted by House Democrats on the Science, Space, and Technology Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building Foyer. More than twenty researchers whose federal grants have been terminated presented their work to lawmakers and discussed the impact of the funding cuts.