News | ALXnow - Part 184

Alexandria YMCA asks city to keep parking lot open amid Eugene Simpson Stadium Park redevelopment

Published July 2, 2025 at 1:45PM | Updated July 2, 2025 at 5:38PM

Staff at the YMCA at 420 E. Monroe Avenue say that the redevelopment of the Eugene Simpson Stadium Park will impact the nonprofit (via Google Maps)

A sweeping redevelopment promises to bring fresh amenities and improved access to Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, but staff at the Alexandria YMCA say that the project will have a severe impact on the nonprofit.

Plans presented at a recent community meeting reveal that 53 city-owned parking spaces in front of the YMCA, located at 420 E. Monroe Avenue, have been designated as a construction area. The actual construction of the project, which was unanimously approved by the City Council in 2023, is scheduled to begin this month and is expected to be completed by September 2026, with a phased reopening of the park starting in August 2026.

Capital Bikeshare to raise prices in August as ridership soars

By ALXnow.com

Published July 2, 2025 at 1:15PM

Capital Bikeshare at Pickett & Shillings streets (photo via Transportation & Environmental Services/Facebook)

Capital Bikeshare announced Monday (June 30) that it will increase prices across all membership tiers starting August 1, marking the first price adjustment since 2021 as the bike-sharing system grapples with unprecedented ridership growth and rising operational expenses.

The price hikes will affect both casual users and committed members, with annual memberships jumping from $95 to $120 and 30-day passes rising from $20 to $25. Day passes will increase from $8 to $10, while electric bike usage fees will climb from 10 cents to 15 cents per minute for members.

Molly’s Dog Care opens at former District Dogs location in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 11:15AM | Updated July 2, 2025 at 1:52PM

Molly's Dog Care opens at 2403 Mandeville Lane in Alexandria (via Molly's Dog Care)

A new dog care business has opened at a recently closed District Dogs location in Alexandria, marking the latest development in a story that began with tragedy and led to the creation of an entirely new brand “focused on enhanced safety standards”.

According to a New Administrative Special Use Permit notice, Steve Gaudio filed an application (SUP #2025-00031) seeking approval to operate “Molly’s Dog Care Alexandria” at 2403 Mandeville Lane, the former home of District Dogs Alexandria. The company announced on its website that the Alexandria location is now open for business.

Alexandria Fire Chief reports dramatic turnaround in employee retention after first year

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 10:15AM

Alexandria Fire Department Update on July 1, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez Jr. delivered an upbeat assessment of the department’s transformation during his first year in office, reporting significant improvements in employee morale and retention that have addressed longstanding staffing challenges.

Speaking to City Council Tuesday night (July 1), Hernandez said the department’s monthly attrition rate has dropped from 3.3 employees to 1.1 over the past year, with four former employees returning to work. The 10-year average attrition rate stands at 2.1 employees per month.

Alexandria Police search for missing 82-year-old man

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 9:45AM | Updated July 2, 2025 at 12:19PM

Missing Senior Male (via Alexandria Police Department)

The Alexandria Police Department issued a missing person alert late Tuesday night for an 82-year-old man who was last seen in the area of 5837 Quantrell Avenue.

Alexander Polyak, 82, is described by police as 5 feet tall, weighing approximately 140 pounds, with blue eyes and white-gray hair. He was last seen wearing a green jacket, white shirt, gray pants, and white sneakers.

State of Health presentation reveals major disparities between Alexandria neighborhoods

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 9:00AM

State of Health Presentation. (screenshot)

The Alexandria Health Department presented findings from its comprehensive community health assessment to the Alexandria City Council Tuesday night (July 1), revealing stark health disparities between neighborhoods and outlining plans for a more targeted approach to community health improvement.

Dr. David Rose, Director of the Alexandria Health District and Alexandria Health Department, told the council that the extensive assessment revealed “large differences in health between our neighborhoods” and calls for collaboration “with the people most impacted to move the needle on health outcomes.”

Notes: Free Summer Concert Series features City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 2, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated July 2, 2025 at 9:42AM

The City of Alexandria Pipes and Drums at a celebration for Noah Lyles at Chinquapin Park, Sept. 22, 2024 (Staff photo by James Cullum)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Wednesday, July 2, the 183rd day of 2025. There are 182 days left in the year.

🌧️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms before 1 p.m., then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. High near 84. Light and variable wind. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Alexandria outlines economic development roadmap following community summit

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 1, 2025 at 9:20PM | Updated July 2, 2025 at 5:55AM

Alexandria Economic Summit on May 8, 2025 (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

The Alexandria City Council received a comprehensive update on Tuesday night regarding the city’s May Economic Summit and the ongoing development of a strategic framework that will guide economic development efforts over the next five years.

Tracye McDaniel, President of TIP Strategies, presented findings from extensive community engagement efforts that reached over 840 community touchpoints through 75 roundtables or one-on-one interviews, 35 participants in pre-summit events, 530 survey respondents, and more than 200 summit participants at the May 8 event held at the Westin Alexandria.

Alexandria Police seek public help in series of indecent exposure incidents

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 1, 2025 at 8:38PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Alexandria Police Department is asking for the community’s assistance in investigating multiple indecent exposure incidents that have occurred during early morning hours across three Alexandria neighborhoods.

The investigation appears to be connected to incidents ALXnow previously reported on June 25, when two indecent exposures occurred approximately half a mile apart in Rosemont during the early morning hours.

More than 2,800 Dominion Energy customers without power across Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 1, 2025 at 4:41PM | Updated July 1, 2025 at 4:57PM

Dominion Energy Power Outage Map on July 1, 2025 (screenshot)

More than 2,800 Dominion Energy customers in Alexandria are experiencing a power outage this evening (July 1).

Severe thunderstorms brought high winds and heavy rain to Alexandria on Tuesday afternoon.

Man arrested after attempted bank robbery in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published July 1, 2025 at 3:30PM

Jonathan Levar Robinson (via APD)

A 35-year-old man has been charged in connection to an attempted bank robbery in Old Town on Tuesday, June 24.

Jonathan Levar Robinson has been charged as the suspect wearing a mask, entering the M&T Bank at 833 S. Washington Street, passing the teller a note and demanding cash, according to the Alexandria Police Department. The incident occurred at around 9:30 a.m.