News | ALXnow - Part 187

Notes: Celebrate Pride in the West End on June 20

Published May 28, 2025 at 8:00AM

ALXWEBA - West End Business Association will Celebrate Pride In The West End on June 20 (via ALXWEBA)

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 64 degrees. East wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches are possible. Scattered showers tonight, mainly before 11 p.m. Patchy fog after 9 p.m. Otherwise, it is cloudy, with a low of around 59 degrees. East wind 6 to 11 mph becoming north after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%.

Alexandria City Council discusses strategic priorities, extends Torpedo Factory leases

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 27, 2025 at 9:00PM | Updated May 28, 2025 at 5:19AM

Alexandria City Council presented a proclamation recognizing May as Sex Education Month (screenshot)

The Alexandria City Council met Tuesday evening (May 27) for a Legislative Meeting, where they discussed and voted on several key initiatives, including lease extensions for Torpedo Factory artists, funding for Inova Alexandria Hospital, and updates to the city’s strategic priorities framework.

The meeting began with proclamations recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Sex Education Month.

Alexandria woman pleads guilty to murder in Ohio national park

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 27, 2025 at 4:45PM

Police car lights (file photo)

An Alexandria woman has admitted to murder at an Ohio national park after driving hundreds of miles to meet her victim.

Chelsea Perkins, 35, from Alexandria, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and using a firearm during a violent crime on federal property. She entered her plea on May 27 in a federal court in Cleveland, Ohio.

Alexandria City Council’s second Town Hall set for June 12

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 27, 2025 at 3:30PM

Alexandria City Council approves the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, April 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mark your calendars for June 12, as the Alexandria City Council gears up for its second town hall of the year. The event takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center Gymnasium (901 Wythe St).

Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley, and all council members will be on hand to chat about issues affecting residents and share updates on upcoming projects and initiatives.

Former FedEx driver charged with stealing $210K in Verizon phones from Alexandria shipping center

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 59-year-old former FedEx driver was charged with grand larceny after more than $210,000 worth of cell phones intended for Verizon were stolen from the company’s shipping center at 4720 Eisenhower Avenue.

The suspect, a Maryland man, was suspended from his position at FedEx on January 15, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The phones were in several packages intended for the Verizon Wireless store in Springfield (6432 Springfield Plaza).

Alexandria’s 47th Annual Jazz Festival set for June 14 at Waterfront Park

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 27, 2025 at 1:30PM

ALX Jazz Festival (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s 47th Annual Jazz Festival is coming to Waterfront Park on Saturday, June 14. Starting at 3 p.m., this free event will feature a diverse range of talented musicians and jazz styles.

Keanna Faircloth will host the festival, introducing performances by The JoGo Project, Jeanette Berry, We Were Here Before, Fran Vielma Quartet, Carolyn Malachi, and Warren Wolf.

The seventh annual Del Ray Vs. Old Town business softball game is on June 2

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2025 at 12:15PM

The 7th Annual Del Ray vs. Old Town Softball Battle is on Monday, June 2, at Simpson Field (Via Visit Del Ray/Facebook)

Which business community is better, Old Town or Del Ray? In terms of softball, the arguments will be settled on Monday, June 2, with the seventh annual Del Ray vs. Old Town Softball Game.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins will throw the first pitch at Eugene Simpson Park (426 E. Monroe Avenue) at 6 p.m. The five-inning game will include food trucks and ice cream, and the event is a fundraiser for the Alexandria Little League Scholarship Fund. Del Ray is in the overall series lead with a 4-2 record.

Glory Days Grill permanently closes its doors in Alexandria after seven years

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2025 at 11:45AM | Updated May 27, 2025 at 12:13PM

Glory Days Grill (via Facebook)

After seven years in Alexandria, Glory Days Grill permanently closed its doors on Duke Street on Monday, May 26.

The sports-themed family restaurant chain, which has 39 corporate and franchised restaurants in six states, shared the following note on social media:

No injuries in Yoakum Parkway apartment fire

By James Cullum

Published May 27, 2025 at 10:30AM

Fire in the 200 Block of Yoakum Parkway, May May 26, 2025 (via IAFF Local 2141)

A balcony fire at an apartment building in the West End was quickly extinguished Monday morning (May 26), and no injuries were reported.

The Alexandria Fire Department responded to 203 Yoakum Parkway at around 7:45 a.m. to find a fire showing from a fourth-floor apartment balcony. The two occupants inside the apartment were unharmed, and the fire was contained to the balcony, according to AFD dispatches.

Alexandria Streets Set for Makeover: Repaving and maintenance projects scheduled May 27-30

By Ryan Belmore

Published May 27, 2025 at 10:00AM

Paving Operations (via City of Alexandria)

Get ready for smoother rides, Alexandria, but be prepared for some temporary adjustments.

The City of Alexandria is launching a series of street repaving and concrete maintenance projects this week, from May 27th to May 30th, affecting several key roadways. Drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians should anticipate lane closures, parking restrictions, and potential delays in the affected areas as crews work to improve the city’s infrastructure.

Notes: Local pets to compete for ‘Animal of the Year’ title in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com

Published May 27, 2025 at 8:00AM

Alexandria's Next Animal Star: AWLA Launches 2026 Calendar Contest (via AWLA)

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers, mainly after 5 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 71 degrees. Light and variable wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. The chance of precipitation is 30%. Showers tonight. Low around 56 degrees. South wind around 8 mph, becoming east after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 80%—new precipitation amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch are possible.