News

Army pausing helicopter flights near DCA after close calls

By Tara Copp | Associated Press
At Gravelly Point, a man in a folding chair reads a book as planes land outside Reagan National Airport (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Army is pausing helicopter flights near a Washington airport after two commercial planes had to abort landings last week because of an Army Black Hawk helicopter that was flying to the Pentagon.

The commander of the 12th Aviation Battalion directed the unit to pause helicopter flight operations around Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport following Thursday’s close calls, two Army officials confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday. One official said the flights have been paused since Friday.

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Episcopal High School named FIFA World Cup training site and wants 40-to-100-foot-tall lights at its athletic fields

By James Cullum
The athletic fields at Episcopal High School (via City of Alexandria)

Episcopal High School is about to get a lot brighter.

The private high school at 1200 N. Quaker Lane has been approved to serve as a training site for a team participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and now the school wants to install field lighting with 47 light poles between 40-to-100-feet-tall.

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Alexandria continues curbside composting program after successful pilot

By Ryan Belmore
Composting (image via Lenka Dzurendova/Unsplash)

Alexandria’s curbside composting program officially launches on July 1, 2025, after a successful two-year trial.

“After a successful two-year pilot, the program will now be offered as a voluntary, subscription-based service for residents who receive City trash and recycling collections,” the City of Alexandria shares in a press release.

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PLANS: West End complex to convert old laundry rooms into 19 new apartments

By James Cullum
The Alante Apartments at 4800 Kenmore Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

A 60-year-old apartment complex in the West End is about to get a little bigger.

On Tuesday, the Planning Commission will review a special use permit to add 19 apartments to The Alante Apartments, a 296-unit complex next door to the Seminary Towers Apartments and Francis C. Hammond Middle School, and is bounded by N. Van Dorn Street and Seminary Road.

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Here’s what’s scheduled for repaving and street maintenance in Alexandria this week (May 5-9)

By Ryan Belmore
Paving Operations (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s road work schedule for May 5-9 is out. It covers repaving, concrete maintenance, and ADA ramp improvements across the city.

This week, the citywide street repaving project targets South Royal Street, Slaters Lane, Boyle Street, Adams Avenue, Newton Street, and West Windsor Avenue.

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Rep. Beyer pushes for $5.9 million in federal funding for Alexandria projects

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

Rep. Don Beyer is pushing for $5.9 million in Community Project Funding for Alexandria as part of his fiscal year 2026 proposals. The requests focus on improving infrastructure, public safety, and affordable housing in the city.

A significant chunk of the funding, $1.56 million, is aimed at upgrading storm drains along East Howell and East Bellefonte Avenues. This project is part of the broader Flood Action Alexandria program, which implements both short and long-term flood prevention measures.

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Notes: Alexandria’s rich history takes center stage in May preservation events

By Ryan Belmore
The Prettyman Hose Reel Carriage at the Friendship Firehouse in Old Town. (Photo via Friendship Fire Company/Facebook)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., then scattered showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Patchy fog before 11 a.m. High near 76 degrees. Light east wind becoming southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. 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.

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Notes: City unveils new volunteer initiative to keep Alexandria clean

By Ryan Belmore
Green Team Individual Litter Clean Up Program (via City of Alexandria)

Good Sunday morning, Alexandria!

🌥️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 p.m., then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 5 p.m. Patchy fog before noon. High near 75 degrees. South wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch are possible. Tonight – Showers and thunderstorms likely before 2 a.m., then scattered showers. Patchy fog after 10 p.m. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Southeast wind 5 to 7 mph becoming calm after midnight. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

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