News | ALXnow - Part 219

Notes: Alexandria’s Recreation Department rolls out fresh summer camp lineup for 2025

Published April 7, 2025 at 8:00AM

New 2025 Summer Camp Programs (via City of Alexandria)

Good Monday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Expect rain mainly before 11 a.m. and patchy fog between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m., with cloudy conditions and a high near 51 degrees. A 6-8 mph northeast wind accompanies a 60% chance of precipitation, with new amounts ranging from a tenth to a quarter of an inch. On Monday night, there’s a slight chance of showers before 2 a.m., with clouds gradually clearing to partly cloudy and a low around 35 degrees. Light west wind will shift to northwest at 9-14 mph in the evening, gusting up to 21 mph, and a 20% chance of precipitation.

Photo Gallery: See the fun at the 3rd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest

By James Cullum

Published April 7, 2025 at 5:00AM | Updated April 7, 2025 at 6:27AM

Bruno runs at the third annual Del Ray Dog Fest, April 6, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The third annual Del Ray Dog Fest on Sunday was off the chain, in a good way.

Hundreds of pooches and their people attended the event, which featured a fashion show, playgrounds for pups, live music, and 65 vendors.

Alexandria City Council members submit budget add/delete proposals for FY 2026

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 6, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated April 6, 2025 at 10:01AM

The Alexandria City Council in session on March 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council members have submitted numerous budget proposals for consideration at the upcoming FY 2026 Budget Add/Delete Public Hearing scheduled for April 8.

The proposals, which must be balanced with corresponding cuts or revenue increases, range from increasing support for Alexandria City Public Schools to expanding recreational programs and enhancing public transportation services.

Notes: Spring2ACTion returns for 15th year to boost Alexandria charities

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 6, 2025 at 8:30AM

Spring2ACTion returns. (via ACT for Alexandria)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Scattered showers after 10 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 69 degrees. Northwest wind 5 to 14 mph, becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 22 mph. The chance of precipitation is 50%. Rain tonight with patchy fog between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Low around 44 degrees. North wind 7 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%—new precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Alexandria Fire Department earns prestigious CFAI Accreditation

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 5, 2025 at 5:00PM

Alexandria Fire Department is Awarded International Accredited Status (via Alexandria Fire Department)

The Alexandria Fire Department has earned accreditation from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, a part of the Center for Public Safety Excellence.

James Parajon, the City Manager, says this shows Alexandria’s dedication to top-notch public safety and always improving fire and emergency services.

Alexandria’s 4th Annual ALX Dog Walk brings thousands together for sustainability and fun

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 5, 2025 at 12:00PM

2025 ALX Dog Walk (Photo by Ryan Belmore)

The 4th Annual ALX Dog Walk brought together more than 1,000 dogs and their owners for a two-mile trek through Old Town Alexandria Saturday morning, combining environmental advocacy with puppy playtime.

The event, emceed by NBC4’s Chuck Bell, transformed Oronoco Bay Park into a hub of sustainability education and dog-centered activities.

Notes: Actor Jeff Daniels to open for Folk legend Tom Rush in Alexandria tonight

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 5, 2025 at 6:30AM

Tom Rush, Matt Nakoa, and Jeff Daniels will perform at The Birchmere Music Hall on April 5. (via The Birchmere)

Good Saturday morning, Alexandria!

🌧️ Today’s weather: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 10 a.m., then isolated showers after 5 p.m.. Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 76 degrees. Southeast wind 5 to 9 mph. The chance of precipitation is 60%—new precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will be around tonight before 2 a.m., then scattered showers after 5 a.m.. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62 degrees. South wind around 6 mph. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

ACPS names new principal for Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 4, 2025 at 7:45PM

ACPS Announces Adaarema S. Kelly as Principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is welcoming Adaarema S. Kelly as the new principal of Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School, starting July 1, 2025.

Kelly, who currently leads Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School, brings over 25 years of K-12 education experience to her new position.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins reflects on first 100 days, answers questions during live one-on-one conversation with ALXnow

By ALXnow.com

Published April 4, 2025 at 6:00PM

Ryan Belmore, Publisher of ALXnow, and Mayor Alyia Gaskins in conversation on Friday, April 4, 2025

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins addressed many community concerns in the inaugural “Ask the Mayor” session with ALXnow on Friday (April 4), highlighting her first 100 days in office, the city’s response to federal uncertainty, and much more.

The conversation, hosted by ALXnow Publisher Ryan Belmore, marks the beginning of a new monthly ALXnow series designed to provide residents with direct access to city leadership.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated April 19, 2025 at 3:10AM

Alexandrie firefighters battle fire on Duke Street (via Alexandria Firefighters, Inc. IAFF Local 2141)

Welcome to Friday in Alexandria. What a week we’ve been having.

To start things off, ALXnow broke the story of an Alexandria Police Department’s arson and burglary investigation after Sunday morning’s (March 30) shopping center fire that shuttered multiple businesses in the 5200 block of Duke Street.

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey and Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter facing no opposition this November

By James Cullum

Published April 4, 2025 at 3:30PM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

It’s going to be a smooth election season for Alexandria’s Democrat Commonwealth Attorney Bryan Porter and Sheriff Sean Casey.

No Republicans or other Democrats filed respective primary bids for both seats by the April deadline. That means that the only opposition the Porter and Casey face is from write-in candidates on election day in November, according to the city registrar’s office.