News | ALXnow - Part 221

Bestselling author Adriana Trigiani to host special evening in Alexandria benefiting Campagna Center

Published July 8, 2025 at 1:45PM

Bestselling Author Adriana Trigiani to Host Special Talk Benefiting Campagna Center (via Campagna Center)

Alexandria residents will have the opportunity to spend an evening with bestselling author Adriana Trigiani on Friday, July 25, at a special fundraising event benefiting the Campagna Center at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial (101 Callahan Dr.).

The evening will feature Trigiani in conversation with Christine Gunderson, a former television journalist, Capitol Hill press secretary, and debut novelist. The event celebrates “the power of storytelling, literature, and conversation” while raising funds for one of Alexandria’s oldest nonprofit organizations.

Woodlawn Press Winery will permanently close on July 26

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 12:00PM | Updated July 8, 2025 at 1:49PM

Woodlawn Press Winery has announced that it will permanently close on July 26 (via Woodlawn Press Winery on Instagram)

After six years of bringing handcrafted wines and community spirit to Northern Virginia, Woodlawn Press Winery announced today (July 8) that it will permanently close its tasting room (8733-B Cooper Road, Alexandria) on Saturday, July 26, marking the end of an era for the urban microwinery that became a beloved fixture in the Fairfax County community.

Andrew and Bonnie, the husband-and-wife team behind Woodlawn Press, shared the bittersweet news through an emotional Instagram post and detailed announcement on their website, revealing that their decision comes as they prepare to join family wine operations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Diamond necklace, cash stolen in armed Carlyle robbery

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2025 at 11:30AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The Alexandria Police Department is investigating the armed robbery of a diamond necklace and cash from a person on their way to a party in the city’s Carlyle neighborhood.

The June 1 (Sunday) incident occurred outside an apartment building at around 3:30 a.m. in the 800 block of John Carlyle Street. The investigating officer found that the victim was walking to a party in the building, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

Alexandria climbs to fifth place on Travel + Leisure’s “Best Cities in the U.S.” list

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 8, 2025 at 10:16AM | Updated July 8, 2025 at 1:49PM

Old Town Alexandria - 100 block of King Street - pedestrian zone (Credit Chris Cruz)

Alexandria has reached its highest position ever on Travel + Leisure’s annual “Best Cities in the U.S.” list, claiming the fifth spot in the magazine’s 2025 “World’s Best Awards” survey results announced Tuesday.

This marks the fourth consecutive year Alexandria has earned recognition on the prestigious list, but it represents the city’s best showing to date. In 2024, Alexandria was ranked #15 on the list.

NWS issues Heat Advisory and Flood Watch in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 8, 2025 at 9:35AM

Flooding in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Expect the Heat Index temperature reaching 106 degrees and excessive rainfall today in Alexandria.

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory from 1 to 7 p.m., and a Flood Watch for Alexandria and the surrounding area from 2 p.m. to midnight.

Notes: Chinquapin Playground partially closed after vehicle incident

By ALXnow.com

Published July 8, 2025 at 7:45AM

Chinquapin Park (via City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, July 8, the 189th day of 2025. There are 176 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 5 p.m. Increasing clouds, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 106. Calm wind becoming south 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. The chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and a quarter of an inch, except higher amounts are possible in thunderstorms.

Police: Suspect in fatal Huntington stabbing lived in a storage unit in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2025 at 5:15PM | Updated July 11, 2025 at 3:11PM

Robert Reed (via Fairfax County Police Department)

The man charged in the June 10 fatal stabbing of 32-year-old Marvin Waters at a Huntington Metro station bus stop was living in a storage unit in Alexandria, according to the Alexandria Police Department.

Robert Andrew Reed was arrested on June 15 in the bus bay area of the Huntington Metro station.

Metro card data led police to suspect in Alexandria assaults

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2025 at 3:35PM

Jeffrey Gary (via APD)

More details have been released on the apprehension of the suspect in the alleged abduction and sexual assault of two women near two Alexandria Metro stations on May 30.

One of the incidents occurred near the Braddock Road Metro station, and the victim told police she was followed out of the station by a man, grabbed from behind, and wrestled on the ground. The victim recounted that she was able to get away from the suspect and then hit him on the head with her purse before fleeing and calling the police, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

ALIVE! closes West End Food Hub ‘until further notice’

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2025 at 1:00PM

The ALIVE! West End Food Hub at 510 S. Van Dorn Street is closed until further notice due to an HVAC issue (via ALIVE!/Facebook)

Alexandria residents who get free meals from ALIVE!’s West End Food Hub will have to seek other accommodations.

Last week, ALIVE! announced that the food hub at 510 S. Van Dorn Street will be “closed until further notice” due to an ongoing HVAC replacement. Still, there are plenty of ways to get free food this month in Alexandria.

Here’s how Metro’s summer infrastructure project will impact Alexandria commuters

By James Cullum

Published July 7, 2025 at 12:00PM

Summer Metro Updates: Blue Line Closures & New Bus Route Changes in Alexandria (via City of Alexandria)

Metro’s summer construction project kicked off over the weekend, temporarily shutting down rail service at two well-traveled stations in and around Alexandria for the next three weeks.

Metro shut down rail at the Van Dorn Street station in Alexandria and Franconia-Springfield station in Fairfax County until July 26. The Blue Line will end service at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station for the duration of the project.

This Week in Alexandria: Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration, Pipes & Drums concert, and live music galore

By Ryan Belmore

Published July 7, 2025 at 11:00AM

Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

This week brings Alexandria’s biggest celebration of the year as the city marks its 276th birthday alongside America’s 249th on Saturday, July 12 at Oronoco Bay Park. The free waterfront event features the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, fireworks at 9:30 p.m., and birthday cupcakes distributed by City Council members.

The festivities kick off at 6 p.m. with DJ Geena Marie, followed by Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Alexandria Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso at 7:30 p.m. The evening builds to a grand finale with fireworks and ceremonial cannons by the Presidential Salute Battery. Port City Brewing will sell craft beer on-site, while food trucks line Pendleton Street and local vendors showcase their wares in a curated arts area.