News | ALXnow - Part 237

Notes: ‘Friends of Dorothy Cafe’ aims to create inclusive space for LGBTQ+ community in Alexandria

Published June 16, 2025 at 7:45AM | Updated June 16, 2025 at 12:01PM

Friends of Dorothy (via GoFundMe)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Monday, June 16, the 167th day of 2025. There are 198 days left in the year.

⛈️ Today’s weather: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2 p.m. Patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 72 degrees. Northeast wind around seven mph. The chance of precipitation is 40%. A chance of showers tonight, mainly between 8 p.m. and 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67 degrees. East wind around five mph, becoming calm in the evening. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Notes: Century-old Sears house, now a music studio, hosts community concert

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 15, 2025 at 7:15AM | Updated June 15, 2025 at 8:52AM

A student of Crab Shack Music plays the drums, while Jack Kilby's dog also takes the stage. (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Sunday, June 15, the 166th day of 2025. There are 199 days left in the year.

On this day in 1775, one day after the Second Continental Congress authorized a Continental Army, Alexandria’s favorite son, George Washington, was appointed its Commander in Chief by a unanimous vote of the Congress. Washington accepted the post and served throughout the war without compensation.

PHOTOS: Thousands attend No Kings Rally in Old Town, Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 14, 2025 at 10:21PM | Updated June 15, 2025 at 5:53AM

The No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders railed against the Trump administration at Alexandria’s Market Square on Saturday, just across the Potomac River from the military parade celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary, which also coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.

Alexandria’s No Kings Rally was attended by thousands. The rally also comes as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is reportedly preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four major cities across the country.

Alexandria Police officer and van driver transported to hospital after crash in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published June 14, 2025 at 12:50PM

Head-on crash between a van and an APD cruiser at Franklin and S. Patrick Streets in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (via X)

An Alexandria police officer and another driver have been transported to the hospital after a crash this morning in Old Town.

The crash between an Alexandria Police Department cruiser and a van was reported at around 10 a.m. near the intersection of S. Patrick Street (Route 1) and Franklin Street. The officer suffered a head injury, according to Alexandria Fire Department dispatches.

Stardust Vintage & Gift opens in Del Ray

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 14, 2025 at 9:28AM | Updated June 14, 2025 at 9:46AM

Grand opening of Stardust Vintage & Gift (Staff photo by Ryan Belmore)

Stardust Vintage & Gift officially opened its doors at 1904 Mount Vernon Avenue on Saturday (June 14), marking a new chapter for the Del Ray business community and its founder, Amy Eggers. The grand opening celebration brought together local officials, business leaders, and community members to commemorate the occasion.

The new shop, which replaces the former antique store La Brocante (now relocated next door), represents the culmination of Eggers’ long-standing vision for creating a unique retail space in the area.

Democrats squaring off in Virginia primaries say one name a lot: Trump

By Olivia Diaz | Associated Press/Report For America

Published June 14, 2025 at 7:25AM | Updated June 14, 2025 at 10:00AM

'I voted' stickers on Election Day in Alexandria, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) —Two Virginia Democrats are battling Tuesday to be their party’s nominee for attorney general. Yet, the name mentioned most in their campaigns is not that of their opponent, but rather a man who lives just over the Arlington Memorial Bridge: President Donald Trump.

The barrage of changes Trump has wrought to American culture in the first few months of his second White House residency has ignited the campaigns of Virginia Democrats Jay Jones and Shannon Taylor as they appeal unrelentingly to the most devout swaths of their base ahead of down-ballot primary elections. The primary will also determine the party’s nominations this year for lieutenant governor and some contested seats in the House of Delegates.

Notes: A Saturday of civic debate, jazz celebration, and solemn remembrance in Alexandria

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 14, 2025 at 7:16AM | Updated June 15, 2025 at 6:57AM

The ALX Jazz Fest returns to Waterfront Park this weekend. (Photo via Visit Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Saturday, June 14, the 165th day of 2025. There are 200 days left in the year. This is Flag Day.

On this day:

DEVELOPING: Flash Flood Warning issued for Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 13, 2025 at 8:27PM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect in Alexandria and the surrounding area until midnight.

The National Weather Service anticipates a burst of between one-and-three inches of rainfall an hour.

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 13, 2025 at 3:30PM | Updated June 13, 2025 at 4:29PM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

What a week it’s been in Alexandria. Here’s our recap of top stories.

ALXnow had its highest single-day visitor count ever on Thursday (June 12), with more than 53,000 views, following a report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four major cities across the country.

Volunteer Alexandria needs 40,000 pounds of canned food in July collection drive

By James Cullum

Published June 13, 2025 at 3:00PM

via Volunteer Alexandria

Volunteer Alexandria has set a goal of collecting 40,000 pounds of canned food in July.

The organization’s third Food4ALX collection drive will donate the canned items to Hunger Free Alexandria’s food pantries and ALIVE!.

Alexandria City High School’s Gxrls Ultimate Frisbee Team competing in High School National Invite

By Ryan Belmore

Published June 13, 2025 at 2:30PM

Alexandria HS Gxrls Ultimate Frisbee (via alxgxrls.ultimate)

The Alexandria City High School Gxrls Ultimate Frisbee Team is making history this weekend as they compete in their first-ever High School National Invite tournament.

This prestigious event, featuring 32 of the nation’s top high school ultimate teams, is taking place Friday (June 13) and Saturday (June 14) in Allentown, Pennsylvania.