Graffiti appearing to target the immigrant community is being investigated on the Mount Jefferson Park Trail, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
Police believe the graffiti appeared between 11 p.m. Friday (Oct. 23) and 6:30 a.m. Saturday (Oct. 24) at multiple locations on the park trail. The graffiti contained the words “ICE,” “REPORT TO DEPORT,” and the phone number “1-866-DHS-2-ICE.”
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On October 26, 1955, the Alexandria City Council approved the rezoning of a residential section of North Washington Street to allow commercial construction. Before 1955, the area along downtown Alexandria’s main north-south thoroughfare, north of Cameron Street, was lined with elegant, rambling homes built in Georgian and Victorian styles.” [Historic Alexandria]
Traffic and Parking Board Meets Tonight — “The Traffic and Parking Board will hold its next public hearing on Monday, October 26 at 7 p.m. Docket materials have been posted for the upcoming meeting. At the public hearing, members of the public can weigh in on parking changes in Old Town, proposed No Turn on Red restrictions, the biennial taxicab review, and carshare policy update. This Traffic and Parking Board meeting will be held in person at 2900-B Business Center Drive and virtually via Zoom. To attend this meeting virtually, participants must register in advance by clicking here.” [City of Alexandria]
Reminder on King and Duke Streets Work Starting Today — “Bridge maintenance work will take place on the deck of the Duke Street bridge over the CSX railroad tracks beginning the week of October 26th. The work, performed by the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services Infrastructure Maintenance Division, should be complete by mid-November (weather permitting).” [City of Alexandria]
Carpenter’s Shelter Cook-Off Winners Named — “Alexandria’s love of food was on full display at the Carpenter’s Shelter Cook-Off, where area restaurants and bakeries competed for judges’ honors and popular votes—all for a cause that supports neighbors experiencing homelessness. The event featured dozens of live and silent auction items, giving attendees plenty to bid on while sampling offerings from restaurants, caterers and pop-ups.” [The Zebra]
Road Maintenance Set for This Week — N. Fayette Street (from Duke Street to First Street) is on the schedule for repaving this week, while asphalt patch work is scheduled for Mark Drive (3700 block), E. Glebe Road (first block), W. Glebe Road (200, 300, 400, and 800 blocks), Valley Drive (900 block), E. Oxford Avenue (100 block), E. Bellefonte Avenue (first block), E. Cliff Street (first block), Dawes Avenue (5000 block), King Street (2800 block), King Street Service Road (3600 block) and Seminary Road (4600 block). [Alexandria T&ES]
Operation Illumination Begins Tuesday — “🚶✨ This Pedestrian Safety Month, let’s help our community stay visible after dark! Operation Illumination starts on October 27, offering free reflective gear and safety accessories at participating locations across Alexandria. Be bright, be seen, and make every trip a safe one!” [Alexandria T&ES/X]
Volunteers Needed for ARHA Toy Distribution — “🚨❄️ Calling all volunteer elves! We need your help for the 2026 Santa’s Winter Wonderland toy distribution [3-9 p.m. Dec. 19 at Charles Houston Recreation Center] [Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority/X]
It’s Monday — Sunny with a high near 70 and calm winds becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Monday night will be clear with a low around 50, with calm winds becoming northwest around 5 mph after midnight. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the ALXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
Good Friday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Oct 23, 2026.
Alexandria Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Closes Fall Into Fitness Program in 11 Days
Revolutionary Fitness, the semi-private strength and longevity studio at 215 N. Payne St. in… [Announcement]
Army Navy Game Day 5k and 10k Run, sponsored by the Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Officers Association
Attention all runners, joggers, and Army Navy fans! Come join us on Saturday, 12 December 2026… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Saturday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
Here are the events planned for Sunday:
🎭 Halloween Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary
Oct 24: Join the Auxiliary Improv for a night of Halloween-themed comedy in Old Town, Alexandria VA! [Event]
CatRad Halloween Eve!
Oct 30: Join us for our second annual CatRad Halloween Eve! A night of ghoulish fun, spooky treats… [Event]
Imperium Open House: Discover a Smarter Way to Get Stronger
Nov 1: Explore a different approach to strength training at Imperium’s free open house in Old Town Alexandria. [Event]
Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]
How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]
Submit events, announcements, or home listings to ALXnow.
Today: Alexandria saw a high of 64° at 2:00 p.m. (3° below normal), a low of 48° at 5:55 a.m., no rain and a peak gust of 16 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. Northeast wind 1 to 5 mph.
Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 65. Northeast wind 1 to 6 mph.
The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.
Thanks for reading!
Alexandria has hired Heather McGaffin as director of its Department of Emergency and Customer Communications.
McGaffin, who worked most recently as the director of the District of Columbia’s Office of Unified Communications, will officially succeed the retiring Renee Gordon on Jan. 4, 2027, according to the city.
The family of a 32-year-old man who died in Alexandria Police Department custody last summer has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and the officers involved in his arrest.
The family of Allan Tucker II is asking the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia for relief against the City of Alexandria and two officers involved in his arrest and death on Aug. 15, 2025.
Alexandria leaders have joined counterparts from across the region in voicing reservations about a proposed consolidation of local bus systems in Northern Virginia.
If enacted, the proposal would roll Alexandria’s DASH system into a broader future operation spanning two counties and two cities that would have a service area totaling about 450 square miles and a population of more than 1.5 million.
Hydrofoil Ferry Talks Revived — “There have long been talks about running ferries on the Potomac and Anacostia, but concerns like costs and feasibility previously waylaid plans … Officials last week presented an early feasibility study envisioning a commuter service using hydrofoil ferries,” with Old Town Alexandria among the potential stops. [Axios DC]
Ground Breaks on Second Heritage Building — “Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners broke ground Tuesday on the second apartment building at The Heritage at Old Town, a 288-unit project at 535 S. Alfred St. that the developer says will be finished in 2029.” Construction on the project’s first building, which will deliver 310 apartments, began in June 2025. [Alexandria Brief]
Maintenance to Affect Duke and King Streets — “Two upcoming maintenance projects beginning the week of October 26 near the railroad tracks along Duke Street and King Street are expected to result in limited traffic impacts to the area. Bridge maintenance work will take place on the deck of the Duke Street bridge over the CSX railroad tracks beginning the week of October 26th.” Virginia Railway Express is also planning track maintenance starting Oct. 28. [City of Alexandria]
State Legislators Consider Building Reforms — “Every three years, Virginia updates its building code, requirements for new construction that account for safety standards and energy efficiency. As the state readies for its next update cycle in 2027, some lawmakers are flagging a series of reforms they argue can help increase housing supply and address affordability issues.” [Virginia Mercury]
Local Man Sentenced for Drug Ring — “Three more men have been sentenced in connection with a drug and prostitution ring operated out of a hotel in Dumfries. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, two men were sentenced on Wednesday in connection with the Red Carpet Inn’s third-floor drug den,” while a third man from Alexandria was sentenced to over 15 years in prison on Sept. 18. [Patch]
Alexandria Business Leaders Recognized — “The Washington Business Journal released its annual ‘Power’ list Tuesday, a list of the region’s most influential business leader with a twist this year, increasing the number from its usual 100 to a list of 250 in honor of the sesquicentennial. Alexandria is well represented. Here’s a look at the leaders who work in Alexandria or have strong ties to the city.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]
It’s Friday — Sunny with a high near 63 and northeast winds around 6 to 8 mph. Friday night will be clear, with a low around 40 and a light northeast wind. [NWS]
No time to read? Now you can listen to your local news. Subscribe to the ALXnow Daily Update on Apple, Spotify or Amazon.
Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Here’s a look back at today’s most-read stories and a look ahead to tomorrow.
Everything else we published today, Oct 22, 2026.
Alexandria Fitness Studio for People Over 50 Closes Fall Into Fitness Program in 11 Days
Revolutionary Fitness, the semi-private strength and longevity studio at 215 N. Payne St. in… [Announcement]
Army Navy Game Day 5k and 10k Run, sponsored by the Washington, D.C. Foreign Area Officers Association
Attention all runners, joggers, and Army Navy fans! Come join us on Saturday, 12 December 2026… [Announcement]
Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
🎭 Halloween Improv Comedy Show with the Auxiliary
Oct 24: Join the Auxiliary Improv for a night of Halloween-themed comedy in Old Town, Alexandria VA! [Event]
CatRad Halloween Eve!
Oct 30: Join us for our second annual CatRad Halloween Eve! A night of ghoulish fun, spooky treats… [Event]
Imperium Open House: Discover a Smarter Way to Get Stronger
Nov 1: Explore a different approach to strength training at Imperium’s free open house in Old Town Alexandria. [Event]
Dialogue for Democracy
Nov 3: Dialogue for Democracy invites high school students from across the DMV to George Mason University. [Event]
How Retirement Communities Work – A Free Workshop
Nov 4: Interested in learning about how Continuing Care Retirement Communities work, but don’t know where to start? Join us on 11/4 to learn more! [Event]
Submit events, announcements, or home listings to ALXnow.
Today: Alexandria saw a high of 59° at 8:25 p.m. (8° below normal), a low of 45° at 7:35 a.m. and no rain.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 47. North wind around 8 mph.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 64. Northeast wind around 9 mph.
About 753 Dominion customers are without power.
The photo above is from the City of Alexandria’s marina webcam.
Thanks for reading!
The Alexandria Police Department’s headquarters and other sites in the city will once again participate in National Prescription Take Back Day, which is returning to communities across the country this Saturday (Oct. 24).
Led by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the initiative encourages people to clean out their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unneeded prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
The Alexandria City Council unanimously and without discussion approved a sweeping plan to expand athletic facilities and field lighting to St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in the city’s West End.
Council approved the plan on Saturday (Oct. 17) to add a new 1,500-square-foot concessions building with bathrooms, bleachers, a 715-square-foot, open-air covered pavilion, a new 770-square-foot storage shed and press box as well as eight, 85-foot-tall field lights at the school’s Kelleher and Moss fields.
A 66-year-old woman was hospitalized yesterday (Wednesday) after she was struck by a vehicle while crossing Cameron Street in Old Town Alexandria.
The crash occurred at around 2:40 p.m. at the intersection of Cameron Street and North West Street, according to the Alexandria Police Department.
