A remembrance ceremony is planned next week to mark the 124th anniversary of the lynching of Alexandria teen Benjamin Thomas and the unveiling of a new historic marker.

Thomas, one of two black Alexandrians murdered by lynch mobs, was 16 when he was hanged and shot at the corner of King and Fairfax streets in 1899.


One month after a study found that the Virginia state government is underfunding schools, Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson called on state leaders in Richmond to reconsider their approach.

The core issue identified by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission is that the Local Composite Index (LCI) incorporates local real property, gross income and taxable retail sales to determine how much a locality can fund their school system.


Like trying to book Taylor Swift tickets, the rush to get the good fall classes and activities in Alexandria can be a competitive race — and it’s set to kick off next week.

From swimming lessons to “Adult Hip Hop Class,” there’s a broad suite of programs coming up this fall through Alexandria Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA). City of Alexandria residents will get first pick of the programs starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9. Nonresidents can register for programs starting on Friday, Aug. 11.


Tonight is National Night Out — an event where Alexandria’s first responders interface with the communities. This year’s celebrations come after a rough week with the city rattled by multiple shootings, including one homicide.

“On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, The City of Alexandria will celebrate National Night Out (NNO), a day designed to heighten crime prevention awareness, generate support for anti-crime programs, and send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized, and working with law enforcement to help prevent crime,” the city said in a release.


ALIVE! and Volunteer Alexandria exceeded their goal and collected more than 33,500 in last month’s first-ever citywide food drive.

The nonprofits collected 33,511 pounds of food from 38 locations across Alexandria last month.


Alexandria’s DASH network has set a record high with 4.5 million boardings in a single year, according to the transportation company.

DASH said in a release that the record high boardings exceeded the previous ridership high of 4.3 million in 2015. DASH credited the success to a mix of taking the network fare-free and realigning the system to prioritize frequent service in higher-density corridors.


A Virginia man was sentenced to a year-and-a-half in prison this week for embezzling more than a half million dollars from ABM Industries.

John Babsa, a 34-year-old former manager of the Northern Virginia branch of New York-based ABM Industries, pleaded guilty to one count of felony embezzlement at his July 27 trial. The former manager also paid $583,000 in restitution directly to ABM Industries via his attorney.


Like yeast in a beer barrel, Alex Lynch has been patient for the last several years.

In June, the D.C. native had enough beer brewed to open Mieza Blendery at 109 Clermont Street in Alexandria’s West End. With 12 distinct flavors this season, Lynch opened his tasting room to the public.


 

After another pair of shootings last week, one that resulted in a death and one in a life-threatening injury, Mayor Justin Wilson said the multi-pronged response includes more police officers in Alexandria.


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