News | ALXnow - Part 66

Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 66 degrees and a gentle north wind blowing at 6 to 8 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 48 degrees, and winds shifting from the east to south at 6 mph after midnight. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
– Steve Jobs

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!

‘Faith in Housing’ bill helps churches build affordable housing, Alexandria pastor says

By Emily Leayman

Published March 20, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:33PM

The Waypoint at Fairlington site in September 2022 (via Wesley Housing/Facebook)

A bill that would make it easier for churches to pursue affordable housing development on their properties is on its way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). An Alexandria church leader whose church brought affordable housing to its property says the bill would help churches that have faced greater challenges with getting local approval.

The “Faith in Housing” bill would remove the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt organizations seeking to develop housing on their land. Under the bill, the developments must be at least 60 percent affordable units for a minimum of 30 years. Church-based developments would be subject to property tax unless the locality chooses to exempt them.

Alexandria warns against scammers impersonating city officials to solicit payments

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2026 at 2:45PM

Money (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is warning residents against scammers impersonating city officials and asking for payments for outstanding fees.

The city issued a security alert on its website to permit applicants and property owners, although no scams have been reported within the city. Ebony Fleming, the city’s communications director, said the FBI sent out an initial alert and that the city’s warning is a precautionary measure.

The Twig commits $2M to Inova Alexandria Hospital’s new Landmark campus

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2026 at 1:45PM

Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark construction (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Twig organization has committed to giving $2 million toward the new medical campus at Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark.

Inova representatives say the hospital is on track to open by the end of 2028 and will name its conference center in honor of The Twig for the contribution. Since 1933, the nonprofit has served as the Junior Auxiliary of Alexandria Hospital and has provided more than $7 million to the hospital through its thrift shop at 106 N. Columbus Street and other fundraising efforts.

No bond for Woodbridge man charged in Arlandria shooting: police

By James Cullum

Published March 20, 2026 at 8:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 22-year-old Woodbridge man faces a felony charge for a drive-by shooting in the Arlandria neighborhood, according to an Alexandria Police Department affidavit.

Reinaldo Reyes Bustillo has been held without bond since his arrest on the same day as the incident (Sunday, Feb. 22). The victim told police that he got into a fight with Reyes Bustillo outside a nightclub in Herndon, and afterward returned to Alexandria with three friends in a black Tesla.

Morning Notes for March 20, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published March 20, 2026 at 7:30AM

Kids at Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School in Alexandria's West End make heart symbols at a school assembly commemorating essential workers in Alexandria City Public Schools on Thursday, March 19. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Governor Appoints AlexRenew CEO to Commission — “Governor Abigail Spanberger has appointed AlexRenew General Manager and CEO Justin Carl to the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB). The interstate advisory body works across state lines to protect the waters of the Potomac River Basin and its resources upon which six million people depend.” [AlexRenew]

ACPS Hosts Essential Workers Appreciation Event — At the event, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt thanked health care providers, sanitation workers, bus drivers, teachers, police officers and other essential workers as the heartbeat of the school system. “Across our 18 schools, essential workers support students in countless ways,” Kay-Wyatt said. “They transport students safely, prepared nutritious meals, provide health and counseling services, maintain welcoming learning environments and help ensure every school remains safe and supportive.” [ALXnow/ACPS]

ALXnow Daily Debrief for Mar 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published March 19, 2026 at 8:30PM

Good Thursday evening, Alexandria. Let’s take a look back at today’s stories and a look forward to tomorrow’s event calendar.

🕗 News recap

The following articles were published earlier today — Mar 19, 2026.

7:30 am: Morning Notes for March 19, 2026 | 🗣️ Comments
10:30 am: Alexandria commission seeks 250 ‘patriotic gardens’ for America250 | 🗣️ Comments
11:45 am: Police: Man who threatened Alexandria judges compared himself to Luigi Mangione | 🗣️ Comments
1:45 pm: Dok Khao Thai Eatery opens at Alexandria’s Oakville development | 🗣️ Comments
2:45 pm: JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent | 🗣️ Comments
3:45 pm: Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site | 🗣️ Comments

Here are today’s most-read articles:

JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent (1218 views)
Dok Khao Thai Eatery opens at Alexandria’s Oakville development (630 views)
Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site (526 views)
Police: Man who threatened Alexandria judges compared himself to Luigi Mangione (477 views)

📅 Upcoming events

Here is what’s going on Friday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.

9:00 am: Old Town Boutique Bloom Together Spring Event

🌦️ Friday’s forecast

Expect scattered showers after 2 PM with increasing clouds and a high near 68°F. Winds will shift from light south to southwest at 8–13 mph, with gusts up to 24 mph. There is a 30% chance of precipitation. Showers are likely Friday night, mainly between 8 PM and 2 AM, with mostly cloudy skies and a low around 49°F. Southwest winds will be 7–10 mph, with gusts up to 18 mph, and a 60% chance of precipitation, with expected rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

Thanks for reading!

Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site

By Emily Leayman

Published March 19, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 10:41AM

Aspect rendering at WestEnd development (courtesy of Foulger Pratt)

The WestEnd redevelopment replacing Landmark Mall has kicked off construction of its first residential buildings, developer Foulger Pratt announced.

Developers broke ground on the two Aspect buildings (Blocks E and G, 5801 Duke Street), which will be connected by a sky bridge. Construction began as the developers secured financing from Atlantic Union Bank, with Truist Bank serving as administrative agent.

JUST IN: Mayor Gaskins rallies Alexandria church to settle $1M in ARHA back rent

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2026 at 2:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:35PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the No Kings Rally at Market Square in Old Town, June 14, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Mayor Alyia Gaskins launched the “Fresh Start Initiative” today (Thursday), rallying the city’s faith and nonprofit leaders to pay approximately $1 million in back rent for nearly 450 residents living in the city’s public housing properties.

The initiative brings together the city, the Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority, the Department of Community and Human Services and nonprofit fundraiser ACT for Alexandria to create a temporary charitable fund to “connect residents to financial empowerment resources, and to ensure improved systems at ARHA,” according to the city. Alfred Street Baptist Church has pledged to raise more than $1 million to cover the back rent. The initiative is solely funded through private donations.

Police: Man who threatened Alexandria judges compared himself to Luigi Mangione

By James Cullum

Published March 19, 2026 at 11:45AM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse at 520 King Street in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

A Maryland man charged with threatening Alexandria judges and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office staffers allegedly compared himself to Luigi Mangione — the man charged with the 2024 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson — according to an Alexandria Police Department search warrant affidavit.

Lindolfo Pedraza has been held without bond since his Jan. 28 arrest at home in Allegany County, Md., and his case will head to a jury trial on Monday, April 13. The 53-year-old is accused of going to a judge’s home and sending threatening emails to two judges and deputy commonwealth’s attorneys involved in a 2021 case in which he lost custody of his son, according to the recently released search warrant affidavit.

Morning Notes for March 19, 2026

By ALXnow.com

Published March 19, 2026 at 7:30AM

Two ducks on a rock about to take off at the Old Town waterfront (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On March 19, 1855, a fire destroyed the Friendship Firehouse on South Alfred Street. The fire broke out around 11 p.m. and though the equipment and engine were saved, the structure was destroyed. A new firehouse, which still stands today, was completed later that year.” [Historic Alexandria]

City Hosts Potomac Sewage Spill Meeting on Thursday — “The City of Alexandria invites the community to a Town Hall with DC Water on the Potomac Interceptor Response at 7 p.m. on Thursday, 3/19 in the Lee Center Auditorium (1108 Jefferson St.). Attendees can also participate online via Zoom. [City of Alexandria/X]