News | ALXnow - Part 89

Driver rescued after crashing into parked tractor-trailer in Alexandria’s West End

Published October 13, 2025 at 10:30AM

One person was extricated from a pinned vehicle in the 4100 block of Wheeler Avenue on Oct. 12, 2025 (via Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department rescued one person who was pinned in their vehicle after crashing into a parked tractor-trailer in the city’s West End on Sunday, Oct. 12.

The crash was reported at around 2:45 p.m. in the 4100 block of Wheeler Avenue, and the victim was removed from the vehicle 30 minutes later, according to dispatch reports. The pinned driver was bleeding from the head and chest, was alert and conscious, and was transported to Inova Fairfax Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, according to dispatches.

Alexandria wins state award for budget communications approach

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 9:30AM

Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

The City of Alexandria received a 2025 Innovation Award from the Virginia Municipal League on Sunday for its fiscal year 2026 budget outreach efforts.

The award, presented at the VML Annual Conference in Roanoke, honors the city’s efforts to make its budget process more transparent and accessible amid potential federal funding cuts. Alexandria was one of seven Virginia localities to receive awards recognizing excellence in local government.

Missing 13-year-old Alexandria girl found safe

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 8:30AM | Updated October 13, 2025 at 12:59PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 13-year-old girl who was reported missing Monday morning has been located safe, the Alexandria Police Department announced.

Tajim Hossain was found safe, according to an update posted on the department’s X account at 12:56 p.m. “Thank you for sharing the message,” the department wrote.

Morning Notes for October 13, 2025

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated October 13, 2025 at 8:35AM

The Amtrak and VRE station (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Titans Fall to West Potomac — The Alexandria City High School football team couldn’t overcome a second-quarter deficit in a 21-20 home loss to West Potomac on Friday night, ending their perfect start to the season. ALXnow

ACPS Seeks Input on Campus Naming — Alexandria City Public Schools is asking residents to weigh in on proposals to name four campus spaces after individuals who made significant contributions to the community, with a public poll open through Oct. 22. ALXnow

ACPS seeks community input on naming four campus spaces after local figures

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 13, 2025 at 5:15AM

The Parker-Gray Stadium Field at Alexandria City High School King Street Campus (via ACPS)

Alexandria City Public Schools is asking residents to weigh in on proposals to name four campus spaces after individuals who made significant contributions to the community, with a public poll open through Oct. 22.

The School Board received petitions with at least 100 signatures each for naming opportunities at Alexandria City High School’s two campuses, Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School and the Early Childhood Center. The proposals range from honoring a two-time Super Bowl champion to memorializing a principal’s late son.

Alexandria firefighters shift to 49-hour work week

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 11, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria Fire Department (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Alexandria firefighters have begun working under a new schedule that reduces their weekly hours from 56 to 49, the culmination of a staffing overhaul that has dramatically improved retention at the fire department.

The shift to a four-shift, 49-hour work week marks a significant change for first responders who have worked under one of the longest schedules in public service for decades, according to a news release provided to ALXnow on Saturday from Alexandria Firefighters Inc. IAFF Local 2141.

Alexandria Police Department hosts Australian leaders in international exchange

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 11, 2025 at 8:00AM | Updated October 11, 2025 at 11:11AM

Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar of the Australian Federal Police, Chief Human Resource Officer Alyssa Williamson of the City of Alexandria, Assistant Chief of Police Tina Laguna of the Alexandria Police Department, Chief Tarrick McGuire of the Alexandria Police Department, and Commander Andrew Donoghoe of the Australian Federal Police, Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson of the Queensland Police Service, Acting Assistant Chief of Police Dennis Andreas of the Alexandria Police Department and Communications Director Tracy Walker of the Alexandria Police Department.

The Alexandria Police Department hosted senior leaders from two Australian law enforcement agencies this week for discussions on building public trust and ethical policing practices.

Chief Tarrick McGuire and members of APD’s command staff met Thursday with Assistant Commissioner Virginia Nelson of the Queensland Police Service and two officials from the Australian Federal Police — Commander Andrew Donoghoe and Detective Superintendent Matthew Ciantar.

West Potomac edges Alexandria City 21-20, ending Titans’ undefeated season

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 11, 2025 at 7:13AM

The Alexandria City High School Titans run onto the field, Sept. 19, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria City High School football team couldn’t overcome a second-quarter deficit in a 21-20 home loss to West Potomac on Friday night, ending their perfect start to the season.

The Titans fell to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Virginia High School League Division 6A District 4 after failing to score in a scoreless fourth quarter.

Coastal flood advisory issued for Alexandria waterfront

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 11, 2025 at 6:00AM

Coastal Flood Advisory for ALX (via National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood advisory for Alexandria’s shoreline from midnight Saturday into early Monday morning.

Up to one foot of water above ground level is expected in low-lying areas due to tidal flooding, according to the advisory issued at 5:17 a.m. Saturday.

One wounded in Eisenhower West shooting

By Ryan Belmore

Published October 11, 2025 at 5:44AM

One wounded in West End shooting (via Google Maps)

One person was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after a shooting on Friday in the city’s Eisenhower West neighborhood, police said.

The Alexandria Police Department responded to the 2800 block of Telek Place late Friday evening to investigate the shooting, according to a social media post issued at 11:49 p.m.

Alexandria hosting design meeting on Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project

By James Cullum

Published October 10, 2025 at 5:30PM

Large concrete pipes will be installed in low-lying areas of Alexandria's North Ridge neighborhood to prevent flooding (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria will host a community meeting next week on stormwater improvements for low-lying areas of Valley Drive, Crestwood Drive, Summit Avenue, and Dogwood Drive in the city’s North Ridge neighborhood.

The $3.8 million Valley Drive Storm Drain Improvement Project is funded through the city’s Stormwater Utility Fee, and the project will require installing large concrete pipes at the bottom of trenches, which will be backfilled and paved over, according to the city. The city will conduct a project design meeting on Oct. 15 (Wednesday) at 7 p.m. at Mount Vernon Recreation Center (2701 Commonwealth Avenue).