News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On Dec. 8, 1953, the Alexandria City Council passed a resolution that ‘no discrimination be shown in the employment of city government personnel because of race, creed or national origin.’ Though the first African American to serve as an Alexandria police officer would not be hired until 1965, African American women had served as crossing guards since 1951.” [Historic Alexandria]

Freedom House Closes for Repair — “Due to a plumbing repair, Freedom House Museum (1315 Duke Street) is closed to the public on Saturday, Dec. 6. The Office of Historic Alexandria asks all guests to check the Freedom House website for updates on its re-opening.” [Historic Alexandria]


News

Good Friday 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 — Dec 5, 2025.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. New Alexandria bus route with service to downtown D.C. launches this month (1056 views)
  2. A dessert shop serving churros seeks to open in vacant Old Town storefront (856 views)

Since it’s Friday, we’ve also compiled a list of the most-read articles of the week, below.

  1. WBJ: Longtime D.C. Italian restaurant is coming to Old Town (5647 views)
  2. Mixed-use apartment building proposed in Old Town near King Street Metro station (4994 views)
  3. Alexandria police investigate armed robbery near Holmes Run Trail (3486 views)
  4. Alexandria murder suspect claims insanity in 2023 homicide case (3461 views)
  5. Long Bridge Project construction prompts rail service changes in Alexandria next month (3441 views)
  6. Four Mile Run Kayak Launch set to open this week following delays (2953 views)
  7. Alexandria woman scammed by suspects pretending to work for Sheriff’s Office (2839 views)
  8. Del Ray-founded pet shop expands to new Belle Haven storefront (2338 views)
  9. Potomac Yard residential buildout plans receive Planning Commission approval (2207 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

Here are the events planned for Sunday:

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Patchy fog is expected to clear by 11am, making way for a partly sunny day with a high of around 42. Winds will be light and variable. For Saturday night, the sky will be mostly clear, and temperatures will drop to around 29 accompanied by light and variable winds. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”
– Abraham Lincoln

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


Sponsored

Some of the most ultra high-end (some with an elevator) townhomes in the DC region will deliver in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, just blocks from the King Street Metro.

Sales have already begun and while some new owners have already moved in, there are immediate move-ins available.

Brooks Estate is a collection of 13 sophisticated, four-bedroom and four-and-a-half bath residences that blend custom details, modern amenities and cutting-edge technology.

Looking for walkability? It doesnt get much better than this! Restaurants like Call Your Mother Deli and Hard Times Cafe and Augies Mussel House and Beer Garden are seconds away, and Brooks Estate is just a couple of blocks walk to the King Street Metro.

All of the homes boast 2,600 to over 3,000 square feet of space, chef’s kitchens with professional series Thermador appliances, spa-like baths, as well as rooftop terraces, two-car garages, and some homes available with elevators. Pricing starts at $2,287,500.

The homes at Brooks Estate provide an exceptional blend of luxury living with traditional architectural details that reflect the Old Town neighborhood. Rooms are connected by graceful arches and adorned with traditional flourishes like crown moldings.

Brooks Estate standard finishes include high-end custom cabinetry and custom-built rift and quartered white oak oven hoods and island surrounds. The flooring—by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray—is a true 3/4-inch-thick luxury wide-plank engineered European white oak hardwood floors that are sanded and finished on site.

Cutting-edge details include wireless smart home features throughout the house, with Lutron Wi-Fi light switches; garages fitted with Wi-Fi and cameras, and that are EV-ready; Wi-Fi/Bluetooth unit entry-door locks; Wi-Fi heated floors in the primary bath; nearly soundproof windows; and sound insulation in all bedrooms, bathrooms, and mechanical rooms. (more…)


News

A jury today (Friday) found a Fairfax man guilty of aggravated involuntary manslaughter and driving under the influence of alcohol for a series of crashes on April 16 that killed a teenager.

Jilmar Doria-Medina, 42, who lives in the Alexandria area of Fairfax County, has been held without bond in both the Fairfax County and Alexandria jails since the incidents that took the life of 19-year-old Abdullahi Mumin.


News

A new Metrobus route in Alexandria will offer transfer-free service to downtown D.C. starting later this month.

The new A29 bus will begin service on Sunday, Dec. 14, with rides offered every 24 minutes in the morning and afternoon via the I-395 Express Lanes, including during rush hours. Morning service will operate north to Metro Center, with afternoon service running south toward Van Dorn Street.


Event

Alexandria, VA – In recognition of World Pride Month, the City of Alexandria welcomes back the Annual LGBTQIA+ Pride fair on June 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. at John Carlyle Square Park (300 John Carlyle Street), sponsored by the City of Alexandria, Del Ray Community Partnership, Inova Pride, Kindred Tree Healing Center, and VEG ER for Pets.

Join neighbors, friends, and allies for an afternoon of music, creativity, and community. Enjoy emcee Rayceen Pendarvis, inspiring words from Alexandria leaders, live performances by the Funicular Project, line-dancing, and DJ Thunderbunny. Express yourself at the mobile art lab, grab a bite from local food vendors, and explore more than 100 Pride affirming programs, organizations, and businesses from across Alexandria. Families are invited to experience Drag Story Hour, celebrating imagination, joy, and the freedom to be your authentic self.


Around Town

Science kits, race cars, Legos and sport balls.

Those are just some of the donation ideas Volunteer Alexandria is calling on the community to contribute to its annual holiday drive, Toys4ALX, which closes next Thursday, Dec. 11. Volunteers are aiming to collect more than 3,500 new, unwrapped toys for 700 kids and counting across the city.


News

Following this morning’s wintry weather, the National Weather Service has issued another Winter Weather Advisory for Northern Virginia and the D.C. region.

The advisory goes into effect at 7 p.m. this evening (Friday) and will last until 1 a.m. Saturday, warning of freezing rain and drizzle, with a “light glaze of ice expected.”


News

Alexandria’s apartment rental costs have cooled over the past year, but remain well above pandemic-era lows.

The city’s median apartment-rental rate in November was $1,996 for a one-bedroom unit, $2,452 for two bedrooms and $2,179 for all units, according to the monthly data analysis by Apartment List.


News

Alexandria will conduct a sewer pipe repair project next week, temporarily shutting down an Old Town North roadway from Monday, Dec. 8 to Thursday, Dec. 11.

One northbound road lane will be shut down near 1201 E. Abingdon Drive to repair an 18-inch combined sewer pipe, according to the city.


News

After a long deliberation, a jury yesterday (Thursday) found Ricky Dehate guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the death of Robert Knott in Alexandria’s West End.

Circuit Court Judge Rebecca Wade gave the jury additional instructions yesterday to consider charging Dehate with voluntary manslaughter, in addition to the second-degree murder charge that the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office sought.