George Washington Middle School (staff photo by Vernon Miles)
A pedestrian safety improvement project near George Washington Middle School and Charles Barrett Elementary School is slated to receive $2.17 million in federal funding.
The project, phase two of the city’s Safe Routes to School Crossing Improvements, aims to bolster student safety and “strengthen connectivity to nearby neighborhoods” at the schools by installing curb extensions with crosswalks, shortening crossing distances, improving bus stops and removing a slip lane.
No injuries were reported after a fire in the basement of 6060 Tower Court in Alexandria West (via Google Maps)
No injuries have been reported after an early morning fire at 6060 Tower Court in Alexandria’s Landmark area that prompted a full resident evacuation.
The Alexandria Fire Department was reportedly called at around 12:30 a.m. today (Thursday) for heavy smoke on multiple floors of the 16-story apartment building. The fire and heavy smoke originated in a utility room in the building’s basement, according to AFD radio dispatches.
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass. Based in the North Ridge area of Alexandria City, Adrianna is more than just a real estate agent – she is a trusted advisor, relocation expert, and community advocate.
In October 2026, 26 detached homes sold, 50 condos sold, and 41 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 40% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 52%, and townhomes are down 18%.
Whiskey and Oyster is closing at the end of February at 301 John Carlyle Street (via Whiskey and Oyster/Facebook)
After nearly seven years in business, Whiskey & Oyster is set to close at the end of the month.
“Mango” Mike Anderson of the Homegrown Restaurant Group told ALXnow he did not renew his lease at 301 John Carlyle Street. The restaurant’s last day is Saturday, Feb. 28.
Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming, and the community that cares for the museum’s ephemeral outdoor sculpture family, to learn about the project’s evolution over the past two decades, and what the future holds.
Learn about the art of clay, traditions of sustainability in Pueblo building techniques, and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly art activities, dance performances by the Zuni Olla Maidens, watch a short film, and multiple opportunities to hear from the artist, her family, and museum experts that have contributed to the care and revitalization of the sculptures.
The World Crafted on King, rebranded from Ten Thousand Villages (courtesy of The World Crafted on King)
The grand reopening for The World Crafted on King, a fair trade store that rebranded from Ten Thousand Villages, starts tomorrow (Friday), leading into a weekend of festivities.
Northern Virginia Fairfax Families for Safe Streets (NoVA FSS) cordially invites you to attend and support our upcoming World Day of Remembrance (WDoR) for Road Traffic Victims.
World Day of Remembrance is an annual event where we honor those whose lives were prematurely ended after being struck by a person driving. This year is particularly painful and sad as we think about the recent death of a 13-year-old Frost middle school student who was struck and killed by a person driving a truck on Pickett Road. We will also honor the nearly 30 other people (as of today’s date) who have been killed on Northern Virginia streets while, walking, biking, or rolling since last year’s day of remembrance.
Looking south from Route 1 in Potomac Yard (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “On February 19, 1885, a fatal train crash occurred at Four Mile Station when two trains collided near the Alexandria canal. Virginia Midland passenger train traveling north and a southbound Baltimore & Potomac train crashed around 10 p.m. and resulted in the deaths of at least seven people.” [Historic Alexandria]
Lawmakers Push For Potomac Spill Plan, Transparency — “Congressional lawmakers from Maryland and Virginia are pushing for a “rigorous” environmental remediation plan, public briefings and continued bacteria monitoring in the wake of last month’s spill of millions of gallons of sewage into the Potomac River. The lawmakers’ letter to DC Water, the owner of the broken pipe, comes amid continued sparring between President Donald Trump (R) and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) about who’s responsible for the devastating sewage leak.” [Virginia Mercury]
Expect rain to begin mainly after 3pm with foggy areas clearing by 9am and a high near 48°F. An east wind of 5 to 10mph accompanies an 80% chance of precipitation, with potential rainfall between a tenth and a quarter of an inch. Thursday night continues with rain and patchy fog both before midnight and after 1am, with a low around 42°F, east wind 6 to 9mph, and a 100% chance of precipitation. New rainfall may reach a quarter to half an inch. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill
(Left to right) Independent City Council candidate Frank Fannon speaks alongside Democratic candidates Roberto Gomez, Tim Laderach, Sandy Marks, Charles Sumpter and Cesar Madison Tapia at the Departmental Progressive Club in Old Town, Feb. 17, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Sparks flew last night (Tuesday) as City Council candidates debated topics like immigration enforcement and budgeting at the Departmental Progressive Club in Old Town.
The event was hosted by DPC and the Alexandria branch of the NAACP, and it was the second debate in two days for the five Alexandria Democrats vying for their party’s nomination in the upcoming Feb. 21 firehouse primary. Independent candidate Frank Fannon, a former Republican member of City Council, also participated and received significant pushback from several candidates for his opinions on governance, housing and immigration.
Samples, beer and trophies at the Del Ray Chili Cook Off in 2024 (via Del Ray Citizens Association/Facebook)
Flavor, fundraising and friendly competition are coming to Del Ray with the return of the Del Ray Chili Cook Off this month.
The annual culinary competition by the Del Ray Citizens Association is open to individual and team entries from Del Ray residents. It will kick off at 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 in the gymnasium at Commonwealth Academy.
Alexandria City High School math teacher Essie Jones (staff photo by James Cullum)
A teacher at Alexandria City High School has been awarded a $5,000 grant to create a project commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this year.
ACHS math teacher Essie Jones is one of 51 educators nationwide to be selected for a Teaching America250 Award. The grant will allow her to “design and implement an engaging learning experience that helps students explore the history of America’s founding and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence,” according to Alexandria City Public Schools.