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.
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.
🌦️ 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!
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.
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.
A new Thai restaurant has opened in Alexandria’s Oakville development, between Potomac Yard and Del Ray.
Dok Khao Thai Eatery is currently in a soft opening at 2514 Richmond Highway with an all-day, Thai street food-inspired menu with more than a dozen specials from owner and chef Porntipa Pattanamekar, also known as “Chef Pat.” The restaurant includes an all-day menu and full-service bar, with space for about 100 guests.
Raise a glass to culture and camaraderie at the 2026 whisky tasting event. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting across the whisky regions of Scotland, gaining insights into the craftsmanship and culture behind each pour. This informative program will help you learn all about the rich tapestry that is Scotch whisky, enable you to sample five different whiskies from across Scotland, and provide an opportunity to ask questions and share personal insights. VIP ticket holders will receive two additional exclusive samples of rare whiskies. All attendees will take home a souvenir Glencairn glass, perfect for continuing their whisky journey. Tickets are $100 for VIP or $75 for general admission (listed as a separate event on Alexandriava.gov/Shop), with hors d’oeuvres included. Wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for non-whisky drinkers. A raffle will also be held with prizes, with tickets available for cash purchase at the event. Minimum age: 21. All proceeds support the Alexandria Sister Cities Committee and its mission to support the educational and cultural exchanges between Alexandria, VA and her sister cities of Dundee, Scotland and Helsingborg, Sweden.
Please note: You do not need to print off tickets. Your name will be on the registration list for the event.
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.
To mark America’s 250th anniversary, the Alexandria Beautification Commission is hoping to meet a goal of 250 “patriotic gardens” planted by residents and business owners.
The Beautification Commission is launching a Plant for America250 challenge, seeking to have 250 properties to plant red, white and blue native plants this spring.
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]
Good Wednesday 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 18, 2026.
Here are today’s most-read articles:
- Townhouse development pitched on vacant lot, barbershop site in Parker-Gray (918 views)
- City Council considers next renaming of street referencing Confederate military figure (626 views)
- ACPS seeks to hire new Alexandria City High School principal by late May (560 views)
📅 Upcoming events
Here is what’s going on Thursday in Alexandria, from our event calendar.
☀️ Thursday’s forecast
Expect mostly sunny skies with a high near 55 degrees and a gentle south wind at 5 to 7 mph. Thursday night will be partly cloudy with temperatures dropping to around 40 degrees and a light south wind. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“Do not watch the clock. Do what it does. Keep going.”
– Sam Levenson
🌅 Tonight’s sunset
Thanks for reading!
A proposed conversion of a vacant lot and a one-story barbershop in the Parker-Gray Historic District into five four-story townhomes is headed to city review.
Eric Bernstein and Kirby Holdings are proposing to build the homes at 724, 726 and 728 N. Patrick Street, located at the intersection with Madison Street. The Alexandria Board of Architectural Review will conduct a public hearing on the concept review proposal at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, at Charles Houston Recreation Center, which is directly across the street from the site.
