The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for its fall Community Academy, providing residents and city workers with a free opportunity to learn about local law enforcement operations.
Sheriff Sean Casey announced Thursday (July 10) that the program will run for four consecutive Saturday mornings, from September 6 to September 27, with sessions held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Applications are due by Friday, August 29; however, officials warn that space is limited.
Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Friday, July 11, the 192nd day of 2025. There are 173 days left in the year.
⛈️ Today’s weather: Patchy fog before 8 a.m. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind.
One private-elevator residence remains, with special low-interest-rate financing and builder-paid closing costs available.
By Brett Rice
Only four residences remain at Brooks Estate, a collection of 13 luxury townhomes in Old Town Alexandria, just two-and-a-half blocks from King Street–Old Town Metro. The homes are complete and available for immediate purchase—and only one remaining residence includes a private elevator.
For buyers considering a move, the builder is offering special incentives, including low-interest-rate financing and builder-paid closing costs, subject to eligibility and offer terms. It is an opportunity to purchase a fully appointed new home with a two-car garage, a rooftop terrace and the convenience of Old Town living.
Brooks Estate’s remaining residences range from approximately 2,600 to 2,900 square feet across four spacious levels. Each is designed for four bedrooms and four-and-a-half bathrooms, with home-office and open-loft options that accommodate different ways of living. Pricing now starts at $2,197,500, with all existing upgrades and options included in the listed price.
At Brooks Estate, luxury comes standard. Buyers can see the finishes, experience the spaces and understand what is included before making their decision.
The remaining collection includes The Kendall at 109 N West Street, offered at $2,197,500; The Claire at 107 N West Street, offered at $2,400,000; The Masonic View at 1330 Cameron Street, offered at $2,435,000; and The Henry at 121 N West Street, offered at $2,735,000.
The Henry is the final available residence with a private elevator and also features a rear yard. The Claire serves as the furnished model home and is itself available for purchase.
All four homes include two-car garages and private rooftop terraces—features that bring everyday convenience and outdoor space to a historic urban setting. Buyers can explore the floor plans and finishes at BrooksEstateOT.com or arrange a personal walkthrough with Brett Rice of RE/MAX Executives.
Brooks Estate blends modern comfort with architectural details that complement Old Town Alexandria. Graceful arches connect living spaces, while crown moldings, custom millwork and carefully selected materials give the interiors a distinctive character.
Custom cabinetry, polished quartz surfaces and professional-series Thermador appliances create chef-inspired kitchens made for quiet mornings and lively gatherings. Custom-built rift- and quarter-sawn white oak range hoods and island surrounds add warmth and craftsmanship.
The hardwood flooring, supplied and installed by Arlandria Floors in Del Ray, is 5-inch-wide European white oak, sanded and finished on site. Nine- and ten-foot ceilings and generous windows enhance the sense of light and space.
Spa-inspired baths feature tiled walk-in showers, soaking tubs in select bathrooms and Wi-Fi-controlled heated floors in the primary bath.
Technology is thoughtfully integrated throughout the homes, including Wi-Fi-connected Lutron Caséta lighting controls, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth entry locks and high-efficiency HVAC systems with temperature sensors and smart thermostats.
The two-car garages are spray-foam insulated and temperature controlled, with custom-painted floors, EV charging readiness and Wi-Fi-controlled garage door openers with cameras.
Alexandria is marking Bastille Day with a week of French-themed celebrations, featuring fine dining, family activities, and an evening 5K race.
Bastille Day commemorates July 14, 1789, when French revolutionaries stormed the Bastille fortress, a symbol of royal oppression. France celebrates with parades and fireworks, while U.S. celebrations typically feature French cuisine and cultural events.
Veteran School Board Members Michelle Rief and Christopher Harris were unanimously chosen Thursday night (July 10) to lead the Alexandria School Board for the 2025-2026 school year.
The unanimous vote at the Board’s organizational meeting means a third one-year term for Rief as chair, and a first term in leadership for Harris. Rief and Harris thanked their colleagues for their support and said that the upcoming year will be challenging.
High school students from across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region are invited to participate in Dialogue for Democracy at George Mason University!
Hosted by the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution, this event offers high school students an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about democracy, civic engagement, and the importance of understanding different perspectives.
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner held a media availability Thursday afternoon (July 10) to condemn what he called “one of the worst pieces of legislation” he has seen in his career, referring to a recently passed Republican bill that he says will devastate healthcare access and veteran services across Virginia.
The Virginia Democrat told reporters the legislation will strip healthcare coverage from 17 million Americans, including at least 300,000 Virginians, while providing tax cuts for wealthy Americans and adding $3.5 trillion to the national debt.
New renderings for the proposed 31-story tower in Alexandria’s Carlyle neighborhood are in, and the developer will soon present them to a local review board for discussion.
So far, the mixed-use development at 2425 Mill Road includes 767 residential units and 40,000 square feet of ground-floor retail. The Aldie-based Red Fox Development Co. project could result in the tallest at-grade building in the city, and new development plans will be discussed next Thursday, July 17, at a public hearing with the Carlyle/Eisenhower East Design Review Board (DRB).
For the last several years, Tony Suggs has helped others in Alexandria unleash “Da Beast” within. In a good way.
The 59-year-old doesn’t make it easy. In a recent boxercise class at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, more than a dozen students, ranging from their mid-20s to late 70s, got an intense hour-long workout. It started with pushups, leg lifts, scissor kicks, jumping jacks, and then moved to jump rope, followed by a half hour of throwing gloved hands against pads and heavy bags.
With the need for food assistance on the rise, a local charity is aiming to collect 25,000 pounds of food every month this summer.
The Catholic Charities St. Lucy Food Project gathers food year-round from many of the diocesan schools in the area. On Thursday (July 10), kids participating in summer camp at Bishop Ireton High School filled a box truck with canned fruit, vegetables, rice, and more. More than 1,200 pounds of food were collected at Bishop Ireton.
Last month, Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins was interviewed by the New York Times about the challenges of running a city under the Trump administration.
After a little more than six months in office, Gaskins was one of 16 mayors interviewed by The Times at the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Tampa, Florida. She said that the biggest challenges the city faces is uncertainty of federal funding, that recent political violence in Minnesota forced her to change her habits, and more.
