At a City Council meeting last week, City Council member Abdel Elnoubi and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley introduced a proposal that could change the way Alexandria City High School students get to school.
Elnoubi and Bagley, with the unanimous backing of the City Council, asked staff to explore the utilization of the DASH bus network to transport for high school students, eliminating the need for school buses at the high school level.
Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt will unveil her fiscal year 2026 budget this week, and the city is asking the school division to keep the budget increase over last year’s budget modest.
In his budget presentation to the City Council in November, City Manager Jim Parajon outlined a 2%, or $5.5 million, combined funds budget increase for ACPS amounting to $278.5 million.
Noteworthy: Combination of historic character & modern luxury
Two blocks from the heart of Old Town, this home offers a rare combination of historic character, modern luxury, and livable space. Just minutes from King Street, the waterfront, restaurants, shops, and parks, you will be directly in the center of it all. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath residence spans approximately 2,600+ square feet and has been thoughtfully updated to support both everyday living and effortless entertaining. The home features high-end appliances, including Miele, Sub-Zero, and Viking, paired with a layout that feels intuitive, comfortable, and functional. Built in the early 1800s, the home is an example of Alexandria’s historic “flounder house” style, though what stands out most is how seamlessly that history has been adapted for modern living. Original hardwood floors anchor the heart of the home, while preserved architectural details, particularly in the family room, highlight its 200-year legacy. The upper level includes a flexible primary suite with an adjoining office or sitting room, offering an ideal work-from-home setup or private retreat. A standout feature is the redesigned, two-tier courtyard, creating a true outdoor living environment rarely found in Old Town. Entered through a private gate and enhanced with thoughtful landscaping, the space includes both an upper courtyard and a lower patio with direct access from the kitchen, allowing for seamless indoor-outdoor living and entertaining. Additional features include a copper roof and six fireplaces, further reinforcing the home’s blend of enduring craftsmanship and modern updates.
Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!
☀️ Today’s weather: Expect sunny conditions and a high of about 21 degrees, but be prepared for wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest winds of 5 to 10 mph will become lighter in the afternoon. The night will see partly cloudy skies and a low around 12 degrees, accompanied by calm winds.
Alexandria City Public Schools will open two-hours later tomorrow (Wednesday) than usual thanks to extreme cold temperatures.
Alexandria and its neighbors are under a cold weather advisory tonight and tomorrow morning. The National Weather Service warned of wind chill around five degrees below zero.
Come celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s War for Independence with renowned music historians David & Ginger Hildebrand for performances of special period music. The Hildebrands will don period attire to discuss and perform music associated with Alexandria’s sister cities: Caen, France; Dundee, Scotland; Helsingborg, Sweden; and Gyumri, Armenia. Scottish music was especially influential in the American colonies, and once the French joined the Revolutionary cause there were musical celebrations for Generals LaFayette, Rochambeau and other French leaders. This concert event is part of the “Alexandria commemorates America’s 250” campaign. David & Ginger specialize in researching, recording, and performing early American music. Since 1980 they have presented concerts and educational programs throughout the country and abroad at museums, historic sites, schools and universities. Mount Vernon, The National Gallery of Art, The National Archives, and Colonial Williamsburg are among their many past sponsors.
Tickets are $20.
Alexandria City High School (ACHS) students’ days of taking the school division’s yellow school buses to and from school may be numbered.
A memo from new City Council member Abdel Elnoubi and Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley asks city staff to explore the feasibility of transitioning transportation of high school students to the city’s DASH bus network.
Del Ray officially lost one of its most famous residents this week, as Vice President JD Vance moved from his Del Ray home to the grounds of the U.S. Naval Observatory. The move also means that Judy Lowe Neighborhood Park at 1 E. Del Ray, which is next to Vance’s former home has reopened to the public.
The reopening of the park was announced on the city website. Moving trucks were spotted by an ALXnow tipster on Saturday, Jan. 18 — two days before the inauguration.
A truck containing thousands of boxes of S’mores wouldn’t start this morning, holding up the annual troop pickup of cookie orders for the Girl Scouts Nations Capital at Cameron Run Regional Park (4001 Eisenhower Avenue).
Not to worry — the S’mores truck officially arrived and Girl Scout cookies of all varieties can now be found in and around Alexandria.
Cute kitty Tigger has found his “forever home” and has the unique distinction of being the 1,000th cat adopted via Old Town’s Mount Purrnon Cat Cafe and Wine Bar (109 S. Alfred Street), Alexandria Living Magazine reported.
The cafe posted on social media that the cat marks a milestone for the cafe that started back in 2020.
Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!
❄️ Today’s weather: Flurries may occur after 10am, accompanied by cloudy skies and a high near 23, with a northwest wind at 3 to 7 mph. On Tuesday night, there is a slight chance of snow showers before midnight, followed by gradual clearing, a low around 9, and wind chill values as low as -3. Northwest winds will increase to 5-10 mph in the evening, and the chance of precipitation is 20%.
