News

The Alexandria Health Department is raising concerns about the rise of tickborne illnesses as spring progresses.

The health department and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities are partnering for a tick bite prevention campaign this spring, when tick activity increases as temperatures warm. The city is placing 30 educational signs across parks and trails encouraging residents to do tick checks. There will also be educational sessions about tick prevention and giveaways of tick removal tools at the events and the Alexandria Health Department headquarters (4850 Mark Center Drive).


News

Marian Van Landingham, a former Virginia state delegate, artist and founder of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, died Saturday (April 4). She was 88 years old.

Van Landingham’s cause of death was not disclosed, and funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On April 6, 1900, the Mayor of Alexandria took time to commend the Alexandria Police for their diligence in protecting Alexandrians through their efficient police methods. Police Officers Benjamin Franklin “Frank” Bettis and Herbert Knight had quickly arrested a young man the night before, who had fired a pistol near Royal and Princess Streets. Faced with this one issue in the Mayor’s courtroom the next morning, and with only three other “lodgers” at the Police station house overnight, the Mayor noted “. . . there is less violation of laws than ever before in the history of the Town.” The pistol-toting man was fined $10 and his gun confiscated. Later that morning, Officer Knight saw even more action when he killed a mad dog on South Fairfax Street. Although not technically on duty, the officer nevertheless responded to the alarm.” [Historic Alexandria]

Duke Street and West Taylor Run Intersection Update — “The City of Alexandria will hold a Design Public Hearing for the Duke Street and West Taylor Run Intersection Improvement Project on Tuesday, April 7, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services (T&ES) facility located at 2900 Business Center Drive.” [City of Alexandria]


News

A sheriff’s deputy was fired after attempting to smuggle drugs into the jail Saturday, according to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office.

The sheriff’s office said former Deputy Sheriff Amarachukwu W. Igwe tried to provide drugs to an inmate at the jail. After an investigation, the sheriff’s office took Igwe into custody before she could deliver the drugs.


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 — Apr 3, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. Police investigate after shots fired in Alexandria West (1328 views)
  2. Poll: The best park in Alexandria (532 views)
  3. No bond for D.C. man arrested for food truck break-in on Eisenhower Avenue (508 views)

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

  1. Alexandria man scammed of $480K from person he met on Tinder: police (4549 views)
  2. $1M prize claimed from Millionaire’s Raffle ticket sold in Del Ray (3844 views)
  3. NEW: Alexandria woman pleads guilty to stealing $22K from member of Congress (3453 views)
  4. Del Ray Pizzeria rebrands as Del Ray Public House, plans new upstairs concept (3166 views)
  5. Duke St. Ice House pub closing next week at Whole Foods in Alexandria (2847 views)
  6. Firefighters extinguish two residential building fires in Alexandria over the weekend (2725 views)
  7. The Old Town Festival of Speed & Style cruises back into Alexandria in May (1645 views)
  8. Alternatives to large plunge pool proposed for Taylor Run stream stabilization project (1384 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌤️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect mostly sunny weather with a slight chance of showers after 2 p.m., reaching a high near 85°F with a southwest wind at 6 to 10 mph. Saturday night will be partly cloudy, with a low around 64°F and a south wind at 10 to 15 mph, gusting up to 24 mph. There’s a slight chance of showers before 8 p.m. and a 30% chance of showers after 2 a.m. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”
– Alan Kay

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


Around Town

After a sold-out event two years ago, tickets are on sale for the next Del Ray House & Garden Tour returning on Saturday, May 9.

The biennial tour, hosted by the Del Ray Citizens Association, gives ticket holders access to participating homes and gardens throughout the neighborhood. This year’s event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.


News

A 28-year-old D.C. man is being held without bond after allegedly breaking into a food truck parked at a storage facility on Eisenhower Avenue last month, according to a recently-released Alexandria Police search warrant affidavit.

The suspect has been held without bond since his arrest in the early morning hours of Monday, March 2. Just before midnight, the Alexandria Police Department responded to a storage facility in the 4900 block of Eisenhower Avenue for a larceny from a vehicle call. The victim told police he could see someone in a construction vest inside his food truck on a surveillance camera, according to the search warrant affidavit.


Opinion

With more than 900 acres of protected open space, 20 miles of trails and green spaces ranging from quiet nature preserves to bustling waterfront promenades, Alexandria’s parks are a big part of what makes the city livable.

Here are the nominees for “Best Park in Alexandria” as part of our ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.

Did we miss your favorite park? Write them in!

Voting will close in two weeks.

Voting for the Best Mexican Restaurant in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.

Two weeks ago, we voted on the Best Gym/Fitness Studio in Alexandria. The results are now official:

  1. MADabolic Alexandria
  2. Revolutionary Fitness
  3. Zweet Sport Total Fitness Studio

News

No injuries have been reported after gunshots were fired in the Alexandria West neighborhood yesterday (Thursday), according to police.

Officers responded to the shots fired report in the area of Reading Avenue and Winston Court around 7 p.m. Police radio dispatches indicate officers received multiple calls about a group of males wearing hoodies, other dark-colored clothing and ski masks fleeing the area of the Shops at Mark Center shopping center. One caller reported hearing at least three gunshots.