News

This afternoon could see several rounds of rain showers and thunderstorms — enough that the National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Alexandria and neighboring localities.

Alexandria, along with Fairfax, Arlington and other part of the region, are under a Flood Watch scheduled to start at noon today and continue through this evening.


News

Alexandria’s worked on some high-tech flood mitigation projects, but sometimes the old ways are best.

The city is starting work this month on a project to replace a concrete retaining wall in Rosemont with a reinforced vegetated wall, a replacement that should not only benefit the local ecosystem, but help protect a nearby sewer line.


Sponsored

Many people who look into estate planning ask, “What is the difference between wills and trusts?” While both wills and trusts deal with estate planning, they serve different purposes. In this post, the legal team of PJI Law, PLC, estate planning lawyers from Fairfax, VA, outline the key principles of wills, trusts, and their role in asset protection.

Wills and Trusts in a Nutshell

Here are the basic features of wills and trusts:

A Will

  • Only comes into effect once the will maker is deceased
  • States who will receive the decedent’s assets
  • Appoints an executor to carry out the decedent’s wishes
  • Is potentially contestable and must go through probate, a legal examination by the court

A Trust

  • Can take effect immediately after its creation
  • Allows a person or an institution (a “trustee”) to hold assets for beneficiaries
  • Can distribute property before or after the trustor’s passing
  • Can be irrevocable or revocable/changeable
  • Assets in trust generally avoid probate

While we recommend that everyone have at least a will (whether or not you also have a trust), trusts aren’t strictly necessary for all individuals. Trusts are particularly helpful for individuals who have assets that are potentially going through probate, own property across several states, or have minor children.

Wills: the Basics of Estate Planning

A will, also known as a last will and testament, is a legal document specifying how the will maker wishes to handle asset distribution and other affairs after their death. A will typically includes all of the principal’s assets, such as real estate, vehicles, and other property, and usually a list of debts. A will may also provide directions for a funeral or memorial service.

Usually, every will must go through a probate court before execution. In some states, it may be possible to avoid probate under specific conditions. Certain assets, such as insurance policies and retirement accounts, may, if planned properly, pass directly to named beneficiaries without probate. (more…)


News

Good Wednesday morning, Alexandria!

⛈️ Today’s weather: Expect showers and potential thunderstorms, with a high near 83 and southeast winds at 5 to 8 mph. Rainfall amounts may range from a tenth to a quarter of an inch, with higher amounts in thunderstorms. Nighttime brings continued showers and storms, a low around 71, south winds at 7 mph, and quarter to half an inch of additional rainfall possible. Both day and night have an 80% chance of precipitation.


News

The suspect in an Arlandria shooting told the Alexandria Police Department that he was acting out of retaliation after the man he allegedly shot grabbed his girlfriend’s arm, according to recently released court records.

Jason Allen Johnson, Jr., 21,  is being held without bond after allegedly shooting a man in the knee near an apartment complex in the 3800 block of Executive Avenue on the afternoon of Sunday, May 19.


Event

Join us for a delightful Sunday afternoon at the BlackRock Center for the Arts as Cruise Planners Beth & Rod present a special travel-inspired matinee featuring the beloved film Under the Tuscan Sun.

Date & Time: Sunday, May 31 | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM


News

The owner of a nine-acre property says that their mixed-use development on Eisenhower Avenue was held up by the pandemic, and is asking the city for a three-year extension.

The development special use permit (DSUP) on the property at 2927 Eisenhower Avenue expires later this month.


News

Other than Halloween and maybe the winter holidays, Pride Month is maybe the holiday season Alexandria goes most all-out for.

Local favorite Port City Brewing Company is getting in on the action too with Priday Market and Drag Show next weekend.


News

Along with Pride Month celebrations, the City of Alexandria is also hosting a series of events celebrating Juneteenth, the annual holiday on June 19 that observes the emancipation of enslaved Black Americans.

Juneteenth marks the day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and officially proclaimed freedom for the remaining enslaved people in the state.


News

If you haven’t heard, this is the city’s 275th birthday, and the city is giving itself 275 new trees to celebrate.

One of the projects from the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services Stormwater Management Division aims to plant 275 new trees throughout the city to celebrate that birthday. This weekend, the city hit a milestone with the planting of the 100th tree.


News

Good Tuesday morning, Alexandria!

🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect a mostly sunny day with a high around 87 and light variable winds turning east at 5 to 7 mph in the morning. On Tuesday night, there’s a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am and a low of around 67. The southeast wind will be 5 to 8 mph, with a 20% chance of precipitation.