Three juveniles died and another suffered life-threatening injuries after a high-speed chase on Interstate 395 in Alexandria early this morning (Sept. 28).
Virginia State Police is reporting that around 12:45 a.m., a state trooper “spotted” a stolen vehicle in the area of Stevenson Avenue and S. Walker Street in the city’s West End. The trooper tried to make a traffic stop, but the vehicle, which was stolen from Prince George’s County, Md., didn’t stop. Instead, the driver continued onto northbound I-395 and lost control at the exit ramp for the Shirlington Road exit, causing the vehicle to strike a jersey wall.
Relaxing on the Alexandria waterfront with the Woodrow Wilson Bridge as a backdrop (staff photo by James Cullum)
On This Day in Alexandria History — “In 1944, the Inter-County Metropolitan Freeway was proposed to connect Route 1 near Gum Springs, Virginia, with the Baltimore -Washington Parkway, on a westward route through Tysons Corner … On September 28, 1955, the federal government formally authorized the new highway through Alexandria, with the name shortened to the Capital Beltway. Several months later, the name of the yet-to-be-built bridge was also changed, to honor the centennial of the birth of the nation’s 28th President. On September 25, 1958 ground-breaking ceremonies were held near Jones Point, to start construction of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The formal opening of the bridge was held on December 21, 1961, with Wilson’s wife Edith expected to attend. However, she died suddenly that very morning, just hours before the dedication ceremony began.” [Historic Alexandria]
Police Chief on Automated License Plate Readers — “Police Chief Tarrick McGuire told residents Thursday night that the research does not establish that automatic license plate readers reduce crime, and that the case for them rests on something narrower: they help investigators develop leads.” [Alexandria Brief]
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass, a North Ridge-based Alexandria, VA real estate agent helping buyers, sellers, upsizers, and downsizers, throughout Alexandria City and Northern VA.
In September 2026, 16 detached homes sold, 62 condos sold, and 35 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 56% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 26%, and townhomes are down 29%.
Rain is likely this afternoon, with increasing clouds and a high of 68°F. Expect breezy conditions, with north winds at 14 to 20 mph and gusts up to 28 mph. The chance of rain is 60%, with less than a tenth of an inch expected. Rain is also likely in the evening until around 8 PM, with cloudy skies and a low of 57°F. North winds will be around 11 mph, with a 60% chance of precipitation and similar rain amounts expected. See more from Weather.gov.
💡 Quote of the Day
“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” – Alan Kay
ARHA interim CEO Roy Priest speaks at a resident meeting at Charles Houston Recreation Center, Sept. 24, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)
Despite constant maintenance issues, Ronesha Parker says that she and her daughter are literally breathing easier.
Earlier this summer, Parker and her neighbors living in Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority properties on S. 28th Street were temporarily moved into hotels while maintenance crews fixed mold and other longstanding issues. In August, Parker and her daughter were moved to another property on W. Braddock Road.
Dunkin’ at 504-D S. Van Dorn Street in Alexandria’s West End (via Google Maps)
The first 100 customers at the recently renovated Dunkin’ in the Van Dorn Station Shopping Center this Saturday (Sept. 26) will get free coffee for a year, the franchise announced.
The 2,000-square-foot doughnut shop at 504-D S. Van Dorn Street closed last month, and just got its interior remodeled and parking lot repaved. The shop will host its grand reopening on Saturday from 9-11 a.m. The ribbon cutting will be held at 9:45 a.m. and feature an appearance by Dunkin’s mascot Sprinkles. Free giveaways and samples will also be provided to customers.
The 100 block of King Street in Old Town (staff photo by Emily Leayman)
September is already approaching its end, and fall events are ramping up around Alexandria.
Some of the month’s biggest events are taking place this weekend — the returning Alexandria Fall Art Festival in Carlyle and sold-out 84th Annual Historic Alexandria Homes Tour in Old Town. Other highlights include the new Old Town Beauty Crawl, Alexandria Film Festival’s premiere of “Ask E. Jean,” the Friends of Beatley Central Library book sale, Wilderness Kids Alexandria Music Festival and an event with “The Silver Linings Playbook” author Matthew Quick.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to splurge, Alexandria’s fine dining restaurants are known for high-quality offerings, ambiance and attentive staff. From traditional steakhouses to elevated specialty cuisines, there is no shortage of options diners can find without leaving the city.
Here are the nominees for “Best Restaurant for a Fancy Dinner in Alexandria” as part of our returning ALXnow Readers’ Choice awards.
Did we miss your go-to restaurant? Write them in!
Voting will close in two weeks.
Voting for the Best Neighborhood in Alexandria is still taking place. Be sure to cast your vote before voting closes next Friday at 8:30 a.m.
Rendering of proposed changes to 726 King Street (via City of Alexandria)
A California-based jewelry store has filed paperwork to open a location at 726 King Street.
There are more than 130 gorjana jewelry stores across the country, the nearest located in Tysons Corner, D.C. and Bethesda, Md. The company is asking Alexandria’s Board of Architectural Review to approve its certificate of appropriateness at its meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 21.
View of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial from Carlyle (staff photo by Emily Leayman)
Traffic and Parking Board to Consider New Proposal for Russell Road Monday — “The Traffic and Parking Board will hold its next public hearing on Monday, September 28 at 7 p.m. Docket materials have been posted for the upcoming meeting. At the public hearing, members of the public can weigh in on parking changes on Russell Road, Dawes Avenue, and Old Dominion Boulevard, and three proposed curb cuts among other topics. This Traffic and Parking Board meeting will be held in person at 2900-B Business Center Drive and virtually via Zoom.” [City of Alexandria]
Street Flooding Reported During Coastal Flood Warning — “Old Town Alexandria saw flooding along the Potomac River early Thursday morning, as abnormally high tides led to water covering some streets on the riverfront. Streets on the Strand and the end of King Street were covered in inches of water blocks inland from the river’s edge. As of Thursday, no flooding into businesses or buildings was reported, but parks and some roads were affected.” [NBC Washington]
