Around Town

After 20 years in journalism, Beth Lawton says she’s traded the stress of deadlines for the stress of owning a business in Old Town.

In addition to being a mom with two kids, Lawton has spent the last five years selling handmade items from dozens of local artists at her shop, Made In ALX. At the end of 2024, she had to hang up her journalism hat as the publisher of Alexandria Living Magazine and at least temporarily left behind a long career in journalism.


Around Town

As another Fresh Market store in the Northern Virginia region prepares to close, the Alexandria location isn’t going anywhere.

A Fresh Market spokesperson told ALXnow no changes are planned for the Alexandria store at Bradlee Shopping Center (3680 King Street). The store is one of the anchor businesses at the shopping center, adjacent to a Safeway grocery store to the east.


Sponsored
This recurring Most and Least Expensive Home feature is sponsored by Adrianna Vallario of Compass. Based in the North Ridge area of Alexandria City, Adrianna is more than just a real estate agent – she is a trusted advisor, relocation expert, and community advocate.

In October 2026, 26 detached homes sold, 50 condos sold, and 41 townhomes sold. Detached home sales are down 40% when compared to the same time period last year, condos are down 52%, and townhomes are down 18%.

Most Expensive Detached Home Sales:

Least Expensive Townhome Sales:

3400 Saylor Pl - Listed by DSA Properties, photo from Bright MLS
3400 Saylor Pl – Listed by DSA Properties, photo from Bright MLS

If you have any questions about these listings, or are looking to make a move in the DMV, please contact Adrianna Vallario – Your Alexandria Real Estate Agent.


News

A jury has found Damontie Earl James guilty of voluntary manslaughter when he shot and killed his former roommate Kory Anding in an apartment in Alexandria’s West End.

James, 27, has been held without bond since his arrest following the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Kory Anding at James’ sister’s apartment at 3450 Berkeley Street on Oct. 25, 2025. Anding was the father of two children with James’ sister. James claimed he shot Anding in self-defense. James was also found guilty of unlawful shooting in an occupied building and not guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a murder.


Announcement

Join artist Nora Naranjo Morse (Kha’p’o Owenge ([Santa Clara Pueblo]), creator of Always Becoming, and the community that cares for the museum’s ephemeral outdoor sculpture family, to learn about the project’s evolution over the past two decades, and what the future holds.

Learn about the art of clay, traditions of sustainability in Pueblo building techniques, and more. Visitors can enjoy family-friendly art activities, dance performances by the Zuni Olla Maidens, watch a short film, and multiple opportunities to hear from the artist, her family, and museum experts that have contributed to the care and revitalization of the sculptures.


News

Alexandria has released its draft Housing 2040 Plan, which will set new housing goals for the next 15 years, ahead of June public hearings.

The Housing 2040 Plan is slated to replace the city’s current Housing Master Plan, which was first approved in 2013. That plan had a goal of producing and preserving 2,000 affordable housing units by 2025, and the city exceeded that goal when counting units under construction.


Event

If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities (also known as "Life Plan Communities"), whether for yourself or for a loved one, please join our free workshop on Wednesday, November 4 from 5:00-7:00 at the Arlington office of Long & Foster. We are hosting this workshop in conjunction with Lisa Bates of the Williamsburg Landing community, which is a particularly excellent model of the way these communities work, and one you may wish to consider!

– How do Continuing Care Retirement Communities work?
– What do they offer?
– How much do they cost, and what are the financial models offered?
– How do you how to evaluate them, and choose the one that's right for you?
– How do you make a plan for a move like this?
– How do you handle a lifetime's worth of possessions?


News

The number of Alexandria residents among the ranks of the unemployed stayed above 3,000 for the 11th consecutive month in March, according to new state data.

The 3,333 Alexandrians reported as seeking work in March was up 14.8% from 2,902 a year before, according to figures reported May 19 by the Virginia Department of Workforce Development and Advancement.


News

On This Day in Alexandria History — “On May 26, 1830, the United States Congress granted a Charter to the Alexandria Canal Company. The canal was proposed earlier that year by a group of Alexandria businessmen to link the communities of Georgetown and Alexandria, which at the time were both within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. When completed, the Alexandria Canal crossed the Potomac River in an aqueduct bridge over between Georgetown and Rosslyn, then ran on level ground seven miles to Alexandria, terminating in a large basin.” [Historic Alexandria]

Alexandria City Council Meeting Today — “Join us tomorrow night for a City Council legislative meeting at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center! See the full docket and links to watch online at alexandriava.gov/Dockets.” [City of Alexandria/Bluesky]


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 — May 22, 2026.

Here are today’s most-read articles:

  1. NEW: Alexandria man claims self-defense in fatal West End apartment shooting (1872 views)
  2. Alexandria teachers union candidate disqualified less than 12 hours before officer elections (1231 views)
  3. Alexandria launches passport program to boost support for Duke Street businesses (555 views)

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

  1. Old Town North power plant redevelopment and funding plans heading to city review (9385 views)
  2. UPDATE: Police fatally shoot suspect following shooting of female victim in Alexandria (9372 views)
  3. APD recovers video of sexual assault suspect allegedly spiking victim’s drink at Old Town bar (9319 views)
  4. Divided City Council upholds Braddock Road redesign after 11-hour hearing (5705 views)
  5. Driver arrested after alleged road rage incident in West End parking lot (5451 views)
  6. Italian restaurant and new café aim for early 2027 openings in Old Town North (5029 views)
  7. Alexandria man claims ‘wrong house’ after alleged break-in at co-worker’s relatives’ home (2692 views)
  8. ACPS enrollment projected to drop as Alexandria birth rates decline (1885 views)

📅 Upcoming events

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

🌧️ Saturday’s forecast

Expect rain and areas of fog with a high near 61 degrees today and an east wind around 11 mph. The chance of precipitation is 100%, with new rainfall between a quarter and half an inch likely. Rain continues into Saturday night, with a low around 55 degrees and an east wind of 6 to 10 mph. The chance of precipitation remains high at 90%, with similar new rainfall amounts expected. See more from Weather.gov.

💡 Quote of the Day

“A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.”
– Amelia Earhart

🌅 Tonight’s sunset

We hope you have a great weekend, Alexandria!


News

A candidate for president of the Education Association of Alexandria was informed via Zoom that he was disqualified from the race less than 12 hours before the union’s officer elections, and that there was “not time” to go through a democratic process, according to audio obtained by ALXnow.

On Wednesday night (May 20), ACPS middle school teacher David Paladin-Fernandez was informed of his disqualification from the union president race. All candidates running in the election were on the call. Andrea Hill, chair of the EAA Credentials/Election Committee, told the candidates she had conducted an investigation and that the union’s executive committee had voted to disqualify Paladin-Fernandez.


Around Town

A new “passport”-inspired promotion to generate support for Duke Street businesses has launched, the city announced Friday (May 22).

The program encouraging residents to shop local is a lighter side of the Duke Street Land Use Plan, a process updating the land use vision for the Duke Street corridor. Christian Brandt, an urban planner for the city, told ALXnow 19 businesses have signed up to participate in the Duke Street Business Passport Program, with more to be added. Businesses within a half-mile of Duke Street are eligible to join.