Canek Aguirre | ALXnow

Alexandria Councilman Canek Aguirre elected Vice President of Virginia Transit Association

Published June 2, 2025 at 10:00AM

Alexandria City Council Member Canek Aguirre (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Councilman Canek Aguirre is stepping into a new role as Vice President of the Virginia Transit Association (VTA). His election, which took place at the VTA’s 48th Annual Conference and Expo in Richmond, was unanimous.

According to its website, the VTA provides public education and legislative advocacy to support public transportation systems throughout the Commonwealth. The VTA has 125+ total members, which include transit properties, businesses, regional entities, and non-profit and organizational associate members.

News

SMILE: A new dental office just opened in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published May 12, 2025 at 3:00PM

(Left to right) Councilman Canek Aquirre, Mayor Alyia Gaskins, Dr. Kapil Kotadia, Prutha Kotadia, Tony Curry-Fisher, and the ChamberALX's Joe Haggerty at the Dental Inc Ribbon Cutting (courtesy image)

Need something to smile about? There’s a new dental office in Old Town North.

Dental Inc. officially opened its doors to the public on Saturday (May 10) at 1195 N. Fayette Street. Owners Dr. Kapil Kotadia and Prutha Kotadia were joined at the ribbon cutting by Mayor Alyia Gaskins, City Council Member Canek Aguirre and Chamber ALX CEO Joe Haggerty.

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Alexandria City Council passes $956.5 million FY 2026 Budget amid ‘time of great uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published April 30, 2025 at 9:05PM

Alexandria City Council approves the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget, April 30, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Against a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty, Alexandria’s City Council unanimously adopted its $956.5 million operating budget.

City Manager Jim Parajon said it was challenging crafting a budget that keeps city services without increasing real estate or property taxes. The city’s budget grew 3.2% over the current fiscal year, with its largest line item being a fully-funded Alexandria City Public Schools, as well as significant stormwater management funding for the city’s $2.1 billion FY 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Program.

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ACPS and city leaders cut ribbon at new synthetic turf field at Patrick Henry K-8 School

By James Cullum

Published March 18, 2025 at 3:15PM

City and ACPS leaders cut the ribbon at the new athletic field at Patrick Henry K-8 School, March 18, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years under development, the ribbon was cut today on the new synthetic turf sports field at Patrick Henry K-8 School.

It took six years to construct the field in front of the renovated West End school at 4643 Taney Avenue, which reopened next to the old school in early 2019.

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Don’t miss ALXnow’s photos of Alexandria’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2025 at 5:17PM | Updated March 1, 2025 at 6:47PM

St. Patrick waves at Alexandria's St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was a picturesque day in Old Town for Alexandria’s 42nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Temperatures were crisp in the 60s, as King Street near City Hall was awash in orange, green and white.

News

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and City Council sworn into office amid ‘backdrop of deep uncertainty’

By James Cullum

Published January 3, 2025 at 11:20AM

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins, with her family, takes the oath of office, Jan. 2, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins and the new City Council were sworn into office on Thursday (Jan. 2), ushering in a new era of city governance with the new year.

Gaskins is the first Black woman to be elected mayor of the city. She stood alongside her husband and two children and took the oath of office from Clerk of the Court Greg Parks onstage at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center (4915 E. Campus Drive) at Northern Virginia Community College’s Alexandria campus.

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Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson is leaving politics

By James Cullum

Published November 27, 2024 at 3:15PM | Updated November 27, 2024 at 8:16PM

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson at St. Elmo's Coffee Pub in Del Ray, Nov. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Pretty soon email inboxes won’t get those monthly newsletters from Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. It’s the end of an era in the city, as Wilson leaves office in January.

Wilson is looking forward to it.

News

Alexandria Democrats declare victory in City Council races

By James Cullum

Published November 5, 2024 at 10:45PM

(Left to right) The next Alexandria City Council John Taylor Chapman, Jacinta Greene, Sarah Bagley, Mayor-elect Alyia Gaskins, Abdel Elnoubi, Kirk McPike, and Canek Aguirre at Pork Barrel BBQ on election night, Nov. 5, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

While thousands of mailed absentee ballots remain uncounted, Alexandria Democrats declared victory on election night.

Mayor-elect Alyia Gaskins said that when the provisional and mail-in absentee votes are tallied that the city’s Democratic candidates will make up the seven-person City Council.

News

Skill games have returned to Alexandria and police are investigating

By James Cullum

Published October 22, 2024 at 3:50PM | Updated October 22, 2024 at 4:16PM

Skill games at La Feria Latina Grocery at 3842 Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria, Oct. 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

On a recent weekday morning, La Feria Latina was full of men playing skill games. The machines were unlocked when customers gave money to the clerk at the counter.

The convenience store at 3842 Mount Vernon Avenue is one of three in the city’s Arlandria neighborhood that have brought back the machines since they were outlawed as illegal gaming by the Virginia legislature in 2020.

News

City Council candidates heavily criticize Alexandria School Board in debate

By James Cullum

Published October 18, 2024 at 9:20AM | Updated October 18, 2024 at 5:03PM

The conduct and power of the Alexandria School Board was criticized by multiple City Council candidates on Wednesday night.

The hour-and-a-half-long debate was moderated by Washington Post reporter Teo Armus and hosted by the Potomac Yard and Taylor Run Civic Associations.

News

PHOTOS: Alexandria’s 275th birthday celebration on the waterfront

By James Cullum

Published July 15, 2024 at 9:55AM | Updated July 15, 2024 at 12:29PM

Alexandria's 275th birthday celebration along the waterfront in Old Town, July 13, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cupcakes, music and fireworks punctuated Alexandria’s 275th birthday on Saturday.

It was a clear night for a party at Oronoco Bay Park (100 Madison Street) along the Potomac River. Mayor Justin Wilson and city leaders spoke onstage before handing out thousands of birthday cupcakes.