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Cameron Run Regional Park employee arrested for allegedly robbing concession stand

Published September 9, 2026 at 11:45AM

Cameron Run Regional Park at 4001 Eisenhower Avenue (via Google Maps)

An Alexandria juvenile was arrested for allegedly robbing the batting cages concession stand at Cameron Run Regional Park on Eisenhower Avenue.

Around 9:40 p.m. on Aug. 1, an employee at the concession stand heard a knock at the door, and when he opened it saw two people wearing all black clothing and black face masks, according to a recently unsealed search warrant affidavit. One suspect allegedly grabbed the cashier from behind to restrain him, while the second suspect went to the cash drawer and stole more than $200.

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ACHS seniors surprised with $40K Amazon Future Engineers scholarships

By James Cullum

Published April 10, 2026 at 3:45PM

Zhi McMillan (on left) and Mohammad Elyas Noorzai after being presented with Amazon Future Engineer scholarships on April 10, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Two Alexandria City High School seniors got a surprise today (Friday) when they were awarded $40,000 Amazon Future Engineers scholarships.

Seniors Zhi McMillan and Mohammad Elyas Noorzai received the scholarships as well as internship opportunities with the multinational technology company. The awards were presented by 2022 scholarship recipient Sai Naraharisetti, who will start work as an Amazon software engineer in Seattle after graduating next year.

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Alexandria kicks off Month of the Young Child with new DASH bus messaging

By James Cullum

Published April 6, 2026 at 1:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins speaks at the unveiling of a DASH bus with Kids' First Years messaging, as part of the city's Month of the Young Child, April 6, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s DASH bus service kicked off April’s Month of the Young Child this morning (Monday) with the unveiling of a bus covered with early childhood development messaging intended to inspire parents.

The bus “takeover” was unveiled at DASH headquarters (3000 Business Center Drive) and includes exterior wraparound messaging and interior display messaging on five principles to help young children thrive. Mayor Alyia Gaskins, DASH CEO Josh Baker and Michelle Smith Howard, CEO of Kids’ First Years, were among approximately 50 children and adults who attended.

Around Town

Del Ray girl sets kids’ world record with 67-minute pogo stick feat

By James Cullum

Published January 7, 2026 at 1:45PM

Lily Youngblood, 10, during her record-setting pogo stick jump in Del Ray, Oct. 9, 2025 (courtesy photo)

A 10-year-old girl from Alexandria has set a kids’ world record for the longest time continuously jumping on a pogo stick.

Del Ray resident Lily Youngblood learned how to use a pogo stick on Oct. 6, 2025. Just three days later, she set the world record in her age range for the longest time jumping on one — a distinction recognized by Canada-based Kids World Records.

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Multi-disciplinary team from Alexandria wins state award for child safety efforts

By James Cullum

Published November 28, 2025 at 11:45AM

The Multi-Disciplinary Team from the Center for Alexandria's Children has been named the MDT of the Year by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia at the Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference, Nov. 2025 (courtesy photo)

A team of professionals in Alexandria has received a top statewide award for its work responding to allegations of child abuse.

Earlier this month, the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) from the Center for Alexandria’s Children received the 2025 MDT of the Year recognition by the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Virginia (CACVA) at the Virginia Crimes Against Children Conference in Virginia Beach.

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Teacher at Alexandria daycare fired for tying 21-month-old to chair

By James Cullum

Published September 15, 2025 at 1:00PM | Updated September 16, 2025 at 2:12PM

A teacher at Vinci School Alexandria North was fired after allegedly tying a 21-month-old child to a chair during lunchtime on Aug. 13, 2025 (via Google Maps)

A teacher at a daycare in Old Town North has been fired, and her aide was reprimanded after a 21-month-old child was tied to a chair for 22 minutes during lunchtime on Wednesday, August 13.

The Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) made an unannounced inspection of the Vinci School Alexandria North (1001 N. Fairfax Street) on Aug. 21, after receiving a self-report on forbidden actions from the daycare’s licensing office. The toddler was tied to a chair with a thin blanket after throwing food on the floor and moving from a table while eating during lunchtime, DSS reported.

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Jefferson-Houston Elementary School administrators put on leave after autistic 4-year-old walked away from school

By James Cullum

Published April 9, 2024 at 4:11PM | Updated April 9, 2024 at 4:46PM

Brianna Davis-Suggs was reunited with her daughter, four-year-old Riley, who walked away from Jefferson Houston Elementary School on March 19, 2024 (courtesy photo)

A four-year-old student with autism walked away from Jefferson-Houston Elementary School in Old Town last month and was found barefoot in the middle the street by a school bus driver near the King Street Metro station.

A number of school officials were consequently placed on administrative leave by Alexandria City Public Schools Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt.

News

Police charge mom of child who brought gun to Lyles Crouch Traditional Academy

By James Cullum

Published April 5, 2024 at 7:18PM

Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy at 530 S. St. Asaph Street in Old Town. (via Facebook)

The mother of the child who brought a gun to Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy in Old Town last month has been arrested and charged with allowing access of firearms to children.

The child went to school (530 S. St. Asaph Street) on March 1 with the wrong backpack and discovered the handgun in the bag and reported it to their teacher.

News

Police: Student admits to sending threatening Instagram messages to Alexandria middle school

By James Cullum

Published November 14, 2023 at 1:35PM | Updated November 15, 2023 at 11:17AM

Alexandria Police lights (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria middle school student allegedly admitted to her parents and police that she sent a threatening message to her school’s Instagram page last month, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

On Oct. 11 (Wednesday), at around 5 p.m., a now-unavailable Instagram account sent a direct message to an Alexandria middle school’s Instagram page and said, “Be prepared for October 12, 2023,” and then said that “11th and 12th grade upper school teachers” were targeted and that there were “many more who must suffer.”