Jim Parajon | ALXnow

Heavy sleet followed by refreezes hinder Alexandria’s response to ‘unprecedented’ storm

Published January 28, 2026 at 11:30AM | Updated January 28, 2026 at 12:06PM

Alexandria crews continue to work on snow and ice removal in late January 2026 (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is continuing around-the-clock snow removal operations after last weekend’s winter storm brought an “unprecedented amount of sleet and freezing rain” to the region, City Manager Jim Parajon said.

The storm was “unlike anything that we’ve experienced since the mid-1990s,” Parajon told City Council last night (Tuesday) during a report on Alexandria’s snow preparedness and response efforts. Hours of freezing rain and sleet on top of the city’s 7 inches of snow had limited the effectiveness of plows.

News

City manager asks City Council to affirm authority to move unencumbered funds

By James Cullum

Published January 27, 2026 at 12:15PM | Updated January 27, 2026 at 8:55PM

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon is asking City Council to reaffirm his authority to transfer unencumbered city funds from any office, department or agency to another.

City Council unanimously approved the proposed resolution at its virtual meeting this evening (Tuesday), mandating city staff to formalize the process for making transfers of appropriated unencumbered funds.

News

More Alexandria residents seek tax assistance amid ‘sluggish’ economy

By Katie Taranto

Published December 10, 2025 at 2:45PM

City Manager Jim Parajon provides a city economic update to City Council, Dec. 9, 2025 (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria residents have continued to seek out local tax assistance as the city’s economy reels from federal layoffs, rising living costs and increased unemployment.

Alexandria has currently provided a total of 95 car tax payment plans averaging some $1,053 each, in addition to 12 real estate payment plans that average $4,189 per year.

News

UPDATE: Alexandria police union decries current officer pay as collective bargaining reaches impasse

By James Cullum

Published December 8, 2025 at 3:45PM | Updated December 10, 2025 at 2:59AM

Alexandria Police Department cruisers on Nov. 7, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Updated at 1 p.m., Dec. 9: An earlier version of this story included a previous offer from the city on pay compensation in its collective bargaining negotiations with the Alexandria Police Department. The city’s most recent offer increases starting pay for police officers 17.21% from $63,988 a year to an annual salary of $75,000; a 21% increase for sergeants from $72,300 to $87,500 and police lieutenants 15% from $89,800 to $106,900.

With collective bargaining at a standstill, the Alexandria Police Department’s union is calling for increased salaries as the department’s pay has fallen behind other Northern Virginia localities.

Around Town

Festive crowds gather in Old Town to celebrate the city’s annual Christmas tree lighting

By James Cullum

Published November 24, 2025 at 1:45PM

At the Alexandria Christmas tree lighting at Market Square, Nov. 22, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds of Alexandria residents gathered on Saturday to celebrate Alexandria’s annual Christmas tree lighting in Market Square.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins announced the magical arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, who got into town on a Christmas-themed King Street Trolley. They helped city leaders count down the lighting of the 40-foot-tall plastic tree, which is adorned with some 38,000 lights.

News

Alexandria plans budget cuts across all departments amid economic uncertainty

By James Cullum

Published November 3, 2025 at 3:45PM

The Alexandria City Council budget retreat, Nov. 1, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Faced with uncertainty from the government shutdown and federal layoffs, Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon says the city is facing a relatively flat Fiscal Year 2027 budget.

Parajon is asking all city departments for a 1% budget cut and 1.5% in growth for Alexandria City Public Schools. During Saturday’s annual City Council budget retreat, he said the city is “not in a negative situation” — but rather, aiming to adjust its sails in turbulent economic times.

News

Alexandria maintains top credit ratings for 33rd consecutive year

By Ryan Belmore

Published September 26, 2025 at 6:30PM

Alexandria City Hall in Old Town in 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria has once again received the highest possible bond ratings from major credit agencies, marking the 33rd consecutive year the city has earned top marks for its financial management – news that City Manager Jim Parajon appeared to preview at a tourism industry event Thursday night.

S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s Ratings reaffirmed Alexandria’s ‘AAA’ and ‘Aaa’ ratings, respectively, allowing the city to continue securing low interest rates when issuing bonds for significant capital projects.

News

City bans youth mentor from rec centers for second time

By James Cullum

Published September 18, 2025 at 6:30AM | Updated September 18, 2025 at 10:11AM

Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street) in Old Town (via City of Alexandria)

Jackie Surratt, the founder of the Alexandria Fatherless Coalition nonprofit, has been banned from recreation centers in the city for a year.

It’s not the first time Surratt has been banned. In 2022, he admitted to stepping out of bounds when he yelled at a staffer at William Ramsay Recreation Center (5650 Sanger Ave.) for not observing pandemic-related rules while trying to play ping-pong, resulting in a two-year banishment. This time, he says that the most recent ban, which went into effect last month, is unjust. Surratt says he’s peaceful, and wants the ban lifted in order to administer his mentorship program to Alexandria boys. He’s taken his case to city leaders, City Manager Jim Parajon and City Attorney Cheran Ivery.

News

Hundreds march in ‘Good Trouble Lives On’ rally in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published July 18, 2025 at 9:30AM | Updated July 18, 2025 at 3:44PM

Hundreds marched in the Good Trouble Lives On protest in Old Town, July 17, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Hundreds rallied and marched against the Trump administration in Old Town on Thursday night (July 17).

The event at Judy Guse-Noritake Park (600 N. Henry Street) joined hundreds of Good Trouble Lives On rallies across the country, commemorating the fifth anniversary of the death of Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), with participants holding signs and speaking against the Trump administration. The civil rights icon was renowned for his legacy of nonviolent action in defense of democracy.

News

PHOTOS: Thousands gather for Alexandria’s 276th Birthday Bash at Oronoco Bay

By James Cullum

Published July 13, 2025 at 6:15AM | Updated July 14, 2025 at 10:29AM

The grand finale of Alexandria's birthday celebration at Oronoco Bay Park, July 12, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria celebrated its 276th and the U.S.’s 249th birthday in style along the Potomac River at Oronoco Bay Park on Saturday (July 12).

Thousands attended the annual event. For about four hours, the park was turned into a maze of beach blankets, lawn chairs, and barefoot kids with lightsabers and bubble guns. Flanked onstage by City Council and city staff, Mayor Alyia Gaskins and Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso made brief remarks before the program was turned over to the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, which wrapped up in time for a spectacular fireworks show (see video below).

News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 27, 2025 at 2:30PM

National Science Foundation at 2415 Eisenhower Avenue in Alexandria's Carlyle neighborhood (via NSF)

It’s been another fast week in Alexandria! Here’s our recap of the most-read stories over the last several days.

Our Tuesday (June 24) story on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development taking over the National Science Foundation’s headquarters (2415 Eisenhower Avenue) garnered more than 125,000 views, making it the most-read story of the year. While bringing in more than 2,700 HUD workers, the move will also displace about 1,800 NSF employees over the next two years.