Old Town North

Feds accuse Alexandria-based computer forensics firm leaders of hiding Russian ownership

Published September 24, 2026 at 1:45PM

The statue of Justice outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

The founder and the CEO of an Alexandria-based digital forensics software firm have been arrested after allegedly hiding that the company is owned and controlled by Russian nationals with Russian technology, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Oxygen Forensics Inc. founder and co-owner Oleg Sergeyevich Davydov, 52, was arrested Sunday [Sept. 20] at London Heathrow Airport before getting on a flight to Istanbul, and CEO Lee Reiber, 55, was arrested in Idaho the same day. Both were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and the U.S. is trying to extradite Davydov.

News

Alexandria man held without bond after alleged abduction, robbery of girlfriend

By James Cullum

Published September 22, 2026 at 1:45PM

The Franklin P. Backus Courthouse in Old Town, Alexandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

An Alexandria man is being held without bond on charges of abduction, robbery and violating a protective order against a woman he was dating.

The suspect has been held without bond since his arrest on Monday, May 18. On the previous evening, Sunday, May 17, the victim told police the suspect physically assaulted her and stole $1,500, her iPhone and her car, according to a recently unsealed search warrant affidavit.

Around Town

Alexandria Oktoberfest, Chalk-A-Block, Classic Car Show lead weekend events

By Emily Leayman

Published September 18, 2026 at 3:45PM

Mayor Alyia Gaskins at a previous Chalk-A-Block in Old Town North (courtesy of Old Town North Alliance)

As September continues, more and more festivals and other events are happening around Alexandria.

Families will find events for all kinds of interests, from shopping and art to history. It’s a busy weekend between Alexandria Oktoberfest, The Lyceum’s Classic Car Show, Old Town Boutique Community’s Alexandria Days and Alexandria Library’s Black Family Reunion. Old Town North particularly has a lot going on — Chalk-A-Block, Alexandria Canal History Pub Crawl and Vintage Flea and Artisans Market.

News

Federal leases and housing conversion push down Alexandria office vacancy rate

By Emily Leayman

Published September 9, 2026 at 1:45PM

The new U.S. Housing and Urban Development building, pictured with an America 250 flag, in the Carlyle neighborhood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Office vacancies are trending down in Alexandria, although Old Town and Old Town North are going against the trend.

That’s according to the Alexandria Economic Development Partnership’s Mid-Year Market Report released Tuesday (Sept. 8) looking at commercial real estate trends for the first half of the year through June 30, 2026.

News

UPDATE: Over 4K more lose power after earlier transformer-related outage in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published September 8, 2026 at 9:15AM | Updated September 8, 2026 at 10:59AM

Dominion Energy’s outage map shows over 4,300 outages remaining in Alexandria on Sept. 8, 2026 (courtesy of Dominion Energy)

Thousands of additional Dominion Energy customers are experiencing power outages Tuesday morning (Sept. 8) after an earlier outage tied to a transformer.

As of 11 a.m., more than 4,300 customers are without power in North Ridge, Fairlington/Bradlee, Seminary Hill, Taylor Run, Rosemont and Del Ray. Dominion Energy attributed the outage to a circuit being out and estimated that restoration would happen between 2-5 p.m.

News

Old Town North Alliance names three finalists to design arts and cultural district banners

By Emily Leayman

Published August 25, 2026 at 11:45AM

Sculptor Christian Benefiel’s art installation in Old Town North (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Old Town North Alliance is one step closer to developing branding for the neighborhood’s new arts and cultural district.

The alliance’s board of directors named three artists as finalists in the Old Town North Arts and Cultural District Banner Design Project. They will be subject to a public vote to determine the winning artist.

Around Town

Regional summer restaurant week draws participation from Alexandria eateries

By Emily Leayman

Published August 24, 2026 at 1:45PM

Outdoor dining at Vermilion (via Vermilion/Instagram)

Even though Alexandria Restaurant Week ended Sunday, diners have another chance to score special menus for a second restaurant week.

Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Summer Restaurant Week runs from Monday, Aug. 24 to Sunday, Aug. 30. Participating eateries have a choice of offering $25 or $35-per-person brunch or lunch menus and $40, $55 and $65-per-person dinner menus. Some restaurants may extend specials beyond the weekend.

Around Town

Alexandria Restaurant Week returns in August at over 75 eateries

By Emily Leayman

Published July 24, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated August 20, 2026 at 3:28PM

1799 Prime Steak & Seafood (via Misha Enriquez for Visit Alexandria)

Foodies will have the chance to try new eateries or return to old favorites during the next Alexandria Restaurant Week in August.

Alexandria Restaurant Week, held twice a year in January and August, will be held over 10 days from Friday, Aug. 14 to Sunday, Aug. 23. Full-service restaurants will serve prix fixe dinner menus at $35, $45 or $55 per person, and fast casual restaurants will have their own offers.

News

JUST IN: Jury indicts Lorton man after pedestrian killed crossing street in Old Town North

By James Cullum

Published July 17, 2026 at 2:45PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Nearly three months after a woman was killed crossing the street in Old Town North, a Lorton man has been charged with involuntary manslaughter and failure to yield to a pedestrian causing death.

Tekaligne Shirko, 46, surrendered to the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office after a grand jury indictment on July 15, according to a release from the Alexandria Police Department.

News

Alexandria charity sends disaster relief to earthquake-ravaged Venezuela

By Emily Leayman

Published July 2, 2026 at 10:00AM

Relief in Venezuela after earthquakes (via Global Empowerment Mission)

In the wake of deadly earthquakes in Venezuela, an Alexandria charity is among the U.S. organizations lending a helping hand.

Various regions of Venezuela are reeling from a humanitarian crisis as the earthquakes have resulted in thousands of confirmed casualties and tens of thousands unaccounted for, as well as building collapses and structural damage.

Around Town

Alexandria’s Bastille, Andy’s Pizza collect awards at regional RAMMYS

By Emily Leayman

Published June 30, 2026 at 3:15PM

Bastille Brasserie & Bar's Juan Ramirez won the Manager of the Year award at the 2026 RAMMYS (via Bastille/Facebook)

Two restaurants with Alexandria ties have earned RAMMY awards from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington.

Winners of the 44th Annual RAMMYs Awards were announced yesterday (Monday) at a gala at The Wharf’s Arena Stage in D.C. The 20 categories of the RAMMYS recognize the D.C. region’s chefs, restaurateurs and other industry professionals.