Sheriff Sean Casey | ALXnow

Alexandria leaders mark 9/11 anniversary with call for unity, civility

Published September 11, 2025 at 12:15PM

Alexandria's Joint Public Safety Honor Guard at the 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Alexandria's Market Square, Sept. 11, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria leaders commemorated the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on Thursday, Sept. 11, and reflected on the personal and societal impacts that followed.

Mayor Alyia Gaskins was joined by Sheriff Sean Casey, Fire Chief Felipe Hernandez, Jr., and Police Chief Tarrick McGuire onstage at Market Square in front of City Hall (301 King Street). Gaskins urged the audience to “remember the lives lost on 9/11 and to look forward with hope and a call to action for peace and a better world.”

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Early voting begins Sept. 19 in Alexandria for statewide races

By James Cullum

Published September 9, 2025 at 1:30PM

A voting sign at the Alexandria Registrar of Voters, 132 N. Royal Street, in Old Town (staff photo by James Cullum)

Early voting for November’s general election starts on Friday, Sept. 19, across Virginia. Here’s what you need to know in Alexandria.

Early voting starts 45 days before election day, and the only contested elections voters can decide on in Alexandria are for the Virginia governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general.

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Alexandria Sheriff’s Office launches recruiting website amid 12 deputy vacancies

By James Cullum

Published August 25, 2025 at 7:30PM

Alexandria Sheriff Sean Casey (on right) with Deputy Victor Ignacio at the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Old Town, March 2, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

After spending years searching for new deputies and lateral hires from other law enforcement agencies, the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO) has just launched a recruiting website, JoinASO.com.

In Alexandria, an entry-level deputy sheriff earns an annual salary of $61,375, and $67,667 for new deputies with law enforcement and/or Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services certifications. The office currently has 12 deputy vacancies, and the website launched on Aug. 13, according to ASO.

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Alexandria Living Legend Gayle Reuter is retiring, and sticking around Del Ray

By James Cullum

Published June 26, 2025 at 7:40PM | Updated June 27, 2025 at 7:09PM

Del Ray's Gayle Reuter speaks at the mayoral campaign kickoff for Alexandria City Council Member Alyia Gaskins Jan. 28, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Gayle Reuter is retiring.

The news will travel fast around Del Ray, where the Alexandria Living Legend has lived and volunteered for decades. For the last five years, she’s also worked full-time as the accreditation manager for the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office (ASO).

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Report: ICE preparing to deploy tactical units to Northern Virginia and four big cities

By James Cullum

Published June 11, 2025 at 3:00PM | Updated June 14, 2025 at 3:04AM

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement logo (via Facebook)

Northern Virginia is reportedly among the “five cities run by Democratic leaders” that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to deploy tactical units to, according to MSNBC.

Citing two unnamed sources “familiar with the planning of future ICE operations,” MSNBC reported that ICE is preparing to deploy tactical response teams in New York City, Seattle, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Northern Virginia.

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The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is making free identification cards for kids

By James Cullum

Published May 22, 2025 at 3:40PM

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is making identification cards for kids (via City of Alexandria)

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Office is making free identification cards for kids at community events.

ASO launched the program last month with a donation from Dominion Energy. Look for ASO staff at public events, like the city’s monthly community cookouts, to get a free photo identification card for kids with a photograph and fingerprint. Parents will get the only copies of the identifications, and ASO will not store the data.

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Local student activist kicks off Spanberger rally, urges action on gun safety

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 10, 2025 at 3:15PM | Updated April 10, 2025 at 3:56PM

Student Grace Vareghuse speaks at the Moms Demand Action endorsement of Abigail Spanberger for governor, at the Oswald Durant Center in Alexandria, April 10, 2025 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Grace Vareghuse, who co-leads her school’s Students Demand Action chapter at Hayfield Secondary School (7630 Telegraph Road), kicked off a campaign rally for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger today (April 10) at the Oswald Durant Center.

“Students like me shouldn’t have to worry about gun violence when we’re trying to get an education,” Vareghuse, a self-described resident of Alexandria, told the audience of a couple hundred supporters on hand at the Oswald Durant Center for a rally jointly held by Moms Demand Action and the Abigail Spanberger Campaign. “We need leaders who will take action to keep us safe.”

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Abigail Spanberger rallies in Alexandria, picks up endorsements from Moms Demand Action and Sheriff Casey

By Ryan Belmore

Published April 10, 2025 at 2:50PM | Updated April 10, 2025 at 4:06PM

Abigail Spanberger with Moms Demand Action Executive Director Angela Ferrell-Zabala in Alexandria on April 10, 2025, after the candidate formally received the organization's endorsement (staff photo by James Cullum)

Moms Demand Action officially endorsed Democratic nominee Abigail Spanberger for Virginia Governor at a rally in Alexandria today (April 10). The event at the Oswald Durant Center drew a couple hundred attendees showing support for the congressional representative’s gubernatorial campaign.

The endorsement comes as Spanberger continues to build momentum in her bid to become Virginia’s next governor. Gun safety advocacy is emerging as a central theme of her campaign.