West End | ALXnow

Memorial at Alexandria church pays tribute to people who died in ICE custody

Published May 14, 2026 at 9:15AM

The ICE custody death memorial at Fairlington Presbyterian Church (via Fairlington Presbyterian Church/Facebook)

Fairlington Presbyterian Church has created a memorial on its front lawn to remember people who have died in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody since 2025.

The church, located at 3846 King Street in the West End, dedicated the memorial Sunday (May 10). The memorial features posts representing each of 32 people who died in ICE custody from January 2025 to early January 2026. Another 18 names of people who died in ICE custody leading up to May 2026 are included in a brochure being distributed at the memorial. Some official causes of death are pending or disputed.

Around Town

Alexandria’s annual community cookout series launches today

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2026 at 10:00AM

Community Cookouts (via City of Alexandria)

The 19th annual Alexandria Community Cookout series launches today (Thursday), bringing weekly events with free food, activities and giveaways across the city.

More than 50 city agencies and nonprofits are participating in the weekly cookouts, which are expected to reach thousands of Alexandria residents this spring and summer. The first cookout, delayed by yesterday’s weather, will take place on its rain date today at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center from 6-7:30 p.m.

News

Three arrested after teen stabbed in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published April 29, 2026 at 10:30AM | Updated April 30, 2026 at 12:06PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Two teenagers and an adult were arrested and charged with malicious wounding after an alleged attempted robbery that left a teenager with non-life-threatening stab wounds in Alexandria’s West End.

The victim reported the incident to police at around 3:20 p.m. Thursday, April 23 in the 2100 block of N. Early Street, which is near the intersection with W. Braddock Road. The victim told police he was approached by four Hispanic males, and that one of them — wearing a black ski mask and holding a knife — stabbed him in the face, according to Alexandria Police Department dispatches.

News

Three people and dog rescued by AFD from stalled elevator in West End

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2026 at 12:30PM

AFD rescued three people and a dog from a stalled elevator in the 4600 block of Duke Street, April 17, 2026 (via IAFF Local 2141/Facebook)

The Alexandria Fire Department rescued three people and a dog this morning (Friday) from a stalled elevator in a high-rise condominium building in the West End.

AFD was called just after 4:30 a.m. to a report of three people and a dog stuck in a blind shaft elevator near the fourth floor of a 16-story building in the 4600 block of Duke Street.

News

Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark marks topping-out milestone

By James Cullum

Published April 14, 2026 at 11:45AM

Inova Hospital Center staff and public officials at the topping out ceremony of Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark, April 13, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Inova Alexandria Hospital at Landmark’s sprawling new complex reached a milestone on Monday, as the final structural beam was put into place.

Current and former city leaders joined Inova’s top executives for the topping-out ceremony, which was an hour after the topping out of the Inova Franconia-Springfield Healthplex (6361 Walker Lane) in the Franconia area of Fairfax County.

News

UPDATE: Adult pedestrian hit in West End Alexandria

By Emily Leayman and James Cullum

Published April 7, 2026 at 4:15PM | Updated April 7, 2026 at 8:34PM

N. Van Dorn Street closure at the crash scene (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria police and fire are responding to the West End for a pedestrian crash this afternoon (Tuesday).

The pedestrian was struck around 3:22 p.m. in the area of N. Van Dorn Street and Sanger Avenue, according to the police and fire scanner. Alexandria Police Department spokesperson Rebekka Heite told ALXnow the pedestrian is an adult woman.

News

Police investigate after shots fired in Alexandria West

By Emily Leayman

Published April 3, 2026 at 11:15AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

No injuries have been reported after gunshots were fired in the Alexandria West neighborhood yesterday (Thursday), according to police.

Officers responded to the shots fired report in the area of Reading Avenue and Winston Court around 7 p.m. Police radio dispatches indicate officers received multiple calls about a group of males wearing hoodies, other dark-colored clothing and ski masks fleeing the area of the Shops at Mark Center shopping center. One caller reported hearing at least three gunshots.

News

Alexandria asks NVTA for nearly $37M to fund transportation projects

By James Cullum

Published April 2, 2026 at 1:45PM

Traffic backup heading eastbound along Duke Street (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria is seeking more than $36 million to fund two transportation projects as part of the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority‘s six-year program.

The total funding amount in NVTA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Six Year Program is $1.265 billion. Alexandria’s share includes $15 million for bus rapid transit improvements in the second phase of the Duke Street Transitway, and $21.86 million for pedestrian and bicycle improvements at Eisenhower Avenue and S. Van Dorn Street. NVTA adopts its six-year program every two years, allocating regional tax revenues to multimodal transportation projects.

News

City Council candidates to debate Wednesday in Alexandria’s West End

By James Cullum

Published March 23, 2026 at 12:30PM

(Left to right) City Council candidates Sandy Marks, Frank Fannon and Alison O'Connell (via West End Business Association)

Three candidates vying for an open seat on City Council will participate in a forum Wednesday (March 25) in Alexandria’s West End.

ALXnow is moderating the West End Business Association forum, which will be held at Feru Bar and Restaurant (512 S. Van Dorn Street, Unit D) from 5-7 p.m. The free event is open to the public and will feature Democratic candidate Sandy Marks and independent candidates Alison O’Connell and former City Councilman Frank Fannon.

News

‘Faith in Housing’ bill helps churches build affordable housing, Alexandria pastor says

By Emily Leayman

Published March 20, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 4:33PM

The Waypoint at Fairlington site in September 2022 (via Wesley Housing/Facebook)

A bill that would make it easier for churches to pursue affordable housing development on their properties is on its way to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D). An Alexandria church leader whose church brought affordable housing to its property says the bill would help churches that have faced greater challenges with getting local approval.

The “Faith in Housing” bill would remove the rezoning step for faith-based organizations and other tax-exempt organizations seeking to develop housing on their land. Under the bill, the developments must be at least 60 percent affordable units for a minimum of 30 years. Church-based developments would be subject to property tax unless the locality chooses to exempt them.

News

Construction starts on first residential buildings at former Landmark Mall site

By Emily Leayman

Published March 19, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated March 20, 2026 at 10:41AM

Aspect rendering at WestEnd development (courtesy of Foulger Pratt)

The WestEnd redevelopment replacing Landmark Mall has kicked off construction of its first residential buildings, developer Foulger Pratt announced.

Developers broke ground on the two Aspect buildings (Blocks E and G, 5801 Duke Street), which will be connected by a sky bridge. Construction began as the developers secured financing from Atlantic Union Bank, with Truist Bank serving as administrative agent.