West End | ALXnow

Alexandria man tracks down his stolen motorcycle on Facebook Marketplace

Published May 13, 2025 at 12:00PM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

After his motorcycle was stolen during a test drive, an Alexandria man tracked it down days later on Facebook Marketplace.

The incident occurred at the victim’s business in the 4900 block of Eisenhower Avenue on Thursday, March 20. The victim listed his blue 2004 Suzuki GSX-R9600 for sale on Facebook Marketplace, and the suspect reached out via Facebook Messenger and asked for a test drive, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. The suspect allegedly took the bike for a ride and never returned, and on March 25 the victim found the motorcycle listed in another Facebook Marketplace ad.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published May 9, 2025 at 3:30PM

The athletic fields at Episcopal High School (via City of Alexandria)

Welcome to Friday! Here’s a look back at our most-read stories of the week.

Our top story this week is on Episcopal High School being named a training site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To accommodate an international soccer team with a home-away-from-home atmosphere, the private school is asking the city for permission to install field lighting with 47 light poles between 40-to-100-feet-tall.

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Not Fast Enough? McDonald’s on S. Van Dorn Street wants another drive-thru lane

By James Cullum

Published May 7, 2025 at 9:00AM

McDonald's at 505 S Van Dorn Street, photo via Google Maps

The 43-year-old McDonald’s restaurant at 505 S. Van Dorn Street is requesting a second drive-through lane to make orders faster.

In a proposal that will go to the Planning Commission in June, the restaurant’s owner asks the city for the change “to better serve our customers, improve the efficiency of the ordering process, and allow for better vehicular circulation on the property.”

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Developer adding more apartments to narrow West End property

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2025 at 2:45PM

More apartments are proposed for 2240 N. Beauregard Street in Alexandria's West End (via City of Alexandria)

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PLANS: West End complex to convert old laundry rooms into 19 new apartments

By James Cullum

Published May 5, 2025 at 1:00PM

The Alante Apartments at 4800 Kenmore Avenue (via City of Alexandria)

A 60-year-old apartment complex in the West End is about to get a little bigger.

On Tuesday, the Planning Commission will review a special use permit to add 19 apartments to The Alante Apartments, a 296-unit complex next door to the Seminary Towers Apartments and Francis C. Hammond Middle School, and is bounded by N. Van Dorn Street and Seminary Road.

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 3:30PM

NVTA BRT Action Plan - Potential Network (via NVTA)

Welcome to Friday’s weekly roundup of our top stories.

With ALXnow, it’s easy to catch up on the latest news in Alexandria. This week, we focused on coverage of our local, state, and federal governments. We also reported a lot of crime, including a homicide in the city’s West End.

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GoFundMe launched for 19-year-old victim of Canterbury Square homicide

By James Cullum

Published April 25, 2025 at 1:45PM

GoFunMe for Deandre Jack, who was shot to death on April 19, 2025 in the city's West End (via GoFundMe)

A GoFundMe has been launched for Deaundre Jack, the victim of last Saturday’s (April 19) homicide in the West End.

The 19-year-old Jack was shot and killed in the parking lot of 22 Canterbury Square, and his death remains under investigation by the Alexandria Police Department. The fundraiser has so far exceeded its $5,000 goal by raising $5,360 as of 1:30 p.m. Friday (April 25).

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Alexandria police investigate early morning gunfire at Ben Brenman Park

By James Cullum

Published April 24, 2025 at 12:00PM

Gunfire was reported at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria's West End on Thursday, April 24, 2025 (via Google Maps)

No injuries after multiple gunshots were reported early this morning in the area of Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Police Department was alerted of four gunshots in the area of the park at around 2:20 a.m.

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Alexandria leaders praise outgoing NOVA Parks director Paul Gilbert

By James Cullum

Published April 21, 2025 at 3:00PM

NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert (via Facebook)

Alexandria leaders are praising NOVA Parks Executive Director Paul Gilbert, who recently announced that he will step down by December.

Gilbert has led the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority for 20 years. In Alexandria, his organization acquired the Winkler Botanical Preserve in 2022, and owns and operates Cameron Run Regional Park and Carlyle House Historic Park.

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JUST IN: Pedestrian succumbs to injuries after Wednesday night crash on King Street

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2025 at 7:00PM | Updated April 18, 2025 at 1:14AM

Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The 19-year-old victim of Wednesday night’s (April 16) hit-and-run on King Street has succumbed to his injuries.

The Alexandria Police Department has identified the victim as Abdullahi Mumin and said that he succumbed to his injuries at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Mumin was struck near the intersection of King Street and Dawes Avenue, at around 8:40 p.m.

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Alexandria Fire Department extinguishes commercial truck fire Wednesday morning in the West End

By James Cullum

Published April 16, 2025 at 11:30AM

The Alexandria Fire Department extinguished two trucks on fire in the 100 block of S. Early Street in the early morning of Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (via Facebook)

Two commercial trucks were destroyed, and no one was injured in a fire this morning in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Fire Department was called to the 100 block of S. Early Street at around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday morning (April 16). No injuries were reported, although two box trucks were engulfed in flames, according to dispatch reports.