Stories for June 2024

Stories for June 2024

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Thursday, June 27

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Mount Vernon and Alexandria Independence Day Festivities

Mount Vernon and Alexandria Independence Day Festivities

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And All That Jazz

City hosts 46th annual Jazz Festival.

City hosts 46th annual Jazz Festival.

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Celebrating a Century

Lois Brooks turns 100.

Lois Brooks turns 100.

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‘I Have a Dream’ in Alexandria

MLK Jr. honored with bench dedication.

MLK Jr. honored with bench dedication.

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SUMMER FUN in Alexandria

SUMMER FUN

Letter - Veterans: Make elections in Virginia peaceful

Letter to the Editor

Alexandria Volunteer Opportunities

Alexandria Volunteer Opportunities

New Virginia Laws Effective July 1st

New Virginia Laws Effective July 1st

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Workhouse Arts Foundation Appoints Keith Gordon as New President and CEO

Workhouse Arts Foundation Appoints Keith Gordon as New President and CEO

Wednesday, June 26

Senior Living: “Flourishing After 55”

55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

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Man Charged with Killing Fairfax Resident

Fairfax County police have arrested a Washington, D.C., man in connection with the May 21 murder of a Fairfax resident.

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Police Charge Special Ed Teacher with Assault

A Fairfax woman who worked as a special-education teacher has been charged with assaulting three students at White Oaks Elementary in Burke.

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Fairfax One Visits Burke CAP

Cadets learn search and rescue techniques.

On Thursday, June 20th, the Burke Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol hosted the Fairfax County Police Department’s Helicopter, Fairfax One, at Irving Middle School.

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Some Unaware Aware It Was Election Day

Primaries are often low turnout events, but only 11 percent voted on June 18

Apparently, a lot of people didn’t know Tuesday, June 18 was Primary Election Day.

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Melwood, Wesley Housing Plan New Inclusive Affordable Housing in Arlington

Melwood, a leading national employer, advocate, and preferred provider for people with disabilities, and Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit affordable housing provider located in Northern Virginia, are planning a mixed-use development including 105 new affordable housing units and 18,000 square feet of ground level space for Melwood’s community service use in Arlington, Virginia.

Arrest in Shooting Causing Minor Property Damage, No Injuries

The Arlington County Police made an arrest in the shooting that occurred on June 19, 2024, in the 2600 block of Richmond Highway.

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Arlington Chamber Celebrates Economic Development

Awards presented to first responders & public safety personnel

The Arlington Chamber of Commerce held its State of the County & Public Safety Awards breakfast on Tuesday, June 25 at the Army Navy Country Club.

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Blueberries Gone Before You Know It

Cars line up, trunks open in the parking lot of Cherrydale United Methodist Church on Lorcom Lane Friday, June 21 to pick up their 10-pound boxes of fresh blueberries.

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Herralink Brings Connection, Joy, to Senior Citizens

Centreville High grad is dedicated to improving their lives.

Centreville High grad is dedicated to improving their lives.

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Come Celebrate the Fourth of July in Fairfax City

Festivities include a parade, firefighter fun, music and fireworks.

Festivities include a parade, firefighter fun, music and fireworks.

Centreville Moose Lodge Presents Five Scholarships

Centreville Moose Lodge Presents Five Scholarships

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Voters To Consider Bond Referenda Totaling $306 Million

Voters To Consider Bond Referenda Totaling $306 Million

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Stolen Cop Cruiser Crashes into Two Police Vehicles

Stolen Cop Cruiser Crashes into Two Police Vehicles

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Highlights of Boundary Policy and Assignment of Students,

Part 4 of 4

Boundary assignments’ overarching goals are excellence, efficacy, equity; capacity is the primary benchmark.

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Dividing Lines: Reviewing School Boundary Adjustment Policy

Part 1 of 4 stories

Dividing Lines: Reviewing School Boundary Adjustment Policy

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GFCA Town Hall Webinar with School Board Member Robyn Lady

Part 2 of 4 stories

Hard questions on boundary policy answered.

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GFCA’s Position Paper Calls for a Pause

Part of 4 stories

redistricting

Tuesday, June 25

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Matchup Set for Virginia Congressional District 10 Race

Suhas Subramanyam (D), Mike Clancy (R), and Dennis Aryan (I) will appear on the ballot in November for Wexton’s seat.

Matchup Set for Virginia Congressional District 10 Race

COMMUNITY NEWS AT A GLANCE

County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.

County’s Sheriff’s Office Is Recruiting.

Time to Register for National Night Out

Time to Register for National Night Out

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2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics: 83 Events, 26 Venues, Ages 50 to 100+

2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics: 83 Events, 26 Venues, Ages 50 to 100+

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Homemade Latin American Desserts in Fairfax City

Guava Artisanal Latin Bakery has become a customer favorite.

Food

Friday, June 21

Volunteer Alexandria Opportunities:

Volunteer Alexandria Opportunities:

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Gaskins Wins Democratic Primary

Elnoubi, Greene join incumbents on November council ballot.

Elnoubi, Greene join incumbents on November council ballot.

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Douglass Cemetery Remembrance

Descendants gather to celebrate Juneteenth.

Douglass Cemetery Remembrance

Virtual Meeting on Airport Noise Project

Virtual Meeting on Airport Noise Project

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Head of the Class

Deputies graduate from criminal justice academy.

Head of the Class

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Mattie Palmore Honored at Gum Springs Community Day

Gum Springs Day

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Dry Conditions, Unsafe Practices Lead to Area Fires

Clifton fire led to two fatalities.

Fires

Thursday, June 20

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Fairfax County’s Streams Are Degraded

Volunteers identify invertebrates in streams which indicate the water quality in the streams.

Volunteers identify invertebrates in streams which indicate the water quality in the streams.

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‘We Must Push Back against Efforts to Take Us Backward’

Fairfax City holds its second annual Juneteenth Celebration.

Juneteenth

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Fairfax City Plans School Bonds on November Ballot

For Daniels Run, Providence renovations, new high-school roof.

Schools

New Rabbi for Congregation Adat Reyim of Springfield

New Rabbi for Congregation Adat Reyim of Springfield

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National Airport Recognizes Enslaved People of Abingdon Plantation

National Airport Recognizes Enslaved People of Abingdon Plantation

Wednesday, June 19

VDOT Makes Roadsides a Refuge for Pollinators

Pollinator conservation provides bird and insect habitats and improves agency efficiencies

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will install 135 new acres of pollinator habitats this year to support pollinators such as bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, flies, and more.

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Second Annual ‘Hike for Her’ Raises Funds for Afghan GIrls

Arlington-based non-profit Ascend Afghanistan celebrates 10th year

Marina LeGree and her team have been teaching Afghan girls how to climb mountains since 2014. While living and working in Afghanistan, LeGree saw a need, and an opportunity, to unlock the leadership skills of young women using the mountains surrounding their homes as a classroom.

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StarKist, Cornerstones and Feed the Children Partner to End Hunger

2024 Summer Food and Resource Rally

On June 6, Cornerstones, StarKist, and Feed the Children gathered for the third annual summer food and resource rally at Cornerstones Food Rescue Empowerment Enterprise in Sterling. Three Fairfax County nonprofits — LINK Against Hunger, South Lakes High School PTSA Food Pantry, and Fellowship Square — and two in the Dulles corridor, Dulles South Food Pantry and Community Lodgings, participated.

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SPARC Provides Day Programs for Adults with Disabilities

SPARC honors Supervisors Dalia Palchik and John Foust for support of region’s ‘forgotten.’

SPARC, a non-profit that provides day programs in Northern Virginia for adults with disabilities, hosted its 3rd Annual Pancake Breakfast on June 15 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Vienna with a silent auction, talent show, games, and food.

Potomac Home Sales: May, 2024

In May, 2024, 61 Potomac homes sold between $3,150,000-$620,000.

Potomac Home Sales: May, 2024

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Juneteenth at Bull Run

Remarkable story of private emancipation of enslaved people.

NOVA Parks and the Fairfax County NAACP hosted their Third Annual Juneteenth celebration to recognize the largest private emancipation of the enslaved, commemorate the cemetery where many of the freed are interred, and visit the site where Black people and white people worshipped together as early as 1775. The event took place on Saturday, June 15 at Bull Run Regional Park, located in Centreville.

Man Arrested, Charged with Sexual Assaults

Police say DNA testing reportedly tied him to three cold cases.

A man police believe committed multiple, unsolved sexual assaults – dating as far back as 1998 – is now in custody in the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center. He is Edward Eugene Pottmyer, 58 and, although he has a Chantilly address, he actually lives in Loudoun County.

Police Arrest Suspect in Centreville Carjacking

Safety tips offered for exchanging merchandise with strangers.

Police detectives from the Fairfax County Police Department’s Major Crimes Bureau have charged a 25-year-old Maryland man in connection with a recent carjacking and abduction in Centreville.

“Flourishing After 55”

55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

Wednesday, June 12

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Kids Have a Ball at Doolittle Story Hour

Baseball reader

“Flourishing After 55”

55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

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AFAC Has Served 2 Million Families

This week Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) commemorated serving two million families since they began in 1988.

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County Tackles Food Security with New Round of Grants

The Arlington County Department of Human Services (DHS) announced June 3 a second round of grants aimed at improving food security in Arlington. The funding will be available to area 501(c)(3) organizations, faith-based groups and schools and universities that support aspects of Arlington’s Food Security Strategic Plan, with the maximum grant award $25,000.

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Governor Says Virginia Is Exiting Clean Car Commitment

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) has no interest in a roadmap to a zero-emission future for vehicles in Virginia. Youngkin cites Attorney General Jason Miyares’ official opinion, which "confirms that Virginians are no longer legally bound to follow the emission standards of California.”

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ACT Celebrates 20 Years of Giving

Community trust continues support for local nonprofits.

It was just over 20 years ago when a small group of Alexandrians came together to decide how best to stimulate philanthropic giving to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in the community.

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Rotary Contributions Day 2024

Alexandria Rotary Club’s annual Contributions Day June 11 at Belle Haven Country Club.

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Free Summer Fun in the Mount Vernon District

Whether you are traveling, have family visiting or enjoying a stay-cation, summer is the best time for FREE outdoor fun in Mount Vernon. The Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series, Mount Vernon Nights is a beloved MVD tradition.

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Overcoming Obstacles while Striving for Education

Two Mountain View students share their stories.

Students at Mountain View High have to overcome significant obstacles in their lives en route to graduation. So the speeches given by the grad speakers are always the highlights of each ceremony. And the ones given last week by Giovanni Pineda-Maradiaga and Sofia Canizalez Duran were no exception.

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Unremitting Data Center Demand Pushes County to Act

Balancing an economy that can’t happen without data centers with homeowners’ rights and quality of life.

The relentless march of data center growth in Northern Virginia has reached a reported 70 percent of the total number of data centers on our planet.

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Celebrating Fatherhood

Father’s Day is June 16

June is a month for Dads and grads with families across the region preparing to celebrate fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers as Father’s Day approaches June 16.

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Democratic Primary 2024

Voters to determine future of city politics in June 18 primary.

In recent years, Alexandria has been aggressively urbanist. Democrats who control all six seats on the City Council have supported increasing density and adding new transit options. That's created a backlash, and now the conflict will be resolved at the ballot box.

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All Aboard!

Tall Ship Providence launches regional school program.

If you’ve strolled along the waterfront in Old Town this past year, you can’t help but have noticed the beautiful new pier adorned with American flag bunting leading to Tall Ship Providence and its elegant, permanent home, the Senator John Warner Maritime Heritage Center.

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Living Legends of Alexandria: Col. James Paige

Visionary leads community activism.

When Jim Paige was growing up in Robinson County, N.C., he had dreams of becoming a professional baseball player. The youngest of five siblings, he was a gifted athlete but realized the odds were against him.

Supporting Amy Jackson for Mayor

Like many of us in Alexandria, I have recently found my mailbox brimming with flyers touting the virtues of the various candidates for Mayor and City Council.

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Men’s Health Expo

Free screenings highlight inaugural health expo.

More than 20 local organizations partnered to host the first Men’s Health Empowerment Expo, a full day event that featured health screenings, guest speakers and panel discussions June 8 at Charles Houston Recreation Center.

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‘Peace and Childhood Innocence’

Mural unveiled at Bradlee Center.

Students in the Alexandria City High School arts program teamed up with professional artists Nicole Bourgea and Roberto “Sef” Seminario to create a mural that was unveiled May 30 at Bradlee Shopping Center.

Arlington Jury Convicts James Ray Williams of Murder in the Death of Sean Bowman

On Friday night, June 7, 2024, after a four-day trial, an Arlington jury found James R. Williams guilty of the March 25, 2023, murder of Sean Bowman. The jury also convicted Williams of using a firearm in the commission of the murder.

Silberberg Endorses Amy Jackson for Mayor

Silberberg Endorses Amy Jackson for Mayor

Advancing Tenant Rights and Affordable Housing

Advancing Tenant Rights and Affordable Housing

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Bryant Teacher Recognized for Making a Difference in Mount Vernon

Bryant Teacher Recognized for Making a Difference in Mount Vernon

Community News at a Glance - Fairfax

Fairfax News Bites

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Inaugural Herndon Pride Festival

Inaugural Herndon Pride Festival

Tuesday, June 11

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Class of 2024 graduates from Mountain View High

Words of wisdom are shared, students receive awards.

Words of wisdom are shared, students receive awards.

Local High Schools Win Cappies Awards

Local High Schools Win Cappies Awards

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Red-shouldered hawk attacks Great Falls family

Red-shouldered hawk attacks Great Falls family

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Hats Off to Fairfax High School’s Class of 2024

‘Try something new and savor every moment.’

Graduation

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Springfield Student Named LEGO’s 2024 Mini Master Model Builder

Springfield Student Named LEGO’s 2024 Mini Master Model Builder

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Three Pedestrians Killed By Train at Lake Accotink

One struck, two fell off bridge to their deaths.

One struck, two fell off bridge to their deaths.

Saturday, June 8

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Alexandria Entertainment Calendar

Alexandria Entertainment Calendar

Friday, June 7

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Primary Colors

Democrats to determine future direction of Alexandria.

Democrats to determine future direction of Alexandria.

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Minnie Howard Reopens

City unveils new $190M ACHS facility.

City unveils new $190M ACHS facility.

Thursday, June 6

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Operation Overlord

City marks 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion.

City marks 80th anniversary of D-Day invasion.

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Plaque Dedicated to Fallen Vietnam Veterans

Second plaque dedication to be held June 14 at Gadsby’s Tavern.

Plaque Dedicated to Fallen Vietnam Veterans

Wednesday, June 5

Arlington Pride Festival 2024

The Arlington Pride Festival 2024 will be at Long Bridge Park in National Landing on Saturday, June 29, for a day filled with celebration, diversity, and love.

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Ready, Set, Read

Summer reading adventure is underway.

The Arlington Library kicked off its summer reading adventure on Saturday, June 1 with fun activities, games and popsicles at the eight library locations.

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Tour de Clarendon Careens Around Corners in Arlington

Brendon Rhim wins Sunday’s Clarendon Cup 2024

It’s a short one kilometer route that turns sharp corners at Clarendon, Wilson, and Washington Boulevards — one hundred times. That is what makes the Armed Forces Cycling Classic (AFCC) so challenging. The 100 km race goes around 300 corners, each time potentially ending in a crash, as happened a few times on Sunday.

Juneteenth Events Around Mount Vernon

Juneteenth Events Around Mount Vernon

Senior Living: “Flourishing After 55”

55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

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‘We Remember Those Who Sacrificed Their Tomorrows’

Fairfax City pays tribute to the fallen on Memorial Day.

VFW Post 8469 Chaplain Marcus Kuiper gave the opening prayer at Fairfax City’s annual Memorial Day ceremony, last Monday, May 27. Held at American Legion Post 177, it was jointly hosted by both posts and attended by more than 100 people. “We pray for those who gave their last, full measure of devotion – those who courageously laid down their lives for the cause of freedom,” said Kuiper. “Hear our prayers for those who put the welfare of others above their own and made the ultimate sacrifice.”

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Poignant Stories of Wartime Bravery and Heart

Fairfax Councilmembers talk about America’s heroes.

During Fairfax City’s Memorial Day ceremony, last Monday, May 27, two of the most poignant stories about America’s fallen veterans were told by Councilmembers Kate Doyle Feingold and Tom Ross:

New Grant Program Tackles Food Security

The Arlington County Department of Human Services is launching a grant funding opportunity to boost food security in Arlington. Funding will be available to area 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations, faith-based organizations, and public schools and universities with projects that support aspects of the Food Security Strategic Plan.

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Being Poor and Sick Should Not be a Crime

I have been watching other communities nationwide struggling with how to address homelessness. For some areas, their answer is to criminalize it, which now may be decided by the Supreme Court as to its constitutionality. It’s unfortunate that their best idea for ending homelessness was to make it a crime.

It's Graduation Season!

Our high school and college seniors have even more to look forward to as they celebrate their graduations and embark on their next steps into adulthood.

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Pride Fair

City celebrates Pride, hosts Drag Story Hour.

Hundreds turned out to Market Square for the 7th annual Alexandria Pride Fair as city leaders unveiled a Pride wrapped DASH bus and a rainbow crosswalk on the street in front of City Hall.

Senior Law Day 2024

“Protecting Ourselves as We Age: Essential Personal and Financial Strategies”

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Mayor Debate

NBC News4 Virginia Bureau Chief Julie Carey, left, moderates a debate between Alexandria mayoral candidates Alyia Gaskins, Steven Peterson and Amy Jackson June 4 at the George Washington National Masonic Memorial.

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Alexandria Events Honoring Juneteenth

Highlights of Alexandria’s Black history and cultural experiences, including Juneteenth tours and celebrations, museum experiences, Black-owned businesses to support and more.

Highlights of Alexandria’s Black history and cultural experiences, including Juneteenth tours and celebrations, museum experiences, Black-owned businesses to support and more.

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Community News: Veterans and Military Families Commission

Veterans and Military Families Commission.

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Meet Sully Police Commander, Major Jane Russell

Her distinguished law-enforcement career spans 27 years.

Sully Police

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Springfield Bike Store Burglarized Twice

Police suspect the same pair in both incidents.

Police suspect the same pair in both incidents.

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Students in Lorton Win Praise from Harlem Globetrotters

School basketball court turned into ‘Court of Creativity’ in Lorton.

Globetrotting to Lorton