Stories for January 2025

Stories for January 2025

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Wednesday, January 15

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Be Prepared

Make a “go” bag, think about your family's needs.

Being prepared for emergencies before they happen can help keep your loved ones safe and minimize stress in difficult situations.

Erg Sprints: Largest Indoor Rowing Championship in U.S.

On Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, Alexandria City High School will host Erg Sprints, the largest and longest running indoor rowing championship in America.

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MPA to Open Winter Exhibitions Jan. 16

Exhibits include Pieced Together, We are Whole and Playing with Shadows: Works by Liz Lescault

McLean Project for the Arts will open its two new winter exhibitions — Pieced Together, We are Whole and Playing with Shadows: Works by Liz Lescault — with an opening exhibition reception on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 at 7 p.m.

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Reporting from Richmond

Greetings from a very chilly and busy week down here in Richmond at the General Assembly. While today (Wednesday) is only the third day we have had legislative business in the Capitol due to last week’s water crisis, today still counts as the eighth day of session, so we have a lot to catch up on in a very short amount of time!

Obituary: Oscar Mecklin Johnson, 89

Oscar Mecklin Johnson, a former senior Capitol Hill journalist and chief adviser to members of Congress who drafted historic legislation, including Title IX, died of natural causes on Jan. 7, 2025, at his Arlington, Va. home with his family.

Thursday, January 9

Older Adults, Register Now

Seniors

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Winter Wonderland in Alexandria

Region sees up to 10” of snow in season’s first storm.

Region sees up to 10” of snow in season’s first storm.

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New Approach for 2025 for the Gazette Packet

Twice a month publication schedule with more digital delivery.

New Approach for 2025 for the Gazette Packet

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Toasts, Roasts and Gratitude in Alexandria

Roast for outgoing mayor raises $15k for local charities.

Roast for outgoing mayor raises $15k for local charities.

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Gaskins makes history; new council is sworn in

Gaskins makes history; new council is sworn in.

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Coming Year is Full of Pluses for Mount Vernon

Ice rink, bike trails, road building plans move the district forward.

Ice rink, bike trails, road building plans move the district forward.

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How To Spend $2 Billion

Home care providers who save Virginia millions of dollars each year, but most earn less than $15 an hour in 2025.

Budget

Apply to the 29th Community Police Academy

Apply to the 29th Community Police Academy

Arlington National Cemetery Annual Wreaths Out Event

Arlington National Cemetery Annual Wreaths Out Event

Wednesday, January 8

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Breaking: Water Emergency in Richmond!

By Monday afternoon, the City of Richmond was under a boil water advisory, and many residents and businesses throughout the central Virginia region began experiencing low water pressure or weren’t receiving water at all.

Age-Friendly Strategic Plan

The Alexandria Commission on Aging and the Division of Aging & Adult Services are working together to update the City’s Age-Friendly Strategic Plan.

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Herrity Joins 2025 Race for Lt. Governor

Pat Herrity, the current Fairfax County Board Supervisor for the Springfield District and lone Republican on the board, posted a video on social media on Jan. 4 announcing his candidacy for Virginia lieutenant governor.

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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Bright New Beginnings for 2025

Our budget challenges this year are driven by continuing needs to keep our highly rated schools funded. Schools are seeing increased needs that are not being met by the state, as was recently highlighted in a state study identifying that we should receive at least $600M more from Virginia.

Detectives Investigate Fatal Crash in Springfield

On Jan. 3 at 8:06 p.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash on the Franconia Springfield Parkway prior to Bonniemill Lane in Springfield.

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Donald M. Haddock

Retired circuit court judge dies at 83

A lifelong Alexandrian, Haddock served on the bench for 27 years prior to his retirement in 2012.

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More Than 7 Inches of Snow in Arlington

Schools and almost everything else were closed Monday and Tuesday in Arlington as more than 7 inches of snow was recorded at National Airport.

City In Search of Poet Laureate

Alexandria News Briefs

New Approach for 2025 for the Connection

Twice a month publication schedule with more digital delivery.

To begin 2025, the Connection Newspapers, along with the Mount Vernon Gazette and Alexandria Gazette Packet, are planning to publish on a new schedule, twice a month, first and third weeks of the month in most months.

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When Snow and Ice Come, Be Salt Smart

When Snow and Ice Come, Be Salt Smart

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Happy Snow Days

No school Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday; almost everything canceled.

Snow

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County General Assembly Delegation Pre-Session Public Hearing

Surprising statements by County spokespersons?

General Assembly

Rideshare Driver Charged with Sexual Assault

Rideshare Driver Charged with Sexual Assault

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Plastic Bag Tax Making a Difference

Adds up to big numbers for environmental clean-ups

Adds up to big numbers for environmental clean-ups

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We All Take a Snow Day in Springfield

Much cancelled as the area experiences significant snowfall

Snow

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‘This is a Historic Moment in the City of Fairfax’

Stacey Hardy-Chandler: First Black Woman on City Council.

Stacey Hardy-Chandler: First Black Woman on City Council.

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Koinonia Foundation Celebrates the New Year in a New Space

Area nonprofit finds space in a historic church.

Area nonprofit finds space in a historic church.