Tuesday, January 28
Flu Season and Winter Preparedness
Flu season poses its own challenges, with the risk of catching the influenza virus.
Vienna Delays Vote on Meals Tax Again
At its Jan. 27 meeting, the Vienna Town Council voted to temporarily defer the proposal to raise the meals tax from 3 to 4 percent.
Casino Bill for Tysons Advances
Opponents make repeated trips to Richmond to testify against the bill.
The subcommittee pushed SB982, introduced by Sen. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax), to the Senate General Laws and Technology Committee meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 9 a.m. The bill proposes to allow Fairfax County residents to vote in a referendum on a casino in Tysons.
Monday, January 27
$4 Billion for School Budget
State shortfall in funding for local schools creates expanding needs.
Division Superintendent Dr. Michelle Reid presented what she called the “needs-based” Fiscal Year 2026 Proposed Budget at the Fairfax County School Board meeting on Thursday evening, Jan. 23.
Friday, January 24
ASC Honors Student-Athletes
High school basketball coaches featured in roundtable.
Student-athletes from across the city were honored as Athletes of the Month by the Alexandria Sportsman’s Club on Jan. 15 at the Old Dominion Boat Club.
Dr. F.J. Pepper
Memorial service set for Jan. 26.
Pepper died Jan. 6 at his West End home following a long illness. He was 89.
Nancy Van Gulick Cooper Dies at 78
Celebration of life set for Jan. 25.
Nancy Van Gulick Cooper, a longtime Alexandria resident and community humanitarian, died Dec. 14, 2024, at her home in Oxford, Md., following a year-long battle with cancer.
Obituary: Gerald “Gerry” W. Hyland, 88
Gerald “Gerry” W. Hyland (Colonel, USAF, Ret.), 88, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025.
Thursday, January 23
Helping Hearts Dance
Seniors take the stage in dance recital.
Seniors take the stage in dance recital.
Man Arrested After Reports of Gunshots
Man Arrested After Reports of Gunshots
Wednesday, January 22
‘I Have a Dream’
Honoring the legacy of Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.
Honoring the legacy of Civil Rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.
Mount Vernon’s Dixie Pig Restaurant Still Has Hooves
Remnants of the long-gone institution live on around the area.
Remnants of the long-gone institution live on around the area.
My 2025 Legislative Updates
Our first full week in session started off with a flurry of snowflakes and bills. The Virginia Senate Privileges and Elections Committee reported out my Marriage Equality Constitutional Amendment with bipartisan support (SJ 249).
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.
Commanders Watch Parties Planned for the NFC Championship on Sunday
Football fans can still cheer in unison at spots around the area.
Football fans can still cheer in unison at spots around the area.
Supervisors: Casino Bill Muddies Waters
Real issue is state underfunding of schools, they say.
A senator's comments Monday to the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Gaming regarding SB982 (Casino Gaming; eligible host localities) led the chair of the No Fairfax Casino coalition, Lynn Mulston, to email the senators a letter titled "URGENT: SB982 Reaction to Chief Patron's Comments."
Notorious Norovirus Stalks Region
Frequent handwashing with soap and water could help avoid the scourge.
Notorious Norovirus Stalks Region
Monday, January 20
Property Near Kingstowne Slated for 10-Acre Park
Banks family land has local roots but some aren’t happy with plan.
On the eastern edge of Kingstowne, a piece of property once owned by the Banks family is the center of local attention recently.
Act Three: Crescent Apartments, 2025
The initial plan and mission looked solid until…
Supervisor Walter Alcorn’s reading of his board matter marks what could be defined as Act Three of the Crescent Property saga.
New Life for Affordable Housing in Reston?
Future of Crescent apartments property gets a hand up.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the redevelopment of the 1960s Crescent Apartments in Reston on Tuesday, Jan. 14.
Water Main Break In Reston at Lake Anne
It’s a dirty job.
Fairfax Water responded to gushing water at 11459 Washington Plaza, Lake Anne, Reston, on Jan. 13.
Bill Paves Way for Fairfax Casino Referendum
Coalition seeks to ‘kill the bill;’ sponsors say Fairfax County needs the money for schools and property tax relief.
A 50,000-member Facebook group called the No Fairfax Casino Coalition is out to "kill the bill," SB982 — Casino gaming; eligible host localities in the Virginia Senate.
Friday, January 17
Driver Charged in Fatal Crash with Pedestrian
Detectives from FCPD Crash Reconstruction Unit have charged the driver from the Dec. 23 fatal pedestrian crash in Chantilly with Failure to Maintain Control.
Virginia Legislature Begins Work
One of the more bizarre starts ever
The first week of the 2025 regular session of the General Assembly which began on Jan. 7 was one of the more bizarre starts I have ever experienced.
Oakton Doctor Pleads Guilty to Running Pill Mill
According to court documents, Virginia pharmacies filled approximately 7,330 prescriptions for oxycodone prescribed by Allingham, totaling approximately 405,164 pills.
Wednesday, January 15
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.
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.
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
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.
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
Toasts, Roasts and Gratitude in Alexandria
Roast for outgoing mayor raises $15k for local charities.
Roast for outgoing mayor raises $15k for local charities.
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
Wednesday, January 8
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rideshare Driver Charged with Sexual Assault
Rideshare Driver Charged with Sexual Assault
Plastic Bag Tax Making a Difference
Adds up to big numbers for environmental clean-ups
Adds up to big numbers for environmental clean-ups
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.