The Alexandria Brief — AM | Thursday, Feb. 5
ACPS back to full schedule; groomer guilty of felony animal abuse; $6 million headed to Alexandria
Good morning, Alexandria.
Schools are fully back today — no delays, no closures — for the first time since the ice storm hit Jan. 25. Meanwhile, a former Richmond Highway dog groomer was found guilty of felony animal abuse after video showed he choked and slammed dogs in his care for months.
Plus, three local projects are splitting more than $6 million in federal funding, and the filing deadline for the Democratic Council race is tomorrow.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ Back to normal: ACPS resumes full schedule today
The delays are over. ACPS returns to normal schedules and operations today—the first full day without delays or closures since the ice storm hit Jan. 25. Students were out of buildings for 11 days and on two-hour delays for two more.
The city’s snow response continues, though. Crews have hauled more than 5,000 loads of snow and are now working through more than 2,000 intersections—each taking over an hour to clear. Mayor Gaskins said operations are shifting as more cars and pedestrians return: heavy equipment used earlier in the response can’t be deployed the same way now.
Crews are starting in the West End and moving east, focusing on visibility and ADA accessibility. The top 311 report is still about sidewalks. A tip from the mayor: send reports directly to T&ES, not to her—tagging the mayor adds steps before it reaches snow crews.
Read more: ACPS to resume normal schedule Thursday | Mayor: Over 5,000 loads of snow hauled; crews clearing 2,000-plus intersections
2️⃣ Groomer found guilty in dog's death; court documents reveal pattern of abuse
A former groomer at Your Dog’s Best Friends on Richmond Highway was found guilty this week on a felony animal abuse charge and four misdemeanors after video evidence showed he choked, slammed, and threw dogs in his care over a six-month period.
Kevin Sanders pleaded guilty Monday to a felony charge in the death of Abigail, a 3-year-old golden retriever, on July 12, 2024. According to the Commonwealth, Sanders “allowed her to choke herself to death with the grooming tool that the defendant wrapped around her neck.” Abigail’s owners were told she had a heart attack. They never filed a complaint because the facility didn’t tell them what actually happened.
The four misdemeanor convictions involved separate dogs on four dates between October and December 2024—including slamming a dog into a wall, allowing one to dangle by a grooming tool, and blasting a blow dryer directly in a dog’s face until it struggled to breathe. Sanders told law enforcement he felt “justified in his actions.”
The case began when an anonymous former employee delivered a USB drive with video evidence to the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter. The tipster alleged management was allowing the abuse to continue. Sanders faces up to five years in prison on the felony charge alone.
Read more: Former Your Dog’s Best Friends groomer found guilty of felony animal abuse in dog’s death
3️⃣ Alexandria to receive more than $6 million in federal funding
Three local projects are getting a combined $6.02 million in the bipartisan spending package passed by Congress, Sens. Warner and Kaine announced.
Hopkins House receives the largest share at $2.5 million to build a community space offering economic security, early learning, and housing stability programs for public housing residents. The Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority gets $2 million to revitalize the Ladrey Apartments, a 170-unit public housing community. And Neighborhood Health receives roughly $1.5 million to expand health care access at its Alexandria facility.
The funding is part of a broader $93.3 million package for 78 community projects across Virginia.
Read more: Alexandria to receive more than $6 million in federal funding for housing, health care
4️⃣ Spanberger orders state agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE
Gov. Spanberger signed a directive Tuesday ordering four state law enforcement agencies—Virginia State Police, Corrections, Wildlife, and Marine Resources—to end their agreements with ICE. The move goes beyond her Jan. 17 executive order, which removed the mandate but didn’t require agencies to terminate existing agreements.
The directive doesn’t apply to local law enforcement. And in Alexandria, it changes nothing—the city was never party to a 287(g) agreement. The local debate is over something the governor can’t control: Sheriff Sean Casey’s practice of transferring inmates to ICE on administrative warrants signed by ICE officials, not judges.
City Council called on Casey in November to stop the transfers and join Arlington and Fairfax in only honoring judicial warrants. Casey hasn’t changed course. His office transferred 54 inmates to ICE in 2025—the highest number since 2019.
The directive came one day after DHS used an arrest in the Alexandria area to attack Spanberger’s immigration policies. That arrest was carried out entirely by federal agents, 17 days before she took office.
Read more: Spanberger orders state agencies to terminate all 287(g) agreements with ICE
5️⃣ ACPS School Board meets tonight
The Alexandria City School Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at the School Board Meeting Room, 1340 Braddock Place.
Among the items on the docket, the board is expected to vote on a $360,455 change order for ceiling and lighting repairs at the Francis C. Hammond Middle School auditorium.
The Alexandria City School Board will hold its regular meeting Thursday at 6 p.m. at the School Board Meeting Room, 1340 Braddock Place.
Staff will also present on the Advancement via Individual Determination program, known as AVID, which has partnered with the district on college and career readiness since 2009, according to the meeting agenda.
Read more: ACPS board to hear update on college readiness program, vote on Hammond auditorium repairs Thursday
📰 In brief
Nominations due today for annual Heart of Del Ray award. The Del Ray Business Association is accepting nominations through 5 p.m. for the business that best serves as the heart and soul of the neighborhood. Voting runs Feb. 7-12. The Alexandria Brief
Tomorrow is the filing deadline for the Democratic Council race. Five candidates are vying for the seat being vacated by Councilman Kirk McPike. Anyone else who wants to run must file a Declaration of Candidacy and $750 fee between 4 and 7 p.m. tomorrow at the ADC office on Mount Vernon Ave. The firehouse primary is Feb. 21. The Alexandria Brief
Scholarship Fund of Alexandria awarded $700K to 215 students last year. A School Board update highlighted the nearly 40-year-old nonprofit, which is embedded inside Alexandria City High School and provides advising, FAFSA help, and renewable scholarships. Nearly 70% of recipients were first-generation college students. ACPS School Board
New French pastry shop opens tomorrow in Old Town. Eclairons, a family-owned French bakery, opens its second location tomorrow at 430 S. Washington St. — the former Firehook Bakery space. The menu includes croissants, eclairs, sandwiches, and a cake named “Alexandria.” Hours start at 7 a.m. weekdays. Grand opening in March. Alexandria Living Magazine
Mayor Gaskins joins national infrastructure discussion. Mayor Alyia Gaskins joined Accelerator for America and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg last week alongside mayors from across the country to discuss infrastructure challenges facing cities and the policies helping communities address them. Mayor Alyia Gaskins/X
Ebbin bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Square advances. A bill by outgoing Sen. Adam Ebbin, D-Alexandria, to remove three Confederate monuments from Virginia's Capitol Square cleared the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee on Wednesday. Ebbin, who is leaving the legislature to join Gov. Spanberger's administration, said he added the effort to his to-do list after feeling jarred escorting constituents past the statues. Virginia Mercury
Commonwealth's Attorney hosting free Community Academy. Residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at Alexandria's criminal justice system on April 18 at the courthouse. Topics include how cases are prosecuted, court procedures, and victim services. Free, but registration is required by March 18. City of Alexandria
Housing 2040 open house set for Feb. 28. The Office of Housing is hosting an in-person open house at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to share draft recommendations on affordable housing, landlord-tenant rights, senior housing, and more. Come-and-go format. Registration encouraged. Office of Housing
On this day in 1797: The Alexandria Gazette began daily publication, 13 years after its founding. It’s considered the “oldest daily newspaper” in the United States. Historic Alexandria
From Capitol Hill
Rep. Beyer calls on Bezos to sell the Washington Post. Rep. Don Beyer, D-Va., issued a sharp statement after the Post announced mass layoffs eliminating a third of its newsroom, including local, sports, and international desks. Beyer blamed Bezos’ “meddling” and “censorship” for the paper’s decline and urged him to sell to “someone who will be a better steward.” Beyer
Beyer introduces bill to address nursing shortage. Rep. Don Beyer introduced the NURSE Visa Act, which would create 20,000 visas per year for qualified foreign nurses to work in areas with workforce shortages. Federal projections show a shortage of more than 267,000 registered nurses by 2028. Beyer
Warner and Kaine applaud passage of five funding bills. The bipartisan spending package funds defense, health, education, transportation, and housing programs, including priorities like affordable housing, infrastructure, medical research, and servicemember pay. Kaine
Kaine introduces bill to rename Arlington House. Sen. Tim Kaine introduced legislation to redesignate “Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial” to “Arlington House National Historic Site,” repealing statutes that memorialized Lee. Kaine
Kaine introduces bipartisan bill to improve veterans’ cancer care. Sens. Tim Kaine and John Boozman introduced legislation to remove a pay cap on medical physicists at VA hospitals, aiming to address staffing shortages affecting cancer treatment for veterans. Kaine
Warner, Kaine help launch Federal Workforce Caucus. Sens. Warner and Kaine joined colleagues in launching a bipartisan caucus to protect federal workers from political interference. Virginia Reps. Beyer, Walkinshaw, McClellan, Scott, Subramanyam, and Vindman also joined. Walkinshaw, who co-chairs the caucus, noted Virginia is home to nearly 150,000 federal workers. Warner
Warner demands Pentagon explain classified $90 billion spending plan. Sen. Warner joined Senate Budget Committee Democrats in pressing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on why DOD fully classified its reconciliation spending plan — a break from longstanding practice. The senators say the move undermines congressional oversight and raises concerns funds could be diverted to unintended purposes. Warner
Warner raises concerns about national trail program. Sen. Warner joined 21 senators pressing the Forest Service on a December report warning of workforce shortages, stalled contracts, and declining public access across the 164,000-mile national trail system. The report found that staffing has declined at least 16% in the past year. Warner
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🗓️ Today in Alexandria
Sunny today, with a high near 33 degrees. North wind around 7 mph. Mostly cloudy tonight, with a low around 19 degrees. Light north wind.
Sunrise: 7:10 a.m. | Sunset: 5:33 p.m.
Things To Do
All Day: Alexandria Winter Restaurant Week throughout Alexandria
7:30 p.m.: Jazz Heritage Series Concert at Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall
Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Mike Kelley & Friends at 9 p.m.
Alexandria Bier Garden: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Aslin ALX: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Evening Star Cafe: Meisha Herron at 8:30 p.m.
Hops N Shine: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Ken Kilpatrick Trio at 6 p.m.
Lena’s: Gigi MacLaughlin at 6 p.m.
Lost Boy Cider: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Rook Richards & Pat Garvey at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Study at Morrison House: Live Piano Music at 6 p.m.
Vola’s Dockside Grill: Comedy Night Series at 6 p.m.
City of Alexandria
Government: Open | Flag: Full Staff | Trash & Waste Collection: On Time
6 a.m. — Chinquapin Open
9 a.m. — Building Blocks of Mobility at Lyceum
10:30 a.m. — VML Local Government Day 2026
4:30 p.m. — Commission on Aging Civic Engagement and Economic meeting (virtual)
6 p.m. — Minnie Howard Open
6 p.m. — Stormwater Utility Fee Credit Program webinar (virtual)
6:30 p.m. — Community Services Board meeting (virtual)
6:45 p.m. — Housing Affordability Advisory Committee monthly meeting
Alexandria City Public Schools
All public schools: On time and normal schedules.
6 p.m.: School Board Meeting at School Board Meeting Room
Find the ACHS sports calendar here.
Alexandria Library
10 a.m. — English Language Learning Workshop at Beatley Central Library
10:15 a.m. — Stories and Songs at Duncan Library (also at 11:15 a.m.)
11 a.m. — “The Snowy Day” Preschool Story Time at Barrett Branch Library
1:15 p.m. — Baby Bounce at Beatley Central Library
1:30 p.m. — Book Discussion: “The Secret of Secrets” at Duncan Library
2 p.m. — Film Screening: “When Harry Met Sally” at Burke Branch Library
3 p.m. — Careful Knit & Crochet at Barrett Branch Library
4 p.m. — Preschool Storytime at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m. — Coding Game Night at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m. — Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group at Barrett Branch Library
6 p.m. — Nerdy Knotters at Duncan Library
6:30 p.m. — Library 5-Year Plan Community Focus Group at Duncan Library
7 p.m. — Swashbuckling Heroines with Novelist Vanessa Riley (virtual)
7 p.m. — World Short Story Discussion Group (virtual)