The Alexandria Brief: Monday, Feb. 23
Snow closes schools; Sandy Marks wins Democratic primary; Braddock Road hearing is tonight
Good morning, Alexandria. Today is Monday, February 23 — the 54th day of 2026, with 311 days left in the year.
2 to 4 inches of snow blanketed much of the area overnight, and ACPS has shifted to virtual learning. City offices are open, though employees may use liberal leave.
Sandy Marks won Saturday’s Democratic firehouse primary for City Council, setting up an April 21 showdown with independent Frank Fannon. And after weeks of debate, the Braddock Road corridor improvements project goes before the Traffic and Parking Board tonight at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know today.
1️⃣ ACPS shifts to virtual learning today as winter storm blankets Alexandria
Alexandria City Public Schools shifted from a two-hour delay to full closure Sunday night, announcing all schools and offices will be closed today with students shifting to synchronous virtual learning. The decision came as 2 to 4 inches of snow fell overnight across the area.
All students will attend class remotely via Zoom. Families should check Canvas or Clever by 8 a.m. for the day’s schedule. Attendance will be taken, but no new content will be introduced and no grades will be assigned. Elementary students in PreK-2 are expected to engage in two to three hours of live instruction; middle and high school students will follow their regular bell schedule with 45 minutes of live instruction per block.
Snow is winding down this morning with only a slight chance before 11 a.m. Expect cloudy skies and a high near 41, with wind gusts up to 38 mph. As of 6:45 a.m., Dominion Energy is reporting 26 Alexandria customers without power. City offices are open today; employees may use liberal leave. The Alexandria courthouse will open at 10 a.m.; all proceedings scheduled before 10 a.m. will begin at 11 a.m. Trash, recycling, yard waste and curbside food waste collection will continue on a normal schedule. DASH is operating normal weekday service without snow detours, though riders should allow extra travel time.
Read more: ACPS cancels in-person school Monday; shifts to virtual learning amid winter storm
2️⃣ Sandy Marks wins Democratic nomination for City Council
Sandy Marks, an advocacy communications specialist and two-term former chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee, won Saturday’s firehouse primary for the City Council seat vacated by Del. Kirk McPike.
Marks received 1,573 votes (39.6%), followed by Tim Laderach with 947 (23.8%), Roberto Gomez with 876 (22.0%), Charles Sumpter with 467 (11.7%), and Cesar Madison Tapia with 112 (2.8%). A total of 3,975 voters cast ballots — nearly 30% of them online, the first time Alexandria Democrats offered that option. Marks and Laderach were the most consistent across questionnaires and forum appearances on housing and transportation issues; YIMBYs of Northern Virginia said their first- and second-place finishes show “Alexandrians are clearsighted about what this city needs.”
Marks will face independent Frank Fannon, a former Republican council member, in the April 21 special election. One unanswered question: whether the winner would be sworn in before the city’s April 29 budget adoption. The Alexandria Brief has asked the city about the timeline and will report when an answer is available.
Read more: Sandy Marks wins Democratic nomination for Alexandria City Council
3️⃣ Braddock Road corridor improvements hearing is tonight
The Traffic and Parking Board will vote tonight on the city’s recommendation for protected bike lanes along Braddock Road between Russell Road and West Street — a project that has divided neighbors and sparked personal attacks in public comments.
The city’s recommendation includes protected bike lanes along the entire corridor, removal of most on-street parking between Mount Vernon Avenue and Russell Road, and shorter pedestrian crossing distances. The project stems from a 2023 Safe Routes to School audit at George Washington Middle School, VDOT’s designation of the corridor as a safety priority, and crash data showing 17 crashes and 8 injuries between 2019-2023 — plus a pedestrian fatality in 2015.
The Rosemont Citizens Association has opposed parking removal, with votes by 59 and 76 residents. The Del Ray Citizens Association voted 72% in support. Public comments submitted to the board include letters from Del Ray Cafe owners calling the city’s Complete Streets Program Manager “an embarrassment” and dismissing the Traffic and Parking Board as “useless cheerleaders.” The hearing is at 7 p.m. at the Del Pepper Community Resource Center and via Zoom. Written comments are due by 3 p.m. to TrafficandParkingBoard@alexandriava.gov.
Read more: Publisher’s note: Understanding the Braddock Road corridor improvements project | Personal attacks emerge in Braddock Road public comments | City recommends protected bike lanes for Braddock Road corridor
📰 In brief
ACPS reports sharp decline in fights, assaults; vaping an ongoing concern. The district recorded 42 fights and assaults in the first semester — down nearly 50% from the same period last year. Controlled substances, including vaping, was the only category to increase. “Nobody’s on the sidelines anymore,” said Director of Safety and Security Lee Conroy. The Alexandria Brief
Potomac River water advisory remains in effect with no end date. People and pets should continue to avoid the river; Alexandria’s drinking water remains safe. Virginia DEQ collected water samples Wednesday to test for bacteria; results are pending. Alexandria health officials say they have not seen any uptick in gastrointestinal illnesses locally. The Alexandria Brief
COG hosting virtual regional briefing on sewer pipeline collapse today. The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments will convene elected officials, environmental and health experts, and DC Water to discuss actions being taken to address the Potomac Interceptor collapse, monitoring efforts, and public health concerns. The virtual briefing runs 1-2:30 p.m. COG
National leaders to gather in Alexandria for faith-based housing summit Tuesday. The summit at United Way headquarters comes as Alexandria churches lead a growing national push to convert underutilized land into affordable housing. Mayor Gaskins will deliver opening remarks; speakers include leaders from Enterprise Community Partners, Catholic Charities USA, Capital One and the Bipartisan Policy Center. The Alexandria Brief
Justice Department fires lawyer chosen by judges as top federal prosecutor for Eastern District of Virginia. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing of James Hundley on social media shortly after he was unanimously chosen by judges to replace former Trump lawyer Lindsey Halligan as interim U.S. attorney. “EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does,” Blanche posted. The Alexandria-based office has been mired in upheaval since September. AP
California man sentenced to 9 years in prison for sex trafficking in Alexandria. Demarco Raushi Coney-Jones II, 31, of Merced, California, coerced two women to travel cross-country for prostitution in 2023. Prosecutors said he carried out part of the offense while detained on charges related to the alleged theft of $3 million in jewelry. The Alexandria Brief
Person struck by train at Braddock Road Metro station Sunday. Blue and Yellow line service was disrupted as trains single-tracked between Van Dorn Street/Huntington and Potomac Yard. WMATA described the individual as a trespasser. No further details on the person’s condition were immediately available. The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria releases Housing 2040 blueprint with 10 goals. The draft recommendations call for zoning reforms, stronger tenant protections, and new tools to stem displacement — addressing the loss of 11,000 affordable units since 2000. An open house is scheduled for Feb. 28 at Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center; comments accepted through March 22. The Alexandria Brief
Column: Pedestrian deaths cry out for a real solution, not more lip service. Virginia Mercury columnist Bob Lewis examines the state’s pedestrian safety crisis, highlighting Alexandria resident Mike Doyle, who was struck by a vehicle in Old Town in 2016 and founded Northern Virginia Families for Safe Streets during his recovery. The nonprofit now has about 1,600 members in Fairfax, Arlington and Alexandria. Several bills addressing automated speed monitoring are moving through the General Assembly. Virginia Mercury
City manager to present FY 2027 budget Tuesday. James Parajon’s proposal kicks off a two-month cycle of public hearings and work sessions before adoption April 29. The presentation comes as the School Board’s $408 million budget requests a 3.5% city funding increase — more than double the 1.5% guidance. The Alexandria Brief
Alexandria to host community meeting on I-395 ramp project March 5. The nearly $12 million overhaul of the ramp connecting northbound I-395 to eastbound Duke Street will support emergency access to the planned Inova Hospital campus. Construction is expected to continue through January 2028. The Alexandria Brief
Today in Alexandria
Weather: A slight chance of snow before 11 a.m. Cloudy, with a high near 41 degrees. Northwest wind around 18 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
Mostly cloudy tonight, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 24 degrees. Northwest wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Sun, Moon, & Tide: Sunrise at 6:48 a.m. | Sunset at 5:54 p.m. | 11 hours & 6 minutes of sun | High tides at 12:08 a.m. & 12:21 p.m. | Low tides at 6:20 a.m. & 7:32 p.m. | The lunar phase is a Waxing Crescent.
🗓️ Things To Do
9 a.m.: Monday Morning Coffee Club at Rosemont Cellar
10:15 a.m.: Baby Time at Duncan Branch Library
10:30 a.m.: Senior Bingo at Burke Branch Library
11 a.m.: Storytime in the Reading Garden at Beatley Central Library
1 p.m.: English Language Learning at Burke Branch Library
2:30 p.m.: Helping You Navigate Medicare at Beatley Central Library
4 p.m.: Restful Readaloud at Beatley Central Library
5 p.m.: Dungeons & Dragons at Burke Branch Library
5:30 p.m.: Teen Takeover at Beatley Central Library
5:30 p.m.: English Language Learning 2 Workshop at Beatley Central Library
6 p.m.: Horror Fans Unite at Barrett Branch Library
6:30 p.m.: Joggers & Lagers at Port City Brewing Company
🎶 Entertainment
219 Restaurant: Just For Fun at 9 p.m.
Clyde’s at Mark Center: Trivia at 6:30 p.m.
Daniel O’Connell’s Irish Restaurant: Traditional Irish Music at 7 p.m.
Del Ray Pizzeria: Trivia at 7 p.m.
Epicure on King: Open Mic at 7 p.m.
Laporta’s Restaurant: Jim West at 6 p.m.
Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub: Colby Sard at 8:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy’s Pub: Karaoke at 9 p.m.
Rock It Grill: Karaoke at 9:30 p.m.
The Birchmere: Billy F Gibbons and the BFG Band at 7:30 p.m.
🏛️ City & Schools
Government: Open | Schools: Virtual | Flag: Full Staff | Trash, Recycling, & Yard Waste Collection: On time
6 a.m.: Chinquapin Open
6 p.m.: Minnie Howard Open
6 p.m.: Towing Advisory Board Meeting
7 p.m.: Sister Cities Committee
7:30 p.m.: Environmental Policy Commission