🌱 Local Arrested For Attempt To Poison Dogs + APD Investigates Crash

Hello again, everybody! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Greater Alexandria Patch newsletter. Let's get this day started off right with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny; breezy, cooler. High: 59 Low: 31.
• Saturday: Cooler with rain and drizzle. High: 42 Low: 34.

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Here are the top three stories in Greater Alexandria today:

1. The man who allegedly threw poisoned meat into the yard of their Alexandria neighbor earlier this month was arrested on Monday, Feb. 20. John Romano was charged with attempting to maim or kill fowl or animals. a Class 1 Misdemeanor, according to Alexandria District Court records. The neighbors also released the note Romano left them after allegedly trying to poison their dogs. It read, "I have been bothered by loud barking for a long time, but this is no excuse — I should have talked with you. I truly regret and am sorry for my actions." (WTOP News)
2. The Alexandria Police Department is investigating a serious traffic crash on the 100 block of Callahan Drive on Feb. 23. A 25-year-old male was driving a motorcycle when he lost control and crashed. Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to contact the Officer Wesley Vitale at 703.746.6178, email wesley.vitale@alexandriava.gov, or call the non-emergency police number at (703) 746-4444. (City of Alexandria)
3. After a cancellation in 2022, the city announced the 40th annual Alexandria St. Patrick's Day Parade would be held on Saturday, Mar. 4! It will start at 12:15 p.m. on King Street and Alfred Street, continue down King Street, and finish at Lee and Cameron Streets. Longtime business figure Charlotte Hall will be the grand marshal of the parade. (Alexandria Patch)

Today and tomorrow in Greater Alexandria:

Friday, February 24

• Richard Thompson Live At Birchmere (7:30 PM)

Saturday, February 25

• Old Town Alexandria Civil War Roundtable At Lloyd House (10:00 AM)
• Alexandria Citizen's Swing Band Spring Fling At Del Ray United Methodist Church (2:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• Don't miss the annual Del Ray Chili Cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 25! All proceeds from the battle for the best chili in Del Ray will go to Alexandria Celebrates Women, a nonprofit that supports the Alexandria Domestic Violence Safehouse in Del Ray. (Patch)
• Lena's Wood-Fired Pizza & Tap will host its second annual Meatball Madness on Saturday, Mar. 11 at Lenny Harris Memorial Fields at Braddock Park in Alexandria! Put your race skills to the test in a meatball-inspired tournament for the whole family. (The Zebra)
• If you're in the market for a new house, odds are you've already browsed through all the online listings for your area. Check out some homes in-person at upcoming open houses in and around the Greater Alexandria area, including a two-bedroom house with an open house on Sunday, Feb. 26. (Greater Alexandria Patch)

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Featured events:

• Old Town Alexandria Civil War Roundtable (February 25)
• Alexandria Citizen's Swing Band Spring Fling (February 25)
• XP League Open House (February 25)
• Shoff Promotions Comic Book & Sports Card Show (February 26)
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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll be back in your inbox soon with another update!

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.