Police Release Suspect Composite in Homicide

UPDATE: Police Release Suspect Composite in Homicide

Alexandria Police is seeking the identity of the suspect who shot two women, killing one, in the 2400 block of Ridge Road Drive on February 6, 2014. The suspect is described as an older white male, balding with gray hair, and a full beard. He was last seen wearing tan outerwear, possibly a jacket or work coat.

The composite can be viewed at http://alexandriava.gov/police/info/news_policedisplay.aspx?id=76463. The public is asked to remember this composite is a compilation of facial features, not a photograph. If any of the features in the composite remind you of someone, please contact the police immediately. Keep in mind that the suspect may have recently changed his appearance.

Anyone recognizing the person depicted in the sketch or anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call Sgt. Michael Kochis at 703.746.6864 or email him Michael.Kochis@alexandriava.gov. Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous. Updates will continue to be posted toalexandriava.gov/police.

Statement from Alexandria Police on todays shooting

Police Investigate Homicide on Ridge Road Drive

Today, February 6, at approximately 11:35 a.m., officers responded to the 2400 block of Ridge Road for a report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located two adult female victims inside a residence.

The victims were transported to local hospitals. One victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The other victim succumbed to her injuries at the hospital. She had been identified as Ruthanne Lodato, 59, Alexandria resident.

Initial investigation indicates the suspect knocked on the door of the residence and shot the two victims when they answered the door. The suspect then fled. He is described as an older white male, balding with gray hair and a full beard.

Police continue to search for the suspect. A Fairfax County Police Department helicopter has been aiding in the search. A preliminary search caused the lockdown of several Alexandria City Public schools. The lockdown was lifted around 1:30 p.m.

The investigation is ongoing and very active. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6864.

Message from ACPS on today's lockdown

At approximately 11:45 a.m. today, the Alexandria Police Department notified Alexandria City Public Schools that an incident had taken place in a residential area of the city. As a safety precaution, the police recommended putting six schools on lockdown: T.C. Williams High School, the T.C. Williams Minnie Howard Campus, Charles Barrett, Douglas MacArthur, George Mason and Matthew Maury elementary schools. All students and staff were safe throughout the lockdown period, which officially ended for all six schools at 1:30 p.m.

Thank you to our staff and students for responding calmly and quickly to the lockdown directive, to the Alexandria Police Department for ensuring the safety of our schools, and to our ACPS families and community members for your patience as we monitored the situation. Please be assured that your children’s safety is our No. 1 priority.

Andrew D. Snead Named Alexandria's Interim Fire Chief

Andrew D. Snead Named Alexandria's Interim Fire Chief

For Immediate Release: February 5, 2014

City Manager Rashad M. Young has announced the appointment of Assistant Fire/EMS Chief Andrew D. Snead as Interim Fire Chief for the Alexandria Fire Department. Snead replaces Fire Chief Adam K. Thiel, who is resigning his position to accept an appointment by Governor Terence McAuliffe as Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Snead, who joined the Alexandria Fire Department in 2008, has extensive experience in emergency medical incidents, safety, management of EMS, resource management, communications, apparatus, information technology, all hazards incident management, and human resources. Prior to his appointment in Alexandria, Snead served 26 years with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, progressing through the ranks and retiring at the rank of Deputy Fire Chief.

“Chief Snead brings more than 30 years of  experience to this position and he has the leadership, management skills and dedication that the Fire Department needs during this time of transition,” said City Manager Young. “I am confident that the Department is in capable hands as we begin the search for a permanent fire chief.”

Snead, a 2007 graduate of the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program, holds a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in Urban Studies and Planning. He has served as President of the Progressive Firefighters of Fairfax, a chapter of the International Association of Black Professional Firefighters. He also served as an Executive Board Member for International Association of Firefighters Local 2068. 

In addition, Chief Snead has appointed Assistant Fire/EMS Chief Rudy Thomas to head the Alexandria Fire Department Operations Section, which includes fire suppression and EMS.

SNOW crafts

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Here are a few ideas for "snow crafts"

- make snow flakes -
use white paper
fold and cut the paper to create snowflakes
(decorate the house with them)

-glitter snowflakes
use colored construction paper
use glue to "draw" a snowflake
use glitter on the glue

-use shaving cream and ice cubes to create snow scenes on construction paper

-marshmallow painting
use marshmallows dipped in white paint on blue construction paper

Seeking Nominations for "Heart of Del Ray" Award

The “Heart of Del Ray
Award” is annually presented by the Del Ray Business Association to the
business that the community feels serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray.
 
On February 7th we will
announce the 5 finalists and open up voting by the community.  Before
the voting process to select the winner begins, we would like to get
YOUR nomination for who you think should be one of the five businesses on the
ballot. The Del Ray Business Association Board will then take all the
nominations and determine the five finalists.

Nominations should be
based on which business best demonstrates their warm and welcoming
attitude to the community/customers, their commitment and generosity to
the community, and to their overall contribution to what makes Del Ray the best
place in the world to live, work and shop!  In other words, what business
warms your “heart” when you here its name?
 
Former winners of the
Heart of Del Ray Award are as follows:
 
2009                 A Show of Hands
2010                Jen Walker McEnearney
Associates
2011                 Bobi Bomar, Homes of Alexandria,
Weichert Realtors
2012                The
Neighborhood Pharmacy of Del Ray
2013                The Greener Cleaner of Del Ray

 
Nominations should be
submitted in the next two days, prior to February 5th, at 5 pm by
replying to gtrdelray@yahoo.com

Remember - we are just soliciting nominations - we are NOT voting yet.
Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you.

Parent Literacy Workshop from the Alexandria Library 2/4/14

Parent Literacy Workshop at Burke Branch

How do parents and caregivers instill the love of reading for early learners? 
Kimberly Pearson Cooke of School Readiness Consulting will share ideas on how to foster literacy during a child's initial stages of development at the Burke Branch tomorrow,February 4, at 5 p.m. Join us as Cooke–a mother, former preschool and high school teacher–offers suggestions on how to cultivate positive attitudes towards learning. She will show guests how to encourage reading and writing using techniques that can be incorporated during a child's normal daily activities. 


This session is for adults only and will focus on literacy for ages 3 to 7. 

More About Early Literacy

More About Raising a Reader

Alexandria City Academy Now Accepting Applications

Alexandria City Academy Now Accepting Applications
For Immediate Release: February 3, 2014

The Alexandria City Academy (formerly Citizen Academy) is now accepting applications for its spring session. The nine-week program begins on Thursday, March 13.

The  City Academy program to provides residents with an opportunity to gain exposure and learn about City government through first-hand experience with a wide range of government functions, services, activities and issues.

Classes will take place on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. at various locations throughout the City. The program is open to City residents ages 18 and over, and to business owners within the City limits.

Class size is limited to 25 students and space fills up quickly! To request an application, visit alexandriava.gov/CityAcademy, call 703.746.4317 to have one faxed to you, or pick up a copy at City Hall, 301 King St., Room 1900. Deadline for registration is Friday, February 14 at 5 p.m. EST.

Completed applications may be submitted four ways:

• Hand-delivered to 301 King St., Room 1900
• By mail to 301 King St., Room 1900
• By fax to 703.838.6426
• By completing an online application

For additional information, visit alexandriava.gov/CityAcademy, or contact Elaine Scott at 703.746.4317 or elaine.scott@alexandriava.gov.

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Valentine's Day

Work on categorization by using Valentine items, pictures, decorations.  Have your child sort them by color (pink, red, purple), shape and size.

Cut out heart shapes of all different sizes and colors from construction paper.  Have your child glue hearts together to make people, animals, etc.  Have them decorate the picture and tell a story.

Candy conversation hearts are great for teaching children about 6-8 yrs of age about puns and figurative speech.  See if they can figure them out for themselves.

Make pink and red play dough and have fun with heart shaped cookie cutters.

Try hiding a red hot heart in your child's cheek.  See if they can remove or move it with their tongue.

See how many rhyming words your child can think of for the words, RED, HEART, ROSE, PINK, LOVE, etc.
Play a game by taking the word RED and change the letters R to B, what word will it become?

Hide Valentine surprises or candy around the house, give your child verbal instructions on how to find them.  Try to limit the number of gestures and visual cues and see how they do just using their auditory system.

For little ones, help build body awareness by putting heart stickers on their hand, tummy, cheek, foot, etc.  See if they notice them and remove them.  For more fun, try it in front of a mirror.

For toddlers, fil a bag with red things, let your child pull the items out one at a time.  Look at their reactions, ask them to name each item.

Make some red jello and hide pieces of fruit inside and have your child eat their way through it.