Easy St. Patrick's Day Crafts for Kids

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

Leprechaun Hat 
use a paper plate bowl
paint green
wrap orange construction paper or felt around it.

Blarney Stone - 2 ways 
1.  paint rock(s) green

2. cover a rock with white glue
dip in green glitter or gold glitter

Shamrock 
take 3 paper plates (any size), paint them green, staple together to form a shamrock.

Police Receive Ballistics Report in Lodato Homicide

Police Receive Ballistics Report in Lodato Homicide

The Alexandria Police Department has received forensic reports from the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Forensic Science regarding the recent homicide of Ruthanne Lodato in comparison to evidence collected in previous homicides.

Their analysis shows that the bullets recovered from the Lodato case exhibit the same general rifling class and characteristics and are similar in design to bullets submitted in both the Ron Kirby and Nancy Dunning cases. However, the results of the microscopic comparisons were inconclusive. It was not possible to identify or eliminate these bullets as having been fired from the same firearm.

The similarities and unusual nature of all three shootings occurring in Alexandria require the Police Department to consider the possibility that all cases are linked together. Detectives are receiving assistance from state and federal agencies to pursue the cases as a series, yet at the same time keep all options open.

Victim Date Approximate Time Location
Nancy Dunning Dec. 5, 2003 10:50-11:30 AM 200 blk W. Mt. Ida Avenue
Ron Kirby Nov. 11, 2013 11:30 AM- 12 PM 200 blk of Elm Street
Ruthanne Lodato Feb. 6, 2014 11:30 AM 2400 blk of Ridge Road Drive

The suspect in the Lodato case is described as an older white male, with gray hair and a full beard. He was last seen wearing tan outerwear. Please take the time to review the information and consider whether you know someone who generally fits the suspect description, who lived or had ties to the area around the times of the homicides, or who may have spent considerable amounts of time in these areas.

We appreciate the public’s assistance throughout these investigations. We will release information to the public only when we are certain it is accurate and appropriate to release.  This is our obligation to the community, to the victims’ families, and to the integrity of the investigation.

The Alexandria Police Department asks that anyone with information about a person with ties to any of these crimes or who may resemble the composite is asked to contact the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6864 or emailcrimetips@alexandriva.gov. 

Mt. vernon Community School Emergency Announcement

Mount Vernon Community School experienced flooding in two of its classrooms around 10:30this morning resulting in heat and water loss in the building.  The heat and water will remain off while maintenance is performed on the boiler and will be restored as soon as possible.  The fire department has inspected the affected areas and deemed the building safe.  Students have been removed from the flooded classrooms and relocated to common areas in the school.  The Mount Vernon Recreation Center was also impacted but remains open.  Please call the school's main office at (703) 706-4460 if you have questions or concerns.  Principal Balas indicates that everyone is safe and busy working.  We will provide updates when they become available.

City of Alexandria to Begin Chinquapin Aquatics Center Feasibility Study

The City of Alexandria has entered into a contract with Hughes Group Architects to conduct a feasibility study for expansion of the Chinquapin Aquatics Center. The study will explore the feasibility of building a 50 meter, indoor competition pool as an expansion to the existing center. The study will also look at renovations to the existing pool to convert it to a recreation pool, with additional features and amenities, along with associated programming. The City will be scheduling related public meetings with the community this spring.

Hughes Group Architects has a national reputation as specialists in the design of Aquatic Centers and Comprehensive Recreation Centers, including the Wilson Aquatic Center in Washington, D.C., the University of Virginia Aquatic and Fitness Center, the Germantown Aquatic Center, and the George Mason University Aquatic and Fitness Center. The firm also has a proven track record for on-time, on-budget project completions. The team has received awards from the American Institute of Architects, among other professional, civic, and industry organizations at local, state, and national levels. Hughes Group also has a successful history of producing environmentally sensitive design solutions, working closely with the community. Included on the Hughes Group team, are the firms: Concordia, LLC; Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.; Ehlert/Bryan Structural Engineers; Brinjac Engineering; Kimley Horn & Associates; as well as other specialty sub-consultants.

For additional information, contact Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator, at703.746.5493 or laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.