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Goal! Alexandria Police and Sheriff’s Office join Latino kids to close summer soccer camp

Published July 27, 2023 at 2:45PM

Participants of the Community Youth Empowerment Program's summer soccer program at AlexRenew's Limerick Field, July 26, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

More than a dozen Alexandria Sheriff’s deputies and police officers played soccer in the blazing heat with about 30 Latino kids yesterday.

It was the last day of the Capital Youth Empowerment Program‘s second annual summer soccer camp at AlexRenew’s Limerick Field. Every Wednesday since June 26, kids who can’t get to the field are picked up by van. Before they play soccer, the kids are given an hour’s worth of the El Camino sexual health program before being let loose on the luscious soccer field.

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Upcoming festival celebrates history of firefighting in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published July 12, 2023 at 2:30PM

If you’ve got a kid who loves firefighting equipment, or you’re an adult that never grew out of that phase, Alexandria’s got a festival for you.

The Friendship Firehouse Festival on Saturday, Aug. 5, brings the Alexandria Fire Department’s equipment out for display alongside other community activities. Children will receive free fire helmets and can visit the City’s fire trucks.

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Fire Department warns that fireworks are illegal in Alexandria

By James Cullum

Published June 29, 2023 at 2:00PM

The grand finale of Alexandria's birthday celebration over the Potomac River, July 7, 2018 (staff photo by James Cullum)

With Independence Day around the corner, the Alexandria Fire Department sent out a reminder this week that fireworks are illegal.

That means sparklers, novelty items and fireworks are prohibited in Alexandria, even though they are legal in neighboring Arlington and Fairfax Counties. Using fireworks in the city is a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in prison and/or a $2,500 fine.

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With Covid on backburner, Alexandria Fire Department focuses on health and wellness

By James Cullum

Published May 24, 2023 at 3:45PM | Updated May 24, 2023 at 5:07PM

(Left to right) Tony Washington, AFD's deputy chief of health, safety and risk management, Dr. Asra Amin, AFD's director of occupational health and wellness, firefighter Leslie Palucho, AFD Captain Warner Sherman and paramedic Jeff Woolsey outside Station 202 in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

Warner Sherman looked great, but his cholesterol was sky high.

Last year, the 62-year-old Alexandria Fire Department captain realized that he needed to take red meat out of his diet. The discovery might’ve just save his life, and was made after Sherman got blood work back from AFD’s health and wellness Station 202 at 212 E. Windsor Avenue in Del Ray. Since transitioning to chicken and turkey, Sherman’s lost 10 pounds and his cholesterol has been cut in half.

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City Council budget approval funds ACPS, citywide pay increases and collective bargaining agreements

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2023 at 3:45PM

Alexandria City Hall lit up (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon’s $884.3 million fiscal year 2024 budget was unanimously approved by City Council Wednesday night (May 4), backing citywide pay increases, a fully funded school system and collective bargaining agreements with the police and fire departments.

While the real estate tax rate remains unchanged at $1.11 per $100 of assessed value, city residents will have to pay $308.70 annually for the stormwater utility fee — an increase from $294 last year. The budget, which goes into effect July 1, is an increase of 5.4% over last year’s $839.2 million budget. About 47% of it ($398 million) is dedicated to paying the salaries of 2,765 city employees.

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AFD investigates suspected arson at vacant West End house

By James Cullum

Published May 4, 2023 at 1:45PM | Updated May 4, 2023 at 3:27PM

There was a fire at 5173 Seminary Road at around 3 a.m. on April 19, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The Alexandria Fire Department suspects arson after a fire at an unoccupied house used for police and fire department training in the West End, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit.

The fire at 5173 Seminary Road was reported by a passerby at around 3:45 a.m. on Wednesday, April 19, according to AFD. Firefighters arrived to find the boards used to secure the front windows of the vacant house were on fire, and the blaze spread into the interior of the building, according to the search warrant affidavit.

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BREAKING: Alexandria firefighter injured while responding to fire in Old Town home

By Vernon Miles

Published March 15, 2023 at 1:15PM | Updated March 15, 2023 at 2:04PM

Alexandria Fire Department responding to fire at 200 block of South Fairfax Street (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated 2 p.m.) The Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) has put out a fire in a home on the 200 block of South Fairfax Street.

AFD spokesperson Raytevia Evans said Alexandria units are responding to a single-family residential building fire. The 200 block of South Fairfax Street and some of the surrounding streets have been closed.

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New grant could help relieve Alexandria’s overworked firefighters

By Vernon Miles

Published March 9, 2023 at 3:55PM

The Alexandria Fire Department responding to a blaze in the 100 block of E. Del Ray Avenue on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s City Council is looking to a federal grant to help relieve some of Alexandria Fire Department’s (AFD) chronic understaffing.

The city is applying for a grant for $6.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to fund 25 additional firefighter positions for AFD.

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Procession through Alexandria this Saturday will honor Fire Department Deputy Chief Brian Hricik

By Vernon Miles

Published March 7, 2023 at 1:45PM

Deputy Chief Brian Hricik (image via City of Alexandria)

A procession is planned this week to honor Deputy Chief Brian Hricik, who died late last month after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Hricik, who had been with the Alexandria Fire Department (AFD) since 1997, will be remembered at 1 p.m. at the Vienna Presbyterian Church (124 Park Street NE).

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Police and Firefighters getting big raises in Alexandria City Manager’s $881 million budget proposal

By James Cullum

Published March 1, 2023 at 3:50PM

Alexandria City Hall lit up (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Manager Jim Parajon released his proposed $881.1 million fiscal year 2024 budget at City Hall on Tuesday night, and it includes an option to raise taxes by 1 cent.

The budget also reflects $8.1 million in collective bargaining agreement funds that will go to the Fire and Police Departments.

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PHOTOS: The 2023 George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town

By James Cullum

Published February 21, 2023 at 10:45AM | Updated February 21, 2023 at 12:12PM

Martha and George Washington (Brian Hilton) at the George Washington Birthday Parade in Old Town, Feb. 20, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Old Town was packed on Monday, as thousands of revelers and marchers celebrated the George Washington Birthday Parade.

More than 2,000 freemasons from all over the country marched in the 100th annual parade, which is the largest annual celebration of Washington in the world.