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Washington Fire Department adds food drive to annual Santa parade

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Washington Fire Department adds food drive to annual Santa parade


WASHINGTON (25News Now) – A new tradition was born in the Town of Washington Thursday night, on top of one that’s already been going for 11 years.

The city’s fire department used its annual Santa parade as an opportunity to collect food donations for ‘Washington Helps Its People,’ more commonly known as WHIP.

Fire Captain Jakob Spitzer said the department started its annual Santa parade in 2013 after the tornado tore through town. It was a way to reconnect with neighbors after the tragedy.

As the number of spectators grows each year, the acts of service have started to follow.

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“It’s a perfect opportunity for families to come together, to donate, and to give during this Christmas season,” Spitzer said.

WHIP hosts a food pantry twice a month, serving nearly 200 families. However, one volunteer, Sharla Davis, says the number of people in need has recently grown, making community involvement more important.

“Our demand is greater, so our community is really just stepping up. This is a great way that people can just donate from right out of their house; they don’t have to drive the donation to us, they don’t have to send us a check, they can just walk out their door, say hi to Santa, and be able to put food on the truck,” said Davis.

This year marks the first time the firefighters have added the WHIP Collection to the tradition, and they said they’ll continue it from here on out.

During Thursday’s 11-mile parade route, WHIP leaders estimate people donated over 3,000 pounds of food, including canned vegetables, cereal, and crackers.

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People interested in donating but missed the collection or the fire trucks didn’t drive down their street can drop off nonperishable items at either the fire department or WHIP off Peoria Street.

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Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot

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Deputies shoot armed suspect in Leesburg Walmart parking lot


Deputies shot an armed suspect in the parking lot of a Walmart store in Leesburg, Virginia, late Tuesday morning, authorities say.

Detectives, deputies and special agents from the FBI had tracked the suspect down after he tried to rob the Bank of America at Dulles Crossing on Monday, the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office said. The suspect, who still hasn’t been named, didn’t get any money before taking off from the bank.

Authorities found the suspect was parked at the back of the Walmart parking lot just before noon Tuesday.

Deputies pulled up behind the suspect’s blue sedan at the back of the Walmart parking lot about 11:40 a.m. Tuesday. As they approached, the suspect got out with a gun, Sheriff Mike Chapman said.

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Deputies then fired their guns at the suspect, hitting him. Chapman did not say how many times the suspect was shot or give specific information about his injuries.

Medics took the suspect to a hospital.

No deputies were injured, the sheriff’s office said.

Chapman said it was too early in the investigation to say if the suspect fired his gun or how many officers were involved in the shooting.

Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.

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The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas

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The American story projected on the Washington Monument came from North Texas


Steve Deitz walks with the energy of a coach; however, he does not hide that he and his team are digital nerds and storytellers who specialize in large-scale visual content and software development. More specifically, the 48-year-old makes a living creating the wow factor at his agency, “900lbs.”

“We started the company working for the Dallas Mavericks, telling large-scale visual content on the Jumbotron, and next thing you know, Activision, Blizzard calls,” he said. “We get to work in the Perot Museum on the biggest  exhibit in the museum, and then fast-forward another 12 years, and here we are now.”

His current project is wrapping up in the nation’s capital — sorta. Since Dec.31, projections of America’s story have been given to his agency.

“We’re telling the story of the 250-year birthday of America in the biggest way possible on the facade of the Washington Monument on all four sides,” Deitz said.

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He said they started testing out the results a couple of nights before New Year’s Eve. Scenes from Thomas Edison’s light bulb, the Empire State Building, the Model T Ford, and the Industrial Revolution, to name a few, are projected onto the Washington Monument.

Deitz gives his team a ton of credit from the moment he received the call about the project. He also thinks back to the times when he was an athlete who loved to draw in Merkel, Texas. The kid who dared to dream beyond the city limits and outside of the box. The CEO is giving advice to that child who may need a little inspiration.

“Hard work, perseverance, dedication, surround yourself with a team of brilliant people that are way smarter than you, and do the best you possibly can,” he said.

Deitz said there is a likelihood his team’s creations will return to the nation’s capital this year.

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Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide

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Tracking crime in the DMV: Some areas see drop in violent crime, homicide


It is not the way any homicide squad wants to start an already busy new year.

Prince George’s County police Sunday were trying to figure out who was found dead in a car behind a strip center overnight and why. Police, who responded after a call about gun shots, told News4 they’re still searching for the most basic details.

It comes just a day after three people were shot and killed at a Temple Hills banquet hall early Saturday morning. Police told News4 that investigation is active and showing signs of promise.

But the busy start somewhat hides the bigger picture about crime in the area.

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Despite the tough start to 2026, homicide in Prince George’s County was down 40% in 2025 percent compared to 2024, and violent crime on a whole was down 19%, both through mid-December according to Prince George’s County police.

In D.C. is a similar story.

“Now we have no crime in Washington, DC. We have no killing,” said President Donald Trump Saturday during a news conference about action in Venezuela.

While the crime rate is not nearly as good as Trump has repeatedly said, the District recorded five homicides in December and 126 in all of 2025. That’s down 32% over 2024. Violent crime is down 29%, according to D.C .police crime statistics.

In Fairfax, homicide is down 14% — but the county only had 12 total — and violent crime dropped 4%, according to the county’s online reporting.

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