Welcome to Alexandria Dispatches, a collection of this week's top stories you may have missed in West End Alexandria and surrounding communities.

West End Alexandria Patch:

T.C. Williams Principal: Study Shows Student Progress: Principal Suzanne Maxey says efforts are showing improvements, but more work needs to be done.

Police ID Fatal Crash Victim: Robert C. Portelle, 55, was an Alexandria resident.

Hertz Car Sharing Proposal to Go Before Council in January: The city already operates a similar program, Carshare Alexandria!

Hammond Field, Track Dedicated, Open for Use: The track is open for public use after school hours.

Old Town Alexandria Patch:

Slaters Market to Open Friday: New market schedules first wine tasting.

Alexandria Renew Enterprises Awards Contract for New Facility: The new Nutrient Management Facility will be constructed on the west of the Alexandria Renew campus.

New Jefferson-Houston School Project Receives Approval: ACPS staff confident school construction will go smoothly.

Virginia American Water Rates Rise, But Bills Fall in Near Future: Virginia American Water has raised water fees for Alexandrians by 6.7 percent, effective immediately. However, customers will see bill refunds in near future.

Second Alexandria Police Cruiser Stolen: The vehicle has since been recovered in northeast Washington, DC.

Del Ray Patch:

Gun Accidentally Discharges at Del Ray Central Apartments: No injuries in Wednesday morning incident.

Council OKs IDA Office at Potomac Yard: City secures $30,000 donation for traffic-calming measures in adjacent neighborhoods.

Cheesetique Honored by Food and Wine: Mac 'n Cheesetique dish is named one of the best in the country.

Annandale Patch:

Profile of Next Fairfax Superintendent Takes Shape: Superintendent search firm compiles thousands of community responses to online survey about the system's next leader.

Springfield Priest Arrested, Charged With Sexual Assault of Adult Male: Father Luis Fernando Franco Henao no longer works at St. Bernadette Parish in Springfield, and turned himself in on Dec. 19.

Springfield Man Dies in Wednesday Morning Crash on I-395: Ernest Campbell, 81, of Springfield, was killed Wednesday morning after an alleged reckless driver struck his truck.