The Alexandria Times newspaper welcomed reporter and photographer Derrick Perkins and account executive Matt Timms to its team this week. 
Perkins, the newspapers new general assignment reporter, will focus on the education and sports beats. Timms will help the Times bolster its advertising sales as the community paper grows.
    I am very excited to be working local businesses and the community of Alexandria, said Timms, who is a Fairfax native. Timms has attended Virginia Tech and is completing a bachelors program at George Mason University. 
    Perkins, a University of Massachusetts graduate, has worked as a correspondent for the New Hampshire Union Leader and the Salem Observer, among other publications. He calls Bridgewater, Mass. his home but has lived in the Washington area since April. The new reporter will take over the sports and education beats.
    I am pleased to join the staff at the Alexandria Times, an excellent source for news and information on this side of the Potomac, Perkins said. Having spent much of my life in New England, I seized the opportunity to explore the wider world by bringing my talents to Alexandria. I look forward to immersing myself in the community, meeting residents and learning as much as I possible can about this great city.