Between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, the Rosenwald rural school building program proved to be a critical initiative in the effort to provide educational opportunities to African Americans in the South. More than 5,000 Rosenwald Schools, including 367 in Virginia, were built during that time. However, today, it is estimated only 10 to 12 percent of these buildings remain standing nationwide. For the third year in a row, John Tyler Community College and Preservation Virginia will bring together people from all over the Commonwealth who are interested in saving Virginia’s remaining Rosenwald buildings and their histories. Virginia’s…
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J.L. “Jay” Stegmaier, Chesterfield County Administrator, last Thursday announced his retirement effective July 1. After 10 years as the County Administrator and a total of 37 years with the County, Mr. Stegmaier said it was time. In fact he said that his wife, Margot, and he made a plan, during counseling before their wedding that he would have retired three years ago. Stegmaier has seen many changes in Chesterfield since he began working in the Budget and Management department in 1979. The population has grown by 150 percent from 134,000 (1979) to 337,000 (2016) and the budget, county personnel and…
Before the automobile became ubiquitous, street cars or trolleys were the transportation of choice. The Richmond to Petersburg trolley paralleled Jefferson Davis Highway and at least one stop covering still remains in Bensley Village. Pictured here is a trolley car as it passed the Bellwood Plantation, now the site of the Defense Supply Center Richmond. Some older local residents talk about some enjoyable evenings on the trolleys.
FEBRUARY 3 CHESTER CHOICES BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP – Chester Library. “One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest” by Ken Kesey will be discussed 10:30 a.m. until Noon. No registration required. FEBRUARY 4 COMPANION SUPPER – 6 p.m. Chester Baptist Church, 4317 School St. Details: Deanie Clements, 790-1115 or Sarah Allen, 768-8602. SUSTAIN OUR COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE – 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Chesterfield County Airport Conference Room B, 7511 Airfield Dr. The Sustain Our Communities Committee identifies best practices and disseminates information to individuals and organizations to maintain or improve communities. PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMISSION – 7 p.m. until 8 p.m.…
Work has begun on a Comprehensive Plan for the Northern Jefferson Davis Highway corridor. Tourist courts, motels and family entertainment venues are not what you think of while driving on Jefferson Davis Highway. Until the late 1950s, what was known as the Pike was a bucolic route for those traveling along the east coast. Once Interstate 95 was built, the decline of the Pike was not far behind. The Interstate robbed the businesses on the parallel strip of highway by being a quicker way to travel. Now, Chesterfield County, as part of “Moving Forward – The Comprehensive Plan for Chesterfield…
Chesterfield County names Kiva Rogers as its new director of the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services Department. Rogers, a 15-year member of the Social Services team and current assistant director for family services, will assume the lead role Feb. 1. “We are very fortunate to have Kiva Rogers, who has come up through department ranks, be selected as the new Director for Social Services,” Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Social Services Board Chairman J. Chris Kollman, III said. “In working with Kiva, I have seen her display her leadership abilities, and I look forward to seeing the department continue to excel.” In her new…
A local family had the opportunity to explore Mayan ruins in Costa Maya, Mexico when their cruise made a stop in the port city. Pictured are Ted Priddy, Renee Priddy, Jordan French (holding Village News), Taylor Tijerina, Stephanie Tijerina, Heather Priddy, Tiffany French, Autumn French, Madison French, Troy Perry and Todd Perry.
Join Chesterfield County Economic Development as they partner with First Citizens Bank to educate and support new and small businesses. Take advantage of this free learning opportunity. With a focus on money management the meeting will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 11:30 a.m. at the economic development office at 9401 Courthouse Rd. near the Chesterfield County Courthouse. Registration is required to attend and you must register to attend. Contact: Latisha Jenkins 748-1065 or email her at [email protected] or visit the economic development website at chesterfieldeconomicdevelopment.com/learn/
On February 2, 2016 Virginia Parents for Medical Marijuana will hold a Press Conference at 11:15 am in front of the Virginia General Assembly Building in Richmond. The group, composed of parents and their children with intractable epilepsy, will be in Richmond to lobby members of the Assembly in support of Senate Bill (SB) 701, “Cannabidiol oil and THC-A oil; permitting of pharmaceutical processors to manufacture and provide.” The group was successful last year in helping to pass Senator Dave Marsden’s bill, SB1235 and Delegate Dave Albo’s bill, HB1445 which provided an affirmative defense to patients with intractable epilepsy taking Cannabidiol oil (CBD)…
The official snow total marked this storm as the 11th largest in Central Virginia history, but local totals put it in the top three for Chester, arguably. The storm started at 10 a.m. in Chester and lasted about 36 hours. It totaled between 15 to 18 inches of snow with about 15.5 inches falling at the Village News office at Route 10 and Ecoff Road. In recent memory, storms have dropped 14, 13 and 11 inches in 1983, 1996 and 2000, respectively. The most snow Chester has seen on official record fell on Valentine’s Day in 1940 when over 21…