Community

County considering bus route along Jefferson Davis Hwy

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 2, 2018 Chesterfield Government, Transportation

Adding bus service on a 7-mile stretch of Jefferson Davis Highway is being considered by Chesterfield County officials. County transportation director Jesse Smith spoke about the idea at last week’s board of supervisors meeting. Detailing what he called a “Route 1 Corridor Transit Study,” Smith said staff considered six options, but he highlighted two options for supervisors at the Sept. 26 meeting. One would use 40-passenger Greater Richmond Transit Co. buses that would run from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a $1.50 fare. Another would use 19-passenger Virginia Regional Transit buses that would run from 6:25 a.m. to 6:25…

Police hosting HOPE event Oct. 6

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Calendar, Police

The Chesterfield County Police Department is partnering with the Chesterfield Food Bank to bring a comprehensive services fair to the community. Several organizations will participate in the fair, which is called H.O.P.E., Helping Others Pursue Excellence. Some of the participating organizations include: Department of Motor Vehicles; Drive2Work; Chesterfield Employment Center; Women, Infants and Children program; Chesterfield County Health Department; CCHASM, Chesterfield Assessment and Resource team; and Chesterfield County Public Schools. Each organization will bring information about opportunities for the community members to receive resources that they may not have otherwise known were available to them. The event will take place…

Police captain graduates from FBI Academy

By Press release on September 25, 2018 Community, Police

Chesterfield County Police Capt. T.O. McCullough was among the 228 law enforcement officers who graduated from the FBI National Academy Program on Sept. 13. Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy at Quantico, offers 10 weeks of advanced communication, leadership and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. McCullough, who joined the Chesterfield County Police Department in 1996, is the commander of the department’s Special Investigations Division. Col. Jeffrey S. Katz, chief of police, Maj. Dave Shand, commander of the Uniform Operations Bureau, and David Pritchard,…

Local attorney is new leader of state GOP: Wilson was recently elected to Republican Party’s top post

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Politics, State News

ABOVE: Jack Wilson III is pictured in his office in Chester. A well-traveled Chester resident is the new chairman of the state Republican Party. Jack Wilson III, who was born in West Virginia but grew up in various locales across the globe as his father served in the Army, has had a land use law practice in Chester since 2008. Wilson was elected Sept. 8 to replace Loudoun County resident John Whitbeck as state GOP chair. Wilson plans to finish Whitbeck’s four-year term, which ends in 2020. He is unsure if he will run again. When asked why he ran for…

Work on arts center to begin in the spring, director says

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Economic Development

The county plans to begin building the Chesterfield Center for the Arts next spring. That’s the word from Garrett Hart, Chesterfield County’s Economic Development director. Hart made the comments at the county’s Sept. 20 Economic Development Authority meeting. In other news, EDA treasurer and board member Harril Whitehurst said the organization plans to begin investing some $6.47 million of arts center funds with Wells Fargo Bank in the near future. The county’s fiscal services coordinator, Debbie Baicy, said the plan is to invest $3 million in a six-month certificate of deposit at 2 percent interest and $1.4 million in a…

County department prepares for natural disasters

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Chesterfield Government

ABOVE: From left, Jess Robison, Sherri Lafoon and Emily Ashley Dillon make up Chesterfield’s Emergency Management Department. Emily Ashley Dillon is into disaster preparation. The Kansas City, Mo., native has been Chesterfield County’s emergency management coordinator for seven years. The three-person emergency management department, which is housed with the county fire department’s administrative office, helps the county’s 50 departments prepare for any large-scale emergency or disaster. The department is also responsible for response, recovery and mitigation, the latter which involves reducing danger before and after an event. “It’s our job to create a community of resiliency,” she said. This includes helping…

Chesterfield a part of region’s booming tourism: Chester brewery may add to the mix

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Economic Development

ABOVE: Dancing Kilt Brewery plans to open in the brick building next to Rosa’s early next year. Breweries and restaurants are the top driver for tourism in the Richmond region, and Chester could begin to cash in on the trend if a brewery slated to open on Old Stage Road comes to fruition. Jack Berry, president and chief executive officer of Richmond Region Tourism, an entity that includes Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Powhatan counties, along with the town of Ashland and the city of Richmond, said the area has been rated the No. 1 region in the country for various tourism…

Parade of Homes starts Oct. 6: Tours will be held each weekend of the month

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Business, Community

The Richmond Parade of Homes is the premier scattered site home showcase. The self-guided tour, begins Oct. 6, and it will run all four weekends of the month: Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28. Tour hours on Saturdays and Sundays in October are from noon to 5 p.m., and admission is free. Seventy-three new homes built by 30 builder members are in this year’s show, and well over half are decorated models. The homes are located throughout the Greater Richmond area including the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent and Powhatan. The tour offers an opportunity to…

ChesterFest 2018 a success

By Caleb M Soptelean on September 25, 2018 Events

ABOVE: Gale Rowland walks with Snickerz, a 2-year-old Labradoodle, during ChesterFest. The 18th ChesterFest, held Saturday on the Chester Village Green, was the largest ever. Some 200 vendors displayed their wares while children played, a dog show was held and eight people participated in the pie-eating competition. “What a great event! [Chester Community Association] did such an awesome job, and the Thomas Dale kids were so helpful and friendly,” Ben Dunham said. “My son, Hugh, keeps saying he wishes ChesterFest was every month!” Tracey Walker, patient care manager at Centralia Animal Hospital, organized the dog show. “I enjoy seeing the…

Handcycling clinic coming to Pocahontas State Park

By Eileen Abbott on September 19, 2018 Military, Outdoors, Sports

ABOVE: Kenneth Holman and members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Mid-Atlantic chapter. A life-changing event at Pocahontas State Park is attracting veterans from all across the country. They will handcycle through the wooded trails from Friday, Sept. 28, through Sunday, Sept. 30, as part of a handcycling clinic. “Watching them being out there with family and friends outdoors doing what they love, that’s what it’s all about … things we build that are accessible and inclusive makes for a better community,” said Jennifer Purser, executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Mid-Atlantic chapter. Among the participants is…

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