Community

High-speed rail slowly coming to area?

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 5, 2018 Chesterfield Government, State News, Transportation

A decision on where to build a new train station for high-speed rail is headed down the track but hasn’t reached the destination yet. “The final decision hasn’t been made yet,” said David Hyder, transportation director of the Crater Planning District Commission. He added that “it looks like” the proverbial train is headed to Colonial Heights. The Federal Railroad Administration has the final say on the matter, he said. “Whatever the FRA signs off on, we’ll sign,” he said. The selection would be made at some point following the release of a Finding of No Significant Impact, or FONSI. Officials…

English teacher uses literature to help teach social skills

By Danielle Ozbat on June 5, 2018 Community, Schools, Teachers

Brian McGill knew he wanted to become a teacher when he was a sophomore in high school. When he was going through difficult times he had influential teachers who were there for him, and he wanted to “pay it forward” by becoming a teacher. In addition, he felt he could relate to kids well. McGill has been teaching English for 22 years. He taught in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey before coming to Virginia. He spent the first 12 years of his career teaching Advanced Placement Literature in high school, but switched to middle school when he moved to…

Harper earns degree from Virginia Tech

By Press release on June 5, 2018 Community

Brandon Michael Harper graduated May 11 with a bachelor of science degree from Virginia Tech. A 2014 Matoaca High graduate, Harper graduated magna cum laude with a double major in sociology and criminology. His parents are Chris and Shelby Harper.

Rudd completes training program

By Press release on May 29, 2018 Community, Schools

Shane Rudd of Chesterfield recently completed the Southside Virginia Community College Power Line Worker Training Program. The 11-week program provides both classroom and hands-on training in safety, climbing techniques, electrical theory, aerial framing, rigging, Operation Utility Service Equipment and Commercial Driver’s License Training. SVCC offers the Power Line Worker class in Blackstone Virginia at the Occupational/Technical Center in Pickett Park.

Nelmes – Braden

By Press release on May 29, 2018 Announcements

The marriage ceremony of Mystica Nelmes and Brian Braden took place on Ocean Isle Beach in North Carolina on May 5, 2018. The bride is the daughter of Ted and Ethel Nelmes of Chester and the groom is the son of Wayne and the late Betty Ann Braden of Latrobe, Pa. Mystica’s sister, Monica Elliott from Overland Park, Kan. was matron of honor and her bridesmaid was Jan Powell of Raleigh, N.C. Ring bearer was Lincoln Elliott and flower girl was Jacqueline Elliott. Brian’s best man was Mike Cerkovnic of Davidson, N.C. Mystica is a literary consultant for Mecklenburg Schools…

Tai chi man: Stephens touts benefits for mind, body and spirit

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 29, 2018 Community, Features

Tai chi is great for physical, mental and social benefits. That’s the word from Mike Stephens, who took up the practice after suffering from a heart attack and triple bypass heart surgery in the late 1990s. Stephens was trained in the martial art of tai chi by Tim Turner after reading an article about it in a newsletter for victims of multiple sclerosis. Stephens, who was diagnosed with the disease in 1991, said he sat around for a number of years and felt sorry for himself. “I thought, ‘It can’t get any worse than this,’” he said. The heart attack…

Defending the Shoosmith name: Grandson of Chester couple talks about his grandfather, love for the land

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 29, 2018 Community, Development

Jack T. Shoosmith II was named after his grandfather. Shoosmith, 29, remembers his “Poppa” as someone who worked “extremely hard,” drove a logging truck, welded and then drove a bulldozer. A project manager for a local construction company, Shoosmith said his grandparents grew up poor in Chester. “When they got married, there was no running water in their house,” said Jack, the oldest grandson of Jack and Nina Shoosmith. “Grandpa dropped out of high school and went to work for his two older brothers [Dick and Etzel],” Jack said. “He was driving a logging truck at age 14.” The brothers…

Atlantic Constructors adds 200 jobs after expansion

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 29, 2018 Business

An open house celebrating the recent expansion of Atlantic Constructors Inc. was held May 24. ACI completed a 30,000-square-foot expansion of its 100,000-square-foot facility at 1401 Battery Brooke Parkway last fall. The sheet metal and pipe fabrication plant began using the new portion of the building in February, said Nathan Karr, the company’s business development executive. He noted that the expansion enabled the company – which was founded as Hungerford Mechanical in the 1957 – to bring piping fabrication and plumbing from its location in downtown Richmond to the Bellwood area. The company has added more than…

Popeye’s, Wendy’s, car wash, retail offices planned

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 29, 2018 Planning & Zoning

Pedro Lujan and Richpop LLC plan to build a Popeye’s restaurant at 12149 Jefferson Davis Highway. A 3,185-square-foot building 19 1/2 feet tall is planned on 2.44 acres. Site plan approval is pending. •A Wendy’s restaurant is planned for 7030 Iron Bridge Road. The site plan has been approved, planning administrator Joe Feest said. Kingsland Towncenter LLC of North Chesterfield plans to construct a 2,584-square-foot building on .94 acre with 24 parking spaces. The land has commercial zoning. •A “Flagstop Car Wash” is planned for 2100 Ruffin Mill Road. Plans include a 3,227-square-foot building 20-feet tall on 1.08 acres. The…

Miss Chesterfield Scholarship award winners

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 29, 2018 Community

Winners of the 2018 Miss Chesterfield Scholarship Pageant were honored May 23 by the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors. They are, from left: Madison Walker, Catherine Paige Harris, Rasheeda Abdulmumet, Chelsea Keyhea, Victoria Chuah and Laura Brooke McCarney. Chuah was named Miss Chesterfield, Keyhea was Miss Chesterfield Outstanding Teen and McCarney was Miss Chesterfield Teen In-Training. Walker, Harris and Abdulmumet were named Miss Chesterfield Princesses. The pageant is preliminary to the Miss Virginia and Miss America scholarship pageants.

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