Community

The James River, cut-through was completed in April 1865. Now, it is a shipping lane for cargo ships on their way to and from the deep water terminal in Richmond. The view of the Dutch Gap canal from photos of Bermuda Hundred in the Eastern Theater of Civil War can be seen east of Henricus Historical Park along the bluff.

River history at Dutch Gap

By VN Staff on June 25, 2020 Community, History

By Janit Potter and Walt Heyer The James River is one of the most historic rivers in the United States, with artifacts located along its shores dating back eleven thousand years. The river has always been a rich resource and heritage for Virginia and its people. From the time that Native Americans lived along the banks of the James, it was a vital part of the livelihood of Virginia, and it continues today to be an important part of the state’s economic development. Long a fertile waterway for the Powhatan Indians and other tribes, the river became the cradle of…

Confederate flag nixed for now

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government, Planning & Zoning

A request for a conditional planned-use development that would allow for a 600-square-foot Confederate battle flag to fly atop a 112-foot pole next to Interstate 95 was withdrawn last week. The Chesterfield County Planning Commission was scheduled to consider a request from Susan L. Frise and the Virginia Flaggers, but it was withdrawn June 16, according to planning administrator Joe Feest. A smaller version of the flag had flown above a narrow sliver of property next to the interstate for at least six years before it and a 70-foot flagpole were removed late last year after the county won three…

Summer Meals Program open to all students ages 2-18

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Community, Schools

School division has served more than a million meals during pandemic Chesterfield County Public Schools recently surpassed 1 million meals served to students during the global pandemic, a time during which schools are closed to in-person instruction but students still need support. The school division hopes to double that total this summer through an expanded summer feeding program. “Our food service workers are heroes to many in our community,” Superintendent Merv Daugherty said. “The work they have done to prepare food, bag it for families to take home and deliver it to students has helped numerous families make sure their…

Chester Rotary donated to Chesterfield Food Bank

Chester Rotary makes donation to Food Bank

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Clubs, Community

The Chester Rotary Club recently made a large donation to the Chesterfield Food Bank in the amount of $5,500 for the purchase of commercial freezers. “The Chester Rotary has supported the Chesterfield Food Bank for many years,” said Kim Hill, the food bank’s CEO. “This year they granted us two commercial freezers for our pantry room. We are beyond grateful for their kindness and community support. The freezers are much needed, especially now, as our services have drastically increased since March to serving over 20,000 a month. We are humbled for the wonderful support as we serve together to meet…

New cases of virus in Sheriff’s Office, 15 among inmates

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government, For the Record

Mass testing was conducted for every staff member of the Chesterfield Sheriff’s Office and every inmate in the county jail June 15. Over 490 total tests were administered in one day. Of all the staff members tested which includes employees in the courts as well as the jail, almost 280, no one tested positive for COVID-19. “This is an amazing testament to the protocols and procedures we have put in place but also a testament to our staff members adherence to them,” said Sheriff Karl S. Leonard. The proof is in the results that all of the precautions we have…

Albert and Shena-Rae Schramm of Southern Spud

Food trucks adjusting to crisis of today

By Danielle Ozbat on June 25, 2020 Business, Community

While COVID-19 has rattled the food services industry, food trucks have also been affected and forced to adapt. Once a staple at busy cities, business centers, or concerts, the pandemic has hindered an industry that was expected to grow by nearly 20 percent, according to Off the Grid, a mobile food and events platform. After realizing the cancellations of concerts and festivals and cities going on quarantine would lead to loss of revenue for food trucks, Stoney Glen resident Nicole Dilmore decided to reach out to vendors about setting up shop in her neighborhood. “These food trucks have nowhere to…

Madison McCray

Something to cheer about

By Josh Mathews on June 25, 2020 Community

Matoaca grad now a Redskin cheerleader The proud mother is Thomas Dale grad Jennifer McCray, a recreational league swimmer. The father is Tyler McCray, a race car driver turned football coach who hailed from Dinwiddie. Together they produced a daughter, Madison. What do you get when you combine a swimmer and a guy with a need for speed? A professional dancer and cheerleader, of course. Madison McCray, a 2020 graduate of Matoaca High School, achieved a lifelong dream when she became an official Washington Redskins cheerleader. In fact, it was a goal she wrote down on a third-grade assignment. Although…

School board moves 2021-22 start to August, delays elementary school boundary adjustment

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government, School Board

The June 9 meeting of the Chesterfield County Public Schools board resulted in a 2021-22 calendar with a pre-Labor Day start being unanimously approved. That school year will start Aug. 23-24, 2021. Board chairwoman Debbie Bailey said they were approving the calendar now so that parents can make vacation plans for next year. Midlothian District board member Kathryn Haines said a vote among parents in her district favored a pre-Labor Day start 65-57. The teachers she asked all favored a pre-Labor Day start because they believe it’s better for students, she said. In addition, the board halted the year-round calendar…

Adelbert Baker celebrates 100th birthday

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Announcements, Community

Adelbert Baker was born in 1920 in New York and has lived a long and rich life in the past century. Baker will celebate 100 years on June 20. He served in WW ll and then later worked at Dupont for 42 years and volunteered as a firefighter in his free time. He was married to the love of his life, Kitty, for 64 years and together they had one daughter. Baker loves to reminisce about his well-lived life, especially traveling around the U.S. in a camper. Baker is a resident at Magnolias of Chesterfield. “His spirit has held strong…

James Worsley

Parks & Recreation Director named as National Distinguished Professional

By Press release on June 25, 2020 Chesterfield Government

Dr. James Worsley, Director of Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, was recently selected to receive the National Distinguished Professional Award by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). The award will be presented during the 2020 NRPA Virtual Annual Conference in October. Each year, NRPA National Awards are presented to individuals and agencies across the U.S. to honor their efforts, both professional and personal, in the field of parks and recreation. This year, there are 11 award categories in the NRPA National Awards program. Recipients are selected from a pool of applicants based on excellence in a variety of topics,…

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