Community

Groundbreaking

By Press release on October 15, 2019 School Board, Schools

A groundbreaking for the new $24.57 million Ettrick Elementary School was was held Monday, Oct. 7. Oyster Point Construction Co. of Newport News was awarded the contract. The total budget for the project is $27.1 million, including an estimated additional cost of $1 million for an expanded gymnasium. The school – which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2021 – and Reams Elementary are the last two of 11 schools to either be renovated or replaced as a result of the $304 million bond referendum that voters approved in 2013.

County, land trust announce sale of rehabilitated house

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 15, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Housing

Recently, Chesterfield County and Maggie Walker Community Land Trust celebrated the rehabilitation and sale of the first residence to an income-eligible home buyer as part of their partnership. Habitat for Humanity helped rehabilitate the home. Last year, the land trust was awarded $500,000 of Community Development Block Grant funding from Chesterfield County. The terms of the grant stipulate that the land trust retains ownership of the land and leases that land to a homeowner. The single-family house at 5616 S. Melbeck Road was purchased in December 2018 by the land trust for $170,000. The house – which was built in…

Supervisors Q &A: Why are you running and why should you be elected?

By Press release on October 8, 2019 Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield Government, Politics

Jim HollandJim IngleKevin CarrollMurti KhanShajuan MasonTammy Ridout Beginning this week and running each week through Oct. 30, the Village News will run an answer from a question posed to six Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors candidates. Jim Ingle, Bermuda (R) Chesterfield County is one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family in the commonwealth. As such, we should be represented by servant leaders who understand that our county’s continued excellence will be dependent upon a true focus on local quality-of-life issues like education, public safety, job growth and economic development. With over 25 years of business…

Bringing horses and humans together

By Diane Merryman on October 8, 2019 Community, Health, Outdoors

Brown gets a playful rub from Sara Babb. (Dianne Merryman) When Chesterfield resident Sara Babb discovered she could intertwine her career in social work and counseling with her love of horses, she jumped at the chance to combine both of her passions. So she started a nonprofit: emPOWER Equine Assisted Services. The program uses horses as part of a team to help people find understanding, solutions and empowerment in their daily lives. Each session tells a story about how the client is feeling and what is influencing his or her behavior. Influences may be recent or an expression of a…

VSU hosting Ginger and Turmeric Field Day Oct. 24

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 8, 2019 Announcements

It’s been in the news for years. Ginger has been hailed a panacea for whatever ails you, from nausea, muscle soreness, inflammation and arthritis to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and even the common cold. But a new finding from Virginia State University has proven the polyphenols and antioxidants—the good stuff—contained in ginger are significantly higher in young, or “baby” ginger. In fact, VSU research confirms immature ginger contains about twice as many polyphenols and has two to three times more antioxidation activity than the mature ginger found in most grocery stores. That means if you’re eating ginger for its health benefits,…

‘The Chase is on, with a few Miles left before its Pohl time’

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 8, 2019 Commentary, From the Editor, Politics, State News

Chase Miles Pohl I enjoy turning a phrase. Being a wordsmith has its privileges. Nov. 5 is right around the corner, and Chesterfield voters could have a big say in which party controls the state Legislature for the next two years. Since the Republicans only have a tenuous one-seat advantage in both the state House and Senate, each seat that could represent a tight margin will be closely watched. Virginia’s off-year election cycle usually doesn’t result in as many voters as even-numbered years – such as 2020 when President Trump will face off with former Sen. and Vice President Joe…

‘If you see something, say something’: Anti-human trafficking forum offers tips

By Ellie Browning on October 8, 2019 Community, Events

From left, RJI volunteers Danielle Radford, Amy Ellis, Linda Hawkins, Yesenia Adent, Elizabeth Rengal and Heather Caleb and House of Refuge’s Linda Addison. (Ellie Browning) The exploitation of humans for labor or sex has been seen in Hollywood blockbusters like the “Taken” movie series, but human trafficking hits closer to home than one might realize. On Sept. 30, the Richmond Justice Initiative hosted an event at Christian Life Church to raise awareness about human trafficking. RJI board member Linda Hawkins has been battling to end human trafficking for three years. “I am a retired cardiac nurse, but volunteering for RJI…

C’ville company breaks ground on luxury apartments

By Press release on October 8, 2019 Community, Economic Development, Housing

An artist’s rendering of the new apartments Cathcart Group, a Charlottesville based real estate developer, recently broke ground on a 276-unit luxury apartment complex south of Iron Bridge Road on a 21-acre parcel at the intersection of Rivington Drive and Edenshire Road in Chester. Known as The Reserve at Rivington, the first building is expected to be open in mid-2020. Eight, three-story buildings will offer one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom den garden-style apartments ranging from 750 to 1,375 square feet. Monthly rents will start at $1,200. The apartment homes will feature luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout with carpet in the bedrooms,…

Enon development coming back to PC

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 8, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Planning & Zoning

A small house at 13911 N. Enon Church Road is pictured behind a zoning sign. A development project that’s been on hold since at least 2007 is headed back before the Chesterfield Planning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Enon LLC is planning a mixed-use project consisting of a maximum of 130 dwelling units and commercial uses east of North Enon Church Road, southeast of the Amazon fulfillment center. Enon Church Road becomes Meadowville Technology Parkway north of Bermuda Hundred Road. The applicant, whose address is 2000 Ware Bottom Springs Road (Shamin Hotels), is represented by Andrew M. Scherer of Balzer…

Chester UMC choir invited to sing in NYC

By Press release on October 8, 2019 Community, Entertainment

Josh Wortham A 50-person choir from Chester United Methodist Church will be singing in New York City in a couple of months. The choir was invited to participate in the performance of Joseph Martin’s and Heather Sorenson’s “Christmas Dreams” as part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York concert series. The performance at Carnegie Hall is planned for Nov. 17. The Chester UMC choir will join other choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International. Conductor and composer Martin will lead the performance and will serve as the clinician for the residency. Sorenson will be present as DCINY composer-in-residence as…

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