Community

Planning Commission signs off on new billboard ordinance

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 25, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Planning & Zoning

A billboard at Hickory and River roads is pictured. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) By a 3-1 vote with Midlothian commissioner Peppy Jones dissenting and Dale commissioner Michael Jackson absent, the Chesterfield County Planning Commission recommended approval of a controversial sign ordinance last week. The June 18 meeting followed a May 21 public hearing in which 10 people spoke about the proposed ordinance, which requires approval of the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors and would replace one that’s been in effect since 1992. During the May 21 meeting, county zoning administrator Ray Cash said that the proposed ordinance would allow for replacement…

Food for the summer

By Press release on June 25, 2019 Charity, Community

The Chesterfield County Public Library’s Summer Learning Kick-off resulted in over 700 pounds of food donated to the Chesterfield Food Bank. Above, Mike Mabe, library services director, on right, helped deliver the food to Kim Hill, food bank director, on June 6. (Facebook photo)

Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, Niagara Cares bring improvements to TDHS

By Lamar West on June 25, 2019 Business, Community, Schools

A crew from Niagara Bottling of Chester helped with improvements at Thomas Dale High School last week. (Courtesy photo) The Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and Niagara Cares recently teamed up to give Thomas Dale High School’s fitness facility and urban garden a $75,000 renovation. Four times a year, the foundation and Niagara Cares collaborate on a two-day community enhancement project to promote a healthy style of living in communities. The locations are chosen based upon school needs and proximity to the Niagara bottling plants. Thomas Dale was chosen from a variety of schools across the country, and this was the…

Collie awarded

By Press release on June 25, 2019 Clubs, Community

Chester resident Bill Collie was presented with a certificate and medallion pin June 4 recognizing over 50 years of service to the Chester area through the Civitan Club of Chester. Presenting the pin to Collie is current club treasurer Larry Grimes. Collie was a charter member of the club, which formed in 1965. Through the years he has served many roles, including as president and the club’s representative on the Camp Baker Management Board. The Civitan Club of Chester meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at the Chester Masonic Lodge. It is part…

Election 2019: Carroll, Dougherty, Morrissey and Pohl win primaries

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 18, 2019 Politics

Former state Del. Joe Morrissey surprised some when he defeated incumbent state Sen. Rosalyn Dance during the June 11 primary. Morrissey soundly defeated Dance on her home turf of Petersburg, 72 to 28 percent. He also won Hopewell and Dinwiddie County by 14 and 15 percentage points, respectively. Dance won Richmond, Chesterfield County and Prince George by 7, 2 and 1 points, respectively. However, Morrissey racked up 3,354 votes in Petersburg to 1,520 for Dance, a difference of 1,834 votes. An equal number of people (4,674) voted in Richmond and Petersburg, but Dance only won Richmond by 364 votes. Chesterfield…

Focus on Petersburg brings victory: Morrissey will face his former legislative aide in November

By Caleb M Soptelean on June 18, 2019 Politics, State News

Joe Morrissey, on right, is pictured on the campaign trail earlier this year. (Facebook)Waylin K. Ross (LinkedIn) Should he be the new senator for state Senate District 16, Joe Morrissey – who last week won the Democratic Party nomination – wants to be known as “Senator Pothole.” Morrissey – a controversial former state delegate who has twice lost his law license and was convicted of a misdemeanor for a relationship with a 17-year-old woman whom he later married and had three children with – defeated incumbent state Sen. Rosalyn Dance in the June 11 primary. Morrissey said that WJFN 100.5…

Golfers share more than just a good game

By Diane Merryman on June 18, 2019 Golf, People, Sports

Curtis Reeves and Randy Wilson are pictured on a golf course. When two people meet for the first time it might be a coincidence, but when Randy Wilson and Curtis Reeves met, a better term might be “fate.” Wilson and Reeves met two years ago at a church fellowship called “Birdies and Boogies” at Chester’s Christian Life Church. The church establishes small group fellowship opportunities for people with common interests in order for members to get to know each other better. “Our church believes in fellowship,” Wilson said. “We develop friendships through these fellowship groups.” Wilson and Reeves became friends…

Shamin Hotels plans to develop mixed-use site east of I-95

By Press release on June 18, 2019 Business, Economic Development

The empty field above is where Shamin Hotels plans to build. A proposed site plan is below. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Shamin Hotels, Inc., the largest hotelier in Virginia, last week announced that it plans to invest approximately $125 million in Chesterfield County through multiple projects. Shamin, which is currently developing a Residence Inn next to Johnston Willis Hospital, plans to develop a 12-acre site east of Interstate 95 adjacent to its Shamin Park, which currently houses three hotels. Plans call for a dual-branded Hampton Inn and Home2Suites, along with ancillary retail amenities that will serve its existing six Chester…

Groundbreaking scheduled

By Press release on June 18, 2019 Announcements, Art, Chesterfield Government, Entertainment

A groundbreaking ceremony for the Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, June 24, north of the Chester Library.

Detour planned on Old Hundred Road starting June 24

By Press release on June 18, 2019 Announcements, Chesterfield Government, Transportation

A traffic detour is scheduled to go into effect on Monday, June 24, along Old Hundred Road – between Ramblewood Drive and Old Stage Road – as part of the Old Bermuda Hundred Road Improvements Project. The detour will remain in place through the end of August. The detour is the first phase of the road construction on Old Bermuda Hundred Road to raise a dip near the Old Stage Road intersection. Road construction will continue with alternating lane closures until the scheduled completion of construction in June 2020. Motorists can expect delays when traveling this route and are encouraged…

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