Community

‘Savannah Sipping Society’ now open on weekends

By Press release on June 4, 2019 Community, Entertainment

From left, Jennifer Frank (Jinx Jenkins), Jacqueline Jones (Dot Haigler), Robin Arthur (Marlafaye Moseley) and Joy Williams (Randa Covington) are the cast of Savannah Sipping Society. (Courtesy photo) The Mill at Swift Creek is set to heat up the summer with a funny, sassy tale of empowered women. (Men will find it hilarious, too!) Yet another terrific script from the authors of “The Dixie Swim Club,” “The Hallelujah Girls,” and “Always a Bridesmaid,” this delightful laugh-a-minute comedy tells the story of four unique women who are drawn together by fate – and an impromptu happy hour – and decide it’s…

Heading the right way? Not all happy about eminent domain case

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 28, 2019 Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield Government, Planning & Zoning

Mike Uzel and Phil Lohr rallied before a May 22 meeting. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) Chesterfield County supervisors last week unanimously approved an eminent domain action for a property at 15101 Happy Hill Road. The action will give the county 600 feet of right-of-way access across the triangle-shaped property, which is located west of Jefferson Davis Highway. The access is along a route that was one of several previously considered by the county for an east-west freeway. “A developer picked it up for something like $40,000 knowing full well there will have to be dedicated road, and then tried to…

Gone to the dogs: Greyhounds reap benefit of Deane’s volunteer work

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 28, 2019 Community, People

Russell Deane is pictured with Haddie and Beau, greyhounds that he and his wife, Michele, adopted. (Caleb M. Soptelean photo) A Chester resident was recently honored for his volunteer efforts, and some greyhounds will reap the benefits. As one of six Dominion Energy Volunteers of the Year, Russell Deane chose the James River Greyhounds as his charity for a $5,000 donation. Deane, who works for Dominion Energy, and his wife, Michele, who is involved with the Chester Community Association at Goyne Park’s new dog park, adopted Haddie from James River Greyhounds 18 months ago, Russell said. “She wouldn’t let me…

Dance, Morrissey competing for state Senate seat

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 28, 2019 Politics, State News

Rosalyn Dance Joe Morrissey Senate District 16 residents will likely decide their next senator in the June 11 Democratic primary, as no Republicans filed for the seat. The independent filing deadline is June 11. Incumbent Democrat Rosalyn “Roz” Dance is being challenged by former Del. “Fighting Joe” Morrissey. Both are running as Democrats. Although the candidates had not agreed to a formal debate by press time – having exchanged emails on the subject over the past few weeks that were copied to local media – they have spoken to various citizens groups over the past several months. Dance, 71, is…

New Comp Plan approved despite protests

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 28, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Development

The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a new Comprehensive Plan despite objections from members of two community organizations. Bermuda Advocates for Responsible Development and Chesterfield Citizens United rallied outside prior to the supervisors’ May 22 meeting waving silver platters with various anti-development wording. BARD and CCU board member Steve Atkinson said the 20-person rally – which was a combined effort against several items, including the Comprehensive Plan – was held on the anniversary of the county’s Economic Development Authority’s decision last year to pull a rezoning request for a megasite in the southern portion of the county. BARD…

Action on arts center coming soon, project manager says

By Caleb M Soptelean on May 28, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Development, Entertainment

Bruce Miller spoke at the May 22 board of supervisors meeting. Chester residents should see some action soon outside the Chester Library, according to Mike Laing, project manager of Chesterfield’s Baxter Perkinson Center for the Arts. On May 22, Laing told the Chesterfield Board of Supervisors that they should see some activity within the next 10 days on the site where the 352-seat arts center will be built. Afterward, Laing said a construction trailer will be located on the site next to the Chester Library along with some security fencing that directs visitors to the library’s entrance. “We’re in the…

Police seek missing man

By Press release on May 28, 2019 Community, Police

Bryan A. Sebera Chesterfield Police are searching for a man who was last seen on April 21. Bryan Austin Sebera, of the 14700 block of Esther Lane in Enon, left his residence April 21 in his red, 1993 Honda Civic bearing Virginia license plate: XMUGENX. He was reported missing by relatives on May 7. Sebera, 28, is described as a white man, about 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighing about 152 pounds. He has brown hair and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing black Levi’s jeans, orange, ankle-length boots, and an orange, short-sleeved, button-up shirt. He has tattoos…

Rios enjoys showing love to her students

By Danielle Ozbat on May 28, 2019 Community, Schools, Teachers

Diana Rios Diana Rios tells her students at Ettrick Elementary School, “I love you, have a good day” every school day. She is a firm believer that every day is a new day and her students know when they walk in, they are starting with a clean slate. Rios said the school had recently lost a fifth-grader in a car crash and that you never know when you’ll see a student for the last time. “They have to know that someone, especially some of them that don’t have moms or a stable home life, [loves them],” she said. A former…

Celebrating long-lasting love: Two couples win theater tickets for submitting their love stories

By Press release on May 28, 2019 Community

Douglas and Carolyn Wheeling Jennifer and Chris Grandstaff In celebration of 50 Days of LOVE and the 50th birthday of the “Virginia is for Lovers” theme, Swift Creek Mill Theatre launched a Facebook search in mid-April asking people to write down their love stories and submit them in a contest to win an evening at “The Mill” with dinner and tickets to see “Bright Star.” On May 5, two stories were selected, one from Carolyn D. Wheeling, who submitted her story on her 53rd wedding anniversary with Douglas Wheeling, April 18, and one from Jennifer C. Grandstaff. “Our whole life…

Village News in the Bahamas

By Press release on May 28, 2019 Community, Travel

Gloria Andrs, center, enjoyed a cruise to the Bahamas recently with her sister, Viola Clark of Virginia Beach, on left, and her daughter, Brenda Andrs Wallace.

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