Community

Jones honored at Lions Club meeting; The late Goodwyn was also to be recognized

By Press release on November 27, 2018 Clubs

Ralph Jones was recognized for 50 years of service at the Chester Lions Club’s Nov. 13 meeting. Unfortunately, one of the Lions who was also to be recognized for 50 years of service, Bill Goodwyn, died two weeks earlier. Attending the meeting were District Gov. Jeff Gaddis, and his wife, Donna Gaddis, who is the district global membership team coordinator. Past District Gov. Donna Weiler, who is a candidate for international director with Lions Club International, also attended. Chevrons were awarded for years of service, and Pat Rende was accepted as a transfer to the Chester Lions Club. Gaddis said…

Wedded bliss? County approves permit for wedding venue

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 27, 2018 Board of Supervisors, Business, Chesterfield Government

A wedding venue was given permission to keep operating last week. The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a conditional use permit for the Little Wedding Garden. Cecelia LePage, a licensed Baptist minister, has been performing wedding ceremonies in her backyard since January 2017. She applied for a permit after a neighbor made a noise complaint in March 2018, a county staffer said. “It’s my ministry,” LePage told the supervisors on Nov. 14. “I’m here to help these women. I serve an underserved part of this population.” LePage charges $95 for a service Monday through Thursday and $120 for…

The historic Yellow House holds tales from years gone by

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 27, 2018 Clubs, Community, History

The Chester Garden Club is offering a tour of an 1840s-era house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. The holiday home tour of the Yellow House, formerly known as the Winfree House, is a fundraiser for the club’s community beautification efforts. The L-shaped home has six rooms. Each is 18 feet x 18 feet. Sara Burgess Gibson is the home’s current owner, and enjoys sharing it with the community. Gibson was born in and grew up in the home, which is located at 3001 W. Hundred Road between Chester YMCA and Sunset Memorial Park cemetery. She has…

Unlocking the key to his future: Bacon retires from law enforcement, starts a new career

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Community, Features

After 27 years with Chesterfield County Police Department, Kevin Bacon called it quits. Bacon, 50, retired Oct. 1. “My knees are getting a little achy,” he said, explaining the reason for his retirement from law enforcement. The 1986 L.C. Bird High graduate has embarked on a new career as a locksmith and real estate agent. Bacon said his interest in law enforcement started as a teen when he liked James Bond movies. In addition, stories told by John Corrigan, who worked for the Petersburg Police Department, piqued his interest. After he earned a degree in administration of justice at…

Dominion gets proposals for coal ash recycling

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Community, Outdoors, State News

Dominion Energy has received 12 proposals to recycle coal ash at five of its ash ponds at four power stations in the state, including one in Chesterfield. The utility company made the announcement in a Nov. 14 press release. Earlier this year, the state Legislature passed a law – Senate Bill 807 – requiring that Dominion Energy conduct a Request for Proposals to determine the feasibility and costs of recycling coal ash at four power stations (Chesterfield, Possum Point, Chesapeake and Bremo) and other ash facilities at Chesapeake Energy Center. Dominion received 12 proposals and bids that ranged from $2.77…

Village News goes to Israel!

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Church Events, Community

A group of 22, mostly from Chester United Methodist Church, journeyed to Israel in October for a spiritual pilgrimage and vacation. In the background is the ancient walled city of Jerusalem as viewed from the Mount of Olives.

Old Glory rises

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Community

Cover photo by Rob Beers; inside by Caleb M. Soptelean A U.S. flag was raised in Chester at Interstate 95, Coxendale Road and Route 288 Sunday afternoon. It is the largest and tallest flag in Virginia at 21 stories tall, or 212 feet, according to Rich Smith, president of R.J. Smith Construction. An estimated 2,500 to 3,000 people attended the event.

Miles names Darji chief deputy, fires Childrey, McKenna

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Chesterfield Government, Courts

ABOVE: Upper left, Sangeeta Darji; Upper right: Tom McKenna; Bottom: John Childrey Chesterfield County’s new commonwealth’s attorney, Scott Miles, was sworn in to the position Tuesday, Nov. 13. Miles, a Democrat, upset Republican John Childrey for the seat created when longtime commonwealth’s attorney Billy Davenport retired July 1. Miles, who won by 2,731 votes, or 1.9 percentage points, named Sangeeta Darji his chief deputy. An alumna of Chesterfield County Public Schools, Darji graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a bachelor of science degree in 1997 and earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She previously worked for the…

Airport expansion moving forward: Supervisors narrowly approve lease for second FBO

By Caleb M Soptelean on November 20, 2018 Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield Government

It looks like some competition is coming to the Chesterfield airport. By a 3-2 vote, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors approved a land lease and fixed-based operation agreement with Richmond Executive Aviation and 5G Air LLC on Nov. 14. The agreement calls for the construction of two 10,000-square-foot hangars within 12 months. Some $66,000 in fees are estimated to be generated by REA in the first year of operation. The fees will include personal property taxes and fuel flowage fees. The county plans to build a new fuel farm at the airport in the near future at a cost…

Meet the new superintendent

By Press release on November 13, 2018 Community, Schools

New Chesterfield County school superintendent Merv Daugherty will host several meetings this fall as part of his work to get to know the community and better understand issues of importance to residents. These informal gatherings are one way for Chesterfield County residents to meet Daugherty, share their desires about their children’s education and learn more about Daugherty’s plans for continuing to provide safe schools. A former superintendent of the year in Delaware, Daugherty was previously superintendent of Red Clay Consolidated School District, a job he held since 2009. In that post, he led Delaware’s largest school division. The meetings are…

Browsing: Community