Community

VSU welcomes new hires in 4-H, forestry and operations

By Press release on October 30, 2018 Community, Schools, Teachers

ABOVE: Chantel Wilson, Jerry Bettis Sr. and Ronald Howell Virginia State University recently added three new personnel to the Cooperative Extension and the College of Agriculture. Chantel Wilson joined as a 4-H STEAM specialist, Jerry Bettis Sr. was hired as forestry specialist, and Ronald Howell rejoined the College of Agriculture as director of Operations Management. “We are thrilled to welcome two new specialists to our Extension family,” College of Agriculture dean M. Ray McKinnie said. “The addition of Dr. Chantel Wilson will enable us to enhance our capacity to engage youth in agriculture through our 4-H program. Dr. Jerry…

River Forest Retail, Phase III

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 30, 2018 Economic Development

Construction of retail offices is underway in front of the Walmart at 12101 Branders Creek Drive along Route 10. River Forest Retail Phase III will include three offices, including Verizon, All Coverage Insurance and a vacant one. Verizon and All Coverage Insurance will be relocating from their current offices, which are located in the building south of the new construction. The owner of the property is Jack Mehta, owner of All Coverage Insurance.

County proceeds with new audit and finance committee, for now

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 30, 2018 Chesterfield Government

By a unanimous vote last week, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors decided to restructure the audit and finance committee following the school board’s recent decision to withdraw from the committee. The replacement was needed for a quorum as the committee was made up of four members, two from each board, and three were needed to conduct business. Now the committee will only have two members. The supervisors’ action took place during the Oct. 24 meeting. Board chair Dorothy Jaeckle said she was opposed to splitting the committee, but agreed to the change so that the committee can vote to…

County to offer lifetime dog licenses beginning Nov. 1

By Press release on October 30, 2018 Community

Beginning Nov. 1, Chesterfield County will offer a lifetime dog license for $10 at the county treasurer’s office, the animal shelter and several local businesses. Licenses, which are required, are valid for the life of the dog as long as the owner resides in the county. Annual renewals are no longer required. Owners are required to purchase the mandatory license no later than 30 days after the dog turns four months old, or no later than 30 days after the owner acquires a dog four months or older. Licenses are not transferable to a new owner. Getting a dog licensed protects…

Lions hear about Alzheimer’s awareness

By Press release on October 30, 2018 Clubs

By Carelyn Sheppard There are 10 warning signs used for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease which the Chester Lions learned at their meeting in October. Sharon Condrey, a representative of the Greater Richmond chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, spoke to the club about the topic and distributed information about programs for patients and caregivers. Occasionally, typical age-related changes and degeneration are confused with the signs of Alzheimer’s, which is one type of dementia and the sixth-leading cause of death. Early detection of the disease will have a tremendous effect on the patient’s quality of life. Those signs which are use…

Shoebox operation brings hope to the less fortunate

By Eileen Abbott on October 30, 2018 Community

ABOVE: Ilona Penner, Catherine Crocker, Gilda Stanberry A shoebox from Operation Christmas Child saved Ilona Penner’s life. “It brought hope and showed that somebody cared,” Penner told an audience of attentive volunteers who filled Kingsland Baptist Church Oct. 19 to listen to a story about the profound power of a simple gift. Penner was just 11 when she moved into a Ukrainian orphanage after her mother’s death. She never knew her father, whom she said abandoned her when she was a baby. Penner recalled being uplifted by a shoebox filled with gifts and handwritten letters that she and the…

Airport expansion placed on hold

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 30, 2018 Board of Supervisors, Chesterfield Government, Economic Development

After much discussion during its Oct. 24 meeting, the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors postponed a decision on whether to approve a 40-year lease agreement with Richmond Executive Aviation. The pending agreement would bring a second fixed-base operator to the airport. Mark Hackett, chief executive officer of REA and a former JetBlue pilot, plans to offer flight training, aircraft tie-down parking and storage, maintenance, and sales of aircraft parts and fuel. REA plans to build two 10,000-square-foot hangars at sites 1 and 2 near the airport’s north ramp. The agreement calls for construction to begin within 12 months and completion…

L.C. Bird High School Hall of Fame inductees

By Press release on October 23, 2018 Community, Sports

Pictured are this year’s inductees into the L.C. Bird Hall of Fame. From left, Greg Hunt, 1986, Rashad Lewis, 2004, Jamie Wisegarver, 2001, Eric McBride, 2006, and Mike Chaney, 1981. The induction was held Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Highlands Golf Club. Their sports were: Hunt, track and field; Lewis, football; McBride, football and track; Wisegarver, softball, field hockey, tennis and track; and Chaney, long-time supporter and volunteer. This is the 10th year of the Hall of Fame inductions. The new members were also honored at the Bird-Monacan football game Friday night.

Village News at Pigeon Forge

By Caleb M Soptelean on October 23, 2018 Community, Travel

Linda and Bob Gagliardo of Chester recently spent a few days in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and enjoyed the Village News on the bus ride. The couple saw the Smoky Mountain Opry while on vacation.

Ringing the bell for the Christmas Mother program

By Eileen Abbott on October 23, 2018 Community

ABOVE: Bonnie Inge Bell By coincidence, the reception for 2018’s Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother was the same day as her birthday, Oct. 9. Bonnie Inge Bell, whose career has been dedicated to social work, focused the attention on caring for others. “The Christmas Mother Committee exists to ensure that, in our communities, no family is without food, no child is without toys, books and clothing, and no elder is forgotten as we celebrate the holidays,” she said. “This is a true example of local community helping local community.” “It’s the most simple and straightforward way for a neighbor to help…

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