For the Record

Chester teen dies after being shot

By Becky Wright on April 30, 2019 For the Record, Police

(Facebook photo) Richmond police are asking the public for help in regard to the April 15 shooting of a Chester teen that occurred in the 4000 block of Meridian Avenue near Jefferson Davis Highway. Police identified the victim as Samuel Flaugher, 19, of Chester. He had attended Thomas Dale High School, according to his Facebook page. At around 9 a.m. Monday, April 15, Richmond police responded to the report of a person shot. Officers found Flaugher suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were considered life-threatening. Flaugher died April 19. Anyone…

Illegal immigrant gets four years in manslaughter case

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 30, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

A Guatemalan national residing in the U.S. illegally was sentenced to a total of four years in prison last week for killing a 4-year-old boy in a two-vehicle crash Aug. 25 last year. Jose Armelio Gonzalez-Flores, 29, was given a total of 20-plus years with all but four years suspended. Judge Frederick G. Rockwell III sentenced Gonzalez-Flores as part of a plea agreement to 10 years, all suspended, for cocaine possession; 10 years, with all but 3 1/2 years suspended, for involuntary manslaughter; and six months for driving on a suspended license. A charge of felony hit-and-run was dismissed as…

Chesterfield attorney awarded for public service

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 30, 2019 Chesterfield Government, Community, Courts

Michael Chernau, a deputy Chesterfield County attorney, was recently awarded the A. Robert Cherin Award by the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia Inc. Chernau got the award for exemplary public service. He is the third attorney from the Chesterfield County Attorney’s Office to win the award. The A. Robert Cherin Award for an Outstanding Deputy or Assistant Local Government Attorney honors one who has demonstrated exemplary public service that reflects a personal commitment to the highest ethical and professional principles. “The award was created to recognize what Mike gives Chesterfield County every day,” Chesterfield County Attorney Jeffrey Mincks said. “Mike…

Recently deceased

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 30, 2019 Obituaries

Bailey, Damon E. “Skipper” II, 72, of Chesterfield, husband of Bonita Bailey. Brown, Horace W., 65, of North Chesterfield. Cimino, Fred Joseph Jr., 89, of Chester, husband of Florence M. Cimino. Curtin, Peter, 70, of Chesterfield. Dillard, Terry Edward, 59, of Chester, husband of Emily M. Dillard. Foreman, Melanie Gail, 21, of Chesterfield. Hamm, Edgar Richard George, 76, of Chesterfield, served in the Marine Corps, husband of Frances Allen. Jennings, Charlie Robert, 67, of Chesterfield. Langley, Leslie Blake, 71, of North Chesterfield, spouse of Georgia M. Weetman. Marshall, Henry C., 83, of Chesterfield, a Marine Corps Reserve veteran, widower of Mildred Marshall. Passalacqua, Ruby Saunders, 100, of Chesterfield, widow of Norman…

16-year-old faces murder, robbery charges in Walker’s death

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 23, 2019 Courts, For the Record, Police

What neighbors describe as a ‘quiet neighborhood’ was disturbed recently when an 87-year-old resident was killed at 6718 Wentworth St. A 16-year-old who has been charged with murder in the April 2 death of 87-year-old Bensley resident Bryan H. Walker had his initial court date in Chesterfield Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court last week. An April 16 report in the Richmond Times-Dispatch identified the youth as Raphael Angel Vargas, whom a next-door neighbor of Walker’s said lived two doors down from Walker on Wentworth Street. The daily newspaper said Vargas faces nine charges, including the first-degree murder and robbery of…

Chesterfield police officer fired

By Caleb M Soptelean on April 23, 2019 Community, Police

Chesterfield Police Chief Jeffrey Katz announced last week that he terminated Daniel Morley, a former school resource officer at L.C. Bird High School who had been linked to white nationalism. In an April 18 press release, Katz said, “Our community deserves to know the men and women of their police department respect and revere them – whoever they may be. It is true that Mr. Morley has a First Amendment right to free speech and association. However, the views espoused by and attributed to Mr. Morley violate county and departmental policy and our organizational values; his continued employment is antithetical…

Beverly L. Sheffield

By VN Staff on April 23, 2019 Obituaries

Beverly L. Sheffield, 78, of Chester, Va., passed away after a long-term illness on Friday, April 19, 2019 at her residence. She was born to the late Wilbur Leadbetter and Belle Ennis on Aug. 13, 1940 and was a member of Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church. Mrs. Sheffield enjoyed gardening, knitting, quilting, cooking and remodeling, but more than anything, she enjoyed the time she spent with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin M. Sheffield Sr., and her brother, Bruce Leadbetter. She is survived by her children, Franklin M. Sheffield Jr. (Janet), Audra Branzelle (Dennis) and…

Recently deceased

By Linda Fausz on April 23, 2019 Obituaries

Anderson, Corinna S., 80, of Chesterfield. Bala, Sundersingh, 80, of Chester. Barnes, Carolyn Davis, 79, of Chesterfield, widow of William Michael Barnes. Bass, Phyllis Kellar, 84, of Chester, wife of Roger Thompson Bass. Baumgarten, Julia Elena, 89, of Chesterfield, wife of John A. Baumgarten. Capel, Alice “Joyce,” 78, of North Chesterfield. Chalkley, William Earl, 56, of Chesterfield. Crosby, Beverley Allen, 74, of Chesterfield, companion of J.L. James. Duesing, Carole Rothweiler, 60, of Chesterfield, partner of Jeff Lewis. Gathers, Thelma S., 96, of North Chesterfield. Hudson, William C., 70, of North Chesterfield, an Army retiree, husband of Carole Y. Hudson. Jones, William Montel, 87, of North Chesterfield, widower of Gladys Rowe Jones. Leone, Salvatore…

Meth lab in shed leads to two arrests

By Becky Wright on April 16, 2019 For the Record, Police

Melody L. UptonRobert L. Upton Two people were arrested and charged after a methamphetamine lab was discovered last week in a shed at 10100 Post Horn Drive, north of Centralia Road. Police were dispatched April 10 for a report that a man might be trespassing. Upon arrival, police found a man and a woman in the shed. The man initially gave officers a false ID and tried to flee, police spokeswoman Liz Caroon said. Officers spoke to the renter of the property, who asked that the woman be removed. When officers went into the shed with her so she could…

Police get new black uniforms: New technology will help keep officers cooler, drier

By Becky Wright on April 16, 2019 Police

For 36 years, Chesterfield County Police have worn green and black uniforms. As of last week, patrol officers were given an alternative: a black uniform made of polyester and cotton infused with charcoal. The fabric stretches, and the charcoal wicks sweat away in order to reduce heat. It also has some water-repellant qualities. The new uniforms are considered a utility uniform, while the green and black will be used as a dress uniform and for administrators. Police Chief Jeffrey S. Katz said the department’s uniforms had not changed since 1983. The new uniforms are more durable and more breathable and…

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