‘The Chase is on, with a few Miles left before its Pohl time’
0Chase Miles Pohl I enjoy turning a phrase. Being a wordsmith has its privileges. Nov. 5 is right around the corner, and Chesterfield voters could have a big say in which party controls the state Legislature for the next two years. Since the Republicans only have a tenuous one-seat advantage in both the state House and Senate, each seat that could represent a tight margin will be closely watched. Virginia’s off-year election cycle usually doesn’t result in as many voters as even-numbered years – such as 2020 when President Trump will face off with former Sen. and Vice President Joe…
‘If you see something, say something’: Anti-human trafficking forum offers tips
0From left, RJI volunteers Danielle Radford, Amy Ellis, Linda Hawkins, Yesenia Adent, Elizabeth Rengal and Heather Caleb and House of Refuge’s Linda Addison. (Ellie Browning) The exploitation of humans for labor or sex has been seen in Hollywood blockbusters like the “Taken” movie series, but human trafficking hits closer to home than one might realize. On Sept. 30, the Richmond Justice Initiative hosted an event at Christian Life Church to raise awareness about human trafficking. RJI board member Linda Hawkins has been battling to end human trafficking for three years. “I am a retired cardiac nurse, but volunteering for RJI…
C’ville company breaks ground on luxury apartments
0An artist’s rendering of the new apartments Cathcart Group, a Charlottesville based real estate developer, recently broke ground on a 276-unit luxury apartment complex south of Iron Bridge Road on a 21-acre parcel at the intersection of Rivington Drive and Edenshire Road in Chester. Known as The Reserve at Rivington, the first building is expected to be open in mid-2020. Eight, three-story buildings will offer one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom den garden-style apartments ranging from 750 to 1,375 square feet. Monthly rents will start at $1,200. The apartment homes will feature luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout with carpet in the bedrooms,…
Enon development coming back to PC
0A small house at 13911 N. Enon Church Road is pictured behind a zoning sign. A development project that’s been on hold since at least 2007 is headed back before the Chesterfield Planning Commission on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Enon LLC is planning a mixed-use project consisting of a maximum of 130 dwelling units and commercial uses east of North Enon Church Road, southeast of the Amazon fulfillment center. Enon Church Road becomes Meadowville Technology Parkway north of Bermuda Hundred Road. The applicant, whose address is 2000 Ware Bottom Springs Road (Shamin Hotels), is represented by Andrew M. Scherer of Balzer…
Chester UMC choir invited to sing in NYC
0Josh Wortham A 50-person choir from Chester United Methodist Church will be singing in New York City in a couple of months. The choir was invited to participate in the performance of Joseph Martin’s and Heather Sorenson’s “Christmas Dreams” as part of the Distinguished Concerts International New York concert series. The performance at Carnegie Hall is planned for Nov. 17. The Chester UMC choir will join other choristers to form the Distinguished Concerts Singers International. Conductor and composer Martin will lead the performance and will serve as the clinician for the residency. Sorenson will be present as DCINY composer-in-residence as…
Counselor enjoys mentoring TDHS students
0When Eleanor Kotowski applied to college, she wasn’t sure if she wanted to open her own business or become a therapist. She had an interest in education and even toyed with the idea of being an English teacher, but eventually settled on getting a bachelor’s degree in finance from Virginia Tech. Kotowski decided to hold off on grad school and worked in Washington, D.C., as a financial litigation consultant for three years. Outside of work, she volunteered as a tutor through a non-profit organization and realized she loved working with students. So she went back to school and got a…
Fire prevention week
0Oct. 6-12 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is: “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape.” This year’s emphasis is on the life-saving actions of families who develop a home escape plans and practice them with everyone living in their home. Evidence shows that today’s homes burn faster than those built in the 1960s and ‘70s, and that humans can inhale with minimal breaths toxic smoke from home furnishings. I have talked about home escape plans many times, but if one family reads this article and institutes a home escape plan for the first time,…
Rebecca Baril Schmitz
0Schmitz, Rebecca “Becky” Baril, 65, of Henrico, N.C., passed away suddenly on Sept. 27, 2019, following a valiant fight to recover from heart surgery. Having grown up in Chesterfield County, graduating from Meadowbrook High School in 1972, Becky spent most of her adult life in North Carolina and for many years enjoyed her panoramic view of Lake Gaston from her lovely home on Pea Hill Creek. Becky was a beautiful, kind person, who was beloved by all. To know Becky was to love her. Becky will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. Becky was born on Oct. 30,…