On the hot seat: opinions split about District Court Judge O’Berry
0Reviews of current Chesterfield/Colonial Heights District Court Judge Pamela O’Berry were split when two committees from the state House and Senate met virtually on Friday, Dec. 11. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John S. Edwards (D-Roanoke) said he had “never seen so many citizens in support and so many with a different position” about a judge. O’Berry, who has served 12 years on the court, is one of five judges on the 12th Judicial District. Positive opinions of the judge came from several well-known officials, including county supervisors James Holland (D) and Chris Winslow (R), state Del. Dolores McQuinn (D-Richmond) and…
Political machinations underway for 2021 gubernatorial, AG elections
0Two local Republicans who declared their intention to seek their party’s nomination for governor next year could have faced each other in the general election. State Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) and Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) have announced their candidacies, along with Kurt Santini, a Bedford County resident and former Army Ranger. Chase, who earlier said she would run as an independent if her party chose a convention instead of a primary for next year’s election, made an about-face on Friday. In a Dec. 11 Facebook post, Chase said she recently received “thousands of communications” from across the state asking…
Local financial advisor donates $1,000 to Chester’s Fire Station 1
0The Chester branch of Edward Jones Chester donated approximately $1,000 to Fire Station 1 in support of local first responders. The branch’s financial advisor, Leonard McAdams and the branch’s sr. office administrator, Annie Meadows presented the donation. The donation, given to members of all three shifts, included gift cards from Kroger, and for these small businesses in Chester: Howlett’s Restaurant & Tavern, The Village Grill and Grant Coffee Co.
Sunset wreath laying different this year, but still done
0The year 2020 has seen the cancellation of many gatherings and celebrations. But the pandemic didn’t stop the annual Wreath Laying Ceremony at Sunset Memorial Park on Saturday, December 19th. There were no speeches, no Army Honor Guard presenting the Flag, no singing of the national anthem. But still, the volunteers came. Over a hundred vehicles lined the cemetery’s roadway, and their occupants waited patiently to pick up wreaths. The volunteers then went throughout the grounds and placed the wreaths on the graves of veterans interred in the cemetery. Many were first-time volunteers who brought their children to share the…
Genealogy, politics don’t mix
0To the Editor: I like genealogy stories, and I was particularly engrossed in the one on Italy until Mr. Roy Mastro injected his politics into the article. He lost me at that point. I quit reading. Comparing Mussolini with President Trump was a disgraceful comment. I do not think our country is anything like Mussolini’s Italy in the 1940s. Politics do not belong in family history articles. The author needs to reflect on what it means every time an illegal person crosses our borders. Mr. Trump has ensured that Americans have jobs whether they take them or not. Most Americans…
Choice of Falling Creek boat ramp location is wrong
0To the Editor: There are over 7,100 registered Chesterfield boaters who pay over $1 million a year in personal property taxes to the county on boats valued at over $27 million. Per state law, Dominion must move the coal ash at Dutch Gap. The boat ramp must be closed. Dominion has agreed to fund $10 million for a replacement ramp. Chesterfield County officials did not consult with the Virginia Wildlife regional river access supervisor or the Chesterfield boaters before deciding to move the only James River access for boaters from Dutch Gap to Falling Creek. It appears their main objective…
It can happen
0I heard some folks talking about a fire that had recently occurred in a fire station, and I thought that I would share a perspective that many do not think about. The bottom line is that it can happen, and does happen more than people know. I am not going to talk about the fire that occurs when a piece of fire apparatus or a piece of power equipment catches fire, while in the building. I also will not be talking about the fire that occurs when a motor seizes up. The fire that I am going to talk about…
Police Blotter
0ATTUCKS DR (208xx block) 12/01/2020 8 a.m. – Vehicle parts stolen from residence. BARRISTER DR (61xx block) 12/05/2020 2:37 a.m. – Electronics and miscellaneous items stolen from vehicle. BRADLEY BRIDGE RD (130xx block) 12/07/2020 5:30 a.m. – Vandalism to a vehicle. BRANDERS BRIDGE RD (190xx block) 10/12/2020 7 a.m. – Firearms and miscellaneous items stolen from residence. BROOKSHIRE DR (65xx block) 11/14/2020 Noon – Vandalism to a residence. BURNT OAK CR (50xx block) 12/06/2020 1 p.m. – Vandalism to a residence. BURNT OAK TR (51xx block) 12/05/2020 10:15 p.m. – Vandalism to a vehicle. BURNT OAK TR (51xx block) 12/05/2020…