Chester Lions Club hears about proposed medical center projects
0By Carelynn Shephard Bridget Fitzpatrick spoke to the Chester Lions Club Jan. 15 about the Bon Secours St. Francis Medical Center and their proposed improvements for Chesterfield County. Fitzpatrick, the administrative director of operations at St. Francis Medical Center, explained that an expansion is necessary because of the county’s rapid population growth. There are four primary initiatives which include: an ambulatory surgery center/medical office building, 55 new acute care beds at St. Francis, a free-standing emergency department in Chester, and a partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University to bring level 2 trauma services to the area. Future projects may be of…
New principal on board at Ecoff Elementary School
0Kristin Tait talks to first-grader Stephen Schultz on his first day of school in Stacey Blaha’s class. Tevin Nguyen is in the background. Like many of her co-workers, Kristin Tait knew she wanted to be a teacher while growing up. A love for leadership came later, she said. Tait began working as the new principal at Ecoff Elementary School Jan. 7, replacing Joshua Cole, who was principal at the school 9 1/2 years and accepted a job as director of strategic engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Education. Tait, a northern Virginia native and graduate of Potomac High School,…
Corey gives back by volunteering with youth
0Howard Corey Howard Corey moved to Chester from Boston 12 years ago. But the positive impact he’s made in the community during that time is so profound, the retired professional leader was honored Jan. 21 at the Chester Family YMCA’s Service Awards Celebration. “Our kids are our responsibility,” said Corey, who received the Youth Development Award. “Basically, I see myself as one of those kids,” he said. “I grew up in Chicago … probably didn’t have any direction until 11 or 12.” He recalled one mentor, a relative, who sparked his interest in math and reading by recognizing his love…
Franco preaches, practices social responsibility
3“My vision is that we come together as a community, everybody with their talents and abilities, for the common good.” These are more than words from the Rev. Shawn Franco, lead pastor of Cornerstone Assembly of God. Chester Family YMCA gave Franco the Social Responsibility Award in a special Martin Luther King Jr. Day service awards celebration Jan. 21. “We are all sons, daughters, moms, or dads. We all need family, but not everyone has the same support,” Franco said. “We can improve the lives of those who haven’t had a chance, to help form a life that’s healthy and…
‘Jumpin’ Johnny’ Wilson dead at 91
0CHESTER – A famed former Harlem Globetrotter, “Jumpin’ Johnny” Wilson died Jan. 11. He was 91. Wilson moved to Chester about two years ago to live with his son, John Wilson Jr., an assistant athletic director at Virginia State University. A native of Anderson, Ind., John E. Wilson was the fourth of six children of Randolph “Ran” and Hazel Wilson. Wilson played professional baseball – his first love – for one year for the Chicago American Giants, a Negro League team. He then played for the Globetrotters from 1949-54. With the Globetrotters, he played alongside such legends as Goose Tatum,…
Coyner seeks to replace Ingram in General Assembly
0Carrie Coyner believes in girl power. The 37-year-old Chester resident announced last week that she is seeking the Republican nomination for the House District 62 seat currently held by state Del. Riley Ingram, R-Hopewell. Coyner said she wants to offer “a different voice,” that of a “young female business owner.” Coyner is in her eighth year representing the Bermuda District on the Chesterfield school board. Ingram said he is not running again. “He’s done an amazing job,” said Coyner, a business and real estate attorney and the daughter of George and Darlene Emerson. Ingram said he is supporting Coyner and…
Development tool: County may use real estate tax abatement to revitalize north Jeff Davis corridor
1Later this year, Chesterfield supervisors likely will consider approving performance agreements in an attempt to lure business to the northern Jefferson Davis corridor. County Planning Commissioner Gib Sloan spoke about the development tool during the Jefferson Davis Association’s luncheon last week at Bensley Community Center. Sloan said some developers prefer performance agreements. These entail a rebate of real estate taxes over a 5-to-10-year period. “The percentage refunded goes down” each year, he said, adding that the county would not have a long-term financial obligation. The performance agreement proposal is part of the work of the North Jefferson Davis Special Area…
The next level: Caraballo, Cole and Webb playing collegiate ball
2Kylah Webb Taja Cole Angela Caraballo Angela Caraballo L.C. Bird High Shooting guard Junior at St. Augustine’s Caraballo originally committed to Division II Barton College in North Carolina, but decided to transfer to St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, N.C., where she was reunited with high school teammate KeKe Williams. This year, Caraballo has stepped her game up and is the school’s top scoring option in a starting lineup that shows offensive balance. Averaging 10.2 points per game, Caraballo is shooting 31.4 percent from three-point land. Defensively speaking, she is second on the team with 22 steals through 14 games, providing…