Good economic outlook projected to continue
0Everything’s coming up roses, economically speaking, county officials say. In a quarterly key financial indicators report that was presented to county supervisors Dec. 12, senior budget analyst Gerard Durkin said the county is partaking in the second largest economic expansion in the nation’s history (114 months). The county’s unemployment rate is 2.7 percent, he said, and noted that the sales tax revenue for the year is up 5.4 percent from last year. “We expect strong performance throughout Fiscal Year 2019 and heading into Fiscal Year 2020,” he said. Durkin sounded a note of caution, however, and noted that corporate and…
Supervisors approve grant funding for multiple projects
0The consent agenda approved last week by the Chesterfield County supervisors contained several items of note representing various interests.School safety Those concerned about school security may be pleased to learn that the county accepted a $500,000 federal grant that will result in electronic access control being added to 26 elementary schools that do not currently have it, along with nine elementary schools that have limited electronic access technology. The grant requires a $220,500 local match that will come from Chesterfield County Public Schools Safety and Security Capital Improvement Plan funds. The federal funds are from the U.S. Department of Justice…
Chesterfield begins academy for adults with disabilities
0ABOVE: Travis Akins shakes the hand of a recruit for the county’s new Growth Through Opportunity Academy during an event Dec. 4. Chesterfield County’s public safety and general services departments recently kicked off the inaugural 16-week Growth Through Opportunity cadet academy, the first such academy in the Richmond region. The program will provide five adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to learn job skills from county employees. The goal is to enhance safety and understanding among the cadets and first responders, and to help cadets develop transferable knowledge, skills and abilities to earn competitive employment upon completion of the…
County champs!
0ABOVE: The Matoaca Middle School girls basketball team recently won the Chesterfield County championship and finished the season with a 12-1 record. The team was honored at the Dec. 12 board of supervisors meeting. From left: assistant coach Donald Pollard, head coach Kim Pond, Brianna Montalvo, Alexa Whitlow, Ava Walker, Lauryn George, Samantha Smith, Allyson Booth, LiLa Donnelly, Kylie Booth, Emily Clark, Addison Thompson, Alyssa Thompson, Kennedy Murrell, Jada Coleman (obstructed) and Matoaca District supervisor Steve Elswick. Not pictured: Faith Brown, Abigail Wells, Kendra Carter, manager Elizabeth Stevenson and assistant coach Kym Donnelly. The Matoaca Middle School girls basketball team recently…
Recently deceased
0Abbott, Mrs. Margaret Ann, 86, of North Chesterfield, wife of Ralph Abbott. Alspaugh, Mrs. Elizabeth Annette “Kitty” Thomas, 86, of North Chesterfield, widow of Kenneth Alspaugh. Carey, Ms. Jane Gaines, 78, of Chesterfield. Cobb, Mr. Patrick “Dale,” 57, of North Chesterfield. Draucker, Mrs. Jessica Leone, 68, of Chesterfield, wife of Robert G. Draucker. Dunlap, Mr. Timothy Rowland, 72, of Chester. Fuller, Mr. Matthew H., 85, of Chesterfield, a Korean War-era Army veteran, husband of Louise Fuller. Gettings, Mrs. Tammy Ransone, 59, of Chester and Topping, wife of Linwood Gettings. Hackworth, Mr. Kenneth Lee, 88, of Chesterfield, a Navy veteran of the Korean War, widower of Carol Viar Hackworth. Hoffmann, Mr.…
A fire can happen in a firefighter’s home
0I was talking with a retired firefighter recently about a fire that he experienced in his home. He shared that as he and his wife had just laid down the night before when they both began to smell something burning. They got up and investigated and found that the control panel of their dishwasher on fire. He told me that brand of dishwasher has had numerous recalls, but they did not include his. I am certain that they cut the power by shutting off the breaker, and the fire was controlled. He said it was pushing black smoke. He said…
Bowling in the Dogpound
0Hello and welcome back to the wonderful world of the Dogpound. December means Christmas and college football bowl games! I counted 39 games that will be played. These began Dec. 15 and continue until the national championship Jan. 7, 2019. Of course, there the familiar bowl names: Cotton, Sugar, Peach, Orange and Rose bowls. (My OSU Buckeyes face Washington in the latter Jan.1). There are some bowls that may be unfamiliar. You can go to the Redbox Bowl in Santa Clara, Calif., if you are in the mood for a movie, or if you want to dress up and party,…
L.C. Bird players get offers from W.V. Wesleyan
0A duo of talented athletes from Troy Taylor’s roster saw the fruits of their hard work as both lineman DeMarkus Dancey and offensive lineman/linebacker C.J. Lynch picked up offers from West Virginia Wesleyan. At 6-3, 265 pounds, Dancey is a force on both the offensive and defensive line. He typically clogs the middle at either guard or defensive tackle, but is athletic enough to make pull blocks or to get into the backfield and make plays on the running back or quarterback. Lynch (6-1, 250) plays linebacker or offensive guard. In limited time at linebacker, he registered 12 tackles, but…