Loneliness in the Dogpound
0Hello and welcome back to Part 2 of the Dogpound on aging. Last week, I was discussing growing old and how science continues to come up with a long list of items that will shorten your lifespan, sometimes measured in minutes. Which is kind of scary. For example, I am drinking a lime Diet Coke right now, and per the studies, it just took 15 minutes from my lifespan. To be honest I did not feel a thing. LOL. Anyway, I left my pack of readers with a tag line that scientists have found something that is worse than smoking…
Drivers urged to secure their vehicles
0CHESTERFIELD – Chesterfield County police are asking community members to be diligent about securing their motor vehicles. Since June 1, Chesterfield County police have responded to 37 reports of stolen motor vehicles. In at least seven of those incidents, the vehicles have been left running. Police are cautioning people not to leave their cars running simply for convenience, as thieves may take the opportunity to steal from the vehicle or drive away in it. Police continue their investigation into these and other larcenies in Chesterfield. Anyone with any information on these or other crimes, or on wanted people, is asked…
Shooting investigated
0CHESTERFIELD – Chesterfield County police are investigating a shooting that occurred in the 6400 block of Lake Caroline Court at about 11:30 p.m. July 14. Police responded to a residence after a report of a disturbance with a weapon and located a man who had been shot. The victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. There was no suspect description available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chesterfield County Police Department at (804) 748-1251 or Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or use the P3 app.
Contract negotiations result in anxious DuPont workers
0Concerns about wage cuts and layoffs are on the minds of some workers at the DuPont Spruance plant. A letter from the Ampthill Rayon Workers Inc. said the plant site near Jefferson Davis Highway “is experiencing a level of anxiety and uncertainty that has never been here before now … The plant is like a powder keg ready to blow.” The letter said that many government contracts may be in jeopardy and mentioned possible wage cuts of 30-50 percent along with lay-offs. The letter also encouraged employees to contact U.S. Rep. Dave Brat, R-Glen Allen. Negotiations between DuPont and unionized…
School district employee fired; old FB posts an issue
0Chesterfield County Public Schools has fired Donald Green, who had been the school’s director of safety and security since 2014. Green headed up a working group that is considering adding armed mentors in 10 elementary schools. District spokesman Shawn Smith addressed the subject in an email last Thursday. “The school division was made aware late Tuesday afternoon of reported [Facebook] postings and immediately began an investigation. Donald Green is no longer an employee of Chesterfield Schools. We take seriously our responsibility to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing learning environment that is free from disruptions and distractions,” Smith said. School…
CCPS asks supervisors to fund new school in Magnolia Green; Residents protest over short notice, deferred maintenance, other issues
0ABOVE: Work proceeds on a new Enon Elementary School, one of several building projects either planned or underway in Chesterfield County Public Schools. By a 4-1 vote with Carrie Coyner dissenting, the Chesterfield County Public Schools board last week decided to ask the county Board of Supervisors to increase the school district’s Capital Improvement Plan to fund a new elementary school in the Magnolia Green area in the western part of the Matoaca District. The board called a special meeting for July 11 to consider the issue, Matoaca District board member Robert Thompson said. In responding to charges that it…
Crater Planning District gets $70K grant
0The U. S. Economic Development Administration recently announced that the Crater Planning District Commission will receive a $70,000 economic development grant award to be matched with $30,000 in commission funds, to enable the commission to continue important economic development initiatives in the region. The Planning District was originally designated an Economic Development District in 1985. Its current 2018 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy identifies five focus areas that will strengthen the District’s economic base: technology expansion, workforce development, small business growth, infrastructure improvements and GO Virginia projects. Commission efforts are focused on major initiatives that have come out of the planning…
County hires new director of community enhancement
0CHESTERFIELD — Chesterfield County has named Daniel Cohen the new director of its Department of Community Enhancement, effective July 30. County leaders selected him after a national recruitment process. Cohen brings more than 30 years of planning and community development experience in both public and private business to the role. He is currently a senior project manager at the Richmond Department of Economic & Community Development, where he directs and manages the affordable housing trust fund program and projects. Prior to that, he served as vice president of acquisitions at Eastern Edge Development, where he sourced investment opportunities on behalf…