Last Pumpkin Patch
0I have just returned from my last field trip to the pumpkin patch. While I will not miss the itchy, scratchy feeling from the hay, or the multiple trips to the porta johns, it was surely bittersweet. My babies are growing up; gone are the days of field trips to the library, post office, and now the pumpkin patch. The hordes of screaming children racing up and down the rows trying to find that one perfect pumpkin, the dusty, dirty air getting in and on every surface, the sharpie in my back pocket so that I can write each of…
Candidate Forum: School Board
0In the redistricting process do you suggest community/school meetings for comments on drawing proposed district lines and work to eliminate financial segregation? JOHN ERBACH (DALE) Absolutely—I plan to hold community meetings at every school in the Dale District ahead of any decision on redistricting. This is an emotional issue for many since people feel a sense of attachment to their school. The School Board has hired an outside consultant to prepare an independent report on the subject, and I think that was the appropriate thing to do at this time. I suspect that the report will propose district lines that make…
Candidate Forum: Board of Supervisors
0Do you believe user fees for service, in the county, should continue as they are presently? i.e.: library programs, transfer station, vehicle, library and transfer station closures and so on. CLIFF BICKFORD (DALE) Chesterfield County has utilized User Fees for years as a way to keep real estate taxes lower. I believe that this pay as you go approach to certain government services that are only used by a portion of the community is appropriate. JIM HOLLAND (DALE) I am committed to reviewing and eliminating nominal fees on a case-by-case basis. Excellence in government means evaluating our revenues and costs at least annually and…
Police Blotter
0ADDINGTON AVE (27xx block) 10/13/2015 12:00 p.m. – Known suspect observed stealing property from the victim’s yard. ALFALFA LN (23xx block) 10/09/2015 1:33 a.m. – Entry gained into residence through window. Miscellaneous property stolen. ALLERTON ST (63xx block) 10/13/2015 1:00 p.m. – Unknown suspects cut the window screen, open the window and attempted to gain entry into the residence. Entry not gained and at this time nothing reported stolen. BERRYBROOK DR (39xx block) 10/09/2015 6:00 p.m. – Miscellaneous property reported stolen. BREMO AVE (215xx block) 10/10/2015 12:25 a.m. – Victims were walking back to their vehicle, after leaving a large…
Crime of the Week
0In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers program is lending its resources to this worthy cause. This week, Crime Solvers is asking for your help locating Thomas Garrett Wells. On Oct. 1, police responded to a domestic incident at a residence located near the 700 block of Bristol Village Drive. The victim reported that she was attacked and choked by her boyfriend. She identified him as Thomas Garrett Wells, who escaped the area before police arrived. Wells is described as a thinly-built, balding white male. He stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall with…
Engine to Truck (No.2)
0When I left you, I had been assigned to Engine 8, then U-83, in Matoaca. I spent three years there initially. With it being a slow house, I was able to get my self-study work done pretty quickly. Matoaca was also the house where I had set a goal to become an Advanced Life Support (ALS) provider on an engine. In 1987, I went to cardiac technician school, which is now called EMT-Intermediate. I left Matoaca in 1989, headed back home, Fire Station 1 in Chester. I did not stay in Chester long because Engine 1 was not a designated…
Recently Deceased
0Beaty, Mr. Billy Earl, 73, of Chesterfield, a Vietnam War Army veteran, husband of Sandra Kay Beaty. Bensen, Ms. Joan Tourtellotte, 76, of Chesterfield. Bishop, Mr. John “Nightrider” Randolph, 52, of Chesterfield, husband of Lori Bishop. Deurmier, Mr. Armon O., 88, of Chesterfield, husband of Marion Deurmier. Brittle, Mrs. Sharon Eileen Williams, 69, of North Chesterfield, widow of Lawrence Gibbs Brittle. Gilliland, Mrs. Lillie L., 76, of Chesterfield, widow of Kenneth C. Gilliland. Hopson, Mr. George E., of Chesterfield, husband of Barbara J. Fox-Hopson. Jenkins, Mr. Paul “Doc,” 93, of Chester, a Coast Guard veteran, widower of Mavis Howard Jenkins. Jervis, Mr. James F., 81, of North Chesterfield,…
Crossover
1Smaller schools thrive off multi-sport athletes. In the past, Matoaca was a small school, a tiny one – not always the 5A school they are today. These athletes make up a significant part of the school’s history and a change from the Wing-T to the spread has a few of these talented athletes on display. “You’re not going to find an area with too many more generational families in the county,” Matoaca’s football coach, Derrick L. Johnson said. “We still have homegrown Matoaca boys here.” Homegrown Matoaca boys that play multiple sports, or more uniquely, three skill players who would…