Ashland-Hanover Local – 09/16/15

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Patrick Henry rolls over Jaguars.

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Vol. 1 No. 11 | Richmond Suburban News | September 16, 2015

Request to house pythons denied

By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

H

ANOVER — First it was chimpanzees.

Last week, it was 17foot pythons confronting the Hanover County Board of Supervisors.

It wasn’t Hanover’s first rodeo when dealing with exotic or vicious animals as Nathan Lawhorn stood before the meeting Wednesday, Sept. 9, requesting a permit to keep 10 exotic snakes in his Hanover Heights home.

Keeping snakes more than six feet in length is illegal in Hanover County, but Lawhorn asked the board to make an exception.

The Chickahominy District resident maintains and cares for 10 snakes in his Hanover County home, and some of his neighbors are none too pleased with the prospect of giant pythons being cared for and bred in their neighborhood.

Lawhorn told board memsee PYTHONS, pg. 4

Superintendent search in high gear

By Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local ASHLAND — Following a slow start, the process to hire a new superintendent for Hanover County Public Schools has moved into high gear as the school year begins.

Assistant superintendent David Myers provided an update on the process and the expected timeline for completion of the process. The board hopes to wrap up the process by November.

Public meetings were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 14-15, and Hanover citizens also have an opportunity to voice their opinions via an online survey available through Oct. 2.

The meetings were being held at Patrick Henry High School and Atlee High School on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

To some, the process may seem hurried, but Myers explained the county employed the normal administrative process to select and hire a firm to conduct the

Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Jennifer Greif, director of accreditation and accountability, delivered the good news regarding Standards of Learning scores for Hanover County Public Schools students.

search. BWP and Associates, a firm that specializes in administrative searches, was awarded the contract at an estimated cost of $20,000 to 25,000.

BWP is the same firm that conducted the system’s last search when Dr. Jamelle Wilson was hired in 2011. The expected cost is lower than the publicized rate when the last search was conducted.

Hanover County School Board chair Bob Hundley said there’s a good reason for that. “They gave us a 10 percent discount as a repeat customer,” he said.

The firm was chosen from four responding applicants.

Myers explained the administrative timeline.

“The initial proposals were due on Aug. 7,” he said. “Review of the proposal went on from the 10th to the 14th and then the second interviews and negotiations went on the 17th, 18 th and 19 th, and the contract was issued on Aug. 20,” he added.

“It was expedited,” said Hundley. see SCHOOL, pg. 2

Goodman addresses long-term motel residency

By Meredith Rigsby News Editor

R

ICHMOND — Ashland Police Chief Douglas Goodman, joined by town manager Charles Hartgrove and planning director Nora Amos, addressed the town’s motels and issues stemming from long-term residency at them during Thursday’s meeting of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC).

The presentation was sponsored by Ashland Town Council and RRPDC board member Faye O. Prichard.

“We have been struggling for a long time with how we solve the problem of hotels that have become, in essence, not hotels but long-term residencies that don’t serve the folks who live there, don’t serve our community, don’t serve our economic needs,” Prichard said.

The Town of Ashland currently has 14 hotels that make up 1,100 rooms. Law enforcement made 7,380 calls to the area motels during 2014.

The Apple Garden Inn, which topped the list of locations with the most police calls in 2014, averaged seven police calls per room, not including fire and EMS calls. The inn has 48 rooms.

Crime in the Town of Ashland increased from 2013 to 2014 and 99 percent of that increase in crime came from shoplifting at the local Walmart, Chief Goodman said.

“That’s not a negative on the Walmart. What we are trying to do now is drill down into that data to determine how many of those shoplifting defendants that were arrested came from one of our motels,” Goodman said. “It’s something we are looking at to determine do we have a radiation problem [from the see HOTEL pg. 4

Meredith Rigsby/The Hanover Local

Ashland Police Chief Douglas Goodman presented issues pertaining to the town’s motels and longterm residency Thursday at a meeting of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission.

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Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

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This year’s Teachers of the Year awards were presented at last week’s Hanover County School Board meeting. This year’s winners were, from left, Support Employee of the Year Jenny Walsh, a kindergarten instructional aide at Henry Clay Elementary; Forrest Gladstone, this year’s Beginning Teacher of the Year. She is a language arts teacher at Liberty Middle School. This year’s Teacher of the Year is Erin Sturgis, a special education teacher at Hanover Center for Trades and Technology.

Presenting the awards were Rick Richardson, far left, interim superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools, and Bob Hundley, school board chairman.

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SCHOOL Continued from pg. 1

A search committee named by the school board made the decisions. Myers said he personally delivered the applications on Aug. 7, and committee members reviewed them over the weekend.

“They were willing to commit to an all day Saturday, Sunday and Monday to review those proposals,” Myers said.

Once applications are scored and evaluated, Myers pointed out that it only takes a day for a committee to reach a consensus. “You go through all of the proposals as a committee and then you rank. That’s how the process goes. Then, you do a second interview after that.”

Hundley noted that the decision has basically already been made once the firms are scored. “You do a second interview, but, basically, you’ve made the (search firm) selection after that ranking process,” he said.

The number of second interviews granted in this case is not available to the public. “That’s a closed process at this moment and we can’t talk about until we get the final word from Procurement,” Myers said.

Myers said the process followed the letter of the law procedurally. “This went first interviews, second interviews, negotiations and issuance of a contract.”

Myers said making no public announcement of the selection or the cost of the contract is not unusual. “If we selected, for example, Seaboard Coast Line to help us with putting in a HVAC system, we would work through the process and select them to do the work,” he said. “We wouldn’t notify anybody.”

He also elaborated on the estimated cost of the search. “Part of the cost is a reimbursement and depends on how many different avenues we advertise in.

It’s a fee plus reimbursable costs.”

Board members and school administration maintained that an update on the process was provided at the August meeting, but no record of that communication was available at press time and the item did not appear on last month’s agenda.

Later, school officials confirmed that no update was provided at the August regular meeting, but a short update had been provided at a special meeting earlier in the day.

While the process has been a largely administrative function to this point, Myers told board members that the board

begins its hands-on approach beginning with the public meetings.

In other matters, director of accreditation and accountability Jennifer Greif delivered the details of the latest Standards of Learning (SOL) scores in Hanover County schools. The results were impressive.

They scored higher than the state average on all 29 tests, and 27 of them reflected improvement.

Enrollment numbers are up for Hanover Advanced Placement (AP) classes. Greif said that’s partially due to the county’s policy of accepting all students for AP classes.

“We are not gatekeepers,” she explained.

Hanover’s dropout and graduation rates also ranked the system No. 1 in its division, and the county outscored its metro competitors.

Hanover also outperformed its competitors with the highest per pupil instructional spending rate of 72.5 percent.

In 2016, interim superintendent Rick Richardson said the system is spending more per pupil than at any other time in the division’s history.

First day enrollments indicate this year’s number of students attending Hanover schools is level.

SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue Aug. 31 Suspect passed bad check on Market Road.

Sept. 1 Suspect used victim’s information without permission on Sunnyside Drive.

Suspect violated a protective order on Kristy Star Lane.

Unknown suspect stole items on LeReve Circle.

Unknown suspect damaged victim’s property on Pegway Lane.

Unknown suspect damaged victim’s property on Cadys Mill Road.

Sept. 2 Unknown suspect stole items on West Patrick Henry Road.

Suspect passed counterfeit bills on Sliding Hill Road.

Suspect was in possession of a controlled substance on Cool Spring Road/Combs Drive.

Suspect was in possession of a controlled substance on Washington Highway.

Suspect stole items on Atlee Road.

Suspect stole items on Sliding Hill Road.

Sept. 3 Suspect assaulted victim on Walnut Grove Road.

Unknown suspect stole items on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Unknown suspect obtained items fraudulently on Bell Creek Road.

Suspect stole items on Chamberlayne Road.

Suspect damaged victim’s property on Signal Hill Road.

Suspect broke into listed location on Beaver Dam Road.

Suspect assaulted victim on Glaybird Lane.

Suspect damaged victim’s property on Wynbrook Road.

permission on Stagefield Road.

Suspect used victim’s information without permission on Bell Creek Road.

Suspect assaulted victim on Kings Dominion Boulevard.

Unknown suspect stole items on Pole Green Road.

Unknown suspect stole items on Washington Highway.

Suspect assaulted victim on St. Peter’s Church Road.

Suspect was in possession of controlled substance on Chamberlayne Road.

Sept. 5 Unknown suspect stole items on Yankeetown Road.

Suspect threatened victim on Emerald Rock Lane.

Sept. 6 Sept. 4 Suspect assaulted victim on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Suspect used victim’s information without permission on Mountain Road.

Suspect used victim’s information without

Suspect assaulted victim on Lone Oak Drive.

Suspect assaulted victim on Beatties Mill Road.

Suspect was in possession of controlled substance on Studley Road.

Suspect assaulted victim on Ellerson Mill Circle.

Suspect broke into listed location on Mechanicsville Turnpike.

Sept. 7 Suspect damaged victim’s property on Sugarpine Road.

Suspect assaulted victim on Wrenwood Drive.

Suspect stole items on Theme Park Way. Suspect assaulted victim on Hanover Crossing Drive.

Suspect used victim’s information without permission on Beaver Dam Road.

Suspect assaulted victim on Kings Dominion Boulevard.

Suspect assaulted victim on Kings Dominion Boulevard.

Unknown suspect stole items on Riverside Drive.

Suspect assaulted victim on Bell Creek Road.

Unknown suspect broke into listed location on Burnett Field Drive.

Unknown suspect damaged victim’s property on Beaver Dam Lane.

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The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

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HOTEL Continued from pg. 1

motels].”

In addition to increased crime rates, another challenge that the town faces as a result of increased long-term occupancy in its hotels is that once a person has stayed at one location for 30 days the town is no longer able to collect a transient occupancy tax, as stated by the Virginia State Code.

As a result, there is an increase in demand for services, but after an individual is considered a resident and not a transient there is no longer a revenue stream to pay for that increase in demand, the chief said.

Hartgrove noted that meals and lodging taxes make up about 25 percent of Ashland’s revenue.

In an effort to obtain some guidance about what to do about its long-term motel residency issue, the Ashland Police Department looked at a report out of Chula Vista, California, called “Disorder of Business Hotels.”

The area was having a similar problem as Ashland.

One of the key takeaways from the report was that when room rental rates hit a tipping point where there are less overnight guests, or transient lodgers, than permanent guests, the business will begin to decline.

“You’re going to have increased calls for

PYTHONS Continued from pg. 1

bers the snakes are harmless, and raising and caring for them is more than a hobby. He spends hours each day caring for the animals.

“My number one passion in the world is reptiles,” he said,

service, increased social disorder in that area and it’s going to radiate out,” Goodman said.

“Right now we have that with multiple hotels in town.”

Another problem facing those trying to decrease the amount of long-term residents in Ashland’s hotels is that, according to Virginia law, if a hotel resident stays at a location for 90 days they are then considered a tenant and the motel owner must follow the Landlord Tenant Act in order to evict the individual.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem in Ashland — I’ve tried.”

DOUGLAS GOODMAN Ashland police chief

The Ashland Police Department has dedicated a good amount of time and resources toward fixing the current issue. From December 2014 to May 2015, they held 13 meetings with well over 100 unique stakeholders in town.

As a result, it was concluded that the town’s faith-based groups have the most “skin in the game” because they provide the most benevolence to people in need in the area, Goodman said.

After speaking with faith-based organizations, many said they felt that they couldn’t keep

explaining a lifelong fascination with the animals.

And few doubted Lawhorn’s sincerity or professionalism when dealing with the animals.

Animal control chief Jeffrey Parker visited the home and found the “snake room” well maintained with professional cages, each secured by three

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Taylor recommended denial of the application and suggested the snakes be removed within 90 days.

Even with Lawhorn’s professional knowledge of snakes and their care, numerous neighbors expressed safety concerns.

William Wood, a neighbor, said he worries about the worstcase scenario. “It’s always a question of ‘What if?’,” referring to possible severe storms or trees falling on the home.

Megan Hannah said she was not willing to sacrifice the safety of her children to accommodate Lawhorn. “My children are more important than his hobby.”

Lawhorn assured them there was no possibility of escape for the snakes.

Several speakers referenced the situation in Florida where pythons have been released in the Everglades and spread to

pace with the current rate of benevolent demand and others said their benevolence may be getting taken advantage of.

From a business perspective, many local owners are concerned with the physical appearance of the motel locations, the physical appearance of the business corridor and negative reviews online all as a result of long-term hotel residency.

The Ashland Police Department also had discussions with hotel residents that are not engaged in disorderly conduct, but are legitimately in a tough spot.

The two main reasons that these residents said they can’t move out of a hotel into a different situation is because of their inability to save enough money for both a security deposit and first month’s rent for an apartment and poor credit, Goodman said.

Long-term hotel residents pay anywhere from $750 to $1,000 per month in rent, he said.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this problem in Ashland — I’ve tried,” Goodman said.

Goodman said the largest impediment to the town concerning this issue is compassion.

“We have a town that is extremely compassionate and a town council and a government that is extremely compassionate and we’re looking at these human condition issues as well as all these other dynamics. It’s a very hard problem to solve,” he said.

Two potential solutions that resulted from meetings with faith-based leaders and other

Jim Ridolphi for The Hanover Local

Python owner Nathan Lawhorn told members of the Hanover County Board of Supervisors that his 10 exotic snakes are just like his kids and pose no harm to the residential neighborhood where he resides. Supervisors denied his request for a permit allowing him to keep the animals. He has 120 days to remove them from the home in Hanover Heights.

stakeholders were allowing 5 percent of hotel rooms to be designated for long-term residents and to put off any implementation of new codes until July 1, 2016.

This specific date was agreed upon in an effort to curb the impact new codes may have on children that are living in these hotels and to allow hotel operators to get up to speed on new requirements.

There are currently about 15 to 20 schoolage children living as long-term residents in Ashland’s motels, Goodman said.

During discussion, an RRPDC board member suggested that the social services department designate a representative to specifically deal with the hotels and the issues that the residents experience.

“Not having regulations is a big problem,” Prichard said, adding that during stakeholder meetings she was surprised to learn that organizations like Hanover Safe Place are eager for the town government to implement regulations that can more effectively handle the problem.

The town code that handles hotel regulations has not been updated in a number of years.

“The challenge is we need to get folks who are utilizing these places and owners who are utilizing these places as apartments, giving them stable housing, that’s really the crux of all this.

People need to be in places that are supposed to be residential housing — this is not designed to be residential housing for the long-term,” Hartgrove said.

other parts of the state, posing a threat for native species.

Chickahominy District supervisor Angela Kelly-Wiecek motioned for disapproval of the permit request, acknowledging Lawhorn’s passion for his reptiles.

“That being said, we have to think of this in the broadest of terms. We can’t take a vote based on feelings or emotions.

We have to decide on the facts.

We always have to plan for the worst and the unexpected,” she said.

“We’ve been down this road before in Hanover. The animals were well loved but animals escaped and people could have been hurt.”

Kelly-Wiecek said exotic animals and residential neighborhoods are not a good mix.

She pointed out that the keeping of snakes does not maintain the character of the

neighborhood.

“I think wild and exotic animals should be kept in a zoo.”

Lawhorn requested six months to move his animals if his permit request was denied.

“Sixty days might be a little quick. I’d be willing to go with 120 days,” Kelly Wiecek motioned.

Chairman Wayne Hazzard also acknowledged Lawhorn’s passion and responsibility for his animals, but joined in a unanimous vote to deny the permit.

“This reminds me of the race track,” Hazzard said. “Property rights are very important to me, but when what you do affects the person beside you, then you suddenly are taking some of their rights away. We try to take everybody’s rights into consideration. The adverse affect on the neighborhood compels me to vote against it.”

Cyclist killed in vehicle collision Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – A cyclist was killed Saturday, Sept. 5, near the intersection of Mountain Road and Farrington Road.

According to Sgt. Matthew N. Ratchford of the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office, a vehicle and a cyclist collided around 11 a.m.

The preliminary investigation revealed a lone bicyclist was traveling west on Mountain Road. A 1996 Buick Century also was traveling west on Mountain Road when it struck the bicycle from behind.

The cyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash. The driver of the Buick Century reported no injuries.

The Sheriff ’s Office identified the cyclist as Caroline

Dawn Wortham, 26, of Glen Allen as the victim of the crash.

Deputies arrested Stanley P. Dawson, 59, of Mechanicsville and charged him with involuntary manslaughter, failure to yield to a bicyclist and possession of a concealed weapon.

He was released fromthe Pamunkey Regional Jail on $25,000 bond Wednesday, Sept. 9, after a judge in Hanover General District Court set his bail during a brief hearing.

Dawson is scheduled to appear on Friday, Sept. 25, in General District Court on the charges.

Anyone who may have information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office at 804-7306110.

Northup named to Fair Housing Board Staff Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND – An Ashland resident has been appointed to the Fair Housing Board by Gov. Terry McAuliff.

Stephen A. Northup is a retired partner at Troutman

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McAuliffe said Northup joined his administration focused on finding common ground with members of both parties on issues that will build a new Virginia economy and create more jobs across the Commonwealth.

Olson earns Dean’s Award at Colgate HAMILTON, New York — Cassady Olson, of Montpelier, a member of the Colgate Class of 2018, has earned the Dean’s Award for academic

excellence for the Spring 2015 semester.

This recognition is awarded to students with a 3.30 or higher term average.

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheHanoverLocal The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

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OPINION | The Local Views Letters to the editor

From the editor

Life’s reality for some is very eye-opening

By Melody Kinser Managing Editor

S

he smiles despite the pain. She holds to her faith. She has a terminal illness. While most of us have days that don’t go as well as we had hoped, there are those around us — and often very near and dear to us — who face medical conditions that have no cure.

Over the Labor Day weekend, this writer traveled to the Cleveland, Ohio, area to visit a friend who is battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She continues to undergo chemotherapy and take each day with the spirit she has always shown.

Our mothers grew up together and the tradition continued for Donna and her sister Patty who were born between my sister and me. There are so many fond memories of time spent at their home or vacationing with them. And these years of friendship fill many photo albums.

While traveling I told Mom — as I have many times before — that you don’t have to be blood relatives to be family. The relationship we have with the Conn and Scaggs families proves that to be true for us.

I’ll think of Donna and what she has been dealing with for more than two years and realize how the hiccups of life or work I may encounter are so minor, not even worth mentioning.

Spending time with her over the holiday was inspiring. How does she do it?

She continues to fulfill her commitments to her employer and holds to her vows as a wife. Her daughters have children of their own. They keep a close watch on their mother and know she wouldn’t tell them if she was having a bad day. That smile is always there.

Driving back to Mechanicsville last Wednesday, my thoughts turned to the life she is living, taking it day by day and not letting an incurable disease take that smile away. As always, prayers are welcomed.

Back to school We’re still accepting photos of your child’s first day back to school. You can email them to mkinser@mechlocal.com or post on www.facebook.com/mechlocal or www.facebook.com/TheHanoverLocal.

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All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher.

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The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

Concerns about new school year While I am very excited to begin a new school year at Hanover High School, I wish that everything in Hanover County Public Schools was as good for the upcoming school year.

As I read Elizabeth Proctor’s letter to the editor in the Aug. 12 edition of The Mechanicsville Local, I found myself nodding my head over and over.

She and I are both in the position where decisions made at the top impact our children and our jobs.

I am sure most of your readers know where our priorities should lie between work and family, and my concerns over the past few years are for nothing other than my three children, now in first, third and fifth grade.

They deserve a top-flight education befitting the 21st century from the best staff and using current technologies.

I’m not sure what frustrates me more: A. The fact that some of our best High School teachers are leaving HCPS for places like Varina and Henrico High School, while others are driving to Manassas or Chesterfield while maintaining their residency here. One of our high schools will be on its fifth English Department chairperson in four years, while the entire International Baccalaureate (IB) instruction team there is brand new. If this doesn’t wave red flags to residents, I don’t know what will.

B. That no one in county leadership positions will admit to the public that there is a problem with high school attrition in HCPS. They cite overall numbers, but you never hear a breakdown of elementary, middle and high schools. High school attrition is at a level I have not seen in working here in 22 years – the numbers may be similar to previous years, but as one Hanover County School Board member put it in 2013: “the reasons for people leaving are different.” That school board member was removed by current county leadership.

C. That despite the high school attrition and loss of accreditation, the school board refuses to ask the Hanover County Board of Supervisors for the staff we need to teach five classes. As one of my colleagues put it to me this week: “I wish I had my old job back.” We never had a school lose accreditation when we had manageable workloads. My 150-plus students next year (highest total in my career) and my three children deserve better.

Then, I read warm and fuzzy stories in The Mechanicsville Local and the Herald Progress about the fantastic progress of our schools in the Standards of Learning (SOL) scores for last school year.

There were some victories in testing here in Hanover,

but the spin doctors at the highest levels of leadership in our county conveniently forgot to mention that last year one of our high schools had the worst Algebra I scores in the history of that school, with pass rates in the 50s percentile, or that another had English 11 scores drop across-theboard in reading and writing.

Did the reporters miss something, or did our leadership fail to report the full story?

Further, while I am elated that Patrick Henry High School made the grade last spring in Algebra 1, I cannot help but wonder if there were additional resources placed at Patrick Henry to make that happen.

If so, other high schools were equipped with less resources. That is not acceptable for my three kids.

The simple fix is to just return to the five class schedule at the high school level that produced state accreditation annually.

County residents should demand that the school board make an intensive study into test scores with the six class schedule we have now versus the five class schedule, which never failed in 100 percent accreditation.

Under our current county leadership, we have had a school lose accreditation for the first time ever, and another pass state requirements for Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) only with their three year average – a few more years with Algebra 1 scores in the 50s percentile will put that school on an improvement plan as well.

It’s time to change the guard with county leadership.

Sadly, we only have two races.

I urge county residents to boot the incumbents and consider running in 2019.

Chris Pace Mechanicsville

Letters to the Editor The Hanover Local welcomes your signed letters to the editor on topics of interest to Hanover residents.

Letters must include your address and a daytime telephone number. We reserve the right to edit letters.

We do not guarantee that every letter received will be published. Letters reflect the opinions and positions of the writers and not The Hanover Local.

Send letters to: The Hanover Local, 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd.

Mechanicsville, Va. 23116. Fax: 730-0476 E-mail: editor@mechlocal.com

OBITUARIES | Death Notices & Funerals

ROBERT CHANDLER Robert Lee, 30, of Ashland, departed this life on September 4, 2015. He is survived by his son, Thomas Pollard-Chandler; his son’s mother, Kelley Pollard; father, Eddie Chandler and wife, Dee; brother and sister, Chris and Danielle Chandler; mother, Martha Mireles and husband, Eloy; former stepfather, Ralph DuVall; his companion, Jennifer Clodfelter; stepbrothers, Noah and Nicholas Clodfelter; sisters, Savannah Rodriguez and Ellie Estupinan; two nieces, Adrianna and Jackie Rodriguez; grandmother, Charlotte Roberts; and many loving and caring aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Blanche Chandler “D.D.;” grandfather, Jack Chandler Sr.; grandfather, Henry B. Edwards Sr.; grandmother, Elsie Brackett; and grandfather, Bobby Brackett. He was the type of person who never ever met a stranger and he touched many lives. He worked at Eddie’s Auto. He loved drag racing, mud bogging and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Funeral services were held at noon Saturday, September 12, 2015, at New Found Church of Christ at 14166 Gordon’s Lane in Glen Allen. Interment followed in Winn’s Baptist Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be registered at www. nelsenashland.com.

RICHARD COOK Richard F. “Rick” Cook Jr., 67, of Ashland, died Sunday, September 6, 2015. He retired from Genworth Financial and was an active Amateur Radio Operator (AB4U). Rick retired from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 37, and was Past Division Commander of Division 3. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Linda Shierling Cook; his

daughter, Lauren Boito and her husband, Mark, of Chesterfield; his grandsons, Alexander and Andrew Boito; brother, Scott Cook (Sally) of Richmond; two nieces, Jennie Cook of Houston, Texas, and Melissa Cook Archbell of Brunswick, Maine. He also is survived by five brothers-inlaw, William Shierling (Valdi), Julian Shierling (Lenelle), Charles Shierling, George Shierling and Eugene Shierling (Virginia); sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Lawson (Thomas); and many other nieces and nephews. A celebration of Rick’s life was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church at 201 Henry Street in Ashland. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Rick’s name to the Ashland Vol. Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 667, Ashland, VA 23005. The Nelsen Funeral Home Reid Chapel was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at NelsenAshland.com.

HARRIET ROBINSON Harriet Edith “Pitty Pat,” Robinson, 73, of Rockville, departed this life September 2, 2015. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m.

Thursday, September 10, 2015, at St. Mark Baptist Church in Maidens.

Owens Funeral Service at 104 Green Chimney Ct. in Ashland was in charge of ROBINSON arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.owensfuneralservices.com

ELEANOR THURSTON Eleanor Bessie Thurston, 91, of Ashland, passed away September 5, 2015. She was preceded in death by her parents, Sadie and Willie Thurston Sr.; and brother, Willie Thurston Jr. She retired from the Hanover County Extension Office with many years of service and was an active member of Winn’s Baptist Church. Eleanor is survived by several cousins, special friends and dedicated friend, Alvin Loving. Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2015, in Woodland Cemetery in Ashland.

Nelsen Funeral Home-Reid Chapel at 412 South Washington Highway in Ashland was in charge of arrangements.

ESTHER ZICAFOOSE Esther Davis Zicafoose, 83, of Ashland, passed away on September 7, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. Zicafoose; parents, Roy M. Davis and Ora Newton; siblings, Alton Davis, Frank Davis, Jerry Davis and Tina Call. She is survived by her three daugh-

ters, Jeanne Z. Pyne (Dale), Carolyn Z. Pauley (Al) and Donna Z. Sikes (Charles); grandchildren, Candice (Bill), Rachel, Jessi (Eric), Devon, Clara (Glen), Jason (Sarah) and Robert; greatgrandchildren, Skylar, T.J., B.J., Gavin and Reagan; ZICAFOOSE siblings, Herman Davis, Nancy Sprouse, Thomas Davis, Haden Davis, Fay Wharam, Mary O’Bier and Sandra Davis; and all of her family and friends. Esther was a caregiver. She was a member of Ashland Christian Church and was a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2015, at Ashland Christian Church at 301 South James Street in Ashland. Interment was at Signal Hill Memorial Park in Hanover. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Ashland Christian Church in her honor. Nelsen Funeral Home, Reid Chapel, at 412 South Washington Highway in Ashland was in charge of arrangements.

BERNARD TAYLOR Bernard Leon Sr., of Montpelier, departed this life September 8, 2015. He was born March 23, 1929, in Henrico County, to the late Henry and Ruth Anderson Taylor. His occupations included working with his mother in a cleaners at Thalhimer’s and Richfood. He also was a brick mason and carpenter. Sharing in their great loss are his wife, Vivian Hayden Taylor; five children, Gayle Taylor, Bernard Taylor Jr. (Lyn), Ealier Smith, Carroll Wayne Taylor Sr. (Darlene) and Gwendolyn Taylor; a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life was held at 1 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2015, at the Abner Baptist Church in Glen Allen. Owens Funeral Services at 104 Green Chimney Court in Ashland was in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.owensfuneralservices.com.

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MICHAEL AUGSBURGER Michael Augsburger, 50, of Beaverdam, passed away September 7, 2015. He was a longtime employee of Wells Fargo. Michael is survived by his wife, Marcia, and two children, Kristina and Courtney. He also is survived by his parents, Gene and JoAnn Augsburger; brother, Bryan Augsburger (Patti); and nephew, Chris of Sandston. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12, 2015, at Nelsen Funeral Home at 4650 South Laburnum Avenue. Interment followed at Washington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to www.AARF.org or to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.

Online condolences may be registered at www. nelsenrichmond.com.

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The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

7

Hanover County goes Back-to-school Photos by Meredith Rigsby

Cool Spring Elementary School

Patrick Henry High School

Cool Spring Elementary School students finish their first day of school with a walk to the bus loop at the Mechanicsville site.

Henry Clay Elementary School

Above, from left, Robert L. Hundley Jr., chairman of the Hanover County School Board, Chickahominy District; Dr. Robert F. “Rick�

Richardson, Jr., interim superintendent of the Hanover County School Board, Henry (Hank) C. Lowry Jr., vice chair of the Hanover County School Board, Ashland District, Henry Clay Elementary School teacher, and Teresa M. Keck, principal, chatted during the visit to Henry Clay Elementary School in Ashland. Above, middle, bicycles are on display for students to see what they could win if attend school everyday with no absences. Above right, students listen as their teacher reads to them.

Liberty Middle School

Liberty Middle School in Ashland was back to business on Tuesday, Sept. 8, with the start of the 2015-2016 school year.

8

The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

Patrick Henry High School in Ashland welcomed Dr. Rick Richardson, interim superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools; Hank Lowry, Ashland District, Hanover County School Board; and Sue Dibble, South Anna District, school board.

CALENDAR | News, Updates & Listings Tuesday, Sept. 22 The Hanover County Department of Social Services Board meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, Hanover County Social Services, 12304 Washington Highway in Ashland. This meeting is open to the public.

Saturday, Sept. 26 An Evening of Boots and Burlap fundraising auction to benefit the ministries of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hanover will take place starting at 6 p.m. Doors open and silent auction begins at 6 p.m. and the live auction begins at 7:30 p.m. $20 General admission, $25 general admission plus two beverage vouchers. Heavy hors d’oeuvres provided.

For more information email BootsandBurlap@ stpaulshanover.org.

F

ax submissions to calendar to 730-0476, email to mkinser@ mechlocal.com, or mail to 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville VA 23116. Deadline is 1 p.m. Thursday for the following week’s issue. Calendar announcements cannot be taken by phone. We reserve the right to edit all items submitted to The Hanover Local.

Randolph-Macon College calendar of events

A

SHLAND – As R andolph-Macon College prepares for the start of its fall 2015 semester, the calendar is full of activities for students, administration, faculty, staff and the community.

The schedule includes:

Through Oct. 2 “Constraints, Analogies, Metaphors” Art Exhibit Opening Reception: Sept. 13, 3 to 5 p.m. Exhibit: MondayFriday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flippo Gallery, Pace-Armistead Hall.

Philip Stuart Wetton’s imagery is a response to self-imposed stringent constraints. By working this way he finds things impossible for himself to imagine. There are analogies to poetry, music and games; although his prints are often complex, he hopes the spectator is rewarded by time spent looking.

Sept. 17 “Learning about the Human Immune System from a Successful Vaccine” 7 p.m. Dollar Tree Community Room, Brock Commons.

Vaccination has been one of the

most successful medical interventions in the past century.

Early vaccines were developed empirically, with little known about immunology. The need for new vaccines against pandemics like HIV and emerging diseases like Ebola emphasizes our need to understand the immunology behind vaccination. Emory University Professor Rama Akondy will use the Yellow Fever vaccine to explore this question.

7:30 p.m. lawn near Fox Hall.

This bittersweet comedy follows both the immigrant experience for Turks coming into Germany in the 1960s as well as a reluctant family trip back to the homeland, as second- and third- generation immigrants discover their heritage at the behest of an ageing patriarch — a former “guest worker,” now a German citizen and the focus of this story. Popcorn provided; please bring a chair.

Sept. 18 Open-air Cinema Festival: “Whiplash” (U.S., 2014) 7:30 p.m. lawn near Fox Hall.

Andrew, a promising 19-yearold drummer at a cutthroat Manhattan music conservatory, has little interest in being just a musician. Haunted by his father’s failed writing career and plagued with the fear that mediocrity might be genetic, Andrew dreams of greatness. He practices daily until his hands literally bleed, pursuing perfection at any cost — even his humanity.

Popcorn provided; bring a chair.

Sept. 19 Open-air Cinema Festival: “Almanya: Welcome to Germany” (Germany, Turkey, 2011)

Sept. 25 Open-air Cinema Festival: [Film title: To Be Announced] 7:30 p.m. lawn near Fox Hall.

Popcorn provided; bring a chair.

suddenly changes. Popcorn provided; bring a chair.

Sept. 29 “Prostitutes and the Discourse of Nation Building in World War II China” 6 p.m. Dollar Tree Community Room, Brock Commons. When war broke out in 1937 between China and Japan, a campaign got underway in China to persuade people to donate money to resistance movements. Prostitutes in Shanghai and Wuhan contributed their savings to the resistance army. R-MC History Professor Dewen Zhang will present this talk, which is part of the 201516 Interdisciplinary Women’s Studies Speakers Series.

Sept. 26 Open-air Cinema Festival: “Timbuktu” (France, 2014) 7:30 p.m. lawn near Fox Hall.

Not far from Timbuktu, Kidane lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife, daughter, and their 12year-old shepherd. In town, the people suffer from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Kidane and his family are spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu, but their destiny

Oct. 18 (through Nov. 20) “Delicate Axis” Art Exhibit Opening Reception: Oct. 18, 3 to 5 p.m. Exhibit: MondayFriday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Flippo Gallery, Pace-Armistead Hall.

Artist Katie Shaw began working on “The Atomic Series” in 2009; her work utilizes meticulous abstract simplicity to express the distance that can sometimes be felt within and between experiences, thoughts and objects.

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The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

9

UPCOMING EVENTS

09

17 2015

Girls volleyball: Highland Springs at Patrick Henry 7:00 p.m.

09

18 2015

Football: Mills Godwin at Patrick Henry 7:00 p.m.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

Patriots steamroll Jaguars in home opener

By Weldon Bradshaw for the Hanover Local ASHLAND – Picture, if you will, this scene of intensity, passion and over-the-top adrenaline in Patrick Henry’s 27-0 victory over visiting Glen Allen on Friday night in Ashland.

Patriots’ quarterback Hunter Hart, eyes blazing, scrambles from the pocket and sprints down the left sideline with one single purpose in mind.

As he crosses the 5-yard line en route to the goal line, a Glen Allen defender, racing from Hart’s right, meets him head on.

Instead of stepping safely out of bounds, Hart tucks his shoulder and sends his opponent reeling.

The bench erupts in ecstasy.

The home crowd goes wild.

Coach Bryan Davis races toward his quarterback, leaps, and delivers a spontaneous inthe-air chest bump.

Then, the 41-year-old coach topples to the ground, does a nifty back flip as his visor goes flying, then bounces up and rejoins the craziness.

Such is the nature of Patrick Henry football, the 2015 version.

“I’ll be hurting tomorrow,” Davis said of his unintended acrobatics, “but this is a game full of energy. Our kids have invested so much.

“This is the reward, the cul-

10

R-MC rebounds with win at Averett

By Jordan Bondurant Danville Register & Bee

Dean Hoffmeyer/Times-Dispatch

Patrick Henry’s Joshua Guerrero looks between Glen Allen defenders Najee Lawrence (left) and Jake Rosen (right) in the first period of the Patriots’ 27-0 victory over the Jaguars at Patrick Henry High School Friday night.

mination of all our hard work.”

The Patriots (2-0) dominated from the outset.

Their first touchdown came on a 59-yard run by Justin McCowan on the first play after the Patrick Henry defense stymied one of many Jaguar

The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

drives.

The second, a 4-yard run by McCowan, ended a nine-play, 77-yard drive that followed a 59yard punt by Carson Reynolds.

Just before halftime, the Patriots’ Parker Davis returned an interception 43 yards to the

Glen Allen 43, and with 8 seconds remaining, Logan Bulthuis drilled a 27-yard field goal.

“Every opportunity we get, we want to put the football in the end zone,” said Hart, a 6foot, 178-pound sophomore.

“We like to throw the foot-

ball, but this week, we saw our opportunities where we could run it. We’ll spread you out, then we’ll pack it in and try to run down your throat.

“We want to bring hard-

DANVILLE — Randolph-Macon College put a 21-point gap between them and Averett University on Saturday night, and the Cougars (0-2) got close before the Yellow Jackets (1-1) pulled away and won 49-28.

R-MC exploited a porous Averett defense that saw its struggles in eliminating big gains continue for the second straight week. The Cougars surrendered 701 yards of total offense.

Twice in the first half the Yellow Jackets needed just one play to get to the end-zone. Both plays came courtesy of the pass.

Freshman quarterback Joseph Vairo, who went 16 of 25 for 361 yards and see R-MC, pg. 13

see PATRIOTS, pg. 14

Kenseth dominates Federated Auto Parts 400

By Billy Fellin Richmond Suburban News HENRICO – It was all Matt Kenseth, all night long.

Kenseth’s No. 20 Toyota started second, but was up front for almost the entire night, leading six times for 352 laps en route to a dominating display and the victory in Saturday’s Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway.

“These guys gave me a great car,” Kenseth said in Victory Lane. “They had the pit stops we needed and kept us out front.”

It is Kenseth’s second win at RIR. His 352 laps led were the second-highest total of his career, next to 415 at Bristol in 2005.

A debris caution at Lap 376 pulled the field together for a short-run shootout after the field had been strung out since Lap 296. Aric Almirola had been working his way through the field, and was the fastest car on the track, outside of Kenseth.

Almirola took four tires, but no fuel, on the pit stop and came out third, behind Kenseth and Joey Logano.

Almirola needed a win to

on the previous restart by Kyle Busch, but, on the last restart on Lap 382, Kenseth was able to get the jump on both Logano and Almirola, and set sail on the field once again and would not be challenged.

Busch finished second, Logano was third, Almirola was fourth and Dale Earnhardt Jr. came back from a 29th starting spot to finish fifth.

Joe Gibbs Racing as a company had a solid night, particularly starting at Lap 126, when the four teammates were 1-2-3-4 in the running order.

Kenseth, Busch, Denny Hamlin and Carl Edwards held serve in those positions for the mid-part of the race.

“It’s a total team effort for all of us,” owner Joe Gibbs said.

“I’m thrilled where we are. This was enjoyable tonight.”

Hamlin, a Chesterfield native, finished sixth and led 14 laps. Edwards finished 11th.

Logano led the first 14 laps from the pole, but Kenseth was able to get around him on Dave Lawrence/The Local lap 15, and didn’t let any other Matt Kenseth is jubilant after emerging from his No. 20 Dollar General Toyota in Victory Lane after winning the Federated Auto driver lead any longer than 13 Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway Saturday. Kenseth led 352 of the race’s 400 laps. laps through the duration of get himself in the Chase, and Kenseth said he didn’t want “We were superb in the long “We were able to get the jump the race. was in a prime spot to challenge to see the caution flag wave run, but we had to work hard on that last restart.” for that win. when it did. in the short run,” Kenseth said.

Kenseth had been beaten see KENSETH, pg. 12

Rain dampens UNOH 400 HENRICO – There were only two cautions during the UNOH 100 K&N Pro Series East race at Richmond International Raceway on Thursday night.

They were both equally big for race winner Austin Hill.

Before the first caution, Hill was second to series point leader William Byron, who had edged out Hill in the opening laps and had pulled away to the lead.

A caution came out when Patrick Staropoli’s No. 99 was caught three-wide on the backstretch and was spun into the wall.

Hill and Scott Heckert in the No. 34 car battled past Byron on the ensuing restart on lap 28, with Hill eventually passing Heckert as well.

Hill was able to pass Heckert and take the lead, which he would not relinquish as the rains came at lap 62. Seven laps later, as the rain fell harder, the race

was called and Hill took home the victory.

“I didn’t think we had a shot at winning, I didn’t think we had the car,” Hill said. “I thought if we got a top five after tonight, it would have been good. We had a game plan to drive to halfway, expecting rain to come. I just drove it hard every lap.”

The win is Hill’s second of the season and fifth career win in the K&N East Series. see RAIN, pg. 12

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The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

11

Elliott breaks drought with Virginia529 victory

By Billy Fellin Richmond Suburban News HENRICO – Chase Elliott chose the outside lane on the final restart of the night at Lap 225 in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 XFINITY Series race at Richmond International Raceway Friday night.

Teammate Regan Smith started to his left.

When they got the green flag, Elliott was able to clear Smith. Kyle Busch closed quick on Elliott’s bumper, but the 19-year-old from Dawsonville, Georgia, was able to hold off Busch to take home the victory. “(My pit crew) won the race tonight,” Elliott said. “We had phenomenal pit stops. The pit stops were the best they’ve been all season. I’m really happy for those guys. Killer car, great pit stops.”

Busch started on the pole and was able to get the lead early, but Brian Scott was able to stay with him on restarts and not let Busch set sail on the field. Scott got past Busch on Lap 81 and held the lead through Lap 144, when Smith passed Scott on the restart.

After Hermie Sadler spun on Lap 161, Elliott won the race off pit road and was able to grab the lead on the Lap 167

KENSETH Continued from pg. 11

Until Lap 126, when Hamlin took the lead for 13 laps, Kenseth and Logano were the only ones at the front of the field.

Kenseth had far and away the best car of the night, along with his Gibbs teammates, with several comers-and-goers throughout the night, such as Almirola, Jeff Gordon (finished

12

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Benny Gordon (66), Joey Gase (52), Carl Long (40), David Starr (44), John Wes Townley (25) and Jimmy Weller (80) get tied up in an accident in Turn 1 just after the start of the Virginia529 College Savings Plan 250 at Richmond International Raceway Friday.

restart, a lead which he would not relinquish.

The win is Elliott’s first at RIR in four starts, though he has been stout at the .75-mile oval. He has never started worse than seventh and never finished worse than fifth.

Elliott, the heir to Jeff Gordon’s No. 24 Sprint Cup car, led 83 laps at RIR and snapped a 39-race personal winless streak, stretching back to Chicagoland Speedway. His win also is the

first for a XFINITY Series regular at Richmond International Raceway since Busch won when he was a series regular in 2004.

“We had high hopes for them when we paired Chase and (crew chief) Ernie (Cope) together,” JR Motorsports owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. said.

“It seems like they might finally be getting their legs.”

The winless streak was against the team’s expectations

after his championship season last year.

“It’s just expectations. What I want out of myself, what we want out of the team,” Elliott said. “You’ve got to take it a week at a time. It starts with winning races. If we haven’t done that, then we’ve got to get better.”

Busch finished second, Scott finished third, Joey Logano finished fourth and Erik Jones was fifth.

“I don’t know where the long-run speed went,” Busch said. “All-in-all, I thought we made good adjustments all night. At the end there, we made a good swing and were close. I don’t know if we could have gotten the lead and got away. Chase was too good.”

JR Motorsports as a whole had a stellar night, with Smith leading 20 laps and finishing sixth.

Josh Berry, in just his third

seventh), Jamie McMurray (finished 13th) and Earnhardt Jr. The 20 was so dominant, there were only 12 cars on the lead lap at the checkered flag.

Several teams that are usually strong had less-than-stellar nights, such as Kevin Harvick, who finished 14th, one lap down, and April’s Toyota Owners 400 winner, Kurt Busch, who finished 15th, also a lap down.

Martin Truex Jr., who qualified for the Chase and has been

consistent through the season, had early problems and finished 32nd, three laps down.

The win was Kenseth’s fourth of the season, tying him for the overall top seed going into the Chase for the Sprint Cup with Jimmie Johnson and Kyle Busch.

The Chase for the Sprint Cup starts at Chicagoland Speedway next week, and Joe Gibbs Racing have established themselves as the powerhouse team as the Challenger Round

begins.

“Having the offseason restructuring, and bringing in Carl Edwards, we really have hit our stride,” Kyle Busch said.

“We all feel like we have a great opportunity to come out here and perform, make the final round, and win a championship for Joe.” Billy Fellin is sports editor of Powhatan Today, Goochland Gazette and Cumberland Today.

He can be reached at wfellin@ powhatantoday.com.

RAIN

The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

Continued from pg. 11

Hill said he knew that the restart from the first caution was going to be the pivotal one.

“I knew I was going to have to get up on the wheel,” he said.

“It seemed like clean air was going to be big. When I was behind (Byron), I had that dirty air on my grille. I got a really good run off of turn two, we touched a bit off of 3. The 34 got

XFINITY start, ran strong throughout the race and was able to fight back from rough pit stops to finish seventh.

“I’d call it a pretty eventful night,” Berry said. “We struggled on pit road. I’ve got a lot to learn there. We got blocked in on the last stop. That probably cost us a chance at the win.”

The race is Berry’s only race in the seat of the No. 88 this season, but he hopes to join the XFINITY Series next season.

“I’m ready to have Josh go every week,” Earnhardt said of Berry. “Hopefully tonight he turned some heads and hopefully the phone will start ringing.”

The championship race is tightening up as Elliott moves within 21 points of leader Chris Buescher. Ty Dillon is closing in as well, only 27 points back in third.

His car owner is confident in Elliott’s chances to chase down Buescher.

“I think if I’m only leading by 21 points, and the guy behind me just won, I’ve got to make sure I’ve got everything going because the other guy is coming,” Earnhardt said.

Billy Fellin is sports editor of Powhatan Today, Goochland Gazette and Cumberland Today.

He can be reached at wfellin@ powhatantoday.com.

by us, but I was able to get by him and get out in the clean air.

Rain was an issue from the start, as it cancelled qualifying, so the field was set by owner’s points. The rain also delayed the start of the race for almost an hour from the scheduled start time.

18-year-old Dillon Bassett was one of those who qualified better than where he started due to the rain, but was able to move see RAIN, pg. 13

Menard, Bowyer grab final two spots in Chase field

By Patrick Gordon Richmond Suburban News HENRICO – After an exciting finish to the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway, Matt Kenseth took home the checkered flag and dashed the hopes of Aric Almirola, who finished 4th and barely missed out on the Chase for the Sprint Cup. Almirola finished the season ranked 17th. But only the top 16 drivers at the end of the Sprint Cup Series regular season make the Chase. Needing a win to clinch a berth, Almirola was close during the final laps, challenging Kenseth as a caution flag tightened up the leaders.

Kenseth made a strong move during the restart and never gave up the lead. Almirola accused him of leaving early but the move was reviewed by NASCAR and ruled to be legal.

Overall, Kenseth led 352 of the 400 laps, dominating throughout the race.

Joey Logano led 25 laps and Kyle Busch led for 9 laps. Both drivers are moving on to the Chase.

Chesterfield native Denny Hamlin had already clinched a spot in the Chase but turned in a strong run, leading 14 laps and finishing 6th.

Jimmie Johnson, with 4 wins this season, will enter the Chase as the number 1 overall seed.

R-MC Continued from pg. 10

three touchdowns, first connected with Christian Redman for a 74-yard pitch and catch score before a toss to Eric Hoy on the very next possession went 43 yards and made it 210 Yellow Jackets in the second quarter.

Hoy paced R-MC with 12

Busch, Kenseth, Logano and 2014 champion Kevin Harvick round out the top five. Harvick says he’s confident that his team can race strong during the Chase and repeat as champions.

“I feel like we’re as good as any team out there,” he noted. “I feel like we can beat any team on any given day if all goes our way.

We’ve been in pressure situations, we’ve succeeded in both of them at the end of the year and we’ve been there, done that.”

Clint Bowyer, who was the second-to-last driver to make the Chase, said that earlier in the season, he wasn’t so sure that he would make the Chase.

“I doubted it early in the summer,” he admitted. “I just didn’t see this. We weren’t clicking.”

Then, things changed and started looking up for Bowyer.

“All of a sudden, we made a couple changes in within the organization,” he explained. “[Teammate] David [Ragan] came onboard and we really took off. Billy Scott, we have a lot of confidence in him. He’s a young crew chief. He’s just eager.

He really dug deep and put us in this situation. I’m proud of his efforts and happy for him as a person.”

Jeff Gordon, who is winding up his final season as a full-time driver, finished strong with a 7th place effort. He’ll also be heading into the Chase.

catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

Averett went seven plays and 68 yards on the very next drive, culminating with a four-yard touchdown run from quarterback Kelly Hall.

But Vairo extended the lead back to 21 three plays later with a 27-yard touchdown run, sending the Yellow Jackets into the halftime locker room with a 28-7 lead.

Dave Lawrence/The Local

The Chase for the Sprint Cup drivers come out to greet the fans following the Federated Auto Parts 400 at Richmond International Raceway Saturday. Pictured are (front row, left to right): Jamie McMurray, driver of the No. 1 Cessna Chevrolet, Kurt Busch (No. 41 Haas Automation Chevrolet), Joey Logano (No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford), Martin Truex Jr. (No. 78 Furniture Row/Visser Precision Chevrolet), Kyle Busch (No. 18 M&M’s Crispy/American Heritage Chocolate Toyota), Clint Bowyer (No. 15 5-hour Energy Toyota) and Jimmie Johnson (No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet); and (back row): Miss Sprint Cup Juliana White, Matt Kenseth (No. 20 Dollar General Toyota), Ryan Newman (No. 31 Caterpillar Chevrolet), Carl Edwards (No. 19 ARRIS Toyota), Paul Menard (No. 27 Libman/ Menards Chevrolet), Kevin Harvick (No. 4 Budweiser/Jimmy John’s Chevrolet), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (No. 88 Nationwide Chevrolet), Brad Keselowski (No. 2 Miller Lite Ford), Jeff Gordon (No. 24 3M Chevrolet) and Denny Hamlin (No. 11 FedEx Express Toyota).

up from his 14th starting spot to finish second, his second top-5 in the last three races.

“We had to start by owner points, so it put us further back,” Bassett said. “The car was unbelievable. We started making our

way through the field, so we tried to go but also tried to save tires in case the race went the full distance.”

Bassett was followed by Dalton Sargeant in third, Heckert in fourth, and Spencer Davis, who started 17th, in fifth.

Midlothian native and James River High School graduate Sam Hunt finished 16th.

Hill is back in the title hunt with the win, in a battle with Byron and Heckert. Next on the schedule is the K&N Pro Series East finale at Dover, a track where Hill has won twice and is confident going into that race.

“We’re going into Dover and going to try to win,” he said. “I feel like we are really good there.

That’s my favorite track of all

time. You have to really get up on the wheel. I’m going to go in there with the mindset to win.

But, my guys are always going to be telling me where Bryon and Heckert are.”

Billy Fellin is sports editor of Powhatan Today, Goochland Gazette and Cumberland Today.

He can be reached at wfellin@ powhatantoday.com.

Averett came out firing to start the third quarter, though.

Sophomore Travis Jones went 70 yards on the Cougars’ first play from scrimmage in the second half and scored. Jones had 104 yards on seven carries.

The Cougar defense followed that up on RandolphMacon’s next possession.

Despite allowing the Yellow Jackets to get inside the 5-yardline, Vairo lost his handle on the

ball on a 1st-and-goal run play.

Elijah Harris was there to scoop the ball up and took it 96 yards the other way for an Averett touchdown, making it a onepossession game with 12:45 left in the quarter.

But R-MC had an answer on the next drive, and Vairo redeemed himself with a nineyard touchdown run. The Yellow Jackets needed just four plays to travel 55 yards.

Averett wasn’t done either, though. Hall connected with Myles Bennett on third down from the Randolph-Macon 37 and Bennett got the Cougars to within seven once again.

That would be as close as Averett would get, however.

The Yellow Jackets added 14 unanswered points between then and the end of the contest, securing their first win of the season.

Hall was 17 of 23 for 214 yards for the Cougars. Bennett led with 95 receiving yards on six catches.

For Randolph-Macon John Byrd rushed for 129 yards on 25 carries. Vairo did 75 percent of the scoring on the ground, though, scoring three times and amassing 91 yards.

Jordan Bondurant can be reached at jbondurant@registerbee.com.

RAIN Continued from pg. 12

The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

13

One goal enough for Yellow Jacket soccer victory

By Dave Lawrence dlawrence@mechlocal.com ASHLAND – RandolphMacon got a little help from a competitor, but it had a big impact on the outcome of the Yellow Jackets’ women’s soccer game against Mary Washington Wednesday.

Yellow Jacket forward Katie Schwalen was attempting a cross when her pass was deflected by an Eagle defender into the goal in the 17th minute of the contest to give Randolph-Macon a 1-0 lead, which it successfully defended for the win.

Schwalen said she was just trying to take advantage of a flaw in the Eagles’ defense when she called for the ball from TaylorAnne Barry. Barry made a nice pass into the corner and Schwalen tried to cross it over to Meghan O’Neal who was heading for the box.

“One of the Mary Washington defenders, it just ricocheted off her head and went into the goal,” Schwalen said. “They gave me the credit, so I’ll take it.”

After that though, the Yellow Jackets (2-1) had to fight quite a battle to keep the Eagles (22) from scoring again. Mary Washington outshot RandolphMacon 16-4, though both teams managed just two on goal apiece. The Eagles had seven corner kicks – two in the final two minutes – to just one for Randolph-Macon.

Randolph-Macon head women’s soccer coach Jay Howell called it a “big-time battle.”

“They play an up-tempo style,” Howell said. “Certainly, with us leading 1-nil … the team wanted to rev it up in the second half. I think that we generally matched their intensity

and dealt with them tactically.”

But the Yellow Jackets turned the Eagles away every time they got close.

“I’m really proud of how the team played today. We really fought hard,” Schwalen said.

“This team has always been a challenge for us. They’re physical. They’re fast. They’re tough, and I’m really glad we were able to come out here and get the win today.”

Howell was especially proud of Randolph-Macon’s defensive stand as the clock ran down in the second half.

“It was a great test,” Howell said. “I’m proud of them because it was a little bit of an issue for us last year in some intense moments. We address it a lot as a team on how to deal with the anxiety of those kinds of moments and I think that we handled it well.

“We had a couple of girls

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Randolph-Macon midfielder Sam Tyler (20) sprints away from Mary Washington forward Lizzie Brooks (21) in the Yellow Jackets’ 1-0 victory over the visiting Eagles Wednesday.

who stepped up and drove as a team got into positions to Dave Lawrence can be through the ball and headed block the ball. … It was a great reached at dlawrence@mechlothe ball out and they collectively victory for the players.” cal.com.

School’s Back In!

Make sure to look out for kids as they are getting on and off the bus!

Sarah Suttles

the King William

14

The Hanover Local September 16, 2015

Call Sarah and Tom to look out for your business!

Tom Haynie

PATRIOTS Continued from pg. 10

nosed football back to Patrick Henry.”

As the Jaguars (0-2) struggled, the Patriots intensified their effort.

Midway through the third period, Robert Broaddus returned a punt 22 yards to the visitors’ 40.

Four plays later, Hart scrambled 18 yards to the 4 to ignite the highlight-film celebration.

A moment later, McCowan bulled in with his third TD of the night.

The Patriots scored their final points at 11:21 of the final period when Bulthuis nailed a 32-yard field goal five plays after a fumble recovery by Conall Kavanagh.

Patrick Henry limited Glen Allen to 19 yards on the ground, and though quarterback Alex

Faniel completed 15-of-26 passes for 138 yards, the Patriots 4-4 defense intercepted him twice and sacked him seven times.

“We weren’t perfect,” said Kavanagh, “but we flew around, we did our best, we hustled, and that made up for where we lagged in execution.

“We threw in a lot of blitzes.

We came at him (Faniel) with everything we had. We wanted to get him out of the pocket.

“We have a lot of stuff that we do, and most of it was working tonight.”

Weldon Bradshaw can be reached at sports@mechlocal. com.

Glen Allen 0 0 0 Patrick Henry 7 10 7 PH — McCowan 59 run kick) PH — McCowan 4 run kick) PH — Bulthuis FG 27 PH — McCowan 4 run kick) PH — Bulthuis FG 32

0— 0 3 — 27 (Bulthuis (Bulthuis (Bulthuis

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