ASTRONOMY
COMMUNITY
Newton still used to send probes to Mars or Pluto
Fifth Annual ‘Pool Paw-ty’ set Sept. 26 PAGE
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Vol. 6 No. 1 | Richmond Suburban News | September 9, 2020
Council to help small businesses with CARES $$ By Melody Kinser Managing Editor
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SHLAND – How to disperse funds received from the CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) Act to small businesses dominated last week’s meeting of Ashland Town Council. Town Manager Joshua Farrar, who explained that the funding would be handled in the form of a FY2020-2021 Budget Amendment, said the town’s first half of funding under the CARES Act of 2020 was $684,010. Those monies were received by Hanover County from Virginia. The county then provided that portion to Ashland. According to Farrar, the county notified
town staff in July about the second half. Referring to the action was “very formal procedural,” the town manager said council would need to adopt a budget amendment and appropriate the CARES Act fund. In his presentation, Farrar said that the CARES spending plan is similar but separate as to what was origiFARRAR nally passed. He said the town will focus on business support, which was designated by the federal program trying to stay afloat during a pandemic.
He said the goal is “to support local governments in their responses to the pandemic.” Direct dollars are being spent on PPE (personal protective equipment). Farrar also noted that the funding is being utilized to “help your community engage in and live in a COVID-19 world.” With counties being TRIVETT the primary recipients of state funds, Virginia directed that “a fair share” be given to towns. Farrar said that was “the extent of the instruction. There is no real set formula on how that was to be distributed.”
Saying Ashland has a “good relationship with Hanover County,” he said the town portion – based on population – comes in two batches of $684,010 each. In order to keep funds fair to the town and county, Ashland businesses were exempt from the county program and the county was exempt from the Ashland program, Farrar added. Notice of the second batch of funds was received on June 29, with a spending plan presented on July 7. Farrar reviewed the months of May, June and July, saying that money was already spent, which had been a concern of citizens, as well as local governments. Public procurements must abide by federal guidelines too. see COUNCIL, pg. 4
School board approves COVID-19 cancels parade CARES funding request For first time in 51 years, holiday event won’t be held in town By Jim Ridolphi for Ashland-Hanover Local ASHLAND— Hanover County School Board members met in a special meeting last week to request the release of more than $4.2 million in additional CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) funding slated for education. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, the Hanover County Board of Supervisors asked how some aspects of the funding would be spent regarding temporary positions, but voted to accept the federal funding. During a meeting last week, some supervisors urged the school board to meet and approve the funding prior to the board’s next scheduled meeting on Sept. 9. But school offi-
cials had earlier moved the date of their next meeting to Sept. 16 in order to accommodate an in-person meeting at the Administration Building. That would have delayed release of the school funding by the supervisors until their Sept. 23 meeting. Since all CARES funding must be spent by the end of the year, the school board scheduled a special meeting to expedite the process and allow supervisors to finalize their approval at the upcoming meeting. When school officials first learned of the possible availability of additional CARES funding, they submitted a preliminary request that totaled more than $7.8 million in requests. County officials notified Hanover see CARES, pg. 8
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ASHLAND – Due to concerns about the potential for community spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), the Town of Ashland and Kiwanis Club have – with a collective heavy heart – decided to cancel the Olde Time Holiday Parade this year. According to Ranny Robertson, parade chair, Kiwanis Club of Ashland, and Douglas Joel Klein/file photo A. Goodman Jr., chief of police, This scene from 2018 shows the excitement and wonder of Ashland Police Department, participants in the Town of Ashland and Kiwanis Club’s annual the parade attracted over 110 Olde Time Holiday Parade. Unfortunately, because of the see PARADE, pg. 2
ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, town leaders and the Kiwanis Club decided to cancel the parade for the first time in 51 years.
Newton still used to send probes to Mars or Pluto By Dr. George Spagna Special to Ashland-Hanover Local Note: The Keeble Observatory at Randolph-Macon College has ceased public viewing due to the pandemic until further notice. We are working on a method for streaming live video from the Observatory to our website, and hope to provide that as an alternative to actual visits. Watch the web site (https://www.rmc.edu/ keeble) for updates. Or, call the Keeble Information line at 804-
752-3210. Last month we continued our discussion of Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (GTR), noting that the presence of mass warps both space and time. This is our current best model for gravity, in one sense superseding Isaac Newton’s Theory of Universal Gravitation. In another sense, it more accurately explains Newtonian gravity than replaces it. We still use Newton to send probes to Mars or Pluto, or anywhere else in the solar
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system. We looked last month at the effects on space time near a spinning mass, highlighting the Lense-Thirring effect and frame dragging. But what if the mass itself is accelerating, not just sitting still and spinning? One way to accelerate an object is to put it in orbit around another object. That orbital motion will cause “ripples in space-time” to radiate away from the system at the speed of light and at the frequency of the orbital motion. And that gravitational wave will carry away some of the energy of the system, eventually leading to the collision between the two objects. (By the way, the term you sometimes hear is to them gravity waves, but those are actually an atmospheric phenomenon.) For the Earth-Moon system, the gravitational wave loss is so small that it’s undetectable. Even the Earth-Sun or Earth-Jupiter system won’t give any measurable effect. You need large masses orbiting close together (and fast!) for the effect to show up at all. In 1974, Joseph Taylor Jr. and his graduate student, Russell Hulse, identified a pulsar in the constellation Aquila, using the Aricebo Radio Telescope in Puerto Rico. (A pulsar is a rotating magnetized neutron star. It sends radiation like a search light, and when that beam crosses Earth we
detect a pulse, hence the name.) This pulsar rotates 17 times a second, for a pulse period of 59 milliseconds (.059 s). They noticed that these pulses were further modulated with a period of 7.75 hours and surmised that there were actually two neutron stars, each about 1.4 solar masses, in a close orbit around their common center of mass. The timing of the pulses is so precise that they were also able to determine that the orbital period of 7.75 hours was slowly increasing, meaning that the system was losing energy and the neutron stars were slowly spirally inward, albeit very slowly. GTR allows us to calculate the rate at which this system should be losing energy to gravitational radiation. It was a perfect match to this system! This was the first observational evidence for gravitational radiation, though it did not count as a detection of those waves. Nonetheless, Hulse and Taylor were awarded the 1993 Nobel Prize in Physics. Chalk up another win for Albert Einstein. Next month we’ll discuss the actual detection of gravitational waves! Lunar phases for September: Full Moon on the 2nd, at 1:22 a.m.; Last Quarter on the 10th, at 5:26 a.m.; New Moon on the 17th, at 7 a.m.; First Quarter on the 23rd, at 1:58 p.m. All times are Eastern Daylight. Early morning planet
watchers can look to the east. Venus will be the brightest object before the Sun rises, about 25 degrees above the horizon around 5:30. (If you want to get up early, or stay up late, you will see it rising a little after 3. If you do get up before 3:00 you’ll also see Mars to the south. It rises around 9 p.m. Mercury will be briefly seen to the west just after sunset. Look about 10 degrees to the left of the spot on the horizon where the Sun goes down. Jupiter is already up at sunset, and it crosses the meridian around 9 p.m. As does Saturn – it’s to the left of Jupiter, which will be the brighter of the two. Our mid-month view of the sky, about two hours after sunset, finds Cygnus (the Swan) at zenith, appearing to glide along the Milky Way from northeast to southwest. The bright star Deneb marks the tail of the swan, about ten degrees northeast of zenith, and the head is at Albireo – a beautiful binary system. At a similar angle to the west we see brilliant Vega in the constellation Lyra. These two bright stars make a triangle with Altair, about 30 degrees south of zenith. With binoculars, on a clear dark night, just east of Deneb you may find the ghostly, familiar outline of the “North America Nebula. Cassiopeia is to the northeast, looking like a W tipped backwards. If you follow the line of the “left” side of the W toward
the east you’ll notice the faint fuzzy patch of the Andromeda Galaxy, about 45 degrees above the eastern horizon. It’s best seen on a clear, moonless night, and best by “averted vision” without binoculars. That you can see it at all gives some sense of the scale of our Universe, since this is the most distant object visible to the naked eye. It’s practically in our back yard! This spiral galaxy is only 2.2 million light years away, and is on a collision course toward our home Galaxy … though we have about 5 billion years to get ready. It was Edwin Hubble who first resolved the Andromeda Galaxy into individual stars and made a first calculation of its distance. He got the number wrong, but at least was able to show that it was not a nearby cloud, but a system of hundreds of billions of stars, much like our own Milky Way. If readers have questions about astronomy or science in general that you would like to see covered in one of these columns, please feel free to contact me at gspagna@rmc.edu.
PARADE
Northam’s Executive Order #67, we cannot in good conscience move forward safely,” Robertson and Goodman said. “Given the immense amount of preparation, this decision must be made at this time to be fair to the dozens of volunteers and loyal units who have been involved in this parade for years,” they added.
This will be the first time in 51 years that the parade has been canceled. Robertson and Goodman emphasized that the decision “was not made lightly and involved input from town staff, Kiwanis members and the Chickahominy Health District.” In closing, Robertson and Goodman said, “Although we
need to be responsible in this decision, we also understand that our community needs these uplifting events more than ever for our collective well-being. The Town of Ashland and the Kiwanis Club of Ashland will be seeking creative avenues to bring a bit of joy to our Ashland community during the holiday season.”
Continued from pg. 1
units with 2,100 combined participants last year. Thousands of spectators lined the parade route in close quarters, sometimes two and three rows deep. “In keeping with concerns over virus transmission and the current limitations of gatherings outlined in Governor
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SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue Aug. 6
Forging coin and bank notes was reported in the 10100 block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell.
Profane and threatening language over a public airway was reported in the 8400 block of Old Cavalry Drive, Mechanicsville.
Grand larceny building was reported in the 7000 block of Studley Road, Mechanicsville.
Larceny or theft, third or subsequent offense, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. Obtaining money, etc.: false pretense, larceny, $200 conspiracy, was reported in the 8000 block of Sherwood Crossing Place, Mechanicsville. Possession of Schedule I and II controlled substance was reported in the 9200 block of Neptune Drive/Jupiter Drive, Mechanicsville. Concealment, altering price, $500, third offense, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. DWI, second offense in 10 years, was reported in the 2000 block of Old Church Road, Mechanicsville. Trespassing after being forbidden to do so was reported in the 17200 block of Washington Highway, Doswell.
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road/Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville. Obtaining money by false pretenses, $200, was reported in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.
Simple assault was reported in the 8200 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.
Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. Sale and distribution of marijuana, ½-ounce to 5 pounds, was reported in the 98 block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell. Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 41 block of Interstate 295 South, Mechanicsville. Computer fraud to obtain services, $500, was reported in the 8000 block of Sherwood Crossing Drive, Mechanicsville. Manufacture, sale and possession of controlled substance, Schedule I and II, was reported in the 40 block of Interstate 295 South, Mechanicsville.
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 11200 block of Washington Highway/ Lewistown Road, Ashland.
DWI, second conviction within five to 10 years, BAC .20, was reported in the 8000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.
Aug. 7
Petit larceny from auto was reported in the 9800 block of Honeybee Drive, Mechanicsville.
DWI: first offense was reported in the 98 block of Interstate 95 North, Doswell. DWI: first offense was reported in the 7000 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike,
Aug. 9
Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 7000 block of Daffodil Road, Mechanicsville.
Grand larceny, $500 or more not from a person, was reported in the 8000 block of Blythe Road, Mechanicsville.
Destruction of property, monument, value $1,000, was reported in the 6500 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.
Hit and run, personal injury, was reported in the 14100 block of West Patrick Henry Road/King Road, Doswel.
Grand larceny, auto theft, was reported in the 14100 block of West Patrick Henry Road, Doswell.
Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 8100 block of North Shall Drive, Mechanicsville.
Concealment, price altering merchandise, $500, was reported in the 7400 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 7200 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike/ Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.
False identify self to law enforcement was reported in the 70300 block of Sliding Hill Road/Lakeridge Parkway, Ashland. False identify self to law enforcement was reported in the 7200 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville. Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 94 block of Interstate 95 North, Ashland.
was reported in the 8200 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.
Simple assault was reported in the 7000 block of Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville.
Driving after forfeiture of license was reported in the 14100 block of Washington Highway, Ashland.
Identity fraud use of identifying information to defraud was reported in the 900 block of Lindstrom Place, Mechanicsville.
Coerce, intimidate or harass person by computer was reported in the 7100 block of Garden Park Lane, Mechanicsville.
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 10300 block of Sliding Hill Road/Lakeridge Parkway, Ashland.
Aug. 10
Convicted felon (violent) possession and transport of firearm was reported in the 7300 block of Barnette Avenue/Ford Avenue, Mechanicsville. Possession of Schedule I and I controlled substance
Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville.
Driver did not report an accident with damages, $250, in the 8200 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.
Aug. 8
Mechanicsville.
Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 8500 block of Atlee Road/Atlee Springs Drive, Mechanicsville. DWI, second offense in 10 years, was reported in the 98 block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell.
Grand larceny, $500 or more not from a person, was reported in the 13400 block of Liberty School Road, Ashland. Assault on law enforcement, court, doctor, fire or medical was reported in the 7400 block of Early Drive, Mechanicsville.
Driver did not report an accident with damages, $1,000, in the 7400 block of Cold Harbor Road/Catlin Road, Mechanicsville.
Drinking alcohol in public was reported in the 8200 block of Jupiter Drive, Mechanicsville.
Petit larceny, $500 not from a person, was reported in the 8500 block of Beatties Mill Road, Mechanicsville.
Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 8300 block of Ironclad Drive, Mechanicsville.
Aug. 11
Petit larceny from auto was reported in the 7100 block of Garden Park Lane, Mechanicsville.
DWI: first offense was reported in the 38 block of Pole Green Road, see SHERIFF’s, pg. 9
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COUNCIL Continued from pg. 1
On July 28, Governor Northam announced the second round of funds would be distributed. Ashland representatives discussed the funding on Aug. 3, learning that the county was willing to designate the same amount to the town. On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Farrar said they were what he called “planning mode, where we want to move with this second round of funding.”
He did say that the costs associated with the pandemic were not planned for, having been incurred March 1 through Dec. 20. CARES funding cannot, Farrar continued, be used to make up for revenue. However, they can go toward utilities assistance; waste management costs (up significantly with everyone at home); broadband expansion (eligibility a question since Comcast provides service in the town); and wages for employees (eligible expenses – “whether we want to use
those, not recommending using any from second pot”). Farrar recommended that members of the Ashland Police Department qualify for hazard pay since they will “still be out and responding and doing their job in the pandemic. Police officers obviously are eligible. It was very easy to justify in round one.” He does suggest that hazard pay continue in round two for police officers. He also mentioned other employees that are focused on public safety.
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
Funds also could be utilized to aid business support; homeless facilities; housing and rental assistance; and capital facility improvements (“small adjustments to this building -- sneeze guards all those little things that keep our employees safe). Farrar said the HVAC system had been upgraded to operate in a COVID world. On July 7, he said they had to delve into expenditures “that went back to March and had to account for some of it.” When COVID-19 struck, Farrar said Ashland Town Hall employees were not prepared to work remotely, but that they are “in a really, really good position now. It works absolutely wonderfully – it’s a dramatic improvement.” Additional funding went toward PPE, cleaning supplies, enhanced janitorial services, and bio-hazard. “When we did this in July,” Farrar said, “we had no idea how long it was going to be.” For round two, Farrar was recommending $130,000 hazard pay for police, and a business grant, a new program asking businesses to submit an application to show they were down at least 25% in revenue. Federal guidelines mandate it must be a small business to qualify. Farrar and council then entered into a discussion about how to best use the money. Farrar suggested allowing 45 businesses to apply for $10,000 each. He said that using $10,000 as a placeholder would put the town in “a very competitive position with our regional partners.” “I am asking you to give me a long leash right now because I want to get the money in business’ hands,” Farrar said. His goal was to release the program last week.
Mayor Steve Trivett said it was an issue of less money to more businesses. “The town has a value to the community, and so I’ve gotten the feeling that some people have begrudged the town for spending money on the town.” He also pointed out that he agrees that acting on releasing the funds would be best if handled “the sooner the better.” Farrar said there has to be a list of uses for the funds. The application period may run until about Sept. 30, with checks being mailed by Oct. 15 at the latest. “The earlier folks get their applications in to us; they’re going to be good once the checks are ready to roll. I guarantee this is being audited so I want our ducks in a row.” Those who are awarded funding must certify the paperwork with a signature. Council member John Hodges asked what happens if a business is proven to be ineligible to receive the funding. Farrar said the monies would have to be returned. Council member Kathy Abbott said her concern stems from at least 45 businesses and possibly more applying for the funding. “So what I struggle with is kind of throwing out that $10,000 and we receive perfectly wonderful applications in the 60 range and we immediately go into a lottery. There are probably some businesses that can do with a little less.” “All right, we’re over 45 (applicants), let’s flip it to a lottery. We have another threshold. This is going to reduce everyone’s amount to $7,500, which would still be on par with the county. I want people to be cognizant that their [request] may impact other businesses that need money,” she added. She did say, “I love that we’re making that extra effort
to help Ashland businesses.” A concern for Hodges is helping more rather than less. With $10,000 available, he said, “If we get more than 45, then you go to $7,500 and [businesses] would automatically come to us.” Farrar explained that an equal division would be no lower than $7,500. “The bottom line is we’ve got to get the word out,” Hodges said. “I’m more inclined to make it a hard number,” Trivett said. “Is it better for a business to have something set or wait-and-see?” “If they know the least amount coming in is $7,500, they can plan,” Abbott said. In addition to small businesses, Farrar said they want to help with a non-profit assistance grant. That would aid those organizations that, he said, “enhance our quality of life.” He said he had a list of seven non-profits, and three are business support organizations. The non-profits must be Ashland-based, with a home or office location within the town limits. Of the $680,010, Farrar said he would like the town to use the last $4,000 for outside furniture, which would enable the issue of social distancing. He said he’d like to see an environment created “where you could safely meet with people outside.” The budget amendment received unanimous approval in the vote. In closing that segment of the meeting, Abbott offered her thanks, saying it was “a smart way to use this funding, and should resonate well in our community in trying to help.” Ashland Town Council next meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Ashland Town Hall at 101 Thompson St. in Ashland.
Voter registrar clarifies absentee applications being distributed
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This is for those voters who would prefer to drop it off rather than mail to Smithson’s HANOVER – Hanover office. County’s Director of Elections/ “The drop box area is under General Registrar Teresa F. surveillance at all times,” she “Teri” Smithson is clarifying added. absentee applications being The Voting Center will be distributed by persons not open starting Tuesday, Sept. affiliated with her office. 18, and until Saturday, In addressing Oct. 31, for in-person Hanover County votearly voting in the ers, she said, “You may Wickham building at have or will be getting the County Complex. an absentee applica“Our hours are tion from both politiMonday through cal parties as well as Friday 8:30 a.m. to non-profits such as 5 p.m. and Saturday, SMITHSON the Center for Voter Oct, 24, and 31 from 9 Information.” a.m. to 5 p.m. “Our office didn’t have On Election Day, Smithson anything to do with this said all county polling precinct action. However, the applica- will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 tions can be used to request p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. an absentee ballot,” she said. “If you are unsure of your Those wishing to use one of voter registration status, those applications must com- please visit the Department of plete them, which, according to Elections website to check,” she Smithson, include “the last four said. “You can register to vote, of your social security number.” update your voter information On Sept. 21, her staff will and even request an absentee have the ballot drop box open ballot: https://www.elections. to received returned ballots. virginia.gov/registration/.”
Storytime @ Home returns, will run through Dec. 5 HANOVER – Storytime @ Home started on Tuesday, Sept. 8, and continue through Saturday, Dec. 5. According to Librarian Carolyn Garner of the Pamunkey Regional Library, a daily online Storytime will be posted to the system’s website at https://tinyurl.com/prlstorytime at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday MondaySaturday and on the Facebook
page (https://www.facebook. com/PamunkeyLibrary/) at 11 a.m. Each Storytime features stories, songs, and fun, ageappropriate learning activities. Check the calendar at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/ to see more virtual programs for all ages this fall. For more information, call your local branch library or email ask@pamunkeylibrary.org.
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020 5
OPINION | The Local Views From the managing editor
Our nation changed 19 years ago the office as soon as possible. The airplanes striking the Twin Towers in New York City was repeated over and over in a surreal airing. My mind was swirling as I hurried to get ready for what I knew would be a long, busy news day; the adrenalin had already kicked in. Audrey and Charlotte, our senior writer, had mapped out a plan, with both having contacts in the affected areas, including the Towers and the Pentagon. It was remarkable to learn how many local connections there were to what had been taking place in three locations. We were cool and organized, knowing what we had to do. There wasn’t time to free ourselves of the emotions stirring within us. Staff members were coming in and out of my office to view any updates on the TV news. I was continually following Associated Press content. Despite the horror that we all knew had occurred that morning, the newsroom was buzzing with the goal of providing as much
By Melody Kinser Managing Editor (Editor’s note: The following column appeared in the Sept. 11, 2019, edition. Time frame dates have been changed accordingly.) efore Sept. 11, 2001, the date that always stood out in my mind was Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas. I was a mere 7-year-old second grade student when that tragic day rocked the country. Fast forward 38 years to what I assumed would be a fairly routine day at the daily newspaper in Williamson, West Virginia, where I served as editor. As was the norm, I grabbed the phone to check with the news editor before I would get ready to head to the office. Audrey asked if I had the television on. I said “No” and she said “Turn it on.” “What channel?” “It doesn’t matter -- turn it on.” A scene unlike any image I’d ever seen covered the TV screen. We shared our shock and start planning for coverage. I knew I had to get to
B
local coverage as possible about a national disaster. I still have that edition in a box among other career mementos. If memory serves me correctly, we had five or six local stories. The AP article was in the lead position, with a 200 point headline (that’s really big!). As we prepared to release the pages to the press crew, exhaustion settled over us. But we were satisfied that we had given our best to our readers. That’s always the priority. Our world changed that day 19 years ago, and for those of us that worked diligently to inform our community it was a day we’ll never forget. Yes, we did take time as the presses started rolling to offer prayers for the victims, survivors, families and friends of all involved. Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001? It’s a date we’ll never forget . . .
Did COVID-19 kill the political conventions? By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist I got my first hint of politics in 1955 when a large box truck parked in front of my neighbor’s house.
Two large men in green uniforms emerged from the cab and unloaded a television set and delivered it to the house next door. There was nothing unique about one of our neighbors not having a television set. To be honest,
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
the one we had only slightly qualified, but, when the rabbit ears were positioned just right, you could pick up all three stations. The next day I asked my neighbor if they liked their new television set, but quickly learned it
WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS The 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 Ashland-Hanover Local. Send letters to: The Ashland-Hanover Local 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, Va. 23116 Fax: 344-8746 E-mail: editor@mechlocal.com © 2020 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 13,776.
was only a rental. Further inquiries revealed that the family always rented a television so they could watch the political conventions. I suppose the conversation has progressed to a level of confusion for me, and I didn’t ask any of the many questions whirling around in my mind. Later that day, my mother filled in the details of political parties and why they met every four years to nominate a candidate. She even said my sister and I could stay up late to watch what I thought was going to must-see TV. I quickly fell asleep on the sofa on the first night of the convention, only remembering glimpses of white men in suits with funny hats. To a see POLITICAL, pg. 7
CALENDAR | News, Updates & Listings Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12 St. Paul Lutheran Church will sponsor its “Everything for $1 Two-Day Yard Sale from 8 a.m. to noon at 8100 Shady Grove Rd. in Mechanicsville. The inside/outside and rain or shine event will include linens, kitchen, home décor, clothes (children and adult), books, toys, lawn and garden, furniture and much more. Masks and social distancing are required. For more information, call 804-779-3370.
L-DHS Class of ’80 Rescheduled The Reunion Committee for the Lee-Davis High School Class of 1980 has decided to postpone the reunion from June 20 to sometime in September due to the COVID-
POLITICAL Continued from pg. 6
5-year-old, it seemed more like an excuse for adults to act like children, which also explained its late night scheduling. To be honest, I only remember bits and pieces of the ensuing two weeks. But even those clouded memories revealed the first signs of a house divided, thankfully in political terms only. My mother was an Adlai Stevenson supporter while my father supported Dwight Eisenhower. Like most who served in World War II, he joined others who believed in the man that led the invasion at Normandy and freed the continent. I’ve never been sure if it was that devotion, or a true belief in the Republican Party platform that motivated him to support Ike. Later in life, my mother
19 situation. More details will be released by the committee as soon as they have been finalized.
Saturday, May 15, 2021 Rescheduled The Highland Springs High School Class of 1970 has had to postpone its 50th reunion again. The new date is Saturday, May 15, 2021. All other previous information is correct, including the location at the Hill Building at Sandston Pool at 501 Beulah Rd. in Sandston. Music will be presented by DJ Dalton Beagle. Dinner, drinks and dessert will be provided by Champagne Taste Catering. Bring your own mixers and alcohol. Small coolers are welcome. The doors will open at 4 p.m.; cocktails at 5 p.m.; dinner at 6 p.m.; and cleanup will informed me long after my father’s death that he had, in fact, supported many candidates who identified as Democrats. Honestly, I had rarely heard them discuss politics and I have no recollection of these discussions ever becoming heated. Looking back, I suppose their political differences represented a very small portion of the things they shared in common. I also admire their respect for civility when politics were the subject. As I watched my much too many to count convention last week, the starkness of the contrast of now and then could not have been more blatantly evident. For starters, both parties would not recognize the platforms put forth in the 1950s, and, more importantly, neither would claim allegiance to those outdated positions compared to where they stand today. I also was further convinced
be at 10 p.m. The cost is $45 per person. Those who may have recently paid $50 after March 1 have been refunded $5. No tickets will be sold at the door. For invitations or more information, contact Bill Brooks at 1970HSHS@gmail. com.
Ongoing Families Anonymous Support Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday at the Episcopal Church of the Creator at 7159 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Mechanicsville. The group is a self-help fellowship for the friends and family members of addicts who are in need of understanding and healing themselves. For details, call Sandy at 804-730-4812 or email sandy.leigh@verizon. net. that the true defining principles of each party has become buried in hopeless deadlocks where policy decisions are often made to please those political or party concerns. As for this year’s virtual or hybrid versions of the traditional gatherings, I’ll be busy doing something else. Whatever happens it too will be predictable, over-produced and weepy for my sense of nostalgia that somehow misses those days of flag-draped delegates roaming the convention floor slightly buzzed and talking much too loud to any reporter who would listen. Those crazy hats mixed with one too many frozen drinks produced an atmosphere that perhaps better reflected what politics used to be in America, or maybe it’s an image that’s as obsolete as those platforms that once defined each party, or maybe it’s the hope of the future.
Overcomers Outreach and Women’s Codependency, a Christ-centered anonymous support program offering hope and healing for recovering alcoholics, addicts and their families meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the Mechanicsville Christian Center at 8061 Shady Grove Road in Mechanicsville. For more information, call 804366-9645 or email kjfaith1@ gmail.com.
Saturdays Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Campus, located at 11515 Ashcake Road in Ashland two miles west of U.S. 1, holds it church service at 5 p.m. with Pastor Roy Minnix, senior pastor, and Nycholas Greig, associate pastor. For more information, see CALENDAR pg. 15
Fifth Annual ‘Pool Paw-ty’ set Sept. 26 Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com ASHLAND -- Hanover Humane will host its Fifth Annual “Pool Paw-ty” from noon until 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept, 26, at the AshCreek Subdivision. The registration fee is $25 per dog and includes unlimited swim time for participating canines. In addition to unlimited swim sessions, Pool Paw-ty 2020 will offer doggy treats, doggy nail trims, as well as microchip installation/registration for participants. Lifeguards will be onsite during the event.
Participants will be expected to practice social distancing measures and wear protective face coverings as applicable. All registration materials are available at www.hanoverhumanesociety.org. Registration will be available the day of the event as well. For more information about the event, email info@ hanoverhumanesociety.org. The Hanover Humane Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity for IRS tax purposes. All proceeds for this event will be used to support Hanover Humane's animal adoption, education, and prevention programs.
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Call a licensed sales agent Keith Mayo Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Applicable to H6622-004. At Humana, it is important you are treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-877-320-1235 (TTY: 711). Espanol (Spanish): (Chinese):
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020 7
CARES Continued from pg. 1
County Public Schools that the additional allotment was about one-half that amount, or $4,290,000. Supervisors pointed out that school board members did not have the opportunity to review those new allocations, and were reluctant to release the funding without their approval. Assistant superintendent for Finance Terry Stone outlined how those funds would be utilized, the entirety of the requests slated to address COVID-related needs at the special meeting earlier last week. A large portion of the funding, about $1.6 million, is slated to provide devices for students in grades K through 2, completing an effort that provides all Hanover students with laptops or other devices. Stone said this represents an addition to the current Technology Plan, necessitated by the possibility of a return to online instruction only. Dr. Michael Gill, superintendent, assured board members that all students currently enrolled in online instruction will have devices when school began Tuesday, Sept. 8. But, without the purchase of the additional devices for the remaining students not covered in the original tech plan, a return to virtual education only would present challenges. “We’ve had a shipment of Chromebooks come in, and we’re also repurposing about a thousand additional devices to make up the difference,” Gill said. “If we were to find ourselves in a position where we needed to go to remote learning, our plan calls for all of our students to learn in a remote environment. Currently, we would not be prepared to do that for our K through 2. This ( additional funding) would allow us to do that.” Stone explained that many
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Central Office employees currently work from desktops, making working from home virtually impossible. More than $300,000 of the new CARES money would be used to provide staff with laptops to replace those desktops. “If we replace these desktops with laptops it would allow for remote work for our all of our employees,” Stone said. Regarding transportation, HCPS plans to purchase five new buses at a cost of $500,000 to address additional mileage required by double-backs and multiple bus runs during the pandemic. “With lowered capacity on our buses, that means we will have to do more double-backs that will result in higher mileage on our buses and this gives us the opportunity to replace at least five of those school buses,” Stone said. About $400,000 is requested for instructional support, carts, social and emotional efforts and virtual Physical Education, while $125,000 of the funding would be used to purchase software that supports digital learning and music education. Some musical instrument that cannot be shared under new guidelines will be replaced with the additional funding and walkie-talkies will be purchased for the “sick” rooms in each school. The board is requesting $845,000 for additional cleaning supplies, furniture and cleaning equipment. “We realized that we are using our cleaning supplies at a much quicker pace than we expected. This gives us an opportunity to buy additional supplies,” Stone said. The need for social distancing also is eliminating the use of tables, resulting in a need for more desks, according to Stone. A return to school in a COVID-19 setting also Is
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
necessitating the need to hire temporary personnel in positions like school crossing guards, custodial staff and coverage for teacher breaks and sick room supervision. The board requested $350,000 for these temporary hires. “Some of our temporary needs are in the area of custodial staff. Our current funding is the same we had last year for custodial staff,” Stone said. “This would allow us to have some temporary custodial staff in the buildings.” Due to increased parent drop-off and pick-up of students, Stone said there is a need for additional crossing guards. Stone said while cautioning that filling those positions may be difficult. “We posted some of these temporary positions looking for applicants …. but for some of these positions like traffic guard, no one has applied and no one is interested to date.” Stone said the requested funding for temporary personnel would cover those costs through the end of this calendar year, and indicated the need for flexibility when allotting those temporary personnel dollars. “We still would want the flexibility to assign these dollars, to the greatest extent we can, for any of these services within our school where we have the need to ensure it is spent by Dec. 30.” All temporary positions will not include benefits. “There would be no associated benefits,” Stone said. There are strict guidelines governing the CARES funding. In addition to the funds being spent by year’s end, the requests cannot be included in the current budget and can only addressed COVID related issues incurred between March 1 and Dec. 30, 2020. School board members unanimously approved the list of requests and release of the funds.
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Tea to Celebrate Victory of Votes for Women Staff Report news@mechlocal.com HANOVER – A Tea to Celebrate the Victory of Votes for Women (1920-2020) will be hosted by the Hanover Tavern on Sunday, Sept. 13, in the E.J. Wade Coach House at 13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd. in Hanover. The event, which begins at 2 p.m., costs $35 per person. Tickets are available online at www.hanovertavern.org and https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ votes-for-women-tea-tickets-115125076202. According to an announcement from the Tavern organizers, “It took blood and sweat and tears to get it done! Come honor the courageous women who marched and demonstrated to gain suffrage rights for women. A three-course tea will celebrate an event that changed the face of American politics forever!” In accordance with CDC guidelines, all tables will be
is a cornerstone of everything we do.
Illustration courtesy of Hanover Tavern
spaced more than 6 feet apart for attendees’ health and safety. Each table will only accompany the amount of people in the party. Hanover Tavern will not allow other guests that are not
SHERIFF’s
reported in the 6100 block of Poppy Seed Lane, Mechanicsville.
Continued from pg. 3
Mechanicsville.
Profane, threatening language over a public airway was reported in the 15200 block of Robert Terrell Road, Montpelier.
Petit larceny building was reported in the 11400 block of Karen Drive, Ashland.
Unauthorized use of vehicle, boat or animal was reported in the 7200 block of Grace Lane, Mechanicsville.
Petit larceny shoplifting was reported in the 7200 block of Bell Creek Road, Mechanicsville. Coerce, intimidate or harass person by computer was reported in the 8000 block of Coberly Court, Mechanicsville. Credit card theft was
RELIABILITY
Obtaining money by false pretenses, $200, was reported in the 10000 block of Pamunkey Road, Mechanicsville.
Simple assault as reported in the 8000 block of Sherwood Crossing Place, Mechanicsville.
Petit larceny from auto was reported in the 7100 block of Brandy Run Drive, Mechanicsville.
Petit larceny shoplifting was reported in the 16500 block of Mountain Road, Montpelier.
Credit card fraud, $200 in six months, was reported in the 9100 block of Cudlipp Avenue, Mechanicsville.
Grand larceny, $500 or ore not from a person, was reported in the 7600 block
in the party to sit at the table. When purchasing a ticket, notify Hanover Tavern if you wish to sit with other guests. For more information, call Kendrick Gibbs at 804-5375050, extension 21. of Walnut Grove Road, Mechanicsville.
Petit larceny, $500 not from a person, was reported in the 8100 block of Lee-Davis Road, Mechanicsville.
Assault on law enforcement, court, doctor, fire or medical was reported in the 15200 block of Beaver Dam Road/ Mountain Road, Montpelier.
Aug. 13
Possession of marijuana, first offense, was reported in the 37 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville.
Grand larceny, $5 or more from a person, was reported in the 10900 block of Air Park Road, Ashland.
Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 9300 block of Atlee Road, Mechanicsville.
Before the wind blows, a storm hits, or a tree falls, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative is already working to keep your power on. www.myrec.coop 1-800-552-3904 Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020 9
Cornerstone Homes starts selling in The Farmstead Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND – On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Cornerstone Homes broke ground on the much-anticipated fourth of eight distinct neighborhoods in Richmond’s first and only 55+ Agri-Community. The Farmstead, a villagelike neighborhood of 64 villa style homes, is located in the heart of Chickahominy Falls -- close to the Clubhouse (The Farmhouse) and the community pond. The Farmstead offers the 55+ active adult the opportunity to connect with neighbors in an environment suited for their luxury-living lifestyle with a plethora of activities at their doorstep. Frank Lackman, president of Cornerstone Homes, said, “Sales in Chickahominy Falls have taken off with seven sales in August 2020. This reinforces active adults in Virginia are looking for happier, healthier
living in a community that provides more than just a beautiful home.” The Homes: These easy living singlelevel, low-maintenance Villa homes are designed with owner’s retreats, large kitchens, private outdoor courtyard spaces, and plenty of flex space to make each home unique. These attached-homes line maintained roadways with sidewalks to connect you with your favorite amenities and neighbors. Three award-winning floor plans are designed for today’s active adults. Following the success of Woodside Meadows, The Orchard and Upton Woods neighborhoods in Chickahominy Falls, the much-anticipated Farmstead neighborhood already has 19 sales in backlog. This community, along with Cornerstones success at the Villas of Ashlake in Chesterfield, The Cove at Magnolia Lakes in Chester, as well as the Grove in
Chesterfield, have all struck a chord with the 55+ community in central Virginia. The Amenities: The Farmhouse, breaking ground in Spring 2021, is a five-star barn-styled amenity complete with a swimming pool, fitness center, game room, library, entertaining kitchen and so much more. Other amenities include a working farm, Woodside Farms, and barn with a demonstration kitchen, walking trails, pond and outdoor recreational racquet sport area with pavilion. A 10-acre professionally managed farm intended to promote a healthy lifestyle, provides vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers as well as a fun social hub for homeowners to connect through nature and healthy food. The Chickahominy Falls community is woven together with walking trails and lighted sidewalks for a welcoming, safe and friendly atmosphere. Chickahominy Falls is
Photo courtesy of Kirsten Nease
Taking part in the recent groundbreaking were, from left, John Pearsall, Atlantic Union Bank; Craig Logue, director of Sales, Cornerstone Homes; Mike Lang, president of The Crescent Group (sister company to Cornerstone Homes & Developer of Chickahominy Falls); Sue Dibble, Hanover County Board of Supervisors representative for the South Anna District; Danna Markland, CEO HBAR; Frank Lackman, president of Cornerstone Homes; and Brandon Bullock, production manager of Cornerstone Homes.
located in Hanover County. The homeowners will have easy access to shopping in the Town of Ashland and greater Richmond to include: restaurants, entertainment, recreational facilities and parks, continuing education and the area’s best health care facilities. Downtown Richmond, the beaches and mountains, as well as the nation’s capital, are a
short distance from home. Founded in 1998 Cornerstone Homes exclusively builds active adult communities, having constructed more than 2,000 homes in communities across Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee and Louisiana. Cornerstone Homes, headquartered in Richmond, is a franchisee of Epcon Communities, one of
the top builders of single-story active lifestyle communities in North America. The sales office for The Farmstead is located in The Barn at Chickahominy Falls. For more information about this new section, contact Ina Hill or Greg Smith at 804-256-8360 or sales@ chickahominyfalls.com or visit Chickahominyfalls.com.
Bike Walk Hanover offers safety tips for students walking or riding bikes to school Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com Bike Walk Hanover, an advocacy group comprised of local citizens, is offering tips for safe transport to school on foot or by bike. Hanover County Public Schools began returning to inperson learning on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Schools may offer the option for parents to allow their children to bike or walk to/from school. The COVID-19 pandemic has many county residents
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taking to the streets on foot and bike. Whether for exercise, stress-relief, or a means of transportation, biking and walking has increased throughout the county, Virginia, and across the nation. Bike Walk Hanover’s mission is to create a safer, inclusive, connected community, and support active lifestyles across Hanover. “We are passionate about biking and walking, also passionate about safety,” Margaret Davis of Bike Walk Hanover said. “Increased outdoor activity in Hanover, safely biking and
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
walking in our community is a silver lining moment in the midst of the pandemic.” In anticipation of increased alternative modes for before/ after school transportation, Bike Walk Hanover encourages vehicle drivers to be alert for pedestrians and cyclists, especially when they are in close proximity to schools during arrival and dismissal time periods. Bike Walk Hanover suggests these safety tips for cyclists and pedestrians: Parent planning and practicing safe routes to/from school
with children Young children (under grade 3) walking/biking with an adult Older students (grades 3-12) walking/biking with a neighbor Walk against traffic / bike ride with traffic Playful behavior is not safe (no pushing, shoving, or chasing) when walking/biking near the street Wear bright-colored clothing Flashing lights on bike rear and front make cyclists more visible Watch and listen for cars at
driveways and intersections Do not cross behind a bus or between parked cars Bike ride with others in a single file line Helmet wearing (properly fitted) when bike riding is recommended Stay alert - avoid distracted biking and walking Safer street crossing: Stop at the curb or edge of the street prior to crossing Cross using the aids of traffic lights, crossing guards, and crossing within designated crosswalks Look left, right, left, behind
you, and in front of you for traffic, and do not cross until the path is clear of traffic Keep looking and listening for traffic until you are done crossing Make eye contact with stopped drivers before crossing the street Find more tips at www. walkbiketoschool.org. Interested in starting a Safe Routes to School Program for your school? Contact Bike Walk Hanover at www.facebook.com/bikewalkhanover or visit www.virginiadot.org/saferoutes.
WE NEED YOUR HELP With the pandemic-related cancellations and delays, we could use your story ideas.
Contact Dave Lawrence at dlawrence@mechlocal.com with your suggestions.
For more information go to www.mechlocal.com
| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional
NASCAR comes to Richmond Raceway But fans will have to settle for watching all four races on television
Group to bring CP soccer to RVA By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor
By Nick Vandeloecht Richmond Suburban News NASCAR will run four races across its three top national touring series at Richmond Raceway from Sept. 10 to Sept. 12 without fans in attendance. “This was a difficult decision, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic we believe at this time it is in the best interests of the local community to host races without fans,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier in a Richmond Raceway release. “We are grateful for the patience and support of our long-time loyal fans in this unprecedented season, but we will unite over race weekend as we tune in to the national broadcasts on NBCSN, FS1, and MRN to watch NASCAR’s best compete in four races over three days at America’s Premier Short Track.” The 0.75-mile short track will open its three days of racing with the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series’ regu-
Joel Klein for The Local
Martin Truex Jr. would love a repeat performance of last year’s Federated Auto Parts 400 win in the second round of the Monster Energy Cup playoffs Saturday night at Richmond Raceway. Saturday night’s race will cap a series of four races in three days.
lar season finale on Thursday, race in Richmond. The truck race will be folSept. 10, 8 p.m., on FS1. This is the first time since lowed by consecutive NASCAR 2005 that the Truck Series will Xfinity Series races, with the Go
Bowling 250 running on Friday, Both races will air on NBCSN. The nightcap on Saturday Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. and the Racing Lovers 250 to be held Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2:30 p.m. see NASCAR, pg. 12
MECHANICSVILLE – Not that long ago, kids with disabilities such as severe brain injuries had few opportunities to participate in athletics. Fortunately, that is changing, and Sportable is working to bring another option to the area. The group has been working with CP Soccer US – CP stands for cerebral palsy – to introduce youths suffering from brain injuries to the sport. “We think that this sport is particular particularly unique in the adaptive sports world because it’s specifically for these athletes with disabilities like cerebral palsy, [traumatic brain injury] and stroke,” said Forrest Lodge, prosee CP SOCCER, pg. 12
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
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CP SOCCER Continued from pg. 11
gram manager at Sportable. “A lot of those athletes fall through the cracks because sometimes they’re able to keep up to a certain extent with their peers that are able bodied. But, as they get older and get into more competitive settings, they might not be able to [keep up], whereas this sport gives them that unique environment that’s made for them.” In order to introduce CP soccer – Para-7-A-Side Soccer in the Paralympics – to the area, Sportable, in conjunction with CP Soccer US, will hold a clinic for youths 5-18 at the Sports Center of Richmond (SCOR) from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 11. The clinic is for children whose mobility is limited as a result of cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries or strokes, yet who are still ambulatory – can still run and walk. There are some differences from traditional soccer. “They’re going to be playing with a lesser number of players on a smaller pitch and
Courtesy of Logan Whitton
Nick Creasey, former member of the U.S. Paralympic National Team, shows that a disability does not have to a relegate a kid to the bench, nor does it have to keep them from achieving excellence in competition, either.
smaller goals,” Lodge said. “And some of the rules are adapted. Throw-ins for some of those athletes would be difficult to do with two hands over their head because of how their disability
affects them. So the throw-ins become roll-ins – almost like you’re bowling the ball. So certain things are adapted to allow for the athletes to play the sport. . . . It’s still soccer.”
NASCAR Continued from pg. 11
Joel Klein for The Local
Kyle Busch (front left) and Martin Truex Jr. (front right) will be battling with 14 other drivers in the Monster Energy Cup Series playoff battling for a bid to advance to the second round when they start the Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night.
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
One of those helping organize the event is Nick Creasey, a Richmond-area resident and former member of the U.S. Paralympic National Team. As a preschooler he lost use of
much of the right side of his body as a result of the effects of surgery to remove a brain tumor. Because of his young age, he was able to recover much
of the lost fine motor control through a lot of physical and occupational therapy, but he was a competitive child, and was eager to play sports – making the Monacan JV boys soccer team before surgery on his legs interrupted his high school career while a junior. Creasey knows that not everyone is a candidate for the national team. But he said that just the ability to compete at all has plenty of benefits for those like him. “Our number one goal is just to be able to start a great league and make it appropriate for kids with these disabilities and give them confidence. Give them a sense of community and also self-worth,” Creasey said. “Hopefully the CP program will go all over the nation eventually. . . . But we definitely want to start local here with our population.” For more information: Anyone interested in learning more about the program should contact Forrest Lodge at forrest@sportable.org. Registration details will soon be available at Sportable.org.
VHSL punts on season start date
will be the NASCAR Cup Series’ Federated Auto Parts By Tim Pearrell 400, the second race in the first Richmond Times-Dispatch round of the playoffs, at 7:30 p.m. The Cup Series race will The Virginia High School also air on NBCSN. This will League moved its meeting to be the first and only Richmond finalize regular-season and Cup race in 2020 after the spring postseason schedules to Sept. race was cut and replaced on the 17. schedule due to the COVID-19 The meeting was schedpandemic. uled for Thursday, but the NASCAR’s 16 drivers in executive committee and the Cup playoffs are Kevin VHSL staff wanted more Harvick, Denny Hamlin, Brad time to discuss feedback from Keselowski, Chase Elliott, members. Joey Logano, Martin Truex Jr., The VHSL presented a Ryan Blaney, Alex Bowman, William Byron, Austin Dillon, Cole Custer, Aric Almirola, Seven-time Cup Series Kyle Busch, Kurt Busch, Clint champion Jimmie Johnson, Bowyer and Matt DiBenedetto. who is retiring from fulltime
plan last week where teams would play 60% of their normal regular-season games, with a week for regional playoffs and two rounds of state playoffs. The plan would cut region playoffs in football to four teams. That came after the executive committee voted in late July not to play sports this fall because of the coronavirus pandemic. The three seasons were rearranged – winter, followed by fall and spring – into
a condensed calendar starting in late December and ending in late June. Any plan still is contingent on more athletic activity being allowed to start in the winter. With the state still under Phase Three reopening restrictions, sports considered high risk, such as football and basketball, likely can’t be played until the guidelines are loosened. Tim Pearrell can be reached at tpearrell@timesdispatch. com.
racing at the end of 2020, Nick Vandeloecht can be missed making the top 16 by reached at nvandeloecht@powsix points. hatantoday.com.
PUBLIC NOTICE Business & Service Directory
Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Planning Commission has set Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 7:00 P.M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Government Building at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the following cases, at which public comments will be accepted:
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CPA2020-00001, LINDA F. & NORMAN L. SCHOOLS Request(s) to amend the Comprehensive Plan for Hanover County, Virginia, adopted February 14, 2018, pursuant to Sections 15.2-2204, 15.2-2223 through 15.2-2232 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended. The proposed amendment will be a change to the adopted Comprehensive Plan as follows:
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General Land Use Plan Map – An amendment to change the land use designation from Suburban High (3-7 Dwelling Units Per Acre) to Commercial in the vicinity generally located on the north line of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. Route 360) approximately 1,000 feet east of its intersection with Creighton Parkway (State Route 1015). (PUBLIC HEARING) MAGISTERIAL DISTRICT: Henry REZONINGS REZ2020-00022, LINDA F. & NORMAN L. SCHOOLS Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to B-3(c), General Business District with conditions, on GPINs 8725-51-6043, 8725-51-8270 and 8725-61-1369, consisting of approximately 3.64 acres, and located on the north line of Mechanicsville Turnpike (U.S. Route 360) approximately 1,000 feet east of its intersection with Creighton Parkway (State Route 1015). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban High (3-7 Dwelling Units Per Acre) (pending concurrent CPA2020-00001 to change the Land Use Plan Map to Commercial). The proposed zoning amendment would allow for development of a car wash with fuel sales. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Henry REZ2019-00019, HICKORY HILL II, L.L.C. Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to MX(c), Mixed Use District with conditions, and B-2(c), Community Business District with conditions, on GPINs 7880-92-1335 and 7880-81-6802, consisting of approximately 51.5 acres, and located on the north line of East Patrick Henry Road (State Route 54) at its intersection with Providence Church Road (State Route 662). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Planned Business and Commercial. The proposed zoning amendment would permit 42.33 acres to be rezoned to MX(c) for development of a mix of commercial (retail, office and restaurant) uses and residential uses (100 townhome units) for a gross density of 2.36 dwelling units per gross acre, and 9.17 acres to be rezoned to B-2(c) for a mix of commercial that may include a convenience store and a fast food restaurant with drive-through. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam REZ2020-00030, ANNE BULLOCK MELTON Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to RS(c), Single Family Residential District with conditions, on GPIN 8735-18-4348, consisting of approximately 3.0 acres, and located on the south line of Pole Green Road (State Route 627) approximately 1,025 feet east of its intersection with Walnut Grove Road (State Route 615). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5-3.0 Dwelling Units Per Acre). The proposed zoning amendment would permit the creation of one additional building lot for a family member for a gross density of one (1) dwelling unit per 1.5 acres. (PUBLIC HEARING)Magisterial District: Henry REZ2020-00031, JASA, L.L.C. Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to B-1(c), Neighborhood Business District with conditions, on GPIN 8707-57-3758, consisting of approximately 10.09 acres, and located on the west line of Chamberlayne Road (U.S. Route 301) approximately 350 feet north of its intersection with Pine Ridge Road (State Route 1930). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Commercial and Suburban General (1.5-3.0 Dwelling Units Per Acre). The proposed zoning amendment would allow offices in an existing building. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam REZ2020-00032, KEVIN COREY JAMES FAMILY TRUST, ET AL. Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District, to AR-6(c), Agricultural Residential District with conditions, on GPIN 6798-96-4782, consisting of approximately 11.0 acres, and located on the west line of Watkins Road (State Route 721) approximately 1,000 feet north of its intersection with Dogwood Trail Road (State Route 620). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. The proposed zoning amendment would permit the sale of a portion of the subject property to allow it to be combined with an adjacent property. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: South Anna CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS CUP2020-00002, HEIDI M. AND LAMERRO L. MASON Request(s) a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Section 26-20.14 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a recreational facility/event venue on GPIN 7861-31-5506, consisting of approximately 11.86 acres, zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the east line of Horseshoe Bridge Road (State Route 686) approximately 300 feet north of its intersection with West Patrick Henry Road (State Route 54). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam CUP2020-00006, HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Request(s) an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Section 26-20.11 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit the installation of accessory freestanding solar panels at an existing school on GPIN 8707-42-2766, consisting of approximately 39.96 acres. The property is zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located on the north line of New Ashcake Road (State Route 643) at its intersection with Seminole Road (State Route 1211). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5-3.0 dwelling units per acre). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam Copies of the above cases may be reviewed in the Planning Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020 13
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LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
TOWN OF ASHLAND NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Please take notice that on the 15th day of September 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ashland Town Hall, 101 Thompson Street, Ashland, VA, the Ashland Town Council will conduct a public hearing for the purpose of receiving input and may take action on the following item: ORDINANCE NO. 2020-10 Ordinance No. 2020-10 amends the Ashland Town Code by modifying Article I, “In General,” Section 21-3, “Definitions,” and Article XIII, “Limited Industrial District M-1,” Section 21-119, “Permitted Uses,” Section 21-120, “Requirements for Permitted Uses,” and Article XV, “Industrial District M-2,” Section 21-135, “Permitted Uses,” Section 21-136, “Requirements for Permitted Uses.” Ordinance No. 2020-10 is considered pursuant to the grants of authority contained in VA. Code §§ 15.2-2200, 15.2-2240, 15.2-2280, 15.2-2285, and 15.2-2286. Copies of the requests may be obtained by contacting Town Hall at (804) 798-1073. Written comments may be submitted to planning@ashlandva.gov or Town of Ashland, P.O. Box 1600, Ashland, VA 23005. All interested persons may attend and express their views, however, the number of people admitted to Town Hall is being limited in accordance with CDC Guidelines. Citizens are encouraged to participate electronically; please contact Bernadette Cornelius, bcornelius@ashlandva.gov to make those arrangements. Any person with a disability requiring assistance in order to participate in this public hearing is asked to contact Town Hall in advance of the public hearing so that appropriate arrangements may be made.
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
Notice is hereby given that the Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 7:00 P.M., in the Board Room of the Hanover County Government Building at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the day, date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the following cases, at which public comments will be accepted: REZONINGS REZ2020-00027, POCAHONTAS PROPERTIES, L.L.C. Request(s) to rezone from A-1, Agricultural District to AR-6(c), Agricultural Residential District with conditions, on GPIN 8756-00-8764, consisting of approximately 10.37 acres, and located on the north line of Old Church Road (State Route 606) approximately 1,000 feet west of its intersection with Spring Run Road (State Route 628). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Agricultural. The proposed zoning amendment would permit the creation of one (1) building lot for a gross density of one (1) dwelling unit per 5.19 acres. (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Cold Harbor CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT CUP2020-00007, HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Request(s) an amendment to a Conditional Use Permit in accordance with Section 26-20.11 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit the installation of accessory freestanding solar panels at an existing school, which is located on GPINs 8707-46-1121, 8707-47-3113, 8707-47-3460, and 8707-47-6789, consisting of approximately 50.1 acres. The property is zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located at the terminus of Learning Lane (private road) approximately 1,725 feet south of its intersection with Whippoorwill Road (State Route 653). The subject property is designated on the General Land Use Plan Map as Suburban General (1.5-3.0 dwelling units per acre). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam SPECIAL EXCEPTION SE2020-00020, HANOVER COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD Request(s) a Special Exception Permit in accordance with Section 26-336 of the Hanover County Zoning Ordinance to permit a fence taller than permitted in the front yard on GPIN 8707-46-1121, consisting of approximately 34.69 acres, zoned A-1, Agricultural District, and located at the terminus of Learning Lane (private road) approximately 1,725 feet south of its intersection with Whippoorwill Road (State Route 653). (PUBLIC HEARING) Magisterial District: Beaverdam Copies of the above case may be reviewed in the Planning Office, Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
CALENDAR Continued from pg. 7
visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.
Sundays Outside the Walls, a new Narcotics Anonymous group, has been organized and will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. in the lobby of the Pamunkey Regional Jail at 7240 Courtland Farm Rd. in Hanover. For more information, contact John Shinholser, McShin president, at 804-249-1845. The website is http:// www.mcshin.org.
Tuesdays
A Commanders Coffee is held from 10 a.m. to about 11 a.m. at the Beaverdam Post at 17662 Beaver Dam Rd. in Beaverdam. Members discuss issues of interest/befits of the American Legion. There also will be donuts. Eugene Truitt is the Post commander. He can be contacted at 804-746-4734. The Hanover Concert Band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through mid December, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Railroad Ave. in Ashland, just south of U.S. 54. Membership is open to anyone who can read music and play a non-string instrument. High
school students are welcome with parents’ permission. For more information, visit www.hanoverconcertband.org or call 804-789-0536.
Thursdays The Rotary Club of Ashland meets at noon for lunch at the Iron Horse Restaurant at 100 S. Railroad Ave. in in Ashland. For more information, contact Steve Dunham at 804-496-6093 or sandrdunham@ yahoo.com.
Third Mondays The Hanover County Community Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. at 12300 Washington Hwy. in Ashland.
Second Tuesdays Hanover Family Support Group, a support group for family members of a loved one with a mental illness, meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. the second Tuesday evening of each month at the Ashland office of Hanover Community Services located at 12300 Washington Highway in Ashland. Attendees support one another, share experiences, challenges and resources and to advocate for their loved ones. For more information, contact Kathy Redfearn, LCSW at 804675-4230. The Hanover County Historical
Society will be conducting free tours of the Old Hanover Courthouse on the Historic Courthouse Green from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every second Tuesday through December. The address is 13182 Hanover Courthouse Road in Hanover. For more information, visit http://www.hanoverhistorical. org/index.html. The Clay Spring Garden Club in Ashland meets at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month (except for the month of July at the First Baptist Church in Ashland off of U.S. 54. Barbara Boor is the president. Doors are open to anyone who would like to attend.
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
LEGAL DISPLAY ADS
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES IN HANOVER COUNTY, VIRGINIA
All persons desiring to be heard above may appear at the stated time and place. A plat of the subject property is available for inspection at the office of the County Administrator any regular working day between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Notice is hereby given that the Board of Supervisors of Hanover County, Virginia (the “Board”) will hold a public hearing on the adoption of a proposed resolution authorizing the issuance by Hanover County, Virginia (the “County”), of general obligation bonds and pledging the full faith and credit of the County thereto (the “Bonds”). The Bonds will be sold to the Virginia Public School Authority (the “VPSA”) to finance a portion of the costs of capital projects for public school purposes for the Hanover County Public Schools, more specifically facility and infrastructure improvements and equipment, including without limitation roof repairs, bathroom renovations, HVAC repairs, auditorium renovations, school grounds upgrades, safety/security enhancements and upgrades, school building upgrades, gymnasium repairs and related building improvements. The Bonds will be issued in a principal amount not-to-exceed $10,700,000 to finance such projects and pay the costs of issuance. The Bonds may be issued in more than one series and from time to time. The public hearing, which may be continued or adjourned, will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 before the Board in the Board Room in the Hanover County Administrative Building located at 7516 County Complex Road, Hanover, Virginia 23069. Any person interested in the issuance of the Bonds or the purposes for which they are being issued may appear at the hearing and present his or her views.
__________________________________ John A. Budesky, County Administrator
HANOVER COUNTY, VIRGINIA John Budesky, County Administrator
The Hanover County Board of Supervisors has set September 23, 2020, at 7:00 p.m. in the Board meeting room at the Hanover County Administration Building, 7516 County Complex Road, at Hanover Courthouse, Hanover, Virginia, as the time, date and place for a public hearing concerning the disposal by quitclaim deed of the following real estate: A 0.278-acre portion of the parcel identified as GPIN 7796-95-7173 on Atlee Road located in the Chickahominy District, Hanover County Virginia.
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Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020 15
BeWellVA website offers tools, resources to prevent suicide Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND – As COVID-19 stays top-ofmind throughout Virginia, another health crisis continues to surge. According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide in 2018, ranking it the nation’s 10th leading cause of death. These numbers represent a staggering 35% increase since 1999. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. In addition, Sept. 6-12 marks National Suicide
Prevention Week. That makes September the ideal time for all Virginians to become aware of their resources for helping to prevent a suicide. BeWellVA has created a single, easy-to-use source for finding out how to help others who may be considering suicide. Created through a collaboration with central Virginia’s seven Community Services Boards, BeWellVA’s website, BeWellVA.com, offers connections for getting help, learning more about mental health and suicide prevention, attending events and accessing specialized resources for
active duty military and veterans. BeWellVA is an initiative that focuses on bringing awareness to the increasing number of deaths by suicide and promoting wellness for life. It is a collaborative effort of the Community Service Boards from Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, the Henrico Area (including New Kent and Charles City), Goochland-Powhatan, District 19 (includes: Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg, Dinwiddie, Prince George, Surry, Sussex, Emporia and Greensville) and
Crossroads (Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward County). As always, those with thoughts of suicide should call 1-800-273-TALK for immediate help. According to Robin Pentecost, Goochland Powhatan Community Services Behavioral Health and Wellness Supervisor, one of the BeWellVA collaborative chairpersons, “We want to give ordinary people the confidence, knowledge, and ability to prevent suicides by talking about it and getting others help as soon as possible.”
Free fans or window ACs still available for seniors Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com RICHMOND -- Senior Connections shared a reminder that it is still offering free fans or window ACs to qualifying residents, but the program is ending soon. The 2020 Senior Cool Care Program was designed to help older adults stay cool in the hot summer months. To receive a box fan or AC unit, applications
must: be 60 years old or older; must need additional cooling in the home; did not receive a fan in 2019 or an AC in 2018/2019 from this program; currently lives without AC in the home, and must meet household income requirements. This is less than $1,595 per month for one
person and less than $2,155 per month for two people. The program, which is sponsored by Dominion Virginia Power, serves Powhatan County and seven other localities. The program ends on Wednesday, Sept. 30. Contact 804-343-3005 for assistance. For clients that are unable to install an AC themselves, a community partner can provide that service.
Faithful Followers to hold every two years charity auction on Sept. 19 Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
M
ECHANICSVILLE -- Faithful Followers at CSBC will hold its every two years charity auction to support its mission of assisting families in crisis on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Auction, Live and Silent, will begin at 12:45 p.m. at the Cool Spring Baptist Church, with bidding available live via Zoom. Preregistration is available by emailing tomlbagby@msn.com in advance. Silent auction items, totaling
132, will be up for bid until 1 p.m. Live auction of 68 items will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Over $42,000 of retail value will
be for sale, including 28 trips, a kayak, fishing rods, diamond ring, set of tires, television, smart watch, etc. One hundred percent of fund raised from auction sales are used to assist families in crisis. Funds are currently being directed to: Individual local cases that come to their attention Mechanicsville Christian Emergency Fund (MCEF): regular provision of food supplies for their pantry Moments of Hope (serving homeless and those in poverty):
monthly provision of requested supplies, currently 10 cases of toilet paper Pink & Pearls (providing hope and support to breast cancer victims): annual contribution to help support their efforts. Shepherd’s Way (assisting
homeless in Richmond): monthly funding a breakfast Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond (assisting women with key decisions during unplanned pregnancies): currently making an annual contribution in support of a vital alternative to Planned Parenthood. Chickahominy Middle School: helping those families struggling to provide meals and supplies for their kids. Natural Disaster Assistance: Doing what they can when they can.
Ashland Planning Commission to meet this evening Newman graduates from York College of Pennsylvania ASHLAND – The Ashland Planning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The town’s Parks and Recreation Committee follows
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at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 The Economic Development Authority is scheduled for at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 17. Town of Ashland meet-
Ashland-Hanover Local September 9, 2020
ings are held at Ashland Town Hall at 101 Thompson St. in Ashland. All sessions are open to the public.
YORK, Pennsylvania -- Drew Newman of Ashland graduated cum laude from the York College of Pennsylvania on May 31. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Located in southcentral Pennsylvania, York College
offers more than 70 baccalaureate majors in professional programs, the sciences, and humanities to its 4,100 undergraduate students. The College also offers master's programs in business, education, and nursing, and a doctorate in nursing practice.