Ashland-Hanover Local – 12/15/2021

EDUCATION Virginia ACLU files complaint against Hanover School Board

COMMUNITY Time capsule saves 300th memories PAGE

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Vol. 7 No. 16 | Richmond Suburban News | December 15, 2021

Town, CSX enter agreement to upgrade crossings Pedestrian access, safety addressed in agreement

By Jim Ridolphi For Ashland-Hanover Local

A

shland Town Council has entered into an agreement with the CSX Corporation that will upgrade pedestrian crosswalks and vehicular crossings along the tracks that dissect the town.

“This particular agreement is focused on the pedestrian crossings, but we do touch on vehicular crossings also,” Town Manager Josh Farrar said as he introduced the plan at last week’s council meeting.

Under the plan, CSX will upgrade four vehicular crossings at Patrick, England, Myrtle and Francis streets to accommodate pedestrians.

Pedestrian crossings would be removed at Francis Street, Maiden Lane, Robinson and the one located near Cross Brothers.

“The math would be that

you are adding four vehicular crossings for pedestrians and removing four pedestrian-only crossings. So from pedestrian access and connectivity across the town, the total number of pedestrian crossings remains the same,” Farrar said.

Under the approved agreement, pedestrian crosswalks would feature upgraded construction materials and would be upgraded within 18 months of the agreement being executed. Until that time, the existing walkways will remain in place “to make sure we maintain connectivity across the town.”

Farrar said the town benefits from a provision in the agreement that requires repairs to any of the walkways be completed within two weeks of being reported.

“From the town’s perspective and a real bonus for us would be that CSX would

endeavor to turn around their repairs to any pedestrian crossings that have been torn up or in disrepair within two weeks,” Farrar said.

“Most of you are aware that the one in front of Cross Brothers has been removed for over a month, so we’re still waiting on that. The agreement in front of us would give us a little more teeth in pushing CSX to make it more of a priority,” he added.

The agreement also requires the town to pay a $1,000 annual maintenance fee to CSX for pedestrianonly crossings. “We would pay that $7,000 a year but CSX would be on the hook to repair pedestrian crossings when they are torn up,” the town manager said. Farrar likened the maintenance fees to an insurance deductible.

The agreement does not involve any aspect of the DC/ RVA project. “We can remove

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

Ashland Town Council approved an agreement with CSX that provides upgrades to several pedestrian access points along the railroad tracks. Four vehicular crossings will be upgraded with wider pedestrian access areas including the Route 54 crossing in downtown Ashland.

that from our minds,” Farrar said. “I know there’s plenty of conspiratorial minded people out there, but this has nothing to do with it.”

The pedestrian upgrades will include wider access for residents allowing them to pass on the walkway, something not possible with the

ones currently in place. “That would be a dramatic improvement,” Farrar said. “We want see TOWN, pg. 9

DEC 12 - JAN 16 HANOVER TAVERN VIRGINIAREP.ORG 804-282-2620

Virginia ACLU files complaint against Hanover School Board

By Jim Ridolphi Ashland-Hanover Local The Virginia American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a complaint against the Hanover County School Board last week in response to a vote last month that contends those actions were discriminatory and against the law.

Filed on behalf of five families who have transgender students in county schools, the complaint contends the board's denial of policy amendments that allowed transgender students to use the bathroom of their preferred gender identification was a direct violation of the Commonwealth's mandate regarding implementation of those policies.

The Virginia General Assembly passed those revised policies in 2020 and mandated 132 school districts to adopt policies that addressed the new guidelines that reflected those new requirements. It required those policies to be in place by the beginning of the school year. Hanover missed that deadline and held several meetings earlier this year allowing the public an opportunity to express support or concerns.

The board's final vote at

its Nov. 9 meeting revealed a majority of that panel's members were not in agreement with the new Virginia Department of Education guidelines and voted not to adopt a policy regarding bathroom use.

Bob May, George Sutton, Steve Ikenberry and John Axselle voted to deny the policy changes, while Ola Hawkins, Sterling Daniel and Bob Hundley opted to adopt the required revisions.

Parents who have students affected by any school board decision are allowed to file complaints within 30 days with the appropriate Circuit Court.

If violations are discovered, the court can overturn or correct the identified actions.

Virginia ACLU posted the following on its Twitter account last week: "We filed a lawsuit against Hanover County School Board for its failure to adopt the VDOE's model policies to protect trans students. The board members knew the board's actions were discriminatory and outside the law, but they did it anyway. So we sued."

The General Assembly action addressed issues raised in landmark case involving

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

File photo Jim Ridolphi /The Local

Supporters of the revised policy attended recent school board meetings regarding trans student policies. Board members eventually voted 4-3 to deny changes to the policy that would have allowed trans students to use the bathroom of their preferred gender. The ACLU sued last week.

Gloucester County student Gavin Grimm. After he was not allowed to access the boys bathroom, the transgender male filed suit against the Gloucester County School Board.

The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in Grimm's favor, stating the board had violated his rights under Title IX protections against discrimination on the basis of sex. Gloucester appealed the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case earlier this year. That denial codified the Fourth Circuit's ruling.

Kelly Merrill is the parent of a trans child who attends Hanover schools and is also one of the five families included in the complaint filed last week.

"I think it's powerful that five families have joined this complaint, and I'm happy to be one of them," she said.

"Coming together like this to express our grievance with Hanover shows that this isn't

just about one kid. It's about Hanover's consistent categorical denial of transgender students' rights."

Merrill has been advocating for the rights of trans students in Hanover schools for years, but meaningful results have been elusive, she said.

"I've been communicating with the school board for a few years now about the needs of transgender students, like my son, and have been met with indifference," she said. "This time a law required them to make a policy and they still didn't budge. It's time for Hanover to respond to our students' needs."

She said the challenges faced by her son include the issue of bathroom use but extend to other areas of his educational experience.

"My child avoids using the restroom at school, much to his pediatrician's dismay. He's only been three times this school year, and faced a bullying situation one of those times," she said. "And while restroom

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access certainly impacts his experience at school, what impacts him even more is the culture of marginalization that the school board is perpetrating. He is bullied in school hallways and during recreation time on a regular basis," Merrill added.

She hopes the complaint will provide the relief that, in her opinion, would offer a safer environment for all students. "The relief we seek is for Hanover County Public Schools to honor the law and adopt the VDOE model policies. A full transgender policy in Hanover will begin to set a tone that schools should be a safe place for our kids. Right now, it's not."

She also said the current policy, or lack thereof, in county schools does not provide a consistent model and produces uncertainty in some students.

"There is no restroom policy for transgender students in Hanover. That's resulted in varying practices from school to school," Merrill said. "Without a countywide policy what's happening in our schools is hit or miss and at the mercy of the school and staff. We want to eliminate the stress that our children face not knowing if someone will call them out for being in the 'wrong' space. The physical and mental burden placed on our kids is what we seek relief from."

And, when school board members speak of protecting all students and a mission that emphasizes equity, Merrill thinks they should mean what

they say.

"Some Hanover school board members continue to use the word 'all' in a way that excludes trans kids, which is indicative of them not seeing the humanity of our children," Merrill said. "Delaying the equitable treatment of transgender kids because the school board wants to protect 'all' students means that they are viewing transgender kids as the problem and not part of the 'all.' So, no, that's not equitable at all," she added.

The school board's failure to adopt a policy that adheres to VDOE guidelines also reflects a troubling approach with serious future implications, according to Merrill.

"Further, a school board that won't adopt a full transgender policy creates an environment where marginalization of transgender kids is an accepted part of the culture," she said.

While some school board members referenced an overwhelming majority of their consituents did not support the bathroom use policy, Merrill gauges that public reaction differently.

"We have been astounded at the outpouring of support that we are experiencing from our fellow Hanoverians right now," she said. "Literally hundreds of our neighbors from all walks of life throughout Hanover have reached out to offer encouragement and assurances. We are fortunate and humbled to live in this community."

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SHERIFF’S REPORTS | Crime, Accidents, Fire & Rescue personnel was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Nov. 3

Obstructing justice without force was reported in the 19100th block of Beaver Dam Road, Beaverdam.

Exploiting a mentally disabled person for money, greater than $200, was reported in the 14200th block of Mill Creek Commons Lane, Doswell.

False statement to obtain property or credit was reported in the 13200th block of Scotchtown Road, Beaverdam.

Nov. 5

Nov. 4

Failure to stop for school bus with flashing lights was reported in the 12500th block of Verdon Road/ Narrow Path Trail, Doswell.

Identity theft of ID to defraud, less than $200, was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 15500th block of Scotchtown Road, Montpelier.

Impersonating public safety

Petit larceny, building, was reported in the 11400th block of Karen Drive, Ashland.

Driver not reporting accident with damage up to $1,000 was reported in the 10100th block of Lewistown Road, Ashland.

Simple assault was reported in the 13400th block of Liberty School Road, Ashland.

Failure to appear on a felony charge was reported in the 7200th block of Courtland Farm Road, Hanover.

Destruction of property, monument, was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Petit larceny, less than $500 not from a person, was reported in the 10700th block of Providence Park Drive, Ashland.

Uttering was reported in the 16000th block of Mountain Road, Montpelier.

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 14000th block of W Patrick Henry Road, Doswell..

Rockville.

Nov. 11

Threat to extort money was reported in the 12300th block of Melton Road, Ashland.

Simple assault was reported in the 300th block of S James Street, Ashland.

Obtaining money or signature by false pretenses was reported in the 8200th block of Cadys Mill Road, Hanover.

Nov. 8

Assault and battery on a family member was reported in the 13000th block of Fairway Lane, Ashland.

Identity fraud, use of identifying information to defraud was reported in the 15600th block of Scotchtown Road, Montpelier.

Nov. 9

Impersonating a law enforcement officer was reported in the 7500th block of County Complex Road, Hanover.

Larceny, conspiracy to obtain money, etc., by false pretenses, $200, was reported in the 200th block of N Washington Highway, Ashland..

Assault on law enforcement, court, corrections, fire or medical personnel was reported in the 9400th block of John Wickham Way, Ashland.

Simple assault was reported in the 10100th block of Kings Dominion Boulevard, Doswell.

Credit card theft was reported in the 19000th block of Vontay Road,

Ashland Police Department is an agency that values continuous improvement and the delivery of professional 24-hour service to all of Ashland’s residents and businesses. In that spirit, and especially as the end of the year approaches, the department wants to hear from the public. The department hopes the public will take a moment to share their thoughts by Wednesday, Dec. 15

via ashlandva.info/apdsurvey.

Of course, people don’t need a survey to give the police department feedback. Officers are always available and happy to connect with the community, so feel free to contact the police department at any of the phone numbers or emails listed at right.

Submitted by Ashland Police Department.

Give us a call: (804) 401-7007

Sin ing 2 Dec. 22nd at 2 pm and 6 pm Dec. 23rd at 11 am and 2:30 pm and 6 pm th Dec. 26 at 2 pm and 5 pm

Chief Doug Goodman (804) 412-0603 dgoodman@ashlandpolice.us Major Troy Aronhalt (804) 412-0612 taronhalt@ashlandpolice.us

Purchase tickets & see upcoming events at:

monitor their child’s social media activity as it appears these incidents started as a rumor while students were playing a video game.

Submitted by Lt. James Cooper, Hanover County Sheriff’s Office public information officer.

Ashland Police Department seeks input

205 England Street Ashland, VA 23005

Upcoming Events:

school administration.

Investigators have conducted numerous interviews and no credible threat has been found. Throughout the day there will be an increased presence of deputies at our schools.

We continue to encourage all parents to

Share your time; Collect or contribute items in need; Shop for a specific child, family or elder; and Create an item or a gift.

The list also includes information on the Hanover Christmas Mother.

Finally, don’t forget that with the new year, we will again be accepting nominations for Hanover’s Spirit of Volunteerism Awards. Start creating your own wish list of unsung heroes who volunteer their time throughout the year to make a positive impact. Nomination details will be available Jan. 1, 2022.

For more information, call the Department of Community Resources at (804) 365-4300 or e-mail volunteer@hanovercounty.gov.

Submitted by Tom Harris, public information officer for Hanover County.

Theft of firearms, regardless of value, not from a person was reported in the 11200th block of Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover.

HCSO investigates numerous school threats On Friday, Dec. 10, the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office was made aware of numerous threats to multiple schools throughout Hanover County. The Sheriff’s Office immediately deployed additional resources to each school and worked closely with

Are you looking for ways to make the holidays brighter for others? Hanover County Department of Community Resources has a list of organizations seeking holiday assistance for those they serve.

In-person volunteering needs may be limited, but this year’s wish list is still full of opportunities to show compassion and bring joy to others.

The “Making Holidays Bright” holiday wish list provides individuals, businesses and community groups with opportunities and contact information of local agencies that are in need of community support as they serve others during the Holiday season. The document is available online at www.HanoverVolunteers.org.

The list includes ways in which you can: Make a monetary donation;

Nov. 14

Nov. 10

Nov. 12

‘Make the holidays bright’ for someone in need

APD Administrative Offices (804) 412-0600

Buster Moon and his friends must persuade reclusive rock star Clay Calloway to join them for the opening of a new show.

Rent the Ashland Theatre Looking for a place to host your next event?

The Ashland Theatre is available for corporate events, birthday parties, holiday parties, and more! Contact us for more information!

ashlandtheatre.org

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 3

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JOEL, William Lee II, of Richmond, Va., passed away February 6, 2021, in Sacramento, Calif. with his loving family by his side. He was 87 years old. Bill attended St. Christopher's School and graduated from Brown University in 1955the day after he married Merry Pick, his kindred soul through life. He went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps before continuing studies in interior design at the New York School of Interior Design and Pratt Institute. He returned to Richmond in 1959 to manage the interior design business of the family-owned Richmond

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

Art Company. In later years, he took over as president of the home furnishings store. Bill specialized in color and lighting. He designed and furnished rooms in the Governor's Mansion, R F & P Corp. Headquarters, the Wickham Valentine House, Shirley Plantation, among others, as well as many residential interiors. He was also active with the American Society of Interior Designers, Barksdale Theatre designing and building sets for many productions, Retail Merchants Association, The Richmond Forum, to name a few. One of Bill's passions was model trains and after he retired, he built an elaborate, computerized, two-guage system of trains, tunnels and villages in his basement.

He and Merry also loved travel, particularly through Italy and France. In 2002, he brought the extended family to Taormina, Sicily for an unforgettable Christmas. Bill rarely missed a summer in Goose Rocks Beach, Maine. He loved working on the family cottage, which was built in 1892 and being on the water, fishing and sailing with his family, or canoeing with his college roommates. Bill is survived by Merry; daughters, Taryn, Dana, Wendy and Holly; and eight grandchildren. A celebration of Bill was held in Maine in July for family and friends. In loving memory of Bill and his devotion to art and Richmond's history, his family suggests any donations be made to The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St., Richmond, Va. 23219.

The 2021 Fire Season is upon us, and the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is urging Virginians to learn about Wildfire Prevention and to take precautions if they are planning to burn debris this fall.

The top priority in the VDOF Strategic Plan is to protect the forest resources and the citizens of the Commonwealth from wildfire and reduce impacts to the forest from other threats.

In order to do this, VDOF relies on collaboration of all fire departments, other land management agencies and the cooperation of all Virginians and visitors to the Commonwealth.

“The local volunteer and paid fire departments all across Virginia are critical in our success,”

said John Miller, director of Fire and Emergency Response for VDOF. “They are essential to our ability to respond swiftly to all wildfires and suppress them early on.”

Miller says, “If a wildfire never starts, firefighters lives, the lives of Virginians, personal property and valuable habitat remain safe.” Preventing wildfires from starting in the first place is of upmost importance. In Virginia, nearly 95% of all wildfires are human-caused and therefore can be prevented.

Extra precautions are needed when burning in the fall due to the abundance of dry grass and leaves on the ground. Gusty winds and low humidity can make a seemingly safe fire burn more intensely and escape control.

“People need to be cautious when performsee FIRE, pg. 10

Community

| Education Business & Celebrations

Time capsule saves 300th memories ‘Snapshot in time’ presented to Board

H

anover County Administrator John Budesky and Hanover Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Jaime Fawcett concluded the county’s official 300th Birthday Celebration last week by locking a time capsule that will remain unopened for the next century.

“In 100 years, when some of us are not around, folks will open this up and be able to recognize the commitment and efforts that happened here in Hanover County in 2021,” the county administrator said.

The sealing of the time capsule culminates a series of events recognizing the anniversary, all of them delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizing and planning those rescheduled events added pressure for event planners, organizations, county officials and the numerous county citizens who participated, planned or worked the events.

That extra effort was noted

by Budesky at last week’s ceremony.

Tom Harris/Hanover County

Hanover Board of Supervisors chair Sean Davis accepts a time capsule from Hanover Museum of History and Culture Executive Director Jaime Fawcett as County Administrator John Budesky looks on at last week’s board of supervisors meeting.

“They planned a year of activities that had to be halted just as we were about to start March 13, 2020,” Budesky said.

“As we wrap up our 300th year celebration, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank many many people who were able to help us make our 300th Celebration possible over the past year.”

“We did work through some challenges, but as a community, we came together and still were able to celebrate and recognize this county in many different ways. None of this would have been possible without the commitment and engagement of our citizens,”

he added.

The variety of events offered during the celebration was the result of a number of partnerships, and the support of various organizations throughout the county. They included the Hanover Board of Supervisors, Hanover Tavern Foundation, Hanover Museum of History and Culture, Ashland Museum, Scotchtown, Hanover Economic Development, Parks and Recreation and Public Information.

Budesky also noted the efforts of local media for their assistance in promoting the events and acknowledged the contribution of Dominion

Power in making the celebration a success.

“They really stepped up as a community partner and helped us put on a number of those events,” Budesky said.

The time capsule will be housed in the new Hanover Museum of History and Culture, which opened during the celebration and is what Budesky described as a permanent gift to the community.

“This facility comes to life in many different ways, and serves our community to recognize that the history and culture of this community,” he said.

Fawcett was heavily involved in the planning and implementation of the 300th Celebration and told supervisors the time capsule will serve as a permanent reminder of the anniversary.

“It is truly an honor to be here and present this time capsule,” Fawcett said. “Three hundred is a momentous occasion. Three hundred and one is even more momentous,” she added, referring to the county’s actual age.

As important as the county’s rich cultural and historical past are the years that lay ahead hold great promise,

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

according to Fawcett. “It is the years ahead that really matter in defining who we are. This time capsule is a representation of a snapshot in time. This is a curated box of items that see TIME, pg. 7

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 5

OPINION

CALENDAR | News, & Listings

| The Local Views

Fighting the FAFSA battle, and losing

By Jim Ridolphi Contributing Columnist FAFSA! They are five letters that strike fear into every parent who has ever picked up a pen and tried to complete an application for their child to receive a scholarship or student aid in order to attend college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a document required for any student to be considered for financial aid for tuition, board and other college expenses. Anyone who has attempted to fill out one of these forms could be easily convinced a college education is required to complete the process.

I recently heard one parent express what many are experiencing as deadlines for completion quickly approach. She explained that she and her husband have advanced degrees and still found completing the FAFSA form almost overwhelming.

The amount of financial information required is staggering, and many of the questions require documentation that has long ago found its place lost among dated bank statements and tax returns.

One parent said she and her spouse spent an entire weekend attempting to complete the FAFSA challenge. We’ve been working on it for weeks at my house, and every time I open the application, I get that same feeling I remember from my days in statistics class. It’s that clueless approach, I’m sure, that makes the process harder than it has to be; or maybe not.

Some educators have noted the difficulty in completing FAFSA could be a factor in declin-

ing college admissions across the country. One administrator said some parents and students simply give up on the process and delay or dismiss plans for college.

And students who don’t have parents with those advanced degrees often are responsible for completing the forms on their own, a daunting task for the most ambitious of learners.

I understand that thorough financial records and other information are necessary to ensure federal assistance goes to the students who truly need it, but making that process overburdensome could be contributing to exactly the opposite. In other words, the students targeted for aid are the least prepared to fill out complicated financial forms.

Assistance is available and guidance counselors and other administrators willingly offer help in filling out the forms, but some of the dicier elements require parental input. One parent said the process required him to retrieve financial documents from years ago.

There could be light at the end of the tunnel.

One local administrator said federal officials have heard the chorus of complaints regarding FAFSA, and a new simplified form is scheduled to be released in 2023. Deciphering what the feds might consider simplified is anybody’s guess, but any relief is a well welcomed relief for parents who are struggling with the current process.

Now, that doesn’t provide immediate relief, but offers promise for an easier process in the future. But, FAFSA will remain a part of our lives for years to come. The applications are due annually.

Thursday, Dec. 16 Ashland Museum Holiday Trivia Night -Join the Ashland Museum at 6 p.m. at Origin Beer Lab,106 S. Railroad Ave., for a holiday version of its History Trivia Night. MC Woody has his thinking cap on and will have 20 holiday-themed questions for participants. DJ Brent is working on his holiday playlist. No reservations needed. Just show up and, with apologies to Irving Berlin, may your evening be merry and bright.

Tuesday, Dec. 21 The Mechanicsville Tea Party (MTP) will hold its next meeting on from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Members will be meeting at Freedom Services and Training at a new address, 6701 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, across from Dollar General and near the Cold Harbor Road and Creighton Road traffic circle. Instead of having a speaker this month, the group will have a Christmas potluck social. Bring your favorite dish and enjoy the company of your fellow patriots as they celebrate the Christmas season. All are welcome. If you have any questions, contact Glenn Baker at 804-752-8389. If he doesn’t answer, leave a message.

Ongoing Mechanicsville Churches Emergency Functions One Stop Shop (MCEF OSS) is open for food, clothing and linens from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at 7235 Stonewall Parkway in Mechanicsville (rear parking lot). The shop is available for residents in the 23111 and 23116 zip codes with identification and proof of residency.

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 Rev. Dr. Roy Minnix For more information, visit www.trinityrichmond.net or call 804-270-9626.

Sundays All Souls Episcopal Church celebrates Holy Eucharist Rite II at 9:15 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church at 8154 Atlee Rd. in Mechanicsville. A nursery will be available for infants and toddlers. Katherine G. Dougherty is the Deacon in charge of All Souls.

For more information, visit www.allsoulsva.org.

A Healing and Recovery SS Class meets at 9 a.m. at the Walnut Grove Baptist Church at 7046 Cold Harbor Rd. in Mechanicsville. The class is for adults 18 and over and is an extension of the NorthStar community that also meets at 6 p.m. Fridays at the church.

The Christian 12 Steps and Biblical wisdom are the basis of study and discussion to learn about God’s place in our lives. All are welcome. For more information, call 804-746-5081 or contact Craig Simpson at craigwgbc@gmail.com.

Outside the Walls, a Narcotics Anonymous group, meets 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 Editorial & Business Office and Mailing Address: 8460 Times-Dispatch Blvd. Mechanicsville, VA 23116 Phone – (804) 746-1235 Toll free – (877) 888-0449 Fax – (804) 344-8746 Online: www.mechlocal.com

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

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 © 2021 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.

A Commanders coffee is held from 10 to 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 90 at 17662 Beaver Dam Rd. in Beaverdam to discuss issues of interest/befits of the American Legion. There also will be donuts.

Call Post Commander Eugene Truitt at 804-746-4734.

The Hanover Concert Band rehearses from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. every Tuesday, mid-January through midDecember, at the Hanover Arts and Activities Center at 500 S. Railroad see CALENDAR, pg. 9

Hanover Christmas Central Virginia Transportation Authority Mother thankful announces first round of funding priorities for contributions Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local

Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local The Hanover Christmas Mother would like to thank the following for their generous donations: Harris Allen; Alpha Delta Kappa – MU; Joseph D. Atkins; James O. Attkisson; Betty Bareford; Jean Barlow; David & Kay Beazley; Faye Booker; Samantha Brock; Jill Brown; Arthur Burke, Jr.; Mary Ann & Robert L. Campbell; Barbara K. Camper; Mary Capule; Barbara S. Cocke; Cecile Cox; Jim Cox; Sue & Buddy Cox; Walter Crutchfield; B. Wayne Davis; Mr. & Mrs. Ron Demilta; Gloria Dunham; Elmont Ruritan Club; Bill Farmer Bible Class Fairmount Christian Church; Aubrey M. & Ellen H. Fletcher; Lisa & Michael Ford; Brenda and Larry Gilman; Jane Glazebrook; Mike & Cindy Goodman; Lois H. & Dwight Grissom; Linwood Hailey; Carl & Judy Harrell; Robert Q. Harris; Ellis Henley; Homemade

by Suzanne, Inc.; Walter & Geraldine Howard; David & Diane Hylton; Independence Ruritan Club; Lois Johnson, In Memory of Jimmy Johnson; Julie M. Kent; Kevin & Amy Lane; Luck Chevrolet; David & Janice Lynn; Mary Matthews, In Memory of Bob Matthews; Timothy & Christine Mayes; Douglas & Dina Mayo; McArdle & Associates Insurance; Elaine & J. Burle McGhee, In Honor of Gabie Crutchfield 1995 Christmas Mother; Sandra Monolo; Doris & Wesley Moody; Joe & Marilyn O’Connor; Frank T. Overbey; Carolyn R. Peebles; Anne Rawls; Marsha Rettig, In Memory of our daughter Ginny; Johnny W. Robinson; Rick Ryan; Edward & Patricia Schwartz; Douglas Seal; L. F. & I. V. Shaw, Jr.; Sheltering Arms Circle Virginia Branch, KD&S; Harold Singleton, In Honor of two former Christmas Mothers, Gabie Crutchfield and Hilda Kelly; S. Slagley, In Memory of Joyce Pruitt and JoAnn Slagley; Springer Family Trust; Andrew & Mona Stahling; Ginger W. Stanley; Sharon Stanley; Carol J. Stevens; Edward & Robbin Stiles; Mr. & Mrs.Claude F. Stocky; John & Sigrid Suddarth; Richard Taylor; The Lawn Ranger; Tompkins Jewelers, Inc.; Robert M. & Julie Tuck; Margaret Tudor; Ted & Susan Tussey; Robert & Peggy Vaughan; James & Mary Lee Vinson; see DONATIONS pg. 8

TIME Continued from pg. 5

recommend who we are in this time…. and where we came from.”

A copy of The Mechanicsville Local is

RICHMOND – The Central Virginia Transportation Authority (CVTA) recently took action to appropriate a first round of regional funds to transportation projects that includes a multi-jurisdictional trail running through Hanover County.

On Friday, Dec. 3, the authority hosted a public hearing to gather input on a commitment of fiscal year (FY) 2021 and FY 2022 regional transportation revenues to a slate of proposed regionally significant projects. The 17-member authority, chaired

by Frank J. Thornton (Henrico), voted to commit $113,871,073 in revenues to advance regional transportation projects.

Thornton expressed that “this is a great day to be a resident of the Richmond Region. Through the collaborative efforts and hard work of our nine localities, this fledgling organization makes these financial commitments to advance our transportation network for the benefit of all our citizens, across all nine of our jurisdictions.”

The largest project approved for funding from revenues projected for FY 2021 and 2022 are is the Fall Line Trail System, which counts as a multijurisdictional encompassing Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties, the Town of Ashland, and the City of Richmond. The CVTA also approved funding for projects in

included in the capsule. Also included is a program from the museum’s opening, a COVID-19 vaccination card and face mask featuring the county seal.

The capsule also contains a number of coins from

today’s currency. “Goodness knows we will be in Bitcoin by then, right?” Fawcett joked.

A thumb drive featuring Budesky’s 2020 State of the County was also placed in the capsule, along with an

the four localities not involved in the Fall Line Trail: Charles City County, Virginia Capital Trail Crossings; Goochland County, I-64 / Ashland Road Interchange and I-64 / Oilville Road Interchange; New Kent County, Bottoms Bridge Park and Ride, and Powhatan County, Stavemill Road Turn Lane.

The inaugural allocation of regional revenues administered by the CVTA represent a consensus among the nine member localities in identifying the region’s priority shovel ready projects. All jurisdictions have actively participated in the development of the regional project prioritization process and today’s decision represents the first steps in achieving regional consensus building.

Vice Chairman Kevin Carroll acknowledged the importance of the CVTA to advancing priority projects. “We are thrilled with the CVTA board’s support for the Fall Line Trail, which is exactly the type of regional project the General Assembly envisioned when it passed legislation creating the authority.

With about 16 miles of multi-use trail planned within our boundaries, the most of any participating jurisdiction, CVTA appropriations will complement other funding sources and help position Chesterfield to construct our portion of the project far sooner than would otherwise be possible.”

Finance Committee Chairman Mayor Levar Stoney

I-phone and badges from the sheriff ’s office and fire/EMS departments.

“There are other items that reflect things like the cost of milk and other traditional time capsule items,” Fawcett said.

(Richmond) shared that “through the CVTA, this region is now able to advance infrastructure improvements that help us grow and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents. The Fall Line Trail is just one of those improvements. We are excited about the future opportunities this dedicated revenue source will provide in the years to come.”

According to W. Canova Peterson of Hanover County, “the Fall Line is a regional 43-mile shared-use trail connecting Ashland to Petersburg.

This trail, in conjunction with the Capital Trail, will provide citizens and visitors a unique and safe way to experience RVA’s urban, suburban, and rural facets while participating in an active and healthy lifestyle. Tourism is a key economic driver in the Richmond Region and this trail will significantly increase our attractiveness to people from around the nation and the globe to visit us and share in our rich heritage. This project, which traverses seven localities, five of which are members of the CVTA, exemplifies our commitment to regional cooperation and our joint dedication to making our home one of the most desirable places to live and visit in the world. The Fall Line will be a vibrant regional asset serving everyone for many years to come.”

Projects four the four individual counties represent submittals

of priority projects by each of the four jurisdictions surrounding the Fall Line Trail participating jurisdictions. Patricia Paige from New Kent County remarked that “it is a long-awaited moment in our region to have dedicated revenues to meet our transportation needs. The opportunity to accelerate the timeline for putting these projects in motion is a testament to the leadership in our communities and the willingness to come together with our state representatives to move the region forward.”

The CVTA was enacted July 1, 2020, through action of the General Assembly’s 2020 Session and convened its first official meeting on August 27, 2020.

Despite challenges from the pandemic, the CVTA has accomplished its initial organizational objectives following formation: to establish governance and operating structure, complete a Transit Governance Report and establish a regional project prioritization methodology for allocation of regional revenues. The authority is charged with administering transportation funding generated through levy of an additional 0.7% sales and use tax (revenue collection began October 2020) and a wholesale gas tax of 7.6 cents per gallon of gasoline and 7.7 cents per gallon of diesel fuel (revenue collection began July 2020) across the region.

Visit CVTAva.org for more information.

746-5853 WE WANT TO BE YOUR PLUMBER Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 7

DONATIONS Continued from pg. 7

Frank J. Wallmeyer; Sue & Ritchie Watson; Gwendolyn Weinberg; Debra Welch; Peggy Wharton.

Beverly Alred; Ashland Veterinary; Robin Bourne, In Memory of Sadie Bourne 1971 Christmas Mother; Carol A. Broderick; Ginger & Louis Brooking, Jr. ; William L. Byrne, Jr. ; Susan & Bennett J. Call, Jr.; Capital City Four Wheelers; Gay Cauthorn; Janice A. Cutright; Joanne Diana; Mary T. Dobbs; Audrey Duval; William Ellen; James W. & Brenda Ellis; Dr. Robert G. Evans; John D & Mary N. Ferrell; Ernest F. Flannagan, Jr. Esther Gilman; William K. & Felicia Glave; Norman B. Graham; Frank Lane Griffin; Virginia Hall; Gary & Dee Kazee; Mr. & Mrs. D. L. Kennedy; Samuel & Patricia Kirby; Millicent M. Landrum; Legacy Park Ladies Auxiliary; Carolyn Leimberger; Garland Lloyd; Mr. & Mrs. William K. Lythgoe; Teresa Mahon; Judith & Lynn Mallory; Barbara Martin; Danny Martin; Jane P. Mitchell; John Montaigne; Ernest & Gladys Norris; Nancy Parrish, In Honor of Sister-In-Law Carol Parrish; Margaret D. Pickle; Judy & Herbert Pond; Presbyterian Women of Kings Chapel; R. F. Priddy; Jeannie H. Rasnic; Richmond East Lodge 1947; Jane Ruffin; Ruth Life Group Cool Springs Baptist; Thomas M.

8

Ryan; Darlene G. Sadler; Linda G. Saunders; Audrey C. Schwerdtfeger; Shirley & Isaac Smith; Sports Page Two Inc. ; Oscar Stills; Carolyn & James Sturgill, II; Mary Anna Sylvia; Virginia & Elvin L. Talley, Jr.; June Thorpe; Charles & Jean Thurston; Trinity Christian Church; Veteran of Foreign Wars Battlefield Post 9808; Sandra & Gary Vitek; Richard Wells; Walter & Faye Winston; Mr. & Mrs. Leonard C. Woodall; Andrew and Virginia Yanishak; Zion Christian Church C. W. F. Kirk & Patti Aliotti; Anne & Timothy Bishop; Bluffs at Bell Creek; Frank Bradley; Waverly M. Bugg; Larry Caldwell; Eleanor Campbell; Community Foundation for a greater Richmond; Linda Deale; David B. Dennis; Enon United Methodist Church; Enon United Methodist Women; Janet Farthing; Julia Meade Ferguson; Julie Fitzgerald; Gfwc-Ashcake Woman’s Club, Inc.; Golden Circle Hopeful Baptist Church; Carolyn Griffin; Carolyn Key; Doris Kidwell; Claude F. Lowry; Kathy & James C. May, III; Jane & Bill McDaniel; Alan & Sylvia Newman; Jackie C. , In Memory of Virginia Lee Hall; Smithers; Clinton & Gwendolyn Strane; Jeffery & Robin Underdown; Diane Wood; and Mr. & Mrs. John H. Woods.

Harris Allen; Alpha Delta Kappa – MU; Joseph D. Atkins; James O. Attkisson; Betty

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

Bareford; Jean Barlow; David & Kay Beazley; Faye Booker; Samantha Brock; Jill Brown; Arthur Burke, Jr.; Mary Ann & Robert L. Campbell; Barbara K. Camper; Mary Capule; Barbara S. Cocke; Cecile Cox; Jim Cox; Sue & Buddy Cox; Walter Crutchfield; B. Wayne Davis; Mr. & Mrs. Ron Demilta; Gloria Dunham; Elmont Ruritan Club; Bill Farmer Bible Class Fairmount Christian Church; Aubrey M. & Ellen H. Fletcher; Lisa & Michael Ford; Brenda and Larry Gilman; Jane Glazebrook; Mike & Cindy Goodman; Lois H. & Dwight Grissom; Linwood Hailey; Carl & Judy Harrell; Robert Q. Harris; Ellis Henley; Homemade by Suzanne, Inc.; Walter & Geraldine Howard; David & Diane Hylton; Independence Ruritan Club; Lois Johnson, In Memory of Jimmy Johnson; Julie M. Kent; Kevin & Amy Lane; Luck Chevrolet; David & Janice Lynn; Mary Matthews, In Memory of Bob Matthews; Timothy & Christine Mayes; Douglas & Dina Mayo; McArdle & Associates Insurance; Elaine & J. Burle McGhee, In Honor of Gabie Crutchfield 1995 Christmas Mother; Sandra Monolo; Doris & Wesley Moody; Joe & Marilyn O’Connor; Frank T. Overbey; Carolyn R. Peebles; Anne Rawls; Marsha Rettig, In Memory of our daughter Ginny; Johnny W. Robinson; Rick Ryan; Edward & Patricia Schwartz; Douglas Seal; L. see DONATIONS, pg. 9

Dawson Favaro catches fish

Contributed Photo

Dawson Favaro of Ashland caught a 4 1/2 pound large-mouth bass at James River Park on Taylor Pond in Gladstone on a camping trip with his grandpa and grandma.

Parks and Recreation offers holiday break youth camps Hanover County Parks and Recreation is offering camps for elementary school age children during the winter break. Three separate camps, each three to four days long, for children ages 5 to 12 will be offer at Pole Green Park Community Center.

STEMed Creative Christmas Camp - Enjoy using your creativity to design and make Christmas decorations, treasures, and treats. Participants will enjoy having a “snowball” fight (outdoors, weather permitting), making decorations to decorate their space, and much more. Monday, Dec. 20 – Wednesday, Dec. 22, 9 a.m.

– 4 p.m.. Fee: $175 STEMed Full STEAM Ahead Camp - Use some of your energy from all those Christmas treats while completing fun STEAM challenges. Students will complete LEGO challenges, snow-

man challenges, and more.

Monday, Dec. 27 – Thursday, Dec. 30, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fee: $225 Little Kookers Young Chefs Camp - Spend time with Little Kookers whipping up delicious meals.

Recreation activities will be sprinkled in to keep the participants' appetites ready for their creations. Tuesday, Dec. 28 – Thursday, Dec. 30, 9 a.m.

– 12:30 p.m. Fee: $116 Preregistration and payment are required for all of these camps. Registration accepted online at www. hanoverparksrec.com (search: camp). If you have any questions, contact Hanover County Parks & Recreation, (804) 365-7150 or email parksandrec@hanovercounty.gov.

TOWN Continued from pg. 1

to make them as tapered and accommodating to pedestrians as we can.”

The vehicle crossing points would be upgraded to include pedestrian walkways solely dedicated for that purpose, avoiding the necessity for residents to enter the roadway in order to cross at intersections like Route 54.

Improvements and changes under the approved plan include: At Patrick Street, pedestrian accommodations would be added to the vehicular crossing.

The two pedestrian crossings in front of RandolphMacon College could be moved slightly southward.

An enhanced widened

CALENDAR Continued from pg. 6

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. Visit www.hanoverconcertband.org or call 804-7890536.

Wednesdays Walnut Grove Baptist Church is conducting English and Citizenship classes with open enrollment through May 2022. Classes will be held Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact the church office, located at 7046 Cold Harbor Road, Mechanicsville. Contact

804-746-5081 or at wgbcinfo@ comcast.net or 804-746-4696.

The classes are free but the students will need to purchase the books required for their class.

Hanover Rotary meets from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Roma’s Restaurant at 7240 Bell Creek Rd. in Mechanicsville.

Due to the pandemic, contact President Penny at pennyguiles43@gmail.com for current meeting at Roma’s or Zoom connection information.

Thursdays The Ashland Rotary Club meets weekly at noon at the Iron Horse Restaurant at 100 S. Railroad Ave. in in Ashland.

For more information, contact Steve Dunham at 804-4966093 or sandrdunham@yahoo.

com.

Civil Air Patrol, Hanover Squadron, meets Thursdays, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fairfield Presbyterian Church, 6930 Cold Harbor Rd, in Mechanicsville. CAP is an awesome program for youth, ages 12- 21, as well as for adults who care about young people and want to help train America’s next generation of Leaders.

You’ll find cadet life exciting if you enjoy Flying, Leadership Training, Model Rocketry, Earning Rank & Awards, and much more. For more information, visit hanover.vawg.cap. gov. You can also call or email Capt James Wright at 804-5513354 or james.wright@vawg. cap.gov

Third Mondays

The Hanover County Community Services Board meets at 6:30 p.m. at 12300 Washington Hwy. in Ashland.

Fourth Mondays The FeedMore Mobile Food Pantry will be distributing food from 10 to 11 a.m. at the First Shiloh Baptist Church at 8150 Walnut Grove Rd. in Mechanicsville. For more information, contact Heather at hshaheen96@gmail.com.

Second Tuesdays The Hanover County Historical Society will be conducting free tours of the Old Hanover Courthouse on the Historic Courthouse Green see CALENDAR pg. 10

Submitted by Marcy G. Durrer, Hanover County Parks and Recreation program director.

F. & I. V. Shaw, Jr.; Sheltering Arms Circle Virginia Branch, KD&S; Harold Singleton, In Honor of two former Christmas Mothers, Gabie Crutchfield and Hilda

Kelly; S. Slagley, In Memory of Joyce Pruitt and JoAnn Slagley; Springer Family Trust; Andrew & Mona Stahling; Ginger W. Stanley; Sharon Stanley; Carol J. Stevens; Edward & Robbin Stiles; Mr. & Mrs.Claude F. Stocky; John & Sigrid

Suddarth; Richard Taylor; The Lawn Ranger; Tompkins Jewelers, Inc.; Robert M. & Julie Tuck; Margaret Tudor; Ted & Susan Tussey; Robert & Peggy Vaughan; James & Mary Lee Vinson; Frank J. Wallmeyer; Sue & Ritchie Watson; Gwendolyn

Weinberg; Debra Welch; Peggy Wharton.

If you have not sent your donation, send to HANOVER CHRISTMAS MOTHER, P. O. BOX 39, DOSWELL, VA. 23047.

Thank you for your donation.

pedestrian crossing remains at the Ashland Train Station.

The Route 54 crossing will receive a pedestrian crossing upgrade with pavement bump outs.

The Cross Brothers and Robinson Street crossing would be eliminated.

The Lee Street crossing would remain to accommodate pedestrian crossing.

Myrtle Street crossing would receive pedestrian crossing upgrade.

The Maiden Lane crossing would be removed.

Arlington Street and Howard Street crossings remain.

Francis Street crossing would feature upgraded pedestrian crossing.

Early Street crossing remains.

Farrar said the nearly two-

year negotiation with CSX began with two differing philosophies regarding the agreement. “We went into it with our own goals and then tried to meet both of our goals. My goal was to maintain connectivity across the town as much as we possibly could, which meant maintaining or adding crossings,” Farrar said.

CSX has a different goal in mind. “When you’re talking about trains, safety means reducing the number of points of impact with pedestrians or vehicles reducing the number of crossings,” Farrar said. “So, that was a tough starting point as you might imagine.”

Farrar said he was pleased with where the negotiation landed.

“I think we were able to reduce four pedestrian crossings, which reduced the

overall number of impact points across the corridor but upgraded the vehicular crossings so we still maintained pedestrian connectivity…. so it allowed us to meet both of our goals,” Farrar told council members last week.

“I think we are so spoiled by the number of pedestrian crossings we have in town, and the fact is that Ashland’s downtown is the size of a postage stamp and I am personally relieved to have some readjust and think about walking a little further to cross safely,” Council member Kathy Abbott said.

She also noted the difficulties involved in Ashland’s scenario.

“I’ve always been concerned, even with an upgraded pedestrian crossing, that the drop offs to the street are

so short that it’s hard to make them bulletproof in terms of safety,” Abbott said. “My hope is that our citizens and businesses will readjust to thinking about walking an extra 50 feet to cross instead of missing that pedestrian crossing that they have always had. I think this is an elegant solution.”

Farrar said a recent Christmas Market in the town provided the perfect test

case regarding residents’ ability to readjust. Large crowds visited Ashland during that event and easily adapted to the Cross Brothers pedestrian access being closed. “People managed and people went different ways. People figured it out,” Farrar said.

Council approved the plan unanimously and work on the project is expected to begin next year.

DONATIONS Continued from pg. 8

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Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 9

CALENDAR Continued from pg. 9

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.

privilege. To learn more about Ruritan, how to become a member, request a membership application or with questions, please call, 746-5728 or by letter to, Hanover Ruritan, P. O. Box 625, Mechanicsville, Virginia, 23111. To be a guest of the club, please call the numbers listed above. Hanover Ruritan welcomes both men and women.

Winter scenes painted on display windows around Ashland

Third Tuesdays The Hanover Ruritan Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month, at Walnut Grove Baptist Church with dinner at 6.30 p.m. Ruritan is a national organization dedicated to improving communities and building a better America through fellowship, goodwill and community service. The first Ruritan Club was chartered May 21, 1928, in Holland, Virginia. Ruritan has grown throughout the United States of America, and in doing so has become. “America’s Leading Community Service Organization”. Membership in Ruritan is an honor and

FIRE Continued from pg. 4

ing any outdoor burns this time of year, because weather conditions and drying fuels, such as grasses and leaves, increase the potential for wildfires.”

If a fire does escape control, contact the local fire department immediately. An escaped wildfire, even one burning in grass or weeds, is dangerous.

The VDOF offers these safety tips for burning debris outdoors: Know current and future weather conditions.

Do not burn on dry, warm, and windy days.

Be informed about state and local burning regulations.

Consult your local fire department for additional information and safety considerations.

Remember what Smokey Bear has always said: “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!”

If you choose to burn: Keep your piles small, if

10

Third Saturday The Hanover Knitting Guild, currently meeting at Covenant Woods, meets monthly, the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. New members are invited to join our group of fiber enthusiasts, who meet to share, support, and advance our fiber-working skills in knitting or crochet. For more information check out our web page at: https://hanoverknittingguild. weebly.com/ or text 804-4455923 to get your name put on our list at the Covenant Woods reception desk. possible, use a 55-gallon drum with a weighted screen lid to provide an enclosed incinerator.

Have water and tools like a shovel and rake nearby.

Never leave your fire unattended. If your fire escapes your control, call 911 immediately.

Visit our website for more information and tips on protecting your home and community: https://dof.virginia.gov/wildland-prescribed-fire/wildfireprevention/.

Residents should also check the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s open burn regulations prior to any outdoor fire and consult with local fire officials about burning conditions in the area.

“We all have a responsibility to do our part to prevent wildfires, and now is the time for all Virginians to learn about how they can reduce wildfire risks and ensure the safety of their homes, families, and communities,” says Miller

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

Jim Ridolphi / The Local

Local artist Michelle Hollender added a festive flavor to many of the display windows around Ashland. Many businesses feature the artwork, and the windows at Town Hall have also been painted with holiday themes. Council members said the windows evoked memories of windows in downtown Richmond during holidays in the past.

Sports

UPCOMING EVENTS

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18 2021

Prep football: Big River Rivalry at Hermitage H.S. noon

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18 2021

Prep swimming: Hawk Invitational at SwimRVA 4:30 p.m.

| Youth, High School, College, Recreational & Professional

PH girls, boys win pair of scrappy battles

By Dave Lawrence Sports Editor MECHANICSVILLE — Patrick Henry girls and boys basketball teams may have won both of their contests against Mechanicsville Friday night, but the host Mustangs did not make the Patriots’ victories easy no matter the final score.

By the time the rivalry-night doubleheader came to an end, the Patrick Henry girls won 78-54 and the boys won 56-46.

The girls game might have had the biggest winning margin, but early in the second half the issue was very much in doubt. The Patriots began the second half with a 41-34 lead, but the Mustangs quickly cut the Patrick Henry advantage to two points.

“We expected this was going to be a tight game all the way through,” said Patriot head coach Phillip Cobb.

“Mechanicsville, this is one of their better years. They have a really good team this year.

They’ve been together for a very long time. They have some really good players on that team and we expected a fight.”

The Patriots had to regroup a bit. Mechanicsville had closed the gap with the help of some big 3-point shots. Patrick Henry, though, has some shooters of its own and they spoke loud and clear as the second half unfolded. The Patriots finished with 12 3-point shots, with the game’s top scorer Logan Nuckols accounting for six of those and Julia Dull 4. Nuckols finished with 32 points, fol-

Dave Lawrence/The Local

Left, Mechanicsville’s Sam Grubbs (21) goes for the block on a shot by Patrick Henry’s Micah Dabney (32) in the visiting Patriots’ 78-54 win over the Mustangs in the nightcap of a doubleheader Friday night. Above, Patrick Henry’s Logan Nuckols (11) launches one of her six 3-point goals in the Patriot girls’ 78-54 win in the opener.

lowed by T’Niyah Baylor with 15, Dull 10 and Jessica Osuanah 10.

“We shot really well tonight,” Cobb said. “Our girls came to play. They were motivated. We played some of our best basketball tonight and it showed in that second half.”

Mechanicsville was led

by Madi Butler and Bennett Carlton with 14 points apiece.

To cap the highlights for the Patriots, Nuckols finished with a triple-double, with 10 rebounds and 10 assists in addition to her 32 points. Osuanah had a double-double, with 10 rebounds in addition to her 10 points.

In the boys game, both Patrick Henry and Mechanicsville got off to a bit of a slow start in terms of point production, but with no shortage of haste in battling up and down the court. The Mustangs went into halftime with a 21-20 lead, but the athleticism of the Patriots eventually turned the

tide.

“We needed that victory. We had a pretty rough week and we needed something to help us bounce back,” said Patrick Henry head coach Randy Anderson. “I told the guys, ‘Let’s just focus on us.’ Whatever we needed to do, whatever we needed to do, by any means, let’s

come out of here with the win.

“We knew it was going to be scrappy. Coach [Gene] Foley does a great job with those guys.

But again, it was all about us tonight — trying to take care of us and getting back to the basics.”

Jeremiah Grant and Aidan Ward led the Patriots with 12 points apiece.

Sam Grubbs led Mechanicsville with 12 points.

Dave Lawrence can be reached at dlawrence@mechlocal.com.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 11

Hawks sweep Atlee on rivalry night return

By Rob Witham for The Local MECHANICSVILL — The Hawks Nest was full. The Rage Cage poured into the Hanover High School gym from Atlee.

Fans of both teams had waited nearly two years to finally experience a normal rivalry night, as the Hawks and Raiders collided in varsity doubleheader basketball action. It would be Hanover fans who got the final cheer, as the Hawks swept both games, the boys victorious 60-38, while the girls used a 25-point first period to run away from Atlee 53-13.

“There’s no doubt that was an advantage for us,” said new Hanover boys head coach Rob Rice when asked of having the first game against Atlee at home. “I thought [Atlee] had the advantage with experience and poise. They’re tough.”

Atlee (3-2) showed its toughness, and poise, on multiple occasions in the first half. After a six-point outburst by Will Krickovic gave Hanover an 11-2 lead four minutes in, the Raiders responded, keeping the Hawks within reach for the remainder of the half, finishing on a 10-3 run to cut the halftime margin to four at 23-19.

Hanover (3-1) had only received three points from their senior shooting guard Charlie Rohr. That changed dramatically in the second half, as Rohr exploded for 14 points in the third quarter, including three treys, as the Hawk defense held Atlee to six points in the period for a 43-25 lead. Rohr finished with a game-high 24 points, while Beau Sahnow added eight and Owen DeShazo scored seven. In all, eight different Hawks had points.

The other difference was Hanover’s ability to limit Atlee’s do-it-all forward Rival Axselle,

12

Joel Klein for The Local

Hanover’s Charles Rohr doesn’t let Atlee’s Garrett Bralley keep him from driving for two of his game-high 24 points in the Hawk boys’ 60-38 victory over the visiting Raiders Friday night. Hanover’s girls beat Atlee 53-13. At Mechanicsville, Patrick Henry’s boys and girls swept the host Mustangs. For more on those games, go to: https://richmond.com/community/mechanicsville-local/

who was limited to 10 points, and just one 3-point basket.

Josh Turpin scored nine points for the Raiders, while Kennon Martin added seven.

“Our goal was to try to take him, as best we could, out of the game,” Rice explained when asked about their defensive strategy against Axselle. “Will

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

Murphy may be the smallest guy on our team, but he’s got the biggest heart. I challenged him to take that job tonight defensively, you take him. He said, ‘I got you Coach, I’ll take care of it.’ ” Hanover (3-1) set the course of the game with strong starts in both halves, with the aforementioned 11-2 start to the game,

and a 9-2 run to start the second half.

“The game plan was to be disciplined defensively,” Rice noted. “They did a really good job of arriving on the catch, and not helping too much when we didn’t need to, because if you help too much, Atlee, they’ll make you pay.”

Both teams return to action at home on Thursday as Hanover hosts Deep Run, while Atlee will face Mills Godwin.

The girls matchup was settled relatively early, as Hanover used a highly disruptive defense to force, not just turnovers, but also pinning Atlee offensively to the extent where they could

not settle in to run their offensive sets.

Seven different Hanover players scored in their explosive first period, which ended with a 25-2 advantage. Credit must be given to the Atlee defense, settling down to hold the Hawks to 28 points in the remaining three periods.

Atlee (1-2) will have to rely on that defense to carry them through the early part of their schedule while they seek to develop their offensive rhythm.

Ava Kelvin led the Raiders with six points, while Allison Schools had five.

Hanover (5-0) was led by Kayla Ford’s 13-point performance, while Jada Oakcrum had eight and Isabella Murphy added seven.

“Wednesday, Thursday, we got after it. It was intense, it was a war in there,” said Hanover head coach David Butler about practices leading up to this game, which focused on defense. “This is what will propel this program to where we want to be.”

Two seniors, Ford and Campbell Doughty, were contributors to the Hanover run to the Class 4 state quarterfinals in 2020 just before the pandemic began. In a rugged Region 4B which includes fellow unbeaten Patrick Henry and the likes of Monacan, Powhatan and King George, Hanover knows there will be a price to pay to get back there, and beyond.

“That was so much fun, we want to get back there,” Butler said, noting a conversation with his team about the 2020 run.

“The way we get there is we’ve got to practice hard and give great defensive effort.”

The Hawk girls travel to Deep Run on Thursday, while Atlee heads to Mills Godwin.

Rob Witham can be reached at sports@mechlocal.com.

LEGAL NOTICES

Legal Notices LEGAL NOTICES V I R G I N I A: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER COUNTY OF HANOVER, VIRGINIA

v.

ORDERED that the parties herein and all Parties Unknown and/or whose location cannot be ascertained appear on or before January 12, 2022 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Hanover County, Virginia, and do what may be necessary to protect their interests in this cause.

ENTERED this 16th day of November, 2021.

I ASK FOR THIS: Margaret F. Hardy (VSB #38555) Sands Anderson PC P.O. Box 907 Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0907 (540) 373-2504 telephone

Complainant, Case No. CL21001409-00

LEGAL NOTICES

Patricia Kelly, JUDGE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER

1 acre, more or less, Improved, 9222 E. Patrick Henry Road, GPIN 7799-69-1582; more particularly described in Book 62 at Page 773 It appearing that an Affidavit has been made and filed stating that due diligence has been used, without effect, to ascertain the location of the Heirs at Law of Shelia Faye Grimes also known as Sheila Faye Grimes, whose last known names and addresses are unknown; and that any heirs, devisees, and successors in title of the defendant(s) named herein are made parties defendant to this action individually and/or by the general description of Parties Unknown; it is hereby ORDERED that the parties herein and all Parties Unknown and/or whose location cannot be ascertained appear on or before January 12, 2022 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Hanover County, Virginia, and do what may be necessary to protect their interests in this cause.

ENTERED this 16th day of November, 2021.

I ASK FOR THIS: Margaret F. Hardy (VSB #38555) Sands Anderson PC P.O. Box 907 Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0907 (540) 373-2504 telephone

Patricia Kelly, JUDGE

COUNTY OF HANOVER, VIRGINIA Complainant, v. Case No. CL21001411-00 HEIRS AT LAW OF McKEE S. BURUSS Defendant(s) ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to enforce the lien of the Complainant, County of Hanover, Virginia, for delinquent real estate taxes against certain real property located in Hanover County, Virginia, as follows: 1.01 acres, Improved, 14609 Bethany Church Road, GPIN 7811-88-9405; more particularly described in Deed Book 333 at Page 295 It appearing that an Affidavit has been made and filed stating that due diligence has been used, without effect, to ascertain the location of the Heirs at Law of McKee S. Burruss, whose last known names and addresses are unknown; and that any heirs, devisees, and successors in title of the defendant(s) named herein are made parties defendant to this action individually and/or by the general description of Parties Unknown; it is hereby ORDERED that the parties herein and all Parties Unknown and/or whose location cannot be ascertained appear on or before January 12, 2022 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Hanover County, Virginia, and do what may be necessary to protect their interests in this cause.

COUNTY OF HANOVER, VIRGINIA Complainant, v.

v.

Short on Cash?

Case No. CL21003275-00

JAMES GRANT LEAGUE, et al.

17.827 acres, more or less, 9456 Ashcake Road, GPIN 7798-17-4589; more particularly described in Deed Book 3104 at Page 1699 It appearing that an Affidavit has been made and filed stating that due diligence has been used, without effect, to ascertain the location of the Unknown Trustee(s) In Liquidation for AMS Timber LLC, an automatically cancelled Virginia limited liability company, whose last known address is c/o Aubrey M. Stanley, Trustee in Liquidation for AMS Timber, LLC, 18055 Beaverdam Road, Beaverdam, VA 23015; and that any successors in title of the defendant(s) named herein are made parties defendant to this action individually and/or by the general description of Parties Unknown; it is hereby ORDERED that the parties herein and all Parties Unknown and/or whose location cannot be ascertained appear on or before January 12, 2022 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Hanover County, Virginia, and do what may be necessary to protect their interests in this cause.

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ENTERED this 16th day of November, 2021 Patricia Kelly, JUDGE I ASK FOR THIS: Margaret F. Hardy (VSB #38555) Sands Anderson PC P.O. Box 907 Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0907 (540) 373-2504 telephone

I ASK FOR THIS: Margaret F. Hardy (VSB #38555) Sands Anderson PC P.O. Box 907 Fredericksburg, VA 22404-0907 (540) 373-2504 telephone

Patricia Kelly, JUDGE

Recruitment CONSTRUCTION & TRADES

Case No. CL21001410-00

LINDA HOFMA

FLAGGERS

Defendant.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to enforce the lien of the Complainant, County of Hanover, Virginia, for delinquent real estate taxes against certain real property located in Hanover County, Virginia, as follows: 10 acres, more or less, Improved, 15280 Hopeful Church Road, GPIN 6892-75-9295; more particularly described in Deed Book 2953 at Page 1684 It appearing that an Affidavit has been made and filed stating that due diligence has been used, without effect, to ascertain the location of Linda Hofma, whose last known address is 15280 Hopeful Church Road, Bumpass, VA 23024; and that any heirs, devisees, and successors in title of the defendant named herein are made parties defendant to this action individually and/or by the general description of Parties Unknown; it is hereby

GENERAL

ENTERED this 16th day of November, 2021.

V I R G I N I A: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER

GENERAL

Complainant,

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

V I R G I N I A:

GENERAL

COUNTY OF HANOVER, VIRGINIA

The object of this suit is to enforce the lien of the Complainant, County of Hanover, Virginia, for delinquent real estate taxes against certain real property located in Hanover County, Virginia, as follows:

Defendant(s)

The object of this suit is to enforce the lien of the Complainant, County of Hanover, Virginia, for delinquent real estate taxes against certain real property located in Hanover County, Virginia, as follows:

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER

Defendants.

HEIRS AT LAW OF SHELIA FAYE GRIMES also known as SHEILA FAYE GRIMES

ORDER OF PUBLICATION

V I R G I N I A:

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GIFTING TIME WORD SEARCH

HOROSCOPES

35. Bluish greens 36. Moved swiftly 37. Type of units 38. Madames 39. Indian religious god 40. Potentially hazardous asteroids 41. Leak slowly through 42. An association of criminals 43. A way to push content (abbr.)

CLUES DOWN 1. Town in central Brazil 2. Large burrowing rodent 3. Nerve cell 4. Estimating 5. Bakers use it 6. Regions 7. Small lake 9. Environmentalist nun 10. More kookie

12. Announce officially 14. Israeli city __ Aviv 15. Title given to friar 17. Inches per minute (abbr.)

19. Buildings 20. Pouch 23. They steal on the high seas 24. It’s mightier than the sword 25. Going off on a tangent 26. Monetary unit 27. Young woman 28. Type of bulb 29. Type of drug (abbr.)

30. City opposite Dusseldorf 31. Animal disease 32. Martini necessities 33. Elude 34. La __: Buenos Aires capital 36. An oft-enduring symbol

$"/$&3 t +VO +VM You may be lacking some self-confidence in the romance department right now, Cancer. Phone a friend and get the pep talk you need to realize you’ve got what it takes.

-*#3" t 4FQU 0DU Libra, it’s unlikely you can check everything off of your list this week.

Don’t let that get you down, however. You will accomplish a lot. Measured progress is still progress.

$"13*$03/ t %FD +BO The pressure on you has been tremendous lately, Capricorn. You may want to treat yourself to a well-deserved rest. The break will quickly rejuvenate you.

5"6364 t "QS .BZ Remember to take lessons from those who have blazed trails before you. Taurus. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Explore some tried and true strategies.

-&0 t +VM "VH Leo, you may tempted to turn off your phone this week, as the idea of a device-free day is enticing. Take a brief time out from technology each day.

4$031*0 t 0DU /PW Scorpio, you may be known for being serious much of the time, but it’s alright to be goofy and playful once in a while. Engage in some entertaining antics.

"26"3*64 t +BO 'FC This is a good time to pursue your dreams, Aquarius. Make a list of smaller steps that will help you achieve your goals and then put the plan into action.

(&.*/* t .BZ +VO Gemini, your desire to remodel or redecorate your home could come to the forefront this week. Be careful to set a budget; otherwise, you run the risk of overspending.

7*3(0 t "VH 4FQU Virgo, if you feel backed into a corner, try not to lash out but understand others’ opinions and why they may be questioning you. Listen and you’ll find a solution.

4"(*55"3*64 t /PW %FD Stand up for what you believe in this week, Sagittarius. Others will be inspired by your actions and may join in support of the cause you’ve championed.

1*4$&4 t 'FC .BS You can’t avoid every poor situation that comes your way, Pisces. Don’t run and hide, but step up and face the music.

THIS WEEK’S ANSWERS

CLUES ACROSS 1. You fry food in it 4. Pesky insect 8. Gets older 10. __ Dern, actress 11. Uncouth man 12. One who sulks 13. Napoleon’s king of Naples 15. One who swims underwater 16. Make amends 17. Expressions 18. Document format 21. What a beaver makes 22. Limb 23. Photograph 24. Golf score 25. Moroccan mountain range 26. Wrinkled dog breed: Shar __ 27. 20th century sex symbol 34. Remedy for all diseases

"3*&4 t .BS "QS Relationships will be easy for you this week, Aries. You will be in tune with the vibe of the people with whom you interact on a daily basis and can push interactions further.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021 15

Flu season may further impact Red Cross blood supply Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local As the holidays approach and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns about a potential spike in flu cases this year, it’s important that those who are eligible, healthy and feeling well make an appointment to donate blood or platelets.

The American Red Cross continues to address an ongoing emergency blood shortage, and donors are urged to give now to combat the lowest blood supply levels at this time of year in more than a decade.

According to the CDC, flu cases reached an all-time low last year due to masking, physical distancing and shutdowns across the country, and many Americans may have reduced immunity this year. When

seasonal illness increases, the number of healthy blood donors tends to decrease. Paired with winter weather, busy holiday schedules and ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the alreadystruggling blood supply could be further impacted throughout winter.

There is no blood donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free. Donors are urged to schedule an appointment now by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767).

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and

Sheriff ’s office issues scam alert The Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office would like to make the public aware of a scam involving a subject falsely representing himself as a member of the sheriff’s office.

During this call, the subject has identified himself to members of our community as either Sgt. Simpson, Sgt. Lamb or other members of local law enforcement jurisdictions. The caller will advise the potential victim that there is a warrant out for their arrest as they have recently missed court.

The caller then advises the victim to respond to the sheriff’s office with a certain amount of cash to pay a fine, which will in turn terminate the warrant.

In some cases, while the victim is in transit to the sheriff’s office, the scammer will call them back and advise them not to go to the sheriff’s office, but rather go to multiple retail locations to purchase a number of gift cards. The scammer then advises the victim to call them back once the gift cards have been purchased and read the numbers off the cards to them.

Please know that this is a SCAM! No member of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office will ever call our citizens demanding payment as the result of a warrant. If you have been the victim of such a scam, and are at a monetary loss, contact the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 365-6140.

Submitted by Lt. James R. Cooper, public information officer for the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.

16

Metro Creative Graphics

staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.

Donors can also save up to 15

Library Notice

minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass. With RapidPass, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer.

To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/ RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements.

All Pamunkey Regional Library branches will be closed on Friday, Dec. 24, Saturday, Dec. 25, and Monday, Dec. 27.

Richard S. Gillis, Jr./Ashland Branch Library

Morning Book Club at the Ashland Branch Library. Friday, Dec. 17, 10 - 11 a.m. Read our book of the month and engage in a lively discussion about it. Share views about the book and author and share reading recommendations. Registration is required at https://pamunkeylibrary.libcal. com/. Call 804-798-4072 or visit the library at 201 S. Railroad Ave. for more information.

Information submitted by Carolyn Garner, librarian, Pamunkey Regional Library.

Virginia IT Agency encourages people to stay safe while shopping online this holiday season Contributed Report Ashland-Hanover Local With online holiday retail sales projected to increase as much as 15% over last year, the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) is encouraging people to take some simple steps to stay safe while shopping for their family and friends.

“The holiday season is a prime time for hackers, scammers and online thieves who are out there looking to take advantage,” said Virginia’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Michael Watson. “The primary threats range from bad actors trying to trick people with fake products, claims of unauthorized credit card activity and even fake shipping details for products. They’ll also try to take advantage of people’s good

nature to extract personal and financial information through fake charities or websites.”

Here’s what you can do to protect yourself and your family against these cyber threats: Think before you click: Watch out for ads and emails encouraging you to click on links.

Instead, go directly to the company’s website to verify the offer is legitimate.

Consider your payment options: Using a credit card provides users more financial protection than using a debit card. You can also use third-party payment services to purchase gifts and other goods.

Keep tabs on your bank and credit card statements: You should frequently check your accounts for any unrecognized activity.

Most credit cards allow a cardholder to place alerts for activity on a card. Monitoring and

good recordkeeping go hand-in-hand with protecting your personal information.

Use a secure Wi-Fi: Using public Wi-Fi to check your shopping list or compare some prices is tremendously convenient, but is not cyber safe. Instead of public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or your mobile phone as a hotspot.

“One other thing to note, if you do fall for one of these scams or tricks, you’re not alone.

It happens to many people,” said Watson.

“But you should know what to do. Reach out to local law enforcement and report it.

You can also use credit freezes to protect yourself.”

For more information on cyber security and information security tips, visit https:// www.vita.virginia.gov/information-security/ awareness/information-security-tips/.

OBITUARY SUBMISSIONS Call 804-643-4414, ext. 3 Email: paidnotices@timesdispatch.com Deadline is noon Friday for the following week’s issue.

Ashland-Hanover Local December 15, 2021

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