LNN Tri-City News

WEEKEND |

Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

A Division of LNN USA

Flying History

Cover Story page 6 page 2

page 3

page 4

page 5

Judge Rules

Old Towne

Percy Ashcraft

Guncotton

on Old Ramada Inn Property

Christmas Parade Cancelled

Departs Prince George

Hosts Hopewell Christmas Town

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Petersburg Wins Judgment and Abatement Ordered for Old Ramada Hotel PETERSBURG

MEDIA RELEASE CITY OF PETERSBURG

PETERSBURG- The case of City of Petersburg v. Virginia Hotel Development, LLC; Christopher Harrison; and C.A. Harrison Companies, LLC (GV21000403-00) was tried today in Petersburg General District Court before the Honorable Judge Blaylock. The suit was filed on May 17, 2021, for exterior building code violations that have and continue to exist on the Ramada site including but not limited to the deteriorating façade.

The defendants failed to comply with the Court’s Order to submit a ground of defense for the case and the City was granted summary judgment.

The Court ordered that the defendants “abate or otherwise remedy the violations through hazard control within six

months.” This means that the exterior violations on the Ramada building must be corrected no later than June 8, 2022.

The defendants were also ordered to pay $3,000 plus interest and court costs.

“This is a favorable step toward bringing this property into compliance and removing the dangers associated with the old Ramada eyesore that has plagued the City for some time,” said Anthony Williams, Petersburg City Attorney.

Following a series of discussions and actions by City Council, a pleading was filed in Petersburg Circuit Court by the city attorney on June 3, 2021, on behalf of the City seeking to have the entire building declared an “unsafe structure” and a “nuisance.” That case (City v. Virginia Hotel

Development, LLC et.al., 730CL210000495-00) is slated for trial on July 13, 2022.

“Petersburg will continue to use all available legal means to ensure that this dilapidated building is no longer a burden upon and danger to the citizens of Petersburg,” explained Mayor Sam Parham. Mayor Parham has and continues to be a driving force behind the efforts to address the condition of

the Old Ramada building and site.

Senator Joe Morrissey, who has also been supportive of the City’s efforts to address the condition of the building, said “I remain optimistic that a favorable conclusion will be reached to remove this blighted structure.”

Counsel for the defendants have expressed an intention to appeal this case to the Petersburg Circuit Court.

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

City Manager’s Decision Ends City’s Old Towne Christmas Parade for 2021 PETERSBURG STAFF REPORT LNNUSA.com

PETERSBURG - Santa will not be suiting up for Christmas in Old Towne this year- at least not in a parade. Santa, along with six 20-foot inflatable Christmas floats, ten cartoon mascots, and a pile of Christmas decorations all purchased for the Old Towne parade will remain in storage as City Manager Stuart Turille has backed out of his commitment to continue the third annual city event for 2021 in downtown.

Last year the event was the only parade in the region as it was quickly converted to a drive-through parade due to COVID-19. That move allowed 423 vehicles and over 2,000 residents to enjoy the Christmas season safely. But despite the parade’s popularity and a commitment from Turille to continue the city event, the 2021 parade will not happen this year.

On November 1st, Mayor Sam Parham organized a meeting between himself, City Manager Turille, and LNN USA, last year’s media sponsor of the city event.

During that meeting, Turille agreed to provide the backend support, covering the cost for launching the parade. LNN USA agreed to organize, set up, operate, and tear down the parade for their side of the partnership, the same arrangement as the previous year.

On Monday, December 29th, nearly a month after the initial meeting, LNN CEO

Craig Richards received an email from City of Petersburg Communications Director JoAnne Williams claiming that the city did not have an annual Christmas parade in 2020 and detailing five documents and arrangements the media company was expected to provide to move the 2021 parade forward, in addition to costs for police at the event – a request in direct contradiction to Turille’s November 1st commitment.

An email from LNN to the communications director, Turille, and councilors attempting to correct the errors and remind the city of their commitment was met with a call from Turille accompanied

by Williams, another city employee, and Police Chief Travis Christian. During that call Turille attempted to deny his commitment made during the November 1st recorded meeting.

The following are two excerpts from the recording of the November 1st meeting, first where Richards explains that the media company expects no costs to help the city put on the event and a second excerpt where the city and

specifically the city manager’s commitment was confirmed.

Richards asks the clarifying statement and Turille confirms the city’s commitment.

Excerpt #1 from the November 1st meeting clarifying expenses: RICHARDS: “The city’s participation and partnership with it is that we don’t have an expense.”

Excerpt #2 from the November 1st meeting of the city manager’s commitment: RICHARDS: “So the next step for me is that we’re going to go out and re-engage with our sponsor because at this point I’m assuming this is a go and a yes. We’ve got to work out logistics and details.”

Turille: “Right.”

RICHARDS: “So you guys are good with this?”

MAYOR: “I’m good.”

RICHARDS: (Addressing Turille) “Actually it’s really coming out of your office.”

TURILLE: “Yeah, I mean, uh, For all the reasons you cite, mostly, this came up with the Sycamore Square. Our vision is that the downtown be the center of activity. That it be a thriving place where people

want to come and be a part of the community. I really do. These are all, uh, signal events that represent a community gathering.”

LNN also asked Mayor Parham who set up and attended the November 1st meeting about the parade and his understanding of the city manager’s commitment.

Parham confirmed that this year’s parade would have been the City of Petersburg’s Third Annual Old Towne Parade.

LNN asked the mayor if it was his understanding that the city manager agreed during the November 1st meeting to provide the insurance, staffing, police and road closures necessary for the event at their cost of the partnership and that LNN would take care of the set up, operation and tear down of the parade itself.

“Right. It was my idea from leaving that meeting that we were all onboard with moving the 3rd annual Old Towne Parade forward. We really look forward to having the event,” Parham responded. “It’s great for Petersburg. It’s a huge asset to our community and we’d like to continue that tradition,” Parham added.

The notification of the City Manager’s decision to pull his commitment just 18 days before the parade date, as well as the last minute list of requirements and costs his decision created, that the city now required LNN to address in order to have the city’s 3rd annual Old Towne Parade, has effectively ended the 2021 parade.

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Percy Has Left the Building

Ashcraft steps down as PG county administrator PRINCE GEORGE

BY ADRIENNE WALLACE FOR LNNUSA.com

PRINCE GEORGE – After nearly 11 years, Percy Ashcraft has stepped down as county administrator going to King William County to take the

same top spot.

While the Clarksburg, WVA native enjoyed his time here in the county, Ashcraft said he felt King William County would be a good fit for he and wife Cindy. They have made friends here, but do know some of the residents in King William County and with all three of their children grown, Ashcraft said this was a good time to make a move.

“We liked what we did in PG, but the good Lord gave me a clock in my head, always new when it was time to leave,” he said in a phone interview following his departure. Ashcraft has made several transitions throughout his career, leaving the West Virginia legislature after 12 years and taking a leadership post in Caroline County.

Ashcraft is proud of the accomplishments the county has made in the years of which he served.

“From beginning to end, I believed we made progress,” he said while humbly attrib-

uting successes to the Board of Supervisors and other staff.

“When I was interviewed for the position of County Administrator in 2011, it was clear the Board at that time laid out expectations about what direction they wanted the county to move. Mr. Carmichael can remember those discussions.

I stand here before you tonight with a sense of pride and accomplishment, not for just me, but for every member of the Board past and present; and every employee who has contributed to an era of advancement in so many ways.”

One of the challenges he faced was going through the transition of the Board with different visions for the future, but he welcomed the change to help move the county forward and promote economic development that could bring in tax revenue, including machinery and tools tax, to help keep the overall burden off of the homeowners.

Other goals Ashcraft was able to meet included setting standards for department heads that would continue to lead to success. “Every six months there is an average of about 230 goals that have been established by this Administration since July 2011,” the outgoing administrator explained.

“Each six-month period I can proudly proclaim that at least 70 percent of those goals were achieved. Some goals were big, others were small, but they were all important. And with each goal was a step forward to improving the quality of life for our residents.”

Board Chairman Floyd

Brown, Jr. admitted that he was initially shocked by the news when Ashcraft contacted him to share that he had plans to move on.

“He was great for the county. He has the knowledge, and was great working with the staff and citizens of the county,” Brown noted. “He did a great job, and though it’s sad to see him go, it was a career decision, and I don’t question his career choice.”

Ashcraft told the Board, he has a “sense of pride and accomplishment, not for just me, but for every member of the Board past and present; and every employee who has contributed to an era of advancement in so many ways.

This government is a $134 million business. Today we have a General Fund balance that is almost doubled from our policy of 12.5 percent. We have been conservative with hiring staff, borrowed when the investment was necessary, and kept tax increases at a minimum unless they were dedicated to a specific expense. We have seen our Bond Rating increase to AAplus. Our finances are sound and strong and accounted for, and we were named by Virginia Tech as the 6th best locality in the Commonwealth to handle financial difficulties.”

Of the successes, Ashcraft noted, “In economic development, we have fostered an environment that this county is open for business so we can take the pressure off the tax burden for our real estate owners. In Community Development, we received

national attention and received seven awards for our broadband partnership with Prince George Electric. We have a time frame to blanket 95 percent of the County with fiber to the home, which is critical for children doing virtual learning and in-home research.”

The outgoing administrator explained that that partnership is now serving as a model that many other communities are looking at as they consider implementing their own similar programs.

He also highlighted expansions in technology, recreation programs and facilities, and investing into sports tourism that provides tax revenue for Prince George as families stay in hotels, eat out, buy gas, etc.

Under his leadership, Prince George became the 5th fastest growing locality in Virginia according to the most recent census.

“It didn’t happen by accident. We looked at all areas that make up the soul of this county, and we steadily made progress,” Ashcraft commented. “People now want to live here, businesses want to invest here and parents want their children to attend our schools. People feel safe; traffic is manageable; and the landscape is beautiful. The future never looked brighter.”

“It’s been a privilege to have been PG County Administrator,” he said.

On December 3, Ashcraft stepped down as Prince George County Administrator, four months shy of 11 years in the position.

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Hopewell Christmas Town

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Flying History

DINWIDDIE

BY CHAI GALLAHUN LNNUSA.com

DINWIDDIE— While the December 7th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor is still in recent memory, few people can claim to have seen warplanes of the WWII era in person.

However, such a “warbird” was on display at the Dinwiddie airport recently.

Pilot Richard Henshaw described features of his pristine condition 1943 AT-6 Texan built by North American Aviation company. “The biggest thing we try to do is to preserve the aircraft,” said Henshaw, explaining that the restoration of the AT-6 took eleven years. “I always like to tell people that I don’t really

own the airplane,” he said.

“I’m just the caretaker until the next person comes along and continues the legacy of this beautiful airplane, flying it for a hopefully long time to come.”

He described the nine-cylinder Pratt and Whitney engine. “It’s 1,340 cubic inches, and 600 horsepower,” said Henshaw. “It has a ‘constant speed’ propeller, which means it has a variable pitch”, allowing the maintenance of RPM. “There are a few nuances that make this airplane a little more complicated than our average Cessna.”

Henshaw flies with an aviation group called the Warbirds, and beyond his-

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toric preservation, the group also tries to support veterans when they can.

“We like to honor the veterans, and we’re losing the WWII vets at a rate of about 1,000 a day,” said Henshaw.

“We try, if we’re asked, if they’re having a funeral with military honors, and they’d like to have these planes involved, we try to accommodate them if we can.”

The Warbirds have also participated in flyovers for NASCAR races and other special events including airshows.

Henshaw stated that the last time he had his plane in the air was at a veterans air show in Charlotte, North Carolina recently. “We did some formation flying, showing

the crowd different kinds of military formations.”

His passion for airplanes stems from Henshaw’s childhood. “When I was five years old, and I could hear an airplane fly over, I had to run outside and look at it.” In his 20s, Henshaw became a private pilot, then multi-engine pilot, and finally a warbird pilot.

Winter is the time that flying slows down and maintenance becomes important, he said. However, come next spring, training and flying will start up once more, allowing even more people to enjoy watching vintage aircraft like the AT-6 Texan blaze patriotic paths through the sky.

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TRI-CITIES

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Christmas Arrives to the Tri-Cities

STAFF REPORT LNNUSA.com

TRI-CITIES- Christmas has arrived in the Tri-Cities! As we moved into the month of December, the area began to overflow with various festivities from parades to home tours.

In Petersburg, celebrations of the season began with a Tree Lighting Ceremony at Union Train Station, an event topped off with a fireworks display. Another tree lighting ceremony was held at the Exchange Building in Old Towne, and the city held one of its annual Christmas parades along South Crater Road. The High Street Walking Tour showed off the historic homes of High Street, and the Battersea Holiday Homes Tour took guests through homes and venues decorated for Christmas throughout the city.

In Hopewell, the city’s award-winning Recreation and Parks Department put on Light Up the Night, an evening of holiday celebrations including a parade, grand illumination, winter festival, and carriage rides. Partners in putting on the event included the Appomattox Regional Library System and The Hopewell Downtown Partnership.

Colonial Heights held its annual nighttime Christmas parade on December 7th, lighting up the Boulevard with floats, emergency vehicles, and Christmas lights. Prince George also held its annual parade through the courthouse area, including the traditional float contest. This year’s best decorated float winner was the Prince George Dixie Darlings Softball team.

Other awards included: Most Spirited/Themed – Dance Kraze; Judges’ Choice – Ellen Jones (Jones Family); Best Overall Entry – Synergy PT and Athletic Performance; Best Throwback – PGHS Majorettes From the 1970s; and Best Hometown – Aidan Bryant.

The festivities will continue through the month of December.

Petersburg’s Friday for the Arts on December 10th will feature special Christmas programming including the Christmas Tree Exhibit at the Petersburg Area Art League and Center Hill’s evening of music, Under the Lights. The Colonial Heights Chamber of Commerce will host Rockin’ Round the Christmas Tree at the Courthouse Complex on Saturday, December 11th.

Prince George

Gregory Memorial provided hot chocolate and snacks for those who attended the Prince George parade.

Best Decorated Float Winner – Prince George Dixie Darlings

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Hopewell

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Colonial Heights

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

It’s Been a Privilege to Have Been PG County Administrator PRINCE GEORGE

PERCY ASHCRAFT PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

On December 3, I will step down as Prince George County Administrator after four months shy of 11 years. It has been a privilege to have served the residents of Prince George County.

The following are my remarks to the Board of Supervisors at its November 23 meeting: “Mr. Chairman, if you and the members of the Board will indulge me, I would like to make a few remarks.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.

Let me again thank you and all the members of this Board for the earlier recognition. It not only acknowledges length of service, but it also acknowledges almost 11 years of progress for this great County.

When I was interviewed for the position of County Administrator in 2011, it was clear the Board at that time laid out expectations about what direction they wanted the County to move. Mr. Carmichael can remember those discussions. I stand here before you tonight with a sense of pride and accomplishment, not for just me, but for every member of the Board past and present; and every

employee who has contributed to an era of advancement in so many ways.

Mr. Chairman, every six months there is an average of about 230 goals that have been established by this Administration since July, 2011. Each sixmonth period I can proudly proclaim that at least 70 percent of those goals were achieved. Some goals were big, others were small, but they were all important.

And with each goal was a step forward to improving the quality of life for our residents.

For the sake of time, I will cover just some of our success stories. With your leadership, and Staff implementation, we have accomplished much: For example, this government is a $134 million business. Today we have a General Fund Balance that is almost doubled from our policy of 12.5 percent. We have been conservative with hiring staff, borrowed when the investment was necessary and kept tax increases at a minimum unless they were dedicated to a specific expense. We have seen our Bond Rating increase to AA-plus. Our finances are sound and strong and accounted for, and we were

named by Virginia Tech as the 6th best locality in the Commonwealth to handle financial difficulties.

This Board has answered the call in making sure our residents are safe and have emergency services when required. Investments in public safety have increased personnel for both Fire & EMS and have implemented competitive pay plans that rewards experience and seniority. We have made tremendous strides in Public Safety technology and modern equipment, and our vehicle replacement program ensures safety for all personnel who use them.

Our volunteer corps saw two new stations built in Carson and Route 10 and several more renovated.

Our response times by emergency personnel are better than ever, and in the process we have lowered our insurance ratings for homeowners in affected areas. We also built a new facility for Animal Services.

You have also made a huge financial commitment in approving the construction of a new public safety radio system, upgraded the Emergency Communications Center and encouraged the Police Department to become accredited, not once,

but twice and working on a third. And let’s not forget the success of National Night Out, which has reached almost 40 locations at various times in partnership with our residents.

In economic development, we have fostered an environment that this County is open for business so we can take the pressure off the tax burden for our real estate owners. Yes, we lost some businesses from Parker’s Store to Rolls Royce, but we recruited major businesses like Amazon and Mount It while preserving those like Perdue and Goya Foods.

We also saw Service Center Metals expand at least three times, and we are now watching companies like Hollingsworth expand again after early years of success.

We have seen the explosion of medical facilities at Puddledock that keeps our residents from having to travel out of their County to receive the best health care possible.

We have seen more and more fast food and convenient stores complement our signature restaurants such as Nanny’s and Luca’s.

And when small businesses were up against it last CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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Ashcraft FROM PAGE 10

year, you provided financial support through the Cares ACT so they could pay rent and meet payrolls until the threats of the pandemic could be mitigated.

In Community Development, we received national attention and received seven awards for our broadband partnership with Prince George Electric. We have a time frame to blanket 95 percent of the County with fiber to the home, which is critical for children doing virtual learning and inhome research.

We also started an aggressive Code Enforcement Program to address violations for dilapidated buildings, inoperable vehicles and high grass. We started Clean Community days, and worked with mobile home parks to improve their infrastructure. We have also expanded our stormwater program to bring relief to property owners who have had problems for years.

In Technology, we caught up quickly with connectivity of our departments and buildings over the last decade. We installed modern software for all of our departments and utilized smartphones, IPads and laptops to the fullest extent possible. And, we upgraded our viewing equipment so the public can better see these meetings, during and after they happen.

In Recreation, we expand-

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ed facilities that allowed us to host one of the most prestigious events in the south – the Dixie Softball World Series. We completed renovations to the Central Wellness Center and the Old Stage Road Community Center and established fitness centers and walking trails.

In addition to sports tourism, we have expanded our General Tourism by investing into a Welcome Center along Oaklawn Boulevard; expanding the Heritage Center housed in the Old Courthouse; and worked with the Historic Society to expand their space in the Old Clerk’s Building and establish the Czech-Slovak Festival, the only one of its kind in Virginia. We also reminded our residents who our namesake Prince George of Denmark was; a bust of his likeness and a history of events can be found in the lobby downstairs.

Mr. Chairman, your greatest challenge remains in the area of utilities. We now have a mindset to make improvements in the area of water and sewer to assist our current residents and business, and attract more residential and business growth in areas where our Comprehensive Plan calls for. We also have under development strategic plans for Exit 45 and the County as a whole.

In education, we have worked with school leaders to make investments in

projects like the construction of a new elementary school. In Social Services, we provided a huge safety net for our most vulnerable residents and expanded programs such as foster care and child protective services so young people will have the best chance of getting a good start.

Our special projects include a growing Farmers Market that has become a festival-like atmosphere on Saturday mornings; we honored our veterans killed in foreign conflicts with naming of bridges and roundabouts; and installed new and friendlier welcome signs. I was able to finish the job that was started under County Administrator John Kines in the construction of a new library here on the complex. We also took an unfinished basement in the Courthouse and turned it into a beautiful Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court.

We have been so proud of Fort Lee being located within our borders, and joined with this region to fight off the threat of BRAC and support their expansions.

Mr. Chairman, we were twice named one of the Top Workplaces in the Richmond Region, and we were named three times in a row the Best Community in Which to Live in the Tri-Cities.

We did all this by fighting through COVID-19 for what is now close to two years. But we used that

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opportunity to be a leader in the region by assisting our neighbors in Surry and Sussex, and we continue to promote the importance of getting a vaccine and now a booster.

We are now taking on additional responsibility as a fiscal agent so money that is flowing through the state workforce development can be properly accounted for.

And we worked with the court system to hire a Drug Court Coordinator and we increased opportunities for probation and community service.

Communication with our public has always been a priority for every member who has sat in your seats.

We ramped up our public relations through the use of Facebook, Twitter, Daily headlines, a weekly newsletter, a monthly message, monitors in public buildings, a blog and at least three upgrades to our website.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the Constitutional Officers for their steady support and involvement in our County’s progress.

They have been amazing public servants who have ran their offices efficiently.

I also want to thank those who work in the Extension Office, 4-H and certainly the School Division.

Mr. Chairman, I get the chance to be the messenger this evening. But all of these accomplishments, and CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

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many more not stated, came from approvals made by this Board, and others before you. You deserve to be reminded of the good news of the end result of many of your decisions. Residents have chosen their elected leaders wisely, and you have not disappointed them.

Becoming the 5th fastest growing locality in Virginia didn’t happen by accident.

We looked at all areas that make up the soul of this County, and we steadily made progress. People now want to live here, businesses want to invest here and parents want their children to attend our schools. People feel safe; traffic is manageable; and the landscape is beautiful. The future never looked brighter.

I depart with some of the best employee talent in the state of Virginia remaining to continue our success. It is without a doubt that every department has benefited over the last decade from your leadership. You have provided some of the best facilities in which to work, the best vehicles in which to drive, the best equipment in which to perform and the best wages and benefits despite the peaks and valleys of economic times.

I appreciate the daily involvement of Jeff, Julie, Betsy, Teresa, Corrie, Donna and Stacey, and the commitment by all department heads and every single em-

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ployee. I demanded much, I make no apologies for that.

But they answered the call, and our County is better off for it.

After 41 years in public life, if you do your job right, you will learn from every situation. I appreciate working with our residents, especially the children.

Some of best memories here will take me back to coaching and winning a basketball championship in Parks & Recreation; and also serving as President for Prince George Rotary and winning the Governor’s

Cup for the only time so far in its history. For establishing Prince George Promise and for you allowing me to sponsor summer basketball clinics that led to success at the school level like the undefeated Middle School girls basketball team this year.

All the Board members, past and present, deserve my deepest gratitude. Each personality is unique, but each of you has answered the call of public service to the best of your talent and abilities. It has been a privilege to hold this position. Only 97 others have

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that distinction in the entire Commonwealth any given year.

On behalf of my wife Cindy and our children Emily, Reeve and Molly, thank you for letting us be part of the Prince George County way of life. I wish everyone God’s blessings and good fortune for all of its residents.

My personal motto is to ‘surpass success and achieve significance’. By George, Mr. Chairman, I think we did it.

Thank you!”

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Hopewell PD Investigating Shooting HOPEWELL MEDIA RELEASE HOPEWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT

HOPEWELL – On Sunday, December 5, 2021, at 3:00 P.M., police received a call for shots fired in the 1200 block of Wall Avenue. Responding officers located a male juvenile, age 15, with a serious gunshot wound to the leg. Officers rendered first aid by applying a tourniquet to the wound, and the Hopewell Fire Department transported the victim to a local trauma center where he remains in serious but stable condition.

Detectives do not believe this is a random act of violence, and the shooter may be known in the community. A silver Hyundai was seen fleeing the area just after the shooting. Detectives

are asking for help from the community to solve this case and to bring justice to the family.

The Hopewell Police Department is requesting that any person(s) who may have any information to provide to contact Lead Detective K. Williamson of the Hopewell Criminal Investigations Unit at (804) 541- 2284. Persons with information on this crime and who wish to remain anonymous may contact the Hopewell Prince George CrimeSolvers hotline in Hopewell at (804) 5412202 or provide their tip using the P3tips mobile app.

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Giving in the Spirit of Christmas HOPEWELL

BY CAROLYN DAY PRUETT LNNUSA.com

PETERSBURG- The Hope Center in Petersburg gave back to the community on Thanksgiving Day, feeding 161 individuals with 200 meals for the holiday. Now, they are preparing for the winter season and are asking the community to get involved. Christmas Meals will be offered from noon to 2pm on Christmas Day, and volunteers are needed that day beginning at 9am.

In addition to serving meals on Christmas Day, the Hope Center is also holding a coat giveaway.

The organization is collecting clothing donations, one of their greatest needs during the cold winter months. Anyone interested in donating and/or volunteering can contact Alex Bechtold of Little Creek Kung Fu at lckfva@gmail. com.

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Funds Designated for Football Field

Stoke Named Interim County Administrator

PETERSBURG

PRINCE GEORGE

BY CAROLYN DAY PRUETT LNNUSA.com

BY ADRIENNE WALLACE FOR LNNUSA.com

PETERSBURG- The Petersburg Public School System, school administration, and the Petersburg City Council held a joint meeting at Petersburg High School the evening of Monday, December 6, 2021.

During the meeting, the school board gave members of city council an update on the plan for replacement of the football field at the high school.

At a previous city council meeting, the councilors reallocated leftover school system funds from the 2019 and 2020 school years to cover the cost of the football field project.

The field is being impacted by drainage problems that are leading to sinkholes in the field and along the sidelines. A quote from engineering company Landtech places the cost of the

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renovation between $1.1 and $1.3 million dollars.

The plan includes replacing the drainage system for the field and changing the grass turf to artificial turf; the stands and other structures of the stadium would not be impacted or renovated.

At times, the joint meeting was contentious, with intense debate between board members, council members, and presenters. The project has become a priority for city leadership because the sinkholes present in the current football field pose a hazard for players and those along the sidelines. The final step of the planning and preparation process for this project is for the school board to receive and approve the contract for the work at their next meeting on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

PRINCE GEORGE — As the Board of Supervisors continues its search for a full-time county administrator, elected officials chose Jeffrey Stoke to serve in that role on an interim basis.

Stoke has served as deputy county administrator and started his career in the county as economic development director.

Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Floyd Brown,

Jr. said he is confident in Stoke’s ability and experience to fill in this position on an interim basis.

“I hope he will apply for the full-time position,” Brown said in a phone interview. “However, we wanted to do this the right way and leave no appearance of a good ‘ole boy system.”

To help with the search for the best candidate, the county is working with Baker Tilly, Brown noted.

He’s expecting about a fivemonth search process.

“The Board is looking forward to working with Mr. Stoke in the interim basis as the search continues,” Brown said. “He’s worked alongside of Mr. [Percy] Ashcraft and was promoted to the deputy county administrator, which shows his ability to serve in a leadership role.”

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Union Street Closed to Southbound Motorists PETERSBURG MEDIA RELEASE CITY OF PETERSBURG

PETERSBURG- The two southbound traffic lanes on South Union Street in Petersburg, between Washington and Wythe Streets, will be closed from December 8, 2021, through January 15, 2022. The northbound lane on Union Street leading to City Hall will be open.

Construction on the new Park & Ride parking deck behind the Transit

Center is underway. Twelve-footwide trucks will be on Union Street unloading large structural materials.

A crane will lift the materials from trucks to the construction area.

When the crane is moving materials from the trucks, all traffic on Union Street will be stopped. It is expected that up to 12 trucks will be unloaded each day.

It is suggested that motorists use Market or Sycamore Streets as detours.

INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWS

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CAROLYN DAY PRUETT LNN News Director

KALI RIGGLEMAN Marketing Specialist

CRAIG RICHARDS LNN CEO

Crime

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LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

DINWIDDIE ARREST REPORT Dennis Edward Blick Jr., 59 years old of the 23000 block of Gaydell Drive, North Dinwiddie, Virginia was arrested on November 24, 2021 for causing or encouraging acts rendering children delinquent.

Keith Floyd Goad, 27 years old of the 5800 block of Boydton Plank Road, North Dinwiddie, Virginia was arrested on November 24, 2021 for a probation violation.

Ronnie Anthony Hall, 41 years old of the 3100 block of Pinetree Drive, Petersburg, Virginia was arrested on November 25, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Richard Wilson Garrett, 46 years old of the 26000 block of West Washington Street, Petersburg, Virginia was arrested on November 25, 2021 for escape.

Kyle Andrew Murray, 28 years old of the 1500 block of Denby Way Chesterfield, Virginia was arrested on November 25, 2021 for escape from custody.

Christopher Octavian Parham, 45 years old of the 4600 block of Hickory Road, Petersburg, Virginia was arrested on November 26, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Andy Jackson Meade, 45 years old of the 4900 block of Olgers Road, Sutherland, Virginia was arrested on November 28, 2021 for eluding, driving on revoked license and driving while intoxicated.

Jennifer Marie Brown, 37 years old of the 12000 block of Cox Road, Church Road, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Aliyah Hakimah Reed, 30 years old of the 1700 block of Halcum Road, Petersburg, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for unauthorized use of animal, aircraft, vehicle or boat and harassment by computer.

Kenneth Wayne Beavers, 35 years old of the 2300 block of Hermon Road, Saxe, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Stanley Earl Johnson Jr., 34 years old of the 1100 block of Commerce Road, Richmond, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for fugitive from justice.

Kendrick Cordell Phillips, 31 years old of the 22000 block of McKenney Highway, Stony Creek, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Cory Michael Turner, 48 years old of the 1400 block of Meridian Avenue, Colonial Heights, Virginia was arrested on November 29, 2021 for contempt by failing to appear in court.

Dalesa Money Draughn, 31 years old of the 18000 block of Old Stage Road, Dinwiddie, Virginia was arrested on November 30, 2021 for domestic assault.

llis Deon Briggs Jr., 27 years old of the 19000 block of Malone Road, Carson, Virginia was arrested on December 1, 2021 for abduction and kidnapping.

Marquis Christopher Wyatt, 26 years old of the 1700 block of South Lawn Avenue, Richmond, Virginia was arrested on December 2, 2021 for domestic assault.

Aubrey Ramon Alston, 29 years old of the 2500 block of 4th Avenue, Richmond, Virginia was arrested on December 2, 2021 for destruction of property and assault and battery.

Jack Harrison Small, 39 years old of the 4000 block of Moss Point, North Dinwiddie, Virginia was arrested on December 2, 2021 for probation violation.

Crime

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HOPEWELL P O L I C E AC T I V I T Y R E P O RT ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 100 BLK OF KIPPAX ST FOR A REPORTED ASSAULT. KNOWN OFFENDER FIRED SHOT, CAUSING MINOR INJURY TO VICTIM AND WAS ARRESTED. ON 12/05/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 1200 BLK OF WALL AVE FOR A REPORTED ASSAULT. OFFENDER FIRED SHOT, HITTING VICTIM AND CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY. ON 12/05/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2800 BLK OF BLUEFIELD ST FOR A REPORTED BURGLARY. KNOWN OFFENDER FORCED ENTRY TO RESIDENCE BY KICKING REAR DOOR, DAMAGED INTERIOR OF RESIDENCE, ASSAULTED RESIDENT WITH HANDS, CHASED RESIDENT IN A VEHICLE AFTER RESIDENT ESCAPED, FLIPPED VEHICLE AND WAS ARRESTED. ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 700 BLK OF PERRYMONT RD FOR A REPORTED WEAPONS OFFENSE. KNOWN OFFENDER BRANDISHED FIREARM, FIRING NO SHOTS. OFFENDER WAS LATER ARRESTED. ON 12/05/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 1200 BLK OF WALL AVE FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, KNOWN OFFENDER WAS FOUND TO BE WANTED AND IN POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS EQUIPMENT AND WAS ARRESTED. ON 12/03/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2700 BLK OF OAKLAWN BLVD FOR A REPORTED SUSPICIOUS PERSON. KNOWN OFFENDER WAS FOUND TO BE DIP AND IN POSSESSION OF NARCOTICS AND WAS ARRESTED. ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2600 BLK OF DANVILLE ST FOR A REPORTED DRUG OFFENSE. KNOWN OFFENDER WAS FOUND TO BE DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE AND IN POSSESSION OF SUSPECTED NARCOTICS AND WAS ARRESTED. ON 11/29/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 300 BLK OF E CAWSON ST FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. UNKNOWN OFFENDER STOLE VEHICLE TAG. ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 300 BLK OF S 19TH AVE FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. UNKNOWN

OFFENDER STOLE VEHICLE TAG. ON 11/30/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO HEADQUARTERS FOR A REPORTED LARCENY THAT OCCURRED IN THE 400 BLK OF PINOAK DR. UNKNOWN OFFENDER STOLE DELIVERED PACKAGE FROM RESIDENTIAL PORCH. ON 12/02/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2500 BLK OF ATLANTIC ST FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. UNKNOWN OFFENDER STOLE DELIVERED PACKAGE FROM RESIDENTIAL PORCH. ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 3300 BLK OF OAKLWAN BLVD FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. KNOWN OFFENDER STOLE CELL PHONE FROM BUSINESS. PHONE RECOVERED UNDAMAGED.

HOPEWELL ARREST REPORT CYNTHIA LIVESAY (42) of HOPEWELL ASSAULT & BATTERY,M MATTHEW BENSON (38) of HOPEWELL TRESPASSING,M WILLIAM ZEVGOLIS (61) of HOPEWELL DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE,M LATEEFAH MITCHELL (28) of HOPEWELL UNAUTHORIZED USE OF VEHICLE,F NICHOLAUS BUCKNER (24) of LA PLATA ASSAULT & BATTERY,M KADERRO DOBY (25) of HOPEWELL POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I,II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE,F

HARRY WILLIAMS (36) of NORTH PRINCE GEORGE BREAKING & ENTER W/INT TO COMMIT FELONY,F ASSAULT & BATTERY -FAMILY MEMBER,M DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, MONUMENTS -VALUE <$1000,M FAIL TO CONTROL VEHICLE,M LOGAN HARLOW (20) of CHESTERFIELD DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, MONUMENTS -VALUE <$1000,M CAMERON FISHER (23) of HOPEWELL DANGEROUS DOG VIOLATION,M

HAKEEM HAWKINS (25) of PETERSBURG RECKLESS HANDLING OF FIREARM,M DISCHARGE OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC PLACE,M JANAI COLEMAN (20) of PETERSBURG OBSTRUCTION OF JUSTICE,M VEASNA MOEUN (21) of NORTH CHESTERFIELD POSSESSION OF SCHEDULE I,II CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE,F PUBLIC SWEARING OR INTOXICATION,M

JOCK JIMENEZ (30) of RICHMOND SIMPLE ASSAULT ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, DOC,FIRE/RESCUE PERSONNEL,F

HOPEWELL POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME SUMMARY

ON 11/29/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 3900 BLK OF SCHOONER LN FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. OFFENDER STOLE HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FROM RESIDENCE. ON 12/01/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO WOODLAWN ST AND ASHLAND ST FOR RECOVERED STOLEN PROPERTY. STOLEN VEHICLE TAGS WERE RECOVERED. ON 12/04/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 100 BLK OF S 16TH AVE FOR A REPORTED ASSAULT. DURING MUTUAL ASSAULT, KNOWN OFFENDER BROKE VEHICLE WINDOW. ON 11/29/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2300 BLK OF ATLANTIC ST FOR REPORTED SHOTS FIRED. KNOWN OFFENDER DAMAGED VEHICLE AND BRANDISHED FIREARM. SUBJECT FIRED SHOTS AT OFFENDER, INTO THE AID AND AT VEHICLE, CAUSING NO REPORTED DAMAGE OR INJURY. WARRANTS OBTAINED. ON 12/02/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 2700 BLK OF GRANBY ST FOR REPORTED SHOTS FIRED. UNKNOWN OFFENDER FIRED SHOTS, CAUSING NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES. ON 12/05/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 4900 BLK OF OAKLAWN BLVD FOR A REPORTED WEAPONS OFFENSE. KNOWN OFFENDER FIRED SHOTS, CAUSING NO DAMAGE OR INJURIES AND WAS ARRESTED. ANOTHER OFFENDER WAS ARRESTED FOR OBSTRUCTION.

Fugitives of the Week: 1953 December 6, 2021

This week, Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers needs your help with locating the following two fugitives: Preston Jeremy Long is wanted for felony assault, assault and battery on a police officer, eluding police and possession of a controlled substance.

Long, 31, is a 6-foot 3-inch-tall black male who weighs 180 lbs. Long has brown eyes and black hair.

Cheryl Dana O’Neal is wanted for grand larceny x 2.

O’Neal, 43, is a 5-foot 7-inch-tall white female who weighs 140 lbs. O’Neal has brown eyes and blonde hair.

For more fugitives, visit our new website crimesolvers.net and hit the most wanted tab.

If you have seen one of these most wanted fugitives, call Crime Solvers (804) 748-0660, or use the p3Tips mobile app. We guarantee you will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $5,000.

You can like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @CrimesolversCCH and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

I am Det. Baldwin with the Chesterfield County/ Colonial Heights Crime Solvers and these are your Fugitives of the Week.

“Take the Time to Solve the Crime.”

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Crime LNNUSA.com

P E T E R S B U RG C R I M E R E P O RT

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Crime

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P R I N C E G E O RG E C O U N T Y I N C I D E N T R E P O RT S 202111220003 Fraud-Identity Theft ON 11/22/2021, POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF FRAUD IN THE 3500 BLK OF LUNDIE LANE. UNKNOWN OFFENDER USED VICTIM’S PERSONAL INFORMATION TO OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT. 202111220004 Fraud-Credit Card ON 11/22/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 1400 BLK OF NOBLIN COURT FOR A FRAUD. UNKNOWN OFFENDER USED VICTIM’S CREDIT CARD NUMBER TO MAKE A FRAUDULENT PURCHASE. 202111260001 Burglary/Breaking and Entering ON 11/26/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 4500 BLK OF JEFFERSON POINT LANE FOR A VANDALISM. KNOWN OFFENDER WAS IDENTIFIED AS ATTEMPTING TO FORCE ENTRY DURING A DISTURBANCE CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VICTIM’S DOOR. ARREST MADE. 202111260005 Larceny-Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts ON 11/26/2021, POLICE RECEIVED A REPORT OF A LARCENY IN THE 2000 BLK OF WATERSIDE DRIVE. UNKNOWN OFFENDER STOLE VICTIM’S LICENSE PLATES. 202111260007 Stolen Property Offenses ON 11/26/2021, POLICE INITIATED A TRAFFIC STOP IN THE 5000 BLK OF OAKLAWN BLVD. LICENSE PLATE DISPLAYED ON THE VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO BE REPORTED STOLEN OUT OF ANOTHER JURISDICTION. DRIVER ADVISED PLATES WERE ON THE VEHICLE WHEN PURCHASED AND PROVIDED PROOF OF SAME. PLATES RECOVERED.

202111270001 Larceny-Theft of Motor Vehicle Parts, Trespassing ON 11/27/2021, OFFICERS RESPONDED TO THE 10000 BLK OF S CRATER RD FOR A REPORTED TRESPASSING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED TWO OFFENDERS LATER IDENTIFIED WERE ATTEMPTING TO STEAL CATALYTIC CONVERTERS. UPON ARRIVAL, OFFENDERS ATTEMPTED TO FLEE. BOTH OFFENDERS WERE APPREHENDED. 202111270008 Assault-Simple ON 11/27/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 5800 BLK OF HAIR ROAD IN REFERENCE TO AN ASSAULT. VICTIM ADVISED BEING ASSAULTED AT A FAMILY GATHERING. 202111280003 Larceny-Theft from Building ON 11/28/2021, POLICE RESPONDED TO THE 4300 BLK OF MARTINSON LANE FOR A REPORTED LARCENY. KNOWN OFFENDER TOOK VICTIM’S PHONE DURING A DISPUTE. BRITNEE LIVELY AGE 29 202008100007 HOPEWELL, VA GRAND LARCENY TRUSSAINESILVER JR AGE 32 202111210002 PETERSBURG, VA VIOLATE PROTECTIVE ORDER JOSHUA WAMSLEY AGE 23 202111230001 PRINCE GEORGE, VA DRIVING AFTER FORFEITURE OF LICENSE FRANCIS QUINN JR AGE 43

PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY POLICE DEPARTMENT WEEKLY HIGHLIGHTS November 22, 2021 – November 28, 2021 

For the period November 22, 2021 – November 28, 2021 o 248 criminal and other types of calls for service were assigned o Total calls for service: 415

Police Accident Property Damage MVA /Hazards-No Injuries MVA with Entrapment MVA with Possible Injuries Traffic Stop Total

11 1 1 1 136 150

Animal Services Animal Aggressive Animal at Large Animal Call Animal Carcass Animal Sick/Injured Animal – Check Welfare Total

202111230003 WAVERLY, VA OBSTRUCT JUSTICE/RESIST ARREST AARON SEWARD AGE 27

1 7 1 1 5 2 17

202111260001 PETERSBURG, VA DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, MONUMENTS -VALUE <$1000 RUDY HUDSON AGE 48 202111270002 PRINCE GEORGE, VA DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

Fraud: 1953 • December 6, 2021 This week, Crime Solvers needs your help to solve a fraud that occurred in Chesterfield County.

On Sept. 29, 2021, at 3:55 a.m., a male entered the CVS at 13800 Hull Street Road and purchased over $1,000 in gift cards and merchandise using counterfeit $100 bills. The same morning, at about 5:35 a.m., a different male purchased over $1,000 in gift cards and merchandise from the same CVS, also using counterfeit $100 dollar bills. The first suspect is a Black male in his 30’s, wearing all-black clothing and a tan-and-blue cap. The second suspect is a Black male in his 20’s wearing a camo shirt, blue jeans, and a blue mask.

To see photos of one of the suspects visit our Facebook page or our website at crimesolvers.net and look for “This Week in Crime Solvers” on the homepage.

If you can help solve this crime or have any information about any crime and or wanted person in Chesterfield County or Colonial Heights, call Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660 or use the P3-Tips mobile app or website. We guarantee you will remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward up to $5,000.

I am Police Specialist Ron Coombs with the Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers program and this is your crime of the week.

“Take the Time to Solve the Crime.”

Weather

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Opinion

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Green Energy Concerns Part 2 SENATOR FRANK RUFF

15TH SENATE DISTRICT

We all should be concerned about this planet we are blessed to live on.

Each of us should do what we can to protect it. However, every action results in reactions. Some we are aware of; others are not as obvious. Below are several issues that policy makers should evaluate as plans are developed.

Being Too Reliant on One Source for All Our Power It sounds nice to declare we are going to be totally green. However, one need only look at any community that has lost electricity during hurricanes and other weather disasters. Emergency crews come to assist communities and families.

If the crews arrive and they cannot recharge their trucks or power equipment, how can they proceed? Spending much of their time traveling back and forth to recharge will lengthen the time it takes for recovery; this could easily cost lives.

Infrastructure Currently, we have an electrical network that allows businesses and families to use the power that they believe they need. If everything must

be powered through those power lines, more lines might require right-of-way purchases from property owners. Businesses that want to be the providers of fast recharging stations will have to make expensive changes. Homeowners who want to charge their own vehicles will likewise have to make expensive changes to their household wiring and service.

Cost There are other major issues that must be addressed. Some will tell you that wind and solar power can be justified cost wise. However, Dominion recently announced that their offshore wind project will cost significantly more than they had told the General Assembly when it was approved. In Botetourt County, wind turbines have been mired in lawsuits and regulations for years. They still do not have approval to erect wind blades. Proponents rarely calculate these additional costs when they state the costs of wind.

No one knows what the true costs are going to be.

What we do know is that with all monopolies there is no reason to control prices.

Small Business Much of our region and the state is dotted with small businesses that rely

on gasoline customers who also buy snacks or milk on the way home.

The probability is that most of those businesses will not have the financial wherewithal to fund one of the few re-charging stations needed in each community. Larger corporate chains with deeper pockets will be better able to take advantage of this opportunity. Without gasoline sales, smaller mom and pop businesses will no longer be able to continue. With fewer competitors, prices will increase on every item sold.

Global Issues To date, many of the parts needed for solar and wind power are dominated by manufacturers in China and elsewhere.

Likewise, to retain power created when the sun is shining and the wind is blowing from solar and wind production when they are not, storage batteries will be needed. Those batteries are dependent on rare earth elements, thirty-one in all.

Of those, most are more readily available outside the United States. About a dozen have never been found in our country.

These elements are most often found in areas that are remote areas, often with limited resources that will have to be developed to get them to market.

Because these elements

are rare, they are found in small quantities. Mining them will require disturbing tons of dirt and rock to get pounds of ore. While Americans are concerned about minimum wages and working conditions, most of this mining will be done in poor working conditions, often using child labor.

The Future Nothing I have written means that I do not believe that solar and wind should not be part of our answer to our power needs, or, that in the future, technology improvements will not justify greater use of them. For now though, it might be wise for each of us to think through the issue.

Do not rely on those who waste fuel jetting around the world to talk to each other about how they will save the planet by forcing others to do what they themselves are unwilling to do.

Correction In last week’s column, I accidently wrote that burning fossil fuels reduces carbon dioxide. I obviously lost my train of thought and should have written increases carbon dioxide.

We love to hear from you! You can reach us at Sen.Ruff@verizon.net, 434-374-5129, or P.O. Box 332, Clarksville, VA 23927

Opinion

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EDITORIAL What if we just let tourists run the city? Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? After all, how would people that only visit the city have the insight, understanding, and, honestly, the love for the city to make the right decisions for all its citizens?

The American Constitution was written from an important but simple philosophy– a document by the people for the people. That meant that the laws, rules, and principles guiding our nation were determined by those living in the nation itself. A simple concept indeed. Because if you did not live in America, work in America, and face the same needs and wants as

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Tourists Running the City your fellow American citizens, then how could you truly lead and ultimately serve your fellow citizens?

Much the same way, those choosing to live across the river or in an adjacent locality do not fully understand the needs of those citizens living day-to-day in the city. So, leadership, and more importantly, public servants in roles of leadership, be it elected or appointed, best serve the community from experiencing it from inside the borders.

It also begs the question, if your passion is to serve as a department head, as part of city management, or in key leadership roles with-

in the city, why don’t you want to live in the city? Is your commitment really to the community or the opportunity the position offers?

Many of the city’s citizens expect leaders who are paid substantial salaries to show their commitment in the simple form of home ownership. “Many of my constituents have expressed concern that we’re paying large six figure salaries in a low to moderate income community for people in department head and leadership positions including those we continue to hire who do not want to live here and be an active part of the community,”

said Debbie Randolph, Hopewell Ward 1 Councilor.

And while finding qualified candidates within the city borders is not always possible, the expectation that those from outside the city who are hired into leadership should live in the community is not unreasonable – it’s almost, well… constitutional.

Whether you prove to be a good or poor leader, you should ultimately be able to rejoice in or suffer the consequences of your actions on behalf of the citizens – not escape to your vacation home.

Money

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

Changes to Price Discovery If The Futures Market Fails CLINT SIEGNER MONEY METALS EXCHANGE

The U.S. dollar and precious metals futures have one thing in common. The value of the greenback and a contract for future delivery of metal are completely dependent on confidence. When, or if, that disappears, neither will be worth the paper they aren’t printed on.

The futures market is where gold and silver prices are set. “Managed” might be a better word.

People who recognize price discovery is broken and corrupted often wonder what it will look like should the current system fail.

It is important to acknowledge upfront there is no telling if the futures markets will end in shambles, or end at all.

It is possible for regulators and bankers to find religion and implement reforms.

And it is possible for these markets to persist without reforms. There is, after all, ample evidence of price rigging and other crooked behavior in the public record.

Yet plenty of participants remain willing to trade there.

they have a fair chance at success versus those who are short the market, and they trust there is metal available if they should stand for delivery.

If buyers lose trust and start leaving in droves, the paper derivative price-setting mechanism

Bullish speculators are still buying contracts based on two key assumptions. They believe

will lose its relevance.

What happens to the prices of physical precious metals may be

altogether different. If a collapse in futures (paper metal) is accompanied by a surge in demand for actual coins, rounds, and bars, bullion prices could skyrocket.

The premium investors pay to buy a 1,000-oz bar of silver, for example, may determine the spot price of silver. In other words, if the futures market price used as the basis for valuing bullion products becomes irrelevant, the remaining component – the premium – could become 100% of an item’s price.

Perhaps the price of actual exchange-sized bars will replace the futures price as the new basis.

The main lesson for bullion investors today is to remember that electronic futures prices are not a reliable signal for what is happening in the physical markets. A decline in gold or silver prices, as reported by CNBC, might just be very good news for your investment in physical bullion.

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

6 Tips to Keep Some Jingle In Your Pocket This Holiday Season

PHOTO COURTESY OF ADOBE STOCK

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAD ERMAN/FEATURE PHOTO

Family Features

Awe-inspiring decorations. Extravagant family meals. Gift wish lists that seem to go on forever. No wonder the holidays can be stressful for many Americans and their wallets.

However, “Food Network” personality and best-selling cookbook author Sunny Anderson has a few tips that can help you gear up for the festivities while still leaving some jingle in your pocket. Learn more and find ideas to fill your stockings at StraightTalk.com.

Shop Your Pantry First – You may be amazed by what might be sitting in your pantry that you could transform into an amazing holiday dish or treat. Most people have pancake or waffle mix, food coloring and sprinkles sitting in their pantries. Mix them together to create fun, holiday-themed tree waffles your kids, and even your most gourmet guests, may never forget. As an added bonus, you can get a head start on clearing out your pantry

for the new year.

Add Some Holiday Glitz – Make simple holiday treats more enjoyable with festive but frugal flair.

Simple candy canes can “heat up” your hot chocolate.

Shave portions of the candy cane into the hot chocolate or use one as a stir stick for the holiday classic.

Bring the Outside In – Don’t hesitate to use elements from nature to add a little holiday cheer to your

home. Simply place colorful leaves in different sized, shaped and colored glass jars along with pinecones and battery-powered tea lights.

These timeless pieces can be added to your dining table, end tables or mantel.

These items are often new, unused things someone you love could use immediately.

A simple way to feel better about regifting is to package it with another item you select or make to provide that personal touch.

Get Carded – Make the holiday cards you receive from friends and family even more special by making them centerpieces of your seasonal decorations. Use temporary, damage-free wall hooks and a string of white or colored indoor lights to outline a tree or your favorite holiday decoration. Then attach the cards to the tree as you receive them.

Give the Gift of Time –Block a series of windows on your calendar throughout the month of December to call friends and family you haven’t connected with in a while. If you want to really give the gift of connection this season, look no further than a brand like Straight Talk Wireless, which offers a wide selection of plans and phones without contracts or mystery fees on America’s largest and most dependable networks.

Regift Away – This doesn’t have to be taboo.

Ticket

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

December 14th - 6pm

December 16th - 6:30pm

December 17th - 5:30pm

December 17th - 7pm

Omega Bar & Grill Hopewell

The Beacon Theatre Hopewell

The Beacon Theatre Hopewell

Dancing Kilt Brewery Chester

December 17th - 8pm

December 18th - 6pm

I Don’t Know Sports Grille Chester

Cul’s Courthouse Grille Charles City

Zen Mojo

Guinevere

Diamond Rio

Zack Artis

Get the Led Out

December 18th - 7:30pm

Kansas Point of Know Return Altria Theatre Richmond

Dennis Coleman

December 18th - 8pm-

Cheap Whiskey

I Don’t Know Sports Grille Chester

Got a Hot Ticket? Send your band, picture, event location & date to newsroom@LNNUSA.com to be considered for our Tri-City Hot Ticket of the Week

Dish

Behind The

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DELIGHTFUL DISHES TO DAZZLE HOLIDAY GUESTS Family Features

Entertaining guests during the holidays isn’t just about a main course that calls all to the table. What often makes a festive gathering more fruitful is a spread of delicious appetizers, delightful drinks and divine desserts that keep loved ones coming back to the kitchen for more.

For appetizing dishes from the first guest at the house to the last out the door, you can heighten the flavor and appearance of favorite recipes with one simple ingredient: apples. Ranging from tart to sugary sweet, finding the right balance for your palate is key. Scent can also influence taste, especially when you have a balanced sweetness with an uplifting, fresh aroma.

Turn to an option like Envy Apples this holiday season for satisfying texture and taste with a consistently balanced, refreshing sweetness coupled with a crisp, elegant crunch.

They make for an easy snack when eaten fresh out of hand but are also perfect for holding over pre-dinner appetites in small plates like this Bell-Issimo Brie Melt or Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy.

The versatile flavor of apples isn’t just limited to foods, however. For the adults in the room, Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider with a splash of bourbon is a seasonally appropriate way to quench thirst and break the ice. Simply omit the bourbon for a kid-friendly version so the whole party can savor a sip.

Easy to spot with their crimson red skin over a golden background that practically glows, Envy Apples offer an

easy, eye-catching way to try new tastes and celebrate joyful occasions together. The bright white flesh is naturally slow to brown when sliced for a fresher flavor in sweet treats like Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping for a tasty way to elevate your holiday get-togethers.

Apple Oat Crumble and Citrus Caramel Topping INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In bowl, stir together sugar and ground cinnamon.

3. Toss apples in lemon juice then in cinnamon sugar mixture. Spread in 9-inch pie dish.

4. In another bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and oats. Using hands or fork, cut in butter until pea size crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly

over apples.

5. Bake 40-45 minutes until mixture is bubbling and golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool 15 minutes.

6. In small pot, whisk caramel, salt, orange zest and orange juice until warm.

7. Spoon apple oat crumble over large scoop vanilla ice cream and top with salted citrus caramel.

Ingredients: • 3 tablespoons sugar • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 2 Envy Apples, diced into large cubes • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 1/2 cup brown sugar • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats • 1/2 cup cold butter, diced small • 1/2 cup caramel • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/2 orange, zest only • 1 tablespoon orange juice • vanilla ice cream

Dish

Behind The

28

LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Apple Stuffing Bites with Rosemary Gravy • 1 box Stovetop stuffing • 2 tablespoons butter • 2 cups diced Envy Apples • 1/2 onion, diced small

Gravy: • 3 tablespoons butter • 3 tablespoons flour • 2 cups beef broth • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 20 turns fresh cracked pepper • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 tablespoon finely chopped rosemary

Ingredients: INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat broiler.

2. Cook stuffing according to package directions; set aside and allow to cool slightly.

3. In large saute pan, melt butter saute apples and onion until tender. Set aside to cool slightly.

4. Stir together stuffing and apple mixture. Spread stuffing on sheet tray and allow to cool in refrigerator.

5. After cooling, form stuffing into medium bites and place on sheet tray lined with parchment paper.

6. Broil bites until golden brown and slightly crispy.

7. To make gravy: In small pot, melt butter and whisk in flour.

Cook flour 1 minute, whisking frequently.

Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider Ingredients: • 1 Envy Apple, diced • 1 tablespoon butter • 1 teaspoon pumpkin spice • 2 ounces bourbon • 4 ounces pumpkin spice apple cider

• demerara sugar • Envy Apple slices, for garnish • rosemary, for garnish • cinnamon stick, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS 1. In pan over medium heat, saute diced apples in butter and pumpkin spice 5-10 minutes.

2. In glass, combine bourbon and pumpkin spice apple cider; top with sauteed apples.

3. Add demerara sugar then garnish with apple slices, rosemary and cinnamon stick.

8. Whisk in beef broth, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce; bring to boil, whisking frequently. Remove from heat and stir in rosemary. If desired, continue gently simmering gravy to thicken.

9. Arrange stuffing bites in serving dish and drizzle with gravy. Serve hot.

29

Amusement LNNUSA.com

Universal Crossword Edited by David Steinberg November 29, 2021 ACROSS 1 “That’s my cue!”

5 The 411 9 Story with a moral 14 One of 500 at Daytona 15 Amanda Gorman or Langston Hughes 16 Lubricated 17 “... plus, a certain smoked fish is another favorite of mine”?

20 Actress Davis 21 Advil competitor 22 Edgar Allan ___ 23 Goof up 24 Biological pouch 26 Glowing review 28 Ares’ mother 29 Landforms at river mouths 33 Shredding company?

37 Defunct Swedish car brand 38 Org. concerned with cybersecurity 39 Brainstorming result 40 Flexible spectacles?

45 Empty ___ (certain parent) 46 Foot’s curve 47 Move like a shark 49 Org. concerned with cannabis 50 “The Simpsons”

character critiqued by Hari Kondabolu 53 “___ knows?”

56 Blue toon in a mushroom-shaped home 58 Rapper Kendrick 60 Pitcher’s boast during a shutout?

63 Water filter brand 64 Person you idealize 65 ACL’s leg part 66 Fidgety 67 Talks incessantly 68 Auctioneer’s last word DOWN 1 What a P.R. agent cultivates 2 One may dig for coal 3 ___ and wiser 4 Rejection in Berlin 5 Wall St. debut 6 Sign at a full motel 7 Have a sense 8 “Something else” category 9 Eternally 10 What a snowboarder catches, slangily 11 Plane, say, on a radar screen 12 Jay who hosted “The Tonight Show” 13 Sharp part of a knife 18 Powerful beam

19 Cleverly avoid 25 Singer Grande, to fans 27 “Lord of the Rings” language for pointyeared beings 28 Bad ones are hard to break 30 Natural destroyer of sandcastles 31 Las Vegas 53-Down team 32 The Mediterranean, for one 33 Record on video 34 Corn servings 35 Concert, for a band 36 Small utensil 37 Identity thief’s target, briefly

41 Long Island paper 42 Filthy 43 “___ you serious?”

44 Climb up 48 Like an overripe pear 50 ___ acid (protein component) 51 Solar energy device 52 Encouraged 53 Hoops org. for Diamond DeShields 54 What you may hit when you’re in a jam 55 Memorial bio 57 Name hidden in “overheard” 59 Vessels like Noah’s 61 Extra hockey periods: Abbr.

62 ___ Def (rapper)

PUZZLE ANSWER

©2019 Andrews McMeel Universal www.upuzzles.com

Put a Ring on It by Drew Schmenner

Saturday, December 11, 2021

30

Amusement LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

SUDOKU MONSTER ANSWER

31

GARFIELD BY JIM DAVIS

DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE BY STEPHAN PASTIS

Comics LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

32

GARFIELD BY JIM DAVIS

DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE BY STEPHAN PASTIS

Comics LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

33

GARFIELD BY JIM DAVIS

DILBERT BY SCOTT ADAMS

PEANUTS BY CHARLES SCHULZ

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE BY STEPHAN PASTIS

Comics LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Classified

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

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804-731-1152

Tri-Cities 20 Dunlop Village Circle Colonial Heights, VA 23834

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

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36

Obituaries

Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Mrs. Allene Jackson

Shirley B. Morton

George K. Murphy

Mrs. Allene Jackson, of Hopewell, departed this life Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Riverview on the Appomattox Health and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Petersburg Chapel of Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison St., 804.732.7841. www.blandfuneralhomes.com

Mrs. Shirley B. Morton departed this life on Thursday, December 8, 2021 at Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, VA. J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Mr. George K. Murphy of Henrico, departed this life on Thursday, December 8, 2021 at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital, Richmond, VA. J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732-8911, www. jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

Anna Stigall

Kevin James Turner

Anna Catanzaro Stigall, 91, of Chester, VA passed away on Tuesday, December 7, 2021.

She was born in Michigan on January 30, 1930 and was the daughter of the late Sam Catanzaro and Lorrna Karn.

Mrs. Stigall was also preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert E. Stigall, Sr.; a grandson, Daniel Lee; and a great-grandson, Daniel E. Patterson, Jr. Mrs. Stigall will be remembered by her family as a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great great-grandmother. She is survived by her four children, Thomas R. Stigall, Robert E. Stigall, Jr., Roberta S. Lee and Virginia S. Spellman; seven grandchildren, Maria, T.J., Sam, Robbie, Samantha, Anna and Shannon; nine great-grandchildren, Ella, Kevin, Corey, Nathan, Camren, Tiara, Jersey, Jadien and Chance; three great great-grandchildren, Aiden, Alex and Kalani; and numerous nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Park, Chester, VA. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of your choice in memory of Anna Stigall.

Condolences may be registered at www. jtmorriss.com

Lawrence B. Squires, 66, of Sutherland, VA, peacefully passed on Dec. 7, 2021 and is in the hands of our Heavenly Father. He is preceded in death by his amazing parents, Bob and Ellen Squires, who raised the extraordinary man he was. He is survived by his loving wife Charles Huff and soulmate of 31 years, Debbie Squires; July 2, 1943 - December 4, 2021 his daughter, Jamie Prindes (Eric); his beloved granddaughter, Chloe Prindes; his Services for Mr. beloved brothers, Randy Goodfellow and Charles Huff who Jim Squires; and his many pets and horses. departed this life Larry was preceded in death by his son, JarSaturday, Decemriod Friedline, and brother, Tom Squires. ber 4, 2021 at the He retired from Philip Morris and Sonoco Battlefield Park Packaging. Larry was an avid model airHealthcare Center, plane collector and pilot. He loved all things Petersburg will be outdoors, like riding his motorcycles, announced by the watercrafts, ATVs, and model boat racing. family at a later time.

In his retirement, he enjoyed learning how Funeral arrangements entrusted to the staff to ride and care for his horses, teaching his of the J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishgranddaughter to play the guitar and drive ment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, various farm equipment. The family will VA, (804) 732-8911, www.jmwilkersonreceive friends Wednesday, December 15, since1874.com.

2021 at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Dale Memorial Park, located at 10201 Newbys Bridge Rd, Chesterfield, VA 23832. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Central Virginia Horse Rescue or Dinwiddie Animal Shelter. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.co

July 12, 1929 - December 8, 2021

Dec 07, 2021

April 30, 1935 - December 8, 2021

Dec 08, 2021

A full obituary will be published shortly.

August 7, 1965 - December 8, 2021

Lawrence B Squires Dec 07, 2021

37

Obituaries

Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Linda Sue Edwards

Barbara Allen Phelps

Donald Lee Bratton

Miss Linda Sue Edwards of Midlothian, Virginia passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021 at home.

She was born and raised in Fauquier County, Virginia on May 6, 1959 to Basil Edwards and Eva Alice Helm Edwards who predeceased her.

She is survived by her sister, Betty Edwards Richardson; and devoted brother-in-law, John Richardson; as well as her devoted nephew and niece, David Richardson of Aspen, Colorado and Ashley Richardson of Hoogeveen, The Netherlands (with whom she shared a birthday); brother, Edwards Higgs (Harriet) of Schertz, Texas; Patricia Leonard of Midland, Virginia; and James Higgs of Hampstead, North Carolina.

Linda was educated in Prince William County Schools. She loved to read, craft, play bingo, go to the beach, watch professional wrestling, and cheer for her beloved Green Bay Packers. After her graduation, she attended Didlake (formally F.O.R.E.) in Opal, Virginia and was a member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church. She moved to Chester, Virginia and lived with her sister, Betty and family and attended PARC Services (Progressive Adult Rehabilitation Center) in Petersburg, Virginia where she enjoyed working until February of 2019 when her health began to fail. Linda spent the last two and a half years living in Midlothian, Virginia under the excellent care of Katherine Smit, Phaedra Boots, Denise Jackson and others at Diversity Residential Homes.

Linda was best known for her infectious smile, love for her family and friends, as well as dancing. She brought so much joy to everyone fortunate enough to know her. She has earned her Heavenly wings.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Down Syndrome Association (www.ndss.org), Mt. Carmel Baptist Church (12714 Elk Run Rd., Midland, VA 22728), or charity of your choice. A service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be registered at jtmorriss.com.

Barbara Allen Phelps, 82, passed away on December 6, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, Drew and Ella Long; brother, George Phelps; and husband of over 50 years, Louis Phelps.

Barbara was a very loving mother and a devoted housewife. She loved her children and family very much. She is survived by her children, Sandy Crowder and Guy Phelps (Elizabeth); grandchildren, Dustin Phelps, Donovan Phelps, Cameron Phelps, Ashley Phelps, and Tommy Crowder; great-grandchildren, Joshua Sowers, Heather Sowers, Brianna Lynn, Kane Hawkins, Liam Tyler, Vada Louise, EeLan Victor Sowers, and Ila Mae Sowers; and great-great-grandchildren, Brianna Lynn Fiore, Kyler Bass, and soon to be great-great- grandchild George Oliver Phelps; as well as numerous extended family members and friends. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 12 from 5:30-7:30 PM at J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, 6616 Boydton Plank Road, Dinwiddie. A funeral service will take place in the chapel on Monday, December 13 at 1:00 PM. Interment will take place following the funeral at the family cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be conveyed to the family at www. jtmorriss.com.

Donald Lee Bratton, 74, of Prince George, VA, passed away on Monday, December 6, 2021.

He was the son of the late Guy Duff Bratton and Lizzie King Bratton. He is also preceded in death by his son, Steve Bratton, and his brother, Jimmy Bratton.

Donald was a proud Marine Corps. Veteran and served honorably in the Vietnam War. He loved boating and traveling. Cars were a big passion, both riding in them and working on them, but most of all he adored his family, all of whom loved him dearly in return. Donald is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Sheila Smith Bratton; son, Duane Lowman (Patricia); daughter, Lisa Nunery; daughter, Kim Smith (Kenny); brother, Jackie Bratton (Linda); sisters, Dorothy Smith (Steve), Thelma Jean Cole and Robin Bratton; grandsons, Evan Nunery and Tyler Scott (Kristina); granddaughters, Monica Lowman, Hannah Lowman and Samantha Hall (Calvin); and great-grandson and “little man,” Lucas Hall.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15, 2021, at the Tabernacle Methodist Church in Carson, VA. A visitation will then follow immediately after. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Donald’s memory to The Wounded Warrior Project. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

Dec 06, 2021

Dec 06, 2021

Ms. Emma J. January

December 5, 1934 - December 5, 2021

Dec 06, 2021

Joan A. Mitchell

April 12, 1944 - December 5, 2021

Mrs. Joan A. Ms. Emma J. JanuMitchell departed ary, of Petersburg, this life Sunday, departed this life December 5, 2021 Sunday, Decemat the Riverview ber 5, 2021 at the on the Appomattox Battlefield Park Heath & Rehab.

Healthcare Center.

Center, Hopewell.

The funeral arFuneral arrangerangements have ments entrusted to the staff of the J. M. been entrusted to the professional staff of Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison St., South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 732804.732.7841.www.blandfuneralhomes.com 8911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

38

Obituaries

Saturday, December 4, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Richard Tobin “Rocky” Logue, Jr

David Michael Pate

Richard Tobin “Rocky” Logue Jr., 75, of Chester passed away December 6, 2021. Rocky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on September 9, 1946, to the late Richard T. Logue Sr. and Louise Logue. He was preceded in death by his two sisters, Emily Faunce and Patricia Lanctot; sister-in-law, Judy Dahlkemper; brother-in-law, Chris Tarbell and best friend, Joseph F. McCarton.

He enlisted in the US Navy in March 1967 in Bristol, Pennsylvania. During his 30 year career, he advanced to Master Chief Gunners Mate Technician, then commissioned to Chief Warrant Officer in July 1985 as a Surface Ordnance Officer. He served time aboard Submarines, Destroyers, Cruisers and Aircraft Carriers, as well as overseas tours in Italy and Guam. He retired in March of 1997 as a CWO4 from the Navy Weapons Station Yorktown, Virginia.

Richard was a long-time member of the Fort Lee Memorial Chapel. He also was a member of the Manchester Masonic Lodge #14, The American Legion Post #284, The Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Delhaas HS Sports Hall of Fame. Rocky was a lifelong Philadelphia Eagles fan and any team playing against the Dallas Cowboys! He was an avid golfer at Fort Lee, enjoyed travelling and had a passion for raising the children in his chosen family.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Janice L. Logue; son, Richard T. Logue; daughter, Jennifer J. Logue; granddaughter, Harlee A. Logue; special nieces and nephews, Trevor Dahlkemper (Kristina), Tiffany Sacks and her children Evan, Aiden and Dillon, Christy Doyle, Dick Faunce and many others; brothers-in-law, Chris Dahlkemper and Jamie Tarbell; sister-in-law, Robin Green (Barb Brennan); also “Chosen” Families: The Rosas, Thompson/Thayer and The Sharpes; best of friends, Pearl S. Branch and Jennifer Maul and many other friends and family and his beloved dog, Snow White.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021, with a visitation one hour prior at Destination Church, 5258 Oaklawn Boulevard, Hopewell, Virginia 23860. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 10, 2021, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rocky’s name to Destination Church, Ft. Lee Memorial Chapel, 1901 Sisisky Boulevard, Fort Lee, Virginia 23801 or the Shriner’s Hospitals for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, Florida 33607. Condolences may be registered at www. ealvinsmall.com.

David Michael ‘Mike’ Pate, 67, of Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away on December 5, 2021. He was the son of the late David Earl Pate and Betsy Ross Braswell Pate. He was also preceded in death by his significant other, Vicki Bowman; and his grandson, Jay Hoffman. Mike enjoyed a career spanning 40 years as a Shift Supervisor at Honeywell before his retirement. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and loved sports, especially the Washington Football Team and the North Carolina Tar Heels. Mike is survived by his children, Jodie Pate Howell, Melissa Green (Michael), Clinton Pate, Craig Elder, Karen Jarrelle, James Elder and Ray Bullock; grandchildren, Hayden and Parker Forman, Astrid and Sienna Green, Madelyne Elder and Heather Hoffman; and siblings, Judy Pate and Donnie Pate (Kay).

The family will receive friends between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Interment will be private. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

1946 – December 6, 2021

Dec 05, 2021

Dewitt L. King, Jr.

August 18, 1956 - December 3, 2021

Jean Simmons Pride

March 5, 1938 - December 4, 2021 Jean Simmons Pride, 83, passed away Saturday, December 4, 2021. She was the daughter of John Henry and Florence Bulifant Simmons and a native of Colonial Heights, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Thomas Pride.

She is survived by her son, Gary Pride and his wife Barbara; daughters, Lynn Spears, Cindy Bowers, and Sherri Booth and her husband Danny; grandchildren, Jennifer Wajick, Megan Spears, Timothy Spears, Dustin Spears, Michelle Bryant, Brandon Heilman, Caitlyn Cumba Van Gundy, and Madison Booth; and numerous great-grandchildren. The family would like to thank Intrepid Hospice for the care given to Mrs. Pride. Funeral services will be private. Arrangements made by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia, 23834. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Woodlawn Baptist Church, 3120 Woodlawn Ave., Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 or to Intrepid Hospice, 2430 Southland Dr., Chester, Virginia 23831. Online condolences may be registered at wwww.ealvinsmall.com.

Mr. Dewitt L. King, Jr. of Petersburg, departed this life on Friday, December 3, 2021 at his residence J.M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, (804) 7328911, www.jmwilkersonsince1874.com.

39

Obituaries

Saturday, December 4, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Terry D.”Buckem” Starks

Malory Davis Minter

Mr. Terry “Buckem” Starks, 61, of Chesterfield, VA, transitioned from this life to his heavenly home on Sunday, December 5, 2021 at Chippenham Hospital. Terry attended Prince George County Schools until he later joined and served in the U. S. Army.

Many knew Terry as “Buckem”, because he was known to get a little wild, but that side of him was softened by the hearts of his grandchildren when he moved in with them. Although they softened his heart, he was still very head strong. He was going to do what he wanted to do, when he wanted to do it. No matter how much the “Warden”, as he affectionately named Terrica, fussed.

Being the family man that he was, Terry loved spending time at home with his grandchildren; they kept him grounded daily and were truly the joy of his life. He also enjoyed cooking, watching TV, playing his music and rolling to the Sunday socials. His love for the Dallas Cowboys were high on his enjoyment table too. You could find him dressed in his Cowboys gear every week, representing “Dem Boyz”.

Terry was raised up in the church, singing in the youth choir of Providence Baptist Church and attending Union Branch Baptist Church with his parents. He rededicated his life to Christ seven years ago at Cavalry Church. He currently was attended church regularly at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Petersburg, VA. No matter the road he choose, he stayed grounded in Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Geneva Starks.

Terry leaves to cherish his memories two devoted daughters Sharea Jones (Cherish), and Terrica Barnes (Ardonis Sr.) who he resided with and cared for until his passing. A wonderful wife and friend, Jeanette Starks; two sons from love, Matthew and Tito Coleman and a special adopted daughter, Ashley Taylor; three grandchildren who he adored, Taniyah “Missy” Brown, Armani “Poodie” Barnes, and Ardonis “Grand boy” Barnes, Jr. and many other children and grandchildren by love that he has watched grow over the years; a host of loving cousins and friends too numerous to name, among them one devoted, Harold Moore.

Service will be held 1:00 P.M., Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, the Rev. Jameson K. McLaughlin, eulogist.

Malory Davis Minter, 88, of Stuart, VA passed away on Sunday, December 5, 2021. Born in Martinsville, VA, he was the son of the late Stafford E. Minter and Martha Bullins Minter. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Janet Minter; and brother, Cecil Minter.

Malory Minter was a proud Veteran having served his country in the U.S. Army for 26 years, retiring as Chief Warrant Officer. He went on to work in Civil Service at Fort Lee in Petersburg, VA, retiring for a second time after many years. He had a passion for traveling and loved to see new things. He will be dearly missed.

He is survived by several cousins; and a godson, David Johnson and his wife, Judy of Rosalia, Kansas.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Bermuda Memorial Park, Chester, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to the Landmark Center Assisted Living, 227 Landmark Dr., Stuart, VA 24171. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

March 30, 1960 - December 5, 2021

James S. Hepler

September 2, 1936 - December 4, 2021 James S. Hepler, US Army (Ret), 85, of Colonial Heights, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Born on September 2, 1936, he was the son of the late Horace G. Hepler and Charlotte R. Hepler and was preceded in death by a brother, Sonny and a sister, Ruth. James served 20 years in the United States Army and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. James met his wife Kim while working in Korea. He was a longtime member of Calvary Baptist Church, serving in many positions but most notably as the church’s treasurer. James also loved the NFL and would watch any game that was on. James is survived by his devoted wife, Kim Hepler; sons, Chuck Hepler (Daryl), David Hepler, Ken Hepler, and Tony Hepler (Carmen); grandchildren, Lauren, James Dalton, Hannah, Kathryn, Larissa, Elisa, and Anthony Jr; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 13, 2021 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834 with the Reverend Dr. Ray Haskett officiating. Interment will follow with Military Honors in Sunset Memorial Park Chester, Virginia. The family will receive friends Monday, one hour prior to the service at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights Virginia, 23834, Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

Dec 05, 2021

Ronald Lewis Hill Dec 03, 2021

Ronald Lewis Hill, 64, of Hopewell, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021. Born in Washington, he was the son of the late Gerald Hill and Della Drake Hill. He is survived by 7 siblings, Bradford Hill and his wife, Karen, Donald Hill, David Hill, Brian Hill, Gerald Hill, Valerie Hill, and Kenneth Hill and his wife, Cindy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ronnie was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time in the mountains. He had a special interest in collecting eagles and he loved his country.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

40

Obituaries LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Mrs. Julia M. Allen

Betty Lou Cox Pickering

Julia Marie Allen who was affectionately known as “Perwoman and Ganny” by her children and grandchildren.

She was a caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. Julia was born December 13, 1944 in Hopewell, VA. She was the oldest daughter of three girls born to the union of Vivian and Catherine Perry.

Julia was a 1963 graduate of Carter G. Woodson High School, in Hopewell, Virginia. She retired from Bellwood in Richmond, Virginia after 30 years of service. Not one to keep still, Julia went to work at Hopewell Recreation & Parks as Director of the Senior Respite Group for eight years.

Julia was a member of Union Baptist Church for over 70 years and actively participated in its mission services including the adult choir until her health prevented her from singing. She was a trustee for many years and was still on the bulletin at the time of her death. She was the organizer and President of the Golden Circle Senior Ministry.

Julia was also a member of the Virginia State Association of Elks and an active member of Radiant Temple #1200, where she was the residing Sgt. Ruler, recording and financial secretary for 12 years and District Deputy for many years. Julia will be remembered as loving, compassionate, loyal and the lifeline of her family. Her home was a respite for her guests and all who entered. No one was allowed to leave her home without having partaken of her hospitality. Strangers may have entered but friends departed.

Julia’s earthly life ended on December 4, 2021 at the age of 76 after a courageous battle with cancer. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of 57 years Herbert C. Allen; one daughter and two sons, Wendy S. Gant, Hopewell, Virginia and Herbert V. Allen (Shakira) Richmond, Virginia; and Kirk V. Allen (Lisa), Waverly, Virginia; a sister, Shirley McPhaul, Hopewell, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Tiffinie Gant (Marcus), Sabrina Webb, Te-Quan Taylor, Tanisha Allen, Imani Williams, KeShawn Allen and Kierra Allen; 15 great grandchildren and devoted grands, Shaneil Brown, Jr., and Marcayla Greene; nephews, Keith Perry (Patricia) and Eric Sean Stuart; a niece, Shanda Stuart; devoted friends Anna Robison, Deacon Leola Morton, Florence Crewe, Pearl Spratley, Grace Epps and many more treasured extended family, dear friends and class mates who will continue to honor her legacy by living their lives to the fullest.

Julia is predeceased by her father and mother; her sister, Vivian Ann Perry and grandsons, Kirk Van Allen Webb and Josiah Greene. She was influential and pivotal in the lives of many and her fiery loving personality will be missed by all.

The funeral service will be held 2 P.M., on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison St, Petersburg, VA. Rev. John E. Johnson, pastor, of Union Baptist Church, Hopewell, VA, eulogist. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the American Cancer Society on her behalf.

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Allen have been entrusted to the professional staff of Bland Funeral Homes, 137 Harrison St., 804.732.7841.www.blandfuneralhomes.com

Betty Lou Cox Pickering, known affectionately as “Memaw”, 87, of South Chesterfield, Virginia went to be with the Lord on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Betty was preceded in death by her parents Johnnie and Louie Cox, her sister Sandra Thomas, her son Todd Pickering, and the love of her life Farley Pickering. She leaves behind brother Ronald Cox and his wife Becky; sister Pat McGovern; two daughters Rhonda Acuff and son-in-law Phil and Stacy Bradshaw and son-in-law Scott; two grandson Joshua Acuff and his wife Callie and Robert Acuff and his wife Gale; six granddaughters Michelle Shuck and her husband Brandon, Emma Hadzi-Antich and her husband Ted, Emily Hanky and her husband Justin, Claire Pickering and her boyfriend Brad, Erin Webb and her husband Ryan and Ashley Cunningham and her husband Richard; daughter-in-law, Patti Pickering; and several nieces and nephews. Memaw’s pride and joy were her sixteen great-grandchildren, Roen, Jude, Wells, Abel, Finch, Scarlett, Robert, Michael, Kinslee, Cannon, Kyril, Landon, Catherine, Ava Lee, Nola and Evans. Betty was born in Gadsden, Alabama in 1933. She was born at home on December 7th.

The doctor wasn’t able to make it to her home until the 8th to formally pronounce and record the live birth, so her friends and family enjoyed celebrating her birthday for two days each year. At the end of Betty’s senior year of high school, she moved to Germany where her father was stationed with the US Army for a couple of years. When she moved back to Junction City, Kansas, she met the love of her life, Farley Pickering. They married in November of 1956 and enjoyed 49 years together.

Betty grew up in Twelfth Street Baptist Church, and when she and Farley settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, she joined Carmel Baptist Church. She was a Sunday school teacher and loved being involved in Bible study and services there. Most recently, she was active in a Bible study in her neighborhood where she met weekly with several ladies to study God’s word.

Formed by these churches and bodies, she leaves behind a legacy of strength and humility in the love and truth of Jesus Christ. Betty spent her career working at JC Penney Company where she worked as a floor supervisor before being promoted to the bookkeeping; she retired in 1992 but always retained a sweet fondness for the company that she called her work home.

There will be a celebration of Memaw’s life 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Home, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, VA 23834. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com.

December 13, 1944 - December 4, 2021

December 7, 1933 - November 4, 2021

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Obituaries

Bobby Lee Owen Dec 04, 2021

LNNUSA.com

Joseph John Orlando, Sr. Dec 04, 2021

Orlando, Joseph John, 91, of Hopewell, departed this life on December 4, 2021. He was born October 12,1930 in Bronx, NY. He was the son of the late Alba Amuso and Fred Orlando. He was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Betty Thompson Orlando. He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Orlando and his son, Joseph J. Orlando, Jr. (Linda); his grandsons, Joseph J. Orlando III (Christina), and Zachary D. Orlando (Elizabeth); a great-grandson, Beau Daniel Orlando and a great-granddaughter, Charlotte Anne Orlando; and by his brother, Calogero Orlando and a sister, Vincenza Locicero (Benny) of New York, and many nieces and nephews.

Joe joined the U.S. Army in 1948 and proudly served in both the Korean War and in Germany. He retired as a MSGE8 in 1969 after more than 20 years of service. After leaving the military, he was employed by Sears & Roebuck.

Joe joined the ranks of the Hopewell Sheriff Department in 1976, serving first as a deputy and later as Sheriff. In 1981, he became a magistrate for the Hopewell-Prince George district and retired in 1993.

Joe was a member of the Hopewell Optimist Club since 1961. He served 2 terms as president. He enjoyed working with the youth of the city, especially participating in the baseball and fishing tournaments and scholarships drives. In his younger years, he loved to work at the Christmas tree lot.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 146 and visited daily in his later years.

He was a member of First United Methodist Mr. Raymond Taylor Church of Hopewell.

July 2, 1949 - December 3, 2021 Joe was an avid golfer and fisherman. He Mr. Raymond Tay- loved time spent with his family and friends.

He was a man who knew how to laugh and lor, of Petersburg, how to make others laugh. He was proud of departed this life his service to his country and proud of his Friday, December family. He was a man who enjoyed life and 3, 2021 at the loved his family.

Battlefield Park The family will receive friends on Friday, Healthcare Center.

December 10, 2021 at the Hopewell Chapel The funeral arof J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home from rangements for Mr. 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. A service will be Taylor have been entrusted to the profesheld Saturday, December 11, 2021 at First sional staff of Bland Funeral Homes, 137 United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m. In Harrison St., 804.732.7841. lieu of flowers, donations can be made to www.blandfuneralhomes.com St. Jude’s hospital, a charity Joe supported throughout his life. Condolences may be registered online at www.jtmorriss.com.

Bobby Lee Owen, 74, a resident of Chester, VA, passed away on Saturday, December 4, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur and Connie Owen. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Betty Jean Owen; son, Richard Lee Owen; daughter, Charlotte Ann Thomas and husband, Chad; grandchildren, Savannah Claire Thomas, Caroline Olivia Thomas, and Piper Jean Thomas; brother, Johnny William Owen; as well as numerous extended family and friends. Bobby was a Sergeant in the United States Army serving during the Vietnam War. He worked as an Industrial Mechanic and retired from Brown & Williams after 35 years of service.

He was the President of the Cockade City Bassmaster’s Club for 30 years. He loved spending time with his family and was an avid outdoorsman spending his free time fishing and hunting. A visitation will be held at the Chester Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on Thursday, December 9, 2021 from 6-8 p.m. 3050 W. Hundred Rd, Chester, VA 23831. A graveside service will be held 2:00 p.m. December 10, 2021 at Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in honor of Bobby can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 4110 Glen Allen, VA 23058. Condolences may be registered online at www.jtmorriss.com.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Ladeirdra U. Greene

August 21, 1960 - December 3, 2021 Ms. LaDeirda U. Greene, 61, departed this life on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Bon Secours-Southside Regional Medical Center in Petersburg. A native of Petersburg, LaDeirdra was born on August 21, 1960 to Dorothy Mae Fulton (Raymond) and Willie Tony Wiggins, Sr. (Joyce). She attended the public schools in Brooklyn, NY, and also served in United states Army for four years.

LaDeirdra was a loving mother and grandmother to be who was devoted to her family and friends. She had a heart of gold and a smile that would light up a room. She will be remembered most for her genuine spirit and infectious laugh.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Willie; sister, Toni Wiggins and her brother, Kevin Davis.

LaDeirdra is survived by her only daughter and grandson, Angelique Chatman and Michael “Peacon” Lawyer II; son-in-law, Michael Lawyer; siblings, Michael Greene, Willie T. Wiggins, Sharon Davis; Rita LeBeauf, Sherrie Harris and Cynthia Pendleton who were like sister and Richard Birch who was like a brother; devoted cousins, Beverly and Johnny Legrand, Calvin Sr. and Janell Lewis, Michelle Lewis (Jerry) and Houstonia Clymer; very special and devoted friends, Clarice Pulley and Donald Taylor; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Viewing will be held from 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., and Military Honors will be accorded at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the funeral establishment.

Sharon Lee Vaughan

January 11, 1949 - December 3, 2021 An obituary is not available at this time for Sharon Lee Vaughan.

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Obituaries

Mr. Morris C. Stith

July 28, 1966 - December 4, 2021 On December the 4, 2021 our hearts were saddened by our beloved one Mr. Morris Stith, but better known as “Black Bird aka Stunna” of 856 Cameron Street.

Morris was born July 28,, 1966 to the late Mary and Chilon Stith and resided in the Blandford Community for years.

Morris Stith graduated from Petersburg High School and attended vocational school. Morris held numerous jobs and his latest being the Department of Public Works for the city of Petersburg.

Morris was well known for his abilities to keep you laughing with his many of jokes. No matter what the situation, he always had a joke to tell.

Morris Is proceeded in death by his parents, Chilon and Mary Stith; brothers, Chilon Jr, Johnathan, Danny, Marko; sister, Janice Stith; nephews, Tyrone (Smoo) Stith and George Jackson Jr. Morris leaves to cherish his daughter, Shalonda Stith of Boston Massachusetts; one brother, Adam Stith (Karen) of Petersburg, VA; four sisters, Pauline Bolling of Anchorage Alaska, Brenda Scott of Petersburg, VA, Yannette (Darrell) Johnson of Chesterfield VA, and Betty (Gregory) Forman of St. Mary’s GA.

Tanequa C. Pope

February 2, 1993 - December 3, 2021 Ms. Tanequa Pope, 28 years old, transitioned this life on Friday, December 3, 2021 at Mary Washington Hospital. She received her wings of eternal life in peace to be with the Lord. Tanequa was born February 2, 1993 to Nathaniel Juggins and Shanika Lee. Tanequa Curtesha Pope leaves to cherish her memories: one devoted daughter, Tania Serenty Rose Harper; sisters and brothers, Shaneda Smith (Antoine), Chaquita Pope, Jahlil Pope, Sayveeon Studivant, ExZaveer Studivant, Najee Studivant, Jomyah Lee, Jordon Juggins, Breonna Gains, Marcus Watts, Sabrina Watts, Kala King; grandparents, Laura Kelley, Ronald Kelley and Mary Kelly; nieces, Debreonna Heath, Shaniyah Smith, Shauntia Smith, Rakiyah Pope and Malaijah Pope; nephews, Antoine Smith, Jr. and Zyion Studivant; uncles, Rondell Kelley and Marcus Kelley; devoted family and friends, Serina Clay (Elijahuan Harper), J. K. Kelly, Kayla Tangen and Adrienne Taylor.

Service will be held 11:00 A.M., Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Chapel of J. M. Wilkerson Funeral Establishment, Inc., 102 South Avenue, Petersburg, VA, Elder Dominic Holloway, Sr., eulogist.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

He also cherished his nieces, Natalie (Boodoo), Angie, Alicia, Jasmine, Krystal, Adrienne, Tiffany, Pomnisha, Shonda, Keisha, Lisa, Ebony, Jalisa, and Kiana; nephews, Lil Darrell, Lil Greg, Melvin, Robert, Derrick, DaShawn, Terry, Tremayne, LaMarkus and Spencer; and a host of cousins and friends, Mario Gray, Adrienne Richardson, Mable Edmonds, Anthony (Oilcan), Nelson Moore, Fred (Coldbeer), and Red man; and devoted friends, Virginia Stith and Tangie Knight.

The family would like to thank the Department of Petersburg Public Works for their quick response and dedication.

In Loving Memory Your life was a blessing Your memory a treasure Your are loved beyond Words and Missed Beyond Measures Celebration of Life service will be held 11A. M., December 11, 2021 at the Faith & Hope COGIC, 1800 E Washington St., Petersburg, VA, 23803, Minister Gail Outlaw, of Abundant Life Church of Deliverance, Colonial Heights, VA, eulogist. Interment will follow at Wilkerson Cemetery, Petersburg, VA. The funeral arrangements for Mr. Stith have been entrusted to the professional staff of Bland Funeral Home, 137 Harrison St., Petersburg, VA 23803 (804) 732-7841. www.blandfuneralhomes.com.

Charles “Chuck” William Sloan, Sr.

March 30, 1957 - December 3, 2021 Charles “Chuck” William Sloan, 64, passed away at his home in S. Prince George, Virginia, Friday, December 3, 2021. Chuck was born in Excelsior Springs, Missouri to the late Donald R. Sloan and Charlene F. White. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Grimm Sloan; two sons, Charles W. Sloan, Jr. and Trevor D. Sloan; daughter-in-law, Kristle Sloan; three grandchildren, Peyton, Shae, and Austin Sloan; and three brothers, Robert, Richard, and Chris Sloan. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021 at the Crater Road Chapel of the E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 3935 S. Crater Road, Petersburg, Virginia 23805. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to Crater Community Hospice at cratercommunityhospice.org/support-us/.

Condolences may be registered at www. ealvinsmall.com.

Bobby Lee Muse Dec 03, 2021

Bobby Lee Muse, 56, of Chesterfield, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Muse. He is survived by his mother, Elizabeth Major Hierholzer and her husband, Bob; sisters, Lisa Hartley and Wanda Muse; and numerous nieces and nephews. Bobby was employed as a Sheriff Deputy with the City of Colonial Heights.

He is loved and will be missed by his family and friends. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery, Blackstone, VA. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

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Obituaries LNNUSA.com

Sharon Ivey Russell

Cynthia Royal Scott

Sharon Ivey Russell, 64, of N. Dinwiddie passed away Friday, December 3, 2021.

She was born in Petersburg on June 27, 1957 and was preceded in death by her father, Arlin Ivey Jr. Mrs. Russell was a longtime member of Pine Grove Baptist Church and also attended Living Stone Baptist Church. She served many years as a nurse for Dr. Ciurash at The Hope Center.

She was a talented musician, playing many string instruments and was passionate about natural medicine and herb gardening.

She is survived by her husband of 41 years, John T. Russell Jr.; sons, John T. Russell III (Josie), Adam J. Russell (Jennifer) and Mark A. Russell; grandchildren, Eloise and Isobel Russell, Laci and Evan Russell and Anastasia and Emma Russell; mother, Alice Faye Crumpler; brother, James A. Ivey (Stephanie) and nieces and nephews, James A. Ivey (Tiffany) and their children Payton and Colton, Madlina L. Ivey, Madison L. Ivey and Makayla L. Ivey. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Colonial Heights Chapel of E. Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory, 2033 Boulevard, Colonial Heights, Virginia 23834. Interment will follow at Newville United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive guests from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the funeral home.

Cynthia Ann Royal Scott, 89, of Dinwiddie, VA, our loving mother and Nana, surrounded by family, peacefully went to Heaven in glory to abide with our Lord on Friday, December 3, 2021. She was preceded in death by her loving and faithful husband of 62 years, Thomas Berrimond Scott (Tommy); her parents, John Edward Royal and Ada Kirkland Royal Brooks, and stepfather, Lenny Brooks; and great-grandson, Trevor Scott Chaplin. Her memory will be cherished by her sons, Thomas Edward (Ted) and wife, Cheryl Austin Scott, of Dinwiddie, VA; and Berrimond Thomas, III (Bemmie) and wife, Kathleen Bass Scott, of Chesterfield, VA. She is survived by her cherished grandchildren, Erica Scott Chaplin and husband Jason of Dinwiddie, VA; Brandi Scott Davis and husband Daniel of Sutherland, VA; Berrimond Thomas Scott IV of Cape Coral, FL; Lewis Edward Scott and wife Niki of Richmond, VA; Anna Scott Bailey and husband Richard of Richmond, VA; and Anderson Royal Scott of San Diego, CA. She is also survived by her beloved great-grandchildren, Hunter Scott Chaplin, Brianna Grace Chaplin, Danielle Paige Davis, and Thomas Austin Davis, as well as many close family members and dear friends. Cynthia was born in Petersburg, VA, and graduated from Petersburg High School. After marriage, she lived 65 years on the family farm, raising her family in

June 27, 1957 - December 3, 2021

Dec 03, 2021

Saturday, December 11, 2021

peace and joy. She worked several years for Dinwiddie Elementary School and, later, retired after many years from Southside Electric Coop in Dinwiddie, VA. She loved history and reading, and she devoted much of her free time to chronicling the genealogy of the Scott, Kirkland, and Royal families.

Cynthia enjoyed “just visiting” and being in the presence of her family and friends.

She and Tommy organized and hosted many memorable family reunions for both the Scotts and Kirklands. She was faithfully devoted to her family and her church, Crawford United Methodist Church, in Dinwiddie, VA, where she organized events and sang in the choir with Tommy for more than 60 years. Cynthia also deeply cared for her dogs, collies, beagles and Jack Russell terriers alike, over the years. The family would like to thank everyone for all the prayers and support over the last few months. A special thank you to Petersburg Home for Ladies for the excellent care and love provided to her for several years and Crater Community Hospice for their nurses’ support and care. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery, Petersburg, VA. The family request that people attending the service please wear masks and practice social distancing.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Dinwiddie Historical Society, PO Box 153, Dinwiddie, VA 23841 (www. dinwiddiehistory.org/donate.html) or the Dinwiddie Animal Control, 10903 Wheelers Pond Rd., Dinwiddie, VA 23841. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com

Vivian Marie Puse Dec 03, 2021

Vivian Marie Puse, 66, of Hopewell, passed away on Friday, December 3, 2021. She was preceded in death by her father, Alfred P. Harris. She is survived by her loving husband of over 47 years Brian Puse II; son, Brian Puse III and wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Ashton, Ayla and Ayden Puse; sister, Brenda Green and husband, Randy; sister, Lori Patton and husband, Bart; mother, Joyce Harris; as well as numerous extended family and friends. Vivian graduated from Hopewell High School in 1973, she received her Associates Degree in Art Education from Richard Bland, and her Bachelor’s Degree from VSU graduating Summa Cum Laude. Vivian worked as a teacher in Elementary School Education in Prince George County retiring with more than 20 years of service. Her and her husband are members of The Heights Baptist Church, and Vivian was a breast

cancer survivor of more than 10 years. She was a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and daughter. The family will receive friends 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021 at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 in the chapel. Interment will follow at Southlawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in honor of Vivian to Wycliffe Bible Translators P.O. Box 628200 Orlando, FL 32862.

Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com.

State

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LNNUSA.com

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Commonwealth to Remove Monument Avenue Pedestal, Convey State-Owned Land to City of Richmond

RICHMOND

MEDIA RELEASE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR RALPH S. NORTHAM

RICHMOND— On Sunday, December 5th, Governor Ralph Northam announced the Commonwealth will remove the pedestal that formerly displayed the statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee, as part of a

plan reached with the City of Richmond to convey the state-owned land to the City. Preliminary work at the site is expected to begin Monday morning, December 6th. The removal process will be substantially complete by December 31st.

“This land is in the middle of Richmond, and Rich-

monders will determine the future of this space,” said Governor Northam. “The Commonwealth will remove the pedestal and we anticipate a safe removal and a successful conclusion to this project.”

Once the pedestal has been removed, the Commonwealth will convey the circle of land to the City of

Richmond. The Commonwealth will safely disassemble and store the pedestal until next steps have been determined.

If the 1887 time capsule is recovered during the disassembly process, it will remain under control of the Commonwealth and will be removed for preservation.

National

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Saturday, December 11, 2021

LNNUSA.com

N ATION A L NEWS courtesy of THE E PO CH TIME S

Nativity Scenes on Display at 40 State Capitols This Christmas Season MARK WILSON/GETTY IMAGES

JOSEPH M. HANNEMAN

After a year of court battles over government-ordered church closures and ignored religious objections to COVID-19 vaccines, two Illinois groups say they have the perfect societal antidote— Nativity crèches celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ displayed inside 40 state capitol buildings from New Hampshire to Hawaii.

It’s the ninth year of a partnership between the American Nativity Scene and the Thomas More Society, a religious-liberty law firm, that’s focused on promoting and placing Nativity scenes in state capitols and in other public venues. The 40 state capitol sites are a 25 percent increase from last Christmas and nearly double the number from 2018.

The ability to do this is a good response to what has happened in society the last couple years.

Ed O’Malley, president, American Nativity Scene “We’re very excited about the possibility of getting to 40,” Ed O’Malley, president of the American Nativity Scene in Prospect Heights, Illinois, told The Epoch Times. “It looks pretty good, but we’re not there yet.”

With funding from an angel donor, American Nativity Scene provides two-foot-high figures depicting the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and an angel to private groups who wish to display a Nativity scene in the public square. The local groups provide a manger and straw, then work with staff at the government venues to obtain any needed permits.

Since 2013, the group has shipped more than 400 Nativ-

A couple portrays Mary and Joseph during a live Nativity scene in front of the Supreme Court in Washington on Dec. 4, 2019. ity scenes for display at capitols and other sites. If local volunteers encounter any resistance, the Thomas More Society steps in, going to court when necessary, to secure the constitutionally protected right to religious speech.

“The ability to do this is a good response to what has happened in society the last couple years,” O’Malley said. “It’s not going to make a huge change, but I think it will make a change.”

American Nativity Scene was founded in 2012 when O’Malley’s father-in-law, James Finnegan, sought permission to place a Nativity scene at the city-owned North Park in Arlington Heights, a Chicago suburb. After some resistance by the city and its park district, the Thomas More Society intervened and secured the group’s right to display the manger alongside other holiday displays.

Soon, the idea expanded to placing crèches in state capitols.

“One of the benefits is the people and their enthusiasm with it

and their excitement about the opportunity to do something to freely exercise our faith in the public square,” said O’Malley, who assisted Finnegan and eventually took over leadership of American Nativity Scene.

“That alone I think is important for our country and our world that we can do that. Not every place in the world can let you do that, but here, that’s the First Amendment, the free exercise of religious speech.”

One of the new sites will be at the capitol building in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

American Nativity Scene approached volunteer Steven Melia, and he took up the challenge.

He said a friend is building the stable; Melia put through the paperwork to secure a spot inside the Wyoming Capitol. Gov. Mark Gordon has been invited to the dedication, which will take place sometime between Dec. 17 and 22. Volunteers from the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church

in Cheyenne are working on the project.

“So we’re trying to get that in there, bring Christ back into the public square, so people don’t forget about him. To me, that’s really important,” Melia told The Epoch Times.

Key Legal Battles

A crucial legal battle over Nativity displays on public grounds was fought in Chicago around Christmas in 1987. William Grutzmacher received verbal permission from a city building commission official to place a life-size Nativity display on the Richard J. Daley Center Plaza in downtown Chicago from Dec. 20–27, 1987. That permission didn’t last long once the 12-by12-foot display was up.

“A few calls must have been made,” Thomas Brejcha, president and chief counsel at the Thomas More Society in Chicago, told The Epoch Times. “They came down from the office of the commission with crowbars and attacked and dismantled his

Nativity scene.”

The figures of the Holy Family ended up in a dumpster before being rescued by volunteers.

Seven of the 21 figures in the display were saved. Meanwhile, Thomas More Society attorneys went to federal court and secured a temporary restraining order from U.S. District Judge James B. Parsons.

“He put a stop to the destruction,” Brejcha said.

Richard Daley, then Cook County state’s attorney and later the longest-serving Chicago mayor, ripped the building commission for asking the Nativity group to post a $100,000 cash bond, and for tearing down the display.

“This is a season that’s celebrated by people from all walks of life,” Daley said. “It is a time for religious displays. The plaza is a public place.”

Grutzmacher’s lawsuit against the Public Building Commission of Chicago stretched into November 1988. Judge Parsons issued a permanent injunction ordering the city to abstain from religious discrimination and provide use of Daley Plaza to all applicants “without discrimination and without regard to the content of their expression, religious or otherwise.”

Parsons said the city’s administration of the plaza “may never be properly performed by saying to any one type of user against the other, ‘It is easier for us to administer the city’s properties if no religionists come aboard. We would prefer not to have religionists of any type aboard our Daley Plaza.’

What a revolting and ridiculous position to be taken here in the United States of America and presumably under the mandate of our Constitution.”

Inspired by the annual Nativity display at Daley Plaza, the Thomas More Society helped get a Christmas crib placed in the Illinois Capitol in Springfield in 2008.

per month, and those cases did

depicting the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and an angel to private groups who wish to display a Nativity scene in the public 46square. The local groups provide a manger and straw, then work with staff at the government venues to obtain any needed permits.

Since 2013, the group has shipped more than 400 Nativ-

a Chicago suburb. After some resistance by the city and its park district, the Thomas More Society intervened and secured the group’s right to display the manger alongside other holiday displays.

Soon, the idea expanded to placing crèches in state capitols.

“One of the benefits is the people and their enthusiasm with it

He said a friend is building the stable; Melia put through the paperwork to secure a spot inside the Wyoming Capitol. Gov. Mark Gordon has been invited LNNUSA.com to the dedication, which will take place sometime between Dec. 17 and 22. Volunteers from the Cathedral of St. Mary, St. Joseph Catholic Church, and Holy Trinity Catholic Church

20–27, 1987. That permission didn’t last long once the 12-by12-foot display was up.

“A few calls must have been made,” Thomas Brejcha, president and chief counsel at the Thomas More Society in Chicago, told The Epoch Times. “They came down from the office of the commission with crowbars and attacked and dismantled his

National

FDA Says It Now Needs 75 Years to Fully Release Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Data ZACHARY STIEBER

The Food and Drug Administration is asking a judge to give it 75 years to produce data concerning the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine, up 20 years from a previous request.

The FDA told the court it can work faster than its previously proposed 500-pages-per-month rate, but it also said there are more than 59,000 more pages than mentioned in an earlier filing.

That discovery, and a desire to make sure it can work on other Freedom of Information Act requests at the same time, prompted the fresh request to the judge to allow production of roughly 12,000 pages by Jan. 31, 2022, and 500 pages per month thereafter.

That timeline would take it until at least 2096, Aaron Siri, a lawyer working on the case, wrote in a blog post.

“If you find what you are reading difficult to believe—that is

because it is dystopian for the government to give Pfizer billions, mandate Americans to take its product, prohibit Americans from suing for harms, but yet refuse to let Americans see the data underlying its licensure,” Siri said.

The case was brought on behalf of the Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency, which stated that the FDA wasn’t complying with its request for data in a timely manner.

The group includes Dr. Carole Browner, a research professor at the University of California–Los Angeles’s David Geffen School of Medicine; Peter Doshi, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Dr. Harvey Risch, a professor of epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health.

The group says the data should be made public quickly because the FDA spent just 108 days reviewing it before grant-

ANDREW KELLY/REUTERS

Signage outside the Food and Drug Administration headquarters in White Oak, Md., on Aug. 29, 2020. ing emergency use authorization to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The matter is more urgent because millions of Americans are being mandated to take the shot or face repercussions, such as a loss of access to businesses and employment termination.

The Pfizer shot is the only one that has been approved by drug regulators. Approv-

als mean products have met a higher threshold of safety and effectiveness than those given emergency clearance.

“The entire purpose of FOIA is government transparency.

In multiple recent cases, in upholding the FOIA’s requirement to ‘make the records promptly available,’ courts have required agencies, including the FDA, to produce 10,000 or more pages

What a revolting and ridiculous position to be taken here in the United States of America and presumably under the mandate Saturday, December 11, 2021 of our Constitution.”

Inspired by the annual Nativity display at Daley Plaza, the Thomas More Society helped get a Christmas crib placed in the Illinois Capitol in Springfield in 2008.

per month, and those cases did not involve a request nearly this important–i.e., the data underlying licensure of a liability-free product that the federal government requires nearly all Americans to receive,” Siri said.

“As the present pandemic rages on, independent review of these documents by outside scientists is urgently needed to assist with addressing the shortcomings and issues with the response to the pandemic to date.”

The FDA said its Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research maintains the records sought by the plaintiff but only has 10 staff members, and two of them are new, leaving them slower in processing pages than the other workers.

Each line of each page must be reviewed to ensure proper redactions are applied, the filing states.

Additionally, a faster rate than that requested would divert “significant resources away from the processing of other FOIA requests that are also in litigation,” and requests that came in before the request in question, the agency stated. “In sum, FDA’s proposed processing schedule is fair to plaintiff.”

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Congressman Wants to End China’s Buying Spree of US Farmland FRANK FANG

China has been buying up agricultural land in the United States for years, a trend that a U.S. lawmaker said must end in order to safeguard the U.S. food supply chain.

For this reason, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Wash.) introduced an amendment to the House’s fiscal year 2022 agriculture appropriations legislation (H.R.4356) in June. In a recent interview with NTD, the lawmaker explained what his amendment would do.

“China, frankly, is an adversary. We want to make sure that we control our food supply. I think it’s a natural, important, national security issue,” Newhouse said.

The amendment was adopted unanimously by the House Appropriations Committee on June 30. On July 29, the House approved the agriculture appropriations legislation as part of a package of seven 2022 spending measures (H.R.4502).

If enacted, the amendment would empower the secretary of agriculture to prohibit the purchase of agricultural land in the United States by companies owned by China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, according to the language of the legislation.

In China, there’s no distinction between private businesses and state-owned companies, since the Chinese Communist Party can exercise control over private firms through Chinese law or through embedded Party cells.

The measure also would prohibit the four countries from taking part in programs administered by the secretary of agriculture.

Newhouse said the current language of his amendment has been changed. He had initially named only China, but not the three other nations.

A soybean plantation near Dwight, Ill., on April 23, 2020.

SCOTT OLSON/GETTY IMAGES

“During the rules process, it was changed somewhat by the Democrats to include several other countries,” he said. “But the fact remains that communist China is the threat. They’re the ones that are buying up most of the assets of that list of nefarious countries that are not our friends. And that’s where the focus should be.”

Chinese firms have been buying U.S. agricultural land for the past decade. According to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Chinese investors controlled 191,652 acres in the United States worth about $1.86 million before the start of 2020, compared to 13,720 acres, worth $81,425, as of the end of 2010.

Buying Companies

One of the deals involved China’s meat processor WH Group,

China, frankly, is an adversary. We want to make sure that we control our food supply.

Rep. Dan Newhouse which purchased Virginia-based Smithfield Foods for $4.7 billion in 2013. With the purchase, the Chinese company now owns the largest pork producer in the United States, as well as 146,000 acres of prime farmland.

Another deal involved two Chinese entrepreneurs who bought a 22,000-acre ranch in Utah in 2011 to grow alfalfa and export it to China.

China’s agricultural investments haven’t been limited to the United States. According to a 2018 USDA report, China’s

direct overseas investments in agriculture, forestry, and fishing jumped to $3.3 billion in 2016 from $300 million in 2009. The report found that these overseas investments were closely aligned with the communist regime’s policies, including the “Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

“Chinese officials have ambitious strategic plans for agricultural investments to reshape patterns of agricultural trade and increase China’s influence in global markets,” the report reads.

Beijing launched the BRI in 2013 to develop Beijing-centered land and maritime trade routes in an effort to boost the country’s geopolitical influence.

Chinese overseas investments also include buying and investing in foreign agribusinesses.

According to the report, WH Group acquired California-

based pork processor Clougherty Packing and a meat and poultry processing company in Poland in 2017.

Another Chinese firm, Brights Food, invested in seven foreign companies between 2010 and 2016, according to the report.

These companies included a dairy firm in New Zealand, a yogurt company in Australia, a wine business in France, a cereal company in the UK, and an olive oil company in Italy.

Newhouse said he took “proactive” action with his amendment to address the challenge posed by Chinese investments before “the problem gets so big that we can’t correct it.”

“We see the trend,” he said.

“We see the number of acres and companies that have been purchased by the communist government of China. And we should stop it now.”

DC Board of Elections Sued for Keeping Voter Data Secret

hibit the four countries from taking part in programs administered by the secretary of agriculture.

48 Newhouse said the current language of his amendment has been changed. He had initially named only China, but not the three other nations.

in the United States worth about $1.86 million before the start of 2020, compared to 13,720 acres, worth $81,425, as of the end of 2010.

Another deal involved two Chinese entrepreneurs who bought a 22,000-acre ranch in Utah in 2011 to grow alfalfa and export it to China.

LNNUSA.com China’s agricultural investments haven’t been limited to the United States. According to a 2018 USDA report, China’s

2013 to develop Beijing-centered land and maritime trade routes in an effort to boost the country’s geopolitical influence.

Chinese overseas investments also include buying and investing in foreign agribusinesses.

According to the report, WH Group acquired California-

National

Buying Companies

One of the deals involved China’s meat processor WH Group,

posed by Chinese investments before “the problem gets so big that we can’t correct it.”

“We see the trend,” he said.

December 11, 2021 “We Saturday, see the number of acres and companies that have been purchased by the communist government of China. And we should stop it now.”

DC Board of Elections Sued for Keeping Voter Data Secret MATTHEW VADUM

A good-government group is suing the District of Columbia in federal court for refusing to allow the inspection of voter list maintenance records as required by federal law.

ERIC is being used to hide decisions about who gets to vote and who is removed from the rolls.

J. Christian Adams, president, Public Interest Legal Foundation The D.C. Board of Elections claims it can’t provide the voter list maintenance documents because of its contract with the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), a nonprofit that describes its mission as “assisting states to improve the accuracy of America’s voter rolls and increase access to voter registration for all eligible citizens.” ERIC was created in 2012 with assistance from The Pew Charitable Trusts, a left-wing philanthropy.

The board says its contract with ERIC prohibits the release of the data ERIC provides to member states.

The District of Columbia, along with 31 states, outsources the maintenance of its voter rolls to ERIC. ERIC regularly provides the district board with reports showing which registered voters are no longer eligible because they have died or relocated. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 says that all records used to add or remove voters are public records, yet the board denied a group’s request to inspect the reports ERIC provides to the board.

According to the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF), which brought this lawsuit, ERIC has a history of inaccuracy in removing deceased and other ineligible registrants from voter rolls.

“ERIC is being used to hide decisions about who gets to vote and who is removed from the rolls,” said PILF President J. Christian Adams, a former U.S. Justice Department civil rights attorney.

“Transparency in elections leads to trust in results and accountability for election officials. ERIC and its agreement

BRETT CARLSEN/GETTY IMAGES

Voters cast their ballots during early voting at a polling place in Nashville, Tenn., on Oct. 14, 2020. with the District of Columbia is standing in the way of transparency and violating federal law.”

ERIC also has critics on the political left.

Liberal journalist Greg Palast has likened ERIC to Jim Crow, a set of post-Civil War state and local statutes that legalized racial segregation. Barbara Arnwine, former executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, reportedly said, “ERIC should be called ERROR because it’s that erroneous and that full of flaws.”

The lawsuit, PILF v. Evans, was filed on Dec. 6 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Monica Evans is being sued in her official capacity

as executive director of the D.C. Board of Elections.

Indianapolis-based PILF describes itself as “the nation’s only public interest law firm dedicated wholly to election integrity,” saying that it exists “to assist states and others to aid the cause of election integrity and fight against lawlessness in American elections.”

PILF states in its legal complaint that the District of Columbia’s relationship with ERIC can’t be used by election officials to escape the district’s obligation under federal law to conduct election administration in a transparent matter. This obligation, PILF argues, is all the more important considering ERIC’s

incompetence in removing deceased and other ineligible registrants from voter rolls.

PILF states in the complaint that in 2016 the Office of the District of Columbia Auditor “examined the voter registration policies and practices of the [Board of Elections] and the [Voter Registration Agencies] to determine whether they comply with relevant federal and District voter registration requirements and whether they reflect best practices in election administration nationwide.”

The auditor determined that the board of elections “lacked effective policies and procedures as well as monitoring and enforcement to ensure the removal of deceased voter records, duplicate voter records, and correct voter records with inaccurate birth years from the District’s voter file, as required.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the D.C. Board of Elections. Nick Jacobs, the board’s public information officer, replied by email, “We don’t comment on pending litigation.”

The Epoch Times also sought comment from the Electronic Registration Information Center but didn’t receive a reply as of press time.

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