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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of W. C. Ramsey
Vol. XXVI No. 50
December 12, 2012
Christmas parade lights up the courthouse village See photos, page 6A
Burglar to serve 6 years
By Emily Darrell Staff Writer
Powhatan man must also pay over $25K in restitution to victims
A Powhatan man, Joseph N. Habersack, was sentenced to six years in prison last week on several charges of grand larceny, breaking and Habersack entering, and intent to sell stolen property. Habersack was convicted of these charges at a bench trial in August, where a judge determined that he was responsible for burglarizing three Powhatan homes earlier in the year and making off with more than $25,000 worth of jewelry.
Despite the surprise testimony of Habersack’s father at the sentencing hearing – a testimony that attempted to establish an alibi for at least one of the burglaries – Habersack was given at a sentence toward the higher of the sentencing guidelines, as requested by Commonwealth’s Attorney Bob Beasley. Beasley argued that Habersack’s criminal record was “absolutely abysmal,” detailing to the court a number of his offenses, including four possession of marijuana convictions, several reckless driving offenses, a heroin possession charge in 2006, and burglary convictions in both 2005 and 2006. see Burglar page 3A
Staff Writer
PHOTO BY EMILY DARRELL
Matthew O’Donnell plays hymns at the “Blue Christmas” event held last week at Powhatan Community Church. Beth Stoddard, PCC’s worship leader, says the event started four years ago, as a means of providing a soothing and sedate pre-Holiday worship service for those struggling with grief, depression, or other painful emotions. For those who are suffering, Stoddard says, the holidays don’t always bring cheer, and can often accentuate feelings of loneliness or loss. “We began this service specifically to address the needs of those who are experiencing loss at this time of year,” Stoddard said.
Library to help students ‘read the stars’ On where the idea to host the event came from: “The library wants to work more closely with the public schools and this is our first attempt,” said Martin. “Fifth
Powhatan resident donates kidney to adoptive parent By Emily Darrell
A different kind of Christmas
The Powhatan County Library will be partnering with the Richmond Astronmony Club to present Reading the Stars from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18 at the library. We recently caught up with Library Director Peggy Martin to find out more.
Son’s gift means a new life for father
and sixth graders are the primary audience, but it is also open to everyone to enjoy a night out.” On the timing: “December seemed like a good time to be outside (not too cold yet) and it is an opportunity for families to be together.” On the collaborative
nature of the event: “Star watching is a great activity and we are excited to have the Science museum, Richmond astronomy club and public school teachers participate. It is a good fit fun, educational and free. For more information, please call the library at (804) 598-5670.
Tom Rich was never expected to make it to his 30th birthday – or so said the doctors who diagnosed him with Alport syndrome at the age of 8. But Tom, now 61 and a resident of Phillipston, Mass., proved the doctors wrong, living more than 50 years with the rare genetic disorder that causes the progressive loss of kidney function and, often, deafness. Still, Tom and his wife, Joanne, decided early on in their marriage that they didn’t want to run the risk of Rich passing the Alport gene on to any offspring, and they went the adoption route. Twenty-seven years ago they adopted a son, Adam, then 5 years old, from South Korea. Adam, who works as an account executive for a wireless company and now resides in Powhatan with his wife and two sons, says that he adapted quickly to life in a new country with a new family, picking up English within six months. Throughout his life, however, Adam, who grew up as an only child, always had the feeling that he wanted to pay his parents back in some way for adopting him. And now, by donating a kidney to his adoptive see Gift page 4A
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