Briefly… For October 4 – 17, 2012

Hearing set for NK fee waivers

New Kent’s Board of Supervisors has agreed to hold a public hearing on a request to waive environmental and building permit fees for commercial projects.

The November public hearing comes as a request from the New Kent County Economic Development Authority to entice more businesses into the county. According to acting county administrator Rodney Hathaway, previous boards have enacted the waiver fee, but more than a year has passed since the waiver has been in place.

The waiver would exempt commercial projects from county planning, environmental, and building permit fees for new businesses, as well as businesses that are looking to expand.

CC supervisors grant tax exemption

Charles City’s Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved a request for a tax exemption for the Archaeological Society of Virginia (ASV).

Board members approved the exemption following a public hearing at their meeting on Sept. 25. The exemption applies to an 85-acre portion of land owned by Kittiewan Plantation that contains historical and cultural assets to be preserved under the condition that a map of the rezoned area is provided within 60 days.

ASV members originally requested to rezone 720 acres for exemption back in May, but board members had several questions due to the size and rental property on the premises. After several meetings with supervisors and county attorney Randy Boyd, ASV members restructured the request for the exemption that will consist primarily of the historical and cultural contributions of the property.

Burglary, auto thefts occur in NK

New Kent sheriff’s personnel are investigating a burglary at a local church along with two incidents of reported auto theft.

Electronic equipment, copper wire, and silverware were reported missing after a break-in was discovered at Good Hope Baptist Church on Good Hope Road, Lanexa. Burglars gained entrance to the church through a broken window sometime between Sept. 20 and 22.

Overnight on Sept. 17-18, two auto thefts occurred. A 2001 black Jeep Cherokee was reported stolen from in front of a residence at 1976 Allen Road, Lanexa, and later found abandoned and wrecked in a wooded area in the 4300 block of Rochambeau Drive in James City County. A 1989 red Chevrolet tow truck was reported stolen from in front of the Brianwood Business Center on Route 60, Bottoms Bridge after the vehicle had been parked there due to mechanical problems.

Anyone with information about the crimes should call the sheriff’s office at 966-9500 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Suspects face felony charges in NK

New Kent Sheriff’s Office personnel have arrested several individuals on at least one felony charge each. The suspects and the charges they face are:
–Christopher Matthew Scott, 22, of the 13000 block of Ramblewood Drive, Chester, and Ashley Marie Anderson, 22, of the 14000 block of Rockbasket Place, Chester, on two counts each of grand larceny and one count each of misdemeanor petty larceny. Scott is also charged with one count of felony destruction of property. A sheriff’s report alleges that overnight on Sept. 1-2, the pair stole items, including fishing rods and reels, coolers, and a board game, from several campsites at Rockahock Campground. Missing items were found at both suspects’ residences. Deputy Wyatt Johnston arrested Anderson on Sept. 5 and Scott the following day.
–Jennifer Lynn Briggs, 28, of the 11000 block of Cosby Mill Road, Quinton, on one count of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. A sheriff’s office report alleges that Briggs had permission to drive the vehicle on Aug. 8, but failed to return the vehicle as promised that same day. Authorities found the vehicle being driven by an unidentified male in Richmond on Aug. 24. Deputy Cathy Day located and arrested Briggs on Sept. 5.
–David Allen Web Richardson, 35, of the 4000 block of Henpeck Road, Quinton, on one count each of felony child endangerment and misdemeanor driving under the influence. Deputy Wyatt Johnston arrested the suspect following a Sept. 11 traffic stop. A 15 year old juvenile was a passenger in Richardson’s vehicle.
–Allen Scott Rutherford Jr., 28, of the 100 block of Leisure Road, Toano, on one felony count each of grand larceny and destruction of property and two misdemeanor trespassing counts. Detective Donald Mehalko arrested Rutherford on Sept. 13 after the suspect allegedly attempted to sell stolen copper to James City Recycling. A sheriff’s report said wiring and ground plates were taken Sept. 11 from an AT&T cell phone tower site after entry was gained to the tower enclosure by cutting a security fence.
–Otis Lee Lynch III, 22, of the 2500 block of North Crumpton Court, Richmond, on one felony count each of receiving a stolen firearm, conspiring to conceal a stolen firearm, and conspiring to carry a concealed weapon, and Ravkita Jaquinta Hall, 21, of the 5600 block of Limestone Drive, Richmond, on felony aid in concealing a stolen firearm and misdemeanors of marijuana possession and carrying a concealed weapon. Deputy Wyatt Johnston arrested both on Sept. 15 after stopping a vehicle driven by Lynch for a traffic violation. A sheriff’s report said the deputy spotted a pill and marijuana inside the vehicle. A search of Hall’s purse turned up a handgun that was found to be stolen. Lynch allegedly told the deputy he bought the handgun on the streets.