Briefly… for April 11-24, 2013

CC park, boat ramp hours listed

Park and boat ramp hours at Lawrence Lewis Jr. Park on Willcox Wharf Road (Route 618) in Charles City County are 6 a.m.-8 p.m. now through April 30.

New hours are to go into effect thereafter and will be announced in the near future. Contact the county Recreation Department (652-1601) with any questions or concerns about the operating hours.

Rodeo coming to Colonial Downs

Virginia Stampede Pro Rodeo, presented by Myrna’s Boots’n Bits, takes place at Colonial Downs on Saturday, April 27, 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m.

Competitors from around the country are competing in seven different rodeo events including bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and calf roping.

Ticket prices are $15 general admission (advance), $5 for kids 12 and under; $22 grandstand seating area (advance), $12 for kids; $50 all inclusive Party Zone on the fourth floor includes BBQ buffet, beverage tickets and Sky Suite balcony access. Tickets are available at colonialdowns.com or Myrna’s Boots ‘n Bits. For information, call 966-7233.

Plea deal reached in copper theft

A Sandston woman involved in the theft of copper from Dominion Power substations in Charles City County has accepted a plea deal in exchange for testimony against a codefendant in the case.

Dee Marie Loving, 35, of 204 Huntsman Road, accepted the plea deal from commonwealth’s attorney Rob Tyler during Charles City Circuit Court on April 5. Loving and William McKendrie Jeffries Jr. were both observed last Oct. 22 attempting to break into the substation on Chambers Road. When a deputy approached them, both defendants fled the scene only to be caught later.

Under the agreement, Loving pled guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor destruction of property and one count each of unlawful entry and petty larceny. A felony charge of use of burglary tools was dropped. Loving received a year sentence on each of the three misdemeanor charges, but will serve only one month for destruction of property under the agreement.

Stanger named assistant administrator

New Kent officials have reached into their own ranks to hire an assistant county administrator. County administrator Rodney Hathaway announced at Monday night’s Board of Supervisors meeting the hiring of Jonathan Stanger, currently the county’s director of information technology, for the assistant’s post.

Stanger, 44, is a 19-year veteran New Kent employee. He was chosen from a field of 74 applicants that was whittled down to eight finalists. He begins work as assistant county administrator on April 16.

Prescription drug take back in NK

New Kent Sheriff’s Office is taking part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative. On Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office is teaming up again with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide citizens another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs.

Again this year the Sheriff’s Office will have two drop off points in the county. Bring your medications for disposal to the New Kent County Sheriff’s Office at 11995 Courthouse Circle or to the Quinton Vol. Fire and EMS Company #2 station located at 5251 New Kent Highway in Quinton (back lot). The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Governor appoints Evelyn to board

Thomas W. Evelyn of New Kent County has been appointed to the Virginia Board of Forestry.

Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Evelyn’s appointment on Friday. Evelyn is the District 1 representative on New Kent’s Board of Supervisors.