Briefly… for May 23-June 5, 2013
Jones elevated to Chronicle editor
Reporter Andre’ Jones has been appointed news editor for the New Kent-Charles City Chronicle following the retirement of Alan Chamberlain on May 19.
All e-mailed news items (including news about coming events, church events, obituaries, weddings, engagements, clubs, civic organizations, schools, colleges, sports) along with inquiries about submitting news items and requests for coverage should be sent to Jones’ attention at andrej@nni.com. Also, Jones can be reached by calling the newspaper’s office at 843-4181.
Driver sought in CC hit-and-run
A search is on by state police for a tractor-trailer rig in connection with a hit-and-run incident that seriously injured two bicyclists this morning (Saturday) in Charles City County.
Shortly after 11:30 a.m., state police responded to the hit and run motor vehicle crash on Route 106, approximately one mile south of Old Union Road. Investigators say the crash occurred when the driver of the tractor-trailer, who was traveling northbound, attempted to pass a group of four bicyclists that were also traveling northbound. As the tractor-trailer driver crossed over the double solid line and into the southbound travel lane to pass, the driver swerved back into his lane to avoid striking a Ford F-150 pick-up truck head-on.
The tractor-trailer rig struck two of the bicyclists. The driver of the Ford F-150, who was traveling southbound, ran off the right side of the roadway to avoid being struck by the tractor-trailer. The two adult male bicyclists, who were wearing safety helmets, suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries and were flown by med-flight helicopter to VCU Medical Center. The driver of the Ford was not injured.
The tractor-trailer driver did not stop at the crash scene. Witnesses described the cab of the tractor as being red in color and the trailer as white in color. Anyone with information on the tractor-trailer is asked to contact state police at (804) 553-3445. The crash remains under investigation.
Three students injured in accident
Three New Kent students sustained injury when their pickup truck ran off the road and struck a tree on Route 634 in New Kent, about one mile east of Route 30, on May 15.
State police say the crash occurred shortly before 7:30 a.m. when the 1996 Ford Ranger ran off the right side of the road. The driver over-corrected causing the vehicle to run off the left side of the road before crossing back to the right side and striking a tree.
The driver, a 17 year-old male high school student from West Point, was wearing his safety belt and suffered serious non-life threatening injuries. He was flown by med-flight helicopter to VCU Medical Center. The middle front seat passenger, described as a 14 year-old male middle school student also from West Point, was wearing his safety belt, but the right front seat passenger, a 17 year-old male high school student from Barhamsville, was not. Both were taken by ambulance to VCU Medical Center.
The driver has been charged with reckless driving for failure to maintain proper control. Route 30 was closed for approximately 15 minutes to allow med-flight to land. The New Kent Sheriff’s Office assisted with the state police investigation.
Suspect arrested on weapons charge
A Providence Forge man faces a felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon charge after a New Kent County deputy sheriff responded to the man’s residence in connection with a domestic dispute.
Deputy Wyatt Johnston arrested Donald Lee Leach, 53, of 11151 Carriage Road, on May 6 after spotting a rifle in the suspect’s bedroom. Leach reportedly told the deputy he owned the weapon, and a check of the suspect’s record revealed he is a convicted felon. Leach was also charged with public intoxication. He was being held without bond in Henrico Jail East.
Colonial Downs season opens June 8
Colonial Downs opens its 17th season of pari-mutuel thoroughbred racing on Saturday June 8. Racing takes place Wednesday-Saturday, 6 p.m. and Sunday, 12:55 p.m. Friday racing will not begin until June 21 and several big race days will feature an early post at 5 p.m.
Highlights of the meet include a pair of Grade II stakes. The $300,000 Colonial Turf Cup, which regained its graded status earlier this year, is slated for Saturday, June 22 while the 16th running of the $500,000 Virginia Derby will close out the meet on Saturday, July 13. The $250,000 Commonwealth Turf Fest, a series of five Virginia-bred stakes worth $50,000 each, will be contested on Saturday, July 6. For more information, call the racing office at 966-7223, ext. 1056.
Grant helping Internet upgrade in CC
Charles City County has received a $25,000 telecommunications grant to help bring faster and more affordable internet service to the county.
Through the county’s planning department and Economic Development Authority (EDA), the grant will be applied to hire a consultant to conduct an asset inventory on existing telecommunication resources. As part of the process, businesses and residents are asked to complete a survey to implement a plan to expand the services. The plan can be located on the county’s home page at www.co.charles-city.va.us or a hard copy can be mailed by making a request through the planning department at 652-4707. All surveys are requested to be turned in prior to the planning department submitting the information on June 14.
After review and the required planning process is complete (estimated time 6-9 months), the county will pursue implementation grants to commence with the plan. Possibilities include constructing new communication towers, utilizing co-location spaces on existing towers, and also providing fiber cable to schools and industrial parks. For more information, contact the county’s planning department.