Briefly… for Feb. 6-19, 2014
Historic School hearing set for Feb. 19
New Kent supervisors have scheduled a special meeting to hold a public hearing on Feb. 19 on the PPEA for the Historic School.
Supervisors set the meeting at the Jan. 30 work session. According to county attorney Michele Gowdy, only Marengo Management submitted a bid for the second phase of the county’s renovation of the Historic School.
A subcommittee consisting of members from both the board of supervisors and school board met Jan. 31 to discuss the proposal. The school board adopted its CIP for fiscal year 2014-15 with the option to use the Historic School as a third elementary school at its Jan. 28 work session.
Boards reorganized in CC, NK
Board reorganizations for supervisors and school boards have been held in New Kent and Charles City counties for the 2014 calendar year.
In Charles City, District 2 supervisor Bill Coada was elected chairman and District 1 supervisor Gilbert Smith was elected vice-chairman. In New Kent, District 1 supervisor Thomas Evelyn assumes the role of chairman, replacing Ray Davis. District 2 supervisor Tommy Tiller is tasked with the duties of vice-chairman.
For Charles City’s school board, Helen Payne-Jones received the nod as chairwoman. District 2 member Barbara Crawley occupies the position of vice-chairman. In New Kent, District 3 school board member Leigh Quick retained her position as chairwoman, and District 4 member Sarah Grier Barber will serve another year as vice-chairwoman.
Lanexa man arrested for robbery
A Lanexa man has been arrested and charged in connection with two separate bank robberies in Hampton.
Colt Lee Weatherby, 26, of the 15700 block of Pocahontas Trail, was arrested on Jan. 24 after Hampton authorities contacted New Kent Sheriff’s Office concerning eight felony warrants issued in that city.
The warrants were in relation to separate bank robberies that occurred last October.
Around midnight on Jan. 24, New Kent deputy David Teagle observed a male leaving the aforementioned address. Teagle identified the male as Weatherby and took the suspect into custody without incident. Weatherby has since been transferred to the custody of Hampton police and is being held in Hampton jail without bond.
Quinton man accepts plea deal in NK
A Quinton man accepted a plea agreement during Jan. 27 New Kent Circuit Court proceedings.
Connor Thompson O’Leary, 27, of the 3500 block of S. Woodland Circle, entered an Alford plea of guilty to one count of attempted burglary. One charge each on firearm larceny, non-violent possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a schedule I or II substance, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana were dropped.
In a summary of evidence, a brick was thrown through the window of the house belonging to Holly Matthews. A note on the brick read “snitches get stitches,” and was directed to Shane Matthews, another occupant of the home. A neighbor witnessed a green SUV on the property three times within 45 minutes and saw a man emerge from the vehicle. After the neighbor informed the victims, they recognized the vehicle as one owned by O’Leary. The defendant was later located by deputies at the Star Motel and later placed into custody.
Under the plea agreement, O’Leary received a 10-year jail sentence, with all but one year, 10 months suspended. He must also pay $500 in restitution.
Crash totals down from latest snow
Perhaps motorists learned a lesson after the area’s first major snowfall on Jan. 21 since the number of motor vehicle accidents occurring in the New Kent/Charles City area during last week’s snowstorm amounted to half of what occurred a week earlier.
State Police reported nine crashes in New Kent County, all taking place on Interstate 64. And just like the week before, no accidents were reported in Charles City County. Also, there were no reports of injuries although all nine accidents in New Kent resulted in damage to vehicles.
New Kent Sheriff F.W. “Wakie” Howard Jr. attributed the absence of major problems to the type of snow. Temperatures were cold enough to prevent initial icing on roadways, thus the snow cover took the form of lightweight powder that has been easy to remove, he said.
“We’ve pulled about a half-dozen vehicles out of ditches, but most people got off the roads,” the sheriff said. “The biggest thing we had involved a snow plow catching on fire in Providence Forge.”
State Police, meanwhile, say that troopers responded to 336 calls for service in localities comprising the Richmond Division. Of those calls, 117 involved crashes with damage while another 93 dealt with disabled vehicles, mostly in the Richmond metro area. Sgt. Thomas Molnar said 474 vehicle crashes occurred statewide.
NKSO investigates vet office burglary
New Kent Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding a burglary at Village Veterinarian Hospital, located at 10500 New Kent Highway, just west of New Kent Courthouse.
During the nighttime hours of Jan. 25-26, unknown person(s) entered the building, stealing an unspecified amount of cash.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000, or New Kent Sheriff’s Office at 966-9500.
Bridging Communities seeks sponsors
Bridging Communities Career and Technical Center is seeking donations for its 2014 Summer STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academy.
The summer program provides a four-week course for middle school students introducing them to classes and other fun activities at the school. Among offered courses include robotics, computer gaming, and hands-on activities in math and science. Courses are conducted by second-year students of BCCTC, who supervise as peer coaches.
The program is free to students from New Kent and Charles City, but space is limited to 25-30 kids. Classes are scheduled to be Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. in July.
To make the program successful, local businesses are asked to sponsor a child to accommodate a child’s attendance.
For more information about the academy, donations, or Bridging Communities course offers, contact director Dr.Stephen Trexler at 966-8575.