Briefly… for Oct. 18-Nov. 1

Two local post offices face time cuts

In a cost-cutting move, the U.S. Postal Service has announced plans to reduce hours of operation at what it deems smaller local post offices, and it appears that measure will apply to the Barhamsville Post Office in New Kent County and the Ruthville Post Office in Charles City County.

Barhamsville postmaster Naomi Fudge said she is aware that hourly cuts are on the horizon, but she has not received specific information on how many hours from postal officials. Ruthville postmaster Alexis Arnold echoed Fudge’s comments, adding she expects that reductions could go into effect in January. Barhamsville serves close to 500 customers through delivery routes and in-house boxes while Ruthville has 99 in-house boxes and no delivery routes. A check with other post offices in New Kent and Charles City revealed that those offices are not affected by the USPS decision.

Arrests made in Charles City shooting

Two Henrico County men have been arrested and charged in connection with a Sept. 10 shooting in Charles City County that left a county man wounded.

Jege J. Jefferson, 19, of the 6400 block of Blossom View Lane, is charged with one count each of accessory to malicious wounding and destruction of property. Joquan W. Hawkins, 20, of 2 West Jerald St., faces one count each of malicious wounding and destruction of property and two counts of malicious shooting at an occupied vehicle, said Charles City sheriff’s Capt. Jayson Crawley. The charges are in connection with a nighttime altercation near the old elementary school on Barnetts Road that led to Justin Brown, 18, sustaining a gunshot wound. Investigators said the argument stemmed from a posting on a social media website.

Jefferson was arrested on Sept. 21 and has been released on bond. Hawkins was arrested on Sept. 26 and is being held without bond in Riverside Regional Jail. Both are scheduled for preliminary hearings on Nov. 7 in Charles City General District Court.

Charles City hires planning director

Matthew Rowe has been hired as planning department director for Charles City County. He assumed the post on Sept. 12.

Rowe previously served in rural community planning for Amherst County. He has been appointed to represent Charles City on the Richmond Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Advisory Committee and as an alternate member on the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization. He can be reached at 652-4707 or MRowe@co.charles-city.va.us.

NK supervisors amend county laws

New Kent’s Board of Supervisors has amended county law to now require those responsible for and convicted of methamphetamine production in the county to pay for cleanup costs. Previously, a property owner was responsible for paying the bill to clean up a meth lab.

The action taken at the board’s Oct. 9 meeting is in response to the aftermath of a police raid in May 2011 at a meth lab set up in a room at the Star Motel on Route 60 near Bottoms Bridge. New Kent Sheriff’s Capt. Chris Hamlet told supervisors that the motel owner had to foot the close to $100,000 cleanup cost.

Also, supervisors brought county law into compliance with state law by passing an amendment imposing a 15-day waiting period before precious metals dealers can resell items such as gold and silver. The waiting period enables law enforcement to determine if the items are stolen. No one spoke during public hearings on both amendments.

CC program seeks family sponsors

The holiday season is fast approaching and once again Charles City County Department of Social Services is asking for support of its Christmas Assistance Program.

There are local families who are in need of assistance for Christmas. If you ar interested in adopting a family, contact Kristy Jenkins or LaToya Davis at 652-1708.

It is our hope to add a little more joy to the holiday season for the citizens of our county.

Candy buy-back helps U.S. troops

The fourth annual Halloween Candy Buy Back is redefining the meaning “sweet deal” for one area dentist. This Halloween, trick-or-treaters can bring their excess candy to Dr. Vicki L. Tibbs and receive $1 per pound of candy donated up to $5.

Candy donations, notes of gratitude from kids to the troops, and toothbrushes are then being sent to armed forces troops overseas via Operation Gratitude.

“Kids can still have all the fun of trick-or-treating, and feel great about supporting our troops overseas” said Dr. Tibbs, adding that this year the emphasis is on toothbrushes.

Candy is being collected at Dr. Tibbs’ office in Brianwood Business Park, 2700 Pocahontas Trail, Quinton, on Nov. 1, 4-6 p.m. Candy must be unopened.
For more information, call 932-4537 or go on-line at www.quintondental.com.

Two face charges in New Kent

A West Point man and a Quinton man face charges stemming from their recent arrests on separate incidents by New Kent County sheriff’s personnel.

Richard Lawrence Fredericks, 43, of 7900 Point Lookout Rd., West Point, is charged with one count each of felonious assault and misdemeanor destruction of property and interfering with a law enforcement officer.

A sheriff’s report said the charges stem from an Oct. 10 altercation with a female employee at the 7-Eleven store on Route 33 in Eltham. Fredericks allegedly slapped the employee as she attempted to call 911 and broke the phone she was using. The suspect then walked out of the store toward gasoline pumps in the store’s parking lot. The employee followed, telling him to leave the premises, but he allegedly assaulted her again before bystanders intervened.

The employee sustained a laceration to the back of her head. Deputy Andrew Cason arrived on scene and arrested Fredericks who was being held without bond.

Alexander Nicholas Davis, 20, of the 9600 block of Crumps Mill Road, Quinton, is charged with three counts each of credit card fraud, credit card theft, and obtaining money by false pretenses.

A sheriff’s report said Davis allegedly stole and used a credit card belonging to a New Kent resident on Sept. 21 and 22 and Oct. 1. Lt. Joey McLaughlin arrested Davis on Oct. 11.

NK Gymnastics Center adds programs

A home-school fitness program for kids that are home-schooled has been added at New Kent Gymnastics Center.

The session runs Mondays, Oct. 22-Dec. 15, 1:30-2:30 p.m. and offers a well-balanced and fun exercise program using the gym’s gymnastics and other programs.

The center is now featuring an athletic advancement program for boys and girls under the direction of former New Kent High School basketball star Michael Owens. The program aims to help athletes develop speed, strength, and agility.

Open registration is ongoing. For all of the center’s programs, call 557-3855 or visit newkentgym.com.

Drug buy-back nets over 145 pounds

A prescription drug take-back initiative sponsored by the New Kent Sheriff’s Office on Sept. 29 resulted in collection of over 145 pounds of unwanted medicine at two locations in the county.

The effort, coordinated by Lt. Jamie Hamby and Deputy Andrew Cason, placed collection containers at the sheriff’s office and New Kent Fire/Rescue Station 2. Drugs collected were transported to the Richmond DEA office for disposal.

The sheriff’s office has held buy-backs in the past plans to hold a similar take-back initiative next spring.

Charles City club holds car show

Tin Shed Car Club of Charles City held its second car show of 2012 on Sept. 22 on the property of one of its members, Lorenzo “Ike” Johnson.

Judging categories included cars pro street/race/original and modified 1950-60, 1970-80, 1990-2000, 2000-present; trucks pro street/race; and motorcycles cruisers/street bikes/customs.

Trophies were given to first and second place and best of show. Festivities included live music by the Friends of Soul band and music by DJ Jeff, along with raffles, door prizes and lots of good food.

The club was organized in September 2011 and considers itself a community-oriented organization. Members plan to host activities in the future to help serve the needs of the county.

The club also considers itself an advocate for breast cancer awareness. A breast cancer awareness booth was available at the car show. The club avidly supports “the cause” through generous donations.

Poster features Shirley Plantation

Shirley Plantation in Chrles City County is the featured site for the 2012 Virginia Archaeology Month poster “Unearthing a Deeper Understanding of Plantation Culture.”

The plantation has over 200,000 artifacts in storage at the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. From this collection, a specific group of artifacts was selected by archaeologists for inclusion in the Slavery and Servitude Exhibit at Shirley along with copies of original primary source documents from the Carter family archives.

The Virginia Archaeology Month poster is complimentary and sponsored by Shirley Plantation, Virginia Department of Historic Resources, Council of Virginia Archaeologists, and Archaeological Society of Virginia. Contact the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (367-2322 or dhr.virginia.gov) or Shirley Plantation (1-800-232-1613 or shirleyplantation.com) for a copy.

Peace chosen as health care leader

Del. Chris Peace has been named as a Richmond Healthcare Leader 40 and under in the premier edition of Our Health Virginia’s magazine.

Speaking about the designation, “I am humbled to be recognized by Our Health Virginia for my legislative efforts,” said Peace.

According to its website, the magazine is a locally owned and operated publication that is dedicated to serving Southwest and Central Virginia as a premier resource for healthcare and healthy living lifestyles information for residents, medical practitioners, healthcare leaders and executives.

To read the article visit http://smcclintic769411.uberflip.com/i/82732/0.