SWINGING INTO SPRING: The Fauquier Times previews softball and girls soccer, Pages 13-17
March 11, 2020
Our 203rd year | Vol. 203, No. 11 | www.Fauquier.com | $1.50
Memory care facility prepares for potential coronavirus threat By Robin Earl
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/COY FERRELL
Myison Ellis is escorted to the Fauquier County Circuit Courthouse Monday, March 2.
Jury find Ellis guilty of murder; calls for 51 years By James Ivancic
Special to the Fauquier Times
The 12-member Fauquier County Circuit Court jury that found Myison I. Ellis guilty on Thursday, March 5, in the shooting death last August LINCOLN of Lincoln WilWILLIAMS JR. liams Jr., recommended a prison term of 38 years for first-degree murder, three years for use of a firearm in committing a felony and 10 years for conspiracy to commit robbery. Judge Herman A. Whisenant Jr. will make the final determination on sentencing following completion of a pre-sentence report. The sentence will be announced on May 7 at 9 a.m. “I’m pleased with a verdict. We wanted to achieve this for the family” of the victim, said Fauquier Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Hook, outside of the courtroom. The case was prosecuted by Abigail Owens and Amy Cassandra, senior assistant prosecuting attorneys. “I believe he is innocent, but I respect your decision,” defense attorney Jessica N. Sherman-Stoltz said in addressing the jury after they delivered a verdict shortly after 2 p.m. and before they considered a sentencing recommendation. She asked the jury to recommend a minimum sentence on each count. Owens told the jury that at age 18, Williams’s life was cut short See MURDER, page 6
Times Staff Writer
Administrators at Poet’s Walk assisted living and memory care center in Warrenton say they are keeping close track of coronavirus recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Virginia Health Department, but those they care for are unaware of the nationwide pandemic. It’s one reason elderly people with dementia are considered one of the most vulnerable populations for the disease. About 52 patients live at Poet’s Walk, a 60-room facility designed for patients with dementia. Most are in their 70s or 80s, said Iro Egharevba, director of resident care, in an interview March 6. Egharevba said that the administrators focus on being proactive. “We make the staff aware of symptoms to watch for. It’s important they know the signs of illness. And they receive training on how to properly wear PPE (personal protective equipment).” She adds that wiping down surfaces is a priority as well. “While the residents are at lunch, the housekeeping staff is mopping floors and wiping down handrails. We tell our staff, ‘Everybody is a housekeeper right now.’ It’s an important way we can be proactive.”
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/ROBIN EARL
Poet’s Walk Executive Director Terra Brown helps a resident wipe her hands clean after a meal. Egharevba said that those with dementia like to wander. Poet’s Walk residents frequently may be found walking the facility’s four contiguous hallways, so handrails in particular are cleaned several times a day. She said that the staff is told to stay home if they have symptoms, and families are asked to refrain from visiting if they had traveled recently to countries where coronavirus has been reported.
Normally, residents take trips to go out to eat, to enjoy some ice cream, to the library or other special activities. “We are postponing those trips right now,” said Egharevba. “If we want to have a pizza party, we are bringing the pizza in. We want to make sure they are safe.” Egharevba said that services are provided in Poet’s Walk so residents See CORONAVIRUS, page 7
Main Street Town Hall shaping up Town manager envisions one-stop-shop for residents, businesses By Robin Earl
Times Staff Writer
TIMES STAFF PHOTO/ROBIN EARL
A bank vault tells the story of the building’s past life.
Warrenton Town Manager Brandie Schaeffer’s perfume of choice these days may be Eau de fresh paint, but sometimes she dabs on Eau de new carpet. Schaeffer and many other town employees and contractors are up to their elbows in renovations to the old BB&T building, which is day by day being transformed into Warrenton’s new town hall. INSIDE Business.............................................11 Classified............................................35 History................................................18 Lifestyle..............................................23 Opinion.................................................9 Obituaries...........................................34 Sports.................................................13
A tour of the building at 21 Main St. begins with the large room that was once the lobby of the BB&T. The platform that will support the dais for the town council members is in place. Schaeffer admits she reconfigured its placement a couple of dozen times before the carpenters set to work. The first coat of dove-gray paint has been applied. That decision was hard-fought too. “I think I must have changed my mind 37 times,” she said. But she is pleased with the final choice. “It really makes the vault ‘pop.’” See TOWN HALL, page 4