Opinion
sports
McAuliffe wins kudos for first months in office
Dahlgren Rail Trail marathon
Page 2
T he Volume 39, Number 32
Sports
News
Area swim meet roundup
Virginia, Maryland spar over crabs page 8
Page 5
Page 4
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
helping you relate to your community
Wednesday, August 5, 2015 50 Cents
First phase of Route 3 study now complete Phyllis Cook The Virginia Department of Transportation has completed the first phase of a planning study to improve the efficiency of the Route 3 corridor between US 301 in King George and the Robert O. Norris Bridge in Lancaster County. The Route 3 study is being conducted in partnership with the Northern Neck Planning District Commission. It includes the Northern Neck counties of King George, Westmoreland, Richmond and Lancaster. A 20-page draft study was developed to show existing conditions on the Route 3 corridor and identify problem areas. The draft study indicates Route 3 is the only roadway corridor in the Northern Neck running the entire length of the peninsula. It traverses more than 70 miles between US 301 and the Rappahannock River at White Stone, with about 55 of those miles consisting of two-lanes with little opportunity for passing. It notes that traffic volumes on Route 3 continue to increase, with solutions needed to relieve both daily delays and seasonal congestion, saying a possible solution may include provision of frequent, protected passing opportunities. The first study phase included presenting those and other findings at two meeting locations along the corridor, in Montross and in Kilmarnock in June to seek public comment. A spokesperson for the Fredericksburg District said a total of 35 people attended the two meetings.
“Attendees at the meeting made numerous verbal comments,” Kelly Hannon said. Hannon, communications manager for the Fredericksburg District, provided a list of various comments captured by transportation officials at the meetings, including: Interest in a cost-benefit analysis to show the public the economic aspects of any corridor improvements. VDOT should look at seasonal differences in traffic volume (summer vs. off peak). VDOT currently has this analysis underway. Interest in using water assets/ ferry system for tourism, recreation, and economic development purposes. Region needs for broadband Internet expansion Recommendations for more bicycle and pedestrian facilities, with interest specifically on construction of a bike lane on Route 200 between Irvington and Kilmarnock Additional maintenance and painting requested for Norris Bridge at White Stone Attendees expressed interest in Route 3 widening between Harmony Village and Norris Bridge. Hannon said the next step is to incorporate comments into the final study document for phase one, to include an analysis of the information compiled in phase one. “We expect this phase to be finalized by early September, around Labor Day,” she said. “VDOT will communicate the results to each locality government – King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, and Lancaster counties.”
Photo by Linda Farneth
Planning Commission Chairwoman Robin Schick outlines the commercial residential district on the map for the council. The council is considering changes to zoning rules that will affect home-based businesses, such as those that seek inclusion in the proposed Northern Neck Artisan Trail.
Colonial Beach Council mulls zoning rules Linda Farneth Despite a plea from Planning Commission Chair Robin Schick, the Colonial Beach Town Council will hold off action on amendments that will affect the sale of artwork by Artisan Trail participants in Colonial Beach until the affected zoning ordinances can be reviewed by council. Two very old zoning amendments have come before the council after sitting in limbo. Despite the work by the planning commission and zoning staff, the council plans to delay the passing by going back to the
drawing board. Planning Chairwoman Robin Schick updated the council, at the July 23 Council Work Session, on the status of Article 9 amendments (Commercial Residential) and Article 18 amendments (Supplementary Regulations). Schick explained that amendments to Article 9 commercial residential district went through several changes and public hearings. One delay resulted from a mistake in advertising where the changes were not advertised. Schick told the council that the
planning commission wants the council to review the Article 9 amendment and make any changes to avoid drawing out the process. The process calls for advertising and a public hearing at the planning commission level and again at the council level. Article 18 Supplementary Regulations have gone through several changes. It simplifies, reduces size and incorporates three other articles into Article 18. Originally Article 18 contained many miscellaneous regulations that really did not fit into any other category, Schick told the coun-
cil. Schick explained that these regulation amendments came about when the planning commission, under former Director of Zoning Administrator Gary Mitchell began reviewing all ordinances to ensure they complied with state regulations. During the revamp of Article 18 Mitchell decided it would be best to incorporate three other smaller articles into it. The amendment would include landscaping, home occupaSee ZONING, page 8
Colonial Beach woman sentenced for role in King George murder office,which devoted significant time and resources to solving the case. Tennase Michel Shanks, a Colo“I am hoping, now that all three nial Beach woman who drove the defendants have been convicted, car used in a brutal robbery and the healing process can begin for murder in King George County on the entire families of both victims,” Aug. 29, 2014, was sentenced to 10 Gusmann said. “I am years in prison last week pleased that those reby Circuit Court Judge sponsible have been Patricia Kelly. held accountable for Shanks, 43, was one their crimes.” of three people charged The incident that in connection with the claimed Johnson’s life violent robbery and and left Gaines badly slaying that claimed the wounded was a botched life of Ronelle Johnson, drug deal at a home on 20, of King George. Also Winston Place, accordconvicted in the case ing to investigators. were Michael Andre Gaines told investigaClinton, 29, and Anthotors that Clinton and ny William Goodman, Goodman tied up the 31. – Keri Gusman, King George Commonwealth’s two victims with duct Clinton, of BladensAttorney tape, and Clinton shot burg, MD, is serving a them multiple times. 45-year sentence after Both Gaines and pleading guilty to murJohnson were robbed of der and other charges earlier this year. Goodman, of Up- mann said. “Ms. Shanks was appro- their money and their cell phones. According to authorities, Shanks per Marlboro, MD, also entered priately sentenced for the role she pleas of guilty to robbery and fire- played in this horrific crime. If not stayed away from the actual shootarms charges. He is scheduled to be for her actions this crime very well ings, but then drove away with the might never have happened. Our other two suspects. sentenced on Oct. 1. After she was charged and jailed, Shanks entered pleas of guilty to thoughts and prayers continue to go charges of robbery and being an ac- out to the surviving victim and both Shanks. who is the mother of a child fathered by Goodman, agreed cessory after the fact after a number families.” The trio was charged with the to testify against both Clinton and of other charges against her were not prosecuted. Shanks admitted slaying of Johnson and the wound- Goodman. driving the car used in the crime, ing of Johnson’s cousin, Gregory but claimed said she did not know Gaines, 20, of King George after an that Clinton and Goodman planned in-depth investigation by the King George County Sheriff ’s Office. a murder and robbery. However, Judge Kelly handed The violent crime was the subject down a sentence that was above of an intense focus by the sheriff ’s Richard Leggitt
the state’s sentencing guidelines for the crimes after Commonwealth’s Attorney Keri Gusman said she deserved a longer sentence for her part in the “horrific” crime. “The people you choose to associate yourself with does matter,” Gus-
“The peole you choose to associate yourself with does matter. Ms. Shanks was appropriately sentenced for the role she played in this horrific crime. If not for her actions, this crime very well might never have happened”
Photo courtesy of Robin Schick
Colonial Beach dog lovers had fun running their pets through an obstacle course and playing games at last year’s Dog Day. The 2015 Dog Day of August will take place Aug. 8 at the Colonial Beach Yacht Center.
Dog Day of August offers fun for pooches Linda Farneth Come out and join other dog lovers on Aug. 8 for a doggone good time. You and your K-9 companion can compete for fun and for prizes while helping to raise money for the humane society. Competitions include fetching, agility, water retrieval, Frisbee toss and find-a-bone. Dog Day of August is sponsored
by the Colonial Beach Yacht Center. Dockside restaurant will host the event in the tiki bar area. Registration begins at 9 a.m. in front of Dockside. The event was created in 2012 by the late Sharon Smith. Together with Robin Schick, Smith created the event to allow dog owners and their fury friends to enjoy a day on the beach while helping raise money for a good cause, Schick said.
This year Schick felt it would be only fitting to continue the event in Smith’s honor because of her love for animals. “In honor of Sharon Smith, who established this event at Colonial Beach Yacht Center because of her love of animals and our local community, we continue the event now See DOG DAY, page 8
Now you can follow local breaking news daily on our website at www.journalpress.com