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Volume 39, Number 32
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King George
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Boyd takes reins as principal at King George High School Phyllis Cook Jesse Boyd has been named as the new principal of King George High School. The school board approved Boyd’s appointment at a special meeting on July 29. Boyd’s first day was Aug. 3. “The reception I’ve received has been extremely warm and supportive,” he said. “I look forward to more opportunities to get to know those in the King George community.” Superintendent Rob Benson selected Boyd from among 13 applicants, five of whom were interviewed. “We are very pleased to welcome Dr. Boyd to King George High School,” Benson said. “His experi-
ence and enthusiasm for teaching and learning as well as his commitment to co-curricular activities make him a great fit.” Boyd is filling the vacancy left by the departure of Cliff Conway, whose resignation was effective on July 31. Conway resigned to take a position in Spotsylvania after six years in King George. Boyd said he was excited to get the King George position. “I’ve noticed the strength of this school division is a real sense of passion,” Boyd said. “And there is a really strong tradition of excellence.” Boyd was principal of Rappahannock High School in Warsaw with Richmond County schools for the last four years. Prior to that he was the school’s assistant principal for
four years. Boyd previously spent six years in Fairfax County Public Schools starting in 2001, first as a high school special education teacher for five years and then as a high school administrative intern for a year. Boyd recently earned a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Virginia Tech this year in January. He earned a master’s degree in special education from the University of Virginia in 2005. He also holds an administrative endorsement in school administration and supervision earned in 2007 through post-graduate coursework at the University of Virginia. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University in Hamilton, NY, earned in 2000.
Photo by Phyllis Cook
Jesse Boyd settles into his office on Monday, his first day of work as principal of King George High School. In less than three weeks, he will welcome students to the start of hte 2015-16 school year. Boyd comes to King George after serving as principal of Rappahannock High School.
First phase of Route 3 study 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 U.S. 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 total of 35 people attended the two meetings. “Attendees at the meeting made numerous verbal comments,” Kelly Hannon said. Hannon, communications manager for VDOT’s 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 economic aspects of corridor
improvements A look at seasonal differences in traffic volume • Interest in using water assets/ ferry system for tourism, recreation, and economic development purposes • Regional needs for broadband Internet expansion • Proposals for more bicycle and pedestrian facilities, especially on Route 200 between Irvington and Kilmarnock • Additional maintenance and painting requested for Norris Bridge at White Stone • 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. “ •
Photo courtesy of VDOT
The Norris Bridge at the Lancaster/Middlesex County line makes the terminus of VDOT’s ongoing study to improve rural sections of the eastern end of Route 3.
Colonial Beach woman sentenced for role in King George murder Richard Leggitt Tennase Michel Shanks, a Colonial Beach woman who drove the car used in a brutal robbery and murder in King George County on Aug. 29, 2014, was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week by Circuit Court Judge Patricia Kelly. Shanks, 43, was one of three people charged in connection with the violent robbery and slaying that claimed the life of Ronelle Johnson, 20, of King George. Also convicted in the
case were Michael Andre Clinton, 29, and Anthony William Goodman, 31. Clinton, of Bladensburg, MD, is serving a 45-year sentence after pleading guilty to murder and other charges earlier this year. Goodman, of Upper Marlboro, MD, also entered pleas of guilty to robbery and firearms charges. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1. Shanks entered pleas of guilty to charges of robbery and being an accessory after the fact after a number of other charges against her were not
prosecuted. Shanks admitted driving the car used in the crime, but claimed said she did not know that Clinton and Goodman planned a murder and robbery. However, Judge Kelly handed down a sentence that was above 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,”
Gusmann said. “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. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the surviving victim and both families.” The trio was charged with the slaying of Johnson and the wounding of Johnson’s cousin, Gregory Gaines, 20, of King George after an in-depth investigation by the King George County Sheriff ’s Office. The violent
crime was the subject of an intense focus by the sheriff ’s office,which devoted significant time and resources to solving the case. “I am hoping, now that all three defendants have been convicted, the healing process can begin for the entire families of both victims,” Gusmann said. “I am pleased that those responsible have been held accountable for their crimes.” The incident that claimed Johnson’s life and left Gaines badly wounded was a botched drug deal at a home on
Winston Place, according to investigators. Gaines told investigators that Clinton and Goodman tied up the two victims with duct tape, and Clinton shot them multiple times. Gaines and Johnson were robbed of their money and cell phones. According to authorities, Shanks stayed away from the actual shootings, but then drove away with the other two suspects. After she was charged and jailed, Shanks agreed to testify against both Clinton and Goodman.
Beach’s 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 com-
munity, we continue the event now in her honor,” Schick said. Participation is free, however donations to the Colonial Beach Humane Society are encouraged. Although the Colonial Beach Humane Society does not have its own building, Pat Fitzgerald is the town’s humane society representative. Fitzgerald is active in helping residents get low-cost or free spaying and neutering for their pets. Donations will be used for Colonial Beach work. The event ends off with awards and a parade.
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