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T he Volume 40, Number 20
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Colonial Beach • Westmoreland
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 50 Cents
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Northern Neck officials struggle with answers for drug abusers Richard Leggitt
Photo by Kecia Wharton
A dog from the King George Sheriff's Office searches a vehicle for illegal drugs. Law enforcement officers in King George and Westmoreland are looking for answers to a growing problem of drug abuse in the area.
Last month after drug abuse killed two people in King George County and sent four others to Mary Washington Hospital, King George Sheriff Steve Dempsey lamented the growing abuse of illegal drugs in the region, especially heroin. "People who are addicted to heroin can't function and can't work " Dempsey said. "The pursuit of heroin becomes their whole way of life, they are always looking for ways to finance their next buy of heroin. It is a dayby-day thing." In recent years, Dempsey and other law enforcement officers in King George, Westmoreland and the Northern Neck have seen more and more people who are addicted to heroin and other drugs including opioids. "It is something we have been seeing for sometime," Dempsey said. "In most cases people find themselves addicted to prescription pills
Colonial Beach VFD ladies auxiliary raising funds for firemen Richard Leggitt
Despite the rainy weather Saturday, the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department Women's Auxiliary raised money for the fire department with a $10 per plate fish fry at the firehouse. "Every year we raise $11,000 to $15,000 for the fire department," said Amanda Saulnier, the president of the auxiliary. "This year the funds will probably go toward a new roof on the firehouse." "In previous years, we have helped fund equipment and breathing devices, whatever they needed," said Saulnier, who is serving her third year as president of
but end up turning to heroin because it is easier to get and it is cheaper." The concern of law enforcement officers is not just a question of crime and punishment. "While we are charged with the enforcement of the law, our efforts are also proactive and we endeavor to provide information and resources to anyone in crisis," said Westmoreland Sheriff 's Deputy Kim Simon. "Anytime an individual can be offered — and is willing to take — a pathway to treatment, our entire community improves," Simon said. "From the decrease in criminal activity often associated with drugseeking behavior, to an increase in lawful and productive citizen participation, everyone benefits when that individual is able to overcome addiction." Addicts or family members of addicts seeking treatment or help in battling drug abuse addiction are ofSee Heroin, page 8
Photo by Bonnie Gouvisis
Members of the Colonial Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary wait to serve hungry customers at their Saturday fish fry. The auxiliary raises $11,000 to $15,000 per year for the fire department.
the auxiliary and has a husband who is a lifetime members of the CBVFD. At Saturday's event, dozens of people showed up for delicious fried fish dinners with coleslaw and all of trimmings, however, the crowd was not as big as the auxiliary had hoped. "The storm hurt us a little bit," said Saulnier. Next up for the ladies auxiliary is a June 5th baby contest and then on June 11th and 12th the annual CBVFD ladies auxiliary carnival held in connection with Colonial Beach's annual Riverfest. "We do a dinner just about every month," Saulnier said. "And other months we something like the Riverfest carnival."
Westmoreland VFD burns house at Stratford Hall in training exercise Richard Leggitt
Photo courtesy of Stratford Hall
An unoccupied and uninhabited house at Stratford Hall was set fire last week last week in a controlled burn training exercise for the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department.
The Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department received valuable training for fighting a residential home fire last week when they tackled the controlled burn of an unoccupied and uninhabited house on the property for Stratford Hall. The fire department used the destruction of the tenant house as a training exercise at the invitation of Stratford Hall officials. "We have a good relationship with the fire department and we're glad to be able to provide them with this rare training opportunity for their members," said Stratford Hall's Executive Director Carter Refo. The single story house that was burned was located on the main campus of the 1,900 acre plantation that was the home of the Lee Family of Virginia. The house was formerly used for staff housing but recently had been condemned.
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After receiving Stratford Hall's invitation to use the dwelling for fire training, the fire department slated the house for destruction in April, but the high winds that battered the Northern Neck that month forced a postponement. The fire training was rescheduled for May. Last week Westmoreland Volunteer Department members were able to successfully train on the fire at the house for three hours and Stratford Hall officials were pleased to be of assistance. "We appreciate all the time and effort that the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department provides to the county," said Refo.