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Vol. 33, No. 44 | Richmond Suburban News | March 8, 2017
Community unites to battle heroin, opioid abuse By Logan Barry for The Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND – “Change minds and save lives” was the purpose of the Monday, Feb. 27, program, “Chasing the Dragon,” which targeted heroin and opiate abuse. Citizens from across Hanover County gath-
ered in the Ellis Hall of the First Baptist Church in Ashland to view a documentary and discuss the growing national problem. Chasing The Dragon was released by a joint operation between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) in an effort to educate Americans on the true, unscripted tragedies of people who
Ruritans opt to end Shuknpul ECHANICSVILLE — After 36 years the Mechanicsville Ruritan Club has decided to stop hosting its annual “Shuk’ n Pul,”biggest fundraising event for years. The event featured an Oyster Roast and a lawn mower tractor pull (The Shenandoah Tractor Pullers). It was considered by many
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the start to the spring season and it was the The Shenandoah Tractor Pullers first major pull of the year. The Shuk’ n Pul”! was looked forward to by many because it finally meant it was the first major community event of the year outside. Oyster lovers ,Tractor Pullers and the community purchased tickets and attended year after year. The event started small with just the Ruritans and
Photo submitted by Tom Haynie
Miss Shuknpul will be going into retirement with the Ruritans’ decision to end the annual event.
their families having a small oyster roast. It grew to a capacity crowd of over 2,000. see SHUKNPUL, pg. 22
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Heroin and opiate abuse has become a major epidemic in the United States, and it has, unfortunately, found its way into Hanover County as well. However, the citizens of this county are determined to put a stop to it. “It was an interesting evening because it was a very lively discussion; there was a lot of back see ABUSE, pg. 4
Sam Rogers will join in family event celebrating county’s youth
End of an era Contributed Report news@mechlocal.com
have fought and are still fighting the demon of addiction. Ragan Phillips, who served on the program’s committee, noted the turnout. “There must’ve been 100 people packed in that room, and the most important thing was how engaged everyone was — we could have stayed there for another hour or so.”
MECHANICSVILLE – Celebrating Hanover’s Youth will be the theme of an event Sunday, March 12, featuring Mechanicsville’s own Sam Rogers. The Hanover High School and Virginia Tech graduate will talk about “Finding Your Identity in Life.” Col. David R. Hines and the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office will be presenting the free community-wide family event, which starts at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Hanover High School at 10307 Chamberlayne Rd. in Mechanicsville. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Hines said the purpose of the program is to join in “celebrating partnerships with our community and Hanover’s youth.”
Photo courtesy of Sgt. James R. Cooper
Sam Rogers will speak to Hanover County youth on Sunday.
He said Rogers “will share how faith, hard see YOUTH, pg. 5
Currently serving lunch and dinner.