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Vol. 33, No. 23 | Richmond Suburban News | October 12, 2016
New Ashland District representative on Hanover County School Board
S
OLA HAWKINS
he’s humble, enthusiastic, driven and, most of all, she is committed to the children of Hanover County Public Schools. Ola Hawkins recently was appointed to the Hanover County School Board by Faye O. Prichard, Ashland District representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors, to fill the seat previously held by Hank Lowry. This is her first experience in public office.
“I’m honored to be a part of the school board and I will do my very best,” Hawkins said. A former Verizon corporate employee and current instructor in Henrico County Public Schools, Hawkins said she has always had an interest in children “and what our children learn and how we help them to grow.” In deciding to seek the vacant position, Hawkins said she told herself, “You know, I’m interested in children and how children are taught -- not just academics, but also the social
piece. And I thought this would be a good place for my voice, my thoughts and concerns.” When she left the corporate world and focused her attention on public school students, she said, “When I went into the school system and started working with children, I thought this is exactly what I should be doing. So, from that, it was just the interest in children and helping them to gain what they need and to reach their potential -- not somebody else’s but what that child can see SCHOOL, pg. 26
Drug court slated to begin pilot program early 2017 By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local HANOVER -- Hanover County could become the state’s 27th locality to establish a local drug court designed to target and treat habitual adult offenders. The county established a juvenile drug
court, one of six in the Commonwealth, several years ago, and the results have been encouraging, according to Circuit Court Judge J. Overton Harris. The Hanover judge presented a plan to initiate a pilot juvenile drug court in Hanover to supervisors at their regular meeting on Sept. 28.
We Take the
Harris said the innovative program is needed to combat increasing drug abuse numbers throughout the nation, and he described as another tool to fight habitual drug abuse. “As you know, drug addiction is a national epidemic. Hanover County is not see PILOT, pg. 7
Pence at rally in Ashland
Nick Liberante for The Local
Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Mike Pence addresses supporters at a rally in Ashland on Monday, Oct. 3. For more photos, see page 16.
County leaders reveal optimistic outlook By Jim Ridolphi for The Mechanicsville Local ASHLAND -- Every fall, Hanover county administrator Rhu Harris makes the trek to Randolph-Macon College to deliver his annual state of the county address. This year’s event, sponsored by the Hanover Business Council, drew overflow crowds
and the local business community leaders who attended were not disappointed with Harris’ optimistic remarks. After several years of slightly increasing growth and revenue figures, the county’s latest overview seems to indicate a revived economy that is substantially recovered from see COUNTY, pg. 5
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