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Powhatan, Virginia
The hometown paper of Michelle Couch
Vol. XXIV No. 30
Every year, in the United States, 5,000 teenagers take their own lives. They leave behind shattered families and, so often, questions that will never be answered. One Powhatan couple who survived the unspeakable ordeal is trying to make sure other parents never have to.
‘We’re the ones who are here now... we have to help these kids. ‘ By Michael Copley Staff Writer
S
he was a normal kid. She liked watching movies and playing video games, and she loved McDonald’s chicken nuggets. She liked riding on the back of her dad’s motorcycle and going with him to the Moose Lodge on Thursday nights. She played soccer, and when she grew up, she wanted to be a pet detective. She was a typical teenager – shy sometimes, with a stubborn streak.
ages of 10 and 24 killed themselves, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Powhatan, three teenagers have committed suicide in the past 10 years. It’s a final act that leaves family and friends to deal with a viscous reality; often the thing is too sad and too empty for society to talk about. Mariah’s story is one of thousands.
*** The only light in the living room is from the sun filtering through the trees in the early evening. There are pictures of Mariah everywhere, on the Then, in May 2009, while her dad made dinner, walls and shelves, and in envelopes on the stair14-year-old Mariah Elwell committed suicide in case. her family’s driveway. Sherry Elwell, Mariah’s mom, measures her words and picks through the memories carefully. “She loved to make people laugh,” Sherry said. *** Each year in this country, about 5,000 teenagers “She’d act silly all the time. She had a face when commit suicide. she was little that she used to make to [get] people It’s the third leading cause of death for people to laugh, and that’s one of my favorite pictures of age 15 to 24, according to the American Academy her.” of Child and Adolescent Psychology. Between 2002 and 2006, almost 22,000 people between the see Suicide page 4A
July 28, 2010
Police looking into several burglaries By Michael Copley Staff Writer
The Powhatan Sheriff’s Office is investigating a rash of burglaries that have occurred in the county over the course of the past week. As of Friday, five houses had been broken into over a six-day period. Other localities in the area are reportedly dealing with a similar spike in burglary cases and information is being shared between investigators from multiple localities, according to detectives in Powhatan. Residents who see suspicious activity are asked to contact the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office at (804) 598-5652.
Cameras installed at county building Security measure is necessary to protect sensitive information says County Administrator By Michael Copley Staff Writer
PHOTO BY PATRICK DOBBS
Sherry and Kevin Elwell sit in the garden they created as a memorial to their daughter, Mariah.
As part of a broad effort to increase security at county-owned facilities, security cameras have been installed at the County Administration building. “It is necessary to have appropriate security measures for the County Administration Building and Bishop other County government facilities,” said County Administrator Carolyn Bishop. “Our facilities contain important taxpayer documentation that must be protected and the cameras will protect the safety and welfare of County staff.” $7,216 was spent on interior cameras, and exterior camera costs totaled $9,630. Bishop said her staff is in the process of evaluating security measures at all county facilities and will “determine needs and implementation of these measures in each. This is simply a strategic mission of operations.”
Inside
Sports
Index
A2 What would July be without jazz? Music lovers will be able to enjoy the sounds of Ban Caribe at Belmead on July 31.
B1 Preparation key for football Coaches offer tips on getting ready to hit the grid iron
Bulletin Board B6-7 Letters Calendar A7 Obituaries Classified B7-9 Opinion Crossword A9 Quotes Extra Points B1 Real Estate Horoscope A9 TV Listings
A8 A3 A8 A2 B8 B4-5