Inside A8 Community Matters spreads holiday cheer
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan wrestling wins Hawk Duals
Vol. XXXV No.. 27
January 5, 2022
Powhatan stays intact in state redistricting Maps show big changes in representation By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
P
OWHATAN – The Virginia Supreme Court last week finalized the state’s new redistricting maps, which will have Powhatan seeing changes in name and representation but still remaining intact and not split into different districts like some counties. The court took over control of the state’s redistricting process after the Virginia Redistricting Commission, which was made up of citizens and legislators, got bogged down by partisan politics and failed to meet the deadline to come to an
agreement on Virginia’s legislative and congressional districts. Earlier in December 2021, the court reviewed maps prepared by two “special masters” – Bernard Grofman, nominated by Democratic legislators, and Sean Trende, nominated by Republican lawmakers. The final order on Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, adopted their redistricting maps for the Senate of Virginia, Virginia House of Delegates and Virginia’s representative to the U.S. House of Representatives. The maps are effective immediately and will affect all regularly scheduled primaries and general elections moving forward, according to the court’s final order on Dec. 28. How this will all impact the upcoming General Assembly MAP COURTESY OF SUPREME COURT OF VIRGINIA session or potential elections in 2022 remains to be determined. Shown above is a map of the newly redrawn 5th Congressional District, which There are a few big changes Powhatan County has now joined. The move was one of many changes made when that will affect Powhatan, al- the Virginia Supreme Court finalized the state’s new redistricting maps on Dec. 28, see REDISTRICTING, pg. 5
2021.
Local veteran reunited with treasured hat By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
POWHATAN – When he first put the notice out about his missing hat, all Curtis Newton could think about was the loss of a very special pin. The brief but heartfelt journey to bring both back to him within a few days reminded him of why he loves the Powhatan community. The story began on Dec. 11, 2021, when Newton of Powhatan attended the Powhatan Christmas Parade. A U.S. Navy veteran, Newton wanted to wear his American Legion Post 186 baseball hat to show his respect when any of the military-related parade entrants
passed by him. The hat is special to him, having been given to him by a friend in the American Legion the first day he joined. But even more importantly, among the several pins adorning the hat was the Honorable Discharge pin Newton received after he ended his four-year stint in the navy in 1970. “I could get another one but it wouldn’t have the same meaning to it, because I have had that one 50 years,” he said. Newton was only a year out of high school when he received his draft notice in 1966. He was supposed to report to the Army on April 26. On April 25, he walked into a Navy recruiter’s office and enlisted, he said with a chuckle. After completing basic training, hospital corpsman school and physical therapy school, Newton worked at hospitals on the East Coast until 1968, when he was assigned as a corpsman to the USS Whetstone, a dock landing ship that would travel to Vietnam within a few months. “We were amphibious so we transported marines and did landings with the marines. We stayed on the ship and they went onshore,” Newton said. Newton served as a corpsman on the USS Whetstone until it was decommissioned in early 1970. He finished out his remaining months on the USS Tulare, getting out in September, just before the ship was sent to Vietnam. “It seemed like a long four years when I look back now. It seemed kind of boring at the time, but it
CURTIS NEWTON seems more exciting now,” Newton said. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
* Parade day was windy, and not wanting to risk losing his American Legion hat, Newton determined to carry it in his backpacks and only take it out when he wanted to pay his respects to one of the military units. He isn’t sure when it happened, but at some point Newton accidentally left his backpack open and the hat fell out. It was only when he was in the food vendor area and a woman pointed out his bag was open that Newton realized the hat was gone. “That is when I panicked,” he said. “The hat can be replaced but it has got my Honorable Discharge pin on it. I didn’t know if I could replace it.” Newton posted a notice online a few places, including the Powhatan Today Facebook page on a post see VETERAN, pg. 4
Library clerk Michelle Wells practices making hot cocoa bombs in anticipation of a free class being offered at Powhatan County Public Library on Feb. 5. It is part of the all ages programming schedule for the coming months.
Library brings back more events in 2022 schedule By Laura McFarland Managing Editor
POWHATAN – While the uncertainties surrounding COVID-19 have made event planning difficult for everyone, Powhatan County Public Library is trying hard to bring back more all ages programming to kick off 2022. see LIBRARY, pg. 3
Early voting begins for District 4 special election PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND
The 45-day early voting period for the District 4 Powhatan County School Board special election began on Dec. 30, 2021. The special election will be held on Feb. 15. Connie L. Thompson, Jennifer L. Cabaniss and James E. Taylor III are on the ballot to fill the unexpired term that ends Dec. 31, 2023. Director of elections Karen Alexander, shown right along with absentee coordinator Susan Cooper, said the first day of early voting in person was slow but she did mail out 110 absentee ballots that day. Early voting will be open in the office for District 4 residents from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday through Feb. 11 and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on two Saturdays, Feb. 5 and 12.