10/12/2016

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Powhatan, Virginia

A9 Concert to explore Appalachian musical culture B1 DeLeon scores three touchdowns as Indians fall to Lions

Vol. XXIX No. 40

October 12, 2016

Storm damages building, downs power lines By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – Damage to a strip mall building housing several businesses, downed trees and power outages that lasted several hours or longer appeared to be the worst of the damage caused by steady rain and strong winds this weekend in Powhatan County. A shopping center in the 2600 block of Anderson Highway housing seven local businesses

was still closed as of presstime on Monday after a strong burst of wind tore a section of the structure’s metal roof off a day earlier, according to Durwood Stroud, whose family owns the building. The slanted metal roof covers a tar and gravel roof underneath that is still secure, so there was no internal damaged caused to any of the businesses by the wind damage, he said. Both ends of the metal

roof stayed secure while a section in the middle tore off and flew into the parking lot in front of the building. No one was injured in the incident. Stroud said on the evening of Sunday, Oct. 9 that he didn’t have a timeline for when the businesses will be allowed to open, because he has to work with his insurance company and remove the debris from

PHOTO BY ROSLYN RYAN

see STORM page 2A Volunteer firefighters survey the damage after high winds tore the top layer of roofing off of a shopping center on Route 60 near Flat Rock.

A N E W G E N E R AT I O N O F N E W S PA PE R R E A D E R S

New PHS principal settling in By Laura McFarland News Editor

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

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Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19

uring the month of October, Pocahontas Middle School sixth-graders will participate in several programs that are preparing them for a special field trip to Belmead on the James. On Friday, Oct. 7, Powhatan Today news editor Laura McFarland offered the students tips on how to be reporters and gave them each a copy of the paper for inspiration. During their field trip, the students will gather information and write their own stories.

POWHATAN – Students and teachers aren’t as far apart in what they want out of school as they sometimes think, according to new Powhatan High School principal Dr. Michael Massa. Before students came back to class for the start of the 20162017 school year, Massa sent out a questionnaire to the high school teachers to determine what expectations the Massa educators should have of students and vice versa. More than 70 percent of the teachers’ responses for expectations were about being respectful, prepared and trying your hardest. Once school started back, Massa sent the same survey out to students. The majority of students’ opinions lined up with

DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139

see MASSA page 6A

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Patrick Quinn of Powhatan shows some of the awards he has won competing in beard competitions.

County couple enjoys hair raising experience By Laura McFarland News Editor

POWHATAN – In a roundabout way, Patrick Quinn’s recent win of a national title for his mutton chops started several years before with some bristly kisses. In February 2012, Patrick was growing a short but full beard, and when he kissed his wife, Katie, she would get a little scruff rash on her chin. “She was like, ‘Can you cut the beard?’ I said yes, because I loved her,” said Patrick of Powhatan. “As every guy does, you shave a little bit

Deadline for voters to register is Monday By Laura McFarland News Editor

and laugh at yourself in the mirror. I shaved the chin. I walked in and said, ‘Haha, problem solved.’ I kissed her and she was like, ‘That’s OK.’ ” Thus, Patrick’s mutton chops were born, and he has stuck with the style ever since. The style, which requires 1.5 inches of the chin be clean shaven, is what he was still sporting more than a year later when he entered his first beard competition. And it was the style that won him first place in the Sideburns/Mutton Chops category at the Great American Beard and Moustache Championship, which was held on Saturday,

POWHATAN – With a month to go before the nation chooses its next president and only five days left before voter registration closes, online registration and absentee voting are making it easier than ever for Powhatan County residents to make their voices heard. There is definitely a solid and steady interest in Powhatan County residents both wanting to register to vote and also to apply to vote absentee, according to Karen Alexander, director of elections. The most pressing date regarding the election right now is Monday, Oct. 17, which is the deadline to register to vote. Citizens have until that day to register or submit changes if any of their information has changed. Residents can register to vote online at vote.virginia.gov, which is quick and easy, or fill out an application in the vot-

see BEARD page 3A

see VOTING page 5A


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10/12/2016 by Powhatan Today - Issuu