Inside A7 Belmead photographed by high school students
Powhatan, Virginia B1 A Look back at the 2016 season
Vol. XXIX No. 51
December 28, 2016
Board approves plan for memorial benches Resident came up with concept in honor of late wife By Roslyn Ryan Editor
Last year, as Richard Woody’s wife Norma was battling the cancer that would eventually claim her life, she longed for a place in the Courthouse Village where she could sit, relax and watch the world go by.
Now, thanks to Richard’s perseverance, her simple wish has come true. On Dec. 19, the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in favor of a proposal to allow residents to have memorial park benches inWOODY stalled around the county. The low maintenance, aluminum benches will
feature small memorial plaques, and will be installed in the area chosen by the residents who donate them. To Woody, the credit for the project belongs to his wife, a respected local author who penned two books about her experience fighting cancer. “It really is such a legacy for her,” said Woody, noting that his wife loved Powhatan, and considered it the greatest place they had ever lived. The two especially enjoyed spending time in the Village, whether they
were getting a bite to eat or watching the annual Christmas and Labor Day parades, but always longed for a comfortable place to sit. “I know that if a bench had been there she would have been all over it,” said Woody. “So I really wanted to have that for her.” According to the regulations adopted by the board, the benches could be installed in numerous locations around the county, although any bench placed in front of the Court-
house would require a judge’s approval. The cost of the bench and memorial plaque —around $1,000 total —would be paid by the person requesting it. Woody said he has several locations under consideration for his late wife’s bench, and hopes that it will offer a comfortable place for residents to sit, rest a spell, and take in the county he wife loved so much. Said Woody, “It’s almost like a gift from her to Powhatan.”
One injured as fire destroys county home Powhatan County Fire and Rescue crews responded to the scene of a structure fire in the 3800 block of Maidens Road on Dec. 23. Upon arrival, units found a one-story house engulfed in flames. The fire was quickly brought under control, and one adult occupant was taken to the hospital for observation. Units from Powhatan VFD, Goochland FRD, Fine Creek VFD, Deep Creek VFD, and the Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad responded. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation.
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Closing of Powhatan Junior High
Powhatan Junior High Closing
By Laura McFarland
90 cent Tax rate to fund CIP Constitutional officers versus B.O.S.
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Juvenile Correctional Center closing Christmas Mother loses, finds home Belmead to be sold Vietnam memorial Traveling Wall visit Powhatan County snowed in Powhatan christens new food pantry Gannon chair of local Republican Committee
News Editor OWHATAN – The closing and demolition of Powhatan Junior High School to make way for a new middle school has created ripple waves that will be felt for years to come, making it the top story of the
year.
In the No. 1 spot, the closing of Powhatan Junior High School in order to build a new middle school was met with mixed feelings across the county but also garnered widespread support. The building served as Powhatan High School from when it opened in 1971 until 2003 and then served as the junior high school from 2003 until the end of the spring 2016 semester. For many, it was a place that witnessed the golden years of youth – where they had their first kiss, FILE PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND figured out what they Demolition of Powhtan wanted to do with JuniorHigh. their life and experienced all of the ups and downs of their teenage years. But in recent years, complaints increased that the school was not suitable to educate Powhatan’s youth. Educators,
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