Inside A3 Powhatan High School student participates in open dialogue
Powhatan, Virginia
B1 Powhatan finishes fourth at Arrowhead Invitational
Vol. XXX No. 5
February 1, 2017
SBS shares plan to bring broadband to Powhatan By Roslyn Ryan Richmond Suburban News
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owhatan County residents frustrated by their lack of access to broadband internet service are one step closer to a remedy, thanks to an ongoing partnership between the county and SCS Broadband. During the Jan. 23 meeting of the Powhatan County Board of Supervisors, members listened intently as county administrator Pat Weiler detailed the progress made on the county’s broadband implementation plan. In the two and a half years since the supervisors directed county staff to begin work on a broadband master plan, those tasked with carrying out that mission have exceeded all expectations, Weiler said. When consultants advised county staff that a previous broadband master plan created in 2011 would still meet their needs, the group began moving toward
the creation of a broadband implementation plan. After submitting an RFP (request for proposal) earlier this year, Virginia-based SBS Broadband entered into an agreement with the county in September to provide broadband services for the county. SCS Broadband representative Lon Whelchel told the board during the meeting that the company will focus first on the areas where the need is most urgent, including currently underserved residents, businesses and government facilities. “We can all look at a map and say ‘This is where we want to start,’” Whelchel said. “But the reality is, where is the biggest demand?” The company will identify those areas and build out the network from there, Whelchel explained, noting that they could begin serving Powhatan customers through a network of direct fiber connections and towers by the end of this year. Powhatan residents are urged to visit the company’s website at www.scsbroadband.com to share
Man sentenced, vows to repay Clyde Childress Staff Report
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54-year-old Chesterfield County man was sentenced Thursday, Jan. 26, in the Circuit Court of Powhatan on five counts of embezzlement and one count of money laundering. Nicholas Nordan appeared Nov. 18, 2016, before Judge Paul Cella in a threeday bench trial. It was proven during the trial that the defendant embezzled over $100,000 from five corporations incorporated and operating in Powhatan County, fleecing investors. The Commonwealth proved the defendant was using company funds to purchase luxury items like a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, a Jaguar and a pickup truck. Robert Cerullo, deputy commonwealth’s attorney in Powhatan County, said Nordan steadfastly maintained his
innocence, claiming he intends to pay the money he took back as soon as possible, during the sentencing. Although he is in debt to other parties up to $300,000, Nordan testified that he will pay back the sole investor, Clyde Childress, in full someday. Childress is a well-known member of the Powhatan County community. He hosts Fourth of July festivities on his property nearly every year. The defense argued that the defendant should be given no time and placed on probation and that the sentencing guide lines of two years to six years five months was too harsh in light of the defendant’s 25 years military service record and the fact that he had no criminal record. The Commonwealth asked the court to go above the sentencing guidelines based on the fact that the defendant failed to take responsibility for his crimes, the see SENTENCED page 3A
their location and request service. Whelchel said the company will be monitoring that input, and will use it to identify which areas to target. “It won’t happen overnight,” he said, but new advances such as LTE (Long-Term Evolution), which the company is working to roll out in the near future, may help reach previously inaccessible areas of the county more quickly than they could with the currently available technology. Supervisors were clearly pleased with the progress made on the project, and what it will mean for residents and businesses unhappy with their current internet options. “I tell you what, this is great,” said District 1 representative David Williams. “To see it actually taking hold and coming to fruition — I think there are going to be a lot of people in the county who are going to be very excited.” Roslyn Ryan is editor of The Goochland Gazette.
Chimney fire contained
PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY BRENDA BREON
Powhatan Volunteer Fire Companies 1, 2 and 5, as well as fire administration and Powhatan Rescue, were called out around 10 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, to a reported chimney fire in the 4300 block of Three Bridge Road. All residents and pets exited the smoke-filled home safely. Fire crews contained the fire to the chimney with no extension.
Powhatan Farmers Market set to move to new location Contributed Report The Powhatan Farmers Market will be opening in May at Westchester Commons for the 2017 season. Moving from Powhatan was a difficult decision but was necessary when the market committee was notified in December that the Flat Rock location of two years would not be available for the coming season. India Cox, a Powhatan resident and PFM vendor who also serves as chair of the PFM committee, said, “Leaving Powhatan was not our first option as we really wanted to stay in the county, but we couldn’t find a suitable location. From our very first approach to the management of Westchester Commons, we have been ex-
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Powhatan Farmers market will be moving to Westchester Commons.
traordinarily, graciously welcomed. The Powhatan Farmers Market at Westchester Commons is looking forward to serving both Powhatan and Chesterfield customers this coming season – May through October, every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m.” Cox added, “We appreciate Flat Rock Shopping Center hosting the market the last two years. This allowed our market to continue to grow and improve. 2017 and Westchester Commons offer even greater opportunities for our small-business entrepreneurs. I hope our regular customers will continue shopping with our 25-plus vendors at Westchester Commons, and we all look forward to meeting new customers!” see MARKET page 2A
4th Annual Valentine Gala to benefit Habitat and Free Clinic By Heidi Daniels for Powhatan Today
Habitat for Humanity Powhatan and the Free Clinic of Powhatan are joining on Friday, Feb. 10, to host the 4th Annual Valentine Gala at The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan. Both organizations will benefit in order to continue helping those in need in Powhatan County. The Gala will feature a live and silent auction. Tim Bowring, executive director of Powhatan Habitat for Humanity, shared the list of live auction items: Chauffeured progressive gourmet dinner for eight historic Powhatan homes. Long weekend at four-bedroom penthouse in Sandbridge. 55-inch Phillips television. Seven days at two-bedroom dondo
overlooking Smith Mountain Lake. Dinner for 25 catered by Buz & Ned’s Real Barbecue. “Spring,” an abstract acrylic painting, by Sally Bowring, VCU professor. Stock the Bar: wheelbarrow full of adult beverages.
Custom jewelry designed by Mimi Lavier of Designs by MEL. Bowring said they are honored to have a painting by Sally Bowring included in the auction this year. “If anyone is interested in getting a
Sally Bowring painting at a reasonable price, this might be the place to do that,” the executive director said of his wife. Sally Bowring has been a recipient of the Virginia Museum of Fine Art Professional Fellowships and the Theresa Pollak Visual Arts Awards 20032004. She also has been granted four Fellowships to the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is represented by Reynolds Gallery in Richmond. Her artwork has been exhibited extensively, both nationally and internationally. This black tie optional event will start at 6 p.m. with cocktails, appetizers and a cash bar, followed by dinner and dancing at 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Debo Dabney group. To purchase tickets, which are $100 per person, call Terry Sanders at 804598-2750.