Inside A3 Teresa Whitaker, outgoing Christmas Mother, shares farewell memories
Powhatan, Virginia
B1 Powhatan dispatches Chiefs in opener
Vol. XXXI No. 10
August 30, 2017
Hundreds attend eclipse viewing event at Powhatan State Park PHOTO BY DANIEL MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH
By Laura McFarland News Editor
P
OWHATAN – Faces tilted toward the sky with looks of awe and joy last week as several hundred people at a viewing party at Powhatan State Park joined in the observance of a solar eclipse. With upwards of 250 people in attendance, the free event on Monday, Aug. 21 surpassed expectations for state park staff, who ran out of eclipse glasses before its scheduled event even began, said Max Forrest, education support specialist II for Powhatan State Park. “We didn’t have enough for everyone, but we are making the best of it and everyone seems to be very happy. Everyone came and is really happy and friendly and sharing all of the glasses,” he said.
PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Visitors to Powhatan State Park lay back and enjoy the solar eclipse during a viewing event attended by hundreds.
see ECLIPSE, pg. 8
New multijurisdictional grand jury to assist prosecution of dangerous crimes
BSH heads back to school
Contributed Report
PHOTOS BY LAURA MCFARLAND
Prsrt. Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Powhatan, VA Permit No.19
Students in grades preschool through 12th grade began their first day at Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Catholic School on Tuesday, Aug. 22. More photos on page 10A.
Attorney General Mark R. Herring, Powhatan County Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox, Powhatan Sheriff Brad Nunnally, and Powhatan County Circuit Court Clerk Teresa Hash Dobbins announced the recent formation of a new multijurisdictional grand jury to reside in Powhatan County. The participating jurisdictions include the counties of Amelia, Goochland, Powhatan, and Prince Edward. The Multijurisdictional Grand Jury is an investigative body of seven to 11 citizens from the participating counties charged by the Supreme Court of Virginia to investigate and consider bills of indictment involving crimes originating in and between participating jurisdictions and throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, which is particularly helpful in situations involving gang violence, child exploitation, human trafficking, drug dealing, and other crimes that cross county lines. This grand jury is empowered to subpoena witnesses and documents, hear evidence, and determine the existence of
probable cause for offense including, but not limited to: gang offenses; all drug offenses; computer crimes; murder; abduction; embezzlement; extortion; identity theft and credit card fraud; gambling offenses; bribery; felony obstruction of justice, and felony cruelty to animals. “A multijurisdictional grand jury is a great tool to investigate and prosecute dangerous crimes that often cross county lines like gang violence, child exploitation, and more,” Herring said. “My top priority as attorney general is keeping Virginians, their families, and their communities safe and multijurisdictional grand juries are an important way to help us do that.” “I’m looking forward to my new role as coordinator and I believe that a multijurisdictional grand jury is an extraordinary tool for law enforcement,” said Rob Cerullo deputy commonwealth’s attorney in the Powhatan Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. Cerullo will be coordinating the grand jury as Powhatan’s Special Counsel and be the liaison between the grand jury and see JURY, pg. 4
Powhatan County Public School Principals ready to roll FLAT ROCK
POCAHONTAS
POWHATAN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
POCAHONTAS
POWHATAN
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
MIDDLE SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
TANJA ATKINS-NELSON, PRINCIPAL
THOMAS SULZER, PRINCIPAL
CONSTANCE G. DEAL, PRINCIPAL
DR. SAMANTHA MARTIN, PRINCIPAL
DR. MIKE MASSA, PRINCIPAL
W
ith the Powhatan County Public Schools’ helm of the three elementary, one middle, and one high 2017-2018 year set to start on Tuesday, Sept. schools took time out of their busy back to school prepara5, the district’s five schools are gearing up to tions to offer some insights into the coming year. welcome students. The five principals at the
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Partial eclipse began at about 1:18 p.m. and it was over at 4:04 p.m. in the region, Forrest said. When it reached its peak at 2:44 p.m., 86 percent of the sun was blocked in the view that Powhatan had, he added. The next partial eclipse covering over 50 percent of the sun and visible from the Richmond area will be on April 8, 2024, and a total eclipse won’t be visible here until Sept. 14, 2099. During the eclipse, Forrest and other state park staff walked among the gathered crowds talking about the phenomenon and giving people instructions, the most important of which was to only look at the eclipse through certified eclipse glasses or homemade viewers. “It is great. I am glad people are getting interested in astronomy. We think it’s great that children are going outside
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