Powhatan Today –02/02/2022

Inside A6 Cumberland honors school administrators

Powhatan, Virginia

B1 Indians continue strong play in district games

Vol. XXXV No.. 31

February 2, 2022

District 4 candidates share their viewpoints

A special election will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15 for the Powhatan County School Board District 4 seat.

Three official candidates are on the ballot for the race. All three candidates agreed to answer the same questions about themselves and their viewpoints to allow District 4 voters the opportunity to get to know their candidates better. Candidates were not given word limits; they were asked to keep responses concise and on point.

JENNIFER CABANISS

JAMES TAYLOR III

CONNIE THOMPSON

Q - Please introduce yourself and tell why you are running for the District 4 school board seat.

My name is Jennifer Cabaniss and I would like to thank Laura for the opportunity to have this Q&A. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and we have three children – a junior at PHS, a sixth grader at PMS, and a CABANISS 4-year-old who will be in kindergarten next year at Powhatan Elementary. I grew up in Powhatan and attended Huguenot Academy (now BSH) through fifth grade and went on to graduate from Richmond Christian School in Chesterfield. We also made the decision for our oldest to be homeschooled from third-eighth grade. With that background, I know how important school choice is and support parents as they decide the best educational decision for their children. The best educational experience is one where schools and parents partner together, and I want to advocate for parents who feel they need additional support in that partnership. My heart is for the children of our community; since 2011 I have been an active volunteer. I served as secretary of Warriors Football from 2013-2019; coach recreational level cheerleading, and am a Girl Scout troop leader.

I’ve served PCPS on the Elementary Realignment Committee and the Gifted Advisory Committee. I want to serve our community in a larger capacity and that’s why I am running for the school board.

A

My name is James Taylor.

My wife Kara and I have been married for 19 years. We have three daughters (13, 9 and 6), and all of them are students in our schools.

When Governor (Ralph) Northam in the spring of 2020 closed all schools in TAYLOR Virginia without notice and forced our students into a virtual format, I became, like so many other parents, much more involved in my children’s education. I quickly saw how inferior virtual learning is to in-person learning. I also noticed that some of the things being taught broke away from the traditional beliefs and values of the people of Powhatan. As weeks turned into months and the next school year only allowed for a hybrid model for my middle school child, I began to attend school board meetings to voice concern and call for change. The state had forcibly taken parental authority and the rights of parents to choose what is best for their children. I joined the voices of many parents in Powhatan calling on the school board to listen to us and be willing to take a stand against government overreach. When the District 4 seat was vacated, I realized that I could either sit on the sideline and call for change or seek the seat to work for change. I chose the latter and was appointed as the interim. I am running in the special election on Feb. 15 because parents matter. They must have a first-chair seat at the table when it comes to the education of our students.

A

My name is Connie Thompson, and I am a lifelong educator with over 37 years of experience in the classroom, a Master’s in Education, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership.

During THOMPSON my career my passion for education also extended outside the classroom where I mentored other teachers and served as department chair.

Upon retirement, I felt compelled to continue to serve in the education field, so I became a volunteer in my grandchildren’s school, Powhatan Elementary.

As my retirement service grew into action, I was asked to serve as a member of the Back-toSchool Task Force in the summer of 2020 to assist Powhatan County Schools in laying out a plan for return to in-person classroom instruction and also became actively involved in civic activities in the community.

As the District 4 School Board representative I would leverage my extensive education and leadership background and channel my passion to advocate for teachers, parents and students alike to represent District 4 at the school board level.

A

Q - Moving forward in 2022, what do you feel are the most important issues facing the school board and how would you approach them?

The topics in front of the School Board in 2022 are really exciting. There are so many opportunities for long-lasting, positive impacts in our community. Hiring a new superintendent, deciding management of the transportation center, fi-

A

Right now, Powhatan County Public Schools is at a crossroads. There are four major items needing to be addressed. First, the selection and hiring of a new superintendent will take place this spring. I will be looking for a strong leader who will champion discipline, beliefs and values that re-

A

DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139

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

see CABANISS pg. 5

The safety of students and teachers is of critical importance, but I am opposed to government mandates, including masks and vaccinations. School boards must be proactive and transparent in conducting risk assessments that weigh the proper educational, physical, social and

A

see TAYLOR, pg. 4

see THOMPSON, pg. 3

School board SMALL BUT MIGHTY revists masks ‘Mini me’ to aid in emergency response but does not change course

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Curt Nellis, center, who retired last week as Powhatan’s emergency management coordinator, shows off the features of the new mobile support unit he calls Mini Me. The unit will assist local first responders during more drawn out emergencies. Also shown are Brigid Paciello, IT specialist, and EMT James Babcock. See full story Page 3A.

POWHATAN – While the Powhatan County School Board made the choice in December 2021 to support taking schools to a mask optional approach for students and staff, at least one member is now second guessing that decision.

While no vote was taken to make any changes to that previous unanimous vote, Rick Cole, who represents District 1, expressed growing reservations he had at a special meeting of the school board called on Friday afternoon.

The meeting, which was added during the week, only had three board agenda items as well as a public comment period. In addition to the discussion about masks, the board voted to change the law firm handling its general counsel see MASKS, pg. 2

Visits offer 8th graders glimpse of high school life

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

POWHATAN – Powhatan Middle School eighth graders got a possible glimpse into their futures last week with special visits to Powhatan High School.

The roughly 350 eighth graders visited the high

school over two days so they could see firsthand some of see VISITS, pg. 8 PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Powhatan Middle School eighth graders, right, watch the Show Choir perform during a visit last week to Powhatan High School.

Inside A6 Cumberland honors school administrators

Powhatan, Virginia

B1 Indians continue strong play in district games

Vol. XXXV No.. 31

February 2, 2022

District 4 candidates share their viewpoints

A special election will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 15 for the Powhatan County School Board District 4 seat.

Three official candidates are on the ballot for the race. All three candidates agreed to answer the same questions about themselves and their viewpoints to allow District 4 voters the opportunity to get to know their candidates better. Candidates were not given word limits; they were asked to keep responses concise and on point.

JENNIFER CABANISS

JAMES TAYLOR III

CONNIE THOMPSON

Q - Please introduce yourself and tell why you are running for the District 4 school board seat.

My name is Jennifer Cabaniss and I would like to thank Laura for the opportunity to have this Q&A. My husband and I are high school sweethearts and we have three children – a junior at PHS, a sixth grader at PMS, and a CABANISS 4-year-old who will be in kindergarten next year at Powhatan Elementary. I grew up in Powhatan and attended Huguenot Academy (now BSH) through fifth grade and went on to graduate from Richmond Christian School in Chesterfield. We also made the decision for our oldest to be homeschooled from third-eighth grade. With that background, I know how important school choice is and support parents as they decide the best educational decision for their children. The best educational experience is one where schools and parents partner together, and I want to advocate for parents who feel they need additional support in that partnership. My heart is for the children of our community; since 2011 I have been an active volunteer. I served as secretary of Warriors Football from 2013-2019; coach recreational level cheerleading, and am a Girl Scout troop leader.

I’ve served PCPS on the Elementary Realignment Committee and the Gifted Advisory Committee. I want to serve our community in a larger capacity and that’s why I am running for the school board.

A

My name is James Taylor.

My wife Kara and I have been married for 19 years. We have three daughters (13, 9 and 6), and all of them are students in our schools.

When Governor (Ralph) Northam in the spring of 2020 closed all schools in TAYLOR Virginia without notice and forced our students into a virtual format, I became, like so many other parents, much more involved in my children’s education. I quickly saw how inferior virtual learning is to in-person learning. I also noticed that some of the things being taught broke away from the traditional beliefs and values of the people of Powhatan. As weeks turned into months and the next school year only allowed for a hybrid model for my middle school child, I began to attend school board meetings to voice concern and call for change. The state had forcibly taken parental authority and the rights of parents to choose what is best for their children. I joined the voices of many parents in Powhatan calling on the school board to listen to us and be willing to take a stand against government overreach. When the District 4 seat was vacated, I realized that I could either sit on the sideline and call for change or seek the seat to work for change. I chose the latter and was appointed as the interim. I am running in the special election on Feb. 15 because parents matter. They must have a first-chair seat at the table when it comes to the education of our students.

A

My name is Connie Thompson, and I am a lifelong educator with over 37 years of experience in the classroom, a Master’s in Education, and a Post-Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership.

During THOMPSON my career my passion for education also extended outside the classroom where I mentored other teachers and served as department chair.

Upon retirement, I felt compelled to continue to serve in the education field, so I became a volunteer in my grandchildren’s school, Powhatan Elementary.

As my retirement service grew into action, I was asked to serve as a member of the Back-toSchool Task Force in the summer of 2020 to assist Powhatan County Schools in laying out a plan for return to in-person classroom instruction and also became actively involved in civic activities in the community.

As the District 4 School Board representative I would leverage my extensive education and leadership background and channel my passion to advocate for teachers, parents and students alike to represent District 4 at the school board level.

A

Q - Moving forward in 2022, what do you feel are the most important issues facing the school board and how would you approach them?

The topics in front of the School Board in 2022 are really exciting. There are so many opportunities for long-lasting, positive impacts in our community. Hiring a new superintendent, deciding management of the transportation center, fi-

A

Right now, Powhatan County Public Schools is at a crossroads. There are four major items needing to be addressed. First, the selection and hiring of a new superintendent will take place this spring. I will be looking for a strong leader who will champion discipline, beliefs and values that re-

A

DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139

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

see CABANISS pg. 5

The safety of students and teachers is of critical importance, but I am opposed to government mandates, including masks and vaccinations. School boards must be proactive and transparent in conducting risk assessments that weigh the proper educational, physical, social and

A

see TAYLOR, pg. 4

see THOMPSON, pg. 3

School board SMALL BUT MIGHTY revists masks ‘Mini me’ to aid in emergency response but does not change course

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Curt Nellis, center, who retired last week as Powhatan’s emergency management coordinator, shows off the features of the new mobile support unit he calls Mini Me. The unit will assist local first responders during more drawn out emergencies. Also shown are Brigid Paciello, IT specialist, and EMT James Babcock. See full story Page 3A.

POWHATAN – While the Powhatan County School Board made the choice in December 2021 to support taking schools to a mask optional approach for students and staff, at least one member is now second guessing that decision.

While no vote was taken to make any changes to that previous unanimous vote, Rick Cole, who represents District 1, expressed growing reservations he had at a special meeting of the school board called on Friday afternoon.

The meeting, which was added during the week, only had three board agenda items as well as a public comment period. In addition to the discussion about masks, the board voted to change the law firm handling its general counsel see MASKS, pg. 2

Visits offer 8th graders glimpse of high school life

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

POWHATAN – Powhatan Middle School eighth graders got a possible glimpse into their futures last week with special visits to Powhatan High School.

The roughly 350 eighth graders visited the high

school over two days so they could see firsthand some of see VISITS, pg. 8 PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Powhatan Middle School eighth graders, right, watch the Show Choir perform during a visit last week to Powhatan High School.

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 2A

O B I T UA R I E S MYRTLE MUIRE MUIRE, Myrtle Katherine, born Myrtle Katherine Hawk, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022 at the age of 91.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Linwood Muire Sr.; and survived by their sons, Linwood Jr. and Alvin. She had four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Myrtle was one of nine children and grew up in Goochland, but MUIRE lived in Henrico and worked for the Henrico School District for 22 years. She retired with her husband to Powhatan. She was active in the Powhatan Women's Club and volunteered at the Clothes Closet. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Va. There was a viewing at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Norman Funeral Chapel in

Goochland; followed by a service at 12 p.m., after which she was interred at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Goochland.

THOMAS SNEED SNEED, Thomas "T." Cowan, born March 1, 1955, of Richmond, Va., passed January 27, 2022, in Midlothian, Va. "Tommy," "T-Bone," "T," "Biggest Fool," 66, loved by many, friend to all, passed Thursday, January 27, 2022, peacefully surrounded by family. He loved a hard day's work, was particularly fond of landscaping and was quick to help a friend with any project. Tommy was an SNEED excellent athlete, enjoying football, baseball and golf. His love for bluegrass, The Grateful Dead, classic Westerns, and a good party with friends brought so much joy to his life. His devotion to family

was one of his finest traits - he never missed an event and always brought laughter. If you needed help, you could always depend on Tommy. He was there for everyone. He is survived by his children, Del Smith (Ashley) and Anna Krushinski (Scott); and their children, Elise, Michael and Dylan Krushinski; his father, Sonny Sneed; siblings, Robert Sneed (Diane), Rebecca Granger (Garry), Jeanne Beck (Gary), Sandra Thompson (Norwood), Steve Sneed (Kim); multiple nieces and nephews that adore him and a large circle of family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Lee T. Sneed. The family will receive guests from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Woody Funeral Home - Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, Va. 23113. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Rd., Powhatan, Va., 23139. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank Susan McRaney for her loving care during his final days.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday, Feb. 2

The American Red Cross needs volunteers to help on the ground and blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve to maintain a stable blood supply in the face of emergencies. Eligible donors can help overcome the critical need for blood and ensure blood is readily available by making an appointment to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Upcoming local blood drives currently scheduled for the area are: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 at Passion Community Church, 4480 Anderson Highway; from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at Powhatan Moose Lodge, 4140 Old Buckingham Road, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 25 at Powhatan County Public Library, 2270 Mann Road.

Powhatan County Public Library is open for in-person services. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Library bathrooms and meeting rooms are now open again and rooms may be reserved.

Books to Go and Curbside Print services will continue to be available. Books to Go is a convenient contactless pick-up option for those who prefer to quickly obtain library materials in traditional formats.

With Books to Go, patrons may reserve print materials, DVDs, and audiobooks online or by phone. Patrons have two options: place items on hold online through the catalog at www.powhatanlibrary.net or call the library at 804-5985670 to request items. Online hold placement is available 24/7. Depending on their account settings, patrons will be notified that their Books to Go order is ready for pickup either by phone or email.

Items are packaged in a new paper bag labeled with the patron’s last name. The bag is then placed on a table in the atrium. PCPL’s Books to Go pickup is available during open hours. Items are held for three business days. The limit of 20 holds per cardholder per day and the 50 item checkout limit per card will remain in effect.

Curbside print/copy service will continue to be offered. Patrons may submit one printing/ copying request per day for up to 10 pages of black and white printing at no charge. Requests may be submitted via email to print@powhatanlibrary.net.

Staff will notify the patron via

email when the print request is ready for pickup on the table in the library atrium. The library book drop continues to be open 24/7 for patron convenience; however, patrons are asked to return mobile hotspots in the bin below the Books to Go table in the atrium during business hours. The library is once again accepting donations and the Friends of the Library bookstore is open during library business hours.

Visit www.powhatanlibrary.net for more details and like the library’s Facebook page for all the latest, up-to-date library news and information. People may also call 804-598-5670.

hosting a Construction Industry Job Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. at Powhatan High School, 1800 Judes Ferry Road. The job fair is open to anyone looking for employment in the various construction sectors in Powhatan. Powhatan businesses in the construction trades are able to signup for a table for free. For more information, contact Roxanne Salerno at rsalerno@ powhatanva.gov.

Powhatan County Public Library will hold a weekly Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Participants will read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays and more!

Weather permitting, the program will be held outdoors; in inclement or cold weather, the program will be held indoors at the fireplace.

Business Network International (BNI) Powhatan chapter meets virtually from 8 to 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday. Visit Www. BNIVA.com for information. To attend a meeting as a guest contact Chapter President Sandy Duncan at sandy6284@ msn.com.

The Free Clinic of Powhatan serves patients at its location at 2320 Skaggs Road.

Services at the Free Clinic include medical, dental, dietary, counseling, and women’s health. Patient appointments are by appointment only.

Registration for new patients is Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. by appointment and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays by walk-in. Administration hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. Medical appointments are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Dental appointments are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, noon to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

Behavior health appointment hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Contact 804-598-5637.

The Powhatan Lion’s Club will meet at 6 p.m. at the County Seat Restaurant. Contact Mike Jones at 804-794-1440 for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 3

Powhatan Economic Development Department and Powhatan Economic Development Authority are

MASKS Continued from pg. 1

matters and had a discussion about emails between board members that were submitted as a packet obtained by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by a member of the community.

But by far the matter that drew the most attention leading up to the meeting from community members was the discussion on masks and what changes, if any, might be imminent. While many school districts across the state have been grappling with what to do with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order on his first day in office to make masks optional, Powhatan’s board got ahead of the curve by voting unanimously in December to transition into masks optional if the governor followed through on his campaign promise to issue that order.

Chairwoman Kim Hymel, District 5, said at the beginning of the meeting that the topic of a mask mandate in schools for staff and students “is on the agenda again at the request of two board members who want to change their vote on the masking policy and a public meeting is required to revisit their votes.” However, board members later made it clear that the matter was on the agenda as a discussion item and no vote or decision was going to be made on that topic at the meeting.

Cole was the only one who voiced his concerns at the

A Called to Care Meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Powhatan United Methodist Church.

This organization offers both support to persons who have health issues and those who are caring for persons with health issues. The meetings may include guest speakers on a myriad of topics related to aging and good health. Guest speakers have included a nurse practitioner, neurologist, nutritionist, physical therapist and many more. All are welcome to attend. This group is facilitated by Judy Cain-Oliver, licensed clinical psychologist.

meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday in the Powhatan Village Building.

The Powhatan Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday at the County Seat Restaurant.

The Powhatan Garden Club will not meet for its regular meeting in February. There are ongoing discussions about the future meetings for the club in light of COVID-19 risks.

Saturday, Feb. 5

The Powhatan Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays at 2500 Batterson Road. Contact the pantry at 804-372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail. com.

The Huguenot Beekeepers Association is a group of experienced and beginner beekeepers that are dedicated to promoting beekeeping in our communities and supporting each other in our beekeeping activities. The group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Powhatan Village Building, 3910 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. Visit https:// huguenotbeekeepers.org.

Extension specialists and industry experts share timely topics for farmers in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Ag Today, held virtually at 9 a.m. every Thursday. These updates are relevant and brief and are recorded for folks who can't join on that day and time. Podcasts (audio only) are posted on Westmoreland VCE webpage and YouTube video recordings can be found at https://www.youtube. com/ playlist?list=PL7_2QU VzrPXDpYsV2HY11CH8KB rluifyO. Contact Stephanie Romelczyk (sromelcz@vt.edu) for information on joining the meeting live. Watched or listened to VCE AG Today? Let us know how we are doing!

Find our survey here: https:// vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_6fiYBb914AYRdn7.

The original Powhatan AA

Habitat for HumanityPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan are encouraging the community to shop local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 and are teaming up with several local businesses.

Habitat-Powhatan’s ReStore also will be open on Saturday, Feb 5, at 1922 Urbine Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Free Clinic of Powhatan will offer free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m.to noon at the store, and Triple Tap Coffee, owned by local firefighters, will be there selling assorted coffee gift boxes and more (a portion of proceeds will be donated).

Crazy Rooster Brewing and Fine Creek Brewing recently brewed their first collaboration beer, Rye Coffee Porter. As part of this release 50% of sales from the collaboration beer on Saturday, Feb. 5, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and The Free Clinic of Powhatan. Mulberry Layne will donate 10% of its store sales on Feb 5. Three Crosses Distilling Company will donate a portion of all cocktail sales to Habitat -Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan from the weekend. The Vintage Antique Shack will donate 10% of store inventory sales on Feb 5. Shop, eat and drink local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 to support businesses in Powhatan but also HabitatPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan.

Habitat For Humanity Powhatan depends on volunteers and donors.

Habitat is blessed with the community’s helpful, kind and generous participation. The Habitat Store at 1922 Urbine Road will be open on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During this pandemic, anyone coming into the store must wear a facemask. The office is located in the Habitat Store and the office number is 804594-7009. Call and volunteer!

Donate! Help us build!!

Powhatan AA meets at 8 p.m. every Saturday at Manakin Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.

meeting. Valarie Ayers, District 3, said because of the timing of the meeting in the middle of the afternoon when so many people who had reached out to her about masks could not attend, she would not offer comments.

“Many parents and teachers were not able to be here because they are still in school. I will speak at the next board meeting where I have asked that to be put on the agenda so people that had a different opinion – which we are all entitled to our opinions and our opinions deserve to be respected – will have an opportunity to speak,” Ayers said.

The next school board meeting is Feb. 8, with a workshop at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. The agenda for that meeting has not yet been published.

Cole mentioned hearing from teachers and parents with concerns about the timing of making a change when COVID-19 case numbers were on the rise, but the main thrust of his comments concerned medically compromised people who might be placed more at risk by people around them not wearing masks.

“There has been a lot of discussion over the past several months about freedom and choice and those kinds of things, and they are important – no doubt about that. But freedom can only be a cherished idea when it is freedom applied across our community, not just to a selected group of people because they are healthy,” Cole said. “By

Monday, Feb. 7

The Huguenot Ruritan Club meets at 7 p.m. at May Memorial Baptist Church. For more information, contact Tom Grasty at 804-598-0777.

A Powhatan Hope Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday at PCC Church, 4480 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, Room 102. It is an open discussion meeting.

Wheelchair accessible.

second appointment at a later date to return to pick up and sign their completed tax return. Be assured that clients’ tax documents will be secured the entire time they are in Tax-Aide’s possession between the first and second appointment. Tax-Aide will be open for appointments every Wednesday and Friday as usual. People are able to schedule their first appointment online on the library website.

In order to better manage the appointments, Tax-Aide will only be posting a few appointment days at a time.

Additional appointment times will be added as earlier times are filled. Clients should make an appointment only once they have received all their tax documents.

Tuesday, Feb. 8

The Women in Ag Network meets virtually at 7:30 p.m.

The organization’s mission is to foster female farmers. The Women in Agriculture Network will hold monthly Zoom sessions highlighting women farmers, offering opportunities for women to network, and educational opportunities.

Register at https://docs. google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSdZN-I3gWp0zjO AAzwFhvrTWNTK4BBesTRg 6UoSH1b3l62o_A/viewform or call 804-598-5640. Preregistration required. Recorded sessions and more information: https://www.facebook.com/ vawomeninagnetwork.

Awaken to Hope Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

The new Bridge of Reason AA meeting is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Powhatan Mennonite Church, 3549 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan.

It is an open, decision and literature meeting for Powhatan, Goochland, and Cumberland counties.

AA meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.

Powhatan-based nonprofit Virginians for Conservation and Community Rights (VCCR) is hosting a Powhatan #ShareTheLoveInPowhatan Event, celebrating Valentine's throughout the month of February. The goal is to engage the Powhatan community and to support Powhatan local businesses.

Organizers are hosting several opportunities to play along with $5 for each entry. Participants in the Powhatan Puzzle Hunt will receive the addresses of 10 local businesses. A small container will be located at each business holding a puzzle piece for each registered participant. The goal is to complete the puzzle first, by visiting all of the locations.

Whoever sends us a photo of the completed Heart puzzle first, will win a Yeti cooler.

There will also be a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle with 50% of the cash going directly to the Coalition of Powhatan Churches and the other 50% going to the raffle winner. To register, go to Powhatan In The Know Uncensored Facebook Group or VCCR.info/events to register. Must be a Powhatan resident to participate.

Drawings to be announced Feb. 28, 2022.

Powhatan County Public Library’s Teen Anime Club will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Feb. 10, March 10 and 24, April 7 and 21, and May 5 and 19. Come watch anime with the Teen Anime Club! Bring manga, notebooks, cosplays, or other projects to work on.

We will watch a different anime each meeting. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12).

Application required to join.

Pick up one at the library front desk. Pick up an application at the library and turn it into the front desk. Contact Brooke at pcplteens@powhatanlibrary. net.

Upcoming

Volunteers from AARP TaxAide will be returning to the Powhatan Library to provide free tax preparation services, but the processes will look a little different this year due to new COVID-19 protocols.

The biggest difference this year is that AARP Tax-Aide is not offering same-day tax preparation services. Instead, volunteers will offer drop-off services, which will require two separate short appointments to complete a client’s tax return. The taxpayer will make one appointment with Tax-Aide to complete all the required paperwork and leave all tax documents with them. Once volunteers have all the information they need, the taxpayer will have a quick interview with a tax counselor and be given a

giving freedom to everybody to be maskless, we have actually put some of those students in a situation where they have no freedom at all. If they go out in the general school population, even though they have a mask on, they are at greater risk for getting sick, at greater risk for missing school. So I thought the board ought to think about this.”

Cole said his first fear is that a medically compromised students would become seriously ill and miss school “or worse yet loses their life.” By law, he argued, students have a “right to a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.” So his second fear is that parents of immune compromised students might question whether those requirements have been met, implying vulnerability to a lawsuit.

Cole made it clear he understands he doesn’t have the majority votes necessary to change the school board’s previous decision to make masks optional, “but I would not be doing my job as a board member to not bring this to your attention and to say to you this is something we really need to think about.”

He also mentioned creating safe zones for these students, such as having adults around them wear masks or “maybe in those classrooms, every student, whether they were made to or not, would have the compassion to wear see MASKS, pg. 5

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 3A

New mobile command center to aid first responders

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

POWHATAN – Emergency management coordinator Curt Nellis left a final contribution when he officially retired last week – a new tool in Powhatan County’s public safety toolbox he jokingly refers to as Mini Me. Nellis’ tongue-in-cheek Austin Powers impressions aside, the Mini Me in question is serious business. The name refers to a new mobile support unit (MSU) that has the capability of assisting local first responders with everything from disaster response to a drawn-out standoff to search and rescue operations.

Nellis has spent the last three years turning an old 17-foot trailer donated by the sheriff’s office into a highly functional, easy-to-deploy mobile command center outfitted for every emergency response need he could imagine.

The county already has a much larger 37-foot mobile command center that takes longer to deploy, both because of the setup and the number of people who can actually operate it. This smaller version – hence the name Mini Me – is much easier to deploy and has more capability packed into its more compact space, Nellis said.

“You’ve got a smaller unit that is easier to deploy faster by smaller vehicles

LEFT PHOTO CONTRIBUTED/ RIGHT PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Curt Nellis, center, who retired last week as Powhatan’s emergency management coordinator, shows off the features of the new mobile support unit he calls Mini Me. The unit will help local first responders during more drawn out emergencies. Also shown are Brigid Paciello, IT specialist, and EMT James Babcock.

– F-150 pickup trucks or even a heavy duty SUV – that you can turn on and you have immediate capabilities. It takes me about an hour to deploy the big one,” he said.

Nellis officially presented the MSU to personnel from fire and rescue, the sheriff’s office, county administration and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in a presentation he gave on Wednesday, Jan. 26 – the day before he retired as emergency management coordinator. He said he was

pleased with the responses when those men and women were introduced to its capabilities for the first time.

“They were excited. I feel good that it will get used. That is what my biggest fear was – that I would spend all this time and it would just sit here,” he said.

Fire and rescue chief Phil Warner called the new mobile support unit a tremendous county asset, whether it is used on-scene at a long incident or search and rescue. One of the biggest advantages of the unit is how much easier it will be to

deploy than the current mobile command center.

“The true weakness of the larger vehicle is we only have one or two people in the county who are comfortable picking it up and delivering it wherever it needs to go,” he said. “The vehicles are very specific to ones that can tow it. It is very limiting and that is what makes the new unit so much more versatile.”

When Warner joined the other personnel to see the trailer for the first time, see MOBILE, pg. 6

Local nonprofits partner for The Heart of Home Weekend Contributed Report Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan are encouraging the community to shop local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 and are teaming up with Triple Tap Coffee, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Crazy Rooster Brewing Company, Mulberry Layne, Three Crosses Distilling Company and The Vintage Antique Shack.

Habitat-Powhatan’s ReStore also will be open on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 1922 Urbine Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Free Clinic of Powhatan will offer free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to noon at the

THOMPSON Continued from pg. 1

psychological development of our children against potential harms and violations of student and parental rights in the name of safety at all costs. Some costs are too high.

Additionally, we have a task ahead of us of choosing a new superintendent. In both Loudon and Nottaway counties, the superintendents failed to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

We must select a candidate who is committed to the education, not indoctrination, of our students.

I am also concerned about curricula that generates divisiveness among students. No one should feel less than worthy because of sex, gender, race, medical status or religious convictions.

Every student, teacher, and administrator should be respected. We have more in common than we do in differences.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education.

How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

We must continue to preserve Powhatan County Public Schools’ outstanding reputation for providing a high-caliber education. I feel strongly that curricula should be transparent, and I encourage parental involvement in their students’ learning.

As a school board representative, I would like to strengthen the channels of communication and will be available to teachers and administrators to foster collaboration that leads to effective instruc-

tion and successful student outcomes.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

While these meetings have been stressful and sometimes tense, it is imperative that we hear about concerns in the community. Having said that, I would endeavor to hold Town Hall meetings in District 4 on a regular basis so that concerned citizens have a chance to be heard and be responded to. Civil discourse is essential; we must engage in productive conversations that lead us to develop creative solutions.

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

I believe that we need to be fiscally responsible, weeding out the “must haves” from the “nice-tohaves.” As a department head, I had to make some of these difficult decisions.

One of the most pressing issues is that of classroom coverage — getting substitute teachers. It is my understanding that a substitute teacher receives $65 a day. One substitute told me that it was not worth the stress she had to endure. Let’s increase that

store.

Crazy Rooster Brewing and Fine Creek Brewing recently brewed their first collaboration beer, Rye Coffee Porter. As part of this release 50% of sales from the collaboration beer on Feb. 5, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and The Free Clinic of Powhatan. Mulberry Layne will donate 10% of its store sales on Feb. 5.

Three Crosses Distilling Company will donate a portion of all cocktail sales to Habitat -Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan from the weekend. The Vintage Antique Shack will donate 10% of store in-

to a level comparable to neighboring counties. In addition, I would consider offering monetary incentives to those who serve frequently during the month and/or semester.

I also propose that teachers receive a 5% increase for the 2022-23 school year. With a 7% increase in inflation, that is the least we can offer our teachers.

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

It is important that the school board and the board of supervisors have a mutually respectful working relationship. I have met several of the supervisors, and I look forward to partnering with them to achieve school board initiatives while maintaining board of supervisor’s strategic goals. My ultimate responsibility, however, is committing to excellence in education, and I intend to stand my ground for the good of supporting teachers, respecting parents and educating students.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

Extensive experience and time in this field fueled by a passion for the teachers, parents and students in this county. As detailed above, my leadership experience in pub-

lic education and time afforded by retirement set me apart as the most qualified candidate to serve District 4 as school board representative. I will work tirelessly and enthusiastically to promote excellence at all levels and advocate for the next generation of our children, including my own grandchildren.

When considering the candidates for this position, I urge you to evaluate who has the pertinent experience, passion, energy and time to be successful as your school board representative.

ventory sales on Feb. 5.

Triple Tap Coffee, owned by local firefighters, will be at the ReStore Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. selling assorted coffee gift boxes and more. Triple Tap Coffee will donate a portion of those sales.

Shop, eat and drink local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 to support businesses in Powhatan but also HabitatPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan.

Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan also needs volunteers for upcoming projects and events. Volunteer forms are available at https://www.habitatpowhatan. org/.

My name is Connie Thompson, and I am running for school board in

District 4, and I graciously ask for your vote on Feb. 15.

ALL-STAR P VING PA

598-0799 www.allstarpavingva.com

A Locally Owned & Operated

“All Work Personally Supervised by Owner, Richard Stanley”

Proudly serving Powhatan and the surrounding counties since 1985 Fully Licensed & Insured • Class A Contractor • Free Estimates

Page 4A

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Farmville man killed in two-vehicle crash in Powhatan Contributed Report Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, Jan. 26 that killed a Farmville man in western Powhatan.

The crash occurred at 5:48 a.m. on

Route 60, Anderson Highway, between Bell and Ridge roads. A 2009 Ford Ranger was traveling westbound on Route 60 when it crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car traveling eastbound on Route 60.

TAYLOR Continued from pg. 1

flect Powhatan, a commitment to teaching core curriculum, high integrity, strong communication skills and a willingness to plant his or her life in Powhatan for the long-haul. Second, we need to refocus our educational attention on core curriculum, teaching students reading, math, science and history along with character development instead of focusing on social and emotional learning.

And we need to dial back the social justice warrior movement. Obviously, racial issues are part of our history in Virginia and America, and it is important to teach this history. Everything, however, should not be viewed through the lens of social justice and race. We need to get back to teaching students how to think critically and not what to think. Third, we have a great need within our school system for more teachers, staff and bus drivers. Compensation and retirement benefits are crucial in our efforts both in recruiting and retaining employees. Therefore, we must become more competitive to attract the best to Powhatan, while making sure to hire teachers who will reflect our culture. And fourth, we need to be proactive regarding the future. Powhatan is a wonderful place to live, and many families are moving here each year. Soon there will be a

Hey Everyone, My name is Cooper, I am around 8 years old, and up to date on shots, I am also Heartworm negative.

So just a little about myself.

My owner became ill and was unable to take care of me. I was well loved, and treated like a part of the family. I recently found out that my previous owner passed away, and it really hurt me. I am really wanting another family that I can call my own, One that will take great care of me, and in return I will be loyal, loving and shower you with kisses. If you would like to meet me, You can call 804-5985672 and my caregivers will be happy to answer questions, and also schedule you an appointment to meet me. I look forward to meeting you.

If you would like to help the animals in our care, you can do so by donating to our medical fund at Claws and Paws, 4313 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA 23139 Powhatan Sheriff’s Office | Division Of Animal Control Phone: 804-598-5672 | Fax: 804-598-5109

The driver of the 2001 Lincoln Town Car, Andrew Trent Jr., 53, of Farmville, died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the 2009 Ford Ranger was transported to Chippenham for treatment of stable but critical injuries.

need for a new elementary school, more space at the middle school and an addition to the high school. Currently, there is no plan for a new school in the next 11 years. I believe it is prudent to begin looking down the road and charting a plan.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

Over the last two years, we have experienced the failings of a “once-size-fits-all” approach to regulations and policy. The school board, like other local governing entities, provides local governance and oversight. It is close to the people and organized in such a way to hear, listen and respond to the people. General guidance and funding should come from the federal and state levels, but the school board should work to contextualize them to the local level. Our school board should listen and follow the will of the people. After all, they are the primary bill payers.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

Board meetings have been contentious of late, both here and around the country. I believe a lot of it stems from a lack of trust. Again, people have had their rights stripped away and their voices silenced in the name of safety. Then during the lockdown, they were awakened to the reality that not everything their children were learning reflected the beliefs and values they were trying to instill. For this reason, we must rebuild trust, which requires us to listen to the will of the people. The town halls conducted by board members in 2021 were a good first step. These need to continue regularly, so board members have an opportunity to interact with their constituents and know what is important to them.

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

One of the items greatly influenced by listening to constituents is the budget. The process of formulating an annual budget is a delicate and strategic process. There are many factors involved. As the pastor of a local church, I have been engaged in this process for over 20 years. I bring the experience of leading a nonprofit organization and operating on a balanced budget. Though there are many differences between the two, the basics are the same. At the end of the fiscal year, the expenses need to be less than the income. In the upcoming budget, I want to make our compensation and benefits more competitive, specifically for teachers and bus drivers. I want to trim all wasteful spending. And I would like to see mon-

There were no passengers in either vehicle. The crash remains under investigation, with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Richmond Division Crash Reconstruction Team. Charges are pending.

ies reallocated to put textbooks back in the classrooms.

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

The budgeting process is intertwined with the Board of Supervisors. During the five months that I have been on the school board, it has become quite clear to me that there is work to do to bring the two boards together. Relationships are important for getting things accomplished. During my short time on the school board, I have been able to build relationships with our county supervisors. For the most part, we all want the same thing. We want what is best for Powhatan. Therefore, we need to keep the channels of communication open and do what we say we are going to do. When there is a disagreement, let’s talk through the issues, think the best of one another, find common ground, and refuse to be snarky. I would love to see the two boards continue to meet quarterly and have good conversations. As elected officials, it is beneficial for taxpayers to see us working together for their good.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

As I think about the District 4 seat on the school board, I do believe I am the best candidate. Often school boards are comprised of career educators. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, career educators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. I am not a career educator, which in my opinion is an asset for Powhatan. Every member currently serving on the PCPS school board is a career educator. Therefore, I offer a different perspective on the issues. Perhaps, I even offer a perspective that is much closer to that of the everyday parent in our community. I am conservative in my beliefs and values. I am going to lead from my convictions while being a good listener as well. I have a track record. The constituents of District 4 can see how I have led with strength during the last five months. I have spoken out and worked to provide better guidance for our libraries and teachers to make sure we are keeping political and social issues out of the classroom. I introduced the motion to proactively be ready for Governor (Glenn) Youngkin’s executive order making masks optional. Powhatan was the first school system in the metro area to do so.

Next, I will be working to eliminate contact tracing because it is not sustainable. Also, I disagree with the idea school buses are public transportation and therefore fall under the president’s executive order. Our kids and bus drivers should not have to be masked on the school bus unless that is the choice of the parent and driver. It is time for us to completely return to normal and live with this virus like all the others. If these beliefs and values resonate with you, I hope you will vote for me, James Taylor, on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

SUNDAYS 8:00 AM in person service in the church 10:30 AM in person service in the church (livestreamed) www.stlukespowhatan.org All are Welcome For more information visit www.stlukespowhatan.org Route 711 at Three Bridge Road 794-6953

EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CHURCH (PCA) Proclaiming & Practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Worship Service at 10:00 AM Meeting at 2375 Skaggs Road, Powhatan.

ECCPCA.ORG

598-8844

Genito Presbyterian Church 2910 Genito Rd. Powhatan, VA

372-9074

Worship with us this Sunday Church service @ 9:30 AM Sunday school @ 10:30 AM

Providence Presbyterian Church

“Worshiping and Witnessing in Western Powhatan since 1825”

Powhatan Christian Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night 7:30 p.m.

Worship Service 11:00 am All Are Welcome!

3308 Pleasants Road, 598-4970 1/4 mile off of Route 711 Located 1950 Ridge Road Russ Cress, Pastor (Rt. 627) 598-0733

St. John Neumann Catholic Church Sunday School 10 AM Worship Service 11 AM Pastor John Engle 603-933-0141 3540 Old Buckingham Rd. www.pmchurch.net

Meeting Sundays in Farmville, Fork Union, Midlothian, Powhatan and Online.

Visit pccwired.net for services times & locations.

598-1174 pccwired.net

1801 Huguenot Trail Sunday School 9am Sunday Worship 10am Wednesday Bible Study 6:45pm Bryan M. Holt, Pastor 378-3607 www.EmmausChristianChurch.org

Rev. Walter G. Lewis, Pastor Living As Christ’s Disciples Within Our Hearts and Beyond Our Doors 2253 Rosson Rd.

Just off Rt. 13 in the Village

598-4438

Worship: 8:30 & 10:30am

www.powhatanumc.us Weekday Preschool (ages 2-5) 598-6090

Mount Calvary Baptist Church 2020 Red Lane Road Powhatan, VA 23139

Pastor, Larry B. Collins Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

Office 804-598-2398

Advertise in

Saturday - 5 p.m.

Sunday - 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

598-3754 www.sjnpowhatan.org Located behind Flat Rock Village Shopping Center

Church Directory.

Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

MASKS Continued from pg. 2

a mask in that room. I am bothered when we even suggest that that we get pushback.”

Susan Smith, District 2, pointed out that the school division has other mitigating measures that could help support students and parents in making the transition, such as emphasis on keeping the buildings clean and making sure the air filtration system is working. She said she would rather have the school division spend a little extra to put additional air filtration system measures in classrooms with immune compromised students or put up plastic barriers to bring ease and comfort.

“I don’t think any member of this board wants to do anything to further inflict damage or hurt on our students. But I simply know as a board member, I cannot ask a student nor teacher that has taken that mask off to put it back on. That has to be their choice; it cannot be mine. It cannot be my vote to ever ask anyone to put a mask on again,” Smith said.

Dr. James Taylor, interim District 4

board member, said that the board’s action in December “put the choice back in the hands of parents where it rightfully belongs.” He said he empathizes with those who have issues and concerns, but at the same time the majority both in Powhatan and across the state showed with their election of the new governor that they wanted masks to be optional.

“I like the decision we made. I think it is the best decision. I have been advocating for months that we have to live with COVID. It is here forever it seems like and it needs to be treated just like we have always treated the common cold, the flu.

We take care of those who are sick, we treat them, and we don’t isolate people who come around them who are not symptomatic, who have no inclination of being sick whatsoever,” he said.

He said most of the people he has heard from are happy with the board’s decision, but he has heard from a small segment of the community who are outraged with some valid reasons. He asked Powhatan residents to love and support each other, which is what the students have been doing in the week since masks were

CABANISS Continued from pg. 1

nalizing the retiree health plan, expanding our preschool program, and determining a use for the Pocahontas Landmark Center – all of those will determine the future direction of PCPS, and I look forward to the opportunity to work on them. We are really at a crossroads of what PCPS will look like over the next decade.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

I believe it’s important to be available. I want to have open communication with the constituents of District 4. I plan to be active and engaged in our schools. The best way to know what is going on in our schools is to be active - that’s true as a parent and I plan on continuing it as a school board representative.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

When I was in high school, my grandfather gave me the best advice I’ve ever received when he said to me, “Jennifer, the good Lord gave you two ears and one mouth, so you need to listen twice as much as you speak.” People want to be heard. They don’t want to feel that while they are speaking, the listener is just waiting for them to finish and is not listening to understand their point of view. I’m encouraged that so many people are taking their time to be a part of the process. We have faced many difficult topics and issues over the past few years, but that is such an important part of growth and transparency. It’s important to remember that just because someone

SECOND ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 1059 Dorset Road Powhatan, VA 23139 Reverend Mark A. Divens, Sr. Pastor

Praise and Worship Service Sunday School 9:45-10:45 Sunday Morning Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m.

GREENBRIER BAPTIST CHURCH “God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

We walk by faith and not by sight” – Pastor Darnell Carruthers

Sunday School: 10:00-10:45 a.m.

Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

4731 Bell Road, Powhatan, VA 23139 804-598-5491

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

An election at the beginning of budget season, with a new governor, certainly makes things interesting. As you mentioned, there are many unknowns at this point, with many budget proposals yet to come.

I am, however, familiar with the general breakdown of the school board’s budget since I have been an active watcher for years of both the school board and board of supervisors. When I served on the board of Flat Rock Warriors, which was a nonprofit, we had to run our budget very responsibly and we were able to provide improvements for our players without increasing our fees. I understand the need to utilize every dollar to its maximum potential. As far as priorities go, I’m really excited about the School Construction Grant that we will be receiving from the state. There are a lot of avenues that the board could take with that grant, and I look forward to seeing some projected costs on renovating the Pocahontas Landmark Center and the projected preschool project as well as potential benefits of applying the grant to the loan from the construction of Powhatan Middle School. The board addressed teacher pay scale

Eight people spoke during the public comment period of the meeting. All of the comments touched on the mask issue, with most saying the board needs to leave it optional. Individuals argued not to put the responsibility of everyone’s health on children; for the board to put aside personal feelings and act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and Virginia Constitution; not to prioritize the needs of immune compromised students above the needs of the students who have been mentally harmed by the masks, and not to put all their trust in the masks protecting people from COVID-19.

Other business handled at the meeting included: The only action item on the agenda was regarding retaining Sands Anderson as general counsel for the school board.

The board was already represented by Sands Anderson for its special education needs while its general counsel needs were handled by Haney Phinyowattanachip PLLC. Hymel requested the board streamline its legal representation to one firm. see LEGAL, pg. 8

compression last year and I’m hoping to continue to address that as a part of the budget discussion for FY23, in addition to salary increases for staff.

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

It’s important to have a positive working relationship with the BOS. I look forward to having open communication with each supervisor, and I also plan to continue watching their meetings as I have done for years. Both boards want Powhatan to have the best we can offer while remaining fiscally responsible. The school board is not only in charge of public education, but PCPS is the county’s largest employer and 85.45% of the school’s budget goes to payroll and benefits.

Many families are moving to Powhatan County because of our excellent school system, and maintaining that excellence is critical to the county’s growth.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

I don’t believe there is another candidate who will be as “all in” as I am. This would be my job, serving District 4. The past 10 years of my life have been dedicated to volunteering in our community, and I would bring that same drive and passion to the school board. My kids cover all the ages, so I have firsthand knowledge of each school; and with a child entering kindergarten next year, I am fully vested in the academic excellence of PCPS. I understand the challenges that can come with asking for services for your child, the difficulties of choosing and applying to a specialty program in high school, and even how to transition into PCPS after homeschooling - I’m right there with you.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Graceland Baptist Church Dr. Ronald Wyatt, Jr., Pastor

Contemporary – 8:30 a.m.

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Worship – 11 a.m.

Children’s Worship – 11 a.m.

Prayer/Bible Study – Wed. 6:30 p.m.

2095 Red Lane Road Children’s Worship (all ages) – 1/2 mile off Rt. 60 on Red Lane Road Wed. 6:30 p.m.

804-598-2455 New Generation Praise & Worship – www.redlanebaptist.org Sunday 6 p.m.

Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Lighthouse Youth – Wed. 5:30 p.m.

Small Groups 10:30 a.m. Miracles of God Sp. Needs Service: 2 p.m. the 2nd Sat. of each month Wednesday Night Classes for all ages at 6:15 598-3481 • 975 Dorset Road Dr. James Taylor, Pastor www.gracelandbc.org

Pastor Roger Epperson 2390 Emmanuel Church Road 804-372-9254 www.newwalkbible.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Bible Study Wed. 7:00 PM

Holly Hills Baptist Church www.HollyHillsBaptist.org

(Independent Bible Believing)

Randy Blackwell, Pastor Sunday School - 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Youth Ministry 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:30 p.m.

379-8930

1659 Anderson Highway 3½ miles east of Flat Rock

5680 Cartersville Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 Pastor Gregory L. Beechaum Sr. “The church where Jesus is Alive” 9:00 a.m. ---- Sunday School 9:45 a.m.----- Prayer & Praise 10:00 a.m.--- Sunday Morning Worship 5th Sunday at 11 a.m.

Hour of Power 7:30 p.m. ---- Tuesday Night Worship & Bible Study

804-375-9404

Baptist Church “A Church Where Love Never Fails!”

Pastor Otis B. Lockhart, Jr.

BAPTIST CHURCH

made optional.

“There has been no bullying or no talk about whether or not a kid has a mask on or doesn’t have a mask on,” Taylor said.

“In fact I had an employee of our school system tell me the other day that – it’s a bus driver – and she was telling me that she was asking some students as they got on the bus, ‘How’s things going in the schools? Is anybody bullying you or talking about why you are wearing or not wearing a mask?’ The kids’ response was, ‘We are not the issue, it’s the adults.’ ” Hymel said she has received a significant amount of emails on the mask issue in the last two weeks and the message was clear that the majority of parents want a choice.

“The people who have concerns about the executive order, we hear your concerns. We will work on other mitigating measures to ensure the best possible environment for your children,” Hymel said.

She asked teachers and staff to let the school board know how they can be of help. She also stressed the importance of improving indoor air quality and the daily cleaning of all of the schools.

else’s experience may be different from ours, that doesn’t make their experience invalid. I believe that if people feel that they are truly heard, that even if we disagree that it can be done with respect. At the end of the day, everyone in our community wants our schools to be a place where students and staff feel safe and respected. As a board member, I want my constituents to know that I want to listen to each of you and I will take all of those experiences into account when I make decisions based on what is best for students and staff.

Hollywood

MOUNT ZION

Page 5A

Muddy Creek Baptist Church

2591 Ridge Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 804-598-2051

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Bryan Stevens, Pastor

Pastor Jeff Beard, MA, MBA

10 a.m. – Worship Service 8:30 a.m. – Church School

3470 Trenholm Road www.muddycreekbaptist.org

375-9212

Advertise in Powhatan Today’s Church Directory.

Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.

OLD POWHATAN BAPTIST CHURCH 3619 Huguenot Trail Powhatan, Virginia 23139 www.finecreekbaptist.org Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.

Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

Traditional Vern Gilmer, Pastor

2202 Old Church Road www.powhatanbaptist.org

“Your Community Church” 2901 Judes Ferry Road Powhatan, Va 23139 804-379-8223

Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

Morning Service at 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study Every Wednesday Night at 6:30 p.m.

3964 Old Buckingham Road

Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Experiencing the presence, power and person of Jesus Christ

Loving, Investing, Fulfilling, Empowering Senior Pastor Justin Wilson Sunday Service 10:30am 2410 New Dorset Circle www.Communitylifechurchpowhatan.org

FIRST ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday 10am, 11am & 6pm Wednesday 7pm

3920 MAIDENS RD., POWHATAN

804-598-2301

Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Service times are 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Worship online at 10:15 a.m.

Family Worship Center

598-2763

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Mid Day Bible Study 11:30 a.m.

Brad Russell, Pastor 598-4241

Travis L. Keith- Pastor Church Office: 794.7054 1530 Cook Road (Rt. 636)

www.glbcpva.org

Just Across from South Creek Shopping Center!

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 6A

Cumberland County Cumberland Library partners Division honors service with reading program of school administrators Contributed Report Cumberland County Public Library has announced that it has become an affiliate with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. County residents now have the option to sign up their children to receive free books through the program.

Sent directly to the child at the address on record, books are mailed monthly to registered youngsters from birth to the age of 5.

“We are excited to join several surrounding counties in offering this program for children,” said library director Lisa Davis. “Cumberland County has six different zip codes that are used to deliver mail to local households. Our Imagination Library coverage is limited to those family residences that fall within the county’s boundary lines and which are part of Cumberland County Public Schools’ service area. We wish we could make free books available to children everywhere; but, with limited funding, that is not possible.”

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has gifted well over 172 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million highquality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring children to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Cumberland County residents who wish to register their children for the free book program have several options.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND LIBRARY

Twins Brooks and Leighton Ingle of Cumberland are already signed up by their parents, Tyler and Casey Ingle, for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through Cumberland County Public Library.

The library recently became an affiliate of the singer’s program.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Former Gov. Ralph S. Northam signed a proclamation designating Jan 8 to 14, 2022, as Virginia School Principal Appreciation Week.

Cumberland County Public Schools took the opportunity to honor its principal and assistant principal at each school.

Those honored were, from the top: Cumberland Elementary School principal Virginia Gills and assistant principal Wendy Tillett; Cumberland Middle School principal Andrew Hoyt and assistant principal Jason Mawyer, and Cumberland High School principal Eugene Williams Jr. and assistant principal Ashley Long.

They can register online at https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/ using the locality’s affiliate code “VA – Cumberland County” or they can enter their household zip code to locate the program. Child registration forms can also be downloaded from the library’s home page at https://www.cumberlandcountypubliclibrary.org/ and returned by mail to the library at PO Box 98, Cumberland VA 23040 or by email to cumberlandlibraryva@gmail.com.

Forms are also available for pickup and completion at the library at 1539 Anderson Highway in Cumberland.

The Cumberland County Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Individuals, organizations and/or groups who may be interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support Cumberland County’s Imagination Library’s cost of $25 per child per year should contact the library at 804-492-5807.

Cadets participate in Wreaths Across America Ceremony PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Dec. 18, 2021, Cumberland High School JROTC cadets participated in the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Trinity Memorial Gardens along with Lt. Col. Veronica Baker, senior army instructor with the JROTC program, and Command Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs, JROTC army instructor.

Dwayne Tigs recognized for patriotic civilian service PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Dec. 16, 2021, Lt. Col. Veronica Baker, senior army instructor with the Cumberland High School JROTC program, presented Command Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs, JROTC army instructor, with the U.S. Army Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service.

Tigs retired from the military in 2014 after 32 years.

MOBILE Continued from pg. 3

he knew a little of what to expect but was still floored by its capability.

“It was a big surprise because he has been working on it from home. That was the first time I had seen it. He did a fantastic job. It is well thought out, well planned. I think the best part of it is it is versatile to search and rescue, fire and rescue, and police,” Warner said.

Several years ago, Nellis observed the sheriff’s office as it was investigating a murder in Powhatan County. While collecting evidence, investigators had to use what space they could to do their work, which is when he first thought about having a relatively unobtrusive but versatile space to set up a mobile command post.

He also observed too many search and rescues operating from the tailgate of a vehicle in open weather.

“Then my thought was to create an office environment in a trailer where people could work and get in out of the weather but have the tools they needed to do what they wanted to do,” he said. “So this concept came into my head.”

Taking three years to finish the project had more to do with funding and then Nellis’ involvement with the county’s COVID-19 response than the actual project being overly complicated, he said. He applied for small emergency management grants, bought some of the equipment and then waited until more funds were available. In all, he estimated it cost $30,000.

“It just took a long time for me to get from an old used sheriff’s trailer that they gave away to this,” Nellis said, standing in the trailer last week. “I wanted to get it done so that it could be my gift to the

county before I left.”

The trailer includes four designated computer workstations that can feed into a mounted display monitor to relay information, with space for more people to be working behind them, Nellis said.

Designated phone lines feed into the county’s phone system. He also installed several kinds of radio systems – everything from the cutting-edge equipment for the L3Harris system that was installed at Powhatan’s 911 Communications Center in 2021 to a ham radio that could be used if all digital capability was inoperable. It also has connections that can be used for drones that might be used to find a missing person or get an aerial view of a brushfire.

“Brushfires are challenging because you can’t see where they are going sometimes, especially if they are on big acreages. You get up and get that aerial view and get a feel for which way the fire is going,” he said.

There are also portable radios and other organizational tools that could be used to track and monitor activity and personnel involved in an operation, he said.

The small 8-by-17-foot trailer also has insulated walls and heating and air conditioning capabilities so that personnel can be more comfortable working in sometimes extreme weather, he said.

And if the generator that runs it stopped working, it also has a battery backup, he pointed out proudly.

And while there are a few more finishing touches Nellis wants to add after it gets warmer in the spring – mostly aesthetic details – he said it is ready to be deployed now and he hopes it will be a help to Powhatan County if and when it is needed.

What subjects you took in school first exposed you to your career path?

E-mail answers to editor@powhatantoday.com or share them on the Powhatan Today’s Facebook page.

February 2, 2022

Page 7A

Getting a feel for what the future may hold

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

T

he possibilities are greater than you may have imagined.

That is the message I hope roughly 350 Powhatan Middle School eighth graders walked away with after they were brought to Powhatan High School for visits over two days last week.

The visits, which you can read more about in the story on Page 1A, were part of a plan organized by staff (and including some fantastic high school students) to give the middle schoolers just a taste of what kind of options they might have during their final four years in K-12 education.

Over a 90-minute block, the eighth graders had a chance to visit four spaces around the school and explore a variety of career and technical education (CTE) courses and electives they could consider pursuing. Many of them they might not have realized existed in Pow-

hatan County Public Schools.

When similar programs were done in the past, I was told they focused on highlighting the CTE courses, which would have been a highly valuable visit by itself. Powhatan High School has some great courses that see some students well on their way to a career when they graduate as well as the potential to expand in the future as the demand for different career paths in the CTE field grows.

On a side note, I have a relative who graduated high school a few years ago and tried college, but the traditional school environment never interested him. He is now an apprentice lineman who is learning a trade, working outdoors and making really good money.

While I am happy he has found a possible career path now, I keep thinking how an earlier appreciation of a possible CTE path instead of the traditional college path might have saved everyone a great deal of stress and worry.

As for last week’s visit, the CTE

courses were still highlighted, but organizers also included electives that students might consider to enrich their high school experience.

With students only in each station for about 10 minutes, I was rushing between them to get a variety of photos to showcase what they were seeing. Because of that, I got to visit small animal care, photography, JROTC and cosmetology, as well as seeing a fantastic Show Choir performance.

As far as achieving the purpose of the visit, one of the more impressive moments for me came just before the Show Choir song. Chorus teacher Terrell Dean had the students onstage raise their hands if they fit a variety of descriptions, ranging from taking advanced classes to being involved in other programs or sports to also working a job. The number of hands raised, sometimes repeatedly, was truly impressive. It showed a hint of the range of involvements students might choose to follow during high school.

I probably could have gotten to more of the options if I hadn’t stopped to talk to a few of the high school students participating in the tours. But then I wouldn’t have heard the very wise perspectives they wanted to share with the middle schoolers about following their passions but also being open to change.

Four years can seem like both an interminably long time and the blink of an eye, depending on your perspective.

The message they had for the eighth graders was that the experience would be what they made of it.

It’s a great insight, and one I hope the students took to heart. Looking at them, I couldn’t help but think they seemed too young to be thinking about all of this. But the truth is that I wasn’t much older when I joined my high school newspaper at the start of my freshman year and fell in love with journalism. So the thought that some of these young students might have caught a glimpse of their future path last week is truly exciting.

L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R Board actions cause concern Dear Editor, My reason for including this letter in Letters to the Editor is primarily two-fold. The intent is to express concern and disappointment regarding the behavior and lack of respect observed during recent board of supervisors meetings. Additionally, I believe there have been questionable decisions made regarding the proposed Village park and adjacent parking lot. A portion of this letter was presented to the board on January 24, 2022.

While I use this letter as an opportunity to thank each board member for his or her service, I realize serving on the board can be a thankless task, presenting a multitude of difficult challenges and responsibilities. I consider several members of the board to be my friends and respect each of them even though I do not always agree with their decisions or implementation tactics. I am certain that each generally takes positions that they believe are best for the county and its citizens.

While gathering my thoughts and observations in preparation for my comments to the coard, I spoke with the county administrator and staff, representatives from county businesses and civic organizations as well as several school board and planning commission members.

The following observations and concerns are cause for considerable frustration and concern: (1) Based on conversations with many board member constituents, we are in agreement that there is an expectation that each board member treats fellow members with a greater level of dignity and respect in public meetings.

(2) The recent censure resolution adopted by the board, and events serving as its catalyst, could have been handled more professionally and without the public spectacle. The censure resolution leveled the most havoc, not on the board, but on the citizens of Powhatan County. It is worthy of note, be it intentional or unintentional, the first paragraph of the resolution refers to the Board with a capital “B” and the staff with a capital “S.” The Citizens of Powhatan County were referred to with lower case “c,” which in my mind is regrettable.

Regarding the proposed park and paving project in the Village, please consider the following: (1) Save, rather than remove, the 5 Black Walnut trees, 1 Black Locust and 1 Magnolia, ranging in diameter from 12 inches to 25 inches. For a future park, would it not be prudent to save existing mature trees rather than remove them? Referencing a September 20 letter from Balzer & Associates, only 2 of the abovementioned trees are within 5 feet of the existing/proposed future parking lot. Saving the 2 trees in harm’s way would result in the loss of minimal parking space.

I was told by staff that 3 spaces would be lost.

(2) Consider a more environmentally friendly/ pervious parking lot surface. Greater cost is associated with a more pervious surface, but grant funding could possibly be secured to supplement the cost differential. Staff, on several occasions, has been provided with alternative solutions, but serious follow-up appears not to have been considered. Is the paving really time sensitive? I have been a resident of Powhatan County for 50 years, and the gravel lot beside the Commonwealth Attorney’s office appears to have served well. In fact, I have noticed that in the summer months, users prefer to park their vehicles under the shade provided by the overhanging trees that have been proposed for removal.

(3) Consider recognizing our rich heritage and diversity by naming the park “Unity Park” and possibly dedicate each of the trees proposed for removal to individuals or groups who have had a positive and lasting impact on the county. An additional benefit might be a greater level of unity among our county leaders. In a spirit of transparency, suggestions might also be solicited from such groups as Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Powhatan Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions Club and other civic groups.

As stated previously, I thank each board member for his/her service and sincerely appreciate their serious consideration of the above-mentioned thoughts and suggestions.

Dan Jones Powhatan County

Highlight corrections better Dear Editor, Mistakes were made in the January 19th edition Powhatan Today that reflected poorly on the author of the article and the editor. If you didn’t see the front page article, Mr. Byerly’s name was misspelled in the bold title and the vote for new board chairman (5:0) was misreported as (3:2). Anyone can make a mistake; it is human to do so, no one is perfect. However, admitting the mistake and correcting that mistake is another matter. I expected there would be a correction in a subsequent issue of Powhatan Today and searched page after page in the January 26th edition to no avail.

Then I received a call from a friend who put me on to the correction. Lo and behold, on the lower left-hand corner of page two was the elusive correction, buried where no one would notice.

It is no wonder why fewer folks are reading newspapers and question the truthfulness and transparency of “news” organizations in general. The public deserves better.

Don Silberbauer Powhatan County

8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116 Phone: 804-746-1235 Toll Free: 877-888-0449 Fax: 804-344-8746

Publisher

Joy Monopoli

jmonopoli@rsnva.com

Production Manager

Denine D’Angelo

ddangelo@mechlocal.com

Managing Editor

Laura McFarland

lmcfarland@powhatantoday.com

Robby Fletcher

rfletcher@powhatantoday.com

Tom Haynie

thaynie@mechlocal.com

Cindy Adams

cadams@mechlocal.com

Sports Editor Sales Representative Classifieds

Let common sense prevail Dear Editor, Below are excerpts from a letter that I sent to the Dysfunctional Board of Supervisors.

Dear Board of Supervisors, I am writing to all of you because you hold the present and the future of our county in your hands. My concern is your total discord as a board, which in my opinion could have been circumvented if only common sense would have prevailed. Ms. Carmack, your censure of Mr. Cox was totally inappropriate and such a knee-jerk reaction to a situation that could have been handled so differently. It is quite clear your disdain for Mr. Cox and your censure of Mr. Cox was clearly done because you were personally offended by Mr. Cox’s words and actions. Okay all of us have worked with people that we did not like and had a hard time working with. Since you can’t change that person then you have to change how YOU interact with that person. So you could not have talked to Mr. Cox privately about his behavior? Or could someone else on the board have spoken to Mr. Cox if you felt too uncomfortable?

There must have been another solution.

However, your censure of Mr. Cox not only affected you and the board but the whole county and made the board look like a bunch of embittered people who can’t work together. In the past we have had contentious boards. They never worked well together for the voters who elected them. And Mr. Byerly as you said in the Powhatan Today, “Can we do better? Yeah, we can do better-together.” I am afraid that concept is a little too late because there is no “together” on the board after you, as a board, ostracized Mr. Cox. Essential meaning of ostracize: to not allow (someone) to be included in a group: to exclude (someone) from a group. Did you ALL give any thoughts to the effects that were to come afterwards? Did you think Mr. Cox would just quit? And Ms. Carmack your comment was so ironic if not just downright insulting since you got this whole thing rolling, “We will definitely have some challenges. Trying to bring unity to the board is a concern and focus.” Yes, I would say impossible since you have censured and embarrassed and made Mr. Cox an ineffective board member of District 4.

Mr. Williams said it correctly, “This is no longer about what is best for Powhatan; it is about individuals.”

You are the Board of Supervisors not the Board of Super Beings! You are human beings who make mistakes. The best way forward is forgiveness; forgiveness is the greatest gift you give yourself and others.

After all, we serve a God of second chances! Practice forgiveness to get out of this rut, or is this how it’s going to be as long as you 5 are on the board?

From a disappointed citizen.

Fran Carleton Powhatan County

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS Powhatan Today welcomes your Letters to the Editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Letters, which should be no longer than 400 words, must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The deadline is noon the Thursday before publication, but letters may be held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. The publisher or editor of Powhatan Today reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of Powhatan Today. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Powhatan Today or its staff.

Powhatan Today is published weekly on Wednesday with offices located at 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116. Periodical Postage paid at Powhatan, Va. 23139. USPS # 000-035 © 2022 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 11,026.

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 8A

Share the Love in Powhatan event benefits local nonprofit Contributed Report Powhatan-based nonprofit Virginians for Conservation and Community Rights (VCCR) is hosting a Powhatan #ShareTheLoveInPowhatan Event, celebrating Valentine's throughout the month of February. The goal is to engage the Powhatan community and to support Powhatan local businesses.

Organizers are hosting several opportunities to play along with $5 for each entry.

Powhatan Puzzle Hunt: Participants will receive the addresses of 10 local businesses. A small container will be located at each business holding a puzzle piece for each registered participant. The goal is to complete the puzzle

first, by visiting all of the locations.

Whoever sends a photo of the completed Heart puzzle first will win a Yeti cooler.

Basket Raffle: Organizers have put together a handcrafted basket filled with local and homemade gifts.

50/50 Raffle: 50% of all proceeds go directly to the Coalition of Powhatan

Churches, and the other 50% goes to the raffle winner!

How to register: Go to Powhatan In The Know Uncensored Facebook Group or VCCR.info/events to register.

Must be a Powhatan resident to participate.

Drawings to be announced Feb. 28, 2022.

PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND

Powhatan Middle School eighth graders visited Powhatan High School over two days last week to get a better feel for the career and technical education (CTE) and elective classes they will have the opportunity to explore as high schoolers. Some of the stops included art classes, from left, cosmetology and small animal care.

VISITS Continued from pg. 1

the academic and elective courses and activities they might like to pursue.

The visits, which took place on Jan. 25 and 27, were both a return to an old tradition and something new. A few years ago, the schools used to arrange for visits so the middle schoolers would get exposure to the possibilities through the high school’s career and technical education (CTE) courses, said Libbey Kitten, K-12 science and STEM specialist. In summer 2021, when staff started discussing the visits for this school year, they decided to expand their scope.

“Our middle school students don’t have an idea of all the wonderful electives that we have here, truly, and some things you have to see to understand.

Like if you haven’t been in CTE before and seen all of the possibilities, you don’t even know it exists,” she said.

The timing wasn’t happenstance.

Students are making course selections this week, so last week’s visit will give them a greater understanding of what they might be stepping into beyond a ba-

sic course description.

It would be impossible to show the students everything the high school has to offer, especially in such a limited amount of time. So the schools divided them into groups that each went to four different places in the school to see presentations or talk to students and teachers.

Some of the classes they visited included cosmetology, small engine/agriculture, health and medical sciences, photography, carpentry and electricity, culinary arts, family and consumer science, small animal care, engineering, theater, show choir, sports medicine, JROTC and the makerspace in the library.

“What I told the teachers is it is a chance to do a 10-minute commercial for your course. … Sometimes students do the presentations, sometimes teachers do the presentations just so the kids have a good feel for what a course is,” Kitten said. “Some of the things they can’t take until they are older, but as freshmen, there are paths they may want to go.”

Students had high school students

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leading them through the school. The high schoolers were challenged to think about what advice they would have wanted as an eighth grader to share some of their experience with the middle schoolers, she said.

“The beauty of student guides is when they are transitioning from one presentation to another, they can point out things and offer tips on how to succeed in high school or what has been challenging. So we really thought it was important that students lead these groups,” she said.

Dr. Jason Tibbs, director of facilities and CTE, said he was happy to see the middle schoolers exposed to what is available at the high school. Over the years, the high school has done different versions of these visits, including visits to only CTE classes or having high school students visit the middle school to talk about the programs. There have also been instructional fairs held in the evening to allow students and parents to explore the offerings.

While there is a small CTE program at Powhatan Middle, there are many more programs at the high school aimed at earning credentials and certificates that could see them well on their way to a career by the time they graduate. There are currently 120 course sections offered between the two schools, he said.

“I think it gives them a better view of what is here. If they have had older siblings come through, they have an understanding because their brother or sister may have gone through and taken courses,” he said.

Tibbs pointed out that the middle school does an academic and career program with students that starts in sixth grade and continues through the eighth grade. By the time they come to the high school, they have a career plan based upon research they have done and exposure to certain career fields.

“They always can change it, but it is a good scaffold and a good road map for them,” he said.

Garrett Albert, a senior and lieutenant colonel of the JROTC Indian Battalion, helped give a presentation to students who visited the JROTC classroom. He said the cadets love interacting with the eighth graders to give them a feel for the program and hopefully interest some of them in joining.

Albert said his advice to eighth graders would be to keep an open mind be-

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At the Jan. 11 meeting, Brad King with Sands Anderson talked about how the firm could help the school board with its general counsel needs. Haney Phinyowattanachip PLLC was not invited to give a presentation.

Cole said he thought it was inappropriate to vote on the matter until the school board had asked the current firm to give a presentation and asked to delay the vote. Ayers concurred, saying both firms weren’t offered the same accommodations.

Smith and Taylor said they were in favor of having the same firm handle all of their legal matters.

cause “your plans that you might have set in stone could change no matter what.”

Sophomore Faith Griffin was in a photography class when the tours came through to visit some of the art rooms.

She admits to being a little envious because she remembers talking about the courses she could take but not getting a visit and firsthand knowledge like the eighth graders saw last week.

“So when we got here, a lot of us were lost our first year,” she said.

When asked about what advice she would give to the eighth graders, Faith said it would be to point out they have four years of high school so they should pick the classes that really interest them.

“It might not be at the end of the first day what you think you want, but it is really fun meeting other people that want to do the same things or learn the same things,” she said.

Andrew Snead, director of bands and performing arts coordinator, said his department wanted to have some representation in the visit, so on Thursday some of the young visitors got to listen to a description about the different music program offerings and a performance by the Powhatan High School Show Choir.

Snead said he appreciated the school offering such a variety of options for the middle schoolers to experience, even if only for a few minutes.

“We all know that students do best in school when they do things they are interested in, and for students to be able to find their areas of interest and find a place for them to have a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose is great,” he said.

It was also valuable for the high school students, he added, because the leaders in the program could see that “everything they do right now is leading directly to someone else having that experience. Their performance is going to influence the next generation of people who are going to keep the cycle going.”

Kitten said she received great feedback from the visits. She was especially excited to hear that student leaders at the high school said they enjoyed participating because they didn’t get the same opportunity as eighth graders. She anticipates it will become an annual tradition.

“When you get it right, you know it.

Of course we will always respond to feedback. Already we are talking about what can we do to make it better next year,” Kitten said.

Smith, Taylor and Hymel voted to retain Sands Anderson’s general counsel services. Cole and Ayers abstained.

The school board was given packets during the Jan. 11 public comment period that contained emails between board members and also with superintendent Eric Jones that were obtained via FOIA. The board was asked to review the packet.

The members took terms commenting on the packet, which they said in various ways contained emails that showed behavior that was unbecoming and unprofessional, possibly unethical but not illegal. The board members said in their comments that

they need to do a better job of being courteous and professional with each other.

Hymel simply read a statement: “Any board member that puts out false and inaccurate information and shares confidential information from closed session meetings undermines the public trust in the board service function and damages the integrity of the board. This is the theme of those FOIA emails. When will this behavior stop?”

Several people spoke about the FOIA packet, some thanking the board for seriously reviewing and speaking about the emails but also challenging them to be more professional and courteous.

February 2, 2022

Powhatan, Virginia

Page 1B

Indians continue strong play in district games

By Rod Short Contributing Writer

Despite it still being early in the calendar year, Powhatan’s Lady Indians finished up a busy week of basketball with some important games in its quest to make the postseason.

First up were the archrival Midlothian Trojans, who Powhatan was able to beat by just two points on the Trojan’s home floor in early December 2021. Despite coming into the game ranked near the bottom of the district standings with just fourwins, Midlothian came into Powhatan looking for an upset.

The Trojans charged out of the gate to take a 7-0 lead early in the opening quarter, but Powhatan regrouped to tie the game 10-10 with just over a minute to go, and then finished the frame with a 13-10 lead.

Held to just three points midway through the second, Midlothian rallied, but was still behind 27-22 at the half.

As the teams traded baskets, the Trojans narrowed Powhatan’s lead to 28-21 midway through the third quarter. Unnerved, the Lady Indians patiently increased their lead to 38-30 going into the final frame before both teams exploded for their highest point totals of the game.

Midlothian resorted to fouling to try to gain more possessions of the ball, but saw that backfire as forward Faith Henderson converted on 12 of her 14 foul shots in the fourth quarter alone to help seal an important 58-53 home win for Powhatan on Jan. 24.

“They showed a different look from what we

ROD SHORT/POWHATAN TODAY

Above, center Katherine Cerullo grabs a loose ball from a Monacan player during the second quarter as the Indians attempted to pull even with the Chiefs on Jan. 27.

Left, sophomore guard Corynn Lampman blocks a shot against Midlothian on Jan. 24.

She provided some solid defense and timely rebounds throughout the contest while finishing the game with six points.

saw last time, which threw us off a little bit at the beginning,” explained Henderson, “but then we

realized what we needed to score.” to do. So, we attacked Against a downtrodmore, which opened up den Huguenot team the more possibilities for us following night, Powhat-

an came away with a 4223 road win to complete a season sweep against the Falcons.

In a highly anticipated battle against Dominion District heavyweights, a fatigued Powhatan team looked to avenge an earlier season defeat against Monacan on the Indians’ home floor on Jan. 27.

Playing at a high energy level, the Monacan Chiefs jumped out to an early four-point lead.

Rising to the challenge, Henderson scored on successive free throws and then banked in a layup to tie the score 4-4 with 6:10 to go in the first quarter. It was as close as Powhatan would get as Monacan pulled away to finish the quarter with a 10-point lead, 16-6.

Powhatan dug in to score 11 points in the second, but the taller and quicker Chiefs harassed the Indians at every turn to enter halftime with a 30-17 lead. Henderson scored all of the points in that frame as the rest of the team was shut out with no points at all during the first half.

With 17 points in the first half, Monacan realized it would have to double its defensive pressure on Henderson if it had a hope to protect its lead.

While Corynn Lampman, Shauna Callahan, Erin Almond and Katherine Cerullo all contributed in the second half, the ninemember Powhatan team was held back by the limited number of players it could put on the floor.

The Chiefs’ advantage of a deeper bench allowed them to rotate fresh players in and out more frequently than Powhatan could. The outnumbered Indians wore down, but still battled hard even as the game got away from them.

With the clock showing no time left, Powhatsee INDIANS, pg. 2B

Powhatan track has busy week, multiple medal winners

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

It was a packed week of events for the Powhatan track and field team, who competed in the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet and the Bulldog Invitational. Junior varsity and middle school athletes also competed in the Heritage Middle School Invitational, where a few Powhatan athletes left with some medals for

their strong efforts.

On Jan. 25, the Indians were supposed to host the Powhatan meet, but due to a water issue on the track, it was moved to James River High School. It was luckily familiar turf for the Indians, who had just competed in the James River Polar Bear Meet on Jan. 12. Powhatan traveled to Liberty University Jan. 29 for the second time this season for the Bulldog Invitational, with

the first competition being the Liberty Premier Invitational on Jan. 8.

At James River, Powhatan competed against Clover Hill, Cosby, Manchester and the home team Rapids. The Indians had multiple big-time performances at the meet, with four first-place finishes between three different athletes.

Sophomore Mayson Jenkins had another stellar outing in a season full

of them, winning first in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1 minute, 27.49 seconds and in the long jump with a result of 14 feet, 1 inch.

On the boys side of the long jump competition, fellow sophomore Connor Bates also came away victorious, recording a 177.50 jump. His teammates Lin Wood and Torie Nash CONTRIBUTED PHOTO finished second and third Freshman Isaac Dorsey runs in the boys 300in the long jump as well. see MEDALS, pg. 2B

meter dash at the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet.

C&F Banks AthleteAthlete of the of Week C&F Bank’s the Week WRESTLING ALL-STAR WHO: GAVIN UTLEY WHAT HE DID: At Powhatan’s home matchup against the Midlothian Trojans on Jan. 19, freshman Gavin Utley was one of the standout performers that contributed to an impressive victory.

Utley earned six crucial points with a first period pin to help the Indians win the matchup, 48-31. Utley’s pin was part of an 18-0 run by Powhatan that saw three wrestlers win by fall.

Utley’s win was the last of the three, as the 126-pound budding star used his patented arm bar to gain the upper hand over fellow freshman Lewis

Summers. With the final seconds of the period draining, Utley ultimately pulled out the win with four seconds left.

Utley’s teammates Britton Proffitt, Andrew Cheatham and Josh Wade finished the evening with wins to propel the Indians forward for another major victory over a strong Dominion District foe.

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Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 2B

Indians’ final shot comes up short in loss to Falcons

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Facing a one-point game with a few precious seconds remaining and the ball in their possession, the Powhatan Indians found themselves in familiar territory once more.

After a thrilling backand-forth affair that saw the Indians (3-8) and the Huguenot Falcons (9-4) trade blows and momentum swings for what felt like an eternity, the Indians had a chance to win at the buzzer, but an open Oscar Whitely three front-rimmed and gave the Falcons the win on Wednesday night, 76-75.

While the Indians have given themselves the chance to win multiple close games in the final seconds this season, the result, as head coach Ryan Marable says, has repeatedly come down to the team’s general inexperience.

“We want to be in those situations late in the game, but our inexperience just across the board rears its head in a lot of critical possessions,” Marable said.

Despite that, it was a terrific showing from Powhatan, particularly on the offensive end. Led by an impeccable performance by freshman Matthew Henderson, who scored a season-high 32 points, the team executed on their sharp ball movement by getting tons of looks at the free throw line and from beyond the arc that they repeatedly took advantage of.

Huguenot’s offensive attack generated just as much production, and senior guard G’Mari Quar-

INDIANS Continued from pg. 1

an left for home with a 58-33 defeat, which was its first loss in five games.

In the end, the Chiefs had four players scoring double figures while forcing 20+ turnovers and outrebounding the Indians.

“I was proud of them for their effort from start to finish,” head coach Kristy Henderson said afterwards. “We struggled offensively and just couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”

“Monacan is very physical. They play inyour-face with great intensity and pressed us the entire time,” she continued. “It was a challenge.

Three games in a week’s time with just nine kids is a lot, so our team is sore and tired, but we’re a better team by playing them.”

Despite the defeat, both teams left the court with 11 victories each this season and will be looking forward to the regional playoffs which begin Feb. 18.

The Lady Indians will be on the road against Cosby on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The Indians will then finish their regular season against Lloyd C. Bird at home on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

In their last meeting, L.C. Bird held Powhatan to a season-low 24 points in their 34-24 win on Jan. 11, while Powhatan took care of Cosby in a 60-45 win at home on Jan. 13.

ROBBY FLETCHER/POWHATAN TODAY

Freshman Matthew Henderson goes up for a contested layup against Huguenot on Jan. 26.

les matched Henderson’s 32-point scoring output to push the Falcons ahead just enough for the win.

Quarles was the key to the Falcons pulling it out thanks to a big fourth quarter where he hit seven of his eight free throw attempts.

“I thought at times we really executed and got the ball where we wanted to, but they are really tough to guard,” Marable said.

While Quarles didn’t start his scoring until the second quarter, Henderson looked unstoppable from the start. The freshman phenom scored 12 of the team’s 17 first quarter points while assisting junior Tanner Wyatt on a buzzer-beating corner 3-pointer to give Powhatan a 17-13 lead heading into the second quarter.

Powhatan, despite be-

ing an overall smaller team, did well attacking and finishing at the rim.

With five minutes to go in the half, a finger roll in traffic by Henderson and a Matthew Hempfield layup off a terrific pass from Whitely gave Powhatan a 27-24 lead.

Hempfield finished the game with 19 points with seven-of-eight shooting from the free throw line.

After two lead changes in the final three minutes of the half, Powhatan reclaimed the lead with two quick threes by Jack DeBord to make it a 3837 score heading into the break.

DeBord’s strong finish to the half carried over into the third quarter, as he started off the half with two nice assists to Henderson and two points after finishing a floater through contact.

While Henderson was displaying true three-level scoring and Hempfield added two crucial buckets late in the third, it was Huguenot who would take the lead at the end of the quarter. The Falcons, particularly Quarles and his backcourt running mate Aziah Johnson, were aggressive getting to the rim, and that ultimately led to some tough makes and numerous trips to the line. Johnson scored nine of his 10 points in the third quarter to help the Falcons take a 58-57 lead.

The fourth quarter was true pandemonium, with the crowd reacting to every big bucket and foul as though it was the gamedeciding play. With the way the two teams were battling, it certainly felt that way.

Powhatan got a nice boost from Hempfield,

who beat his man on a backdoor cut to finish a sensational finger roll that saw him adjust in mid-air to the center’s attempt to protect the rim. The Falcons responded to the bucket with four made free throws that gave them a five-point lead with 3:33 left.

After two consecutive three-point plays from Hempfield and Henderson, the Indians were able to steal back the lead with 91 seconds left, 7271. But the Falcons responded like they had all game to take back the lead, and with Powhatan committing an offensive foul on the ensuing drive, hope was dwindling for the Indians with the team down one with 35 seconds left.

Another offensive turnover by the Indians helped the Falcons push

the lead to four, making Powhatan’s next possession a must-score opportunity.

DeBord made sure to keep hope alive on that possession, burying a quick three as he ran up the floor to cut the Falcons’ lead to one with 19 seconds left.

Then, the Indians stepped up once again by playing terrific press defense on the Falcons’ inbound that led to a travel.

With the ball on their side of the floor in a onepoint game with 17 seconds left, Powhatan had a chance to steal the game with that final possession, but Whitely’s open look came up just shy.

“We were really trying to run a play to get (DeBord) a shot or get Matt Henderson a slip, and they kind of took us out of what we wanted to do,” Marable said. “We maintained our composure, and Matt found Oscar Whitely. One more rotation and that shot goes in, he had a good shot.”

Despite another tough loss, Marable praised his team’s effort and said he felt that the team consistently created opportunities to take the lead, even if those attempts didn’t always fall in their favor.

“We went cold for a two minute spell where we missed a lot of open shots,” he said. “We make one or two of those, and we’re celebrating in the locker room. They were good shots, and they just didn’t fall so you can’t be mad at anybody.”

The Indians play again on Feb. 4 when they take on Clover Hill for the second time this season. Clover Hill won the first matchup on Jan. 7, 69-66.

PMS boys basketball clinches playoff berth

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

For the first time in four years, Powhatan Middle School’s boys basketball team will be featured in their division playoffs.

The Indians, part of the South Side Middle School Conference, won their division for the first time in four years and are shaping up to be a true contender in the playoffs this season.

Though their first playoff matchup is still to be determined due to multiple teams making up postponed games, the

MEDALS Continued from pg. 1

The third first-place finisher was freshman Ellen Weimer, who dominated the 1000-meter run with a 3:22.81 time, over 13 seconds ahead of James River’s Emily Acuto in second place.

Four days later at the Liberty University Indoor alongside 88 other schools, Powhatan’s star performers followed up that impressive James River meet with another team performance full of highlights.

In the girls 500, Jenkins finished ninth out of 35 runners while beating her previous time with a 1:25.66 finish. In the long jump, she finished 12th out of 33 participants, once again beating

Indians were one of the first teams to book their ticket to the eight-team postseason.

Powhatan holds a 10-1 record and is currently riding a nine-game winning streak after beating Goochland Middle School on Thursday night, 61-47. After losing by two in an 42-40 overtime thriller to Fluvanna County in the second game of the season, Powhatan hasn’t let a single game go down to the wire, with every win being by double digits.

With one more regular season game left against the Lunenburg Blue

Knights, the Indians have not only a chance at a miraculous 10-game win streak to close the regular season, but also an opportunity to fine tune their already winning brand of basketball even more.

After a four-year break from the playoff picture, Powhatan Middle School has emerged as a team to beat in their conference. While it’s an accomplishment just to make it this far, this team has even higher goals CONTRIBUTED PHOTO than making the playoffs.

Powhatan players Jaliel Clanton (4), Jesse Lowe Robby Fletcher can be (55) and Jayden Goode (2) swarm the ball reached at rfletcher@ against Amelia.

Powhatan won the game 29-13. powhatantoday.com.

her previous distance after a 14-11.50 jump.

A big highlight of the day came from senior Shaniece Morris in the girls 200-meter dash.

Morris finished third, running an impressive 28.54 seconds that was just behind Patriot High School senior Jasmine Coe who finished at 27.42.

Senior Asher Timberlake also left Liberty on a high note. After finishing second in the boys shot put at the Powhatan Polar Bear with a throw that went 39 feet, 8.5 inches, Timberlake destroyed that previous result with a monster 43-05.00 result that gave him fourth place among 29 participants at the Bulldog Invitational.

In the boys 1600-me-

ter run, Powhatan had four participants in the 72-runner race. Sophomores Ian Timmons, Eli Timmons, River Leynes and Tane Jeffs all competed, with Ian finishing with the best time of 5:02.06, good for 30th place.

Meanwhile, just 2 miles down the road, Powhatan had 14 athletes participate at the Heritage Middle School & JV Invitational. Powhatan’s boys finished second at the competition while the girls finished sixth.

Eighth grade athlete Dylan Mapes had the best performance of the day, finishing second in the boys 1600 with a 5:19.04 time.

Sophomore Austin Holder also finished second after competing in

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Freshman Torie Nash gets ahead of his competitors in the 300-yard dash at the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet on Jan. 25.

the boys 500. Holder ran a 1:25.78 time to earn a medal.

Following in the footsteps of Timberlake, sophomore Savannah Griffin had a fantastic result in her shot put event, finishing second with a 24-05.00 result.

Freshman Caleb Ed-

line also had a nice showing, finishing third in the boys 100 at 3:27.11.

Powhatan competes again on Feb. 4 at the 59th East Coast Invitational at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@ powhatantoday.com

Powhatan Today, January 22, 2022

Page 3B

Old Tavern Road to close for bridge work in Powhatan Contributed Report The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close Old Tavern Road (Route 629) over Deep Creek in Powhatan County to install scour protection beneath the bridge. Weather permitting, the road will close on Monday, Feb. 7 and will remain closed for approximately eight weeks. The following detour route will be in place during the closure: Northbound Old Tavern Road (Route 629) – Take Old Buckingham Road/Route 13 east to Ridge Road/ Route 627 north to Anderson Highway/Route 60 west back to Old Tavern Road.

Southbound Old Tavern Road (Route 629) – Take Anderson Highway/Route 60 east to Ridge Road/ Route 627 south to Old Buckingham Road/Route 13 west back to Old Tavern Road.

Bridge scour occurs when fast-flowing water displaces the supporting sediment around bridge piers.

This can reduce the structural integrity of the bridge.

By installing scour protection, crews will restore and stabilize the bridge piers and extend the life cycle of the bridge.

A similar closure will occur in early March on N. Lodore Road (Route 636) over Flat Creek in Amelia County. More information and a detour route will be shared once the schedule is confirmed.

Anyone with questions about the project can call VDOT’s customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

For the latest real-time traffic information or road conditions, call 511 or visit http://www.511virginia. org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VDOT

Detour route during the closure of Old Tavern Road closed.

Cole recognized by school board

Principal Appreciation Week

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Powhatan County School Board member Rick Cole, who represents District 1, was recognized at the Jan. 11 meeting for his service to the school board. Cole has served on the board from January 2012 to present. The school division thanked him for his service and leadership in many roles to the board and to the students and community of Powhatan County. It also honored his continued service to education and dedication to the school board.

PCPS Talent Expo 2022 set for Feb. 26 PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

During the Powhatan County School Board’s Jan. 11 meeting, the principals of all five Powhatan schools were recognized in honor of Virginia Schools Principal Appreciation Week, which was held Jan. 8 to 14. Former Gov. Ralph Northam signed a proclamation designating the appreciation week an opportunity to recognize the hard work of Virginia school principals and to recognize the importance of principals in ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. Recognized at the meeting were Michelle Martin, from left, Powhatan High School; Samantha Martin, Powhatan Middle School; Tom Sulzer, Pocahontas Elementary School; Tanja Atkins-Nelson, Flat Rock Elementary School, and Constance Deal, Powhatan Elementary School.

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Powhatan County Public Schools is home to a passionate community of educators who believe in empowering each other to transform teaching and learning, promote innovation and find solutions to the dynamic needs in education.

The school division will hold a Talent Expo 2022 from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Flat Rock Elementary School, 2210 Batterson Road, Powhatan.

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Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 4B

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College Basketball College Basketball: Iowa at Ohio State.

College Basketball: Oregon at Colorado.

Pro Bowl Skills College Basketball: UCLA at Arizona. (N) Women’s College Basketball Wheel Jeopardy Screen Queens: Malcolm X: Promised Land News Kimmel News Holly Sheldon Ghosts Big Brother Bull “Gone” Å News Colbert Big Bang Big Bang J. Millionaire Kat Pivoting Fox News at Ten You Bet DailyMail ET Inside 2022 Winter Olympics: Freestyle Skiing, Figure Skating. (N) (In Stereo Live) Å On Balance Dan Abrams Live Marni Hughes Banfield (N) Å On Balance Fearless Gardening Down Home with David (N) (Live) Å Roberta’s Unique Gardens (N) (Live) Å PBS NewsHour (N) Freedom Riders: American Experience: John Lewis-Get: Amanpour-Co Untamed Home Breaking Travels Craft in America Illusions in Stone: PBS NewsHour (N) E. B. OutFront Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper Don Lemon Tonight Don Lemon Tonight The ReidOut (Live) All In With Rachel Maddow The Last Word The 11th Hour Å Shepard Smith Shark Tank Shark Tank Shark Tank Shark Tank Å Jesse Watters Tucker Carlson Hannity (Live) Å Ingraham Gutfeld! (N) Å Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics 2022 Olympics Tip-Off NBA Basketball: Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks.

NBA Basketball: Lakers at Clippers Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Go-Big Show Å Full Go-Big Show Å Full The First 48 Å The First 48 Å After the First 48 Taking the Stand The First 48 Å ››‡ “Twilight” (2008, Romance) Kristen Stewart. ››‡ “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” (2009) Å Office The Office Å Office Office Office Office Office Daily South Pk BattleBots (N) Å BattleBots “Let’s Uppercut to the Chase!” (N) (In Stereo) Å BattleBots Å Too Large Å My 600-Lb. Life (N) (In Stereo) 1000-Lb. Sisters (N) Hoard-Buried North Woods Law North Woods Law: Uncuffed (In Stereo) North Woods Law North Woods Law Office Office Office Office Office Office grown- Single The 700 Club Å Andy G. Andy G. Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond King King The Dream Factory: ›››‡ “Born Yesterday” (1950) Å ›› “Big House, U.S.A.” (1955) Down 3 “Winter Love” “Butlers in Love” (2022) Stacey Farber.

Golden Golden Golden Golden Castle “The Nose” My Killer Body My Killer Body Wendy Williams: What a Mess!: Å Flip Flip Flip Flip Married-Estate Hunters Hunt Intl Hunters Hunt Intl Beat Beat Restaurant: Im. Beat Symon Beat Beat Beat Beat ›‡ “No Good Deed” (2014) Idris Elba. ››› “Hustle & Flow” (2005, Drama) Terrence Howard. Å “The Fifth Element” (1997) ››‡ “The Maze Runner” (2014) Dylan O’Brien.

“Bangkok Dngr” ›› “U.S. Marshals” ››› “Gran Torino” (2008, Drama) Clint Eastwood. ››› “Under Siege” (1992) Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Swamp People Å Swamp People Swamp People (N) (In Stereo) Swamp People (In Stereo)

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College Basketball Hoops NASCAR College Basketball: Oregon at Utah. Å NASCAR College Basketball College Basketball College Basketball: Teams TBA. (Live) Wheel Jeopardy NBA NBA Basketball: Knicks at Lakers News Bull Å Bensin RVA Sports Awards (N) S.W.A.T. (In Stereo) 48 Hours (In Stereo) News NCIS: LA Boxing: PBC Fight Night - Undercard. (N) The Cleaning Lady News Mod Fam I Can See Your 12 News Olympic 2022 Winter Olympics: Short Track, Figure Skating, Alpine Skiing. Å News NewsNation Prime NewsNation Prime Dan Abrams Live Banfield Å On Balance Spring Forward Shopping (N) (Live) Belle by Kim Gravel - Fashion (N) (Live) Spring Forward Father Brown Å Death in Paradise Midsomer Murders Murder Songs Center Song Sinking Cities Å Nature (In Stereo) NOVA Å (DVS) Independent Lens (In Stereo) America CNN Newsroom CNN Newsroom Special Report United Shades Crimes of Century American Voices Ayman (Live) Å Ayman (Live) Å American Voices Ayman Å 2022 Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics AMA Supercr.

Gutfeld! Å One Nation Dan Bongino Lawrence Jones One Nation Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics Olympics Olympics ›››‡ “Black Panther” (2018, Action) Chadwick Boseman. ››› “Just Mercy” (2019, Drama) Å Burgers Burgers Burgers American American American American American Go-Big Show “Olympus Has” ››‡ “Den of Thieves” (2018, Crime Drama) Gerard Butler.

KIller KIller ›‡ “Blended” (2014) Adam Sandler. Å ›‡ “Blended” (2014) Adam Sandler. Å “Despicable Me” ››› “Despicable Me 2” (2013) Å South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk Lone Star Law Å Lone Star Law Å Lone Star Law Å Lone Star Law Å Lone Star Law Å Hoard-Buried 1000-Lb. Sisters 1000-Lb. Sisters (N) 1000-Lb. Sisters (N) 1000-Lb. Sisters (N) Crikey... Irwins Crikey... Irwins Crikey... Irwins Crikey... Irwins Crikey... Irwins Treasure ››› “Men in Black” (1997, Action) Å ›› “Men in Black II” (2002, Action) Å MIB 3 Two Men Two Men Two Men Two and Half Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men ››› “Point Blank” “Four Weddings and a Funeral” (1994) ››‡ “The Long Day Closes” (1992) “As Luck Would” “The Wedding Veil” (2022, Romance) “The Secret Ingredient” (2020) “Boy Next Door” “Single Black Female” (2022, Suspense) “Safe Room” (2022) Nicole Ari Parker.

Fixer to Fabulous Holmes Family Holmes Family Property Brothers Property Brothers Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners “Friday” (1995) ›› “Next Friday” (2000, Comedy) Ice Cube. Å ›‡ “Friday After Next” (2002) 6th ››‡ “Unbreakable” (2000, Suspense) Bruce Willis. ››‡ “The Visit” (2015) Olivia DeJonge. ››› “Tombstone” (1993, Western) Kurt Russell. Å ››‡ “Con Air” (1997) Nicolas Cage. ›‡ “Vegas Vacation” (1997) ››‡ “National Lampoon’s Vacation” (1983) Å “National Lamp.”

American Pickers American Pickers American Pickers (In Stereo) Å (DVS) American Pickers

College Basketball ››› “Seabiscuit” (2003, Drama) Tobey Maguire.

Seabis NBA Basketball 30 for 30 (N) Man in the Arena SportsCenter (N) (Live) Å Funny Videos Celebrity Wheel Supermarket The Rookie News Bull Å 60 Minutes (N) Å Big Brother The Equalizer Å S.W.A.T. (In Stereo) News MacGy NASCAR Simpson TheBurgers Fam Guy News Attkisson The ROH 2022 Winter Olympics: Figure Skating, Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Skiing. (N) (In Stereo Live) Å News NewsNation Prime NewsNation Prime Dan Abrams Live Banfield Å On Balance Smart Connect Dyson Cleaning (N) Susan Graver Style (N) (Live) Å Dyson Cleaning (N) Finding Your Roots Around the World All Creatures Great Vienna Blood Å Austin City Limits The Restorers Å The Restorers Å The Restorers Å The Restorers Å The Restorers Å CNN Newsroom CNN Newsroom The People v. The The People v. The The People v. The American Voices Mehdi Hasan Ayman (Live) Å “Love & the Constitution” Å Shark Tank Å Shark Tank Å Shark Tank Shark Tank Shark Tank Sunday Night Life, Liberty Revolution Sunday Night Life, Liberty Olympics 2022 Olympics Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics Claws Å (DVS) Claws Å (DVS) “Captain Marvel” ››‡ “Captain Marvel” (2019, Action) “Suicide Squad” ›› “Justice League” (2017, Action) Ben Affleck. ›› “Justice League” (2017) The First 48 Å The First 48 Å The First 48 Å The First 48 Å The First 48 Å ›››› “Forrest Gump” (1994, Comedy-Drama) Tom Hanks. ››› “The Blind Side” (2009, Drama) Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld South Pk South Pk Dirty Jobs Å Dirty Jobs (N) Å Dirty Jobs Å Dirty Jobs Å Dirty Jobs Å 90 Day Fiancé 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days (N) Sister Wives (N) 90 Day Fiancé Lone Star Law Lone Star Law Lone Star Law (N) Lone Star Law Lone Star Law ›› “Maleficent: Mistress of Evil” (2019) Angelina Jolie. Å Hunts ››‡ “Men in Black 3” (2012) Two Men Two Men Two Men Two and Half Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men Two Men “Please Don’t” ›››‡ “Lilies of the Field” (1963) Å ››‡ “Freedom on My Mind” (1994) Å “Love Strikes” “Beverly Hills Wedding” (2021) Golden Golden Golden Golden “Vanished” “Single Black Female” (2022, Suspense) My Killer Body Movie Å Home Town Å Home Town Å Home Town Home Town Home Town Å Guy’s Games Guy’s Games Guy’s Chance Beat Beat Beat Beat ›‡ “A Low Down Dirty Shame” (1994, Action) Å First Bigger ›‡ “Friday After Next” (2002) Daredevil ›› “Elektra” (2005) Jennifer Garner. ›‡ “Peppermint” (2018) Jennifer Garner.

Daredevil Walking Dead “Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies” ››‡ “Con Air” (1997) Nicolas Cage.

Reba Reba Reba Reba Reba Reba Reba Reba Golden Golden Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars Pawn Stars

FS1 ESPN 8 6 35 12 WGN-A QVC 3 57 CNN MSNBC CNBC FOXN USA TNT TBS A&E PARMT COM DISC TLC ANPL FREE TVL TCM HALL LIFE HGTV FOOD BET SYFY AMC CMT HIST

FEB. 2 - FEB. 8

The Herd with Colin Cowherd Speak for Yourself Var. Programs SportsCenter This Just In NBA Today NFL Live Around Pardon GMA3: What General Hosp. Drew Barrymore Dr. Phil 8 News 8 News Young Bold The Talk Ellen Show CBS6 News News News Steve Wilkos Wendy Williams Maury Nick Cannon Judge Judge Varied Programs Tamron Hall News at 4PM News News Blue Bloods Blue Bloods Blue Bloods Blue Bloods Rush Hour Varied Programs Se Donkey Tiger Go Nature Wild Varied Curious Curious Biz Kid Varied Curious Varied Programs CNN Newsroom CNN Newsroom CNN Newsroom Jake Tapper Jake Tapper MTP Daily Reports Hallie Jackson Deadline: White House The Exchange Power Lunch Closing Bell Fast Varied America Reports The Story Neil Cavuto The Five Varied Programs 2022 Olympics Supernatural Varied Programs Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Friends Shel Shel Varied Programs First 48 Varied First 48 Varied First 48 Varied Bar Rescue Mom Mom Mom Mom Two Two Two Two South South South South Sein Sein Sein Sein Office Office Varied Programs Varied Programs Pit Varied Pit Bulls-Parole Lone Star Law Varied Programs Movie Varied Programs Office Gunsmoke Gunsmoke Gunsmoke Griffith Griffith Griffith Griffith Movie Movie Varied Programs (12:00) Movie Movie Movie The Closer Rizzoli & Isles Rizzoli & Isles Rizzoli & Isles Castle Varied Programs Varied Programs Martin Martin Martin Martin Movie Varied Programs Movie Varied Programs Movie Movie Movie Varied Programs Mike Mike King King King King King King Last Last Varied Programs

C=COMCAST

Hub Varied SportsCenter News ABC News CBS Fam Fam News NBC Donlon Report News BBC Amanpour-Co Situation Room The Beat With Mad Money Special Report Var. Programs Theory First 48 Two Office

Theory Varied Two Office

Office Office Griffith Griffith Movie Varied Movie Castle

Movie Varied Var. Programs Last

Last

FEB. 7

7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 FS1 ESPN 8 6 35 12 WGN-A QVC 3 57 CNN MSNBC CNBC FOXN USA TNT TBS A&E PARMT COM DISC TLC ANPL FREE TVL TCM HALL LIFE HGTV FOOD BET SYFY AMC CMT HIST

NASCAR Cup Series College Basketball Boxing College Basketball: Virginia at Duke. (N) College Basketball: Kansas at Texas. (N) SportsCenter Wheel Jeopardy The Bachelor (N) (In Stereo) Å (DVS) Promised Land (N) News Kimmel News Holly Neighbor Bob Big Brother NCIS: Hawai’i News Colbert Big Bang Big Bang 9-1-1: Lone Star (N) The Cleaning Lady Fox News at Ten You Bet DailyMail ET Olympic 2022 Olympics On Balance Dan Abrams Live NewsNation Prime Banfield (N) Å On Balance Fashion’s Night In Å PBS NewsHour (N) Antique Roadshow Legacy List Independent Lens (In Stereo) Aman Articu Articu Orchestrating Change: Å Guru Nanak: The Founder: PBS NewsHour (N) E. B. OutFront Anderson Cooper CNN Tonight (Live) Don Lemon Tonight Don Lemon Tonight The ReidOut (Live) All In With Rachel Maddow The Last Word The 11th Hour Å Shepard Smith 2022 Winter Olympics Shark Tank Shark Tank Å Jesse Watters Tucker Carlson Hannity (Live) Å Ingraham Gutfeld! (N) Å 2022 Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics: Figure Skating. (Live) Å Pregame 2022 Olympics Snowpiercer (N) Snowpiercer “Gone in Sixty” ››› “Ant-Man and The Wasp” (2018) Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang American Close American American Secrets of Playboy Secrets of Playboy Secrets of Playboy Adults Adopt Secrets of Playboy Movie (In Stereo) Å ›››‡ “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013, Biography) Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Daily Seinfeld Street Outlaws: Full Street Outlaws (N) (In Stereo) Å Farmtruck and AZN Street Outlaws Darcey & Stacey Darcey & Stacey 90 Days 90 Days 1000-Lb. Darcey & Stacey Last Frontier Alaska: The Last Frontier- Frozen Edg. Alaska: The Last Frontier (In Stereo) Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office The 700 Club Å Andy G. Andy G. Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond King King “Spinout” (1966) ››‡ “The Divorcee” (1930) “Goodbye Again” “Forsaking All Others” (1934) “Country at Heart” “Sweet Pecan Summer” (2021) Golden Golden Golden Golden Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Love It or List It Love It or List It Tough Love Love It or List It Love It or List It Guy’s Games Kids Baking Chopped Å Chopped Å Chopped Å ›› “All Eyez on Me” (2017, Biography) Demetrius Shipp Jr. ››› “Love & Basketball” (2000) Å WWE Monday Night RAW (N) (In Stereo Live) Å Resident Alien ›‡ “Peppermint” “Hobbit-Battle” ››› “Gran Torino” (2008, Drama) Clint Eastwood. ››› “Fury” (2014) Brad Pitt.

Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens

TUESDAY EVENING C 3 4 8 9 11 12 15 22 23 24 27 28 29 30 33 34 35 37 39 40 44 47 48 53 54 55 58 60 61 62 66 127 138 146 177

C=COMCAST

1:00 1:30 2:00 2:30 3:00 3:30 4:00 4:30 5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30

MONDAY EVENING

College Basketball College Basketball College Basketball The 2022 NHL All-Star Skills Competition (N) (Live) Å NBA Basketball: 76ers at Mavericks Wheel Jeopardy Shark Tank 20/20 (N) (In Stereo) Å News Kimmel News Holly Big Brother: Celebrity Edition (In Stereo) Blue Bloods News Colbert Big Bang Big Bang WWE Friday Night SmackDown (N) Å News First Spo You Bet DailyMail ET Inside 2022 Winter Olympics: Opening Ceremony. (In Stereo) Å News J. Fallon On Balance Dan Abrams Live Marni Hughes Banfield (N) Å On Balance Fri-YAY! Style Toni Brattin Spring Style with Jane & Shawn (Live) DaretoShareBeauty PBS NewsHour (N) Wash Hoover Muhammad Ali (In Stereo) Å Amanpour-Co Daytrip Unwine’d Antique Roadshow Legacy List Invisible Bars: Å PBS NewsHour (N) E. B. OutFront Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper Don Lemon Tonight Don Lemon Tonight The ReidOut (Live) All In With Rachel Maddow The Last Word The 11th Hour Å Shepard Smith American Greed American Greed American Greed American Greed Jesse Watters Tucker Carlson Hannity (Live) Å Ingraham Gutfeld! (N) Å 2022 Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics: Snowboarding.

Fast Furi ››‡ “Fast Five” (2011, Action) Vin Diesel.

All Elite Wrestling Foodies Fast Five American American ›› “Shaft” (2019, Action) Samuel L. Jackson.

“The Hitman’s Bodyguard” Cold Case Files Cold Case Files Cold Case Files (N) KIller KIller Cold Case Files ››‡ “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” (2010) Kristen Stewart.

“Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” Office Office Friends Friends Friends Friends Office Office Office Office Gold Rush: Pay Dirt Gold Rush (N) (In Stereo) Å Gold Sister Wives 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days (N) 90 Day Fiancé 90 Days 90 Day Treehouse Masters Treehouse Masters: Ultimate Builds (N) Treehouse Masters Treehouse Masters Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy Fam Guy The 700 Club Å Andy G. Andy G. Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond King King “Key Largo” (1948) ››› “To Sir, With Love” (1967, Drama) ››› “Stand and Deliver” (1988, Drama) “Valentine-Vine” “Christmas at Castle Hart” (2021) Golden Golden Golden Golden Castle (In Stereo) Janet Jackson.: (N) (Part 1 of 2) Å Janet Jackson.: (N) (Part 2 of 2) Å Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Dream Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners Diners ›››‡ “Boyz N the Hood” (1991, Drama) N.Y. Undercover N.Y. Undercover T. Perry’s The Oval “Maze Runner” ›› “Mortal Engines” (2018, Science Fiction) Hera Hilmar. Å Resident Alien Jaws ››‡ “Jaws 2” (1978, Suspense) Roy Scheider.

Horror Noire Å ›› “The Punisher” Last Man Last Man ››‡ “Young Guns” (1988, Western) Emilio Estevez. ››‡ “Young Guns II” (1990) Ancient Aliens Ancient Aliens: Declassified “Extraterrestrials & the Spirit Realm” (In Stereo) Å

FEB. 6

C=COMCAST

7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

FS1 ESPN 8 6 35 12 WGN-A QVC 3 57 CNN MSNBC CNBC FOXN USA TNT TBS A&E PARMT COM DISC TLC ANPL FREE TVL TCM HALL LIFE HGTV FOOD BET SYFY AMC CMT HIST

DAYTIME AFTERNOON

7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

SATURDAY EVENING C

SUNDAY EVENING

7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30

FRIDAY EVENING C

FEB. 2

Pregame FIFA World Cup 2022 Qualifying Post College Basketball NBA NBA Basketball: Grizzlies at Knicks NBA Basketball: Nuggets at Jazz Wheel Jeopardy Gold Wonder Conners Home E. The Chase (N) News Kimmel News Holly Big Brother The Amazing Race Good Sam (N) Å News Colbert Big Bang Big Bang I Can See Your Next Level Chef (N) Fox News at Ten You Bet DailyMail ET Inside Chicago Med Chicago Fire Chicago P.D. News J. Fallon On Balance Dan Abrams Live Marni Hughes Banfield (N) Å On Balance Shopping (N) (Live) In the Kitchen With David - PM Edition Beekman 1802 Beauty (N) (Live) Å PBS NewsHour (N) Nature (In Stereo) NOVA Å (DVS) Sinking Cities Å Amanpour-Co Inside Time/By Around the World All Creatures Great Vienna Blood Å PBS NewsHour (N) E. B. OutFront Anderson Cooper Anderson Cooper Don Lemon Tonight Don Lemon Tonight The ReidOut (Live) All In With Rachel Maddow The Last Word The 11th Hour Å Shepard Smith Shark Tank Å Shark Tank American Greed (N) American Greed (N) Jesse Watters Tucker Carlson Hannity (Live) Å Ingraham Gutfeld! (N) Å 2022 Olympics 2022 Winter Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics NHL Hockey: Oilers at Capitals NHL Hockey: Wild at Blackhawks Big Bang Big Bang All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite (Live) Å Go-Big Show Sheldon Sheldon The First 48 Å The First 48 Å The First 48 The First 48 Å The First 48 Å Two Men Two Men South Pk ›› “Tommy Boy” (1995, Comedy) Chris Farley. ›› “Tommy Boy” South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk South Pk The Daily Show Moonshiners Moonshiners “Sweet Home Appalachia” Growing Belushi (N) Master Distiller Dr. Pimple Popper My 600-Lb. Life “Lisa’s Journey” (N) Too Large Å Feet-Killing Me River Monsters River Monsters: Deadliest Man-Eaters River Monsters River Monsters Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office The 700 Club Å Raymond Raymond South Pk Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond King King “Running-Empty” ››› “My Sister Eileen” (1942, Comedy) “Moon Over Miami” (1941) Strike Up “All of My Heart” “The Birthday Wish” (2017) Å (DVS) Golden Golden Golden Golden Married Married Married at First Sight (N) Å Leave It to Geege Married-Sight Property Brothers Property Brothers Inspector Joe Hunters Hunters Moving for Love (N) Guy’s Games Guy’s Games Worst Cooks Guy’s Games Guy’s Games ›› “What Men Want” (2019) Å Tyler Perry’s Sistas First Bigger Tyler Perry’s Sistas “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” Resident Alien (N) Astrid & Lilly “Fifth Element” “Lethal Weapon 4” ›› “U.S. Marshals” (1998, Action) Tommy Lee Jones. Å “Mad Max: Fury” Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Skyville Live Å Reba Reba Forged in Fire Forged in Fire Forged in Fire (N) Forged in Fire Forged in Fire

THURSDAY EVENING C

C=COMCAST

C=COMCAST

FEB. 8

7:00 7:30 8:00 8:30 9:00 9:30 10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 FS1 ESPN 8 6 35 12 WGN-A QVC 3 57 CNN MSNBC CNBC FOXN USA TNT TBS A&E PARMT COM DISC TLC ANPL FREE TVL TCM HALL LIFE HGTV FOOD BET SYFY AMC CMT HIST

College Basketball College Basketball Undisputed College Basketball: Teams TBA. (Live) College Basketball: Teams TBA. (Live) SportsCenter Wheel Jeopardy Jeopardy! National Abbott black-ish Queens (In Stereo) News Kimmel News Holly Super Bowl FBI “Know Thyself” FBI: Most Wanted News Colbert Big Bang Big Bang The Resident (N) Dirty Dancing Fox News at Ten You Bet DailyMail ET Olympic 2022 Olympics News Olympics On Balance Dan Abrams Live NewsNation Prime Banfield (N) Å On Balance Shades of Beautiful Shoe Shopping Women, Control Cheers! to Shopping with Leah PBS NewsHour (N) Finding Your Roots American Masters (N) (In Stereo) Å Amanpour-Co Buzz Keep Up Father Brown Å No Second Chance Wendell Castle: PBS NewsHour (N) E. B. OutFront Anderson Cooper CNN Tonight (Live) Don Lemon Tonight Don Lemon Tonight The ReidOut (Live) All In With Rachel Maddow The Last Word The 11th Hour Å Shepard Smith 2022 Winter Olympics Shark Tank Shark Tank Jesse Watters Tucker Carlson Hannity (Live) Å Ingraham Gutfeld! (N) Å Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics 2022 Olympics Olympics Pregame NBA Basketball: Boston Celtics at Brooklyn Nets.

NBA Basketball: Bucks at Lakers Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Big Bang Wipeout (In Stereo) Wipeout (In Stereo) Sheldon Sheldon Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage Storage ››‡ “The Accountant” (2016) ›››‡ “The Wolf of Wall Street” (2013, Biography) Leonardo DiCaprio.

Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Daily Seinfeld Outlaws: Fast Street Outlaws: Fastest in America “NOLA vs. the Misfits” (N) Street Outlaws Å I Am Shauna Rae 90 Days 90 Days Doubling Down I Am Shauna Rae Sister Wives Insane Pools Insane Pools: Deeper Dive (In Stereo) Tanked (In Stereo) Tanked (In Stereo) Office Office Office Office Office Office Office Office The 700 Club Å Andy G. Andy G. Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond Raymond King King “Oh, God!” (1977) ›››‡ “Mister Roberts” (1955, Comedy) ›››› “12 Angry Men” (1957, Drama) “Advice to Love” “Over the Moon in Love” (2019) Golden Golden Golden Golden Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Castle (In Stereo) Fixer to Fabulous Fixer to Fabulous Fixer to Fabulous Hunters Hunt Intl Hunters Hunt Intl Chopped Å Chopped Å Chopped (N) Å Chopped Å Chopped Å ›‡ “Nobody’s Fool” (2018) Å T. Perry’s The Oval T. Perry’s Ruthless Bruh The Oval “Geostorm” (2017) WWE NXT (N) (In Stereo Live) Å Astrid & Lilly Astrid & Lilly ››› “Under Siege” ››› “Gran Torino” ›› “U.S. Marshals” (1998, Action) Tommy Lee Jones. Å Last Man Last Man Last Man Last Man Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Mom Curse-Island Curse-Island Curse-Island Beyond Oak Island Curse-Island

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Cleaning Services

YARD CLEANUP & JUNK REMOVAL Will clean junk from Attics, Basements, Garages, Hauling Brush Piles, Furniture, & Appliances.

804-514-2938

Page 5B

Home Improvement

Plumbing Emergency Service Residential & Commercial Work

Powhatan Pump & Plumbing, Inc

“Your Home is My Business” P.O. Box 67 Powhatan, VA 23139 bruce@thehousegeek.com www.thehousegeek.com

Bruce Blackwell

598-2468

State Licensed Home Inspector #3380000220 NRS

(804) 921-8367

Reasonable Rates • Water Pump Service

Electrical

Pump Services

Landscaping

Serving Powhatan, Cumberland & Surrounding Areas

Residential • Commercial • Industrial

Jay Robinson (Owner) Licensed & Insured cumberland_electrical@yahoo.com

(804) 598-8147

24 Hr. Emergency Service No Job

(804) 492-3335

EMERGENCY Service Available for Weekends & Holidays

2958 ANDERSON HIGHWAY POWHATAN 23139

Too Small

Miscellaneous Custom Built Storage Sheds, Barns, Garages and Animal Buildings

LAWSON FENCING, LLC. FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

Specializing In Quality Fencing Privacy • Chain Link • Vinyl • Aluminum • Split Rail • Custom Wood • Board • Farm Fencing & Repair

Southside Virginia’s Oldest Storage Shed Manufacturer

(804) 357-8920

1627 Anderson Hwy, Cumberland VA 23040 *Pricing Online www.buggytop.com buggytop18@outlook.com 804-492-4444 Like us on Facebook

Grading

K.N. Williams • • • • •

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Fencing

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Roofing Services

Roofing Standard Roofing Co. 784-7027 Hotline 837-7240 No job too small - all types of roofing FREE Estimates

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Licensed/Insured

Septic Services

We Buy Scrap Metal & Autos Copper • Aluminum Brass

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804-347-3299

Painting

FOR FAST, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, CALL TODAY!

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Heating and Cooling Sales • Service • Installation • Water Heaters • Attic Fans

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Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. 2421 New Dorset Terrace 804-598-7260 Powhatan, VA 23139

Licensed & Fully Insured for YOUR Protection FREE Estimates Tree & Stump Removal • Leaf Removal • Yard Work Hauling - Mulch, Gravel, Stone

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Office: 804-598-3931 Cell: 804-938-9940

Water Treatment

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Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 6B

(804) 598-2875 HOMES RENTALS ACREAGE

ES

CR 4A

.

13

SALE G PENDIN

SOLD OLD BUCKINGHAM ROAD CUMBERLAND, VA 23040 13.4 acres with beautiful pond and setting. Close to the intersection of Northfield Road and Rt. 13, easy access to Rt. 60. Perfect country property for your new home. $99,950

1292 MILLERS LANE MANAKIN-SABOT, VA 23103 Spacious custom built brick home with walk-out lower level, attached two-car garage + oversized detached garage with storage above, vaulted ceilings, large windows with lots of natural lighting. 4 bedrooms, 3 full baths. Private 3.48 acre setting. $489,950

SOLD

SOLD

5750 CARTERSVILLE ROAD, POWHATAN, VA 23139

2011 STRAWBERRY RUN, CROZIER, VA 23039

Completely updated and ready to move right in! Beautiful 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with open kitchen and great room, 3 acre country setting! $289,950

10+ acre property with lovely pond, oversized attached garage, open floor plan, vaulted ceilings, skylights, 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. $619,950

ES

CR 5A

4

6.

SALE G PENDIN

6116 AUTUMN BLUFF ROAD POWHATAN, VA 23139 6.45 acre country estate with builder’s personal home, in-law/guest quarters, attached two-car garage + bay for motorcycle or equipment, detached 864 square foot three-car garage with finished guest quarters above, lovely, park-like grounds. $624,950

ACREAGE

POWHATAN RENTALS

Cumberland Road Cumberland, VA 23040 (across from 3615 Cumberland Road) 63.442 ACRES Mixture of hardwood trees, walking trails $229,000

2865 B Rocky Oak Road Powhatan, VA 23139 2 bedrooms, 1 bath, Completely renovated duplex, $1,200/month

3915 Fighting Creek Drive Powhatan, VA 23139 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3-Car Attached Garage, $2,995/month

As deep as Hank Cosby’s roots run in Powhatan, he’s never been one to take his community for granted. His love for the area and its heritage have inspired him to do his best as a real estate professional. For Hank, his family’s deep local roots are a symbol of dedication to the Powhatan community. True to its name, Hank Cosby Real Estate brings the same kind of commitment to helping you achieve your goals. They know buying or selling a home is a big investment, so they commit all their energy and knowledge to helping you make the most of this exciting time.

If you’re buying, selling, or renting a home in Powhatan or the surrounding communities, Hank Cosby count on Hank Cosby Real Estate. Their time honored approach to real estate helps you see that 804-241-3902 Hank@HankCosby.com These Roots Run Deep.

Contact Hank Cosby Real Estate today -- you’ll be glad you did.

www.HankCosby.com

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 2A

O B I T UA R I E S MYRTLE MUIRE

MUIRE, Myrtle Katherine, born Myrtle Katherine Hawk, passed away peacefully on January 23, 2022 at the age of 91.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Linwood Muire Sr.; and survived by their sons, Linwood Jr. and Alvin. She had four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Myrtle was one of nine children and grew up in Goochland, but MUIRE lived in Henrico and worked for the Henrico School District for 22 years. She retired with her husband to Powhatan. She was active in the Powhatan Women's Club and volunteered at the Clothes Closet. She will be missed. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Fairfield Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsville, Va. There was a viewing at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 28, 2022, at Norman Funeral Chapel in

Goochland; followed by a service at 12 p.m., after which she was interred at Greenwood Memorial Gardens in Goochland.

THOMAS SNEED

SNEED, Thomas "T." Cowan, born March 1, 1955, of Richmond, Va., passed January 27, 2022, in Midlothian, Va. "Tommy," "T-Bone," "T," "Biggest Fool," 66, loved by many, friend to all, passed Thursday, January 27, 2022, peacefully surrounded by family. He loved a hard day's work, was particularly fond of landscaping and was quick to help a friend with any project. Tommy was an SNEED excellent athlete, enjoying football, baseball and golf. His love for bluegrass, The Grateful Dead, classic Westerns, and a good party with friends brought so much joy to his life. His devotion to family

was one of his finest traits - he never missed an event and always brought laughter. If you needed help, you could always depend on Tommy. He was there for everyone. He is survived by his children, Del Smith (Ashley) and Anna Krushinski (Scott); and their children, Elise, Michael and Dylan Krushinski; his father, Sonny Sneed; siblings, Robert Sneed (Diane), Rebecca Granger (Garry), Jeanne Beck (Gary), Sandra Thompson (Norwood), Steve Sneed (Kim); multiple nieces and nephews that adore him and a large circle of family and friends. He was predeceased by his mother, Mary Lee T. Sneed. The family will receive guests from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at Woody Funeral Home - Huguenot Chapel, 1020 Huguenot Road, Midlothian, Va. 23113. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 6, 2022, at Graceland Baptist Church, 975 Dorset Rd., Powhatan, Va., 23139. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family would like to thank Susan McRaney for her loving care during his final days.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Wednesday, Feb. 2

The American Red Cross needs volunteers to help on the ground and blood and platelet donors to roll up a sleeve to maintain a stable blood supply in the face of emergencies. Eligible donors can help overcome the critical need for blood and ensure blood is readily available by making an appointment to give by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device. Upcoming local blood drives currently scheduled for the area are: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 2 at Passion Community Church, 4480 Anderson Highway; from 1 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at Powhatan Moose Lodge, 4140 Old Buckingham Road, and from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, April 25 at Powhatan County Public Library, 2270 Mann Road.

Powhatan County Public Library is open for in-person services. The library is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Library bathrooms and meeting rooms are now open again and rooms may be reserved.

Books to Go and Curbside Print services will continue to be available. Books to Go is a convenient contactless pick-up option for those who prefer to quickly obtain library materials in traditional formats.

With Books to Go, patrons may reserve print materials, DVDs, and audiobooks online or by phone. Patrons have two options: place items on hold online through the catalog at www.powhatanlibrary.net or call the library at 804-5985670 to request items. Online hold placement is available 24/7. Depending on their account settings, patrons will be notified that their Books to Go order is ready for pickup either by phone or email.

Items are packaged in a new paper bag labeled with the patron’s last name. The bag is then placed on a table in the atrium. PCPL’s Books to Go pickup is available during open hours. Items are held for three business days. The limit of 20 holds per cardholder per day and the 50 item checkout limit per card will remain in effect.

Curbside print/copy service will continue to be offered. Patrons may submit one printing/ copying request per day for up to 10 pages of black and white printing at no charge. Requests may be submitted via email to print@powhatanlibrary.net.

Staff will notify the patron via

email when the print request is ready for pickup on the table in the library atrium. The library book drop continues to be open 24/7 for patron convenience; however, patrons are asked to return mobile hotspots in the bin below the Books to Go table in the atrium during business hours. The library is once again accepting donations and the Friends of the Library bookstore is open during library business hours.

Visit www.powhatanlibrary.net for more details and like the library’s Facebook page for all the latest, up-to-date library news and information. People may also call 804-598-5670.

hosting a Construction Industry Job Fair from 3 to 6 p.m. at Powhatan High School, 1800 Judes Ferry Road. The job fair is open to anyone looking for employment in the various construction sectors in Powhatan. Powhatan businesses in the construction trades are able to signup for a table for free. For more information, contact Roxanne Salerno at rsalerno@ powhatanva.gov.

Powhatan County Public Library will hold a weekly Story Time at 10:30 a.m. Participants will read stories, sing songs, learn finger plays and more!

Weather permitting, the program will be held outdoors; in inclement or cold weather, the program will be held indoors at the fireplace.

Business Network International (BNI) Powhatan chapter meets virtually from 8 to 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday. Visit Www. BNIVA.com for information. To attend a meeting as a guest contact Chapter President Sandy Duncan at sandy6284@ msn.com.

The Free Clinic of Powhatan serves patients at its location at 2320 Skaggs Road.

Services at the Free Clinic include medical, dental, dietary, counseling, and women’s health. Patient appointments are by appointment only.

Registration for new patients is Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. by appointment and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays by walk-in. Administration hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays. Medical appointments are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays. Dental appointments are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Mondays, noon to 8 p.m. on Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.

Behavior health appointment hours are from 2 to 8 p.m. on Mondays, 2 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursdays. Contact 804-598-5637.

The Powhatan Lion’s Club will meet at 6 p.m. at the County Seat Restaurant. Contact Mike Jones at 804-794-1440 for more information.

Thursday, Feb. 3

Powhatan Economic Development Department and Powhatan Economic Development Authority are

MASKS Continued from pg. 1

matters and had a discussion about emails between board members that were submitted as a packet obtained by the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by a member of the community.

But by far the matter that drew the most attention leading up to the meeting from community members was the discussion on masks and what changes, if any, might be imminent. While many school districts across the state have been grappling with what to do with Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s executive order on his first day in office to make masks optional, Powhatan’s board got ahead of the curve by voting unanimously in December to transition into masks optional if the governor followed through on his campaign promise to issue that order.

Chairwoman Kim Hymel, District 5, said at the beginning of the meeting that the topic of a mask mandate in schools for staff and students “is on the agenda again at the request of two board members who want to change their vote on the masking policy and a public meeting is required to revisit their votes.” However, board members later made it clear that the matter was on the agenda as a discussion item and no vote or decision was going to be made on that topic at the meeting.

Cole was the only one who voiced his concerns at the

A Called to Care Meeting will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Powhatan United Methodist Church.

This organization offers both support to persons who have health issues and those who are caring for persons with health issues. The meetings may include guest speakers on a myriad of topics related to aging and good health. Guest speakers have included a nurse practitioner, neurologist, nutritionist, physical therapist and many more. All are welcome to attend. This group is facilitated by Judy Cain-Oliver, licensed clinical psychologist.

meets from 7 to 8 p.m. every Thursday in the Powhatan Village Building.

The Powhatan Rotary Club meets at 7:30 a.m. every Thursday at the County Seat Restaurant.

The Powhatan Garden Club will not meet for its regular meeting in February. There are ongoing discussions about the future meetings for the club in light of COVID-19 risks.

Saturday, Feb. 5

The Powhatan Food Pantry is open from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursdays, Saturdays and Tuesdays at 2500 Batterson Road. Contact the pantry at 804-372-9526 or powhatanvafoodpantry@gmail. com.

The Huguenot Beekeepers Association is a group of experienced and beginner beekeepers that are dedicated to promoting beekeeping in our communities and supporting each other in our beekeeping activities. The group meets from 7 to 9 p.m. in the auditorium of the Powhatan Village Building, 3910 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan. Visit https:// huguenotbeekeepers.org.

Extension specialists and industry experts share timely topics for farmers in the Virginia Cooperative Extension Ag Today, held virtually at 9 a.m. every Thursday. These updates are relevant and brief and are recorded for folks who can't join on that day and time. Podcasts (audio only) are posted on Westmoreland VCE webpage and YouTube video recordings can be found at https://www.youtube. com/ playlist?list=PL7_2QU VzrPXDpYsV2HY11CH8KB rluifyO. Contact Stephanie Romelczyk (sromelcz@vt.edu) for information on joining the meeting live. Watched or listened to VCE AG Today? Let us know how we are doing!

Find our survey here: https:// vce.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/ SV_6fiYBb914AYRdn7.

The original Powhatan AA

Habitat for HumanityPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan are encouraging the community to shop local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 and are teaming up with several local businesses.

Habitat-Powhatan’s ReStore also will be open on Saturday, Feb 5, at 1922 Urbine Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Free Clinic of Powhatan will offer free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m.to noon at the store, and Triple Tap Coffee, owned by local firefighters, will be there selling assorted coffee gift boxes and more (a portion of proceeds will be donated).

Crazy Rooster Brewing and Fine Creek Brewing recently brewed their first collaboration beer, Rye Coffee Porter. As part of this release 50% of sales from the collaboration beer on Saturday, Feb. 5, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and The Free Clinic of Powhatan. Mulberry Layne will donate 10% of its store sales on Feb 5. Three Crosses Distilling Company will donate a portion of all cocktail sales to Habitat -Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan from the weekend. The Vintage Antique Shack will donate 10% of store inventory sales on Feb 5. Shop, eat and drink local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 to support businesses in Powhatan but also HabitatPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan.

Habitat For Humanity Powhatan depends on volunteers and donors.

Habitat is blessed with the community’s helpful, kind and generous participation. The Habitat Store at 1922 Urbine Road will be open on the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

During this pandemic, anyone coming into the store must wear a facemask. The office is located in the Habitat Store and the office number is 804594-7009. Call and volunteer!

Donate! Help us build!!

Powhatan AA meets at 8 p.m. every Saturday at Manakin Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.

meeting. Valarie Ayers, District 3, said because of the timing of the meeting in the middle of the afternoon when so many people who had reached out to her about masks could not attend, she would not offer comments.

“Many parents and teachers were not able to be here because they are still in school. I will speak at the next board meeting where I have asked that to be put on the agenda so people that had a different opinion – which we are all entitled to our opinions and our opinions deserve to be respected – will have an opportunity to speak,” Ayers said.

The next school board meeting is Feb. 8, with a workshop at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting at 7 p.m. The agenda for that meeting has not yet been published.

Cole mentioned hearing from teachers and parents with concerns about the timing of making a change when COVID-19 case numbers were on the rise, but the main thrust of his comments concerned medically compromised people who might be placed more at risk by people around them not wearing masks.

“There has been a lot of discussion over the past several months about freedom and choice and those kinds of things, and they are important – no doubt about that. But freedom can only be a cherished idea when it is freedom applied across our community, not just to a selected group of people because they are healthy,” Cole said. “By

Monday, Feb. 7

The Huguenot Ruritan Club meets at 7 p.m. at May Memorial Baptist Church. For more information, contact Tom Grasty at 804-598-0777.

A Powhatan Hope Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meeting will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every Monday at PCC Church, 4480 Anderson Highway, Powhatan, Room 102. It is an open discussion meeting.

Wheelchair accessible.

second appointment at a later date to return to pick up and sign their completed tax return. Be assured that clients’ tax documents will be secured the entire time they are in Tax-Aide’s possession between the first and second appointment. Tax-Aide will be open for appointments every Wednesday and Friday as usual. People are able to schedule their first appointment online on the library website.

In order to better manage the appointments, Tax-Aide will only be posting a few appointment days at a time.

Additional appointment times will be added as earlier times are filled. Clients should make an appointment only once they have received all their tax documents.

Tuesday, Feb. 8

The Women in Ag Network meets virtually at 7:30 p.m.

The organization’s mission is to foster female farmers. The Women in Agriculture Network will hold monthly Zoom sessions highlighting women farmers, offering opportunities for women to network, and educational opportunities.

Register at https://docs. google.com/forms/d/ e/1FAIpQLSdZN-I3gWp0zjO AAzwFhvrTWNTK4BBesTRg 6UoSH1b3l62o_A/viewform or call 804-598-5640. Preregistration required. Recorded sessions and more information: https://www.facebook.com/ vawomeninagnetwork.

Awaken to Hope Al-Anon meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

The new Bridge of Reason AA meeting is held at 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Powhatan Mennonite Church, 3549 Old Buckingham Road, Powhatan.

It is an open, decision and literature meeting for Powhatan, Goochland, and Cumberland counties.

AA meets at 8 p.m. every Tuesday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church on Huguenot Trail.

Powhatan-based nonprofit Virginians for Conservation and Community Rights (VCCR) is hosting a Powhatan #ShareTheLoveInPowhatan Event, celebrating Valentine's throughout the month of February. The goal is to engage the Powhatan community and to support Powhatan local businesses.

Organizers are hosting several opportunities to play along with $5 for each entry. Participants in the Powhatan Puzzle Hunt will receive the addresses of 10 local businesses. A small container will be located at each business holding a puzzle piece for each registered participant. The goal is to complete the puzzle first, by visiting all of the locations.

Whoever sends us a photo of the completed Heart puzzle first, will win a Yeti cooler.

There will also be a basket raffle and a 50/50 raffle with 50% of the cash going directly to the Coalition of Powhatan Churches and the other 50% going to the raffle winner. To register, go to Powhatan In The Know Uncensored Facebook Group or VCCR.info/events to register. Must be a Powhatan resident to participate.

Drawings to be announced Feb. 28, 2022.

Powhatan County Public Library’s Teen Anime Club will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. on the following Thursdays: Feb. 10, March 10 and 24, April 7 and 21, and May 5 and 19. Come watch anime with the Teen Anime Club! Bring manga, notebooks, cosplays, or other projects to work on.

We will watch a different anime each meeting. For local teens aged 13-18 (grades 6-12).

Application required to join.

Pick up one at the library front desk. Pick up an application at the library and turn it into the front desk. Contact Brooke at pcplteens@powhatanlibrary. net.

Upcoming

Volunteers from AARP TaxAide will be returning to the Powhatan Library to provide free tax preparation services, but the processes will look a little different this year due to new COVID-19 protocols.

The biggest difference this year is that AARP Tax-Aide is not offering same-day tax preparation services. Instead, volunteers will offer drop-off services, which will require two separate short appointments to complete a client’s tax return. The taxpayer will make one appointment with Tax-Aide to complete all the required paperwork and leave all tax documents with them. Once volunteers have all the information they need, the taxpayer will have a quick interview with a tax counselor and be given a

giving freedom to everybody to be maskless, we have actually put some of those students in a situation where they have no freedom at all. If they go out in the general school population, even though they have a mask on, they are at greater risk for getting sick, at greater risk for missing school. So I thought the board ought to think about this.”

Cole said his first fear is that a medically compromised students would become seriously ill and miss school “or worse yet loses their life.” By law, he argued, students have a “right to a free appropriate education in the least restrictive environment.” So his second fear is that parents of immune compromised students might question whether those requirements have been met, implying vulnerability to a lawsuit.

Cole made it clear he understands he doesn’t have the majority votes necessary to change the school board’s previous decision to make masks optional, “but I would not be doing my job as a board member to not bring this to your attention and to say to you this is something we really need to think about.”

He also mentioned creating safe zones for these students, such as having adults around them wear masks or “maybe in those classrooms, every student, whether they were made to or not, would have the compassion to wear see MASKS, pg. 5

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 3A

New mobile command center to aid first responders

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

POWHATAN – Emergency management coordinator Curt Nellis left a final contribution when he officially retired last week – a new tool in Powhatan County’s public safety toolbox he jokingly refers to as Mini Me. Nellis’ tongue-in-cheek Austin Powers impressions aside, the Mini Me in question is serious business. The name refers to a new mobile support unit (MSU) that has the capability of assisting local first responders with everything from disaster response to a drawn-out standoff to search and rescue operations.

Nellis has spent the last three years turning an old 17-foot trailer donated by the sheriff’s office into a highly functional, easy-to-deploy mobile command center outfitted for every emergency response need he could imagine.

The county already has a much larger 37-foot mobile command center that takes longer to deploy, both because of the setup and the number of people who can actually operate it. This smaller version – hence the name Mini Me – is much easier to deploy and has more capability packed into its more compact space, Nellis said.

“You’ve got a smaller unit that is easier to deploy faster by smaller vehicles

LEFT PHOTO CONTRIBUTED/ RIGHT PHOTO BY LAURA McFARLAND

Curt Nellis, center, who retired last week as Powhatan’s emergency management coordinator, shows off the features of the new mobile support unit he calls Mini Me. The unit will help local first responders during more drawn out emergencies. Also shown are Brigid Paciello, IT specialist, and EMT James Babcock.

– F-150 pickup trucks or even a heavy duty SUV – that you can turn on and you have immediate capabilities. It takes me about an hour to deploy the big one,” he said.

Nellis officially presented the MSU to personnel from fire and rescue, the sheriff’s office, county administration and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management in a presentation he gave on Wednesday, Jan. 26 – the day before he retired as emergency management coordinator. He said he was

pleased with the responses when those men and women were introduced to its capabilities for the first time.

“They were excited. I feel good that it will get used. That is what my biggest fear was – that I would spend all this time and it would just sit here,” he said.

Fire and rescue chief Phil Warner called the new mobile support unit a tremendous county asset, whether it is used on-scene at a long incident or search and rescue. One of the biggest advantages of the unit is how much easier it will be to

deploy than the current mobile command center.

“The true weakness of the larger vehicle is we only have one or two people in the county who are comfortable picking it up and delivering it wherever it needs to go,” he said. “The vehicles are very specific to ones that can tow it. It is very limiting and that is what makes the new unit so much more versatile.”

When Warner joined the other personnel to see the trailer for the first time, see MOBILE, pg. 6

Local nonprofits partner for The Heart of Home Weekend Contributed Report Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan are encouraging the community to shop local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 and are teaming up with Triple Tap Coffee, Fine Creek Brewing Company, Crazy Rooster Brewing Company, Mulberry Layne, Three Crosses Distilling Company and The Vintage Antique Shack.

Habitat-Powhatan’s ReStore also will be open on Saturday, Feb. 5, at 1922 Urbine Road from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Free Clinic of Powhatan will offer free blood pressure checks from 10 a.m. to noon at the

THOMPSON Continued from pg. 1

psychological development of our children against potential harms and violations of student and parental rights in the name of safety at all costs. Some costs are too high.

Additionally, we have a task ahead of us of choosing a new superintendent. In both Loudon and Nottaway counties, the superintendents failed to ensure the safety of students and teachers.

We must select a candidate who is committed to the education, not indoctrination, of our students.

I am also concerned about curricula that generates divisiveness among students. No one should feel less than worthy because of sex, gender, race, medical status or religious convictions.

Every student, teacher, and administrator should be respected. We have more in common than we do in differences.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education.

How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

We must continue to preserve Powhatan County Public Schools’ outstanding reputation for providing a high-caliber education. I feel strongly that curricula should be transparent, and I encourage parental involvement in their students’ learning.

As a school board representative, I would like to strengthen the channels of communication and will be available to teachers and administrators to foster collaboration that leads to effective instruc-

tion and successful student outcomes.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

While these meetings have been stressful and sometimes tense, it is imperative that we hear about concerns in the community. Having said that, I would endeavor to hold Town Hall meetings in District 4 on a regular basis so that concerned citizens have a chance to be heard and be responded to. Civil discourse is essential; we must engage in productive conversations that lead us to develop creative solutions.

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

I believe that we need to be fiscally responsible, weeding out the “must haves” from the “nice-tohaves.” As a department head, I had to make some of these difficult decisions.

One of the most pressing issues is that of classroom coverage — getting substitute teachers. It is my understanding that a substitute teacher receives $65 a day. One substitute told me that it was not worth the stress she had to endure. Let’s increase that

store.

Crazy Rooster Brewing and Fine Creek Brewing recently brewed their first collaboration beer, Rye Coffee Porter. As part of this release 50% of sales from the collaboration beer on Feb. 5, will be donated to Habitat for Humanity and The Free Clinic of Powhatan. Mulberry Layne will donate 10% of its store sales on Feb. 5.

Three Crosses Distilling Company will donate a portion of all cocktail sales to Habitat -Powhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan from the weekend. The Vintage Antique Shack will donate 10% of store in-

ventory sales on Feb. 5.

Triple Tap Coffee, owned by local firefighters, will be at the ReStore Feb. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. selling assorted coffee gift boxes and more. Triple Tap Coffee will donate a portion of those sales.

Shop, eat and drink local the weekend of Feb. 4 to 6 to support businesses in Powhatan but also HabitatPowhatan and The Free Clinic of Powhatan.

Habitat for Humanity-Powhatan also needs volunteers for upcoming projects and events. Volunteer forms are available at https://www.habitatpowhatan. org/.

to a level comparable to neighboring counties. In addition, I would consider offering monetary incentives to those who serve frequently during the month and/or semester.

I also propose that teachers receive a 5% increase for the 2022-23 school year. With a 7% increase in inflation, that is the least we can offer our teachers.

My name is Connie Thompson, and I am running for school board in

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

It is important that the school board and the board of supervisors have a mutually respectful working relationship. I have met several of the supervisors, and I look forward to partnering with them to achieve school board initiatives while maintaining board of supervisor’s strategic goals. My ultimate responsibility, however, is committing to excellence in education, and I intend to stand my ground for the good of supporting teachers, respecting parents and educating students.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

Extensive experience and time in this field fueled by a passion for the teachers, parents and students in this county. As detailed above, my leadership experience in pub-

lic education and time afforded by retirement set me apart as the most qualified candidate to serve District 4 as school board representative. I will work tirelessly and enthusiastically to promote excellence at all levels and advocate for the next generation of our children, including my own grandchildren.

When considering the candidates for this position, I urge you to evaluate who has the pertinent experience, passion, energy and time to be successful as your school board representative.

District 4, and I graciously ask for your vote on Feb. 15.

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Page 4A

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Farmville man killed in two-vehicle crash in Powhatan Contributed Report Virginia State Police is investigating a fatal two-vehicle crash on Wednesday, Jan. 26 that killed a Farmville man in western Powhatan.

The crash occurred at 5:48 a.m. on

Route 60, Anderson Highway, between Bell and Ridge roads. A 2009 Ford Ranger was traveling westbound on Route 60 when it crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2001 Lincoln Town Car traveling eastbound on Route 60.

TAYLOR Continued from pg. 1

flect Powhatan, a commitment to teaching core curriculum, high integrity, strong communication skills and a willingness to plant his or her life in Powhatan for the long-haul. Second, we need to refocus our educational attention on core curriculum, teaching students reading, math, science and history along with character development instead of focusing on social and emotional learning.

And we need to dial back the social justice warrior movement. Obviously, racial issues are part of our history in Virginia and America, and it is important to teach this history. Everything, however, should not be viewed through the lens of social justice and race. We need to get back to teaching students how to think critically and not what to think. Third, we have a great need within our school system for more teachers, staff and bus drivers. Compensation and retirement benefits are crucial in our efforts both in recruiting and retaining employees. Therefore, we must become more competitive to attract the best to Powhatan, while making sure to hire teachers who will reflect our culture. And fourth, we need to be proactive regarding the future. Powhatan is a wonderful place to live, and many families are moving here each year. Soon there will be a

Hey Everyone, My name is Cooper, I am around 8 years old, and up to date on shots, I am also Heartworm negative.

So just a little about myself.

My owner became ill and was unable to take care of me. I was well loved, and treated like a part of the family. I recently found out that my previous owner passed away, and it really hurt me. I am really wanting another family that I can call my own, One that will take great care of me, and in return I will be loyal, loving and shower you with kisses. If you would like to meet me, You can call 804-5985672 and my caregivers will be happy to answer questions, and also schedule you an appointment to meet me. I look forward to meeting you.

If you would like to help the animals in our care, you can do so by donating to our medical fund at Claws and Paws, 4313 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA 23139 Powhatan Sheriff’s Office | Division Of Animal Control Phone: 804-598-5672 | Fax: 804-598-5109

The driver of the 2001 Lincoln Town Car, Andrew Trent Jr., 53, of Farmville, died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the 2009 Ford Ranger was transported to Chippenham for treatment of stable but critical injuries.

need for a new elementary school, more space at the middle school and an addition to the high school. Currently, there is no plan for a new school in the next 11 years. I believe it is prudent to begin looking down the road and charting a plan.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

Over the last two years, we have experienced the failings of a “once-size-fits-all” approach to regulations and policy. The school board, like other local governing entities, provides local governance and oversight. It is close to the people and organized in such a way to hear, listen and respond to the people. General guidance and funding should come from the federal and state levels, but the school board should work to contextualize them to the local level. Our school board should listen and follow the will of the people. After all, they are the primary bill payers.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

Board meetings have been contentious of late, both here and around the country. I believe a lot of it stems from a lack of trust. Again, people have had their rights stripped away and their voices silenced in the name of safety. Then during the lockdown, they were awakened to the reality that not everything their children were learning reflected the beliefs and values they were trying to instill. For this reason, we must rebuild trust, which requires us to listen to the will of the people. The town halls conducted by board members in 2021 were a good first step. These need to continue regularly, so board members have an opportunity to interact with their constituents and know what is important to them.

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

One of the items greatly influenced by listening to constituents is the budget. The process of formulating an annual budget is a delicate and strategic process. There are many factors involved. As the pastor of a local church, I have been engaged in this process for over 20 years. I bring the experience of leading a nonprofit organization and operating on a balanced budget. Though there are many differences between the two, the basics are the same. At the end of the fiscal year, the expenses need to be less than the income. In the upcoming budget, I want to make our compensation and benefits more competitive, specifically for teachers and bus drivers. I want to trim all wasteful spending. And I would like to see mon-

There were no passengers in either vehicle. The crash remains under investigation, with the assistance of the Virginia State Police Richmond Division Crash Reconstruction Team. Charges are pending.

ies reallocated to put textbooks back in the classrooms.

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

The budgeting process is intertwined with the Board of Supervisors. During the five months that I have been on the school board, it has become quite clear to me that there is work to do to bring the two boards together. Relationships are important for getting things accomplished. During my short time on the school board, I have been able to build relationships with our county supervisors. For the most part, we all want the same thing. We want what is best for Powhatan. Therefore, we need to keep the channels of communication open and do what we say we are going to do. When there is a disagreement, let’s talk through the issues, think the best of one another, find common ground, and refuse to be snarky. I would love to see the two boards continue to meet quarterly and have good conversations. As elected officials, it is beneficial for taxpayers to see us working together for their good.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

As I think about the District 4 seat on the school board, I do believe I am the best candidate. Often school boards are comprised of career educators. There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, career educators bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. I am not a career educator, which in my opinion is an asset for Powhatan. Every member currently serving on the PCPS school board is a career educator. Therefore, I offer a different perspective on the issues. Perhaps, I even offer a perspective that is much closer to that of the everyday parent in our community. I am conservative in my beliefs and values. I am going to lead from my convictions while being a good listener as well. I have a track record. The constituents of District 4 can see how I have led with strength during the last five months. I have spoken out and worked to provide better guidance for our libraries and teachers to make sure we are keeping political and social issues out of the classroom. I introduced the motion to proactively be ready for Governor (Glenn) Youngkin’s executive order making masks optional. Powhatan was the first school system in the metro area to do so.

Next, I will be working to eliminate contact tracing because it is not sustainable. Also, I disagree with the idea school buses are public transportation and therefore fall under the president’s executive order. Our kids and bus drivers should not have to be masked on the school bus unless that is the choice of the parent and driver. It is time for us to completely return to normal and live with this virus like all the others. If these beliefs and values resonate with you, I hope you will vote for me, James Taylor, on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church

SUNDAYS 8:00 AM in person service in the church 10:30 AM in person service in the church (livestreamed) www.stlukespowhatan.org All are Welcome For more information visit www.stlukespowhatan.org Route 711 at Three Bridge Road 794-6953

EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CHURCH (PCA) Proclaiming & Practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Worship Service at 10:00 AM Meeting at 2375 Skaggs Road, Powhatan.

ECCPCA.ORG

598-8844

Genito Presbyterian Church 2910 Genito Rd. Powhatan, VA

372-9074

Worship with us this Sunday Church service @ 9:30 AM Sunday school @ 10:30 AM

Providence Presbyterian Church

“Worshiping and Witnessing in Western Powhatan since 1825”

Powhatan Christian Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night 7:30 p.m.

Worship Service 11:00 am All Are Welcome!

3308 Pleasants Road, 598-4970 1/4 mile off of Route 711 Located 1950 Ridge Road Russ Cress, Pastor (Rt. 627) 598-0733

St. John Neumann Catholic Church Sunday School 10 AM Worship Service 11 AM Pastor John Engle 603-933-0141 3540 Old Buckingham Rd. www.pmchurch.net

Meeting Sundays in Farmville, Fork Union, Midlothian, Powhatan and Online.

Visit pccwired.net for services times & locations.

598-1174 pccwired.net

1801 Huguenot Trail Sunday School 9am Sunday Worship 10am Wednesday Bible Study 6:45pm Bryan M. Holt, Pastor 378-3607 www.EmmausChristianChurch.org

Rev. Walter G. Lewis, Pastor Living As Christ’s Disciples Within Our Hearts and Beyond Our Doors 2253 Rosson Rd.

Just off Rt. 13 in the Village

598-4438

Worship: 8:30 & 10:30am

www.powhatanumc.us Weekday Preschool (ages 2-5)

Mount Calvary Baptist Church 2020 Red Lane Road Powhatan, VA 23139

Pastor, Larry B. Collins Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:30 p.m.

Office 804-598-2398

Advertise in

598-6090

Saturday - 5 p.m.

Sunday - 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

598-3754 www.sjnpowhatan.org Located behind Flat Rock Village Shopping Center

Church Directory.

Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

MASKS Continued from pg. 2

a mask in that room. I am bothered when we even suggest that that we get pushback.”

Susan Smith, District 2, pointed out that the school division has other mitigating measures that could help support students and parents in making the transition, such as emphasis on keeping the buildings clean and making sure the air filtration system is working. She said she would rather have the school division spend a little extra to put additional air filtration system measures in classrooms with immune compromised students or put up plastic barriers to bring ease and comfort.

“I don’t think any member of this board wants to do anything to further inflict damage or hurt on our students. But I simply know as a board member, I cannot ask a student nor teacher that has taken that mask off to put it back on. That has to be their choice; it cannot be mine. It cannot be my vote to ever ask anyone to put a mask on again,” Smith said.

Dr. James Taylor, interim District 4

board member, said that the board’s action in December “put the choice back in the hands of parents where it rightfully belongs.” He said he empathizes with those who have issues and concerns, but at the same time the majority both in Powhatan and across the state showed with their election of the new governor that they wanted masks to be optional.

“I like the decision we made. I think it is the best decision. I have been advocating for months that we have to live with COVID. It is here forever it seems like and it needs to be treated just like we have always treated the common cold, the flu.

We take care of those who are sick, we treat them, and we don’t isolate people who come around them who are not symptomatic, who have no inclination of being sick whatsoever,” he said.

He said most of the people he has heard from are happy with the board’s decision, but he has heard from a small segment of the community who are outraged with some valid reasons. He asked Powhatan residents to love and support each other, which is what the students have been doing in the week since masks were

CABANISS Continued from pg. 1

nalizing the retiree health plan, expanding our preschool program, and determining a use for the Pocahontas Landmark Center – all of those will determine the future direction of PCPS, and I look forward to the opportunity to work on them. We are really at a crossroads of what PCPS will look like over the next decade.

The main function of a school board is to provide local, citizen governance and oversight of education. How do you view that role in Powhatan County?

I believe it’s important to be available. I want to have open communication with the constituents of District 4. I plan to be active and engaged in our schools. The best way to know what is going on in our schools is to be active - that’s true as a parent and I plan on continuing it as a school board representative.

Especially in the last year, school board meetings have often been drawn out and covered many contentious topics with both sides of difficult issues represented among District 4 constituents. What would be your approach to handling that stressful and tense environment and competing viewpoints?

When I was in high school, my grandfather gave me the best advice I’ve ever received when he said to me, “Jennifer, the good Lord gave you two ears and one mouth, so you need to listen twice as much as you speak.” People want to be heard. They don’t want to feel that while they are speaking, the listener is just waiting for them to finish and is not listening to understand their point of view. I’m encouraged that so many people are taking their time to be a part of the process. We have faced many difficult topics and issues over the past few years, but that is such an important part of growth and transparency. It’s important to remember that just because someone

SECOND ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH 1059 Dorset Road Powhatan, VA 23139 Reverend Mark A. Divens, Sr. Pastor

Praise and Worship Service Sunday School 9:45-10:45 Sunday Morning Worship will begin at 11:00 a.m.

GREENBRIER BAPTIST CHURCH “God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

We walk by faith and not by sight” – Pastor Darnell Carruthers

Sunday School: 10:00-10:45 a.m.

Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

4731 Bell Road, Powhatan, VA 23139 804-598-5491

The school board has just taken the first steps into the fiscal year 2023 budget, with plenty of unknowns and decisions to make on the road ahead. What experience will you bring to that process, and do you have any priorities going into the budget process?

An election at the beginning of budget season, with a new governor, certainly makes things interesting. As you mentioned, there are many unknowns at this point, with many budget proposals yet to come.

I am, however, familiar with the general breakdown of the school board’s budget since I have been an active watcher for years of both the school board and board of supervisors. When I served on the board of Flat Rock Warriors, which was a nonprofit, we had to run our budget very responsibly and we were able to provide improvements for our players without increasing our fees. I understand the need to utilize every dollar to its maximum potential. As far as priorities go, I’m really excited about the School Construction Grant that we will be receiving from the state. There are a lot of avenues that the board could take with that grant, and I look forward to seeing some projected costs on renovating the Pocahontas Landmark Center and the projected preschool project as well as potential benefits of applying the grant to the loan from the construction of Powhatan Middle School. The board addressed teacher pay scale

Eight people spoke during the public comment period of the meeting. All of the comments touched on the mask issue, with most saying the board needs to leave it optional. Individuals argued not to put the responsibility of everyone’s health on children; for the board to put aside personal feelings and act in accordance with the U.S. Constitution and Virginia Constitution; not to prioritize the needs of immune compromised students above the needs of the students who have been mentally harmed by the masks, and not to put all their trust in the masks protecting people from COVID-19.

Other business handled at the meeting included: The only action item on the agenda was regarding retaining Sands Anderson as general counsel for the school board.

The board was already represented by Sands Anderson for its special education needs while its general counsel needs were handled by Haney Phinyowattanachip PLLC. Hymel requested the board streamline its legal representation to one firm. see LEGAL, pg. 8

compression last year and I’m hoping to continue to address that as a part of the budget discussion for FY23, in addition to salary increases for staff.

While school board members make decisions about the schools, working with the board of supervisors is part of getting business done as well. Given your knowledge of how the two boards have interacted in the past, do you have any goals or priorities with regard to working with the board of supervisors?

It’s important to have a positive working relationship with the BOS. I look forward to having open communication with each supervisor, and I also plan to continue watching their meetings as I have done for years. Both boards want Powhatan to have the best we can offer while remaining fiscally responsible. The school board is not only in charge of public education, but PCPS is the county’s largest employer and 85.45% of the school’s budget goes to payroll and benefits.

Many families are moving to Powhatan County because of our excellent school system, and maintaining that excellence is critical to the county’s growth.

What sets you apart as a candidate for the District 4 school board member position?

I don’t believe there is another candidate who will be as “all in” as I am. This would be my job, serving District 4. The past 10 years of my life have been dedicated to volunteering in our community, and I would bring that same drive and passion to the school board. My kids cover all the ages, so I have firsthand knowledge of each school; and with a child entering kindergarten next year, I am fully vested in the academic excellence of PCPS. I understand the challenges that can come with asking for services for your child, the difficulties of choosing and applying to a specialty program in high school, and even how to transition into PCPS after homeschooling - I’m right there with you.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Graceland Baptist Church Dr. Ronald Wyatt, Jr., Pastor

Contemporary – 8:30 a.m.

Sunday School – 9:45 a.m.

Worship – 11 a.m.

Children’s Worship – 11 a.m.

Prayer/Bible Study – Wed. 6:30 p.m.

2095 Red Lane Road Children’s Worship (all ages) – 1/2 mile off Rt. 60 on Red Lane Road Wed. 6:30 p.m.

804-598-2455 New Generation Praise & Worship – www.redlanebaptist.org Sunday 6 p.m.

Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Lighthouse Youth – Wed. 5:30 p.m.

Small Groups 10:30 a.m. Miracles of God Sp. Needs Service: 2 p.m. the 2nd Sat. of each month Wednesday Night Classes for all ages at 6:15 598-3481 • 975 Dorset Road Dr. James Taylor, Pastor www.gracelandbc.org

Pastor Roger Epperson 2390 Emmanuel Church Road 804-372-9254 www.newwalkbible.org Sunday Worship 10:00 AM Sunday School 9:00 AM Bible Study Wed. 7:00 PM

Holly Hills Baptist Church www.HollyHillsBaptist.org

(Independent Bible Believing)

Randy Blackwell, Pastor Sunday School - 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.

Youth Ministry 6:00 p.m.

Wednesday Prayer Meeting 7:30 p.m.

379-8930

1659 Anderson Highway 3½ miles east of Flat Rock

5680 Cartersville Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 Pastor Gregory L. Beechaum Sr. “The church where Jesus is Alive” 9:00 a.m. ---- Sunday School 9:45 a.m.----- Prayer & Praise 10:00 a.m.--- Sunday Morning Worship 5th Sunday at 11 a.m.

Hour of Power 7:30 p.m. ---- Tuesday Night Worship & Bible Study

804-375-9404

Baptist Church “A Church Where Love Never Fails!”

Pastor Otis B. Lockhart, Jr.

BAPTIST CHURCH

made optional.

“There has been no bullying or no talk about whether or not a kid has a mask on or doesn’t have a mask on,” Taylor said.

“In fact I had an employee of our school system tell me the other day that – it’s a bus driver – and she was telling me that she was asking some students as they got on the bus, ‘How’s things going in the schools? Is anybody bullying you or talking about why you are wearing or not wearing a mask?’ The kids’ response was, ‘We are not the issue, it’s the adults.’ ” Hymel said she has received a significant amount of emails on the mask issue in the last two weeks and the message was clear that the majority of parents want a choice.

“The people who have concerns about the executive order, we hear your concerns. We will work on other mitigating measures to ensure the best possible environment for your children,” Hymel said.

She asked teachers and staff to let the school board know how they can be of help. She also stressed the importance of improving indoor air quality and the daily cleaning of all of the schools.

else’s experience may be different from ours, that doesn’t make their experience invalid. I believe that if people feel that they are truly heard, that even if we disagree that it can be done with respect. At the end of the day, everyone in our community wants our schools to be a place where students and staff feel safe and respected. As a board member, I want my constituents to know that I want to listen to each of you and I will take all of those experiences into account when I make decisions based on what is best for students and staff.

Hollywood

MOUNT ZION

Page 5A

Muddy Creek Baptist Church

2591 Ridge Road Powhatan, Virginia 23139 804-598-2051

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m.

Worship - 11 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study & Prayer Service - 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Bryan Stevens, Pastor

Pastor Jeff Beard, MA, MBA

10 a.m. – Worship Service 8:30 a.m. – Church School

3470 Trenholm Road www.muddycreekbaptist.org

375-9212

Advertise in Powhatan Today’s Church Directory.

Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.

OLD POWHATAN BAPTIST CHURCH 3619 Huguenot Trail Powhatan, Virginia 23139 www.finecreekbaptist.org Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.

Worship Service: 11:00 a.m.

Traditional Vern Gilmer, Pastor

2202 Old Church Road www.powhatanbaptist.org

“Your Community Church” 2901 Judes Ferry Road Powhatan, Va 23139 804-379-8223

Sunday School at 9:30 a.m.

Morning Service at 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study Every Wednesday Night at 6:30 p.m.

3964 Old Buckingham Road

Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday 6:30 p.m.

Experiencing the presence, power and person of Jesus Christ

Loving, Investing, Fulfilling, Empowering Senior Pastor Justin Wilson Sunday Service 10:30am 2410 New Dorset Circle www.Communitylifechurchpowhatan.org

FIRST ANTIOCH BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday 10am, 11am & 6pm Wednesday 7pm

3920 MAIDENS RD., POWHATAN

804-598-2301

Evening Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Service times are 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.

Worship online at 10:15 a.m.

Family Worship Center

598-2763

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Mid Day Bible Study 11:30 a.m.

Brad Russell, Pastor 598-4241

Travis L. Keith- Pastor Church Office: 794.7054 1530 Cook Road (Rt. 636)

www.glbcpva.org

Just Across from South Creek Shopping Center!

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 6A

Cumberland County Cumberland Library partners Division honors service with reading program of school administrators Contributed Report Cumberland County Public Library has announced that it has become an affiliate with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. County residents now have the option to sign up their children to receive free books through the program.

Sent directly to the child at the address on record, books are mailed monthly to registered youngsters from birth to the age of 5.

“We are excited to join several surrounding counties in offering this program for children,” said library director Lisa Davis. “Cumberland County has six different zip codes that are used to deliver mail to local households. Our Imagination Library coverage is limited to those family residences that fall within the county’s boundary lines and which are part of Cumberland County Public Schools’ service area. We wish we could make free books available to children everywhere; but, with limited funding, that is not possible.”

Since launching in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has become the preeminent early childhood book gifting program in the world. The flagship program of The Dollywood Foundation has gifted well over 172 million free books in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and The Republic of Ireland. The Imagination Library mails more than 1.8 million highquality, age-appropriate books each month to registered children from birth to age five. Parton envisioned creating a lifelong love of reading, inspiring children to dream. The impact of the program has been widely researched and results suggest positive increases in key early childhood literacy metrics. Penguin Random House is the exclusive publisher for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

Cumberland County residents who wish to register their children for the free book program have several options.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND LIBRARY

Twins Brooks and Leighton Ingle of Cumberland are already signed up by their parents, Tyler and Casey Ingle, for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library through Cumberland County Public Library.

The library recently became an affiliate of the singer’s program.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Former Gov. Ralph S. Northam signed a proclamation designating Jan 8 to 14, 2022, as Virginia School Principal Appreciation Week.

Cumberland County Public Schools took the opportunity to honor its principal and assistant principal at each school.

Those honored were, from the top: Cumberland Elementary School principal Virginia Gills and assistant principal Wendy Tillett; Cumberland Middle School principal Andrew Hoyt and assistant principal Jason Mawyer, and Cumberland High School principal Eugene Williams Jr. and assistant principal Ashley Long.

They can register online at https://imaginationlibrary.com/usa/find-my-program/ using the locality’s affiliate code “VA – Cumberland County” or they can enter their household zip code to locate the program. Child registration forms can also be downloaded from the library’s home page at https://www.cumberlandcountypubliclibrary.org/ and returned by mail to the library at PO Box 98, Cumberland VA 23040 or by email to cumberlandlibraryva@gmail.com.

Forms are also available for pickup and completion at the library at 1539 Anderson Highway in Cumberland.

The Cumberland County Public Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Individuals, organizations and/or groups who may be interested in making a tax-deductible donation to support Cumberland County’s Imagination Library’s cost of $25 per child per year should contact the library at 804-492-5807.

Cadets participate in Wreaths Across America Ceremony PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Dec. 18, 2021, Cumberland High School JROTC cadets participated in the Wreaths Across America Ceremony at Trinity Memorial Gardens along with Lt. Col. Veronica Baker, senior army instructor with the JROTC program, and Command Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs, JROTC army instructor.

Dwayne Tigs recognized for patriotic civilian service PHOTO COURTESY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

On Dec. 16, 2021, Lt. Col. Veronica Baker, senior army instructor with the Cumberland High School JROTC program, presented Command Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs, JROTC army instructor, with the U.S. Army Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service.

Tigs retired from the military in 2014 after 32 years.

MOBILE Continued from pg. 3

he knew a little of what to expect but was still floored by its capability.

“It was a big surprise because he has been working on it from home. That was the first time I had seen it. He did a fantastic job. It is well thought out, well planned. I think the best part of it is it is versatile to search and rescue, fire and rescue, and police,” Warner said.

Several years ago, Nellis observed the sheriff’s office as it was investigating a murder in Powhatan County. While collecting evidence, investigators had to use what space they could to do their work, which is when he first thought about having a relatively unobtrusive but versatile space to set up a mobile command post.

He also observed too many search and rescues operating from the tailgate of a vehicle in open weather.

“Then my thought was to create an office environment in a trailer where people could work and get in out of the weather but have the tools they needed to do what they wanted to do,” he said. “So this concept came into my head.”

Taking three years to finish the project had more to do with funding and then Nellis’ involvement with the county’s COVID-19 response than the actual project being overly complicated, he said. He applied for small emergency management grants, bought some of the equipment and then waited until more funds were available. In all, he estimated it cost $30,000.

“It just took a long time for me to get from an old used sheriff’s trailer that they gave away to this,” Nellis said, standing in the trailer last week. “I wanted to get it done so that it could be my gift to the

county before I left.”

The trailer includes four designated computer workstations that can feed into a mounted display monitor to relay information, with space for more people to be working behind them, Nellis said.

Designated phone lines feed into the county’s phone system. He also installed several kinds of radio systems – everything from the cutting-edge equipment for the L3Harris system that was installed at Powhatan’s 911 Communications Center in 2021 to a ham radio that could be used if all digital capability was inoperable. It also has connections that can be used for drones that might be used to find a missing person or get an aerial view of a brushfire.

“Brushfires are challenging because you can’t see where they are going sometimes, especially if they are on big acreages. You get up and get that aerial view and get a feel for which way the fire is going,” he said.

There are also portable radios and other organizational tools that could be used to track and monitor activity and personnel involved in an operation, he said.

The small 8-by-17-foot trailer also has insulated walls and heating and air conditioning capabilities so that personnel can be more comfortable working in sometimes extreme weather, he said.

And if the generator that runs it stopped working, it also has a battery backup, he pointed out proudly.

And while there are a few more finishing touches Nellis wants to add after it gets warmer in the spring – mostly aesthetic details – he said it is ready to be deployed now and he hopes it will be a help to Powhatan County if and when it is needed.

What subjects you took in school first exposed you to your career path?

E-mail answers to editor@powhatantoday.com or share them on the Powhatan Today’s Facebook page.

February 2, 2022

Page 7A

Getting a feel for what the future may hold

By Laura McFarland Managing Editor

T

he possibilities are greater than you may have imagined.

That is the message I hope roughly 350 Powhatan Middle School eighth graders walked away with after they were brought to Powhatan High School for visits over two days last week.

The visits, which you can read more about in the story on Page 1A, were part of a plan organized by staff (and including some fantastic high school students) to give the middle schoolers just a taste of what kind of options they might have during their final four years in K-12 education.

Over a 90-minute block, the eighth graders had a chance to visit four spaces around the school and explore a variety of career and technical education (CTE) courses and electives they could consider pursuing. Many of them they might not have realized existed in Pow-

hatan County Public Schools.

When similar programs were done in the past, I was told they focused on highlighting the CTE courses, which would have been a highly valuable visit by itself. Powhatan High School has some great courses that see some students well on their way to a career when they graduate as well as the potential to expand in the future as the demand for different career paths in the CTE field grows.

On a side note, I have a relative who graduated high school a few years ago and tried college, but the traditional school environment never interested him. He is now an apprentice lineman who is learning a trade, working outdoors and making really good money.

While I am happy he has found a possible career path now, I keep thinking how an earlier appreciation of a possible CTE path instead of the traditional college path might have saved everyone a great deal of stress and worry.

As for last week’s visit, the CTE

courses were still highlighted, but organizers also included electives that students might consider to enrich their high school experience.

With students only in each station for about 10 minutes, I was rushing between them to get a variety of photos to showcase what they were seeing. Because of that, I got to visit small animal care, photography, JROTC and cosmetology, as well as seeing a fantastic Show Choir performance.

As far as achieving the purpose of the visit, one of the more impressive moments for me came just before the Show Choir song. Chorus teacher Terrell Dean had the students onstage raise their hands if they fit a variety of descriptions, ranging from taking advanced classes to being involved in other programs or sports to also working a job. The number of hands raised, sometimes repeatedly, was truly impressive. It showed a hint of the range of involvements students might choose to follow during high school.

I probably could have gotten to more of the options if I hadn’t stopped to talk to a few of the high school students participating in the tours. But then I wouldn’t have heard the very wise perspectives they wanted to share with the middle schoolers about following their passions but also being open to change.

Four years can seem like both an interminably long time and the blink of an eye, depending on your perspective.

The message they had for the eighth graders was that the experience would be what they made of it.

It’s a great insight, and one I hope the students took to heart. Looking at them, I couldn’t help but think they seemed too young to be thinking about all of this. But the truth is that I wasn’t much older when I joined my high school newspaper at the start of my freshman year and fell in love with journalism. So the thought that some of these young students might have caught a glimpse of their future path last week is truly exciting.

L E T T E R S TO T H E E D I TO R Board actions cause concern Dear Editor, My reason for including this letter in Letters to the Editor is primarily two-fold. The intent is to express concern and disappointment regarding the behavior and lack of respect observed during recent board of supervisors meetings. Additionally, I believe there have been questionable decisions made regarding the proposed Village park and adjacent parking lot. A portion of this letter was presented to the board on January 24, 2022.

While I use this letter as an opportunity to thank each board member for his or her service, I realize serving on the board can be a thankless task, presenting a multitude of difficult challenges and responsibilities. I consider several members of the board to be my friends and respect each of them even though I do not always agree with their decisions or implementation tactics. I am certain that each generally takes positions that they believe are best for the county and its citizens.

While gathering my thoughts and observations in preparation for my comments to the coard, I spoke with the county administrator and staff, representatives from county businesses and civic organizations as well as several school board and planning commission members.

The following observations and concerns are cause for considerable frustration and concern: (1) Based on conversations with many board member constituents, we are in agreement that there is an expectation that each board member treats fellow members with a greater level of dignity and respect in public meetings.

(2) The recent censure resolution adopted by the board, and events serving as its catalyst, could have been handled more professionally and without the public spectacle. The censure resolution leveled the most havoc, not on the board, but on the citizens of Powhatan County. It is worthy of note, be it intentional or unintentional, the first paragraph of the resolution refers to the Board with a capital “B” and the staff with a capital “S.” The Citizens of Powhatan County were referred to with lower case “c,” which in my mind is regrettable.

Regarding the proposed park and paving project in the Village, please consider the following: (1) Save, rather than remove, the 5 Black Walnut trees, 1 Black Locust and 1 Magnolia, ranging in diameter from 12 inches to 25 inches. For a future park, would it not be prudent to save existing mature trees rather than remove them? Referencing a September 20 letter from Balzer & Associates, only 2 of the abovementioned trees are within 5 feet of the existing/proposed future parking lot. Saving the 2 trees in harm’s way would result in the loss of minimal parking space.

I was told by staff that 3 spaces would be lost.

(2) Consider a more environmentally friendly/ pervious parking lot surface. Greater cost is associated with a more pervious surface, but grant funding could possibly be secured to supplement the cost differential. Staff, on several occasions, has been provided with alternative solutions, but serious follow-up appears not to have been considered. Is the paving really time sensitive? I have been a resident of Powhatan County for 50 years, and the gravel lot beside the Commonwealth Attorney’s office appears to have served well. In fact, I have noticed that in the summer months, users prefer to park their vehicles under the shade provided by the overhanging trees that have been proposed for removal.

(3) Consider recognizing our rich heritage and diversity by naming the park “Unity Park” and possibly dedicate each of the trees proposed for removal to individuals or groups who have had a positive and lasting impact on the county. An additional benefit might be a greater level of unity among our county leaders. In a spirit of transparency, suggestions might also be solicited from such groups as Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, Powhatan Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, Lions Club and other civic groups.

As stated previously, I thank each board member for his/her service and sincerely appreciate their serious consideration of the above-mentioned thoughts and suggestions.

Dan Jones Powhatan County

Highlight corrections better Dear Editor, Mistakes were made in the January 19th edition Powhatan Today that reflected poorly on the author of the article and the editor. If you didn’t see the front page article, Mr. Byerly’s name was misspelled in the bold title and the vote for new board chairman (5:0) was misreported as (3:2). Anyone can make a mistake; it is human to do so, no one is perfect. However, admitting the mistake and correcting that mistake is another matter. I expected there would be a correction in a subsequent issue of Powhatan Today and searched page after page in the January 26th edition to no avail.

Then I received a call from a friend who put me on to the correction. Lo and behold, on the lower left-hand corner of page two was the elusive correction, buried where no one would notice.

It is no wonder why fewer folks are reading newspapers and question the truthfulness and transparency of “news” organizations in general. The public deserves better.

Don Silberbauer Powhatan County

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Let common sense prevail Dear Editor, Below are excerpts from a letter that I sent to the Dysfunctional Board of Supervisors.

Dear Board of Supervisors, I am writing to all of you because you hold the present and the future of our county in your hands. My concern is your total discord as a board, which in my opinion could have been circumvented if only common sense would have prevailed. Ms. Carmack, your censure of Mr. Cox was totally inappropriate and such a knee-jerk reaction to a situation that could have been handled so differently. It is quite clear your disdain for Mr. Cox and your censure of Mr. Cox was clearly done because you were personally offended by Mr. Cox’s words and actions. Okay all of us have worked with people that we did not like and had a hard time working with. Since you can’t change that person then you have to change how YOU interact with that person. So you could not have talked to Mr. Cox privately about his behavior? Or could someone else on the board have spoken to Mr. Cox if you felt too uncomfortable?

There must have been another solution.

However, your censure of Mr. Cox not only affected you and the board but the whole county and made the board look like a bunch of embittered people who can’t work together. In the past we have had contentious boards. They never worked well together for the voters who elected them. And Mr. Byerly as you said in the Powhatan Today, “Can we do better? Yeah, we can do better-together.” I am afraid that concept is a little too late because there is no “together” on the board after you, as a board, ostracized Mr. Cox. Essential meaning of ostracize: to not allow (someone) to be included in a group: to exclude (someone) from a group. Did you ALL give any thoughts to the effects that were to come afterwards? Did you think Mr. Cox would just quit? And Ms. Carmack your comment was so ironic if not just downright insulting since you got this whole thing rolling, “We will definitely have some challenges. Trying to bring unity to the board is a concern and focus.” Yes, I would say impossible since you have censured and embarrassed and made Mr. Cox an ineffective board member of District 4.

Mr. Williams said it correctly, “This is no longer about what is best for Powhatan; it is about individuals.”

You are the Board of Supervisors not the Board of Super Beings! You are human beings who make mistakes. The best way forward is forgiveness; forgiveness is the greatest gift you give yourself and others.

After all, we serve a God of second chances! Practice forgiveness to get out of this rut, or is this how it’s going to be as long as you 5 are on the board?

From a disappointed citizen.

Fran Carleton Powhatan County

WE WANT TO PUBLISH YOUR ISSUE-DRIVEN LETTERS Powhatan Today welcomes your Letters to the Editor on topics of concern to you and the community. Letters, which should be no longer than 400 words, must include the name, address and telephone number of the author. The deadline is noon the Thursday before publication, but letters may be held until the following week upon the editor’s discretion. The publisher or editor of Powhatan Today reserves the right to edit or withhold from publication any letter for any reason whatsoever. Once received, all letters become the possession of Powhatan Today. Letters reflect the opinion of the author, not necessarily that of Powhatan Today or its staff.

Powhatan Today is published weekly on Wednesday with offices located at 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd., Mechanicsville, Va 23116. Periodical Postage paid at Powhatan, Va. 23139. USPS # 000-035 © 2022 by Richmond Suburban Newspapers. All advertising and editorial matter is fully protected and may not be reproduced in any manner without the permission of the publisher. CAC Audited Circulation: 11,026.

Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 8A

Share the Love in Powhatan event benefits local nonprofit Contributed Report Powhatan-based nonprofit Virginians for Conservation and Community Rights (VCCR) is hosting a Powhatan #ShareTheLoveInPowhatan Event, celebrating Valentine's throughout the month of February. The goal is to engage the Powhatan community and to support Powhatan local businesses.

Organizers are hosting several opportunities to play along with $5 for each entry.

Powhatan Puzzle Hunt: Participants will receive the addresses of 10 local businesses. A small container will be located at each business holding a puzzle piece for each registered participant. The goal is to complete the puzzle

first, by visiting all of the locations.

Whoever sends a photo of the completed Heart puzzle first will win a Yeti cooler.

Basket Raffle: Organizers have put together a handcrafted basket filled with local and homemade gifts.

50/50 Raffle: 50% of all proceeds go directly to the Coalition of Powhatan

Churches, and the other 50% goes to the raffle winner!

How to register: Go to Powhatan In The Know Uncensored Facebook Group or VCCR.info/events to register.

Must be a Powhatan resident to participate.

Drawings to be announced Feb. 28, 2022.

PHOTOS BY LAURA McFARLAND

Powhatan Middle School eighth graders visited Powhatan High School over two days last week to get a better feel for the career and technical education (CTE) and elective classes they will have the opportunity to explore as high schoolers. Some of the stops included art classes, from left, cosmetology and small animal care.

VISITS Continued from pg. 1

the academic and elective courses and activities they might like to pursue.

The visits, which took place on Jan. 25 and 27, were both a return to an old tradition and something new. A few years ago, the schools used to arrange for visits so the middle schoolers would get exposure to the possibilities through the high school’s career and technical education (CTE) courses, said Libbey Kitten, K-12 science and STEM specialist. In summer 2021, when staff started discussing the visits for this school year, they decided to expand their scope.

“Our middle school students don’t have an idea of all the wonderful electives that we have here, truly, and some things you have to see to understand.

Like if you haven’t been in CTE before and seen all of the possibilities, you don’t even know it exists,” she said.

The timing wasn’t happenstance.

Students are making course selections this week, so last week’s visit will give them a greater understanding of what they might be stepping into beyond a ba-

sic course description.

It would be impossible to show the students everything the high school has to offer, especially in such a limited amount of time. So the schools divided them into groups that each went to four different places in the school to see presentations or talk to students and teachers.

Some of the classes they visited included cosmetology, small engine/agriculture, health and medical sciences, photography, carpentry and electricity, culinary arts, family and consumer science, small animal care, engineering, theater, show choir, sports medicine, JROTC and the makerspace in the library.

“What I told the teachers is it is a chance to do a 10-minute commercial for your course. … Sometimes students do the presentations, sometimes teachers do the presentations just so the kids have a good feel for what a course is,” Kitten said. “Some of the things they can’t take until they are older, but as freshmen, there are paths they may want to go.”

Students had high school students

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leading them through the school. The high schoolers were challenged to think about what advice they would have wanted as an eighth grader to share some of their experience with the middle schoolers, she said.

“The beauty of student guides is when they are transitioning from one presentation to another, they can point out things and offer tips on how to succeed in high school or what has been challenging. So we really thought it was important that students lead these groups,” she said.

Dr. Jason Tibbs, director of facilities and CTE, said he was happy to see the middle schoolers exposed to what is available at the high school. Over the years, the high school has done different versions of these visits, including visits to only CTE classes or having high school students visit the middle school to talk about the programs. There have also been instructional fairs held in the evening to allow students and parents to explore the offerings.

While there is a small CTE program at Powhatan Middle, there are many more programs at the high school aimed at earning credentials and certificates that could see them well on their way to a career by the time they graduate. There are currently 120 course sections offered between the two schools, he said.

“I think it gives them a better view of what is here. If they have had older siblings come through, they have an understanding because their brother or sister may have gone through and taken courses,” he said.

Tibbs pointed out that the middle school does an academic and career program with students that starts in sixth grade and continues through the eighth grade. By the time they come to the high school, they have a career plan based upon research they have done and exposure to certain career fields.

“They always can change it, but it is a good scaffold and a good road map for them,” he said.

Garrett Albert, a senior and lieutenant colonel of the JROTC Indian Battalion, helped give a presentation to students who visited the JROTC classroom. He said the cadets love interacting with the eighth graders to give them a feel for the program and hopefully interest some of them in joining.

Albert said his advice to eighth graders would be to keep an open mind be-

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At the Jan. 11 meeting, Brad King with Sands Anderson talked about how the firm could help the school board with its general counsel needs. Haney Phinyowattanachip PLLC was not invited to give a presentation.

Cole said he thought it was inappropriate to vote on the matter until the school board had asked the current firm to give a presentation and asked to delay the vote. Ayers concurred, saying both firms weren’t offered the same accommodations.

Smith and Taylor said they were in favor of having the same firm handle all of their legal matters.

cause “your plans that you might have set in stone could change no matter what.”

Sophomore Faith Griffin was in a photography class when the tours came through to visit some of the art rooms.

She admits to being a little envious because she remembers talking about the courses she could take but not getting a visit and firsthand knowledge like the eighth graders saw last week.

“So when we got here, a lot of us were lost our first year,” she said.

When asked about what advice she would give to the eighth graders, Faith said it would be to point out they have four years of high school so they should pick the classes that really interest them.

“It might not be at the end of the first day what you think you want, but it is really fun meeting other people that want to do the same things or learn the same things,” she said.

Andrew Snead, director of bands and performing arts coordinator, said his department wanted to have some representation in the visit, so on Thursday some of the young visitors got to listen to a description about the different music program offerings and a performance by the Powhatan High School Show Choir.

Snead said he appreciated the school offering such a variety of options for the middle schoolers to experience, even if only for a few minutes.

“We all know that students do best in school when they do things they are interested in, and for students to be able to find their areas of interest and find a place for them to have a sense of belonging and a sense of purpose is great,” he said.

It was also valuable for the high school students, he added, because the leaders in the program could see that “everything they do right now is leading directly to someone else having that experience. Their performance is going to influence the next generation of people who are going to keep the cycle going.”

Kitten said she received great feedback from the visits. She was especially excited to hear that student leaders at the high school said they enjoyed participating because they didn’t get the same opportunity as eighth graders. She anticipates it will become an annual tradition.

“When you get it right, you know it.

Of course we will always respond to feedback. Already we are talking about what can we do to make it better next year,” Kitten said.

Smith, Taylor and Hymel voted to retain Sands Anderson’s general counsel services. Cole and Ayers abstained.

The school board was given packets during the Jan. 11 public comment period that contained emails between board members and also with superintendent Eric Jones that were obtained via FOIA. The board was asked to review the packet.

The members took terms commenting on the packet, which they said in various ways contained emails that showed behavior that was unbecoming and unprofessional, possibly unethical but not illegal. The board members said in their comments that

they need to do a better job of being courteous and professional with each other.

Hymel simply read a statement: “Any board member that puts out false and inaccurate information and shares confidential information from closed session meetings undermines the public trust in the board service function and damages the integrity of the board. This is the theme of those FOIA emails. When will this behavior stop?”

Several people spoke about the FOIA packet, some thanking the board for seriously reviewing and speaking about the emails but also challenging them to be more professional and courteous.

February 2, 2022

Powhatan, Virginia

Page 1B

Indians continue strong play in district games

By Rod Short Contributing Writer

Despite it still being early in the calendar year, Powhatan’s Lady Indians finished up a busy week of basketball with some important games in its quest to make the postseason.

First up were the archrival Midlothian Trojans, who Powhatan was able to beat by just two points on the Trojan’s home floor in early December 2021. Despite coming into the game ranked near the bottom of the district standings with just fourwins, Midlothian came into Powhatan looking for an upset.

The Trojans charged out of the gate to take a 7-0 lead early in the opening quarter, but Powhatan regrouped to tie the game 10-10 with just over a minute to go, and then finished the frame with a 13-10 lead.

Held to just three points midway through the second, Midlothian rallied, but was still behind 27-22 at the half.

As the teams traded baskets, the Trojans narrowed Powhatan’s lead to 28-21 midway through the third quarter. Unnerved, the Lady Indians patiently increased their lead to 38-30 going into the final frame before both teams exploded for their highest point totals of the game.

Midlothian resorted to fouling to try to gain more possessions of the ball, but saw that backfire as forward Faith Henderson converted on 12 of her 14 foul shots in the fourth quarter alone to help seal an important 58-53 home win for Powhatan on Jan. 24.

“They showed a different look from what we

ROD SHORT/POWHATAN TODAY

Above, center Katherine Cerullo grabs a loose ball from a Monacan player during the second quarter as the Indians attempted to pull even with the Chiefs on Jan. 27.

Left, sophomore guard Corynn Lampman blocks a shot against Midlothian on Jan. 24.

She provided some solid defense and timely rebounds throughout the contest while finishing the game with six points.

saw last time, which threw us off a little bit at the beginning,” explained Henderson, “but then we

realized what we needed to score.”

Against a downtrodto do. So, we attacked more, which opened up den Huguenot team the more possibilities for us following night, Powhat-

an came away with a 4223 road win to complete a season sweep against the Falcons.

In a highly anticipated battle against Dominion District heavyweights, a fatigued Powhatan team looked to avenge an earlier season defeat against Monacan on the Indians’ home floor on Jan. 27.

Playing at a high energy level, the Monacan Chiefs jumped out to an early four-point lead.

Rising to the challenge, Henderson scored on successive free throws and then banked in a layup to tie the score 4-4 with 6:10 to go in the first quarter. It was as close as Powhatan would get as Monacan pulled away to finish the quarter with a 10-point lead, 16-6.

Powhatan dug in to score 11 points in the second, but the taller and quicker Chiefs harassed the Indians at every turn to enter halftime with a 30-17 lead. Henderson scored all of the points in that frame as the rest of the team was shut out with no points at all during the first half.

With 17 points in the first half, Monacan realized it would have to double its defensive pressure on Henderson if it had a hope to protect its lead.

While Corynn Lampman, Shauna Callahan, Erin Almond and Katherine Cerullo all contributed in the second half, the ninemember Powhatan team was held back by the limited number of players it could put on the floor.

The Chiefs’ advantage of a deeper bench allowed them to rotate fresh players in and out more frequently than Powhatan could. The outnumbered Indians wore down, but still battled hard even as the game got away from them.

With the clock showing no time left, Powhatsee INDIANS, pg. 2B

Powhatan track has busy week, multiple medal winners

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

It was a packed week of events for the Powhatan track and field team, who competed in the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet and the Bulldog Invitational. Junior varsity and middle school athletes also competed in the Heritage Middle School Invitational, where a few Powhatan athletes left with some medals for

their strong efforts.

On Jan. 25, the Indians were supposed to host the Powhatan meet, but due to a water issue on the track, it was moved to James River High School. It was luckily familiar turf for the Indians, who had just competed in the James River Polar Bear Meet on Jan. 12. Powhatan traveled to Liberty University Jan. 29 for the second time this season for the Bulldog Invitational, with

the first competition being the Liberty Premier Invitational on Jan. 8.

At James River, Powhatan competed against Clover Hill, Cosby, Manchester and the home team Rapids. The Indians had multiple big-time performances at the meet, with four first-place finishes between three different athletes.

Sophomore Mayson Jenkins had another stellar outing in a season full

of them, winning first in the 500-meter dash with a time of 1 minute, 27.49 seconds and in the long jump with a result of 14 feet, 1 inch.

On the boys side of the long jump competition, fellow sophomore Connor Bates also came away victorious, recording a 177.50 jump. His teammates Lin Wood and Torie Nash CONTRIBUTED PHOTO finished second and third Freshman Isaac Dorsey runs in the boys 300in the long jump as well. see MEDALS, pg. 2B

meter dash at the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet.

C&F Banks AthleteAthlete of the of Week C&F Bank’s the Week WRESTLING ALL-STAR WHO: GAVIN UTLEY WHAT HE DID: At Powhatan’s home matchup against the Midlothian Trojans on Jan. 19, freshman Gavin Utley was one of the standout performers that contributed to an impressive victory.

Utley earned six crucial points with a first period pin to help the Indians win the matchup, 48-31. Utley’s pin was part of an 18-0 run by Powhatan that saw three wrestlers win by fall.

Utley’s win was the last of the three, as the 126-pound budding star used his patented arm bar to gain the upper hand over fellow freshman Lewis

Summers. With the final seconds of the period draining, Utley ultimately pulled out the win with four seconds left.

Utley’s teammates Britton Proffitt, Andrew Cheatham and Josh Wade finished the evening with wins to propel the Indians forward for another major victory over a strong Dominion District foe.

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Powhatan Today, February 2, 2022

Page 2B

Indians’ final shot comes up short in loss to Falcons

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

Facing a one-point game with a few precious seconds remaining and the ball in their possession, the Powhatan Indians found themselves in familiar territory once more.

After a thrilling backand-forth affair that saw the Indians (3-8) and the Huguenot Falcons (9-4) trade blows and momentum swings for what felt like an eternity, the Indians had a chance to win at the buzzer, but an open Oscar Whitely three front-rimmed and gave the Falcons the win on Wednesday night, 76-75.

While the Indians have given themselves the chance to win multiple close games in the final seconds this season, the result, as head coach Ryan Marable says, has repeatedly come down to the team’s general inexperience.

“We want to be in those situations late in the game, but our inexperience just across the board rears its head in a lot of critical possessions,” Marable said.

Despite that, it was a terrific showing from Powhatan, particularly on the offensive end. Led by an impeccable performance by freshman Matthew Henderson, who scored a season-high 32 points, the team executed on their sharp ball movement by getting tons of looks at the free throw line and from beyond the arc that they repeatedly took advantage of.

Huguenot’s offensive attack generated just as much production, and senior guard G’Mari Quar-

INDIANS Continued from pg. 1

an left for home with a 58-33 defeat, which was its first loss in five games.

In the end, the Chiefs had four players scoring double figures while forcing 20+ turnovers and outrebounding the Indians.

“I was proud of them for their effort from start to finish,” head coach Kristy Henderson said afterwards. “We struggled offensively and just couldn’t put the ball in the hole.”

“Monacan is very physical. They play inyour-face with great intensity and pressed us the entire time,” she continued. “It was a challenge.

Three games in a week’s time with just nine kids is a lot, so our team is sore and tired, but we’re a better team by playing them.”

Despite the defeat, both teams left the court with 11 victories each this season and will be looking forward to the regional playoffs which begin Feb. 18.

The Lady Indians will be on the road against Cosby on Tuesday, Feb. 8.

The Indians will then finish their regular season against Lloyd C. Bird at home on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

In their last meeting, L.C. Bird held Powhatan to a season-low 24 points in their 34-24 win on Jan. 11, while Powhatan took care of Cosby in a 60-45 win at home on Jan. 13.

ROBBY FLETCHER/POWHATAN TODAY

Freshman Matthew Henderson goes up for a contested layup against Huguenot on Jan. 26.

les matched Henderson’s 32-point scoring output to push the Falcons ahead just enough for the win.

Quarles was the key to the Falcons pulling it out thanks to a big fourth quarter where he hit seven of his eight free throw attempts.

“I thought at times we really executed and got the ball where we wanted to, but they are really tough to guard,” Marable said.

While Quarles didn’t start his scoring until the second quarter, Henderson looked unstoppable from the start. The freshman phenom scored 12 of the team’s 17 first quarter points while assisting junior Tanner Wyatt on a buzzer-beating corner 3-pointer to give Powhatan a 17-13 lead heading into the second quarter.

Powhatan, despite be-

ing an overall smaller team, did well attacking and finishing at the rim.

With five minutes to go in the half, a finger roll in traffic by Henderson and a Matthew Hempfield layup off a terrific pass from Whitely gave Powhatan a 27-24 lead.

Hempfield finished the game with 19 points with seven-of-eight shooting from the free throw line.

After two lead changes in the final three minutes of the half, Powhatan reclaimed the lead with two quick threes by Jack DeBord to make it a 3837 score heading into the break.

DeBord’s strong finish to the half carried over into the third quarter, as he started off the half with two nice assists to Henderson and two points after finishing a floater through contact.

While Henderson was displaying true three-level scoring and Hempfield added two crucial buckets late in the third, it was Huguenot who would take the lead at the end of the quarter. The Falcons, particularly Quarles and his backcourt running mate Aziah Johnson, were aggressive getting to the rim, and that ultimately led to some tough makes and numerous trips to the line. Johnson scored nine of his 10 points in the third quarter to help the Falcons take a 58-57 lead.

The fourth quarter was true pandemonium, with the crowd reacting to every big bucket and foul as though it was the gamedeciding play. With the way the two teams were battling, it certainly felt that way.

Powhatan got a nice boost from Hempfield,

who beat his man on a backdoor cut to finish a sensational finger roll that saw him adjust in mid-air to the center’s attempt to protect the rim. The Falcons responded to the bucket with four made free throws that gave them a five-point lead with 3:33 left.

After two consecutive three-point plays from Hempfield and Henderson, the Indians were able to steal back the lead with 91 seconds left, 7271. But the Falcons responded like they had all game to take back the lead, and with Powhatan committing an offensive foul on the ensuing drive, hope was dwindling for the Indians with the team down one with 35 seconds left.

Another offensive turnover by the Indians helped the Falcons push

the lead to four, making Powhatan’s next possession a must-score opportunity.

DeBord made sure to keep hope alive on that possession, burying a quick three as he ran up the floor to cut the Falcons’ lead to one with 19 seconds left.

Then, the Indians stepped up once again by playing terrific press defense on the Falcons’ inbound that led to a travel.

With the ball on their side of the floor in a onepoint game with 17 seconds left, Powhatan had a chance to steal the game with that final possession, but Whitely’s open look came up just shy.

“We were really trying to run a play to get (DeBord) a shot or get Matt Henderson a slip, and they kind of took us out of what we wanted to do,” Marable said. “We maintained our composure, and Matt found Oscar Whitely. One more rotation and that shot goes in, he had a good shot.”

Despite another tough loss, Marable praised his team’s effort and said he felt that the team consistently created opportunities to take the lead, even if those attempts didn’t always fall in their favor.

“We went cold for a two minute spell where we missed a lot of open shots,” he said. “We make one or two of those, and we’re celebrating in the locker room. They were good shots, and they just didn’t fall so you can’t be mad at anybody.”

The Indians play again on Feb. 4 when they take on Clover Hill for the second time this season. Clover Hill won the first matchup on Jan. 7, 69-66.

PMS boys basketball clinches playoff berth

By Robby Fletcher Sports Editor

For the first time in four years, Powhatan Middle School’s boys basketball team will be featured in their division playoffs.

The Indians, part of the South Side Middle School Conference, won their division for the first time in four years and are shaping up to be a true contender in the playoffs this season.

Though their first playoff matchup is still to be determined due to multiple teams making up postponed games, the

MEDALS Continued from pg. 1

The third first-place finisher was freshman Ellen Weimer, who dominated the 1000-meter run with a 3:22.81 time, over 13 seconds ahead of James River’s Emily Acuto in second place.

Four days later at the Liberty University Indoor alongside 88 other schools, Powhatan’s star performers followed up that impressive James River meet with another team performance full of highlights.

In the girls 500, Jenkins finished ninth out of 35 runners while beating her previous time with a 1:25.66 finish. In the long jump, she finished 12th out of 33 participants, once again beating

Indians were one of the first teams to book their ticket to the eight-team postseason.

Powhatan holds a 10-1 record and is currently riding a nine-game winning streak after beating Goochland Middle School on Thursday night, 61-47. After losing by two in an 42-40 overtime thriller to Fluvanna County in the second game of the season, Powhatan hasn’t let a single game go down to the wire, with every win being by double digits.

With one more regular season game left against the Lunenburg Blue

Knights, the Indians have not only a chance at a miraculous 10-game win streak to close the regular season, but also an opportunity to fine tune their already winning brand of basketball even more.

After a four-year break from the playoff picture, Powhatan Middle School has emerged as a team to beat in their conference. While it’s an accomplishment just to make it this far, this team has even higher goals CONTRIBUTED PHOTO than making the playoffs.

Powhatan players Jaliel Clanton (4), Jesse Lowe Robby Fletcher can be (55) and Jayden Goode (2) swarm the ball reached at rfletcher@ against Amelia.

Powhatan won the game 29-13. powhatantoday.com.

her previous distance after a 14-11.50 jump.

A big highlight of the day came from senior Shaniece Morris in the girls 200-meter dash.

Morris finished third, running an impressive 28.54 seconds that was just behind Patriot High School senior Jasmine Coe who finished at 27.42.

Senior Asher Timberlake also left Liberty on a high note. After finishing second in the boys shot put at the Powhatan Polar Bear with a throw that went 39 feet, 8.5 inches, Timberlake destroyed that previous result with a monster 43-05.00 result that gave him fourth place among 29 participants at the Bulldog Invitational.

In the boys 1600-me-

ter run, Powhatan had four participants in the 72-runner race. Sophomores Ian Timmons, Eli Timmons, River Leynes and Tane Jeffs all competed, with Ian finishing with the best time of 5:02.06, good for 30th place.

Meanwhile, just 2 miles down the road, Powhatan had 14 athletes participate at the Heritage Middle School & JV Invitational. Powhatan’s boys finished second at the competition while the girls finished sixth.

Eighth grade athlete Dylan Mapes had the best performance of the day, finishing second in the boys 1600 with a 5:19.04 time.

Sophomore Austin Holder also finished second after competing in

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Freshman Torie Nash gets ahead of his competitors in the 300-yard dash at the Powhatan Polar Bear Meet on Jan. 25.

the boys 500. Holder ran a 1:25.78 time to earn a medal.

Following in the footsteps of Timberlake, sophomore Savannah Griffin had a fantastic result in her shot put event, finishing second with a 24-05.00 result.

Freshman Caleb Ed-

line also had a nice showing, finishing third in the boys 100 at 3:27.11.

Powhatan competes again on Feb. 4 at the 59th East Coast Invitational at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.

Robby Fletcher can be reached at rfletcher@ powhatantoday.com

Powhatan Today, January 22, 2022

Page 3B

Old Tavern Road to close for bridge work in Powhatan Contributed Report The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will close Old Tavern Road (Route 629) over Deep Creek in Powhatan County to install scour protection beneath the bridge. Weather permitting, the road will close on Monday, Feb. 7 and will remain closed for approximately eight weeks. The following detour route will be in place during the closure: Northbound Old Tavern Road (Route 629) – Take Old Buckingham Road/Route 13 east to Ridge Road/ Route 627 north to Anderson Highway/Route 60 west back to Old Tavern Road.

Southbound Old Tavern Road (Route 629) – Take Anderson Highway/Route 60 east to Ridge Road/ Route 627 south to Old Buckingham Road/Route 13 west back to Old Tavern Road.

Bridge scour occurs when fast-flowing water displaces the supporting sediment around bridge piers.

This can reduce the structural integrity of the bridge.

By installing scour protection, crews will restore and stabilize the bridge piers and extend the life cycle of the bridge.

A similar closure will occur in early March on N. Lodore Road (Route 636) over Flat Creek in Amelia County. More information and a detour route will be shared once the schedule is confirmed.

Anyone with questions about the project can call VDOT’s customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

For the latest real-time traffic information or road conditions, call 511 or visit http://www.511virginia. org.

PHOTO COURTESY OF VDOT

Detour route during the closure of Old Tavern Road closed.

Cole recognized by school board

Principal Appreciation Week

PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

Powhatan County School Board member Rick Cole, who represents District 1, was recognized at the Jan. 11 meeting for his service to the school board. Cole has served on the board from January 2012 to present. The school division thanked him for his service and leadership in many roles to the board and to the students and community of Powhatan County. It also honored his continued service to education and dedication to the school board.

PCPS Talent Expo 2022 set for Feb. 26 PHOTO BY LAURA MCFARLAND

During the Powhatan County School Board’s Jan. 11 meeting, the principals of all five Powhatan schools were recognized in honor of Virginia Schools Principal Appreciation Week, which was held Jan. 8 to 14. Former Gov. Ralph Northam signed a proclamation designating the appreciation week an opportunity to recognize the hard work of Virginia school principals and to recognize the importance of principals in ensuring that every child has access to a quality education. Recognized at the meeting were Michelle Martin, from left, Powhatan High School; Samantha Martin, Powhatan Middle School; Tom Sulzer, Pocahontas Elementary School; Tanja Atkins-Nelson, Flat Rock Elementary School, and Constance Deal, Powhatan Elementary School.

Business & Service Directory

Homes for Sale

CARPENTRY WORK

Real Estate Policy All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Virginia Fair Housing Law, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, or handicap.”

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We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law.

All persons are hereby informed that all the dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis.

HOMES FOR SALE

Merchandise

Rentals Available in Powhatan & Surrounding Areas

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

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Anticipated teaching positions for the 2022-2023 school year are in the following areas: elementary, special education, world languages (Spanish and French), science, English, math, history and administrative. Interviews will be held in person and virtually.

To register or for more information, visit the division website at http://www. powhatan.k12.va.us/home_page. Click on Departments > Human Resources or call Human Resources at (804) 598-5700.

HEALTHCARE

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Powhatan County Public Schools is home to a passionate community of educators who believe in empowering each other to transform teaching and learning, promote innovation and find solutions to the dynamic needs in education.

The school division will hold a Talent Expo 2022 from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 26 at Flat Rock Elementary School, 2210 Batterson Road, Powhatan.

HEALTHCARE

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Brand New 4-Wheel Disability Scooter Model M-1 with cover.Top of the line.

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Contributed Report

editor@powhatantoday.com sales@powhatantoday.com (804) 746-1235 (877) 888-0449 8460 Times Dispatch Blvd.

Mechanicsville, VA 231116

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