SPORTS: WINDSOR HIGH TRACK TEAM TAKES BRONZE AT HOME MEET. 6
WINDSOR T H E
H E A R T B E A T
O F
W I N D S O R
SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2015
1ST YEAR, NO. 1
FREE
‘The heartbeat of Windsor’
New weekly newspaper to take pulse of community STEPHEN H. COWLES MANAGING EDITOR editor@windsorweekly.com
WINDSOR You’re holding in your hands the premiere edition of Windsor Weekly. A cooperative effort of The Tide-
water News and the Suffolk NewsHerald, it’s a product that has been in the making for the past few years. “A newspaper for the Windsor community is long overdue,” said Tony Clark, publisher of The Tidewater News and the newly formed Windsor Weekly. “Windsor is an absolutely terrific place, and
we’re just so proud to be a part of bringing Windsor Weekly to life. “The initial reaction from the community has been incredibly positive,” Clark added. “It’s a lot of fun to bring a newspaper to life in Windsor and see the reaction of the people it will serve. I expect Windsor Weekly will be a tremendous success.”
Carita Richardson, the town’s mayor, has high hopes for the new publication. “This is a very big event; the excitement is palpable everywhere. We’re looking forward to finding out about what the people are doing, the civic organizations, the schools and students,” she said. “It’s an amazing opportunity, and
we’re looking forward to this great relationship with The Tidewater News and the Suffolk News-Herald.” Andrew Cripps, president of the Isle of Wight-Smithfield-Windsor Chamber of Commerce, added his thoughts: SEE NEWSPAPER, 10
McAuliffe voices faith in 460 BY MATTHEW A. WARD STAFF WRITER
‘The heartbeat of Windsor’
In Norfolk on Tuesday to announce a wind energy project, Gov. Terry McAuliffe expressed faith the latest U.S. Route 460 plan would meet the project’s stated purpose and need. Speaking after remarks to a Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce audience, McAuliffe said the major transportation project should be an asset for the region in terms of improving evacuation capability and helping trucks move goods to and from port facilities. Shortly after taking office, McAuliffe froze contract spending on a 55-mile, limited access, four-
MITZI LUSK/TIDEWATER NEWS
Staff of Windsor Weekly gather for a picture with members of the Windsor community during the kickoff breakfast that took place earlier this month in town.
SEE MCAULIFFE, 10
‘Somebody’s always impacted’
Transportation secretary speaks on 460 alternative STEPHEN H. COWLES MANAGING EDITOR editor@windsorweekly.com
that came on his recommendation. “I was a full supporter of the [original] project,” he said, but added that it became clear later that the Army Corps of Engineers WINDSOR didn’t feel the same owing to enWindsor Weekly had questions about the proposed alternative to vironmental issues. Several hunRoute 460, which was revealed in dred acres of wetlands would have been damaged or destroyed mid-January. Much to the consternation of many people in Isle because of the new road. “There was no choice but to of Wight County, the new proposal is to build a bypass that would stop the contract,” said Layne. “The recommendation I gave is go north of the town of Windsor. that there’s no need to continue. The newspaper sought answers The Army Corps of Engineers said from top officials connected to it would never have been built.” the project. Calls and emails to Among the factors for building Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office were a new road in the first place is never acknowledged, although that it would facilitate evacuation he has since voiced his support in the event of hurricanes or othrecently. Details are found in reer disasters. porter Matthew Ward’s story on “The real issue is getting out of this page. Hampton Roads...getting them Calls were also made to Com[people] out of harm’s way — the missioner Charles A. Kirkpatrick brunt of the hurricane,” he said. of the Virginia Department of Another reason for the alternaTransportation and Virginia Sective route is to handle increased retary of Transportation Aubrey Layne Jr. It was Layne who spoke cargo traffic with the expansion earlier in March with this report- of the Port of Virginia. Most important, though, is a concern for er and Publisher Tony Clark in a the safety of trucks mixing with phone interview. Noting that Gov. McAuliffe had school buses. “put the brakes” on the previous 55-mile toll road plan, Layne said SEE 460, 10
W Windsor Weekly
(757) 562-3187 editor@windsorweekly.com www.windsorweekly.com Published every Saturday
INSIDE
OPINION COMMUNITY NEWS EVENTS PUBLIC RECORDS SPORTS CLASSIFIEDS
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STEPHEN H. COWLES/WINDSOR WEEKLY
Mike Luter, in front, and George Baker, lift a railroad tie onto a truck, which will take the other pieces of wood elsewhere on the field for the Windsor Athletic Association. Last Saturday members volunteered to clean up in preparation for the beginning of the spring season, which starts today. The opening ceremony scheduled for today has been cancelled, and will not be made up.
Volunteers do field work for spring sports Windsor Athletic Association plans opening ceremony today STEPHEN H. COWLES MANAGING EDITOR editor@windsorweekly.com
WINDSOR For two days a year, members of the Windsor Athletic Association perform needed maintenance of the ballfields on Courthouse Highway. Last Saturday morning found coaches, dads and their kids picking up leaves and litter, replacing railroad ties that serve as borders,
or trimming away weeds. The work was all to prepare for today’s opening ceremony, which has been cancelled and will not be made up. Befitting his position as commissioner for the boys’ little league, Justin Turner was working alongside the other men that day. His job as league leader, he explained, is to make sure the teams have everything they need to play. “We’re a non-profit,” he said about the WAA. “We hold
three fundraisers a year.” Officers for the Windsor Athletic Association include: Jamie Holt, president; Robbie Wells, vice president; Amber Wells, secretary; Angel Darden, treasurer; Angela Davis, fundraiser chairwoman; David “Papa” Holt, equipment and field manager; Dawn Ward, girls’ commissioner; and Dave Morgan, concessions. Turner, who once played SEE VOLUNTEERS, 10
ON THE AGENDA
FEATURED EVENT
Isle of Wight Supervisors: The board will meet on Wednesday, April 1, at 9 a.m. Isle of Wight Planning: The board will meet on Tuesday, April 28, at 6 p.m. Isle of Wight Schools: The school board will meet on Monday, March 30, at 4 p.m. Windsor Town Council: Council members will meet on Tuesday, April 14, at 7 p.m.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny:
The Woman’s Club of Windsor will host the event today, March 28, in the Windsor Community House. A breakfast of pancakes, sausage links and juice will be served from 8 to 9:30 a.m., and the hunt begins around 9:35 a.m. $5 a person. Call 242-6662 for details.
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