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BOULEVARD CONSTRUCTION MOVING ALONG PAGE V5

THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS AREA

COX PUSHES FOR VETERANS, HIGHER ED PAGE V5

Friday, February 13, 2015

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SEARCH & RESCUE

LOCAL Lane closures on west bound Temple Avenue COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Shoosmith Construction began construction of the right turn lane expansion on west bound Temple Ave at Conduit Road on Jan. 22. This project is expected to last approximately 45 calendar days.

Temporary lane closures for the right through lane and turn lane will be set up between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as needed during this project. Motorists are asked to please be aware of these closures and obey all traffic controls in the area.

For more information regarding this project or the lane closures, contact Public Works – Engineering at 520-9334.

CALL IN THE DOGS

Spring Bazaar & craft show COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Awana Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, located at 17001Jefferson Davis Highway, is hosting a “Spring Bazaar & Craft Show” on March 28.

The event is a fundraiser for the high school club to raise money to attend Awana’s National Summit event where members will compete in a Bible quiz competition, fine arts, and volleyball.

Please email melissa.newcomb1@gmail for vendor information.

Tax preparation assistance COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Free tax preparation assistance for seniors is offered at the Colonial Heights Public Library from Feb. 3 through April 14, by appointment only. Appointments with a trained volunteer are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12 p.m., and 1 p.m. To schedule an appointment, call the library at 520-9384.

Art class COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Side Street Gallery, located at 127 Pickwick Ave., will host “Art as Meditation” with instructor Milly Youngblood Horner from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21. Participants will be allowed lingering time from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. In this class, participants will take the time to relax while exploring their creative voice. Coffee and snacks will be available. The cost is $40. Class participants will be asked to bring black fine line and medium markers; glue and scissors. Checks should be made payable to Milly Youngblood Horner. The class will be taught at the Side Street Gallery and registration is required. To register, call the gallery at 536-0011.

Winter/spring story time sessions

Search and rescue border collie, Hugo, wears a green bringsel, which he holds in his mouth to signal to his owner Sharon Jones that he has found a missing person. He and his owner are part of DOGS-East, a Virginia search and rescue organization.

LEAH SMALL/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

Volunteer K-9 team vital to Colonial Heights search efforts

By Leah Small for his body. his dog Radar; Sharon JohnCHPD adding DOGS-East first responded son, of King George, and her to Colonial Heights last year dog Gyro; Nichole Cheatle, of bloodhound COLONIAL HEIGHTS — in the search for 69-year-old Culpeper, and her dog Finn, Staff Writer

A family’s worst nightmare is a loved one going missing, last seen near the Appomattox River — a waterway locals fear for its roaring currents and deceiving depths. But Colonial Heights families can at least be assured that DOGS-East Search and Rescue and other Virginia canine search groups will be on call day and night to make sure their loved ones are returned.

In fact, the 15-volunteer canine search and rescue team, which responds to location efforts across the state, has come to the city twice.

Most recently, the group assisted in the Christmas Eve search for 30-year-old John Pratsinak, who was last seen near White Bank Park. Police said last week that the search for the Conjurers Drive resident is still active and hasn’t switched to a recovery effort

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Public Library is offering its 2015 winter/spring story time sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m.

Each session includes stories, music, lots of movement and a craft. Story hours are designed to help children gain important prereading skills, learn to socialize with other children, and to begin a lifelong love of books and reading.

This is a family story hour, and all ages are welcome.

No registration is necessary.

A parent or caregiver must attend with the child. For more information, call Chantal Emerson at 804-520-9384.

SEE DOGS, V3

By Leah Small Staff Writer

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The police department will soon welcome another canine companion to its force. After a couple of recent missing person cases, the department has raised just over $26,000 in donations for the care and purchase of a bloodhound specializing in search and rescue.

Police Sgt. Rob Ruxer said the dog will be purchased this month from Florida breeder 832 K-9’s, which specializes in tracking bloodhounds.

Ruxer said that having a tracking canine handy would cut down on the time it takes to locate missing residents.

Previously, the department SEE CHPD, V3

Mother advocates for those with intellectual disabilities

By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer

Churches ...........V6 Classified ........... V7

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helped with the search.

Searchers combed through White Bank park where Pratsinak was last seen and surrounding neighborhoods between Swift Creek and the Appomattox River.

McClellan said that it doesn’t matter what the handler or the dog is doing when law enforcement agencies reach out to the team for help.

“If it were your family member you would want us to be out there,” he said.

Pratsinak left his home in the 1000 block of Conjurers Drive that day. Multiple search groups have assisted Colonial Heights public safety departments in the search, including the Sussex County Sheriff ’s Office, the Waverly Police Department, DOGSEast and VK9 Scent Specific

COMMUNITY CLOSE-UP

INDEX Opinion ..............V2 Police Log ..........V4

Michael Romanic, whose body was found the day after he went missing on May 8. His body was located along the shore of the Appomattox River a short distance north of Fort Clifton Park early that Friday evening.

Jim McClellan, a Burke resident, was one of the team members that got the call to assist in the search for Pratsinak.

“I was hoping for a quiet Christmas and I was literally sitting down for Christmas dinner,” McClellan said.

McClellan immediately hopped in the car late that afternoon to make the two-hour drive to Colonial Heights. His dog, a 2-yearold Belgian named Rascal, sat the holiday search out as his owner assisted three other members and their dogs. John Lumsden of Spotsylvania, and

Shareen Young-Chavez

Shareen Young-Chavez is president of the Arc South of the James, a Colonial Heights-based nonprofit that advocates for those with intellectual disabilities. She also runs her own nonprofit named after her son, Stefan, who is intellectually disabled and

deemed medically complex.

Q: What is the Arc South of the James?

A: “The Arc South of the James is a nonprofit organization. We’re established to assist individuals with an intellectual disability or developmental delay or who are deemed to be medically complex, navigate the disability system; We teach individuals who are

either with a disability or a care provider of an individual with a disability or just anyone in the community. We teach them how to advocate, we teach them what services are available, how to go after those services and we connect them with other agencies that can be of assistance to them.”

SEE CLOSE-UP, V3

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

OPINION

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ANOTHER VIEW

15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803

Cindy Morgan ...............................Publisher Brian J. Couturier ............ Managing Editor Bob Seals .....................Circulation Director Baretta Taylor .............Advertising Director Travis Wolfrey ................Prepress Manager Ron Shifflett .............. Pressroom Manager Peggy Simon................. Business Manager

OUR VIEW

Search goes on for missing Colonial Heights man

T

he search is not over for Colonial Heights resident John Pratsinak. That was the message conveyed last month by the Colonial Heights Police Department, which sponsored a candelight vigil at White Bank Park for the missing man.

The 30-year-old man went missing from his Conjures Drive home on Christmas Eve. Colonial Heights Police Sgt. Robert Ruxer said that the search is still active and hasn’t switched to a recovery effort of his body.

What has happened to Pratsinak remains a mystery. So about 200 city residents, family members and city and public safety officials, gathered to comfort each other.

Colonial Heights Police Chief Jeffrey Faries said that hope should be kept alive for the return of Pratsinak.

“We are still actively investigating John’s disappearance and we want to bring him home,” Faries said. “We want everyone in the Richmond metro area to know that we are still searching for John.”

Pratsinak left his home in the 1000 block of Conjures Drive around 12:30 p.m. on Dec. 24. He was last seen near White Bank Park, a place he enjoys, according to police.

In the days following his disappearance, multiple search groups have assisted city public safety departments in the search, including the Sussex County Sheriff ’s Office, the Waverly Police Department, DOGS-East Search and Rescue, along with other organizations. Detective Roger Santini, Colonial Heights Police Department, said that Chesterfield County Fire and EMS continues to search the Appomattox River by air. Colonial Heights Fire and EMS still searches the river by boat.

George Lyons Jr., Colonial Heights Police chaplain, said that the flames of the candles held by those at the vigil signified hope and encouragement, and “point to information.”

Father Emmanuel Pratsinak talked about the horror that has followed the Christmas Eve afternoon his nephew went missing.

He traveled from New Jersey to support his family.

“Thirty six days ago our family had a tragedy, a tragedy we wouldn’t wish on anyone in this world,” he said.

Pratsinak said that the name of his nephew’s place of worship, Saint Elpis Greek Orthodox Church of Southside Virginia, appropriately translated into English as hope.

“We are all hoping that there will be closure in God’s abundant knowledge,” he said.

Following the vigil, the missing Pratsinak’s cousin, also named John Pratsinak, said that the family is struggling to cope. “It’s just feels like a bad dream that hasn’t ended,” he said.

The not knowing is probably one f the hardest parts of this mystery that haunts the family and the community.

The family of Pratsinak, including his parents ‘George and Jane Pratsinak, deserve closure in this case, as does the community. Let’s hope the bad dream for the Pratisnak family ends soon.

YOUR VIEW

Taxing college savings plans is just wrong Just last week we found out that the Obama administration plans to pay for “free” community college by taxing money set aside in 529 college savings plans.

When governments get desperate for cash, they come for the middle class, because that’s where the money is. I know thousands of Virginians have been diligently saving for their children’s education using these plans.

Changing the rules now and taxing those who have been planning ahead — in many cases to benefit those who haven’t — is just wrong.

Call your representatives and demand they oppose any efforts by the Obama administration to tax 529 college savings plans.

Stephen Lee Mechanicsville, Va.

Christmas mother thanks all for generosity Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone that made a donation and volunteered in 2014!

Thanks to your generosity, Christmas Mother was able to serve the following: ■ 1,543 families consisting of 5,319 individuals in the community ■ 79 foster children and 42 families through the Department of Social Services Christmas Mother received the following donations: ■ 11,000 books ■ 337 bicycles ■ over $203,000 in monetary donations ■ clothing ■ quilts ■ gift cards The goal of the Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother program is to assist families and elders in need during the holiday season. The program would not be successful without your assistance and we are incredibly grateful for your support Diane Stark The Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother, Chesterfield County

The remarkable collapse of our trust in government Do you trust the federal government? … an overwhelming majority of America doesn’t. That widely accepted belief hasn’t always been the case. In fact, throughout our nation’s history, Americans have generally trusted government all the time or most of the time, according to historical research from Pew Research Center.

Americans – for the most part – generally thought the government was there to create positive outcomes for our nation.

Until a certain point.

Last month, the Washington Post featured an article with a Pew chart showing “trust” trend lines. They called it, “The remarkable collapse of our trust in government in one chart.” And the change is remarkable. It can be pinned to a certain period in our American history; beginning in the late 1960s, trust in government plummeted. Since that point, trust has continued to decline.

Today, the general public’s level of trust in government is near its lowest levels on record. An overwhelming 79 percent said they trusted government only “some” of the time or “never.”

The Washington Post noted that the change began around the time of the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal.

It’s true, Vietnam and Watergate were tumultuous times for our nation – Americans felt they lacked accurate information,

thousands of American lives were lost, and people wondered to what end politicians in Washington would go to achieve their personal and political goals. Certainly, these events were major contributors to Americans’ lack of faith in government.

But there is something else curious about the Pew chart. When you overlay a graph of our gross public debt, the trend lines are similar. Government spending skyrockets. Trust in government plummets.

I wonder the degree to which the two are related – perhaps this is the real truth behind the remarkable collapse in our trust in government.

Across Washington, we have heard some leaders calling for more, bigger government. They believe government intervention is the answer to fixing most anything ailing our country and our citizens. Government already intrudes into almost every aspect of our daily lives – from our healthcare, to the taxes that we pay on almost everything we touch.

Government regulations are stifling our businesses, limiting creativity and innovation, and restricting economic growth.

Just ask a small business owner. Just ask a teacher. Just ask a farmer.

In a financial sense, excessive government has caused federal spending to skyrocket. Every year, our federal government spends billions of dollars on duplicative, underutilized, and wasteful programs. Our bloated federal debt brought us to sequestration. It’s caused us to mortgage our children’s future to pay for yesterday’s expenses. In an administrative sense, federal agencies are mismanaged.

Whether it is spending on lavish conferences, first-class flights, excessive bonus payments, or special projects agencies decide to fund, taxpayers are weary of the government misusing their hard-earned dollars. A 2014 Gallup poll indicates that the American taxpayer believes federal government wastes 51 cents of every hard earned dollar they pay in taxes.

In my view, it’s no coincidence that when the federal government grew exponentially – not just in spending, but also in scope – Americans started to doubt their faith in our government.

If we are going to allow ourselves to be mothered by the federal government, shouldn’t we believe that mother knows best? And for that matter, shouldn’t we believe that government has our best interests at heart?

We are individuals and we all have competing interests. It’s hardly possible for government to have every individual’s best interests at heart. Our Founding Fathers created the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States to provide rules for governing our nation.

They were created to protect the people’s rights – not to protect the people from themselves.

We must grapple with the ever increasing size, scope, and spending of government. We must restore faith in government by restoring the proper function of government. We must work to ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren, and rebuild confidence that the American dream is still achievable.

Government will never be the one to solve our problem. If we are to restore trust in government, we need to give power back where it belongs – with the people.

Congressman Randy Forbes R-4th DistrictChesapeake, Va.

Church volunteers, Fort Lee soldiers help others during holiday The holiday season was upon us once again, and the Christmas spirit of love and sharing was being bestowed upon one another. Sister Kim Winston of Petersburg

still continues to share her love for Christ and her passion to help others. Winston, the Ushers Ministry of her church (Shiloh Baptist Church - Chesterfield), soldiers from Fort Lee, and volunteers from area churches came together for the fifth year to be a blessing to those who are homeless and less fortunate in our community.

On Dec. 25, 2014, Lt. Woods and the US Army, Whiskey Unit, and William Foster and US Navy CSCSS joined the volunteers from area churches to provide coats, sweaters, gloves, hats, socks,and toys with a Christmas dinner, for those less fortunate in the community from noon - 2 p.m. at the Hope Center, 827 Commerce Street, Petersburg. On behalf of all the people who were blessed by Winston, all the volunteers, and Patricia May and Staff, Hope Center’s generosity, we thank God for inspiring all of you for your outreach ministry into our community. “ To God Be The Glory For Great Things He Hath Done” A special “ thank you” to the following persons who donated their time and service above and beyond: Sister Colean Rayner, Garrett Mason, Lt. Woods and US Army Whiskey Unit, William Foster and US Navy CSCSS. and Patricia May and staff, Hope Center. Also thanks to Romana White, Dr. Harold Sayles, Patrice West and friends of JC Penney’s, Wilma Smith - Benedict Club, Tony, store managerMacy’s, and Margaret Brown and True Platinum Motorcycle Club.

Thanks to the following churches and businesses: Shiloh Baptist Church (Chesterfield), Good Shepherd Baptist Church ( Petersburg), Union Branch Baptist Church (Chesterfield), Royal Baptist Church (Petersburg), Providence Baptist Church (Prince George), Hope Center (Petersburg), Martin’s (Chester & Colonial Heights), Food Lion (Petersburg), Walmart (Petersburg), Piccadilly Restaurant (Colonial Heights), Sam’s Club (Colonial Heights), Cato’s ( Colonial Heights), and The Progress Index- Church News Section.

Sister Kim Winston loves and thanks each of you for all your support and contributions to help make someone else to have a blessed Christmas. May God continue to smile upon and bless each and every one of you.

Cheryl P. Jones Shiloh Baptist Church, Chesterfield

Help the hungry at times other than the holidays

Consider ...

During the Thanksgiving holidays many churches, businesses and civic organizations provided turkeys and the fixings for those who were in need. That was a good thing.

During the Christmas holidays many churches, businesses and civic organizations provided food, toys and clothes for those who were in need. That was a good thing.

Now the holidays are over; but the need for those who are hungry has come back.

The temperatures outside have been so low that many must decide whether to eat or to keep warm. Let’s not forget the hungry in January or February or September. They need to eat every month of the year. Please take the time to put a few items into a bag and deliver it to your church or to a food collection center like Martha for the Homeless on Elm Street in Petersburg. Martha has worked tirelessly for over 30 years to feed those who are in need. She has helped many Tri-Cities families when they had little or nothing left.

Helping during the holidays is important; helping every month is important.

Peggy Connors Petersburg

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

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THINGS

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TO DO THIS

WEEKEND FRIDAY ■ Friday for the Arts!,

Petersburg’s monthly celebration of the arts in historic downtown Petersburg will be held Friday. This event has become a comprehensive celebration of the arts, with 20 or more venues spreading the arts across many blocks. Galleries, museums, restaurants, and shops feature changing exhibits every month.

Music ranges from classical concerts to the blues to rollicking rock evenings.

One example of this month’s entertainment will be the concert at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, which will be sponsoring a performance by the Christopher Wren Singers, the College of William and Mary’s oldest student-run a cappella group, dating back to the fall of 1987. The Singers are a coed ensemble that specializes in madrigal and renaissance music, although they do sing a variety of ballads and a few contemporary songs.

After the concert, a reception will be held in the Guild Room of the church.

Although this is a free event, a freewill offering will be taken. Historic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is located at 110 North Union Street in Petersburg. Parking is available on the street in front of the church or in the parking lot behind the church off N. Market Street. For additional information, please contact Susan Wells at 804-733-3415.

FRIDAY & SATURDAY ■ “Those Harvey Girls”

by Tom Width is now playing at Swift Creek Mill Theatre, 17401 Jefferson Davis Highway, Colonial Heights. This musical introduces the Harvey sisters, who bring their vocal talents to the stage. This all-new show highlights three young girls growing up in rural, 1960s Virginia, sharing their spirit through song. The sisters have a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs that have made them who they are today, and through it all, they have kept their faith and kept on singing. The event features gospel music legend Cora Harvey Armstrong in her third starring role on the Mill stage.

This weekend the play will be held at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Tickets are available for theatre only or buffet and theatre. Call

804-748-5203 for reservations or visit www. swiftcreekmill.com for online ticketing.

FRIDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY ■ “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is playing at the Fort Lee Playhouse, Building 4300, Mahone Ave., Fort Lee, at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The play is being done by the Theater Company at Fort Lee, a nonprofit organization that supports The Lee Playhouse, one of the most active performing arts groups in the area.

According to the Fort Lee Playhouse website, “Brighton Beach Memoirs” is part one of Neil Simon’s autobiographical trilogy: a portrait of the writer as a young teen in 1937 living with his family in a crowded, lower middle-class Brooklyn walk-up. Eugene Jerome, standing in for the author, is the narrator and central character. Dreaming of baseball and girls, Eugene must cope with the mundane existence of his family life in Brooklyn: formidable mother, overworked father, and his worldly older brother Stanley. Throw into the mix his widowed Aunt Blanche, her two young (but rapidly aging) daughters and Grandpa the Socialist and you have a recipe for hilarity, served up Simon-style. This bittersweet memoir evocatively captures the life of a struggling Jewish household where, as his father states, “if you didn’t have a problem, you wouldn’t be living here.” For more information about the production, call 804-734-6629.

SATURDAY ■ The Chesterfield County Public Library will host the Richmond Boys Choir (RBC) on Saturday from 3-3:45 p.m. at the Central Library, 9501 Lori Road, Chesterfield. The performance is one of five special events in observance of Black History Month. The Richmond Boys Choir, known as Richmond’s Ambassadors of Song, has received national recognition and regularly tours throughout the United States. The RBC has appeared on several television shows, including NBC’s Today show.

The RBC was founded in 1996 to provide a quality alternative for urban youth. Its mission is to help boys cultivate personal development and to foster academic and social success.

For more information, visit library.chesterfield.gov or call (804) 751-CCPL.

BRIEFS

Dunlop House ‘walls of art’ COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Dunlop House Assisted Living is now displaying their second “walls of art.” Once a month, a local artist will present their artwork at Dunlop House, located at 235 Dunlop Farms Blvd.

This month residents and visitors are enjoying the work of Helen Horne, a native of Jarratt and a resident of Dunlop House.

Horne always had an interest in art but never had time to pursue it until her retirement. In 1967, as president of the

Jarratt Woman’s Club, she organized a painting class taught by a Sussex County artist, W.H. Goodwyn. One of her paintings won a blue ribbon at the District Club show.

Before moving to Dunlop House, she was a member of a painting group in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina.

Horne’s medium of choice is oil. In the beginning she concentrated on flowers and still life and later progressed to landscapes. Her favorite landscapes are those of farms with decaying old barns or colorful scenes of autumn.

DOGS From Page V1

Search and Recovery Unit, along with other organizations. Detective Roger Santini, Colonial Heights Police Department, said last week that Chesterfield County Fire and EMS continues to search the Appomattox River by air.

Colonial Heights Fire and EMS still searches the river by boat.

DOGS-East and other canine searchers were assigned to sectors within the search area where their animals put those hypersensitive noses to work over two-hour time spans throughout the night until about midnight.

“You bring closure to the family and that’s why you do it,” McClellan said.

DOGS-East has been working to bring families closure, and to reunite them, since 1980.

The group responds to calls from across the state from the Virginia Department of Emergenc y Management, Virginia State Police and other local and federal law enforcement agencies. Many of the pooches and handlers of the organization average as many 30 searches a year. All group members are required to meet to attend one day-long training a week, but are recommended to do more in order to advance. The trainings are held all over Virginia, with most held in northern and central Virginia.

Sharon Jones, who has been a member of DOGSEast since 1980, said that there are seven canine search and rescue teams throughout the state.

Johnson said that it’s all about the volunteer force taking the job seriously. She has been with the group since 1985.

“You have to have a dog to find this person … People couldn’t see them, helicopters couldn’t find them …

You have to have a really reliable tool and we have them,” she said.

CHPD From Page V1

had to use the canine tracking services of other jurisdictions and volunteer services. Not only would the dog reduce response times, it could be loaned to

CLOSE-UP From Page V1

Q: How long have you been president of the board of directors?

A: “I’m president of the Arc South of the James and I was voted in last year, I was vice president and I was part of the forming of the Arc South of the James … I was vice president for the first three years and coming up in May will be the completion of one year as president.”

Q: How else are you involved in the community?

A: “I’m a supervisor with Social Security Disability in Henrico so I do work there and I also have a nonprofit organization. I’m a Partner in Policy graduate from 2013, (from) the Virginia Board for People with Disability, so my project was to form my own nonprofit organization which I aptly named after my son, Stefan, it’s entitled Stefan Smile, it’s a 501(c) 3 organization and we too advocate tenaciously for individuals and they come out with resources and services.”

Q: Did you become an advocate for people with

Black lab Radar gets ready to work as his owner John Lumsden lets him out of his cage during a recent search and rescue training session in Louisa County.

The pair are a part of DOGS-East Search and Rescue, an organization that works to find missing people across the state. LEAH SMALL/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

The search dogs use scent carried on air currents to locate an alive or dead person, or personal articles, from as far as three quarters of a mile away. Each dog works to perfect a technique called coning, in which a winding ‘S’ shaped path leading to the subject narrows as the dog gets closer. Handlers must also pay attention to any physical changes in a dog’s behavior that can be reported back to other searchers if the dog is getting warmer but hasn’t made the find.

If a dog makes a find, it must signal to its handler that it has made the discovery. Jones said that each dog picks its own “indication” for when its located something. Some dogs bark at their owners, some jump and others tug.

Jone’s six-year-old border collie Hugo gives a very unique indication.

Hugo uses a bringsel, which is a stiff piece of leather that attaches to his collar that he puts in his mouth and carries back when he has made a find.

The bringsel is of Norwegian origin, and comes from the Old High German word brigan, which means to bring.

Even after Hugo comes trotting back bringsel in mouth, his job still isn’t done. Search dogs are also

trained to lead their handlers back to the find.

While there is no doubt that these dogs are smart, much of their consistent performance is the result of constant rewards and training.

In training, and in real search situations, the dog is always rewarded with treats, pats, cuddles, play and high pitched praises when it makes a find.

Johnson said that even if the dog takes a wrong turn and finds some hikers instead of the intended subject, it’s still rewarded.

“Sometimes I joke and say, did you know you were lost?” Johnson said.

Still continuing to reward the dog even if it hasn’t made the right discovery keeps the canine motivated to do what it’s trained to do.

DOGS-East accepts dogs of all breeds, but medium to large hunting breeds that are known to work well with humans are preferred.

The organization is always looking for new members, canine and human, and said that a love for the outdoors, work and volunteering is required.

As for those who may need the services of DOGSEast, the group advises that families quickly notify authorities as soon as they suspect that their loved one has gone missing. It’s often hours later before police forces contact canine search groups.

“Don’t wait until it’s too late,” McClellan said.

other localities to assist in searches.

In the future, the department aims to get paws on the ground quickly. The canine is estimated to cost the department $10,000 to purchase and for other equipment, but the fundraiser has exceeded over

twice its monetary goal.

The effort is funded solely through donations and the excess will be used for the care of the bloodhound. A Tahoe will be purchased to accommodate the large dog, as well as a pen at the house of Officer Christopher Wulff, his new handler

and buddy.

The new dog will join Blitz, the department’s German shepherd narcotics canine.

disabilities because of your son?

A: “Most definitely. I was on a path to being an actress and modeling and things such as that and enter Stefan, and ever since he was born, we were told he won’t live [Stefan is now 22 years old], he won’t graduate, he won’t breathe, he will never walk, he will never talk so I was always posed with the question ‘Do you want to put him in a training center or an institution?’

I’m very young, I had him when I was young and so

I had to fight to keep my family together … from my perspective, I learned that in the special needs community, not just my family, it’s very hard to keep the nuclear family together.”

Q: Can you talk about y o u r o r g a n i z a t i o n ’s efforts to advocate for full integration?

A: “We want to ensure that individuals with intellectual disabilities are not ostracized or scrutinized.

The days of putting our special needs loved ones in the basement or an attic

Krystal Comiskey, left, and Jessica Burleson, right, shower love onto border collie Hugo, during a DOGS-East Search and Rescue training session. The organization searches for missing people across the state. LEAH SMALL/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

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FIND HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS OF COUPONS INSIDE THE SUNDAY EDITI0N OF The Progress-Index CALL 490-0055 TO SUBSCRIBE TODAY! www.progress-index.com

–Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or lsmall@progress-index

—Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or lsmall@progress-index. com

or shutting them up in a room or throwing them away, those days are over.

We’re integrated into the community … and that’s what the Arc stands for, ensuring that individuals are being integrated into the community fairly in a way that they can blossom and grow and reach their full potential, whatever that might be.”

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS

Completion of Boulevard improvements months away

By Leah Small Staff Writer

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Construction weary drivers will have to wait a few more months before the completion of improvements to the Boulevard in the southern end of Colonial Heights. The contractual end of the $12 million project was scheduled for Jan. 21. City Manager Thomas Mattis expects that the Boulevard Modernization Project, which spans the main roadway from Lafayette Avenue to Westover Avenue, will be completed by the beginning of spring. The project, which was funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation, began in April 2013.

Ma t t i s s a i d i n a n interview last week that the city and contractor,

Shoosmith Construction Inc., were “in the process of negotiating and coming to a mutual agreement about what the extension date should be.”

The city manager said that much of the delay didn’t fall on the contractor, but on the lack of timely response by utility companies required to move their equipment to make way for construction. “ T hat corridor has pretty much every common utility in it and all of those utilities have to be moved,” he said. You are pretty much at the mercy of their timeline and their contractors.

Mattis also said that he understands that Colonial Heights residents are ready for the construction to be complete.

“I appreciate that people are frustrated and

that they have construction distress and are tired of putting up with it,” he said.

But Mattis said that as the project gets down to the wire, there is not much that can be done to improve traffic flow in the mean time. “ Truthfully, we are down to the final 60 days of a two-year project … there is not a whole lot that can be done to alleviate traffic [and] not a lot of alternative routes,” he said. “We continue to count on people’s patience and they have been really good. We are just as anxious as everyone else to get it done.”

The finished product Motorists navigate roadwork on the Boulevard. Completion of improvements will include a number of to the Boulevard in the southern end of Colonial Heights is still a few months improvements, including away. PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO a continuous center turning lane, turning lanes sidewalks and cross- and storm drain system —Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or at Dupuy Avenue, street walks, improved business improvements. lsmall@progress-index.com lighting, landscaping, access, bic ycle lanes

POLICE LOG

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

COLONIAL HEIGHTS

FRIDAY, Feb. 13

The following information was provided by the Colonial Heights Police Department:  Lanard Javar Evans, 33, of the 3800 block of Creek Way, Chester was charged with fail to appear on Jan. 15.  Robert Lee Jones II, 27, of Persimmon Court, Petersburg was charged with probation:violation on Jan. 15.  Victoria E. Miller, 19, of the 3600 block of Mill Road, Hopewell was charged with giving false reports to police on Jan. 15.  Eric Anthony Outlaw, 24, of the 6500 block of Woodlake Village Ct, Midlothian was charged with larceny:petit on Jan. 15.  David Pardo Jr., 28, of the 900 block of Ellerslie Ave, Colonial Heights was charged with probation:violation on Jan. 15.

 Nancy Bloomfield Bryant, 56, of the 200 block of Witten Street, Petersburg was charged with illegal sell alcohol on Jan. 16.  Elizabeth Ann Clary, 23, of the 4500 block of Rain Forest Drive, Petersburg was charged with larceny:grand; burglary tools possession on Jan. 16.  Phyllis Smith Delong, 54, of the 18700 block of Church Road, S Chesterfield was charged with lareny:petit on Jan. 16.  Preston Giles Edwards, 31, of the 200 block of Beechwood Avenue, Colonial Heights was charged with probation:violation on Jan. 16.  Jonathan Andrew Hall, 21, of the 600 block of Pinehurst Avenue, Colonial Heights was charged with larceny:grand on Jan. 16.  Vaishaliben N. Tailor, 31, of the 500 block of Old Oak Lane, Colonial Heights was charged with illegal sell of alcohol on Jan. 16.

 De’Andre Cheyene Perry, 19, of the 9700 block of Virginia Center Place, Glen Allen was charged with larceny:credit card theft; fraud:false pretense on Jan. 15.

 De Leah Kou-Nehlor Weanquoi, 22, of the 1200 block of Arlington Street, Petersburg was charged with illegal sell of alcohol on Jan. 16.

 Brian James Polansky, 26, of the 100 block of Lakeview Park Road, Colonial Heights was charged with probation:violation on Jan. 15.

 Carroll M. Collier, 32, of the 21200 block of Warrior Drive, Petersburg was charged with driving under influence; vandalism on Jan. 17.

 Kaneshia Rachelle Rose, 23, of the 19200 block of Brevard Street, Colonial Heights was charged with fail to appear on Jan. 15.

 Jason Mathew Henard, 27, of the 100 block of Gilcreff Place, Petersburg was charged with abusive language on Jan. 17.

 Antonio T. Ruffin, 37, of the 200 block of S South Street, Petersburg was charged with larceny:petit on Jan. 15.

 Jimmy Lee Jones, 31, of the 4100 block of Hickory Road, S. Chesterfield was charged with larceny:grand; burglary tools possession on Jan. 17.

 Matthew Clayton Tyler, 35, of the 1200 block of Sunnyside Ave, Hopewell was charged with fail to pay fines on Jan. 15.

 Lee Wayne VanMeter Jr., 44, of the 9300 block of Raven Wing Drive, Chesterfield was charged with probation:violation on Jan. 15.

 Keith Allen Wooden, 28, of the 2900 block of Forest Hills Road, Petersburg was charged with fail to appear on Jan. 15.

 Dwayne Lee Scott, 31, of the 3000 Longstreet Drive, Petersburg was charged with open container of alcohol on Jan. 17.  Niaz Ahmed, 42, of the 3200 block Maine Street, Petersburg was charged with violate protective order on Jan. 18.  Danyel Lynn Clampitt, 39, of the 1900 of Pender Avenue, Petersburg was charged with larceny:shoplifting under $200 on Jan. 18.

PETERSBURG — Petersburg Chapter 28, National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), will hold their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 10:30 a.m., at the Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer, 1769 S. Sycamore St, Petersburg. This chapter serves the cities of Hopewell, Petersburg and Colonial Heights, as well as the

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The National Alliance on Mental Illness Connection Recovery Support program meets 1 to 2:30 p.m. each Friday in the conference room at the Colonial Heights Library, 1000 Yacht Basin Drive. Groups meet for 90 minutes and offer a structured group process designed to encourage, support and empower. All diagnosis welcome. For more information, contact Gina at 804-605-5010 or towritegina@yahoo.com.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held each Friday at 10 a.m. at: Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St. (round the back come upstairs).

Meetings are also also held at 5:30 p.m. each MondayFriday at the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp). Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Chapter of the AARP will meet from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Friday at the Colonial Heights Community Center. This is a nonpartisan member organization that helps people 50 and older improve the quality of their lives. There is no cost to attend.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Community Center, 157 Roanoke Ave., will host the monthly Seniors Dance from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Friday. Music will be provided by The Antiques.

The cost is $6 per person.

Refreshments are sold for an additional cost. The Seniors Dance is held on the second Friday of each month.

SATURDAY, Feb. 14 CHESTERFIELD — The Tri-City Virginia Chapter of Newborns In Need will

IN BRIEF

NARFE to meet

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — American Legion Post 284, 505 Springdale Road, holds bingo every Friday.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and games start at 7. Food is available for a nominal fee.

For directions, or information about membership requirements or activities of the American Legion, visit the Post 284 website, http://mysite.verizon.net/ legion284 or call 526-5656.

surrounding communities and counties.

Guest speaker will be Barbara Gravely of the Crater Community Hospice, who will present a program about end of life care.

Retirees and active employees from all Federal agencies are invited to attend this meeting, as well as spouses, annuitants, and guests. For additional information call 861-8251.

meet from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at Chester Christian Church, located at 4330 Curtis St., Chester.

For more information, call 804- 681-0131.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2239, 14705 Jefferson Davis Highway, holds bingo each Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m. and games begin at 7. There are six to eight chances to win $500 or more. Food is available.

For directions or questions about this event, call 748-4896 and ask for Tom Gore. For information about VFW membership or other activities, call Tom Ferguson, 748-4896.

SUNDAY, Feb. 15 COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Colonial Heights Moose Lodge 1783, 170 Moose Ave., holds bingo every Sunday.Doors open at 4 p.m. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. Food is available for a nominal fee. For directions, visit the website at www.chmoose.com or call 526-1537.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. at the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp). Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

MONDAY, Feb. 16 COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The “Colonial Square Dancers,” a nonprofit organization, meets from 7-9 p.m. each Monday at the Colonial Heights High School cafeteria on Conduit Road. Square dancers and visitors are welcome.

For more information, call 804-720-2340.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — American Legion Post 284, 505 Springdale Road, holds bingo every Monday.

Doors open at 5 p.m., and games start at 7. Food is available for a nominal fee.

For directions, or information about membership requirements or activities of the American Legion, visit http://mysite.verizon. net/legion284 or call 5265656.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held each Monday at 10 a.m at Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St. (round

the back come upstairs).

Meetings are also held at 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp).

Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Triad will meet from 1-2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16, in the Senior Center of the Colonial Heights Commuity Center, 157 Roanoke Ave. TRIAD is a partnership consisting of the local Public Safety Office, seniors, and senior service providers who work to prevent the victimization of Seniors. It is run by S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) council.

TUESDAY, Feb. 17 CHESTERFIELD — The Chesterfield County Senior Advocate and Lucy Corr Village invite anyone who is caring for an adult with physical or cognitive deterioration to attend Caregiver Connection, a monthly support group that helps address caregivers’ needs and concerns. It meets on the first Tuesday of each month, 4 to 5:15 p.m., in the Friendship Room at Lucy Corr Village Assisted Living, 6800 Lucy Corr Blvd. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 804-768-7878 or 706-5657.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at: the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp). Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Central Virginia Coin Club will hold its regular meeting at Dante’s Pizzeria, 2900 Cedar Lane, at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. This club meets the third Tuesday of each month.

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 18 CHESTER — The American Red Cross, Web of Hope, welcomes all who would like to learn to knit or crochet to its monthly meeting held at Chester Baptist Church, 4317 School St., on each third Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon. All are

welcome to participate, or you may help this program by donating new yarn. For information, call Linda Southward at 779-3453 or Angela Guastella at 530-0871.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) No. 485 meets each Wednesday morning at Colonial Heights Library, 1000 Yacht Basin Drive.

Weighins begin at 8:15 a.m. and the meetings start at 9.

For more information, call Evelyn at 748-2607.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Optimist Club of Colonial Heights, 916 Meridan Ave., holds bingo every Wednesday evening.

Doors open at 5 p.m. and early bird games start at 6:45 and regular games start at 7. Food is available for a nominal fee. For directions or details, call 526-0689. Money raised supports youth projects in the community.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. at: Second Presbyterian Church, 419 W. Washington St. (round the back come upstairs).

Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are also held at 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at: the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp).

Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

THURSDAY, Feb. 19 CHESTERFIELD — Grandparents Connection meets every third Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Community Development Building, 9800 Government Center Pkwy.

Free child care is available.

For more information, call contact the Senior advocate at Leidheiserd@ chesterfield.gov or 804-768-7878.

PETERSBURG — Southside Regional Medical Center sponsors a Multiple Sclerosis Support Group on the third Thursday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. on the third floor in the Labor and Delivery Classroom at SRMC, 200 Medical Park Blvd. There is no charge to attend. For more information, contact Quennette Johnson at (434) 246-6007.

SEE CALENDAR, V8

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

V5

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Delegate focusing on veterans, higher ed costs

By Cort Olsen Capital News Service

RICHMOND — House Majority Leader Kirk Cox’s top priorities for the 2015 legislative session are supporting military veterans and reducing the cost of higher education.

Cox has seven pieces of legislation up for approval in the General Assembly, but he is especially focused on bills to build two veterans care centers and to rein in spending on intercollegiate athletics.

Cox is the chief sponsor of House Bill 1275, which would fund the state’s share of construction costs for the Hampton Roads Veterans Care Center, and HB 1276, which would help build a similar facility in Northern Virginia for military veterans with mental or physical injuries.

The federal government will provide 65 percent of the money to build the centers, but the state must provide 35 percent.

Cox, a state delegate from

Colonial Heights, said HB 1275 and 1276 make it clear to Washington that Virginia is ready to ante up.

“I’m really trying to show the federal government this is our top priority,” he said during an interview in his office recently. That’s important because Virginia is competing with other states for federal funding for veteran care centers.

The state plans to sell bonds to generate about $67 million as its share of the tab for building the two veterans care centers. The projects’ total construction costs will be about $190 million.

On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the House of Delegates unanimously passed both HB 1275 and HB 1276. They now go to the Senate for consideration.

The House also has passed HB 1897 – Cox’s bill to control the cost of intercollegiate athletics programs. The bill would prohibit the sum of school funds and student fees

House Majority Leader Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, is pictured in his office at the General Assembly Building in Richmond. CORT OLSEN/VCU CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

House Majority Leader Del. Kirk Cox, R-Colonial Heights, holds a press conference on Jan. 29. VCU CAPITAL NEWS SERVICE PHOTO

used to support intercollegiate athletics programs from exceeding a certain percentage of athletics revenue. “Athletic fees make up 12 percent of overall cost of college,” Cox said.

He said some colleges in Virginia have dramatically increased athletic fees – in some cases, more than doubling them.

“I really feel that putting the burden of athletics on students really hurts, as far as their affordability goes,” Cox said. “When you have student fees of some universities [for athletics] up to $1,700, I think that is really driving the cost of education.”

HB 1897 would group schools based on their sport’s division. Each

division would be given an average of how much the athletics department can be subsidized by student fees. If a school exceeds that amount, it would have five years to bring its athletics cost down to the assigned average.

Some of the schools that have exceeded Cox’s average for their division are Old Dominion University,

James Madison University and Longwood University.

“JMU is at 78 percent [funded by student fees]; their threshold would be 70 percent,” Cox said.

To remedy the situation, “they have to find 8 percent, $3 million, to come from ticket sales, alumni or something on the generator revenue side.”

Not only would the bill

SEE DELEGATE, V6

COMMENTARY

PETERSBURG

House increases transparency and stops fee increases

Barbecue born from rock ‘n’ roll

Editor’s note: Del. Kirk Cox sends weekly updates during the General Assembly session. This is his report submitted for publication in The Progress-Index on Feb. 8.

B

y far the most important task we have in the General Assembly is to craft a balanced budget. It is an intricate process: subcommittees set priorities for specific budget areas, each chamber passes their budget, House and Senate come together to agree on a final budget, and then the governor receives it for final approval.

As an Appropriations Committee member and budget conferee, I’m proud of improvements we’ve made to the budget process to make it more efficient and transparent.

This year we continued our efforts to increase the involvement of legislators and citizens in the budget process.

Recently, the speaker announced additional steps we’re taking in the House to improve transparency in the budget process. The House of Delegates will now wait 48 hours prior to voting on the final budget conference report and will provide members with a comprehensive list of all non-state agency requests, new items in the conference report not included in the budget originally passed by either chamber, and items similar to legislation that failed in either chamber.

To institutionalize these improvements, I have been tasked with incorporating these changes into the House rules and procedures. These are positive steps that will increase accountability by giving legislators and citizens more time to review the details of the budget conference report.

Leading up to the final budget report [released Sunday, Feb. 8], the House has announced a few highlights of what will be reported. These include pay raises for state employees, state police, and teachers. We have also announced the House budget proposal will eliminate $10.2 million in onerous fee increases

Ship container restaurant opens dine-in

By Amir Vera Staff Writer

KIRK COX

proposed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe.

The House budget will eliminate the increased restaurant inspection fee, weights and measures fee, saltwater fishing license fee, and tobacco stamps fee. The House budget also eliminates the governor’s proposed increase to the deductible homeowners pay to remediate leaking petroleum tanks.

His budget proposes to increase the current deductible of $500 to up to $2,500, a 500 percent increase. This would have impacted every homeowner who uses oil heat.

Our goal in the House has always been to produce a conservative, responsible budget that will cut wasteful spending and protect the wallets of taxpayers!

Tuesday is the last day to act on legislation introduced in its chamber of origin, AKA crossover.

As such, committees have ramped up action on bills. I’m pleased to report several of our caucus’ priorities have passed the House.

Del. Tom Rust’s, R-Herndon, HB 1662 allows transportation network companies like Uber and Lyft to be licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles. The companies offer ride services that can be ordered through an app on a smart phone. This bill provides the perfect balance of public safety measures while fostering innovation. Virginians can take advantage of this new technology with assurance that reasonable safety and liability measures are governing its use.

Del. Scott Taylor’s, R-Virginia Beach, HB 1360 makes it easier for Virginia entrepreneurs to raise money for their startup businesses through “crowdfunding.”

The greatest challenge that startups with good ideas face is finding the SEE COX, V6

PETERSBURG — It’s been a delicious last four and a half years for Saucy’s Walk-up.

The nationally renowned barbecue stand that started out in a shipping container at the corner of Bollingbrook and Fifth Street in Sept.

2010, now has its own dine-in restaurant known as Saucy’s Sit-down that opened Jan. 8.

“This is a really big thing, we went from having five people on staff at the walk-up to overnight having 15 people on staff just to work this restaurant,” said owner Tom McCormack.

The story behind the mouth-watering cuisine — which became a stop for both local residents and travelers going down the interstate — began in 2001 when McCormack and his pal Erich Wolfgang, the current pitmaster, were on a cross-country tour with their band, Mean Flower.

Wolfgang said that it was during this tour between 2001 and 2002 that they were exposed to the different types of barbecue across the country.

“We played from here to the Grand Canyon and back,” he said. “We hit a lot of barbecue locations, like Chicago, Kansas City and Texas. Not only were we on tour for the fun of making music and having a good time, but also just ended up seeking out small places to eat, which were often a lot of barbecue places.

We kind of picked up on a lot of different cuisines because barbecue is such a regional type of food.”

Upon returning home Wolfgang, who at the time barbecued for fun, would try to imitate and improve on the different regional sauces he had experienced on the road.

“It was barbecue born from rock ‘n’ roll,” Wolfgang said.

Then in 2002, McCormack and his wife, Elizabeth, moved down to Petersburg from Richmond. At the time, the couple were in the real estate business restoring

Owner Tom McCormack has moved his flavors indoors with the opening of Saucy’s Sit-Down. The new restaurant is only yards away from the original converted shipping container, Saucy’s Walk-Up. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS

homes in Old Towne.

McCormack knew Wolfgang loved to cook, and both had experience in construction and renovation, so McCormack approached his friend with the idea of starting a barbecue restaurant.

“I saw a need for barbecue in the area,” McCormack said. “The original idea was to open it in a shipping container just in case something didn’t work out. We could shut that thing down and store our bikes in it.”

It turned out things did work out. After four months of welding a shipping container to look like a mobile restaurant, Saucy’s Walk-up opened for operation on Sept. 26, 2010, with just McCormack, Wolfgang and each of their wives working.

“In the beginning, we ran that place … we were the face of Saucy’s,” he said. “It was that way for two and a half years before we really started building a crew of people.”

What happened those two and a half years after its initial opening was that Saucy’s received national recognition. In 2012, Saucy’s was featured in Southern Living magazine’s “The South’s Best Butt: 20 of the Best Barbecue Joints in the South.”

“When they called and they said that we were going to be in the magazine, I knew that we had to up our crew. There was just no question about that at that point,” McCormack said.

By that point, McCormack said he already had contacts of people who were interested in working at Saucy’s as either general staff or

After years of operating Saucy’s Walk-Up, owner Tom McCormack and Pitmaster Erich Wolfgang have moved indoors with the opening of Saucy’s Sit-Down. The new restaurant, in the rear of the Nash Building, is only yards away from the original converted shipping container.

cooks prior to the Southern Living magazine recognition.

“Almost all the people who we hired at that point were fans of the business and they were available and ready to go,” he said.

Since then, Saucy’s has enjoyed success in food, customer service and architecture. McCormack said his wife actually

designed the interior of Saucy’s Sit-down, which used to be a car repair shop. He and everyone else built everything on the inside from the tables to the barstools to the entire back of the bar … from scratch.

“That’s something we want to get across to people, we pay very close

SEE SAUCY’S, V6

V6

Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

CHURCH DIRECTORY

Christ Community Church Address: Meets at Lakeview Elementary School, 401 Taswell Ave. For more information or directions, call 520-6200, or www.christcommunitychurchva. org.

Faith Baptist Address: 1226 W. Roslyn Road. For more information call 526-8189 or visit mysite.verizon.net/ FBC316/.

Mount Pleasant Baptist

Faith and Hope Outreach Center

Cameron Avenue Church of Christ

Address: 101 Highland Avenue. For more information, call 526-3667.

Address: 601 Cameron Avenue. For more information, call 526-5286.

Fellowship Baptist Church

Celebration of Life Church

Address: 21000 Chesterfield Avenue, Ettrick. For more information call 5266184 or 590-2277.

Celebration of Life Church of God meets at 123 Pickwick Ave. in Colonial Heights. For more information please call 221-2915.

Highland Methodist Address: 125 E. Westover Avenue. For more information, call 526-3870.

Immanuel Baptist Chesterfield Community Church Address: 620 Lafayette Address: Meets at Greenwood Presbyterian Church, 7110 Woodpecker Road. For more information, call 796-1040 or visitccc4jc2007@aol.com.

Colonial Christian Address: 295 Dunlop Farms Blvd. For more information, call 5204988 or visit www. colonialchristianchurch. com.

Colonial Heights Baptist Address: 17201 Jeff Davis Highway. For more information, call 526-0424 or visit www.chbaptist.com.

CH Nazarene Church Address: 601 East Ellerslie Avenue. For more information, call 526-6920.

Colonial Heights Presbyterian Address: 211 Lynchburg Avenue. For more information, call 526-0929 or visit http://www.colonialheightspres.org.

Community Christian Fellowship Address: Meets at Matoaca Middle School, West campus. For more information, call 526-8260 or visit www.ccfnet1.org.

Covenant Christian Address: 542 South Park Blvd. For more information, call 526-0634.

DELEGATE From Page V5

limit the amount of student fees going toward athletics programs, but in order for a school to move up in a division, it would have to ask for permission from the state government.

“If they want to add a medical school or an engineering school, like VCU did, you have to get permission from the State Council of Higher Education,” Cox said. “Those are big financial decisions, and they affect us because we fund higher education.”

COX From Page V5

capitol to grow.

‘Crowdfunding’ lets entrepreneurs make their case to small investors and get their ideas off the ground. This legislation will make it easier for Virginians to invest in promising Virginia startups, creating a culture of entrepreneurship and more good-paying jobs.

Del. Greg Habeeb’s, R-Roanoke, HB 1490 streamlines the state’s Standards of Learning retake process for all students at all grade levels.

Currently, expedited retake is only available for assessments that are required for high school graduation. Under this

REVIEW 590-2094.

Avenue. For more information, call 526-3276 or www.ibc4family.com.

Ivey Memorial U.M. Church Address: 17120 Jefferson Davis Highway. For more information, call 526-1350.

Life Church Address: 16801 Harrowgate Road. For info on Sunday services and other Life changing ministries and activities go to www.visitlifechurch. org, or e-mail wanda@ visitlifechurch.org or call 526-7000.

Lifeline Fellowship Church Services are held at Salem Church Elementary School, 9600 Salem Church Road, in Chesterfield. For more information, call 804-839-3136.

Lyons Avenue Bible Church Address: 516 Lyons Avenue. For more information, call 520-7813.

Lutheran Church of our Redeemer Address: 1769 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg. For more information, call 732-8567 between 9 a.m.

- 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

Address: 3110 Greenwood Avenue. For more information, call 526-0816.

‘Those Harvey Girls’ inspire, uplift at the Mill

Oaklawn Baptist

By Una Harrison

Address: 7925 Hickory Road, Chesterfield. For more information, call 804-526-5649.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Opening night at Swift Creek Mill Theatre was a night to remember. “Those Harvey Girls” tells the true story of three talented sisters who grow up singing gospel in the sixties in rural Virginia. These remarkable ladies are Cora Harvey Armstrong, Virginia Harvey Young, and Clara Harvey Jackson, who play themselves in this world premiere musical created by Tom Width and Paul Deiss.

The play opens in 2005 in the front yard of their home in Newtown and the “Girls” are now mothers and grandmothers themselves. Their beloved mother has just passed away , and the sisters console themselves with memories of their childhood and growing years, and sing the songs of faith that sustain and inspire them. The audience claps and taps as their melodic voices blend beautifully and harmonize their opening song “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”.

This heart-warming musical includes six young actresses. Young Cora, the eldest, is played by Celeste Chalkley, Young Callou by Jada Evans, and the youngest “BeeBee” by Gia Jones. They act convincingly and with confidence and sing sweetly. As their life story unfolds we come to meet the sisters as grown young ladies coping with life’s challenges. Grown Cora is played by Julianna Jenkins, Grown Callou is played by Clarissa Jackson (Clara’s daughter in real life) and Grown BeeBee by Meredith Franklin. These talented young ladies tell a story of joys and heartaches , especially of Cora who makes some bad choices in life.

Their life is told in song, 18 gospel spirituals and a little Motown performed with great enthusiasm and feeling. The dialogue keeps the storyline moving along but it is the powerful

Prayer Vigil Ministry The Tri-Cities Prayer Vigil Ministry has a prayer line open for prayer requests seven days a week including holidays from 7 p.m. to midnight.

Local number is 804-4256370, 804-861-2609 and toll-free long distance 1-800-443-3155. Someone is always available to take calls.

Prince of Peace Outreach Center Address: 107 Pickwick Avenue. For more information or transportation, call Overseer Walter J. Mason at 834-2356.

St. Ann Catholic Church Address: 17111 Jefferson Davis Highway. For more information, call 526-2548.

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Address: The corner of Ellerslie Avenue and Old Town Drive. For more information, call 526-1790.

Swift Creek Baptist Church Address: 18510 Branders Bridge Road. For more information, call 520-1211.

Walthall Baptist Church Address: 14001 Woods Edge Road. For more information, call 530-8011.

Wesley Methodist Address: 3701 Conduit Road. For more information, call 526-3700 or visit www.wesley.col-hts.org.

Woodlawn Baptist Church

Address: 19600 Halloway Avenue, Matoaca. For more information, call

Address: 3116 Woodlawn Avenue. For more information, call 526-2179 or 541-3514.

Cox is sponsoring two other education-related bills: HB 1896 would make changes in the Virginia Guaranteed Assistance Program, which provides financial aid grants. The changes would provide incentives for students to graduate on time. “The goal is to get graduation rates up,” Cox said.

HB 1895 would help small and medium-sized colleges and universities control costs by giving them more flexibility in areas such as information technology, procurement and capital projects.

The House unanimously passed both measures.

Even so, Cox is wary about what might happen in the upper chamber.

“When the bills go over to the Senate, you start over a little bit,” he said.

This session, Cox also is sponsoring HB 1466, which would expand the jurisdiction of the Capitol Police in providing security for the governor-elect and other incoming statewide officials; and HB 1898, which would create a grant program to encourage investments and new jobs in pulp, paper and fertilizer manufacturing.

legislation, students who nearly pass a standardized test would be given an additional opportunity to take the test during the same school year, giving them an additional opportunity to succeed.

Del. Tim Hugo’s, R-Prince William, HB 1980 requires four-year public colleges and universities to post relevant financial and academic information on their websites to help parents and students make better, more informed decisions. Information posted would include: six-year undergraduate graduation rate for the last 10 years, freshman-sophomore retention rate for the last 10 years, annual percentage increase in tuition and mandatory student fees,

as well as links to their annual report and budget.

With this information easy to access, students and parents will be able to decide what best fits their needs financially and academically The Republican led House has made good progress on its session goals to pass legislation that address the concerns of Virginians, expand our economy, increase job growth, and approve a balanced budget, on time, without tax or fee increases.

—Del. Kirk Cox is a Republican who represents the 66th District that includes Colonial Heights and Southern Chesterfield County. He is also the House Majority Leader.

From left to right are: Celeste Chalkley as Young Cora, Gia Jones as Young Bee Bee and Jada Evans as Young Callue. “Those Harvey Grils” is now playing at Swift Creek Mill Theatre. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/SWIFT CREEK MILL THEATRE

From left to right are: Clara Lue Harvey Jackson as herself, Cora Harvey Armstrong as herself and Virginia Elizabeth Harvey Young as herself. “Those Harvey Girls” is now playing at Swift Creek Mill Theatre.

and inspiring music that keeps your hands clapping and your toes tapping, with the ladies enjoying themselves as much as the audience.

At the show’s end, the audience rose to a standing ovation.

I really must congratulate playwright and director Tom Width for bringing the talent and life force of these remarkable ladies to the stage to share their love for life, family, faith and music.

This is Tom’s second script about the Harvey sisters, whom he has known for 20 years. In his own words about Cora Harvey, “ I felt an affinity for her spirit, her heart and, of course, her music”. The result in 2000 was the musical “Living in the Light”

, a previous hit at the Mill. The cast included Cora’s mother Elizabeth in that production.

Congratulations also to Paul Deiss for his sensitive musical direction and arrangements.

Tom’s lean, realistic and functional set is enhanced by lighting and backdrop projection by Joe Doran, and by costuming by Maura Lynch Cravey.

Don’t miss this production, it will warm your heart and banish your winter doldrums.

—Una Harrison is a wellknown British actress, singer, playwright and drama teacher, currently teaching at PAAL in Petersburg. She can be contacted at unaharrison@yahoo. com

SAUCY’S From Page V5

attention to the details, not only of food, but of the space that people are in,” McCormack said.

That close attention to detail is something Wolfgang and his wife, Christina, do as pitmasters.

“It’s sort of a blend of American barbecue from all across the country and different places we’ve eaten,” Wolfgang said.

“I think that was a big influence on how Saucy’s appeals to a bunch of different people. We’ve got a lot of people from Fort Lee come here and they’re from all over the country, and we seem to always hit right in the middle of where we want to be.”

Since the Southern Living recognition, Saucy’s has not received any official barbecue awards. McCormack said he would rather focus on the business and the food they’re serving to customers. However, he said they have been ranked on review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor where they received four and a half stars.

“We’re the number one restaurant within 20 miles of Petersburg,” he said.

“We found ourselves getting accolades from the people … we’re consistently rated the number one restaurant in the area.”

That feedback is what drives Wolfgang and his cooks.

“That’s more rewarding than anything. I love peeking around the corner

After years of operating Saucy’s Walk-Up, owner Tom McCormack and Pitmaster Erich Wolfgang have moved indoors with the opening of Saucy’s Sit-Down. The new restaurant is only yards away from the original converted shipping container. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS

After years of operating Saucy’s Walk-Up, owner Tom McCormack and Pitmaster Erich Wolfgang have moved indoors with the opening of Saucy’s Sit-Down. The new restaurant is only yards away from the original converted shipping container.

Pitmaster Erich Wolfgang has moved his flavors indoors with the opening of Saucy’s Sit-Down.

The new restaurant is only yards away from the original converted shipwhen the plates go out to ping container, Saucy’s the tables and just see Walk-Up.

everyone’s reaction,” he said.

In terms of the future of the restaurant, McCormack is going slow. He said he plans to open up more Saucy’s Walk-up containers around the region but that there are no plans, for now, to open up another dine-in restaurant.

“It’s been really exciting, and it’s been a lot of hard work,” McCormack said.

‘It seems to be paying off now with the sit-down restaurant. We’ve had a real successful opening, we’ve been able to hire

more people and bring great people to the crew. I just know that everybody who’s been involved over the past four years is just really excited about it. It’s kind of a new start.”

Saucy’s Walk-up is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Saucy’s Sit-down is open from 5-10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

—Amir Vera may be reached at avera@ progress-index.com or (804) 722-5155.

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 13, 2015

AUCTIONS ABSOLUTE AUCTION. Feb. 25, 10 AM. Assets of Roanoke Auto Spring Works, Inc., Roanoke, VA. Front-end, spring & driveshaft shop machinery and equipment including racks with turning plates, frame racks, lift, laser tandem aligner, presses, lathes, shears, heavy duty jacks, heavy duty chain hoists, welders, grinders, sanders, drills, benders, power tools, hand tools and much more. Also selling remaining inventory, heavy duty storage racks, two forklifts, two Ford Ranger pickup trucks, 1951 Dodge Power Wagon fire truck with blade, and office furnishings.

Inspections: Fri., Feb. 13 & Feb. 20 from 2 – 4 PM. A 10% buyer’s premium will be added to high bid. Contact Jonna McGraw (VA #2434) 540-309-3560 (mobile), Woltz & Associates, Inc. (VA #321), 800-551-3588, or visit www. woltz.com for directions, inventory & photos.

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V7

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Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

CHESTERFIELD

New fire station opens Fire & EMS Station #21 opens to serve southern Chesterfield communities

By Patrick Kane Staff Writer

CHESTERFIELD — A new fire station will field fire and emergency medical calls in residential and commercial areas in the southern corner of the county. Crews at Fire and EMS Station #21 began serving the public on Monday, Feb. 2.

“This is a location that we've been looking at for several years now,” said Lt. Jason Elmore with Chesterfield County Fire & EMS. This is an area of the county that was growing.

This is a perfect location to help reduce response times to about 3,800 residents down here, as well as that industrial park area” at Walthall.

The 12,498-square-foot facility, staffed with three shifts of firefighters and EMS during the day, is located on Harrowgate Road near Jefferson Davis Highway.

“The city of Colonial Heights is probably less than a mile from this

location,” Elmore said. “We already have an automatic mutual aid agreement with them” and the proximity of Station 21 will help both localities respond quickly to calls.

The spacious station was fairly quiet that first day of operation. It features a large kitchen, open area for staff meetings, a workout room, locker and bathrooms, plus office space. Bunk areas are reminiscent of a college dorm, with quiet space for rest or relaxation.

“It helps with really the practicality of being here Firefighters drive their truck out of Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21 on Monday, Feb. 2. The 12,498-sq. ft. station, located on Harrowgate Road near Jefferson Davis Highway, serves a growing residen24/7/365 for our person- tial and industrial area. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS nel,” Elmore said of the station.

“We started running emergency calls at 8 o'clock. We have it staffed with an engine company and a daytime medic unit when the Bensley Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad does not have a crew during the day,” Elmore said. Overall, the department has about 450 firefighters and 40 civilians on staff.

Lt. Jason Elmore stands in the kitchen of Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21, which began serving the public Feb. 2.

Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21 began serving the public Feb. 2.

Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21 began serving the public Feb. 2.

The conference area and kitchen of Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21, which began serving the public Feb. 2.

CALENDAR

years service are invited to become a member.

the morning of the group meeting.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — If you are a family member or friend of someone who has dementia, including Alzheimer’s, and would like to join a support group, please call 526-6851.

Support groups are meeting on the first and third Thursday of each month at 5 p.m. at Colonial Heights Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, 831 Ellerslie Ave. Dinner provided if you RSVP no later than

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Rotary Club of Colonial Heights meets at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpark Boulevard, each Thursday at 7 a.m.

From Page V4

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Association of Military Retirees meets at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of every month in the Colonial Heights Community Building. Military retirees of all branches of service and their spouses, and Reserve and National Guard retirees are invited to become members. All active duty members with 18 or more

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Colonial Heights Moose Lodge 1783, 170 Moose Ave., holds bingo every Thursday. Doors open 4 p.m. Bingo starts at 7 p.m. Food is available for nominal fee. For directions,

visit the website at www. chmoose.com or call 804-526-1537.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Veterans of Foreign Wars Robert E. Lee Post 2239 and the Ladies Auxiliary meet at 7:30 p.m. the third Thursday of each month at the Post Home, 14705 Jefferson Davis Highway.

PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at 5:30 p.m.

Monday-Friday at: the Tri-City Club, located at St.

Firefighters drive their truck out of Chesterfield County Fire & EMS Station 21 on Monday, Feb. 2.

Paul’s Episcopal Church in the rear of the building, (access through North Market Street in the large parking lot. The doors are at the top of the ramp).

Call 24/7 for the AA hot line and more information, 452-1959.

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club, which is comprised of city residents 50 years of age or older, will meet Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colonial Heights

Community Building, 157 Roanoke Ave. Club members will operate a “Swap Shop” sponsored by the Senior Center. The “Swap Shop” is free and open to the public. All are invited to bring any item to swap and receive an item. All leftover items will be donated to Goodwill. The Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club is sponsored by the City of Colonial Heights Department of Recreation and Parks. For more information, call Mildred Morrison at 526-3497.