Voice 022015 by The Progress-Index

NEW VSU LEADER SETS PRIORITIES

LOCAL DELEGATE EXPLAINS HOUSE ACTIONS

THE HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER OF THE COLONIAL HEIGHTS AREA

PAGE V3

Friday, February 20, 2015

PAGE V5 FREE

COLONIAL HEIGHTS

LOCAL Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey clowns take reading seriously COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Have you ever wondered what it takes to soar on the ﬂying trapeze or just what goes into those cream pies that the clowns throw? Then you’re invited to join Rob Ringling, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ambassador of Laughter, for some serious fun when he visits the Colonial Heights Public Library, located at 1000 Yacht Basin Drive, on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. According to Chantal Emerson, library spokesperson, he is no class clown, but is certain to add amusement to this special 30-minute circus storytime, which will encourage children not only to read, but also to discover, dream and learn. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary.

CARRYING THE TORCH FOR INTEGRATION

Lane closures on west bound Temple Avenue COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Shoosmith Construction continues construction of the right turn lane expansion on west bound Temple Ave at Conduit Road. This project is expected to be completed mid-March. Temporary lane closures for the right through lane and turn lane are 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.

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 art 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 are asked to bring black ﬁne line and medium markers (Sharpies are great); 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.

Spring Bazaar & craft show COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Awana Ministry of Calvary Baptist Church, located at 17001 Jefferson Davis Highway, will host a “Spring Bazaar & Craft Show” fundraiser for the high school club on March 28. Please email melissa. newcomb1@gmail for vendor information.

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

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

Vol. 12, No. 22

Shareen Young-Chavez and son Stefon Young-Chavez check out the new inclusive play area at City Point Park in Hopewell after a ribbon-cutting July 1, 2014. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO

A mother works to ensure her son with intellectual disabilities is a part of the community By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Shareen Young-Chavez was told her son Stefon YoungChavez wouldn’t live long due to his intellectual disabilities, including language impairment, cerebral palsy and Angelman syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. Today, Stefon is 22 years old and has become a familiar face in the Tri-Cities, thanks to his mother’s efforts to integrate him into the community. Shareen, who once wanted to

be an actress and model, was inspired to become an advocate for those with disabilities following the birth of her son. “Ever since he was born, we were told he won’t live, 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?” Shareen said. “I had him when I was young so I had to ﬁght to keep my family together.” Shareen has served as the president of the Arc South of the James, a Colonial

Heights-based nonproﬁt organization that helps those with disabilities and their families navigate the disability system and connect to services, since last May and acted as vice president three years prior. She’s also a supervisor at the U.S. Social Security Administration office for disability in Sandston. She even started her own nonprofit called Stefon Smile when she was a partner in policy student at the Virginia Board for People with Disability in 2013. “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 or shutting them up in a room or throwing them away, those days are over,” Shareen said. “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.” Shareen’s organization is SEE INTEGRATION, V3

INTERNS

ABC picks two former Colonial Heights students to lead conference By Shelby Mertens Staff Writer

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Two former Colonial Heights High School students were chosen to serve as interns, the top leadership position, for Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control’s annual Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project at Longwood University this summer.

Andrea Zhou and Emily Young, now college students, have participated in ABC’s youth-led program for five years. Both women started as youth leaders and junior staff while they were in high school. ABC chose ﬁve Virginia interns to lead the conference that is geared toward preventing drug and alcohol abuse among teens in the community. “It’s high intensity,” said Carol

Mawyer, a spokeswoman for Virginia ABC. “These kids have an incredible amount of energy and it’s a true honor for us to be able to partner with kids like these who are already viewed as leaders in their schools.” The interns are responsible for planning the event, which will run from July 20 through July 24 of this year. Mawyer estimates the conference will draw 400 participants. In its

31st year, Mawyer said more than 10,000 people have attended the conference from 440 high schools and organizations around the state. Conference attendees participate in various workshops and presentations. Nationally and internationally known speakers also attend the conference. “Five days and an open mind SEE CONFERENCE, V3

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

OPINION

WE INVITE YOUR COMMENTARY

Letters should be no longer than 400 words. We reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, brevity, accuracy, legality, spelling and grammar. Include your name, address and a daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Send letters to lettertoeditor@progress-index.com.

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

A life and death course in explosives at Fort Lee

here are many training courses at Fort Lee since the Army base roughly trains one-third of the Army. But one course is a life and death endeavor. The students in Fort Lee’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal course, part of the post’s Ordnance School, learn how to safely identify and dispose of explosive devices in a highly challenging course. The students do not handle real explosive devices, but they are equipped with the basic knowledge of explosives in the introductory course at Fort Lee that prepares them for advanced training. After students successfully complete phase one, they are then transferred to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida for additional training. Once students complete the second portion of the training, they can then join EOD units across the country and world. The EOD supports missions for the U.S. Secret Service, State Department and other federal agencies. “EOD is really the go-to people for anybody in the Army and of course it’s an all services deal, (serving) Marines, Navy, Air Force, everybody’s got EOD,” said Sgt. First Class Craig Cohen, instructor of the phase one EOD course. “So if you have an explosive, on the battlefield, stateside, wherever it may be, we’re the people to call for it (for) any kind of explosive.” Fort Lee’s EOD training is seven and a half weeks long and students are evaluated in a variety of ways, including written tests, hands-on tests and at the end a combination of both. The course is split up into eight modules, from A to H. The students are issued iPads and are provided with training aids such as identification guides and videos. For hands-on testing, Cohen said in module B, students must assemble an explosive charge from the point of initiation — the safe area — to the point of detonation, which is at a simulated distance away. The EOD course has a 50 percent failure rate, one of the highest among military occupational specialties. While most military training schools require a minimum passage score of 70 percent, the EOD program requires 85 percent. Needless to say, the EOD course is not for everyone. And since the course involves explosives, safety is the number one priority in the EOD classroom. The class teaches students the importance of ensuring safety and minimizing property damage. On the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan, Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists have been called time and again to defuse Improvised Explosive Devices left behind by the enemy. It is a job that requires skill, courage and nerves of steel. And those Explosive Ordnance Disposal specialists start their vital military mission here at Fort Lee. It’s one more way Fort Lee plays a vital role in the national security of our nation.

YOUR VIEW (LETTERS TO THE EDITOR)

Obama needs to stop ‘digging’ Concerning the Jan. 12 article in your paper “Already struggling VSU now learns of enrollment decline.” Pamela Hammond, the interim president of Virginia State University, stated the following: “If you’re in the hole, you’ve got to stop digging. If you don’t have any money, you’ve got to stop spending”. This simple concept is obviously beyond the comprehension and understanding of Obama and his supporters. He wants to make Community College “free” for everyone. What’s next, a “free” automobile so they can get back and forth to classes? He is on track to have increased the national debt more than all previous presidents combined! And now he is proposing another $74 billion in added spending despite the previous budget cuts he agreed to four years ago. Obama, a new synonym for “disaster”! Please stop digging! Tom Crockett Colonial Heights

GM still owes the American people money A report in the newspaper stated that General Motors made a proﬁt of $2.8 billion in 2014 and $3.8 billion in 2013. They were able to give their 16 top executives a raise, poor things, even after all the problems they’ve had lately. Remarkable! What’s more remarkable is the fact that they still owe $11.2 billion dollars to the American people and no one seems to care. Apparently being stabbed in the back bothers no one but me. Ouch! Ralph Walker Chesterﬁeld

The small business race There’s Jeff – he runs a tile business. And Tim – he owns a restaurant. There’s Butch and Kim – they run an auto business. There’s Reeva – she runs a doughnut shop. Those are just a few of the small business owners in Virginia’s Fourth District. You could name a bunch too, we all know someone who is a small business owner. We know even more folks who make their living working for a small business. There are over 28 million small businesses in the United States. Nearly 50 percent of the entire private sector American working population works in a small business, according to data

from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). That’s a lot of people. And it’s great, because small businesses pump billions of dollars into our economy each year. According to the SBA, they produce 16 times more patents than larger firms. Small businesses are where you find both the heart of America and the engine that drives our economy and our innovation as a nation. However, as many small businesses continue to innovate, they continue to face abusive patent trolls who try to force small businesses into costly patent lawsuits, which shift investments away from research and development and hiring new employees. That is why we must continue to work in Congress to protect small businesses. It is because of small business owners that others around the world came to know our nation as the place where dreams turned into reality. Entrepreneurs who embodied the spirit of the American Dream proved that if given the opportunity and the right environment, they could make their dreams come true. All they needed was opportunity. They would take the risks. They would put in the sweat equity. They would give it their all and maybe, just maybe, their dreams would come true. But today, small business owners are in a race against more than simply the pursuit of their own dreams, or growth goals, or long-term visions for their companies. They compete in a global economy on an international track that has an increasingly unlevel playing field. There is a race that is happening – one that is often hidden or behind the scenes – and the American business owner is the star athlete: He’s pitted up against a foreign business owner. At the start pistol, the American business owner takes off hustling and comes in several strides ahead of the foreign business owner. Then comes the second lap. He starts his second lap with just as much tenacity, but this time the federal government saddles him with a weight of regulation. He stumbles a few strides, but he keeps going. It’s more work, but he knows he can make it and still beat his foreign competitor if he just puts in some extra effort. Fighting through the extra weight, he pulls slightly ahead of the foreign business owner into the third lap. All eyes are on the two as the American business owner gets saddled with yet another weight, litigation. He slows down but remembers his goals and his dreams and he – by

some miracle – musters up the strength to keep running through the final lap. And even with all the additional obstacles and weights put on the American business owner that his competitor doesn’t have, as he crosses the finish line the government says, “Congratulations,” and takes as much as 40 percent of his prize money in taxes. The race isn’t fair when it’s on an unlevel field. Yet, it is the race millions of American small business owners find themselves running in every day, every year. Our federal government – with its intricate and increasingly large web of regulations and multitude of taxes – is stifling American business, and along with it, American innovation and global competitiveness. Those who run small businesses learn this race quickly. They prepare for it. However, even the fastest runner on that racetrack will lose if the federal government keeps putting more weights on him every time he finishes a lap. The federal government has inserted itself directly in the marketplace, sometimes to a point that is beyond burdensome and downright toxic. With each new overreach of the federal government into the realm of small business, innovation and entrepreneurship in America is stifled. Today, there are those who are willing to accept these weights our government keeps placing on small businesses. They’ve decided the federal government is the answer. They’ve looked around the track at American businesses and foreign businesses and they’ve shrugged their shoulders. There are those who believe American businesses should just find a way to cope with the weight of these burdens. But there are those of us who believe Washington needs to send a different message to small business owners; one that shows government will cultivate an environment where small businesses are free to do what they know best: innovate, grow, and create jobs. That’s why I make it a priority to ease regulatory burdens, provide access to capital, and support small business growth. It’s why I cosponsored the REINS Act (H.R. 427), which reintroduces common sense into the regulatory process by requiring Congress to vote on all new major regulations before they are enforced on citizens and businesses. It’s why I have consistently pushed for a simpler, fairer tax code – including establishing an optional flat tax and reforming the entire tax code.

The federal government is characterized as being big, complicated, and painstakingly slow – everything American businesses are not. If we choose to lift those weights from American business owners, then we will certainly ﬁnd ourselves more competitive, and a pioneer in the next global era of ingenuity. Congressman Randy Forbes R-4th District Chesapeake, Va.

Virginia Organizing ‘appalled’ at law makers not expanding Medicaid

In response to the General Assembly’s failure to include Medicaid expansion in the state budget: Virginia Organizing is appalled and extremely disappointed that our lawmakers are ignoring the basic needs of 400,000 people, most of whom are employed taxpayers in the commonwealth. Their proposed solution is unreasonable and does not begin to address the health care needs of many Virginians. Instead of using federal funds available from the Affordable Care Act, the General Assembly’s money committees (the Senate Finance Committee and House of Delegates Appropriations Committee) chose to use primarily state General Funds that are badly needed elsewhere in the state’s budget in a poor attempt to temporarily address health care needs. Their proposed increase in funding for free clinics and community health centers falls far short of the funding needs to provide health care coverage for those in Medicaid coverage gap. Virginians deserve much better. For three years, we’ve had an opportunity for Virginians to get their federal tax dollars back to use for health care, and for three years we’ve declined those federal dollars at a cost of more than $4 billion to Virginia taxpayers. Sandra A. Cook Chairperson Virginia Organizing Petersburg

‘Here comes the candyman again’ Oh goody! Here comes the candyman again. Let’s have more candy coated baloney and sticky, gooey chocolate to chase the blues away. Yep, that candyman, Obama can. The candyman can, the candyman can. Everybody sing! Ronald C. Uehara Petersburg

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 20, 2015

YOUR NEWS HOW TO SUBMIT: Send event and contact info to newsroom@progress-index.com or The Progress-Index, 15 Franklin St., Petersburg, VA 23803

THINGS

LOOKING FOR MORE: If you can’t ﬁnd what you’re looking for, ﬁnd it online at www.progress-index.com

HIGHER EDUCATION

Righting the ship at VSU VSU Interim President Pamela Hammond works to move the university forward By Leah Small Staff Writer

TO DO THIS

WEEKEND FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND 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 ■ Have you ever wondered what it takes to soar on the ﬂying trapeze or just what goes into those cream pies that the clowns throw? Then you’re invited to join Rob Ringling, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Ambassador of Laughter, for some serious fun when he visits the Colonial Heights Public Library on Saturday, at 10 a.m. He is no class clown, but is certain to add amusement to this special 30-minute circus storytime, which will encourage children not only to read, but also to discover, dream and learn. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is necessary. The library is located at 1000 Yacht Basin Drive.

INTEGRATION From Page V1

made up of a diversified board of directors, including diagnosticians from Colonial Heights Public Schools, special education teachers, representatives from Social Security Disabilities and parents of children who have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Stefon has received the Intellectual Disabilities waiver from the state, which provides him access to the medical therapists and specialists he needs. But it wasn’t always that easy for the family due to the high medical costs. Stefon has had brain and back surgery, as well as abdominal reconstruction surgery. “Prior to ID waiver services, my family was on survival mode. We lived in public housing, we lived in a Ronald McDonald

SATURDAY ■ The Petersburg Symphony Orchestra will sponsor its third annual Cabaret Concert on Saturday, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Gateway Dining and Event Center on the campus of Virginia State University in Ettrick. The symphony will be playing a variety of jazz, pop, and classical music. Performing with the symphony will be local vocalists Denise Dye, singing Whitney Houston, and Kathy Wysong, singing Phyllis Hyman. Also James Gates, well-known saxophonist, will play his arrangement of “Georgia on My Mind.’’ As in past years, the Sankofa Dance Theater of Virginia State University will surely dazzle the audience with their highly energetically choreographed moves. There will also be a silent auction with an array of very popular items up for bid. Refreshments in the form of heavy hors d’hoevres and wine will be served. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased online at www. psova.net, Bland’s Florist, located at 618 E. Washington St., Petersburg, Second Hand Rose, 11 N. Sycamore St., Petersburg, or call (804) 861-1131.

SATURDAY On Saturday, Petersburg National Battleﬁeld will provide a ranger guided walking tour highlighting the role of United States Colored Troop regiments at the Battle of the Crater. The program, conducted by Ranger Emmanuel Dabney, will begin at 1 p.m. at Tour Stop 7 in the park’s Eastern Front Unit. During the walk visitors will be able to follow in the footsteps of Captain Albert D. Wright of the 43rd US Colored Troops, Corporal Oliver Scott of the 30th US Colored Troops, Sergeant Decatur Dorsey of the 39th US Colored Troops, as well as other white officers and black soldiers involved in the July 30, 1864 battle. No reservations are needed. Participants should wear comfortable and sturdy shoes as there is approximately a half-mile of walking involved over some uneven terrain. People who have questions should call Emmanuel Dabney at 804-732-3531 ext. 222 or contact by e-mail at Emmanuel_Dabney@nps.

house … We lived in hospitality houses, and I don’t mean for a month or two months, like three months and four months,” she said. “We really had to take that stand and say ‘No, the only institution he’ll be in is a homeless institution and we’ll all be together, but not in a training center separated.’” This experience gave Shareen perspective of what’s it’s like for families with disabled members. “I learned that in the special needs community, not just my family, it’s very hard to keep the nuclear family together,” Shareen said. “As a Christian, I wanted to ensure that families can stay together. Most people take that for granted.” Shareen takes her son Stefon with her to stores and restaurants in the area in order for him to become a recognizable face in the community. The family almost lost Stefan last year due to complications he

ETTRICK — Pamela Hammond, Virginia State University’s interim president, is working to bring the university back onto solid financial footing and to ensure a stronger academic and financial future. The former Hampton University provost is the first female president in VSU’s nearly 133-year history. She laid out her priorities for the university during an interview last week. As for whether she is a candidate for the permanent position she said “I think I would be. I just want people to know that it is not my everyday concern.” She said that no matter what the outcome of the presidential selection process, she aims to improve VSU during her tenure. “I have a defined period to right the ship. Whoever is the president, and let’s say whoever, I want [he or she] to find Virginia State stronger than how I found it,” she said. Hammond took lead of the university in November 2014 after Keith Miller, the university’s 13th president, stepped down from the post on Jan. 1. Students called for the

Pamela Hammond, interim president of Virginia State University, speaks during an interview Friday, Feb. 6. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTO

resignation of Miller and other top university officials last fall following budget cuts of roughly 10-percent to its $183.4 million operating budget. The cuts, which resulted from declines in enrollment, brought reductions in dining and other student services and the closure of residence halls due to declining enrollment. But Hammond also said that the university was already stronger by the end of January with a balanced budget through the remainder of the ﬁscal year ending on July 1. On Jan. 30, the university announced that it had exceeded over 98 percent of its spring 2015 enrollment

goal of 4,629 students. But Hammond said that the hard work isn’t over yet. “Even though we have something to celebrate every day, we have something to work at every day,” she said. Last Friday, Hammond laid out her three priorities forging forward after the fall enrollment dip and budget cuts. “We have got to stabilize the enrollment, stabilize the finances and stabilize the brand. These are the things that I am working on,” she said. In order to help students in need following reductions in federal and state ﬁnancial aid that have hit enrollment

hard, she is turning to the General Assembly for additional funding. The amount that could be granted to the university has not yet been determined as the current legislative session continues. She said that if granted, the state aid will go toward students in need of ﬁnancial help that have proven that they can succeed academically. “Even though I’m new to Virginia State, I’m not new to higher education. I’m not new to helping needy students,” she said. “So, I know when half of your students are ﬁrst generation college students and when you have 70 percent of your students who can qualify for Pell Grants, when you just look at Virginia State’s story and look at the student population, I knew coming in that I needed to try to get some money for students.” But she said that she is also seeking funding from other sources outside of the state. Hammond is in search of alumni and stakeholder contributions and is working to grow the university’s $31 million endowment. She said that her goal in searching for other funding sources was not to depend too heavily on the state.

SEE VSU, V4

NO ID YET

Body found in Swift Creek The body has been taken to the Medical Examiners COLONIAL HEIGHTS Office in Richmond for — A Virginia State Police identiﬁcation. The dive team located dive team located a body in Swift Creek on Monday, the body in the same area Feb. 9, near the White where crews have been Bank Park boat ramp. searching for Conjurers

Drive resident, 30-year-old John Pratsinak, who went missing from his home on Christmas Eve 2014. According to a statement from the Colonial Heights Police Department, VSP took the lead on the Feb.

9 search operations for Pratsinak. Multiple search organizations have participated in the search, while Colonial Heights police recently held a vigil to remind local residents of the continued effort.

CONFERENCE can change everything!” Zhou, now a student at the University of Virginia, stated in a press release from Virginia ABC. “YADAPP has taught me to have more conﬁdence in my ideas and decisions. It has also given me valuable leadership skills that have been extremely useful in many aspects of my life, and I continue to be drug and alcohol-free because of YADAPP.” Young, now a student

at the University of Mary Washington, stated the program has “changed my life. It has given me the desire to live a life free of drugs and alcohol, and I want to be able to inﬂuence others to feel the same.” Zhou and Young, along with the other three conference leaders, are responsible for planning the conference activities, marketing, logistics, budgeting and training of youth participants, according to a press release. “They literally help build this conference,” Mawyer said. “They also play a large

role in training these youth leaders.” High schoolers at the conference will create a Strategies to Act Now Plan that they will implement at their respective schools next year in order to address underage alcohol and drug use in school. Each team is made up of four high school students and an adult sponsor either from their school or a community organization like a faith-based group. The other leadership interns for this year’s conference are Marcus Burgess, an Old Dominion University

student from Hampton, Becca Berry, a Virginia Commonwealth University student from Luray and Christopher Newport University student Eric Parsley from New Kent County. Conference tickets may be purchased starting March 2 at $300 per team until April 30. The price will then rise to $400 until July 10. The fee includes room and board at Longwood University.

experienced from his back surgery. The response from the community was overwhelming, she said. “The cards and the outreach and the love that we received while he was in the hospital, it would have blown your mind and that’s because we had him integrated into the community for his entire life, he was able to establish those lifelong bonds, those circles of support and those relationships,” Shareen said. While Shareen visits the Virginia General Assembly yearly, she has taken her advocacy work to the national level as well. Besides meeting at Capitol Hill, she and Stefan have been invited to the White House to meet President Barack Obama twice, in 2012 and 2014. “We go to the General Assembly every year, we go to Capitol Hill to share his story about … life and death prior to waiver services,” she said. “It’s about

de-stigmatizing what it means to be disabled and what supports him and what it look like being in the community at your highest level.” Shareen and Stefon have also met U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez, formerly a U.S. Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, and lawyers within the U.S. Department of Justice. Stefon was even featured in a film called “Homestead” by the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services. “I mean the list just goes on and on,” Shareen said. “It’s his story, it’s my voice.” Shareen and her son acted as an expert witness for the Department of Justice in a 2012 federal lawsuit against the commonwealth of Virginia over the treatment of those with intellectual disabilities. Virginia reached a settlement with the DOJ to close four of its ﬁve training centers. The DOJ launched an investigation into the

Central Virginia Training Center in 2008 to review Virginia’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. “We were one of their three expert witnesses as it relates to the fairness hearings in 2012,” Shareen said. “Our testimony gave large sway to the judge, Judge Gibney, for assisting in shutting down four out of ﬁve of the state training centers here.” The DOJ probe found that Virginia’s training centers were institutionalizing too many disabled individuals and not granting enough waivers to receive care in their community instead of an institution. Shareen said some of Stefon’s classmates died while on the waitlist for ID waiver services. The U.S. Supreme Court Olmstead ruling in 1999 “requires that individuals be served in the most integrated settings appropriate to meet their needs consistent with their choice,” according to

the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services website. Judge John Gibney of the U.S. General District Court in the Eastern District of Virginia presided over the case in 2012. The settlement places waiver slot requirements the state must comply with. Over the next 10 years, 4,170 new ID waiver slots will be added for those who wish to live and receive services in their community. The Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services says the settlement will cost the state $2.5 billion over a 10 year period. “I wanted to emphasis that with the powers that be, we want a family,” Shareen said. “I wanted to emphasis that not only do we want to be a family, we want to be in the community.”

From Staff Reports

From Page V1

— Shelby Mertens may be reached at 804-732-5154 or smertens@progressindex.com.

—Shelby Mertens may be reached at 804-732-5154 or smertens@progressindex.com.

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

SENIOR MOMENTS

POLICE LOG

Colonial Heights Senior Colonial Heights Citizens Club meeting highlights

Grace Bryant celebrated her 90th birthday at the Colonial Heights Senior Center during a recent meeting of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Cindy Michaels received her one-year membership pin at the Jan. 29 meeting of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Louise Daniels is pictured playing the harp at the Feb. 5 meeting of the Colonial Heights Senior CitiDoris Dietrich celebrated her January birthday zens Club. According to Juanita Lee, club publicity chairman, “she played many familiar songs that were at a recent meeting of the Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO enjoyed by all.” CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

VSU From Page V3

“Basically they are listening and they understand, but you know, I understand they don’t want me coming back every year with the same story. So my pledge was, I’m going to go out and ﬁnd some money,” she said. Some of that found money has come in the form of a $200,000 check from Thompson Hospitality presented to the university this month. Hammond is also building better relationships between her office and students and faculty and staff, through regular meetings with both groups. Hammond has

You don’t have to be perfect to be a perfect parent. There are thousands of teens who would love to put up with you.

Have you or someone you know ever considered becoming an adoptive parent? There are many older children in Massachusetts living in foster care who need a loving home like yours. You can help make a difference. 617-288-7450 www.thehome.org/adoption

stressed a strategy of seeking input from students, faculty and alumni in the decisionmaking process. Miller and top university officials were criticized for unilaterally making budget cuts without stakeholder input. The decision to make cuts was announced during an October meeting of the university’s governing board, with two town hall meetings — one for students, the other for faculty and staff — held after the fact to explain the cuts. The university is also working toward the future by continuing the construction of its Multi-Purpose Center, which is scheduled to be completed this fall. Hammond also spoke to

a question that is frequently asked. Why is the university building the $84 million facility while it’s weathering a budget crisis? Hammond explained that the project’s continuation is due to the public university’s practice of receiving categorical funding for capital projects, much of which comes from the state. The university is also due to put together a Master Plan that carves out its path for the next 10 years. Included in the plan are projects such as a student union centered around a green area and the university’s library. — Leah Small may be reached at 722-5172 or lsmall@progress-index. com

The following informa- Heights was charged with tion was provided by the violation of court order on Colonial Heights Police Jan. 20. Department. ■ Tyrone Thomas Morse IV, 33, of the 2500 block ■ Scott Ezra Dando, 18, of of Mistwood Forest Drive, the 1200 block of Elmwood Chester was charged with Drive, Colonial Heights probation:violation on Jan. was charged with assault 20. & battery:family member; ■ Vanessa Larae Simpson, vandalism on Jan. 18. 37, of the 300 block of Mer■ Andrew McCarver cury Street, Petersburg was Miller, 36, of the 1000 charged with defraud innblock of Hamilton Avenue, keeper on Jan. 20. Colonial Heights was ■ Aleacia Faye Combo, charged with assault & 43, of the 1500 block of N battery:family member on Halcun Drivee, Petersburg Jan. 18. was charged with violate con■ Stephanie Lynn Milot, ditions of release on Jan. 21. 37, of the 700 block of ■ JaJuan Rashaud GranOld Town Drive, Colonial dison, 21, of the 400 block Heights was charged with of Windham Street, Petersprobation:violation on Jan. burg was charged with fail to 18. appear on Jan. 21. ■ Antonio Argentine ■ Jessie Leigh Labonte, 29, Shaw, 51, of the 6 block of of the 21600 block of MagGloucester Circle, Peters- nolia Avenue, Petersburg was burg was charged with charged with larceny:petit on larceny:petit on Jan. 18. Jan. 21. ■ Steven Walter Cole, ■ Daniel F. Mullins, 22, 32, of the 4300 block of of the 100 block of Suffolk Esposito Place, Prince Avenue, Colonial Heights George was charged with was charged with robbery; larceny:grand on Jan. 19. larceny:grand on Jan. 21. ■ Kimberly Ann Faltz, ■ Tynesha Livarda Procise, 28, of the 300 block of 24, of the 1500 block of W Plumtree Avenue, Colonial Clara Drive, Petersburg was Heights was charged with charged with fail to appear larceny:grand on Jan. 19. on Jan. 21. ■ Donald Wayne Harris, ■ Robert Jordan Pruden, 56, of the 3200 block of 20, of the 700 block of Holly Avenue, Colonial Old Oak Lane, Colonial Heights was charged with Heights was charged with assault & battery:family probation:violation on Jan. member on Jan. 19. 21. ■ Roderick Q. Jackson, ■ Kaneshia Rachelle Rose, 21, of the 500 block of Bat- 23, of the 19200 block of Bretery Place, Colonial Heights vard Street, Colonial Heights was charged with assault & was charged with fail to battery:family member on appear on Jan. 21. Jan. 19. ■ Michelle Renee Blaney, ■ Michael Jarrett, 19, of 20, of the 12300 block of the 600 block of Amhurst McKenney Highway, McKLane, Waverly was charged enney was charged with fail with child neglect/cont to to appear on Jan. 22. del mino on Jan. 19. ■ Ashlie Olivia Buhi, 31, ■ Deqwandre Tyreek of the 200 block of SufJones, of the 2600 block of folk Avenue, Colonial N. Stedman Drive, Peters- Heights was charged with burg was charged with child larceny:petit; fraud:false neglect/cont to del mino on pretense on Jan. 22. Jan. 19. ■ Hugh Pearson Fisher ■ Crystal Love Arm- IV, 23, of the 900 block of stead, 37, of the 1300 block Edinborough Drive, Colonial of Edward Bland Court, Heights was charged with Hopewell was charged with obstruct justice/resist arrest fail to appear on Jan. 20. on Jan. 22. ■ Ashley Anika Branch, 23, of the 3400 block of Information is provided Walmsley Boulevard, Rich- by police and sheriff 's mond was charged with fail departments. This inforto appear on Jan. 20. mation may or may not ■ Leslie Nicole Jackson, be all inclusive. Arrests 36, of the 1200 block of include summons. Arrests Yacht Basin Drive, Colonial do not imply guilt.

BRIEFLY ITEMS

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.

Side Street Gallery Juried Photography Show COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Side Street Gallery, located at 127-129 Pickwick Ave., will host a Juried Photography Show & Art Party from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the gallery. Original artwork by 50 local artists will be on display. Proceeds from beverage sales will beneﬁt the Colonial Heights American Legion Auxiliary. The gallery is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The gallery hosts an art party every third Saturday of the month. For more information, call 804-536-0011 or visit www. sidestreetgallery127.com

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 20, 2015

COMMENTARY

House of Delegates passes amendments to budget

his week the House passed its amendments to the 2014-16 biennial budget. Everyday Virginia families have to make tough choices to balance their checkbooks. The DEL. KIRK COX same expectation is made for legislators crafting Capital construction the state budget. I believe projects at our colleges the House budget is one and universities will that will make Virginia be paid for with cash. citizens proud. Instead of taking out We’ve worked to additional debt to fund produce a structurally these projects, paying balanced budget that responsibly invests in the for these projects in cash protects our AAA credit core functions of governrating. Virginia is one of ment. We are preparing 12 states to have a coveted for the future by taking prudent steps to shore up AAA Bond Rating from all 3 rating agencies. the “rainy day” fund and Maintaining our strong avoid new debt obligarating helps Virginia stay tions. We are also taking economically competitive target actions to provide by providing long range our teachers, college faculty, state employees, and economic development goals for Virginia. state police officers with There is funding to well-deserved pay raises. provide targeted health Our conservative, savcare safety net services to ings ﬁrst approach has yielded a budget that sets the neediest Virginians. Operational funding for aside $99.5 million for our free clinics is doubled the next rainy-day fund to total $6 million. Serdeposit. The rainy-day vices are increased for the fund is the equivalent of the Commonwealth’s sav- seriously mentally ill by adding ﬁve new drop-off ings account and is a key element for Virginia to be centers for crisis intervenable to weather any future tion services. Education is economic turmoil.

PHOTO FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

fundamental to the longterm economic success of Virginia. Our budget invests in our colleges and faculty members and increases accessibility and affordability for our Virginia students. An additional $19.8 million is included for universities operating support, with speciﬁc money targeted to opening up additional enrollment slots for Virginians. A $1,000 per student incentive is included in the budget to encourage colleges and universities with low graduation rates to accept transfer students. We added $60 million for K-12 education, as compared to Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s budget, to bring the state’s revised budget for public

education to a total of $14.3 billion for the biennium. The House has passed more than a dozen K-12 bills to increase accountability and encourage innovation. We increased funding targeted to classrooms, not additional school bureaucracy. Money in the budget will be focused on training and professional development for teachers and principals at under-performing and struggling schools and SOL expedited retakes. Additionally, $190 million will be deposited into the teacher retirement fund. The $190 million in the House budget is $40 million more than proposed by Gov. McAuliffe. Our deposit will make the fund more solvent for

Gore. For information about VFW membership or other activities, call Tom Ferguson, 748-4896.

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 526-5656. 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. 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.

the long term. These are responsible investments in teachers who are educating the future of our Commonwealth. Our priorities in the budget are matched with legislation that passed the House. At the start of session, House Republicans laid out a bold policy agenda to reform our schools, make government more efficient, higher education more affordable and accessible, and to invest in the core functions of government without raising taxes. Legislation aimed at protecting the privacy of students passed the House unanimously. Del. Steve Landis, R-Augusta, carried HB 1307 that prohibits the collection of student social security numbers. Additionally, he carried HB 1334 that requires the Department of Education to develop uniform policies related to the collection, storage, and use of students’ personally-identiﬁable information. Several pieces of legislation passed that increase school choice. I am a strong supporter of public schools and school choice and believe when parents

have choices for their children’s education, the students have far more opportunities to succeed. Del. Dickie Bell, R-Staunton, carried HB 1361 that establishes the Board of the Virginia Virtual School to govern a full-time virtual school available to all students in the Commonwealth. The legislation requires the school to provide instruction that meets the state’s standards of quality for grades K-12. Additionally, Del. Rob Bell, R-Albermarle, carried HJ 577 that gives the Board of Education authority to develop charter schools subject to criteria developed by the General Assembly. This constitutional amendment provides a path to a better education for children currently struggling in schools that aren’t meeting their needs. The passage of this legislation is a historic win for Virginia students. — 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.

Domestic and Sexual Violence Resource Center is facilitating an anonymous community support group for victims of domestic and sexual violence on the second and fourth Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, call 804-318- 8265 for more information. This support group is conﬁdential. Anything you say is kept in strict conﬁdence, as is the location. You do not need to use your name unless you choose to do so. The group’s goal is to support, encourage and provide resources to participants. 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 pre-reading 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.

C, Petersburg New Grays meet at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Colonial Heights Public Library, 1000 Yacht Basin Drive. For more information, contact C.L. Helmer at 526-0724. 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,

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

FRIDAY, Feb. 20 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. 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 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 Colonial Heights Chapter 1472, National Active and

Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) will meet 2 p.m. Friday at the Colonial Heights Public Library, 1000 Yacht Basin Drive. This chapter serves the Colonial Heights, Chester as well as the surrounding communities and counties. Guest speaker will be Tim O’Gorman, author of “Spending the Night on the Pike”. The Pike being US Route 1 or Jefferson Davis Highway. A business meeting will be held and refreshments served. Retirees and currently working employees from all Federal Government agencies are invited to come to this meeting, as well as spouses, annuitants, and guests. For additional information, please call the Chapter President at 526-9144.

SATURDAY, Feb. 21 PETERSBURG — The Petersburg Chapter of Saint Paul’s College National Alumni Association will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday of each month at Saint Stephen’s Epicopal Church, 228 Halifax St. Meetings are open to area alumni and friends of the college. This Association meets the third Saturday, September through April. 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

SUNDAY, Feb. 22 COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Colonial Heights Moose Lodge 1783, 170 Moose Ave., holds bingo every Sunday. Doors open at 4 p.m. each day. Bingo starts at 6 p.m. Sunday and 7 p.m. Thursday. 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. 23 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,

TUESDAY, Feb. 24 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. CHESTERFIELD — Chesterﬁeld County

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 25 COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The 12th Virginia, Co.

SEE CALENDAR, V6

Your Local Military Information • Local stories & features regarding Fort Lee • Fort Lee Calendar of events • Latest information • Columns from a local military expert

Pick-up Your Copy Every Tuesday In

The Progress-Index

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

BREAKING IT DOWN

Where the big boys play

University of Richmond Spiders

Spiders bringing Division 1 action to Shepherd Stadium By Neil Fuller Sports Editor

COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Renovations to the University of Richmond’s Pitt Field will give Tri-Cities fans several chances to see NCAA Division I baseball action in their own back yard. The Spiders will play eight games at Shepherd Stadium in 2015, Colonial Heights Recreation and Parks announced Friday, Feb. 13. Richmond will play Norfolk State at Shepherd Stadium on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. The Spiders will return to Colonial Heights for a matchup against Longwood (March 4), a three-game series against Penn (March 13-15), a two-game series against Minnesota (March

Shepherd Stadium’s new, modern scoreboard is seen during a 2014 prep baseball game. PATRICK KANE/ PROGRESS-INDEX FILE PHOTO

17-18) and an in-state rivalry game against William & Mary (March 24). “We’re excited to have (these games),” said Matthew L. Spruill, Colonial Heights recreation superintendent. The Spiders’ matchup against Norfolk State will serve as a homecoming for two Matoaca High School products who play for the Spartans: outﬁelder Andre’ Moore and infielder Kyle Vaas. Shepherd Stadium serves

as the home ﬁeld of Colonial Heights High School and American Legion Post 284’s baseball programs. It also hosts the annual Boys Invitational Baseball tournament each August. Richmond’s ﬁrst scheduled home games — a three-game series against Holy Cross (Feb. 20-22) will now be played at Deep Run High School in Glen Allen. Spiders coach Tracy Woodson believes fans attending games at Shepherd Stadium will come to

see pitching as one of his team’s greatest strengths. “We’ve got seven senior pitchers, so we’ve got plenty of experience on the mound,” Woodson said. “A lot of experience and a lot of success.” Left-hander Zak Sterling is one of those seniors Woodson is counting on. Sterling went 5-5 with a 3.35 ERA in 2014. Juniors — including Doug Kraeger and Matt Dacey — will dominate Richmond’s lineup. Kraeger hit .308 with 20 doubles and drove in 35 runs last season. Dacey added 12 home runs and 47 RBIs. “Offensively, I think we’re strong,” Woodson said. “I think we’re going to score a lot of runs.” Shepherd Stadium is scheduled to host several Division II games over the coming weeks, beginning Feb. 20-22 with eight teams playing a total of nine games.

First Season: 1915 All-Time Record (Entering 2015): 1,7481,280-17 (.577) NCAA tournament appearances: 8 Last NCAA tournament appearance: 2003 NCAA Super Regional appearances: 1 Conference championships: 5 ■ Southern 1 (1972) ■ Colonial Athletic 3 (1986, 1997, 1998) ■ Atlantic 10 1 (2003) Top returning position players (with 2014 stats): ■ INF Doug Kraeger (junior) .308, 20 doubles, 35 RBIs ■ OF Tanner Stanley (junior) .296, 5 home runs, 23 RBIs ■ INF Matt Dacey (junior) .269, 12 home runs, 47 RBIs ■ INF Tyler Beckwith (junior) .265, 3 home runs, 27 RBIs Top returning pitchers (with 2014 stats): ■ LHP Zak Sterling (senior) 3.35 ERA, 5-5, 91.1 innings

■ RHP Ray Harron (senior) 3.76 ERA, 4-2, 4 saves ■ LHP Zach Grossﬁeld (senior) 3.91 ERA, 1-2, 25.1 innings ■ RHP Ryan Cook (senior) 4.89 ERA, 4-2, 5 saves 2014 overall record: 24-28-1 2014 Atlantic 10 record: 13-12 Head coach proﬁle: Tracy Woodson, in his second year with the Spiders. He has compiled a 211-238-1 record over the previous eight seasons.

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.

more information, call 526-6920.

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

Cameron Avenue Church of Christ

Community Christian Fellowship

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

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.

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

Chesterﬁeld Community Church 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 520-4988 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

CALENDAR From Page V5

(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 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 pre-reading 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.

THURSDAY, Feb. 26 COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Colonial Heights Lions Club will meet at

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

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

Faith and Hope Outreach Center

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

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

Lutheran Church of our Redeemer

Fellowship Baptist Church

Address: 1769 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg. For more information, call 732-8567 between 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday-Thursday.

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

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

Immanuel Baptist Address: 620 Lafayette Avenue. For more information, call 526-3276 or www. 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Dante’s Pizzeria. For more information, call Ralph Dunn, secretary, at 7484810. This club meets the second and fourth Thursday of each month. COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The Rotary Club of Colonial Heights meets at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpark Boulevard, each Thursday at 7 a.m. 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 — Southside Regional Medical Center sponsors a free bereavement support group at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at Southside Rehabilitation Services, 430 Clairmont Court, Suite 120. For more information, call Chaplain Don Phelps at 765-5593. PETERSBURG — Alcoholics Anonymous meetings are held at 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at: the Tri-City Club, located at St. Paul’s Episcopal

Mount Calvary Baptist Church Address: 19600 Halloway Avenue, Matoaca. For more information, call 590-2094.

Mount Pleasant Baptist Address: 3110

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 meets each Thursday. This week members will meet for their monthly luncheon at Golden Corral by reservation with Joan Light at 526-5884. The Colonial Heights Senior Citizens Club is sponsored by the City of Colonial Heights Department of Recreation and Parks. Any resident of Colonial Heights, 50 years of age or older, is invited to join meetings. For more information, call Mildred Morrison at 526-3497. ETTRICK – The regular monthly meeting of the Tri-City Association of Educational Professionals will be on Thursday, 5:30 p.m. in Room 110, Owens Hall, on the campus of Virginia State University. All interested educational office professionals are invited to attend. For more information, call 733-1772 or 862-1192. or go online at www.tcaeop.org.

Greenwood Avenue. For more information, call 526-0816.

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

Prayer Vigil Ministry The Tri-Cities Prayer Vigil Ministry has a prayer line for prayer requests seven days a week, including holidays, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Local number is 804-895-6910.

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

The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va. | Friday, Feb. 20, 2015

Do You Have A Home, Apartment or Mobile Home For Rent? The Progress-Index Classifieds Can Get

YOU

SERVICE GUIDE SERVICE DIRECTORY Additions

5DPVH\ +RPH ,PSURYHPHQW

6SHFLDOL]LQJ LQ $// W\SHV RI +RPH 5HSDLUV DQG 0RUH

Results!

1R -RE 7RR 6PDOO

Call 804-490-0044 Today To Get Started!

2YHU <HDUV ([SHULHQFH )UHH (VWLPDWH

AUCTIONS DEEP WATER ICW Home AUCTION: Cape Carteret NC Canal-Dock Bulkhead Pool. WILL SELL>$399K! MARCH 14. Mike Harper 843-729-4996 (NCAL8286). www.HarperAuctionAndRealty.com for details

EARN $500 A DAY: Insurance Agents Needed; Leads, No Cold Calls; Commissions Paid Daily; Lifetime Renewals; Complete Training; Health & Dental Insurance; Life License Required. Call 1-888-713-6020. HELP WANTED / TRUCK DRIVERS

ATTENTION AUCTIONEERS: Advertise your upcoming auctions in Virginia Newspapers for one low cost of $300. Your 25 word classified ad reaches OVER ONE MILLION Virginians! Call this paper or Adriane Long at 804-5217585 (Virginia Press Services.

DRIVERS-CDL TRAINING $40,000$50,000 1st Year! Roanoke 540-8576188 or Spotsylvania 540-582-8200. 4 Weeks or 10 Weekends. Guaranteed Financing, Grants and Job Placement Assistance Available. Veterans Welcome.

EDUCATION / TRAINING

OTR REGIONAL TRACTOR-TRAILER DRIVERS. Out 5 days, off every weekend. Run NC, VA, MD, NJ, PA, OH, WV. COMPANY DRIVERS earn steady $1300$1400 weekly. Health & life insurance, 401k & pension plan, paid vacation & holidays. OWNER-OPERATORS with 2009 or newer trucks earn $2500+ take home weekly. Houff Transfer. Work out of terminals in Weyers Cave, Winchester, or Richmond Va, or Baltimore Md. Apply at: www.houff.com. 877-234-9233

Medical Billing Trainees Needed! Train to become a Medical Office Assistant. No Experience Needed! Training & Job Placement available at CTI! HS Diploma/GED & Computer needed. 1-888-424-9419 HELP WANTED / HVAC Hiring HVAC Mechanic for Chesterfield County Public Schools, Chesterfield, VA. Considerable knowledge of commercial heating, conditioning, and refrigeration systems required. Apply at www. mychesterfieldschools.com/apply-atccps. EOE/M/F/D HELP WANTED / SALES

NEED CDL DRIVERS??? ADVERTISE YOUR TRUCK DRIVER JOBS in Virginia Newspapers for one low cost of $300. Your 25 word classified ad reaches OVER ONE MILLION Virginians! Call this paper or Adriane Long at 804-5217585 (Virginia Press Services.)

MISCELLANEOUS WELDING CAREERS â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hands on training for career opportunities in aviation, automotive, manufacturing and more. Financial aid for qualified students. Job placement assistance. CALL AIM 866312-4873 AVIATION Grads work with JetBlue, Boeing, NASA and others â&#x20AC;&#x201C; start here with hands on training for FAA certification. Financial aid if qualified. Call Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-245-9553. SAWMILLS from only $4,397.00â&#x20AC;? MAKE & SAVE MONEY with your own bandmillâ&#x20AC;? Cut lumber any dimension. In Stock, ready to ship! FREE Info/DVD: www. NorwoodSawmills.com 1-800-5781363 Ext.300N

Carpet Cleaning

0LVWHU %LOO V &DUSHW 'U\ )RDP &OHDQLQJ

)UHH (VWLPDWHV Contractors

SERVICES DIVORCE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Uncontested, $350 + $88 court cost. No court appearance. Estimated completion time twenty-one days. All telephone inquiries welcome - no obligation. Hilton Oliver, Attorney. 757-490-0126. Se Habla EspaĂąol. DIVORCE WITH OR WITHOUT children $125.00. Includes name change and property settlement agreement. SAVE hundreds. Fast and easy. Call 1-888733-7165, 24/7

Your Local Military Information â&#x20AC;˘ Local stories & features regarding Fort Lee â&#x20AC;˘ Fort Lee Calendar of events â&#x20AC;˘ Latest information â&#x20AC;˘ Columns from a local military expert

Pick-up Your Copy Every Tuesday In

The Progress-Index

-DPHV 5LYHU &RQWUDFWRU ,QF %XLOGHU +RPHV $GGLWLRQV *DUDJHV 5HQRYDWLRQV 3OXPELQJ .LWFKHQ %DWK 5HPRGHOLQJ 5ROO 2II &RQWDLQHUV

ZZZ MDPHVULYHUFRQWUDFWRU FRP

Buying A New Car? Call Us Today To Sell Your Old One! The Progress Index Classified Ad Department 804-490-0044

Drywall

Tree Service

%,6+23 6 '5<:$// +DQJ )LQLVK

+RXVHV *DUDJHV 5RRP $GGLWLRQV 3DWFKZRUN 3ODVWHU 5HSDLU 6SUD\HG DQG 7H[WXUHG &HLOLQJV /LFHQVHG DQG ,QVXUHG

)5(( (67,0$7(6

ZZZ ELVKRSVGU\ZDOO FRP

Hauling

9DUQHU +DXOLQJ :H GR /LJKW +DXOLQJ

-XQN )XUQLWXUH /LPEV 'HOLYHULHV 1R &KHPLFDOV

*LYH 8V $ &DOO

,6$ &HUWLILHG $UERULVW 0DWWKHZ %ULWW 0$ $

7UHH 5HPRYDO 3URSHU 3UXQLQJ 7UHH 7ULPPLQJ 7KLQQLQJ &URZQ &OHDQLQJ /LJKWHQLQJ 3URWHFWLRQ &DEOLQJ %UDFLQJ 6WXPS *ULQGLQJ )LUHZRRG 5HVLGHQWLDO &RPPHUFLDO IW %XFNHW 7UXFN 7UHH &OLPELQJ VHUYLFHV RIIHUHG )XOO\ /LFHQVHG ,QVXUHG

&DOO 12: $&&(37,1*

9,6$ 0$67(5&$5' $1' ',6&29(5

)UHH (VWLPDWHV /LNH 8V RQ )DFHERRN

Landscaping

%XUWRQ ([SHUW 7UHH

/DQG &DUH 3UR V ,QF

&RPSHWLWLYH 3ULFLQJ

:H 2IIHU 3UXQLQJ 3ODQWLQJ $HUDWLQJ *UDVV &XWWLQJ /HDI 5HPRYDO 3UHVVXUH :DVKLQJ 'XPS 7UXFN VHUYLFHV

\HDUV RI H[SHULHQFH $OO 3KDVHV RI 7UHH :RUN 5HVLGHQWLDO &RPPHUFLDO 9D 6WDWH $QG 2VKD &HUWLILHG IW %XFNHW 7UXFN &OLPELQJ )UHH (VWLPDWHV )XOO\ ,QVXUHG

0XOFK <DUG 1RZ 2SHQ 7R 7KH 3XEOLF

HPDLO PLNHEWUHHRIYD#DRO FRP

&DOO 0LNH %XUWRQ 1RZ

ZZZ ODQGFDUHSURVLQF FRP

Get Better Results

.HJOH\ V 7UHH 6HUYLFH 6SHFLDOL]LQJ LQ /DUJH 7UHH 5HPRYDO &UDQH 6HUYLFH $YDLODEOH /LFHQVHG DQG ,QVXUHG )UHH (VWLPDWHV

When you place your ad with a photo. Call today for pricing!

The Progress-Index

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve Got You Covered

Our local news team reports what is most important to you â&#x20AC;&#x201D; schools, government, sports and local happenings. They cover how the news affects our community and make The Progress-Index a must-read, everyday

Neil Fuller

Amir Vera

Leah Small

Shelby Mertens

Court Wills

Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 | The Colonial Voice, Petersburg, Va.

CIVIL WAR HISTORY

Sue Kennedy displays a set of Civil War love letters written by Sgt. D.S. Pitts of South Carolina to his beloved girlfriend, Edmonia Mitchelle of Prince George County. Kennedy has spent years transcribing and researching the letters, and she will perform a reading next weekend. PATRICK KANE/PROGRESS-INDEX PHOTOS

Love letters from the trenches County resident works over 20 years to transcribe letters from a soldier to his lover By Amir Vera Staff Writer

DINWIDDIE — Just 30 years ago Sue Kennedy, vice president loan officer of the Bank of McKenney, said her family had bought the contents of an old house in Sussex County where nine letters were found from a 23-year-old Sgt. D.S. Pitts of South Carolina addressed to his beloved girlfriend Edmonia Mitchelle, 30, of Prince George. What sets these love letters apart from others is that Pitts was a Confederate soldier writing to Mitchelle during the Siege of Petersburg. Kennedy said the ﬁrst of his letters dates back to Oct. 30, 1864, and the last was written in March 17, 1865, just a month before the Civil War came to an end. “They describe his life in the trenches,” Kennedy said. “He describes one of the battles in very good detail. He talks about what they had to eat or what they were lacking. He also talks about how bad the weather was, how cold it was. She would send him gifts, like gloves or an apple. He talks about how much he appreciated them and how long he kept them [the gloves] and how he didn’t want to mess them up,” she said. Kennedy has been touched by the letters. “It’s a sad story,” Kennedy said. “When I ﬁrst read them I didn’t know anything about them as far as the people. I liked this era of history and it was just really interesting to me because it gave you a glimpse into their fears and what they were dealing with and how they missed even the small things. It was pretty humbling because they were talking about practically starving in the mud and trenches and it would be sleeting. You wonder how anyone would live under conditions like that.” P i tt s , a s K e n n e d y described, was very romantic. “Dearest Eddy, no tongues can tell, no pen can rite the love that I have for thee” he wrote on March 5, 1865. He would often begin his letters with vivid language. Some began with such prose as “It is with the greatest pleasure that I sit myself this beautiful morning,” or “Take pen in hand this lonely evening” and end them with something to the effect of “I remain your true and loving friend till death.” The path to transcribing the letters and identifying the writer and receiver was not an easy one for Kennedy. She said it took over 20 years to completely transcribe the letters and verify that Pitts and Mitchelle were people from the region. With the help of her daughter, who chose not to be named, and fellow Dinwiddie resident June “Sonny” Crumpler, Kennedy

Sgt. D.S. Pitts of South Carolina wrote many love letters to his beloved girlfriend, Edmonia Mitchelle of Prince George County, during the Civil War Seige of Petersburg. Sue Kennedy has spent years transcribing and researching the letters, and she will perform a reading next weekend.

LOVE LETTERS Sue Kennedy will present a reading from the letters of 23-year-old Sgt. D.S. Pitts of South Carolina addressed to his beloved girlfriend Edmonia Mitchelle, 30, of Prince George. The performance will take place Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Dinwiddie County Historic Courthouse, located at 14101 Boydton Plank Road in Dinwiddie County. This event is free and open to the public.

was able to transcribe the letters and discover the story behind the two lovers. The letters, Kennedy said, varied in length and style. She said one letter from Pitts was actually written in a criss-cross format so that he could ﬁt everything. “Some of them [the letters] I had to take a magnifying glass to make it clear enough to read,” Kennedy said. “What I did was, I read it aloud as my daughter typed it as I read it to her.” The task of finding the story behind Pitts was left to Crumpler, while Kennedy took care of Mitchelle. Crumpler said after meeting and hearing about Kennedy’s search over ﬁve years ago, he immediately began doing research and said he found everything online through Confederate databases. “Everything I found I kept a record of resource information and emailed it to her,” he said. With their combined efforts, it was found that Pitts was from Newberry, S.C., about 40 miles away from Columbia where he enlisted in the Confederate Army. His unit was then

Sue Kennedy carefully handles a set of Civil War love letters written by Sgt. D.S. Pitts of South Carolina to his beloved girlfriend, Edmonia Mitchelle of Prince George County. Kennedy has spent years transcribing and researching the letters, and she will perform a reading next weekend.

stationed at Stony Creek, where Kennedy said he met his beloved Edmonia Mitchelle. Pitts also had a brother, John Pitts, who wrote one letter to Mitchelle. He was also captured by Union forces and sent to Point Lookout Prison in Maryland. Through his ﬁndings, Crumpler found that John Pitts was eventually released and the last known record of him was the 1870 census when he was living in Newberry. Not too much was found on Mitchelle, but Kennedy did learn that she had a brother that was serving in the Confederate Army, two sisters and a widowed mother. Pitts never made it back to Mitchelle. He was killed in Dinwiddie County during the last days of the war during the White Oak Roads Battle in 1865. The last known information about Edmonia Mitchelle came from census records. She was around 70 years old and still single. — Amir Vera may be reached at avera@ progress-index.com or (804) 722-5155.