Month: April 2008

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending April 12, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending April 12, 2008:

On February 6, 2008, Deputy K. H. Eichenmiller stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction and issued a summons. After further investigation, on April 10, 2008, David K. Smith, 42, of Ruther glen was charged with forging a summons, identity theft, speeding, and driving on a suspended driver’s license. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of April 11, 2008 was set.

On April 10, 2008, Deputy J. O. Cecil responded to a citizen requesting advice in Carmel Church. After investigating, Mary L. Chavis, 35, of Pembroke, NC was charged with soliciting for prostitution. She was held under a $3500 bond and an arraignment date of April 16, 2008 was set.

On April 11, 2008, Sergeant J. W. McCarty, Deputies B. N. Doucet, C. M. Polliard, and C. S. Wooldridge responded to an address in Ruther Glen in reference to a party that involved underage drinking. After investigating, James A. Stanley, 42, and Linda L. Stanley, 43, both of Ruther Glen, were charged with 11 counts each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. They were also charged with 6 counts each of providing alcohol to adults under the age of 21. Both were ordered held under a $5000 bond and an arraignment date of April 15, 2008 was set. At the same event, Christopher A. Holman, 18, of Ruther Glen, was charged with assaulting a law enforcement officer. He was ordered held under a $1500 bond and his arraignment date was set on April 23, 2008. Six other adults were released on summonses for underage possession of alcohol pending trial on May 23, 2008.

On April 11, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Herman P. Calhoun Jr., 46, of Mechanicsville was charged with driving under the influence. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of April 23, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Deputy T. P. Connolly stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Jesse B. Beverly, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of April 16, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to a domestic in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Bryan C. Tolliver, 22, of Fredericksburg was charged with 2 counts of domestic assault. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and an arraignment date of April 17, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic infraction. The vehicle refused to stop. After causing the vehicle to stop, Tony W. Washington, 47, of Milford was charged with felony eluding, driving under the influence – 2nd, offense, refusing to submit to a breath test, obstruction of justice, driving on a revoked drivers license and failing to register a vehicle. . He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of April 14, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Raymond L. Goodall, Jr., 36, of Doswell was charged with driving under the influence – 2nd, offense, refusing to submit to a breath test, and driving on a revoked driver’s license. He was held under a $2500 bond and a court date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Melvin A. Johnson, 22, of Richmond was charged with driving under the influence and driving on a revoked driver’s license – 3rd, offense. He was held under a $2000 bond and a court date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On April 12, 2008, Sergeant R. L. Hixson stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Tracy L. Hall, 36, of Richmond was charged with driving under the influence, refusing to submit to a breath test and possession of marijuana. She was held under a $2000 bond and a court date of April 16, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 4 drug arrests, 9 driving under the influence, 7 domestic violence arrests, and 141 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 173 civil papers, issued 283 traffic summonses, handled 5 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 54 alarm calls, and dealt with 14 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 443 calls for service and handled 1,810 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 29 calls assisting outside agencies and had 223 self initiated calls.

Next time, invite me.

:)

The Free Lance–Star:

Two Caroline County parents were charged Friday night with multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after throwing a birthday party for their daughter.

Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa said the sheriff’s office received a call about 9:44 p.m. Friday alerting them to underage drinkers at a party in Ruther Glen.

Police got there to find 11 people between the ages of 15 and 17, and six more between the ages of 18 and 20.

Go Caroline!

Who says we can’t be better than King George with anything? (Oh wait, that would be me.) The Free Lance–Star:

Concealed-weapons permit applications in Virginia increased by about 73 percent from 2006 to 2007, and most local clerks’ offices also are reporting significant increases.

Caroline County gave out 105 permits in 2006; the number jumped to 201 in 2007, a 91 percent increase. [King George County only had a 90% increase -Ed.]

Ray Campbell, the clerk of the circuit court there, said he attributed at least some of the jump to the fact that the statute for concealed-wea-pons permits changed about 2002.

“They made it harder to deny a permit,” Campbell said.

Because permits must be renewed every five years, he believes much of the jump in 2007 came from those new 2002 permits’ being renewed last year.

Maybe someone should ask Campbell why it took two people I know 48 days and a phone call to get their concealed handgun permit back in 2006. The statutory maximum time given to the Clerk’s Office to issue a permit is 45 days (§18.2-308(D)). Amazingly, in the middle of 2007, another person I know managed to get a permit in 10 days.

There was an election in 2007 for Circuit Court Clerk, wasn’t there?

FYI: It’s a concealed handgun permit, not a concealed weapons permit.

And then it’s time for me to do some fact-checking:

[…]

[Owner of Dameron’s Tactical Solutions Kevin] Dameron further said that the available of Tasers to the public since the beginning of the year is increasing the number of permit applications.

The Tasers have power equivalent to those used by law enforcement officers, he said, and they require concealed-weapons permits to carry.

“A lot of females are coming to the class for that, because they feel [Tasers] are less lethal, but powerful,” Dameron said.

Uh…no, tasers don’t require a conceal handgun permit.

From a story in The FL–S back in July of 2007: “[Fredericksburg Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andy] Cornick said it is not technically illegal to conceal a Taser unless you are a convicted felon”.

In addition, a taser is not enumerated as a weapon that is illegal to conceal in §18.2-308(A).

Furthermore, a concealed handgun permit wouldn’t include tasers since they’re not a handgun.

Essex Sheriff’s Deputy injured in crash.

Richmond Times-Dispatch:

An Essex County sheriff’s deputy is recovering from minor injuries he suffered this afternoon when his vehicle overturned in a single-vehicle crash.

Deputy Jay Taylor, 44, was transported to Riverside Tappahanock Hospital following the wreck at 12:30 p.m. in Essex County.

Taylor was responding to a call when his patrol car hit standing water and hydroplaned while heading north on U.S. 17 near the intersection of state Route 601, said Sgt. Tom Cunningham of the Virginia State Police. The deputy lost control of the vehicle, struck an embankment in the median and overturned, he said.

The first rule of Fight Club is:

You do not talk about Fight Club.

The second rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.

These guys must not have gotten the memo. The Free Lance–Star:

A heated dispute over a man’s fighting ability landed the man in the cooler Monday, police said.

Jamair Odell Ellis, 21, of Unionville ended up in jail on drug and other charges stemming from an incident in Spotsylvania County.

[…]

The victim told police that he and Ellis participate in an underground fighting club and that both had made comments about the other’s fighting ability.

[…]

Scott said police have no further information about the fighting club.

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending April 5, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending April 5, 2008:

On March 28, 2008, Major C. S. Moser was contacted in reference to a forged medical note without the Doctor’s permission. After investigating, Frances D. Limberick, 50, of Bowling Green, was charged with forgery and an April 9, 2008 trial date was set.

On March 29, 2008, Sergeant R. L. Hixson stopped a vehicle driven by Brian A. Hill, 27, of Clinton Maryland for weaving and impeding the flow of traffic. After investigating, Mr. Hill was found in possession of marijuana first offense, trial date of May 14, 2008 was set.

On April 1, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Richard John Pietras, Jr., 23 of Colonial Beach, VA was charged with driving while suspended and possession of marijuana. Trial date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On April 1, 2008 Sergeant R. L. Hixson responded to a domestic which took place in Rappahannock Academy area. After investigating, George Fisher, 61, of Rappahannock Academy was charged assault on a family member. An April 3, 2008 trial was set.

On April 2, 2008, Deputy T. P. Connolly responded to New Baltimore road on a disturbance call. After investigating, Jelonny C. Ross, 25, of Bowling Green was charged with being drunk in public. A May 14, 2008 trial date has been set.

On April 3, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle on Rt. 606, for defective equipment. After investigating, Tracy R. Houston, 46, of Fredericksburg was subsequently arrested for driving under the influence and being declared a habitual offender. A May 16, 2008 trial date has been set.

On April 3, 2008, Deputy J. K. Miller, observed a vehicle driven by Michelle Ringler, 37, of Ruther Glen. After investigating, Ms. Ringler was charged with driving while suspended and child endangerment. Two trial dates were set, one on April 7 and the other on April 8, 2008.

On April 4, 2008, School Resource Deputy C. M. Hall is investigating an incident at the Caroline Middle School to which a 14 year old male subject was found in possession of a box cutter. There were no other incidents with this investigation and no further information will be released.

On April 5, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for two traffic infractions. After investigating, Darwin K. Kenner, 28, of Whitestone was charged with fail to use a turn signal, defective equipment, and driving under the influence.

On April 5, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood responded to a Ruther Glen address on a reported domestic disturbance. After investigating, Edward E. Esturiene, 44, of Ruther Glen was charged with being drunk in public and knowingly making a false report as to the commission of a crime to a law enforcement official with the intent to mislead. A May 14, 2008 trial date has been set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 5 drug arrests, 2 driving under the influence arrests, 8 domestic violence arrests, and 76 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 180 civil papers, issued 222 traffic summonses, handled 11 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 24 alarm calls, and dealt with 7 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 411 calls for service and handled 915 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 41 calls assisting outside agencies and had 155 self initiated calls.

So much for this “safe haven”.

The Free Lance–Star: Caroline skaters finally have place of their own

Check out the pictures (and the comments). Not a helmet or knee/elbow pad to be seen.

And there’s the problem of civil liability: I can just imagine the $100,000,000 lawsuit after some moron cracks his head open.

At the very least, if the county put a sign up that said “Helmets Required” and even if they had no one there to enforce it, it would at least provide some CYA. But instead, they have people invited for an official function with no helmets and/or pads on.

And for history with lawsuits because of skateboard parks: N.J. appeals court: parents can’t waive kids’ rights:

A New Jersey appellate panel, split 2-1, has ruled that parents can’t sign a legally binding waiver of their kids’ right to sue a skateboard park for injuries. And kids can’t sign such a waiver either.

“Stoned Skater Can Sue County”:

[…] a California court of appeals has reinstated 17-year-old Angelo Seaver’s suit against Santa Cruz county, which a trial judge had thrown out. While stoned on pot one moonless night Seaver had gone skateboarding in a public park after closing and crashed into a gate.

UPDATE: And why is the county spending $45,000 on a skateboard park when our schools are in such terrible shape? They fix those bathrooms yet? 66% of the schools fail to make adequate yearly progress, they have the lowest SAT scores in the region, and the priority is a skateboard park.

UPDATE #2: LOL, the county website has even more pictures of the kids using the park without helmets. Bravo, Caroline, Bravo.

FYI, here’s what Ashland says about their park:

The park is intended for use at one’s own risk. For that reason, take note of the following statements:

[…]

  • The Town of Ashland does not assume responsibility for injuries that may occur to people using the park’s equipment.
  • For safety reasons, the Town of Ashland recommends that all those who use the park and its equipment should wear appropriate safety gear, which includes: helmet, elbow pads and kneepads. This gear should be in good condition and accompanied by the wearing of shirts and soft soled shoes.

[…]

Access to the Park

In addition to following the park rules, all skaters, or legal guardians of skaters under eighteen (18), must read and sign the Assumption of Risk Waiver and Indemnity Agreement form. The waiver will be submitted to the Police Department, and the skater will be issued a number to display on their board or helmet. The Town reserves the right to deny access to any skater who has not submitted the Assumption of Risk Waiver and Indemnity Agreement form.

Here’s what Culpeper says about their park:

The following items and activities are strictly prohibited in all Town parks:

[…}

  • Skateboarding or bicycling without a helmet;

[…]

The Town requires all skaters to wear a protective helmet and to purchase a sticker from the Town and to sign. Skaters aged 18 and above and parents of minor children must sign an Assumption of Risk Waiver and Indemnity Agreement. The Town Police Department has officers assigned to the skate park who will enforce the rules and regulations of the facility.

[…]

  • All skaters are required to wear appropriate safety equipment. An approved helmet with chinstrap is MANDATORY. Elbow and knee protection are also required – either with pads or by clothing which covers knees and elbows. The use of a mouthpiece is recommended.

Why schools in Virginia suck…

Because they don’t teach this stuff called “reading, writing, and arithmetic”.

AP via Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Fishel’s recent presentation at James River High School was one of many being held in classrooms this school year across Virginia, the first state to mandate that public schools offer Internet safety classes for all grade levels. It’s one of many measures being taken nationally to protect young Web users.

Virginia’s requirement initially stemmed from concerns about sex offenders preying on children online and a general increase in Internet-based crime, including spamming and phishing. More than half of the world’s Internet traffic flows through Virginia, as America Online and MCI have major operations in northern Virginia, according to Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

Texas and Illinois are among states that subsequently passed Internet safety education laws, but unlike Virginia, they don’t make the courses mandatory. And others are considering similar legislation, said Judi Westberg Warren, president of Web Wise Kids, a nonprofit group funded by corporations such as Verizon and Symantec and the federal government to provide schools with no-cost Internet safety lessons for 11- to 16-year-olds.

Can someone explain to me why schools are supposed to be a substitute for parents nowadays?

Case in point: In 2006, a local Delegate, whose a school teacher, decided to introduce a bill that would require school administrators and teachers to measure students’ BMI (body mass index) and send the information home to parents. Because, you know, teachers don’t have anything more important to do (and parents can’t tell if their kids are fat [or skinny]).

If it isn’t their own safety teachers and administrators have to worry about, it’s SOL testing, school accreditation, No Child Left Behind, etc., etc.

Now they’re expected to teach “internet safety classes” and if a certain Delegate had his way they would be checking their students’ BMI.

Priorities, priorities, priorities…

A great idea from the King George County Board of Supervisors!

The Free Lance–Star:

In next year’s Virginia General Assembly there could be a bill proposed to allow cell phone companies to waive emergency text messaging fees.

The King George County Board of Supervisors in coming months hopes to discuss the idea with Del. Al Pollard and State Sen. Richard Stuart.

If Pollard and Stuart can acquire support for the proposal, then residents in King George and other counties across the state may no longer see fees on their monthly cell phone bills for emergency texts.

Linkage to all the alert systems (that I know about) on the right sidebar.