Category: Caroline County

Alright, this is just plain sick…

The Free Lance-Star: Caroline woman fears her cats being killed:

Karen “Micky” Mikkelsen had eight pet cats that kept her company through her multiple transplant surgeries over the past year.

But Mikkelsen became suspicious when her beloved cats started showing up dead on the side of the road in front of her house.

Since she moved into her Caroline County home, just south of New Post, Mikkelsen has lost five cats.

A veterinarian’s report and a Caroline animal control investigation shows that at least two of the cats weren’t hit by cars; they were cut vertically along their abdomens and gutted.

[…]

Mikkelsen, who rents a home on 32 acres in the county, said that when her first cat died three years ago, she didn’t suspect foul play. But after four died since Thanksgiving, she recruited a friend to help figure out what was going on.

[…]

According to the Hartwood Animal Hospital report, the two most recently killed cats, Andy and Momma Kitty, were gutted.

“This is obviously not a case of being hit by a car or killed by another animal, for the bodies are unremarkable except for the incision line,” the report, dated Jan. 8, says.

There were no broken bones or evidence of gunshot wounds, according to the report.

Caroline Animal Control Deputy Assistant Officer J. Heffler said the office began an investigation after a call last week alerting them to the deaths.

“We canvassed the area, but nobody had seen anything particular,” Heffler said.

The officer said they have asked neighbors to let them know if there is suspicious activity, but right now, “there’s no proof to tie it to anybody.”

While no charges have been filed in the case, according to Virginia code, if someone is found to have tortured and killed the cats, he could be charged with a class 6 felony and serve up to five years in prison.

Heffler said all they can hope for is that it doesn’t happen again.

“Hopefully this is a one-time incident,” she said.

Yeah, one-time incident until you find someone’s body in the weirdo’s freezer.

Bartz said Shadow Cat Advocates will be offering a reward for information connected to the cats’ deaths.

Mikkelsen said she will be keeping her remaining cats in the house until she can build another enclosure for them on her property.

Lashawn Monroe appeared in court today — will update.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Man charged with teen’s slaying to appear in court:

A man charged with killing a 16-year-old outside a Ruritan clubhouse in Caroline County will appear in court today.

Lashawn Monroe, 22, is charged with murder and illegal use of a firearm in the November slaying of Raquel Hunter.

Hunter’s body was found on the ground outside the Madison Ruritan Club hall in Ladysmith about 11 p.m. Nov. 10. The hall had been rented for a birthday party for another teen. That party started about 7 p.m. and was just ending when the shooting occurred.

Monroe told an investigator that he fired shots during the incident, according to a court affidavit filed in connection with a search warrant issued in the case.

Busy Week: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 12, 2008

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

On January 6, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After a narcotics canine alert and further investigation, Latoya A. Price, 27, of Landover, MD was charged with possession with intent to distribute Ecstasy. She was ordered held under a $3500 bond and an arraignment date of January 9, 2008 was set.

On January 7, 2008, Deputy T. J. Ketchem stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Kevin L. Gray, 46, Georgetown, SC was charged with possession of marijuana -2nd offense and driving on a revoked driver’s license. He was ordered held under a $1600 bond and an arraignment date of January 9, 2008 was set.

On January 7, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Randolph V. Liles, 30, of Bowling Green was charged with driving on a revoked driver’s license – 8th offense. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of January 9, 2008 was set.

On January 8, 2008, Deputy J. K. Miller stopped a vehicle fro a traffic infraction. After investigating, Paul E. Barnett, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with being a fugitive from South Carolina. He was ordered held without bond to await extradition.

On December 27, 2007, Deputy J. K. Miller handled a breaking and entering. After investigating, Jermaine T. Brown, 20, of Ruther Glen was charged with breaking and entering and grand larceny on January 9, 2008. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and an arraignment date of January 16, 2008 was set.

On January 9, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Allyson B. Durham, 24, of Stafford was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Also charged was Daniel M. Fallon, 33, of Ruther Glen. He was charged on a probation violation, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance and obstruction of justice. Both were ordered held without bond and a court date of January 11, 2008 was set for both.

On January 9, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood responded to a residence in Ruther Glen for a reported disturbance. After investigating, Lindsay A. Stanley, 50, of Ruther Glen was charged with brandishing a firearm. She was ordered held without bond and a court date of January 11, 2008 was set.

On January 10, 2008, Deputy M. M. Ellett stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Brian K. Hopson, 36, of Madisonville, TN was charged with felony driving under the influence – 5th offense; refusing to submit to a chemical test and drinking while driving. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of January 11, 2008 was set.

On January 12, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan responded to a disturbance at a business in Carmel Church. After investigating, Terrance Mosley, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with trespassing. He was released on a personal recognizance bond. Imed Chama, 43, of Brooklyn, NY was charged with trespassing and resisting arrest. He was ordered held without bond and a court date of January 16, 2008 was set for both.

On January 12, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Andre During, 19, of Ruther Glen, was charged with possession of marijuana. He was released on a summons and a court date of January 23, 2008 was set.

On January 12, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb responded to a Bowling Green residence for a domestic. After investigating, Dana C. Bailey, 41, of Bowling Green was charged with domestic assault and battery. She was ordered held under a $1500 bond and an arraignment date of January 15, 2008 was set.

On January 12, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Judy F. Thompson, 52, of Fredericksburg was charged with driving under the influence – 2nd offence and refusal to submit to a chemical test. She was ordered held under a $1500 bond and a court date of February 21, 2008 was set.

Caroline County to spend $700,000 on land for the Sparta fire station…

That was already paid for by volunteers at Sparta Volunteer Fire Department?

Appears so…

From The Free Lance-Star: Less is more for Caroline station:

Estimates in the report put a $700,000 price tag on 2 acres and almost $2 million for the station itself. Designs will cost $200,000 and a construction contingency of $265,300 is included in the proposed budget.

The Caroline Progress also reported that the $700,000 was to purchase land as well (I can’t locate a copy of that edition [might have been used to house train a dog]).

From the November 9, 2005 minutes of the Emergency Services Commission (ESC) on the proposed Station Replacement Policy:

Example: Some stations that need to be replaced have already purchased land in different locations for a new station. Sparta station 4 at the top of the list. Based on the criteria in the program, if it meets that criteria it will be one of the first to be replaced, because of the fact that is sits in a flood plain and has had damage from rising waters, they have outgrown the facility and it is a dated facility. They have purchased property on the top of the hill across from Salem Baptist Church, but they want a stake in the building.

Of course, that isn’t the funniest part of the minutes (Ibid):

The Board did set aside $1 million dollars in the 2006 budget for Sparta’s building, but turned it over to the Commission, we need to act quickly so we do not lose the funds.

From the September 13, 2006 minutes of the ESC:

SPARTA FIRE STATION’S $1,000,000 IS STILL IN THE CIP AND THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO START THE PROCESS FOR A NEW STATION. INCLUDED AN EXTRA $500,000 DUE TO THE 1 MILLION ESTIMATE BEING SEVERAL YEARS OLD.

ARCHITECT FOR STATION REPLACEMENT: CAROLINE COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS AND PUBLIC UTILITIES HAVE SPLIT INTO TWO DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. GAVE PUBLIC WORKS AND MR. RAMSEY THE ABILITY TO OVERSEE COUNTY BUILDINGS. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PERCY ASHCRAFT ASKED MR. RAMSEY TO OVERSEE THE ARCHITECT FOR THE SPARTA BUILDING. MIKE BROWN STATED THAT HE HOPED THEY FOUND AND ARCHITECT WHO UNDERSTOOD FIRE-RESCUE AND NEEDS OF PERSONNEL.

SPARTA IS OUTSIDE OF THE STATION REPLACEMENT POLICY AND WILL NOT BE HELD UP. ARCHITECT CAN DESIGN A BUILDING THAT CAN BE REUSED BUT MAY TAKE TOO LONG FOR THIS BUILDING. MAY LOOK AT A DESIGN BUILD FOR THE SPARTA FIRE STATION.

795 days later and still no Sparta fire station…

January 8, 2008 – Board of Supervisors meeting roundup

Yeah, I’m late with this but you get what you pay for (hint, hint).

And since I’m lazy, I’ve linked to some stories from The FL-S so I don’t have to bother writing about stuff at the meeting that has already been covered:

Organization Meeting: Floyd Thomas (Mattaponi) was elected as Chairman, Jeff Sili (Bowling Green) was elected as Vice-Chairman.

Presentations/Reports: Nothing important (trust me, zzzzzzzz)…

Appointments: Nothing important (trust me; at least it wasn’t as boring as the VDOT presentation)…

Consent Agenda: Approved.

Public Comments: Caroline’s prosecutor wants job full time

Public Hearings:

BPOL Ordinance: (Someone correct me if any of my numbers are wrong) As originally presented, the new ordinance would exempt the first $50,000 of receipts from tax and would exempt the license fee up to $25,000. At Bobby Popowicz‘s (Port Royal) suggestion, the license fee was exempted up to $50,000. Approved.

Unfinished Business:

Adjustments to Water & Wastewater Rates: The reason as stated for the proposed increase was to help stop Caroline’s need to subsidize the system as the county is currently doing. Hearing was continued. Depending on whether the public notice for the hearing was correct in the paper, the next hearing will be January 22 (if the ad was correct) or February 12 (if the ad was incorrect).

Salary Adjustments for Full-Time Employees of Caroline Library: Approved.

Award Contact for Engineering Services for Ladysmith Solid Waste Convenience Site Expansion: Approved.

Selection of Vendor to Conduct Youth Needs Assessment [for the Youth Task Force]: Cost: $20,000. Approved.

New Business

Creation of County Wireless Authority: Caroline in early stages of pursuing public-private wireless Internet service

Acceptance of Property Donated [by the Rozell family] to County as Site for New Dawn Library: Continued until soil testing has been completed at Bobby Popowicz‘s suggestion. No sense in receiving property donated to you if you can’t use it, right? UPDATE: Library land will be tested first

And that’s about it, kids.

Next meeting: January 22, 2007.

Caroline Rural Alert #2

From the Caroline Rural Alliance: CAROLINE RURAL ALERT: Public hearing on barn and chicken coop ban postponed:

Dear Caroline Resident,

Well, attending the Planning Commission worksession yesterday evening was a waste of time. At the outset of the meeting, the audience (all three of us) were told that since this was a worksession and not a public hearing, there would be no open dialogue permitted between the audience and the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission decided to continue the January 16th Public Hearing to a later date due to the size (81 pages) and complexity of the changes they are considering. I wish they had decided to cancel the public hearing BEFORE publishing a half-page announcement in the Caroline Progress.

The one thing I was glad to be present for was the short discussion about grandfathering and whether Caroline County has the right to limit grandfathering to a certain amount of time. Can you imagine a business owner being told that after 50 years of operation in Caroline, that they must cease operations within two years due to a zoning reclassification? Sounds crazy, but they’re talking about it!

We will continue to follow the progress of the barn and chicken coop ban and other changes that may affect the rural citizens of the County and let you know when the public hearing is rescheduled.

Thanks!

Sonny

—

Copies of the new zoning text amendments (81 pages) are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Caroline_Rural_Alliance/files/

“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1791

Caroline Rural Alert

From the Caroline Rural Alliance: CAROLINE RURAL ALERT: Planning Commission to consider banning barns!:

Dear Caroline County Resident,

With the Planning Commission considering 81 pages of NEW land use regulation this Monday night, we have to pick our battles carefully (you commercial property owners are on your own, sorry). Just focusing on what will affect us rural agricultural (AP&RP) folks, I find three new disasters in the making. They are:

1. Restricting the construction of agricultural buildings (barns, coops, silos, etc.) to “real estate devoted to the bona fide production for sale of plants and animals” only. If you’re not in the business of selling plants or animals, NO MORE BARNS FOR YOU!

2. Banning the outdoor storage of goods for farm supply stores. Mom and pop farm stores like G+G Hardware could have to erect costly fully-enclosed buildings to store lumber and other materials that are normally stored out in the open or under a canopy. Could be a fatal blow to some locally owned small businesses.

3. The establishment of Minimum Road Frontages for the RP and AP districts. If you don’t have at least 175 FT (RP) or 250 FT (AP) of road frontage, you may be in danger of becoming a “non-conforming use,” and just like those houses that are too close to the road, you may be denied a building permit the next time you want to repair or add on to your house.

—

The full text of the new zoning text amendments (all 81 pages) and a more detailed analysis of the three issues mentioned above, are available at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Caroline_Rural_Alliance/files.

To object to these new regulations (and keep your chicken coop), you can either attend the Planning Commission Worksession at 7PM this Monday in the Emergency Operations Center of the Community Services Center, or attend the Planning Commission Public Hearing in the Auditorium of the Community Services Center on Wednesday, January 16th at 7PM.

Thanks for caring!

Sonny

“I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending too much liberty than to those attending too small a degree of it.” – Thomas Jefferson, 1791

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 5, 2008

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

On December 29, 2007, members of the Caroline Sheriff’s Office under the supervision of Sergeant S. L. Cary held a checkpoint to remove impaired drivers from our highways. A total of 56 summonses were issued and 3 criminal arrests were made. Sheriff Lippa commends all personnel involved for their dedication to making our highways safer.

On December 30, 2007, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to a domestic in Dawn. After investigating, warrants were obtained. On January 2, 2008, Deputy K. H. Eichenmiller served the warrant on Angela M. Brown, 41, of Dawn. She was charged with malicious wounding and ordered held without bond. Her arraignment date was srt for January 3, 2008.

On December 31, 2007, Deputy F. L. Brennan encountered a vehicle at a traffic checkpoint. After investigating, William C. Herndon, Jr., 20, of Ruther Glen was charged with underage possession of alcohol. He was released on a summons and a court date of February 6, 2008 was set.

On December 31, 2007, Deputy D. W. Mundie encountered a vehicle at a traffic checkpoint. After investigating, Octavio E. Martinez, 28, of Fredericksburg was charged with driving under the influence and driving with no driver’s license. He was ordered held under a $3000 bond and an arraignment date of January 2, 2008 was set.

On December 31, 2007, Deputy W. M. Jones stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Andrew N. Taylor, 30, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and an arraignment date of January 11, 2008 was set.

On January 1, 2008, Deputy R. L. Hixson stopped a vehicle fro a traffic infraction. After investigating, Michael D. Carpenter, 20, of King George was charged with driving under the influence and underage possession of alcohol. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date was unavailable.

On January 1, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan encountered a vehicle at a traffic checkpoint. After investigating, Reinaldo R. Moreno, 53, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence and driving on a revoke license. He was ordered held under a $2000 bond and an arraignment date of January 2, 2008 was set.

On January 4, 2008, Deputy K. H. Eichenmiller responded to a traffic crash in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Parish D. Freeman, III, 27, of Ruther Glen was charged with leaving the scene of a crash, driving under the influence, failing to submit to a chemical test, and failure to wear a seat belt. Also, Tracy F. Carter, 41, of Ruther Glen was charged with obstruction of justice. Both were released on personal recognizance bonds and an arraignment date of January 11, 2008 was set.

On January 5, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, a male juvenile was charged with possession of marijuana. He was released on a summons and his court date information was unavailable.