Category: Local

May 7, 2008 Caroline County news roundup

The Free Lance–Star:

Four winners in the Bowling Green Town Council election–Daniel Webb, Glenn McDearmon, Jason Satterwhite and Otis Wright–will be the first to serve four-year terms on the body.

That’s because winning candidates with the four highest vote totals for the council will serve four-year, rather than two-year terms after yesterday’s election.

[…]

The remaining three winners, Mark Mallin, Bobby Ketterman and Eric Hinson will serve two-year terms.

The Free Lance–Star:

For the second time since 2004, candidates in yesterday’s Port Royal election tied for a seat on the Town Council.

Caroline County Registrar Danette Moen said write-in candidates Richard Cope and Oliver Fortune both received 18 votes to win the seventh seat. Only six candidates were on the ballot.

Moen said the tie will be broken at the Clerk of the Court’s Office today or tomorrow when one name is “drawn out of a hat.”

Funeral arrangemnts for Mildred Loving (The Free Lance–Star):

Mildred D. Loving, 68, of Milford died at her residence Friday, May 2, 2008.

Survivors include a son, Sidney Jeter of Tappahannock; a daughter, Peggy Fortune of Milford; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grand-children; and two brothers, Douglas Jeter of Milford and Lewis Jeter of Clinton, Md. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Loving, and a son, Donald Loving.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Caroline County Community Center, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, with the Rev. William Gibson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephens Baptist Church cemetery, Central Point.

The body may be viewed from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the center.

Online guest book available at brooksfuneralhome.com.

Caroline County election results in.

Bowling Green:

Mayor:

David W. Storke 177 100% *

*Will serve a four-year term.

Town Council:

Eric V. Hinson 117 10.55% †
Bobby J. Ketterman, Sr. 122 11.00% †
Mark S. Mallin 138 12.44% †
E. Glenn McDearmon 160 14.42% *
Randal O. Robillard 92 8.29%
Jason E. Satterwhite 158 14.24% *
Daniel C. Webb 161 14.51% *
Otis Lee Wright 158 14.24% *
Write-in 3 0.27%

*Will serve a four-year term.
†Will serve a two-year term.

Port Royal:

Town Council:

Mark E. Hampton 16 8.55%
Bill E. Henderson 13.36%
Nancy L. Long 14.97%
Della F. Mills 18 9.62%
Rosie E. Upshaw 32 17.11%
William A. Wick, Jr. 31 16.57%
Write-in 37 19.78 %

There were only six people running for seven seats so whoever received enough write-in votes will get a seat.

The Free Lance–Star profiles Keith Hummel.

The Free Lance–Star:

A Westmoreland County doctor plans to challenge Rep. Rob Wittman for the 1st District congressional seat.

Dr. Keith Hummel, an emergency-room physician, hopes to win the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Wittman for the seat in November’s election. No others have filed as candidates.

Wittman won the seat just last December in a special election, held after Rep. Jo Ann Davis died of breast cancer. The 1st District extends from Fauquier County to York County.

Hummel, 57, who also runs a vineyard and winery, has never run for political office. He said he’s running now because his own populist viewpoint isn’t being represented.

“I’m running because I have a concern that we are losing our representative form of government. It is my perception that a lot of people in Congress, their ear is held by the lobbyists,” Hummel said. “We need someone who is not a professional politician for the 1st Congressional District, who will listen to the people, who will put the interests of the people and the nation ahead of the interests of the lobbyists.”

Hummel thinks this is the year for a self-described populist to do well because the presidential election campaign has galvanized many people who have felt disenfranchised, and Hummel says they’re the kind of people to whom his populism appeals.

“Senseless act of violence” story of the day.

AP via Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Stafford County authorities are investigating the fatal shootings of a man, a woman, and two small children at a mobile home park a few miles north of Fredericksburg.

Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello says one of the children was about 3 years old and the other was about 18 months old.

The shootings happened last night on Walt Way, just west of U.S. 1.

County sheriff’s office spokesman Bill Kennedy says authorities investigating a report of a domestic disturbance found the victims shortly before 10 p.m.

The shooting victims have not been identified, and officials have given no motive for the shootings.

UPDATE: WTOP Radio:

A heavily armed man shot his girlfriend and his two children in a mobile home before killing himself, Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett tells WTOP.

The victims are identified as Latasha Nicole Thomas, 23; her 2 1/2-year-old daughter Nicole Aaron Jackson; and her son, 1 1/2-year-old Aaron Neptune Jackson.

Jett identified the shooter as Aaron Poseidon Jackson, 24.

May 6, 2008 Caroline County news roundup

The Free Lance–Star:

A Ruther Glen man was charged with rape and sodomy last week after his daughter, a Caroline High School student, reported that she had been abused by her father.

The 42-year-old man, who is not being named to protect the identity of the victim, was arrested April 28 after an employee at the high school told Deputy G.W. Honeycutt, the school’s resource officer, about the reported abuse, said Miles Turner of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office.

[…]

Her father is charged with rape and two counts of sodomy, as well as misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The Free Lance–Star:

Beverly L. Gage, 53, of Woodford died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at her home.

She was the widow of Donald Gage and had been active in fire and rescue for the last 15 years as an EMT and dispatcher.

Survivors include her daughters, Peggy, Dona and Jayme Gage of Caroline County and Kathryn Gage of Hampton; her stepson, Donald Gage Jr. of Maine; four sisters, Jacqueline Sites and Kathy Whitaker of Springfield, Barbara Kelley of Arlington and Karen Fox of Boston; her brother, Mark Giles of Ruther Glen; and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Gage will be cremated. Her family will receive friends at Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green, Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sign register book online at storkefuneralhome.com.

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending May 3, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending May 3, 2008:

On April 28, 2008, Deputy G. W. Honeycutt was made aware by staff at Caroline High School of a possible sexual assault that occurred in a residence in Ruther Glen. Honeycutt notified Investigator S. L. Call. After investigating, a 42 year old male was charged with rape, 2 counts of sodomy and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The male, who was a parent of the victim, was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of April 29, 2008 was set.

On April 28, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard responded to a fight in Woodford. After investigating, Betty V. White, 45, of Woodford was charged with 2 counts of assault. She was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 7, 2008 was set.

On April 28, 2008, Deputy C. S. Overman responded to a domestic in Frog Level. After investigating, Ellen R. Nash, 40, of Frog Level was charged with domestic assault. She was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 1, 2008 was set.

On April 29, 2008 Deputy T. P. Connolly responded to a domestic in Bowling Green. After investigating, Randall W. Woody, 44, of Bowling Green was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On April 30, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford responded to a reported larceny in Dawn. After investigating, Carl E. Brown, Jr. 20, of Dawn was charged with possession of a controlled substance. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and a court date of May 7, 2008 was set.

On April 30, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Jesus I. Tejada, 51, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On May 1, 2008, Deputy April 24, 2008, W. D. Lipscomb stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Eveline M. Terrell, 49, of Dawn was charged with driving under the influence and possession of cocaine. She was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 16, 2008 was set.

On May 2, 2008, Investigator M. M. Ellett placed additional charges against Antoine T. Johnson, 18, of no fixed address. After a follow up investigation, Johnson was charged with grand larceny and selling a firearm to a minor. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of May 9, 2008 was set.

On May 2, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood responded to a domestic in Port Royal. After investigating, Thomas A. Herritt, 28, of Port Royal was charged with domestic assault. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of May 6, 2008 was set.

On May 3, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford responded to a break-in located in Bowling Green. After investigating, Carol R. Queen, 48, of Bowling Green was charged with breaking and entering and assault and battery. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and a court date of May 7, 2008 was set.

On May 3, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood observed a person trespassing in Port Royal. After investigating, Theodore R. Lee, 48, of Port Royal was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of June 11, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 4 drug arrests, 2 DUI arrests, 6 domestic violence arrests and 60 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 190 civil papers, issued 349 traffic summonses, handled 13 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 34 alarm calls, and dealt with 10 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 528 calls for service and handled 1,694 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 32 calls assisting outside agencies and had 207 self initiated calls.

Your Sheriff’s Office will be operating Selective Enforcement in the following areas, Belmont subdivision, Carmel Church intersection Rogers Clark with Ruther Glen Rd. (Rt. 207 & Rt. 652), Ladysmith Village, Lake Caroline, Lake Land Or, Port Royal, Rt. 30.

Confirmed: Mildred Loving (of Loving v. Virginia) passes away at the age of 68.

The Free Lance–Star:

Mildred Loving hadn’t intended to be a trailblazer.

She simply wanted to live her life with the man she loved in a quiet part of Caroline County.

But Mildred was black, and her husband, Richard, was white. And in 1958, laws in Virginia forbade such a pairing.

Their arrest and prosecution for violating the state’s ban on interracial marriage would thrust the couple into the national spotlight, where they would ultimately change those laws for good.

Mildred Loving died Friday at the home in Central Point she fought so hard to return to. She was 68.

Read the whole story.

UPDATE: AP has a story:

In a rare interview with The Associated Press last June, Loving said she wasn’t trying to change history — she just wanted to get married.

UPDATE #2: AP has a longer story now:

Peggy Fortune said Loving, 68, died Friday at her home in rural Milford. She did not disclose the cause of death.

“I want (people) to remember her as being strong and brave yet humble — and believed in love,” Fortune told The Associated Press.

[…]

Her husband died in 1975. Shy and soft-spoken, Loving shunned publicity and in a rare interview with The Associated Press last June, insisted she never wanted to be a hero — just a bride.

“It wasn’t my doing,” Loving said. “It was God’s work.”

[…]

Richard Loving died in a car accident that also injured his wife. “They said I had to leave the state once, and I left with my wife,” he told the Star in 1965. “If necessary, I will leave Virginia again with my wife, but I am not going to divorce her.”

Mildred Loving (of Loving v. Virginia) passes away at the age of 68?

Note the question mark.

Obituary in The Free Lance–Star:

Mildred Loving, 68, of Central Point passed away Friday, May 2, 2008, at her residence. Arrangements are incomplete at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal.

I’m 99.9% that’s her based on this story last year:

Reporters no longer beat a path to the modest white house just over the Caroline County border — and that’s fine with its owner, a soft-spoken 67-year-old who never wanted the fame her marriage brought her.

Born Mildred Jeter, she’s known mostly by the name she took when she — a black woman living in segregated Virginia — dared break the rules by marrying a white man named Richard Loving.

Note the age.

RIP.

Watch as VRE and its 2% gas tax increase sneak in the back door.

Oh, look, there it goes.

I dun warn you all ’bout this already.

On December 10, 2007, The Free Lance–Star reported that Caroline County had received a $100,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Transportation “to study building a passenger rail station in the Carmel Church area.”

In the story, a VRE spokesman said the following about Caroline County joining VRE: “It is a doable option”.

To join VRE, the County is required by the Code of Virginia to impose a 2% gas tax (§ 58.1-1720).

On February 18, 2008, I pointed out that the county had received $490,000 from a federal earmark for a “Commuter Rail Station at Carmel Church, VA”.

Well, this week, Rob Wittman released his earmark requests and lo and behold an additional earmark for $800,000 for a “Carmel Church Multimodal TOD Commuter Rail Project”.

UPDATE: Gary Wilson at the Department of Economic Development requested the $800,000 after “consultation with the Board of Supervisors” according to an email. Percy Ashcraft (the County Administrator) has yet to answer my e-mail (sent May 2nd, at 5:44 a.m.) asking if they are in the process of negotiating with VRE.

END UPDATE

Are any of use stupid enough to believe that the county is going to turn down $1,390,000? Those earmarks can only be used for what they’re specified for (hence the name “earmark”).

Right now, gas is costing $3.49 or so. $0.38 are federal and state tax. That makes the base price $3.11 ($3.49 – $0.38 = $3.11). The VRE gas tax would increase the cost of gas by $0.06 (3.11 * 0.02 (2%) = $0.0622). ON EVERY GALLON. An additional 6 cents of cost on every gallon of gasoline.

Cui bono? (Good for whom?)

According to the VRE’s 2006 Passenger Survey Results, there were only 49 people in Caroline County that rode VRE in 2006 (VRE [PDF]). That is less than two tenths of one percent (0.19%) of the population of Caroline County.

Did they request something like hand-held biometric units for the Sheriff’s Office like Spotsylvania County? No.

Did they request money to improve emergency radio communications like Stafford County? No.

Did they request money for equipment for police vehicles like Prince William County? No.

Did they request money to improve broadband service like the Eastern Shore, the Northern Neck, and the Middle Peninsula are going to get? No.

Instead of requesting money for something that would improve everyone in Caroline County, they want money for something that will help 0.19% of the population.

Meanwhile, everyone will be paying 6 cents (at $3.49 per gallon) more for every gallon of gas with the amount of tax increasing every time the price of gas goes up. This after they already raised real estate tax rates by $50/$100,000.

Hooray.

Addendum: What affect would this have on county services? Public safety organizations are not exempt from the tax.

In 2006, the Sheriff’s Office drove 1,006,997 miles in patrol. A 2008 Ford Crown Victoria gets a combined estimated 18 miles per gallon. That means the Sheriff’s Office purchased approximately 55,944 (1,006,997 / 18 = 55944.277 repeating) gallons in fuel. At current prices in gas, the new tax would increase the money they pay for fuel by $3,356. That’s just the increased cost the tax would have (i.e. it doesn’t include the cost of rising fuel prices [which would further increase the tax]).

Further, what affect would this have on fire and rescue equipment that gets even less miles per gallon?

End Addendum.