Category: Local

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.

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.

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.

Watch out for IEDs at Lake of the Woods…

The Free Lance–Star:

Insurrection seems to almost always be in the air at a board of directors meeting at Lake of the Woods, and yesterday’s meeting at the massive Orange County subdivision had its share of conflicts.

[…]

General Manager John Bailey came under fire from members for a perceived lack of support of the volunteer warden program and for his supervision of the building of the Woods Center, the community’s golf pro shop, which had cost overruns.

Former Chief Warden Don Jackson criticized Bailey for not responding to requests from the wardens for training and support.

“It appears to us that a viable, standby, ready reserve of trained and equipped wardens is no longer a priority for GM Bailey,” said Jackson in a memo to the board. He added that key members in the warden program have received “no cooperation or support from GM Bailey.”

Bailey did not respond.

Viva la revolución!

The tax increases are coming…

Richmond Times-Dispatch:

This year, most local government officials aren’t even pretending to cut taxes.

A handful of localities say they’ll cut tax rates — but, as is the recent practice, the cuts won’t be enough to offset rising property assessments.

Two — Caroline and Charles City counties — are raising tax rates.

[…]

Bottom line: Homeowners in 11 area localities will generally see tax bills rise — in some localties by a couple of hundred dollars for a home worth $250,000.

In Caroline County’s case (with their proposed increase $0.07/$100) there would be a $175 increase for someone with $250,000 of assessed value in land. For someone with $300,000 of property there would be $210 increase in your tax bill. Etc. etc.

FYI: There will be a hearing about the proposed tax rate increase at the next Board of Supervisors meeting on April 8th.

Addendum: As I’m writing this The Free Lance–Star‘s RSS feeds update and provides some information on the county’s budget (Caroline County is the first county detailed but for some reason the headings got dropped on the web version of the article).

Another POS arrested in robbery of paraplegic.

The Free Lance–Star:

Another Caroline man has been charged in the robbery of Robert Newcomb, a paraplegic whose prescription drugs were stolen from him at gunpoint.

Norman Michael “Lunchbox” Roberts, 18, of Spotsylvania is charged with breaking and entering, robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. He is suspected of going into Newcomb’s home, but was never seen by those who lived in the trailer.

On Charity Hill “Hunting Preserve”, et al.

Not sure why it’s a called a “hunting preserve” while they mostly do sporting clays but anyway:

If you want a sure-fire way to annoy the heck out of me use a stupid straw man argument. Case in point: The following was stated by several people speaking in favor of Charity Hill: “If you get rid of Charity Hill, instead of kids shooting sporting clays they will start using drugs or go in schools and shoot kids and teachers!!11!”.

Ipso facto, if you oppose Charity Hill, you’re in favor of school shootings and kids using drugs (“Will someone please think of the children?!”).

It was comments like that prompted to make a public comment stating at the very least that was disingenuous, and at the worst fear-mongering. (Sidebar: I hate public speaking, hence the fact that I do a blog. I speak way too fast. Tip: When the reporter covering the meeting sounds like she’s typing about 200 words per minute to keep up with you, you need to slow down your speaking.) :)

If it wasn’t the straw man arguments, it was some guy that stated the noise complaints were “the fault of the federal government because they outlawed silencers back in the ’30s”. I would love for someone to find me a way to put a silencer (really, they should be called a “noise suppressor”) on a shotgun!

The only person speaking in favor of Charity Hill that tried to explain the shooting after the hours allowed in their permit was the applicant’s attorney: He said that it was the owners shooting “and they can shoot any time they please”. It’s amazing convenient how the owners always seem to be the ones shooting after hours when the documented cases were all on days when they had scheduled tournaments. Just a little too pat, isn’t it?

I would love to know why this place was allowed to operate for years as “private hunt club” when they have a BPOL (Business, Professional and Occupational License [a business license in layman’s terms]) according to a person I talked to. Can someone explain to me why a “private hunt club” lists their membership designation as “public”? Anyone care to explain why they have a website soliciting business for a “private hunt club”?

You have had constant violations over the years with the club violating what is in affect a contract between the club and the county. In the end, Acors moved that Charity Hill should have their permit revoked, with Sili seconding, and the Board agreed 5–0. I know some of the Board members weren’t happy they were forced to do this in the end, but what choice did they have?

Changes in ownership of Channel 6 (WTVR) and 12 (WWBT) in Richmond

Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Today’s completion of the sale of WWBT-Channel 12 means the Richmond area has two TV stations with the same owner — temporarily.

Alabama-based Raycom Media Inc. bought WWBT for $583 million and already owns WTVR-Channel 6.

Owning two stations in one market is generally against federal regulations, but the Federal Communications Commission agreed last week to give Raycom six months to sell WTVR.

[…]

Tom Henson of Belmoro Corporate Advisors, which is handling the WTVR sale, said no changes will be made at WWBT in front of the camera or behind it. One exception, Henson said, is that the station will air editorials written and produced by the station staff.

Raycom Vice President Jeff Rosser said the company chose to keep NBC affiliate WWBT and sell CBS affiliate WTVR because WWBT’s has better ratings and financial numbers.