Category: Local

Mother charged in Bowling Green Primary School gun incident

From The Free Lance-Star: Mother charged in school gun case:

The mother of a 4-year-old Bowling Green Primary School student who authorities said brought a gun to school last week, was charged Saturday.

Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa said the woman, who was not named to protect the identity of her child, was charged with recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child under the age of 14, which is a class 3 misdemeanor.

Lippa said the mother told police she kept the gun loaded and in plain sight for protection for the child and herself.

He said a lesson should be learned from the incident and parents should remember to separate ammo and guns and to get gun locks, which are free at the Sheriff’s Office, for their guns.

He said however, that he understands there’s a tradeoff for those who want their gun for immediate use, such as protection, as in this case.

Lippa said he was not sure whether the woman would face any additional charges, but he said she will go to court on at least the one charge Feb. 26. She was charged in a summons.

The loaded pistol was found in the boy’s possession last Thursday when a fellow student spotted it and told a teacher.

The police were then called, the report taken and the gun confiscated, according to previous police reports.

Lippa said it’s important to remember and be thankful that no one was hurt.

“We avoided a tragedy,” he said.

“BeBe” Goes to Jail

That’s a reference to Ernest Goes to Jail in case you didn’t get that…

From The Free Lance-Star: Man, 19, held in slaying:

A man wanted for a Jan. 12 slaying at a Fredericksburg nightspot was captured early yesterday in Westmoreland County.

Brandon Lee Smith, 19, was taken into custody without incident shortly before 2 a.m. at a home just outside Colonial Beach, police said.

Smith is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Dasan Ka’Wila Richardson.

Richardson was working as a bouncer at Mi Casa Restaurant in Central Park when he was shot twice in the chest with a .45-caliber gun during an altercation involving Smith and others, police said.

Fredericksburg police quickly identified and charged Smith in the slaying, but were unable to find him until yesterday.

Police said that Smith, also known as “BeBe,” is a member of the gang “Pound Property,” a gang which operates primarily in Colonial Beach, King George and Westmoreland.

Details regarding what led to Smith’s apprehension were sketchy yesterday, but city Lt. Eddie Delano said the key tip regarding Smith’s whereabouts was received by the Colonial Beach Police Department.

I guess some of your boys aren’t too happy with you.

Beach police and Westmoreland deputies later went to the house and surrounded the residence. Smith walked out and gave himself up.

He was later turned over to Fredericksburg detectives and is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

According to police, Richardson was working for a promoter who had rented Mi Casa for a “hip-hop” event.

Shortly after 1 a.m. that morning, Smith was forcibly removed from the building because he is underage and because event sponsors recognized him as someone who had caused problems at prior events.

Court records state that Smith returned five to seven minutes later with several other associates and got into a fight with bouncers.

Richardson was shot at point-blank range.

Smith also has drug trials pending next month in Fredericksburg Circuit Court.

Another Busy Week: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 19, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 19, 2008:

On January 14, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard responded to a break in at an apartment in Bowling Green. After investigating, Antoine T. Johnson, 18, of no fixed address, was charged with breaking and entering and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was ordered held under a $2,000 bond and an arraignment date of January 15, 2008 was set.

On January 15, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Cornelius Jones, 36, of Woodford was charged with felony driving after being declared an habitual offender. Also charged with driving under the influence was William T. Jones, 59, of Woodford. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date for both was set for January 16, 2008.

On January 15, 2008, Deputy K. H. Eichenmiller responded to a Ruther glen address for a report of a larceny. After investigating, a warrant for felony larceny was obtained for Phillip O. Harris, 32, of Ruther Glen. The warrant was served on January 17, 2008. Harris’ court date and bond amount were not available.

On January 17, 2008, Lt. K. L. Chatman was called to a primary school in the county for a weapons violation report. After investigating, a juvenile was found to have brought a weapon to school. The parent of the juvenile was charged with recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child under the age of 14. The parent was released on a summons and a court date of February 26, 2008 was set.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy M. A. Dip responded to a report of trespassers in Port Royal. After investigating, Tonya T. Deloach, 32 and Warren V. Deloach, 44, both of Port Royal, were each charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test. Both were released on their own recognizance and arraignment for both was scheduled for February 1, 2008.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy M. M. Ellett stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Charles L. McGhee, 42, of Hanover was charged with driving while his license is suspended – 3rd or subsequent offense. He was ordered held on a $1,000 bond and an arraignment date of January 27, 2008 was set.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane encountered a vehicle in Carmel Church. After investigating, Amber E. McBrayer, 27, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving while her driver’s license is suspended – 4th offense. She was ordered held on a $1,000 bond. Also charged was Rufus A. Davis, 31, of Carmel Church. Davis had 2 outstanding failure to appear warrants. He was ordered held without bond. A court date of January 23, 2008 was set for both.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard stopped a vehicle in Penola for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Murphy C. Fountain, 46, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of February 3, 2008 was set.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge and Sgt. C. A. Rozell responded to a disturbance at a business in Ladysmith. After investigating, Gotardo F. Miguel, 19, of Mineral was charged with being drunk in public and underage possession of alcohol. Also charged with being drunk in public was Rueben Hernandez, 30, of Mineral. Both were released on personal recognizance bonds and arraignment dates of February 29, 2008 were set for both.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy M .M. Ellett stopped a vehicle in Dawn for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Anthony W. Goff, 36, of Leander, TX was charged with driving under the influence. He was ordered held on a $1,000 bond and an arraignment date of February 22, 2008 was set.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Robert A. Columbus, 33, of Woodford was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

WANTED (preferably dead):

Wile E. Coyote

And a serious picture (click for a bigger version):

(Both pictures from Wikipedia.)

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: OUTDOORS: Expect invasion of coyotes:

Chances are most city goers and suburbanites in Virginia don’t think of coyotes as a native species. Maybe they’re from the American West. Or, if they’re here, they’re probably hiding out in the mountain redoubts of far southwestern Virginia. There’s no way Henrico County or the City of Richmond is coyote country, is there?

In fact, that’s exactly the case. And while it’s true that coyotes aren’t native to this state, their population and range has been steadily increasing for years. So while we may think of the wily coyote as an exotic species, it’s one many Virginians will be getting to know on a much more intimate level in years to come.

Coyotes are one of the only species whose range and numbers have grown along with human expansion and intrusion into formerly wild areas. The key to the spread of the coyote across this state, as in the rest of the south and east, is its flexibility in diet and preferred living quarters.

“They’re adapted to brushy, disturbed habitat, and they’re very adaptable in their diet,” said Mike Fies, furbearer program director with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. “They’re omnivores. They’ll eat just about anything. Everything from dog food in trash to mice, rodents, deer and livestock.“

Don’t forget cats and small dogs as well.

Coyotes, whose dimensions are usually similar to a medium-size dog (30-40 inches long, 40-45 pounds), are considered a nuisance species in Virginia and can be hunted all year. Fies said the most recent statistics – those from July 2005 through June 2006 – show almost 12,000 reported coyote kills by hunters. That’s a significant jump from previous years.

This year, Varina resident Eddie Griggs joined that group while deer hunting at his hunting club in Buckingham County. He said club members killed seven during deer season and saw maybe 10 others they didn’t get a shot at.

“We went from seeing none to seeing a couple maybe three years ago, then a couple more. Then this year it’s just exploded.

“This year, we’ve really noticed that we don’t have the deer population we used to, especially the younger deer. We made it a point to check the yearling deer. It is nowhere near what it has been.”

Griggs hunts all over the state – Buckingham, Fairfax, Prince George, Caroline counties – and he said he’s seen greater numbers and heard people talk about the rise of coyotes everywhere he’s gone.

I’m just saying…

Chris Peace’s Progress Report: Peace Progress: Session-Week 1:

Government Transparency

Virginians demand a leaner, more fiscally responsible government. We can do more with less and in that way should be no different than the average family. Thanks to the Internet, citizens have access to the United States and Virginia state budget and laws. However, in Virginia, local governments have no requirement to publish their budgets online. I am sponsoring House Bill 140, which will require local Board of Supervisors and school boards to publish their budgets on the Internet or make available for hard copy. We must always look at ways to shine the light on government, make it leaner and more efficient as well as protect the people’s purse. Transparency at all levels of government will assure that governments are being fiscally responsible and good stewards of the taxpayer dollar.

That’s pretty ironic considering Delegate Peace voted to not record subcommittee votes (which are able to kill bills).

He also voted to not allow live television broadcasting of the House of Delegates session.

UPDATED: Gun found at Bowling Green Primary School in Caroline

NBC12 News: Gun found at Bowling Green Primary School in Caroline:

A gun was found at Bowling Green Primary School in Caroline County Thursday.

The Sheriff’s Office is releasing little information at this time, but say they got a call about the weapon from the school and quickly recovered the gun.

They could not say whether it was or loaded or not.

The investigation continues.

UPDATE: From The Free Lance-Star: Boy, 4, brings gun to school in Caroline:

A 4-year-old brought a loaded pistol to Bowling Green Primary School yesterday, but didn’t intend to hurt anyone, according to the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office and school officials.

Lt. Col. Michael Timm of the Sheriff’s Office said no one was hurt and immediate action was taken after the boy was seen in class with the gun.

The weapon was confiscated and the boy’s family was called, he said.

The Sheriff’s Office is investigating but no charges are expected, Timm said.

According to Virginia law, “recklessly” leaving a loaded firearm within reach of anyone under age 14 is a Class 3 misdemeanor.

The student will be suspended, said School Board member Tamara Redding, who said she spoke with Bowling Green Primary Principal Debra Holt.

Another student saw the gun in the boy’s backpack and thought it was a toy but told the teacher anyway, Redding said.

The teacher immediately took the backpack to the office, she said. “My understanding is that [the gun] was never out of the backpack.”

Redding said she thinks students aren’t even allowed to bring toy guns to school.

Holt called the student’s mother and asked her to come to the school before calling police, Redding said.

In a letter sent home to parents, Holt wrote that there was never a threat.

“Upon discovery, the situation was appropriately and immediately resolved,” she wrote. “No one was injured, nor was there ever any threat of injury.”

This new story brings up an even bigger question: who the heck is Lt. Col. Michael Timm?!

There’s a Major Michael Timm of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office as of September 27, 2007, from The FL-S: CAR WASH CAPER Two NABBED IN STRING OF COIN THEFTS PAIR DIDN’T GET AWAY CLEAN:

The Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Office received a tip Tuesday night that two men would soon be pulling one of the burglaries somewhere on Jefferson Davis Highway, said Maj. Michael Timm.

UPDATE #2: The story has since been fixed at The FL-S and now reads “Lt. Col. Michael Hall”. The original story (without corrections) can be viewed here (courtesy of Google Cache).

For closings and delays, go to:

http://www.fredericksburg.com/gtl/closings

Via e2Campus Alert System:

Germanna Community College will close at 11:00am today
Germanna will close early today (17 January), due to inclement weather.

Via Caroline County Alert:

Middle and high schools will close early at 10:30 and primary and elem. schools will dismiss at 11:30.

Carmel Christian Academy closing at 9:30 AM. No aftercare available.

Now might be a good time to sign up for the various alert systems available:

I’m a descendant of President George Washington — wait, never mind…

The Journal Press: Republican Lee Anne Washington is facing Democrat Albert Pollard for 99th District seat:

Republicans have now assured Democrat Albert Pollard the he will not get a free ride on February 19.

White Stone attorney and Town Council member Lee Anne Washington is now the Republican candidate for the 99th District House of Delegates position that was vacated one month ago, when Delegate Rob Wittman resigned from the elected position in order to begin his duties as a U.S. Congressman. A special election will be held on Tuesday, February 19.

[…]

Questions emerged about the single mother’s family and Washington corrected the record, explaining that she is not a President George Washington descendant but a cousin or niece, many times removed.

I may not have the best of them “book smarts”; but how could anyone be a descendant of President George Washington when he had no biological children?!

What next? Is she going to say she’s a descendant of Robert E. Lee or Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson?

New prediction: Albert Pollard win with 75% of the vote (up from my prediction of 70%).

(H/t: Fred2Blue)

Great — we made the AP…

And that’s never good — because they never write anything good about this area.

From the AP via Richmond Times-Dispatch: Caroline woman’s cats found gutted:

A Caroline County woman became suspicious that someone was targeting her cats after they started showing up dead on the side of the road in front of her house.

A veterinarian’s report and a Caroline animal control investigation shows that Karen Mikkelsen’s suspicions might be right: at least two of the five cats that have died were cut vertically along their abdomens and gutted.

Mikkelsen says her first cat died three years ago, but she didn’t become suspicious until four were found dead since Thanksgiving.

Caroline Animal Control Deputy Assistant Officer J. Heffler says the office began an investigation after they were alerted to the deaths last week.

The perpetrator could be charged with a class 6 felony and face up to five years in prison.

The Free Lance-Star article has more details (the next post down).

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.