BRIEFS: NEWS NEAR YOU

By: | Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: December 18, 2008

NEWS NEAR YOU

Louisa Recently hired County Attorney Dale G. Mullen will take over as interim county administrator on Jan. 1, the Louisa Board of Supervisors has announced. County Administrator C. Lee Lintecum announced his retirement this month. Mullen was hired in September as county attorney, having previously worked as a Virginia assistant attorney general. A Navy veteran, he holds a bachelor's degree from Bluefield College and a law degree from the University of Richmond.

Chesterfield Jatimal Molina, a senior at Chesterfield Community High School, was chosen as a runner-up for the local Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Annual Achievement Award. She will receive $1,000 in cash next month in a presentation at the school. In-home tutors serve pre-kindergarten pupils through adults in reading, math, science and history. They also help students with study skills, foreign languages and test preparation. The winning entries were judged on performance, service, merit and achievement.

Cumberland Cumberland County hopes to collect more clothing, toys and small electronics for the Clothes Closet at the county's transfer stations. The purpose is to keep usable items from being thrown away and to keep lead, mercury, nickel and cadmium from the landfill and, ultimately, out of the ground. The county is working toward becoming a model recycler for the area.

Richmond City Council members will be sworn in at 10 a.m. on Jan. 2 in the City Council chamber on the second floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad St. The council members will serve four-year terms through December 2012.

Caroline Because of budget constraints, the Caroline County newsletter will not be delivered in the mail to residents, county officials announced. Until further notice, the newsletter only will be posted on the county's Web site:

www.co.caroline.va.us.

Chesterfield The Department of Parks and Recreation will host a holiday dance for seniors tomorrow from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Bensley Community Building, 2900 Drewry's Bluff Road. Bring a friend or come alone for an evening of dancing and music by the Dixieland Marmalade band. Light refreshments will be served. Admission is $7, and advance registration is required. Call Dave Potter at (804) 275-5321

to register.

AROUND THE STATE

Manassas A Prince William County sheriff's deputy has been charged with distributing child pornography after authorities say he traded a nude photo of an underage girl with an undercover Florida detective. Manassas police arrested Arthur Staples, 65, on Friday after Florida authorities charged him in a warrant with transmission of child pornography. Authorities say a search of Staples' home turned up pornographic images on his computer. Staples is being held without bond and is awaiting extradition to Florida. Manassas police say additional local charges are possible.

Fredericksburg A 12-year-old North Carolina boy is facing extradition after charges that he was caught speeding in a stolen vehicle in Virginia. The Spotsylvania County Sheriff's Office says two stolen handguns were also found in the Jeep the boy was driving Friday when he was spotted going 70 mph in a 55 mph zone on state Route 3. The boy, a seventh-grader from Haw River, N.C., is charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle, two counts of possession of stolen handguns and was given a summons for speeding. First Sgt. Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania Sheriff's Office said the guns were loaded with rounds in the chamber and hidden under a bandana in the front seat.

-- From Staff and Wire Reports