News Near You for August 1

By: | Times-Dispatch
Published: August 01, 2009

NEWS NEAR YOU

Hopewell City residents can now take advantage of an expanded transportation service, which can take them to medical appointments in the greater Richmond area. The Crater District Area Agency on Aging is providing a new transportation service to city residents from 5:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The service is made possible through a $40,000 grant from John Randolph Foundation Inc. Residents interested in using the service can contact the agency at (804) 732-7020, ext. 424. The city's Parks and Recreation also offer an elderly transit service. For that program call (804) 541-2355.

Chesterfield Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has appointed Patricia Mullen to the Board of Counseling of the Virginia Department of Health. Mullen has worked for Chesterfield County Mental Health Support Services for 11 years.

Richmond A Richmond police officer shot a pit bull that escaped a South Side yard and attacked him yesterday morning, but the dog will survive. An officer on foot patrol reported being attacked about 10 a.m. by a pit bull that escaped a fenced yard on West 34th Street near Moody Avenue in Swansboro. The officer fired a shot at the dog, but police spokesman James Mercante said it was not seriously injured. The Richmond Division of Animal Control was tending to the dog, he said. The officer was not injured in the attack.

Colonial Heights The City Council approved a request for an Eagle Scout Project, proposed by Brandon Goodwyn of Troop 178, in conjunction with Robert E. Lee VFW Post 2239, to construct a brick memorial walk adjacent to the War Memorial sidewalk from Lee to Lafayette Avenues.

Ettrick Virginia State University recently broke ground for the construction of a $20 million, 458-bed residence hall. This is the first phase of two projects consisting of four residence halls that will eventually cover the area now occupied by Howard Hall. This phase entails construction of two, three-story buildings that will be connected by a main lobby that empties onto a courtyard. Phase II will require the demolition of Howard Hall. The buildings are planned to open in the fall of 2010.

AROUND THE STATE

Abingdon Former Damascus Police Chief Tony Richardson will spend five years in prison on drug and gun charges. Washington County Circuit Judge Byrd Sergent sentenced Richardson on Thursday to five years on each of eight drug charges and two years on the gun charge. Sergent then suspended all but three years of the drug sentences. Richardson pleaded guilty to the charges in March and October, admitting that he sold methamphetamine and prescription drugs while police chief.

Hampton The body of a Hampton man who fell into Mill Creek after his kayak capsized has been recovered. Virginia Marine Police spokesman John Bull says a fisherman found the body of Phuoc Tran, 65, early yesterday morning near Fort Monroe. The accident occurred Wednesday evening; authorities say Tran wasn't wearing a life vest.

Newport News Newport News police have arrested a second suspect in connection with the slaying of a worker at a fast-food restaurant during a robbery in 2007. Police spokesman Lou Thurston says Michael Johnson Jr., 22, of Newport News was charged Thursday with murder, robbery, aggravated malicious assault, conspiracy and using a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges stem from the fatal shooting of 47-year-old Diane Green and the wounding of a co-worker during a robbery at a Hardee's restaurant on Sept. 8, 2007. Another suspect, 22-year-old Henry Stapleton of Newport News, was arrested in April on similar charges. Thurston says a third suspect is in custody on unrelated charges. That person wasn't identified because he has not been charged. -- From Staff and Wire Reports