News Near You for Nov. 1

NEWS NEAR YOU

Richmond Richmond's Department of Public Works has been reaccredited by the American Public Works Association through 2013. The accreditation process is designed to promote excellence in the operation and management of public-works agencies and their programs and employees. The Richmond Department of Public Works was first accredited in 2005.

Mechanicsville Hanover County authorities say they had to end a DUI checkpoint early yesterday because four of the five deputies made arrests, leaving too few resources to continue. The checkpoint lasted from Friday at 11:30 p.m. until yesterday at 2:50 a.m. on Atlee Station Road near Atlee High School. Authorities placed DUI charges, issued 13 summonses and placed charges of drunk in public, underage possession of alcohol, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, having an open container of alcohol and possession of marijuana. About 160 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.

Hopewell Weston Plantation is now open year-round for visitors. The main house was built in 1789. All three floors and the kitchen dependency are furnished with antiques and reproductions. Beginning today, visitors can tour the plantation house and kitchen. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The gift shop will also be open during those hours. Weston Plantation is at 400 Weston Lane at the corner of Weston Lane and 21st Ave. For information, call the Historic Hopewell Foundation at (804) 458-4682.

Chesterfield Clover Hill High School Fall Arts and Crafts Fair will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Arts, crafts, holiday gifts, handmade toys, decorations, baskets, wreaths, jewelry, baked goods and concessions will be available for sale. Clover Hill High School is at 13900 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield County.

AROUND THE STATE

Lynchburg H1N1 vaccination clinics in all Lynchburg-area public schools have been completed on schedule, a Central Health District spokeswoman said. About 9,600 public school students have been vaccinated in the Central Virginia Health District, encompassing Lynchburg and Bedford, and Campbell, Appomattox and Amherst counties. That number reflects the approximately 27 percent of students who brought back signed permission forms.

Stanardsville Greene County authorities are investigating what caused a trailer to catch fire and explode Thursday evening near U.S. 29. Sheriff J. Scott Haas said investigators are looking into what started the blaze, which was punctuated by an explosion moments after two men rescued an elderly man next to the trailer. "No foul play is suspected," Haas said Friday. The owner of the trailer complex and a truck driver were alerted to the fire about 6 p.m. The men discovered an older man with bad burns on his head and face on the front porch of the burning structure. He was taken by helicopter to the University of Virginia Medical Center. His condition was not immediately available.

Lebanon Alcoa announced that it will close its plant that produces forged aluminum car wheels in January and move production to Cleveland, Ohio, putting 76 people out of work. The plant in Southwest Virginia's Lebanon began production in 1997 and once boasted as many as 300 employees. "Despite the best efforts of our work force and management, the Lebanon plant was not economically viable in today's business climate," Alcoa Automotive Wheels General Manager Victor Marquez said in a statement. Russell County Administrator Jim Gillespie said he hopes that a deal can be struck to save jobs. He alluded to a similar threat to close the plant in 2003. It stayed open after a deal that had the county's Industrial Development Authority and the Virginia Coalfields Economic Development Authority pledge $1.4 million to the Lebanon plant.