BRIEFS: NEWS NEAR YOU

This daily column features short news items from the 20 localities that make up the greater Richmond area. On Mondays, we run at least one item from each of the localities. If you have a news item, call 649-6990 or e-mail us at

NEWS NEAR YOU

Amelia The Amelia County School Board will hold a public hearing to receive public comment on the 2009-2010 proposed budget during the board's organizational meeting Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at 8701 Otterburn Road, Suite 101.

Caroline County Administrator Percy Ashcraft will present his recommendations for six-month goals during the Jan. 13 meeting of the Caroline County Board of Supervisors. During that meeting, the board also will receive an update on the county's financial situation. The latter presentation will serve as a mid-fiscal year adjustment of revenue and expenditure expectations.

Charles City The deadline to obtain dog licenses in Charles City County is Feb. 1. All dogs 4 months of age and older must have a current rabies vaccination and a county dog license. To purchase a license, owners should present a copy of the animal's current rabies vaccination to the county Treasurer's Office. License fees are $7 for neutered/ spayed pets, $12 for non-neutered or $55 for kennels (20 dogs).

Chesterfield The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors has awarded a contract for architectural and engineering services for design of the Chester Community Arts Center to Westlake, Reed, Leskosky, with a design cap of $8 million.

Colonial Heights Registration for the spring soccer season is Saturday and Jan. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Colonial Heights High School cafeteria. Proof of age is required at registration. Fees vary depending on age group. For details, call the soccer hotline at (804) 526-9675.

Cumberland The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors will hold a special meeting today at 9 a.m. in the Old Clerk's Office at Cumberland Courthouse. The meeting is being held to discuss issues regarding the proposed Cobbs Creek water reservoir project and investment of public funds.

Dinwiddie The Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors will hold a special organizational meeting tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Board Meeting Room, Pamplin Administration Building, 14016 Boydton Plank Road. Items on the agenda include the nomination and appointment of a chairman and vice chairman and the adoption of the schedule of board meetings.

Goochland The Goochland County Board of Supervisors' agenda for tomorrow includes a work session starting at 10 a.m. during which the board will discuss a cost analysis for the county's new elementary school, among other items. The board also plans to hold a closed session to discuss the disposition of the Fairgrounds property. After a break, the board will start its regular meeting at 1:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, 1800 Sandy Hook Road.

Hanover Patrick Henry High School's Fine Arts Club will hold an Empty Bowls Dinner to benefit the Western Hanover Emergency Action Team on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. at the Montpelier Center, 17205 Mountain Road. Tickets are $10 and include a handmade bowl to fill with soup and keep. Tickets can be obtained from club members, the Montpelier Center, Homemades by Suzanne and the Iron Horse restaurant. For details, call Jennifer Inge at (804) 365-8000.

Henrico Henrico County residents interested in becoming foster parents can learn about the county's foster care program at information sessions offered by the county's Department of Social Services next Monday, and on Feb. 16, 6 to 8 p.m., on the second floor of the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. To register, call (804) 501-7496 or (804) 501-4245. For details, visit http://www.co.henrico.va.us/fosterparents.

Hopewell The Hopewell City Council will hold a budget work session tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, 300 N. Main St.

King and Queen The King and Queen County Special Education Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday at 6 p.m. at King and Queen Central High School, 17024 The Trail, King and Queen Courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.

King William The King William County School Board will have a budget work session on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the school administration conference room at the School Board offices, 18548 King William Road.

Louisa The Louisa County Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold its organizational meeting today at 6 p.m. The board is expected to elect a chairman and vice chairman. Also on the board's agenda is a discussion about budget cuts and a resolution with budget and revenue recommendations to be sent to the governor and General Assembly for the 2009 legislative session. The board meets in the Louisa County Administration Building on Woolfolk Avenue in the town of Louisa.

New Kent Heritage Public Library's Book Club will meet Jan. 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the New Kent County branch, 6215-D Chesapeake Circle. January's reading selection is "Plainsong" by Kent Haruf. The club meets every second Tuesday and is open to anyone. For details, call (804) 966-2480.

Petersburg Southside Regional Medical Center is offering a program to help people quit smoking. It consists of four sessions during a two-week period. The program will be held Jan. 13, 15, 20 and 22 from 5:30-7 p.m. in the third-floor classroom of the hospital, 300 Medical Park Blvd. in Petersburg. Registration is required by Thursday. To register, call (804) 765-5729.

Powhatan The Powhatan County Planning Commission will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Powhatan County High School Auditorium, 1800 Judes Ferry Road. As part of the agenda, the commission will consider adopting an amendment requiring applicants to participate in a mandatory pre-application meeting with Department of Planning and Community Development staff as a prerequisite for submitting a site plan.

Prince George The Prince George County Board of Supervisors organizational meeting will be held tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the board room at 6602 Courts Drive.

Richmond A security officer accidentally shot himself while on duty Saturday night at the city's water treatment plant off Douglasdale Road, said Richmond police Sgt. Ron Brown. The shooting occurred about 10:15 p.m.; the guard's injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Sussex The Sussex County Virginia Historical Society will hold its regular meeting Sunday at 3 p.m. at the Sussex County Judicial Center on Courthouse Road in Sussex. The guest speaker will be retired Col. Porcher Taylor, who will present a program on the Tuskegee Airmen. The public is invited.

AROUND THE STATE

Rustburg State game officials say a 28-year-old Appomattox County man was fatally shot by a member of his hunting party in Campbell County. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Sgt. Chris Thomas said Benjamin Lee Mowyer was struck in the head with a single buckshot pellet Saturday afternoon. Mowyer was pronounced dead at the scene. Thomas says the shooter, an 18-year-old in the group, thought he was shooting a deer. Authorities are investigating the accident.

Hampton Poquoson attorney Olaf F. Gebhart Jr. has announced his candidacy for the House of Delegates' 91st District seat held by Republican Thomas D. Gear. Gebhart, who turns 45 on Jan. 23, spoke Saturday afternoon to about 20 people in the Poquoson library. He runs Gebhart & Associates P.C. law firm, which has five lawyers and 17 employees. Gebhart, who describes himself as a born-again Christian and a conservative Democrat, said he had been called the "Wal-Mart attorney" for providing low-cost service for no-contest divorces.

Fairfax A new report finds that Fairfax County school system's strict grading policy does not hinder students' chances of being accepted to college. The report grew out of a parent-led effort to change the system's grading scale, which opponents say is unfair to students. Fairfax high school students must earn at least 94 percent for an A. Most school systems nationwide use a 10-point scale, making 90 percent an A. Parents argue that although Fairfax students earn some of the country's highest SAT scores, their grade-point averages don't reflect their abilities. Superintendent Jack Dale said he wants Fairfax to maintain its grading scale. But Dale said he'll propose that students who complete honors and college-level courses will receive a boost to their GPA. A vote on the policy is scheduled for Jan. 22. -- From Staff and Wire Reports