News Near You for March 5

NEWS NEAR YOU

Hanover The Atlee Branch Library, 9161 Atlee Road, will feature Virginia Tech professor and historian Peter Wallenstein on Saturday, speaking on "Cradle of America: Four Centuries of Virginia History." The free event is set for 2 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session and book signing. For details, call (804) 559-0654.

Caroline The Caroline County Board of Supervisors last month recognized Public Works Department employee Buster Fortune upon his retirement. Fortune served as a truck driver for 18 years.

Chesterfield The Whistlestart 5K Race & Fun Run will be held March 14 from 9 to 11 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:45 a.m., at Robious Elementary School, 2801 Robious Crossing Drive, Midlothian. The cost is $15 per person or $20 per adult/child team on or before tomorrow. After tomorrow, the cost for an individual goes up to $20. For more details or to register, call Mike or Sharon Baum at (804) 794-6712 or visit http://www.rrrc.org.

Henrico Kite flying, demonstrations, exhibits, contests and games will be part of a Kite Festival on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road. Admission is free. For details, call Jeannie Murray at (804) 501-5121.

Hanover The Hanover County Parks and Recreation Department is seeking community input on county services and facilities through a workshop to be held today from 7 to 8 p.m. at Laurel Meadow Elementary School, 8248 Lee Davis Road, Mechanicsville. For details, call (804) 365-4695 or (804) 779-7948, or e-mail .

Richmond Richmond's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will hold a Gigantic Yard Sale on May 2 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westover Community Center, 1301 Jahnke Road, and is now renting spaces for vendors and those wishing to participate in the sale. To get the early-bird special, reserve by April 11 for $20, $30 for vendors. Between April 12-25 the cost will be $25 for participants, $35 for vendors. For details, call (804) 646-8995.

AROUND THE STATE

Blackstone The Virginia Cooperative Extension, in conjunction with Virginia State University's Aquaculture Program, will conduct a free pond-management workshop on March 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center. Topics include weed control, water quality, fish management and alternative pond uses. The afternoon session will feature a cage-building demonstration. The deadline to register is March 11. For details, contact Cynthia Gregg at (434) 848-2151 or by e-mail at .

Roanoke One of four men indicted on federal charges of burning a Roanoke furniture store has pleaded guilty. U.S. Attorney Julia Dudley said Michael Antwan Lee, 43, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of malicious use of fire to damage a building, as well as an unrelated charge of illegal possession of a firearm. He faces a possible life sentence and fines of up to $500,000. Three others are awaiting trial. The August fire caused an estimated $800,000 in damage to the store and nearby businesses.

Fancy Gap Authorities in Southwest Virginia's Carroll County have arrested three men and seized more than 300 pounds of marijuana from a tractor-trailer. The arrests occurred early Tuesday. Sheriff's deputies said they checked on the tractor-trailer because a similar vehicle had been linked to a series of break-ins. Sheriff Warren Manning said the drug, which was stashed in metal panels insulated with foam, has a street value of $750,000. The suspects are charged with drug possession and distribution. They were being held without bail. -- From Staff and Wire Reports