News Near You for Nov. 12

NEWS NEAR YOU

Hopewell A citywide neighborhood watch meeting will take place today at 6:30 p.m. in Hopewell's municipal building, 300 N. Main St.

Hanover Hanover Master Gardeners will have informational meetings about the 2010 training class and the Master Gardner program on Monday and Wednesday at the Social Services Conference Room at the Human Services Complex, 12304 Washington Highway in Ashland in Hanover County. Monday's meeting will be at 1 p.m., and Wednesday's meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. Enrollment for the 2010 training class will close Nov. 25. The class will run from Jan. 13 through March 29. For information, call (804) 752-4310.

Goochland The Goochland County Christmas Mother Association will accept applications for assistance from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Families can apply in person at Goochland Parks & Recreation, 1800 Sandy Hook Road; Goochland Recreation Center, 2415 Sandy Hook Road; County Line Baptist Church, 4070 County Line Road in Kents Store; and Manakin Firehouse, 180 River Road West in Manakin-Sabot. Applicants should bring proof of identification and county residency, as well as pay stubs or other documents to show financial need. Families that qualify for public social services will qualify for assistance from the Christmas Mother program.

Richmond The Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Sts. Constantine & Helen, 30 Malvern Ave. in Richmond, will hold its 2009 Mini Greek Festival today through Saturday. Eat-in and express takeout are available from 11 a.m. till 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. There will also be an international bazaar, pastry sale, sanctuary tours and performances by the cathedral community's Hellenic dancers. For details, call (804) 358-5996. Orders may be faxed to (804) 342-1947, or visit http://www.vagocathedral.org. The mini festival is sponsored by the cathedral's Philoptochos Society, an organization devoted to helping the disadvantaged.

Richmond No injuries were reported Tuesday in the armed robbery of a convenience store along West Cary Street. Richmond police Capt. Scott Booth said the robbery was reported at 9:30 p.m. at the Cary Street Mini Mart at 1317 W. Cary St. An employee said a man wearing a black mask and carrying a handgun demanded money, and when the employee complied, the robber fled on foot. Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

Chesterfield The Board of Supervisors will hold a joint meeting with the School Board and members of the county's legislative delegation on Monday at 4:30 p.m. at the Eanes-Pittman Public Safety Training Center, 6610 Public Safety Way.

AROUND THE STATE

James City A damaged support piling that closed the Powhatan Creek Bridge in July in James City County has since been repaired, but officials say the structure isn't likely to reopen until late winter or spring. The bridge is undergoing scheduled maintenance as part of a $2.35 million repair and rehabilitation project funded by the Federal Highway Administration to fix select bridges along Colonial Parkway. The bridge was closed after a barge operated by Cottrell Contracting Corp., a Chesapeake-based marine contractor, struck the structure.

Danville Police have arrested three juveniles after an hour-and-a-half lockdown at Danville Community College. Police say the school administration initiated the lockdown yesterday after someone with a gun was seen running across campus. After a report of shots fired at a nearby apartment complex, officers found the three juveniles hiding in an apartment. About 2,000 students were on campus at the time.

Wytheville A 45-year-old Wytheville man died Sunday afternoon after a golf cart rolled over his head, police said. Marvin Earl "Bud" Smith Jr. was apparently putting air into the left rear tire when the accident occurred around 3:26 p.m. at a residence on Crockett's Cove Road. According to Wythe County Sheriff Doug King, Smith was behind the golf cart on a steep incline.