BRIEFS: NEWS NEAR YOU

NEWS NEAR YOU

Chesterfield Chesterfield County's Community Emergency Response Team program has received a $5,000 grant from E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co. Inc. The grant will be used to further the program's efforts to enlist and train volunteers who receive basic emergency-response training, including light emergency medical and search-and-rescue skills. The county also will be receiving $22,000 in Citizen Corps Council funds from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Those funds are also earmarked for the emergency response team program.

Henrico The Henrico County Court-Appointed Special Advocates program will host its third annual benefit art gallery exhibition and silent auction Jan. 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Crossroads Art Center, 2016 Staples Mill Road. Proceeds will support programs serving abused and neglected children in the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court system. The event is open to the public free of charge. For details, call (804) 501-1671 or visit http://www.henrico

Cumberland The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors last week approved a resolution allowing sheriff's deputies to use their police powers while off-duty on authorized jobs.

Caroline Investigator M.M. Ellett

Goochland The Goochland County Board of Supervisors has extended the deadline for payment of business personal property taxes from Dec. 5 to March 2. Personal property, such as vehicles and equipment, in the name of a business may qualify for the extension. However, taxes paid after Jan. 1 will accrue interest, and they must be paid by March 2 to avoid a 10 percent late-payment penalty. For details about qualifying for the deadline extension, call the commissioner of the revenue at (804) 556-5807. For details regarding payments, call the Treasurer's Office at (804) 556-5806.

Chesterfield Two men were hospitalized yesterday with injuries described as not life-threatening after a fire at their house, authorities said. Firefighters were summoned shortly before 6 p.m. to the 11100 block of Northborough Lane just northwest of the intersection of Courthouse Road and Powhite Parkway. The two men suffered smoke inhalation, and one had burns on his arms and face, authorities said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

AROUND THE STATE

Norfolk Suspended NFL star Michael Vick could be out of federal prison and in a Virginia halfway house by Jan. 20, one of his attorneys told a federal bankruptcy judge yesterday. Vick is serving a 23-month prison term in Leavenworth, Kan., for bankrolling a dogfighting conspiracy and is scheduled to be released from federal custody around July 20. Last month, Vick also pleaded guilty to a state dogfighting charge, avoiding more prison time. The case's resolution also cleared the way for his early release from prison and possible transition into a halfway house.

Chatham A Pittsylvania County sheriff's deputy shot and killed an inmate last night, Sheriff Mike Taylor said. The deputy also was shot and wounded, but his injuries appear to be minor, said sheriff's Lt. Corey Webb. The deputy was shot in the wrist and is being treated at Danville Regional Medical Center, Taylor said at a news conference last night. The shooting occurred at about 7 p.m. near North Main Street and Military Drive, authorities said. The deputy and inmate were not immediately identified.