News Near You for Nov. 24

NEWS NEAR YOU

Hanover Hanover County fire officials are investigating a weekend blaze in the Santa area at the Bass Pro Shops. An employee from the store's restaurant attempted to extinguish the fire but had to retreat because of heavy smoke, Chief Fire Marshal M.J. Flournoy said yesterday. There was water and smoke damage to the area, but the business reopened Sunday morning, he said. Smoke did not reach the inside of the restaurant, which was open when the fire was reported at 11:05 p.m. Flournoy said the fire was accidental, but officials were not yet prepared to release the cause. A damage estimate was not immediately available.

Prince George Prince George County recently was recognized for its governmental accounting and financial reporting. The county was awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association.

Petersburg Recording artist Trey Songz will celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by giving away turkeys. The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter's philanthropic Songz For Peace Foundation, in partnership with Richmond's 106.5 The Beat, will distribute 500 turkeys today beginning at 10:30 a.m. The turkeys will be given to the families of children attending the nine schools in Songz's hometown of Petersburg.

Richmond Richmond police are looking for two men who robbed a customer at a Bank of America branch at Broad and Robinson streets Sunday night. A man at the ATM behind the bank was approached by two men with a gun just before 10 p.m., said police spokesman James Mercante. The pair robbed the man of an undisclosed amount of money and left. The victim was uninjured.

Petersburg The City Council last Tuesday unanimously voted against granting a special-use permit for the operation of an assisted-living facility in the Centre Hill historic neighborhood. The Planning Commission had recommended approval of the request. It was filed by Barbara Davis, who operates an existing facility in the neighborhood. During a public hearing, some residents expressed concerns and alleged that the Victory Assisted Living facility, operated by Davis, has had several violations in the past. Some also brought up the case that the location, 22 Centre Hill Court, is not appropriate for the group home. The facility would have served female senior citizens and provided them 24-hour supervision and assistance.

Richmond Richmond police are investigating the robbery of a Texaco station on the 4300 block of Jefferson Davis Highway on Sunday. Police said yesterday that a man grabbed a clerk by the hair, took money from the cash register and fled on foot about 12:15 p.m. There were no reported injuries, and the robber is not believed to have displayed a weapon.

AROUND THE STATE

Poquoson State and federal authorities will investigate the death of a high school freshman who was killed in an accident involving a wood chipper. Poquoson Police Chief Cliff Bowen said the 14-year-old was part of a three-person crew working Sunday to remove tree limbs and debris from a home. The boy was using a shovel to drop debris into the wood chipper's hopper when the tool apparently became caught in the machine's blades, dragging him in and killing him instantly. Bowen says the state medical examiner and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration plan to investigate.

Blacksburg Virginia Tech and the Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine are partnering to give osteopathic students a business education. The two-year degree program announced yesterday will allow students to earn both the doctor of osteopathic medicine and master of business administration degrees. Students at the osteopathic school would complete the MBA program between their third and fourth years of medical school. Three to five osteopathic school students are expected to be admitted a year.