News Near You for Oct. 25

NEWS NEAR YOU

Henrico Henrico County police are investigating a robbery yesterday at a SunTrust branch. About 10 a.m., police said, a suspect walked into the bank branch at 1131 Gaskins Road and handed a note to a teller in which he demanded money. Police said the suspect, who later fled on foot, is a white or possibly Hispanic male 30 to 40 years old, between 5-foot-1 and 5-foot-5, with short black hair, a thick mustache and beard. He was wearing a blue and white, plaid long-sleeve flannel shirt, blue jeans, white tennis shoes and a green baseball cap with a tan bill and "This is CAP" written in tan, police said. Anyone with any information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Henrico Investigator Young at (804) 501-5000 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

HanoverYouths ages 9 to 18 can learn about raising alpacas during a 4-H alpaca club project meeting on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Montpelier Center. Alpaca farmer Sherry McEvoy will go over the benefits and requirements of raising the animals as well as being involved in 4-H. Throughout the next year, club members will make products from alpaca wool, train them for shows and participate in shearing day. The club is at McEvoy's farm in Hanover County and is limited to eight youths. For details, call (804) 449-1423.

ChesterfieldA research team of professionals from the Chesterfield County Community Services Board Substance Abuse Services Division and Virginia Commonwealth University has received a 2009 Science and Service Award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The program is one of only seven in the nation to be recognized in the category of "Treatment of Substance Abuse and Provision of Recovery Support Services."

HenricoThe Richmond Chapter of the National Council for Geocosmic Research will sponsor a workshop by astrologer Robert Blaschke from 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Weinstein JCC, 5403 Monument Ave. in Henrico County, and on Nov. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Crossroads, 2000 Staples Mill Road in Henrico. The cost is $50 for members and $60 for guests who register by Tuesday; or $55 for members and $65 for guests at the door. For details or to register, call (804) 740-1133 or e-mail .

AROUND THE STATE

Williamsburg Students at the College of William and Mary have elected a transgender homecoming queen. Jessee Vasold took the field yesterday at halftime of the school's football game against James Madison. The junior and other members of the homecoming court were introduced to the crowd and posed for pictures.

Norfolk The Virginia Zoo has a new baby Masai giraffe, the first such animal born at the zoo. The giraffe was born Wednesday to 7-year-old Imara and 8-year-old Billy, first-time parents. Zoo director Greg Bockheim says the survival rate is 50 percent for first-time births, but the as-yet-unnamed baby giraffe is faring well so far, having passed its milestones, such as walking, nursing and bonding with Imara.

King George A King George County woman has been sentenced to nine months in jail on animal cruelty and neglect charges after dozens of dead or severely malnourished animals were found at her home. Iris Marie Hedrick was sentenced Friday to nine years in prison with all but nine months suspended. A judge also ordered the 40-year-old Hedrick to pay thousands of dollars in fines and restitution and ruled that she can never own or care for any type of animal. She pleaded guilty this summer to 16 misdemeanor counts. Authorities went to Hedrick's home Jan. 2 in response to an anonymous tip and found dead or dying dogs, cats, birds, goats, rabbits, pigs, sheep and a cow. -- From Staff and Wire Reports