News Near You for Nov. 26

NEWS NEAR YOU

Prince George The Virginia Association of Counties recently honored three members of the Board of Supervisors for service to local government. During the association's annual conference, Prince George County Board of Supervisors Chairman Henry D. Parker Jr. was presented a service award for 30 years serving local government. Vice Chairman Jerry Skalsky was presented a service award for 10 years serving local government, and G. Reid Foster Jr. was presented a service award for 10 years serving local government.

Chesterfield County Administrator James J.L. Stegmaier and Utilities Director Roy E. Covington were reappointed last week to serve on the Appomattox River Water

Richmond At the Richmond Area Metropolitan Planning Organization's monthly meeting on Nov. 12, the board adopted a resolution to support the establishment of a Virginia Association of Metropolitan Organizations. The mission will be to bring together the commonwealth's metropolitan planning organizations to enhance the state of urban transportation planning and programming.

AROUND THE STATE

Lacey Spring Rockingham County school officials are cracking down on the use of the Confederate flag in response to an incident two months ago at Broadway High School. Under the policy outlined by School Superintendent Carol Fenn, any student who uses the Confederate symbol to taunt, bully or intimidate will be subject to disciplinary action. Fenn said she respects students' right to free speech but stressed expressions of free speech must be used

Williamsburg A man who cannot hear or speak has been found incompetent again to stand trial on charges he raped and killed a James City County teenager in 2005. A prosecutor concluded Tuesday that Oswaldo Martinez is unable to assist in his own defense because of his limited communications skills. This is at least the fifth time such a determination has been made. Martinez is scheduled for another competency review May 26.

Arlington One worker is dead and another is seriously injured after being shocked by an electric line while making repairs at the site of a water main break in Arlington. Police spokeswoman Detective Crystal Nosal said rescuers were not able to get to one of the men initially yesterday morning because of the live power line. That man was later pronounced dead. County spokeswoman Diana Sun said the workers were county employees and were injured when their metal ladder touched live power lines. Dominion Virginia Power shut off the electricity to make the area safe for rescuers, affecting about 1,000 customers.

Norfolk A Virginia Beach woman has admitted participating in the stabbing of a soldier at Fort Eustis and to helping the suspect flee. Patsy Ann Marie Montowski pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to one count of being an accessory after the fact. The 27-year-old faces up to 10 years in prison when sentenced March 8. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa McKeel said Montowski used a stun gun on Army Spc. Mitchell Stone after her boyfriend, Spc. Christopher Lanum, ordered her to "get him." Lanum then attacked Stone with a knife. Lanum led police on a low-speed chase that ended in the Shenandoah National Park. He was killed when he pointed a shotgun

Winchester A Winchester man accused of stabbing his ex-girlfriend to death during a 26-hour standoff with police in West Virginia will go to trial in February. According to court records, a West Virginia University assistant professor of psychiatry found that 37-year-old Donald B. Surber Jr. is competent to stand trial. Surber is charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder in the death of Katherine Nicole Sharp at her home near Hedgesville, W.Va., in June. He also is charged with attempted escape and several other crimes. Surber's trial is scheduled for Feb. 9 in Berkeley County