News Near You for Nov. 30

This daily column features short news items from some of the 20 localities that make up the greater Richmond area. If you have a news item, call 649-6990 or e-mail us at

NEWS NEAR YOU

Caroline The Caroline County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the Community Services Center. Among the items on the agenda are an update on the proposed new library and a review of the region's legislative priorities for the 2010 General Assembly session.

Chesterfield The Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors will meet Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. to consider a zoning amendment request by Bon Secours, which plans to build a $30 million ambulatory-care campus at the Watkins Centre development. The meeting will be held in the county's public meeting room at Iron Bridge and Lori roads.

Cumberland The Cumberland County Board of Supervisors will hold two special meetings this week. The board will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. with the Cumberland Volunteer Rescue Squad to discuss revenue recovery. The board will meet Thursday at 4:30 p.m. with the Water and Sewer Advisory Committee to discuss proposed amendments to water and sewer ordinances.

Dinwiddie The Friends of the Library, Dinwiddie, will hold its annual holiday open house at the Dinwiddie Library on Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. The event is free and will include refreshments and door prizes. The group will have ornaments with the Dinwiddie County seal available for sale. Also, library book bags available for $6 can be filled with book-sale books for free. The Dinwiddie Library is at 14103 Boydton Plank Road and is part of the Appomattox Regional Library System, serving the counties of Dinwiddie and Prince George, the city of Hopewell and the town of McKenney. For information, call (804) 861-0322 or visit www. arls.org.

Goochland The Goochland County Board of Supervisors will meet tomorrow at 3 p.m. in the board meeting room.

Hanover Hanover County Animal Control will hold a rabies-vaccination clinic Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Company, 7161 Stonewall Parkway. Vaccinations are $7 for dogs and cats that are at least 4 months old. For details, call Animal Control at (804) 365-6485.

Henrico Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services and the Too Smart 2 Start Coalition will hold "Think! Don't Drink" town-hall meetings in Henrico County to address teenage drinking Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tuckahoe Middle School, 9000 Three Chopt Road; and Dec. 10 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Varina High School, 7053 Messer Road. The meetings are part of the coalition's campaign to prevent underage drinking, "Parents Who Host Lose the Most." The meetings will feature speakers from law enforcement and parents who will share their experiences. Participants will receive information on laws regarding adults and underage drinking and tips for hosting and overseeing parties for teenagers. Parents will be asked to sign a pledge not to provide alcohol to minors. The meetings are free and open to the public. For information, visit http://www.TooSmart2Start.com or call (804) 222-8194.

Hopewell John Randolph Medical Center will hold a skin-cancer screening clinic on Wednesday from 8 to 11:30 a.m. The screening costs $30. Registration is required; call (804) 320-3627. John Randolph Medical Center is at 411 W. Randolph Road in Hopewell.

Powhatan The Powhatan County Planning Commission will meet tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the Powhatan High School Auditorium, 1800 Judes Ferry Road.

Prince George The Greater TriCities Hospitality Coalition will hold a town-hall meeting today at 5:30 p.m. at the Comfort Inn hotel, 5380 Oaklawn Blvd., to update business owners and community leaders on the proposed 1,000-room hotel complex at Fort Lee. Coalition members will share some of the coalition's projections regarding the economic impact of the project, including regional employment and local government tax revenue. The coalition is concerned about area restaurants, hotels, inns, and retail and service businesses being adversely affected by the project. All area businesses, civic and church organizations, and residents are welcome to attend. The Greater Tri-Cities Hospitality Coalition represents 160 businesses.

Richmond The Vegetarian Society of Richmond will hold a holiday potluck on Saturday at Patterson Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church, 3901 Patterson Ave. The cost is $3 for nonmembers, free for members. Bring a vegan dish to share and the recipe. Reserve by Wednesday. For details or reservations, call (804) 344-4356 or visit http://www.vegetarianrichmond.org.

AROUND THE STATE

Newport News Eight workers replacing the roof at Crittenden Middle School were injured in a work-related explosion. Police spokesman Lou Thurston said five were being treated at trauma centers after yesterday's blast. All were employed by T.R. Driscoll Inc. of Lumberton, N.C., though their identities have not been confirmed. Thurston said the blast sparked a fire and caused a 20-by-50-foot wall to collapse in the school's shop area. Classes are canceled today. The Newport News Fire Marshal's Office, city police and the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry are investigating.

Clifton Authorities say several dozen cats were killed in a house fire in Northern Virginia. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Dan Schmidt said a pet sitter went to check on a home in Clifton on Saturday afternoon and found it full of heavy smoke. Firefighters rescued eight cats, but several dozen died. Schmidt said the homeowners, who rescue cats and birds, were not home. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Norfolk A November nor'easter that waterlogged Norfolk and many other parts of Hampton Roads took a toll on cars. The storm stirred up tidal flooding, which delivered corrosive salty water to streets and parking lots. State Farm has logged about 1,000 storm-related claims, with salt damage being the prime culprit. One tow operator said half the stalled cars he hauled from floodwaters had to be junked.

Tazewell A Tazewell County dentist faces up to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to illegally distributing painkillers. Peter M. Francisco also could face fines of up to $750,000 during his sentencing, which is set for Feb. 23. Francisco, 57, pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Abingdon to three counts of illegal distribution of hydrocodone. U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said in a news release that Francisco wrote illegal prescriptions for more than 10,000 pills from 2000 to 2009. -- From Staff and Wire Reports