For more than three decades, Sylvia Reid worked as a teacher in Amelia County. Her experience taught her that simple gestures can make a child happy, and as the 2009 Amelia County Christmas Mother, her main goal is to ensure a smile on the face of as many county children as possible this Christmas. “I look at what’s going on with the economy and the number of people who have lost their jobs since last Christmas,“ said Reid, who retired in 2008 from the county schools after 33 years. “It has been a very difficult year for many families, but my personal belief is that children are innocent and . . . deserve to feel that joy that comes from getting a gift.“

Two small dogs stolen from an Amelia County couple whose home was ransacked by burglars Wednesday were found yesterday about a block away. John Puryear said he was informed by the sheriff’s department after a neighbor saw dogs that met the description of Nikki, a 3-year-old Yorkshire terrier, and Indy, a 7-year-old Maltese. “They’re cold and freezing, but we have them now,“ Puryear said.

Two small dogs stolen from an Amelia County couple whose home was ransacked by burglars were found today about a block away.

The county’s three public schools are back in session today after a week’s closing because of concerns over the H1N1 flu, including the death of a 6-year-old student.

After getting their cleaning products approved by the county health department, Amelia County school employees and contractors began disinfecting buses and schools.

As soon as 6-year-old Heaven Wilson stepped off the school bus, her grandmother guessed that she wasn’t feeling well. Two days later, the Amelia County first-grader was rushed to CJW Medical Center (Chippenham), where she spent nearly two weeks before she died of swine flu late Wednesday. Family members said Heaven was hooked up to breathing tubes when she mouthed her last words: “Don’t let me die.“

An Amelia County child has died of causes related to swine flu. Meanwhile, a private elementary school in Henrico County continues to remain closed today because of the spreading illness. Heaven Wilson had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the state Department of Health said yesterday, and she had no known underlying high-risk medical conditions.

An Amelia County child has died of causes related to swine flu. Meanwhile, a private elementary school in Henrico County continues to remain closed today because of the spreading illness. The girl, who was not identified, had tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the state Department of Health said yesterday, and she had no known underlying high-risk medical conditions.

A Louisa County woman linked to three mysterious deaths beginning with that of her second husband 15 years ago pleaded guilty yesterday to dumping her boyfriend’s body in an abandoned well. Ulisa Mary Chavers, speaking in barely audible tones, pleaded guilty to charges of concealing the body of Reginal Cody Bowles, credit-card fraud, identity theft and possession of a sawed-off rifle. She faces up to 25 years in prison when she is sentenced Jan. 25.

A woman linked to three mysterious deaths will plead guilty next week to discarding her boyfriend’s body in a well on his property in Louisa County, her attorney said yesterday. Ulisa Mary Chavers has confessed to authorities that she put Reginal Cody Bowles’ body in the 33-foot-deep well, said her attorney, Mike Caudill. The body, wrapped in sleeping bags, was found in March in some water at the bottom of the unused well. Bowles disappeared in early 2007.

A woman linked to three mysterious deaths will plead guilty next week to discarding her boyfriend’s body in a well on his property in Louisa County, her attorney said today.

A second home was being raided in Amelia County the same time Tuesday that authorities raided a home in Dinwiddie County, where the owner was fatally shot by a state trooper. State and federal authorities simultaneously raided the homes as part of a probe that officials acknowledge was at least tangentially related to a multistate investigation of the Pagans Motorcycle Club.

Forensic anthropologists at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington will try to determine the cause of death of an Amelia County man. The state medical examiner’s office was unable to determine a cause or manner of death for Clent Chavers, who was buried in his backyard in Amelia in 1994, when he was 68. Authorities exhumed the remains in April.

Shay Perry scored on a three-yard touchdown run, but it wasn’t enough as Dan River defeated Amelia County. Dan River————————————- 14 6 15 7—42
Amelia County————————————- 6 0 0 0—6 DR—Myers 39 INT return (kick failed) DR—Gunter 4 run (Shelton run) AC—Perry 3 run (kick failed)

A two-vehicle crash in Amelia County yesterday claimed the lives of two young women. Virginia State Police said Sarah Leigh Taylor, 24, of Powhatan County and Danielle Taylor, 21, died from injuries suffered in a crash around 1:20 p.m. yesterday at Grub Hill Church Road and U.S. 360. Sarah Taylor died at the scene and Danielle Taylor died last night at VCU Medical Center, said State Police Sgt. Thomas J. Molnar.