The Cumberland County school system is proposing a $16.6 million budget, Superintendent James Thornton says. The 2009-10 budget adopted by the School Board on Monday is being sent to the county’s Board of Supervisors for inclusion in the county budget. The school budget calls for $4.1 million from the county, $10.6 million from the state and $1.9 million in federal funds. The county’s allocation is the same level as last year.

What U.S. 60 means to Cumberland County is just about everything. The road is the major thoroughfare for the county and, for county leaders, one of the greatest hopes for commercial and economic development. Mostly two lanes as it snakes through the county, the road spreads to five lanes for a short distance just west of the courthouse area.

Petersburg St. Joseph School is hosting an open house for prospective pre-K3 through eighth-grade students and their families tomorrow at 1 p.m. The public can meet the faculty, tour the facility and hear about the academic curriculum and religious education program. The school is located at 123 Franklin St. For details, contact the school office at (804) 732-3931.

The Cumberland County public school system might have to lay off six employees July 1 as it deals with a shortfall projection of more than $615,000 in next year’s budget,

Chesterfield The deadline to register for a chance to compete in Bandfest, United for Change, is Jan. 19. Bandfest, United for Change is an alcohol-and drug-free event where youths can showcase their music and video-production talents. It will be held March 14 at Southside Church of the Nazarene, 6851 Courthouse Road. Band auditions will be held on Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. To download official rules and a registration packet for either competition, visit chesterfieldsafe.org. Contact Beth Clements at (804) 796-7100.

Area Christmas Mother programs that raise money and deliver holiday cheer to the needy through toys, food, clothing and other assistance have not seen a downturn in giving despite the weak economy. Many programs have seen their fundraising goals met or expect them to be this season. And nearly all of the programs are serving more families than last year—with more volunteers, proving that the Christmas spirit is not dictated by the economy.

New Kent The New Kent Ruritan Club and Virginia Blood Services will hold a blood drive on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Quinton Community Center. Register by logging onto www.vadonor.com and enter “nkruritan” as the sponsor code. Petersburg The annual Lighting of Petersburg will be Friday from 6:15 to about 10 p.m. at the Old Towne Visitor Center and Union Train Station. The event includes music from the Virginia State University Marching Trojans and a visit by Santa.

Caroline To help compensate for a $2.7 million shortfall in budget projections, the Caroline County Board of Supervisors has asked for 15 percent cuts in most county operations. The cuts will include schools, but not at the full 15 percent rate because that would push the county below the state’s minimum level of school funding. An exact cut in school funding is still under discussion. The county has also imposed a hiring freeze and is prepared to put off capital purchases until after 2010.

The Christmas Mother program in Cumberland County came about through a marvelous coincidence.

Chesterfield The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) has presented the Chesterfield County Department of Utilities with its top utility management award. Chesterfield’s utilities department was one of only 11 public drinking-water systems in the country to receive the Platinum Award for Utility Excellence. Henrico The next constituent meeting of Supervisor Frank J. Thornton of Fairfield District will

This daily column features short news items from the 20 localities that make up the greater Richmond area. On Mondays, we run at least one item from each of the localities. If you have a news item, call 649-6990 or e-mail us at Amelia Work has begun on the visitors center at Amelia County’s Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Park. The $1.1 million center is expected to be completed next summer.

Charles City The Charles City County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Government/School Administration Building auditorium, 10900 Courthouse Road. The agenda includes a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the floodplain ordinance that adopts new federal flood-insurance rate maps and proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance.

Charles City The Charles City County Board of Supervisors will meet Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. in the Government/School Administration Building auditorium, 10900 Courthouse Road. The agenda includes a public hearing on a proposed amendment to the floodplain ordinance that adopts new federal flood-insurance rate maps and proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance.

Virginia State University student Jaleesa Trent, a 2008 Cumberland High School graduate, recently was selected by members of the national executive board of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. to be a participant in the second Presidential G.E.M.S. and sixth Presidential Academy held during the sorority’s 49th national convention in Orlando, Fla.

Farmville Alumnae and Pi Mu (Longwood University) Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. were recently honored at the sorority’s 49th national convention in Orlando, Fla. These chapters were awarded grand-prize honors for “Exemplary Programmatic Implementation of the Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta G.E.M.S. Initiative” from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Grand Chapter.