Full Throttle, an “energy drink”, is the sponsor of the National Hot Rod Association, and a more perfect combination of product and sport could not be found. Everything about the NHRA is full throttle. There is no following another driver for a couple of laps, or a couple of hundred laps, before making a move. In the NHRA—Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock or Pro Stock Motorcycles—the idea is to blast off, reach full speed as quickly as possible, maintain it and hope the parachute opens at the end of the quarter-mile track.

Dinwiddie 195, Hopewell 202 (9 holes, Fort Lee Golf Course, par 36)
  D: Perez 41, Maitland 50, Green 50, Trimmer 54 H: Crocker 43, Carter 48, Wilmot 55, Roberson 56

Henrico County police have arrested a Henrico man charged in Dinwiddie County with threatening and soliciting sex from a 15-year-old girl. Dinwiddie authorities said today that Chad Newman Shiflett, 31, was indicted by a grand jury there on multiple charges of soliciting a minor and threats. Shiflett was arrested Friday by Henrico police at his home in the 2400 block of Bransford Drive in Henrico.

Pressured by outraged taxpayers, the Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors last night approved a 19-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate—still not satisfying the public’s demand. The board voted 4-1 to set a rate of 68 cents per $100 assessed value, slashing it from the current 87 cents. The decision came after an emotional public hearing at which about two dozen residents denounced the significant rise in recent property reassessments and demanded a big-enough reduction in the rate to offset the increase.

State governments are reporting record losses in budgets as the national economic downturn continues to impact revenue collections. With less funding available many state governments are cutting back on essential services. Public schools nationwide are not immune to these negative economic implications. In Virginia this situation is compounded by the fact that local school boards do not have taxing authority—they do in most states—and therefore depend upon local appropriating bodies to fund school programs.

Dinwiddie County authorities yesterday continued to investigate the killing of a Petersburg man who was discovered Saturday in a wrecked BMW. Authorities got a call reporting shots fired about 7 p.m. in the 24000 block of Raymond Road, said Capt. William Knott of the Dinwiddie Sheriff’s Office. Shortly thereafter, someone called to report that a car had wrecked at Raymond Road and McIlwaine Drive.

In a game, just following through on a play is hard enough. But Adam Morgan did more than execute at Dinwiddie. The Generals’ quarterback watched the same film his coaches watched.

Dinwiddie County School Superintendent Charles Maranzano Jr. has asked the state to spare six school systems affected by Fort Lee’s expansion from budget cuts.

Dinwiddie County fire officials will continue to give away free smoke detectors as part of a state grant the county received that ends this month. The Virginia Department of Health awarded Dinwiddie a “Get Alarmed, Virginia!“ grant of $41,000 to pay for 3,000 detectors, tools to install them and fire-safety literature for the public. The program has allowed fire officials and volunteers this year to conduct a fire-safety educational campaign in schools, buy safety advertising and distribute fire-escape plans.

Aaron Epps led all scorers with 20 points and Andrew White contributed 19 as Thomas Dale defeated Central District rival Dinwiddie. Dequantral Mason added 11 points for the Knights. James Wynn had 17 points for the Generals. THOMAS DALE 69, DINWIDDIE 50
THOMAS DALE (2-0 Central, 5-1) Jordon 0, Turner 2, White 19, Mason 11, J. Campbell 2, Fulghum 2, Simms 4, Epps 20, Green 9. Totals 28 11-16 71.
DINWIDDIE (1-2, 1-4)

Wynn 11, Sturdivant 1, Williams 0, Parham 5, Harris 2, Coles 27, Perry 10, Fields 15. Totals 25 14-23 71.
POWHATAN (2-1 ) Harvey 9, Minor 33, Berry 1, Diamond 6, Henderson 17, Hobson 2, Barden 6, Jefferson 0, Miller 0, Prillaman 0. Totals 25 19-31 74.
Dinwiddie 13 15 14 19 10—71
Powhatan 11 18 20 12 13—74

Andee Sears and Arthur Utley look ahead to Dinwiddie’s appearance in the Division 5 state championship football game against Phoebus of Hampton.

Crystal L. Bailey, 24, was crowned Miss Black Virginia USA on Nov. 29 in Danville at the North Theatre. Bailey is a third-year law student at the College of William & Mary’s School of Law and is a native of Dinwiddie County. During her reign, Bailey will inform Virginia’s youth of the rewards and benefits of participating in the performing arts. “The arts give our youth the impetus to think outside of the box, which is essential to our nation’s progress,“ she said.

Just in case the ball didn’t come loose, Dinwiddie defensive tackle Corey Marshall tried to stay in position to wrap up the Liberty-Bealeton running back. But he was focused on the football in Shaheem Jones’ hand.
SLIDESHOW: Dinwiddie advances to state title game

In both of its Central Region playoff games, Dinwiddie’s first possession ended in a turnover. Coach Billy Mills said he thought the importance of the game had his athletes trying a little too diligently to make the right play.