Richmond police arrested a man early yesterday after he jumped in the frigid James River and swam across in a bid to avoid arrest in a domestic assault case. Dacia Q. Smith, 28, of the 1900 block of East Main Street was being held on two counts of abduction, two of assault on a family member and one of animal cruelty. Smith was taken to the city lockup after he was treated at VCU Medical Center for hypothermia and released yesterday morning, several hours after officers found him on the south bank of the James River.

The James River watershed covers an area of more than 10,000 square miles - about a quarter of the state of Virginia. For the past 33 years, the James River Association has acted as a guardian of the river and the land that washes into it.

There are already plenty of signs marking Riverside Drive as it parallels the south bank of the James River across Richmond. The road could soon be getting more.

There are already plenty of signs marking Riverside Drive as it parallels the south bank of the James River across Richmond. The road could soon be getting more.

The 10-month-old bald eagle expanded his wings and soared into the gray skies over historic Westover Plantation on the James River in Charles City County. Less than two weeks ago, the bird had been found at a Suffolk Island landfill, dehydrated and suffering from pesticide poisoning.

Class: Senior Age: 17 GPA: 4.6 November achievements: Scored six goals as the Rapids won the Dominion District regular-season and tournament field hockey titles and advanced to the region tournament semifinals. She was named the district and Central Region player of the year. Other athletic accomplishments: Dominion District player of the year in 2007; first-team all-district, all-region and All-Metro and second-team all-state. Academic achievements: All-academic in the district and region the past two seasons; winner of SCA Senator Award; member of the National Honor Society. College plans: Verbally committed to play field hockey at James Madison University. Favorite subject: English Favorite food: Grilled cheese sandwich Key to sports success: “Commitment and working hard.“ Key to academic success: “Dedication and responsibility for getting your work done.“ Goal in life: “Be happy.“ Pet peeve: “I don’t like people drinking out of my water bottle. I don’t like drinking after them.“ Best sports memory: “Beating Collegiate my freshman year.“ If you could travel anywhere: “Australia. I like the accent. I think it would be a cool place to visit.“ Facebook or Myspace: Facebook Biggest challenge: “Living up to my expectations.“—Arthur Utley

Even in cold weather, die-hard anglers flock to the James River. As part of his James River Journal series, staff writer Rex Springton finds out why.

The James is Virginia’s largest river. It begins in northern Botetourt County where the Jackson and Cowpasture rivers join.

With a “before” picture that is hardly pretty, including telltale signs of abuse, neglect and an unhealthy diet, the well-worn face of an overlooked and under-loved creek in western Henrico County is poised for a top-to-bottom transformation, including much of the drainage area beyond its banks. Horsepen Branch, which flows east from the 6800 block of Grace Street (near Christ United Methodist Church) to Upham Brook (near the intersection Staples Mill Road and Interstate 64), is the focus of the second annual Extreme Stream Makeover, a weeklong restoration project involving hundreds of volunteers - school kids, neighborhood associations, civic groups and employees from some of the region’s top companies. Various projects will take place throughout the creek’s drainage area with the goal of improving the water quality of the branch that ultimately feeds into the James River.

These squatters live beneath tall Richmond buildings on two small islands in the middle of the James River. They say they like the shade, water and privacy—but not everyone is happy with their lifestyle.