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Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Barr presented findings which show that nearly all of the students in question live on either Gibeon Road, Ridge Road or in Lyells, areas where residents for over 25 years have been allowed to attend Richmond County Public Schools.

Over the line but in Richmond County schools

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:09 pm

Citizen activists recently chastised school officials, calling them negligent in policing nearly 70 out-of-county or border students that attend local public schools, claiming the cost to local taxpayers is nearly $750,000. However, local officials refuted statements made by members of the Concerned Citizens of Richmond County, citing a decades-old rule that has been on the school policy books since Richmond and Westmoreland Counties divided their school systems. “I have come

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Local News

Dr. James “Greg” Smith was named Richmond County’s next superintendent of schools on May 9. Smith, who currently works as superintendent in Carroll County, will assume his post July 1.

New Richmond County Superintendent named

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:17 pm

They say lighting never strikes the same spot twice, but officials in Richmond County are claiming just that after they announced last week the newest leader of the local public school system. On May 9, the Richmond County School Board formally declared the hiring of Dr. James “Greg” Smith to replace outgoing school superintendent Dr. Marilyn Barr. “When we interviewed him it became clear that he was the person that

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  • Richmond County Supervisors approve hiring freeze

    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:14 pm

    Jean Harper, District 2 supervisor, made the motion to implement a hiring freeze for county staff. Future hires must now have board approval.

    County employees are crying foul after Richmond County’s supervisors last week placed themselves in charge of the jurisdiction’s entire hiring process. On May 10, District 2 Supervisor Jean Harper, citing increasing budgets and outdated or overlapping jobs, asked that the filling of any upcoming vacancy be reviewed and pre-approved by the board. “Our budget increases every year and in order to try to get some of the old spending under

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  • New policy aimed at Warsaw’s tardy utility customers

    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:11 pm

    John Slusser, Warsaw town manager

    With officials in Warsaw trying to plug holes in the water and sewer system budget, council members last week adopted a new policy that would force people to pay their overdue utility bills or be cut off from the system. “When a user of the [town’s] water and sewer system falls behind more than two billing cycles, or 60 days, it shall be the town policy to send a disconnect

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Sports

Essex's Taylor Shackelford prepares for a hit at the plate.

Essex, W&L raises the stakes

Posted on May 17, 2012 at 11:42 am

As a dramatic regular season comes to an end, both teams that have a chance to clinch the district were scheduled to play each other twice in the final week. The road to this year’s Northern Neck regular season baseball title will conclude with the second of two games between Washington & Lee (W&L) and Essex on May 17. In Game one at W&L, Essex took a 4-3 win after

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  • Lady Raiders clinch district

    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:50 pm

    Rappahannock's Amanda Headley hit the fourth team homerun of the season last week.

    Staff reports A week ago the Rappahannock Softball Team clinched the district with a win over Northumberland. The team celebrated again going undefeated in the district with a shutout win over Colonial Beach. Excited about the accomplishment, Rappahannock Head Softball Coach Ellen Gaines said it’s good to get a break before making a run at winning the upcoming district tournament. “We talked about it after the game,” said Gaines. “Our

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  • Defense key for Essex success

    Posted on May 16, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Essex's Taylor Shackelford defends homeplate for the Trojans.

    Trojans Varsity Baseball Team increase wins and chances for regular season title Staff reports The Essex Varsity Baseball Team continued to make its quest for a regular season district championship known defeating two more district opponents last week. In a rescheduled game last Wednesday, Essex defeated Colonial Beach in a rainy game 2-0. Essex pitcher Marcus Garner was the winning pitcher with a no-hitter. He allowed only one walk and

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Lifestyles

Blake Rush, a Lee Davis High School student, was born with spina bifida, a congenital disorder that has also left him wheelchair-bound. That didn’t stop him from taking down this buck on the Beckers’ property in Richmond County.

Richmond County couple opens land to disabled hunters

Posted on May 9, 2012 at 10:41 am

Hidden in their stands, the hunters were still. Eyes canvassing the forest, they patiently awaited the moment their prey would come into view. From early morning, the unique hunting group had been quietly anticipating the rare moment that a set of circumstances that would allow fate to land the perfect game in their direct path. Because for these men, there was no chase, no dogs braying and no climb to

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  • Tappahannock community rallies behind 9-year-old battling rheumatic fever

    Posted on May 1, 2012 at 5:23 pm

    “Pony! I wanna ride it,” exclaimed China Collins, 9, of Center Cross, who suffers from rheumatic fever, during an April 28 fundraiser held in her honor at T-Town Tack in Tappahannock. Above, she gets her turn.

    With her brown ringlets bouncing and bright blue eyes wide with excitement, 9-year-old China Collins of Center Cross jumped up and down, clapping at the beautiful sight before her. “Pony! I wanna ride it,” she exclaimed, looking at the dainty tan and white equine in the walking ring. “I can’t wait! Pony, pony, pony!” With her infectious smile growing, China took the first few steps in a run towards the

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  • Richmond Co. Elementary students help out The Haven

    Posted on April 25, 2012 at 11:22 am

    Front Row Left to Right: Kelyce Jones, Nate Williams, Quentin Churchill, Leah Vanlandingham and Rebecca Wahlstrom. Back Row Left to Right: Somer Fols, Sydney DeShazo, Carter Bunch, Devin Hayes, Rett Hillman, Gustavo Ochoa, Jacob Mothershead, JP Maupin, Chandler Jett and Luke Leming.

      The Richmond County Elementary School (RCES) SCA lead by its President, Rett Hillman, recently completed a service project  entitled, “Operation Help the Haven.” The SCA organized the preparation of 100 tote bags filled with comfort items to be provided to children utilizing the Haven’s services during times of family crisis.  Each tote includes age appropriate items such as toiletries, school supplies and journals for the older children and toiletries,

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Entertainment

The theme this month will be flowers and there will be a special garden center area on Cross Street featuring beautiful cut flowers, flowering shrubs, plants and bulbs.

Tappahannock Farmers Market takes on ‘Flower’ theme

Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:32 pm

Now that the winds of March and the showers of April have come and gone, it is time for May flowers to take center stage at the Tappahannock Farmers Market set for Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. until 1  p.m. at Cross Street and the Court House green. The theme this month will be flowers and there will be a special garden center area on Cross Street featuring beautiful

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  • RivahFest comes to downtown Tappahannock June 16

    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:26 pm

    The 2011 Cornhole Champions “GPC” are pictured here with 2010 Champions “The CornShuckers.” Sign up now to vie for the title in 2012.

    Some folks will come to RivahFest in downtown Tappahannock on June 16 to relax, shop, socialize and be entertained. But for those who really want to be a part of the action—and don’t mind working up a sweat—RivahFest has got you covered! Starting off the day at 8 a.m. is the RivahFest 5K Race, organized by the Tidewater Whitecaps Softball Association. The 5K is a new addition to RivahFest for

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  • Get lost and relax at labyrinth walk in Irvington, VA

    Posted on May 15, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    On Friday, May 25 Rappahannock Westminster-Canterbury will host its annual Labyrinth Walk. This meditative walk, in which participants proceed at their own pace through RWC’s outdoor labyrinth, will be held between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the RWC campus, 132 Lancaster Drive, Irvington. The event is free and open to the public; no reservations are required. According to Lauren Artress, a leader in the Labyrinth movement and author of

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