NEWS BRIEFS
Ellis murder prompts General Assembly bill

Delegate Katherine Waddell, who represents the 68th District that includes part of Chesterfield, has proposed a bill in the General Assembly that would expand the state's Amber Alert system by including all students who attend secondary schools in Virginia.

The proposal has been dubbed the "Chip Alert" bill after Allen "Chip" Ellis, a Midlothian teenager who was murdered by a classmate during a carjacking last May. Because Ellis was 18 years old at the time of his abduction, the Amber Alert system could not be used to aid in finding him. In Virginia, the Amber Alert can only be utilized for children under age 17.

Virginia enacted its Amber Alert system in 2002.

John Tyler celebrates 40th anniversary

John Tyler Community College is celebrating a milestone - its 40th anniversary. Since opening its doors in 1967, the college has grown to become the sixth largest of the 23 community colleges in Virginia with campuses in Chester and Midlothian, as well as off-campus classrooms throughout its service region.

The college will continue its expansion in 2007 as it moves forward with plans to build a new academic building on the Midlothian campus.

The college also plans to mark its anniversary by holding events and activities for the public, by participating in community service projects such as the Salvation Army Angel program and Habitat for Humanity, and by celebrating its employees with a new wellness program called Feeling Fabulous at 40.

Among the events open to the public are Afternoon in Africa, a film and cultural festival, on Feb. 24; the 12th Annual John Tyler Community College Literary Festival with author Sheri Reynolds on Mar. 29; the Fool for Art Festival, featuring art vendors, free classes and educational activities for all ages on Apr. 21; Drive-In Movie Night with a community drive-in and an antique car cruise-in on Sept. 15; the 40th Anniversary Foundation Gala in October; and a Veterans Day program on Nov. 12.

The public is also invited to take part in Rock Chester, a low-impact aerobics class where participants are encouraged to have fun and exercise at their own pace. All classes will take place in the Nicholas Student Center, room 102 at the college's Chester campus. Rock Chester will run from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, Feb. 1, Feb. 15, Feb. 22, Mar. 1, Mar. 8, Apr. 12 and Apr. 19. Participants should bring water in a plastic container, an exercise mat, towel or blanket and, if available, light hand weights (2-5 pounds). To sign up for one or more Rock Chester sessions, contact Lisa Kendrick at lkendrick@jtcc.edu or 594-1527 at least three days before the class.

For more information about John Tyler's 40th anniversary, visit www.jtcc.edu and click on the 40th logo.

School bus hits van

A school bus hit a work van at Newlington Drive and Walmsley Boulevard on Jan. 12, sending seven Manchester Middle School students to the hospital with minor injuries. The two drivers were also injured. All were treated and released from the hospital. The accident is still under investigation.