NEWS BRIEFS
Search ends for remains of missing Chesterfield woman

The Chesterfield Police Department and the Amelia County Sheriff's Office called off a search for human remains at a Springhouse Way property in Amelia County last week after a three-day dig yielded nothing.

The two agencies are working together on a missing person case after a Crime Solvers tip indicated there may be an unmarked human grave on the property.

According to reports, the suspected remains could be those of 38-year-old Linda Evans Lunsford, who disappeared on Dec. 26, 1996 after having coffee with her ex-boyfriend at McDonald's in the Village Marketplace shopping center on Midlothian Turnpike. The shopping center is located in the vicinity of where Lunsford's ex-boyfriend used to live.

Investigators believe Lunsford met with foul play, but never made an arrest in her disappearance.

Cadaver dogs brought to the Amelia County location prior to the start of the search indicated the presence of human remains. Police may resume their search in the future.

Gay/lesbian youth group seeks funding

The Richmond Organization for Sexual Minority Youth (ROSMY) is seeking funding from Chesterfield and neighboring localities to help pay for counseling and support services offered to gay and lesbian youth.

Altogether, ROSMY is asking for $269,589 to cover administrative and operational costs for FY07. The Family Foundation of Virginia is expected to oppose any local funding.

Since its founding in 1991, ROSMY has depended on individual donations and grants to support its efforts. ROSMY provides support groups and social activities for sexual minority youth and helps educate community groups and others on the concerns of young people who are homosexual.

Clerks busted for alcohol sales

Four convenience store clerks in the county were charged with selling alcoholic beverages to a minor earlier this month.

According to reports, a 19-year-old decoy was sent into six stores to purchase alcohol - four store clerks made the sale. Two of the clerks allegedly asked for the teen's driver's license, but then sold him alcohol anyway.

The four clerks face up to one year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

Route 36 bridge to be repaired

The Virginia Department of Transportation recently awarded a $398,000 contract to Lanford Brothers Company Inc. of Roanoke to rehabilitate the Route 36 (Chesterfield Avenue) bridge over the Appomattox River at the southern entrance of Virginia State University.

The 46-year-old bridge carries an average of 7,300 vehicles per day. Prolonged exposure to de-icing chemicals has deteriorated the concrete deck to the extent that the top half is in need of replacement. Other areas of the bridge are also in need of rehabilitation.

Repairs are expected to add 20 years to the life of the structure. All work will be performed in two stages and traffic will be regulated to one lane by means of a temporary traffic signal. In addition, pedestrian access across the bridge will be maintained.

The project is expected to be completed in August 2007

County man killed in Route 460 crash

A Chesterfield man was killed in a crash on Route 460 in Prince George County last week. According to police, 67-year-old Cary W. Shultz was traveling east on Route 460 when his Nissan Maxima collided with a tractor trailer truck that was entering the highway from Enterprise Drive.

The crash closed Route 460 for several hours.

Charges against the driver of the tractortrailer truck are pending.

House approves "Chip Alert"

The House of Delegates has passed a bill that could expand Virginia's Amber Alert program to include all high school students.

Dubbed the "Chip Alert," the legislation is named after 18-year-old Chip Ellis, who was killed last spring after being carjacked by a fellow classmate. Police were unable to issue an Amber Alert in the hours immediately after Ellis' disappearance because he was 18. The current law only applies to children ages 17 and under.

If approved, the Chip Alert would expand the program to all students who attend secondary schools regardless of age.

Fire displaces two adults, two children

The fire crackled and hissed into the night air as a home located at 2900 Cicero Parkway in the Chester community was consumed by fire late last month. Two adults and two children were able to safely escape.

The fire started at the back porch area and quickly spread.

Firefighters from Chester (Station 1), Bensley (Station 3), Enon (Station 6), Dutch Gap (Station 14) and Centralia (Station 17) responded. An ambulance from Bensley- Bermuda Volunteer Rescue Squad was on the scene in case of medical emergencies. Battalion Chief Mike Harmon and Tactical Safety Officer Jan Collins were in command.

"The fire had to be fought from outside the structure," said Lt. Matt Coffin of Chesterfield Fire and EMS. "The fire was spreading so rapidly, and the structure was not stable for firefighters to enter."

Officials said the home suffered heavy fire and smoke damage but there were no injuries. The fire marshal is investigating the cause.

The names of the residents have not been released.

Traffic stop turns into major drug bust

A disabled light bulb led to the seizure of more than $36,000 in illegal drugs in Chesterfield on Feb. 8.

At approximately 1:50 a.m., Virginia State Police Trooper G.M. Jenkins Jr. stopped a pickup truck headed north on Chippenham Parkway/Route 150 near the Strathmore exit when he noticed the truck's rear license plate was not illuminated as required by law.

While talking with the 25-year-old Chesterfield driver, Trooper Jenkins detected the odor of marijuana. When the trooper inquired about the smell, the driver allegedly turned over a small bag of marijuana. As he exited the vehicle, the trooper noticed additional marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the driver's cab.

A search of the vehicle revealed a duffle bag containing several bags of packaged marijuana totaling about six pounds along with drug paraphernalia, several thousands of dollars in cash, and five pills that are believed to be the prescription drug Oxycontin.

The estimated street value of the marijuana is $6,000 per pound. The street value for the Oxycontin is estimated between $80 and $100 per pill.

Police believe the driver was returning to his residence in the county from New York after having purchased the marijuana. He now faces charges of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 with the intent to distribute, driving without a valid operator's license and defective equipment.

Due to the ongoing investigation, the Virginia State Police are not releasing the name of the driver.