Compromise struck for 68th District vote

The 68th District race for the Republican nomination for delegate will allow registered voters to cast their ballots at Robious Middle School or South Hampton Baptist Church, 7521 Comanche 7521 Comanche Dr. in Richmond, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat., May 12. Supporters of Manoli Loupassi, who lives in Richmond, complained that supporters of Will Shewmake, who lives in Chesterfield County, were trying to rig the canvass by only using the middle school location. Two years ago, there was only one voting place - in Midlothian.

The winner of the Republican canvass will face incumbent Katherine Waddell, an Independent who appears to be supported by the Chesterfield Democratic Party.

County's auditor fined in Texas

KPMG, the firm that audits the county government and school system each year, has been placed on probation for three years and ordered to pay a $96,000 fine in Texas to avoid losing its license to practice there.

The punishment stems from an investigation into fraudulent tax shelters that were used to help wealthy clients avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes. KPMG says the shelters in question involved former executives.

At press time, county officials had not responded to the newspaper's request for comment.

Jaeckle seeks Bermuda seat

Dorothy Jaeckle has filed her intentions with the Chesterfield Registrar's Office to seek the Republican nomination for supervisor in the Bermuda District. She will face Bermuda Planning Commissioner Jack Wilson in a Republican primary in early June. The seat became available last month when current Supervisor Dickie King, a Republican, announced he will not seek re-election.

Hampton Park family loses home

A Hampton Park family of six was displaced on Mar. 30 when a fire destroyed their two-story residence.

The family was home when the fire broke out on the house's porch around 9:10 p.m. The cause has not yet been determined, and no one was injured. The siding on the home next door sustained heat damage.

The family is receiving assistance from the American Red Cross and their Hampton Park neighbors.

Bicyclist killed on Hull Street Road

A bicyclist riding along Hull Street Road was struck and killed on Mar. 29. According to police, 48-year-old Sidi S. Cherkaoui, of the 4000 block of Hailey Crescent Drive, was heading west on Hull Street Road near Bellson Park Drive when a 1997 Nissan Pathfinder struck his bicycle from the rear. Cherkaoui died a couple of hours later at VCU Medical Center.

Police continue to investigate the crash.

Brush fires require helicopter

County firefighters responded to five brush fires along the CSX railroad tracks between Winterfield Road and Murray Hill Drive on Apr. 3.

It took a little over three hours and a Department of Forestry helicopter making water drops to bring the fires under control.

The cause of the fires has not been determined.