NEWS BRIEFS
Chesterfield doesn't meet new clean air standards

Cruz-Urquilla

Chesterfield County needs to clear the air, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The county is one of 345 nationwide that fails to meet new EPA limits on ozone, or commonly known as smog, levels. State and local officials have been given as much as 20 years to bring levels under 75 parts per billion (ppb), compared to the previous standard of 80 ppb.

According to Don Kappel, Chesterfield's public affairs director, the county is not responsible for reducing the ozone levels. That work falls to the industries that are creating the pollution. Dominion Virginia Power's coal-fired power plant in the county is one example.

"Air pollution is not a county-controlled issue," said Kappel. "There are permitted pollutants that we have no control over."

He added, "The county has done a number of things to protect the environment," including constructing green buildings and buying more fuel-efficient vehicles. Recently, the county's parks department earned the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 designation, becoming the first department nationwide to obtain this distinction. ISO is a global environmental quality standard.

Other Virginia localities on the bad air list include Henrico, Hanover, Alexandria City, Arlington, Fairfax and Hampton City. In a possible oversight, Richmond was not on the list.

Higher tolls are coming

Starting on Sept. 8, it will cost more to drive the Powhite Parkway in Richmond. The Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA) Board of Directors voted earlier this month to increase tolls at the Forest Hill Avenue and Downtown Expressway plazas from 50 cents to 70 cents.

The hike comes as a result of increasing costs to maintain roadways and make future improvements. Since 1998, operating and maintenance expenses have increased by 56 percent as a result of rising prices of materials such as concrete, asphalt and steel. It is estimated that continued maintenance and capital improvements to the expressway system for the next 10 years will reach $80 million. RMA funding comes strictly from user tolls.

Americana Park meeting

The Jefferson Davis Association and the Coalition to Assist the Residents of Americana Mobile Home Park will host a community meeting on Mar. 31, from 7-9 p.m., at Thomas Dale High School, 3626 W. Hundred Rd. in Chester.

The meeting is to inform residents about potential resources to assist them in their relocation efforts. Americana residents must move from the park by the end of the year because the property is being redeveloped into a new mixed-use development of housing, shops and offices.

There will be a brief presentation to explain the coalition's role, and then residents will be encouraged to meet with representatives from agencies such as the Better Housing Coalition, Elder Homes, Senior Connections and others, who will be available to answer questions and discuss possible housing options.

County man kills roommate

A county man has been arrested for killing his roommate. Nelson N. Cruz-Urquilla, 32, of the 3300 block of Wyntrebrooke Drive, has been charged with first-degree murder for the stabbing death of 25-year-old Eduardo Castillo. Castillo's body was discovered with multiple stab wounds outside of a Courthouse Road shopping center on Mar. 16.

Cruz-Urquilla is being held without bond in the Chesterfield County Jail pending an upcoming hearing in Chesterfield County General District Court.

Taco Bell suspects arrested

Robinson Perguson

Police have ended their search for the two remaining suspects wanted in connection with the Jan. 19 robbery of Taco Bell, 13640 Hull Street Rd.

Julius Wendell Robinson Jr., 21, of the 12300 block of Beaver Hollow Court, was arrested on Mar. 18 without incident. Charles Bradley Pergerson, 23, of no current address, turned himself in to police on Feb. 24.

Robinson is charged with abduction and kidnapping and robbery. Pergerson is charged with conspiracy to commit a felony and robbery.

Two other suspects were arrested soon after the robbery: Amanda L. Halderman, 20, of the 12300 block of Beaver Hollow Court, and Aaron G. Brooks, 19, of the 12100 block of Iverson Court. Halderman was charged with robbery and conspiracy to commit a felony. Brooks was charged with robbery, abduction and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Police bust red-light runners

County police issued 449 red-light violations as part of a 29-day red-light awareness and enforcement campaign in February.

The "Running Red Could be Deadly" initiative included a series of red-light operations in which patrol and Traffic Section officers monitored specific intersections throughout the county. Some of those intersections included Courthouse Road and Midlothian Turnpike, Courthouse and Hull Street roads, and Courthouse and Old Hundred roads.

The department continues to conduct redlight enforcement operations. Police remind drivers that running red lights endangers the safety and lives of motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists, and damages property.