NEWS BRIEFS
Triennial school census is underway

Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) are partnering to conduct the 2008 Triennial School Census. CCPS is one of 132 school divisions in Virginia participating in the state law-required census of children between ages 5-19.

VCU's Survey and Evaluation Research Laboratory recently mailed questionnaires to Chesterfield County households. Citizens should respond to the survey by Apr. 25 to avoid a second contact. Households that have not responded will receive a personal follow-up.

The triennial census count is used to accurately distribute the estimated 1 percent state sales and use tax proceeds to school divisions as a part of the state's public school funding formula.

The triennial school census seeks to identify all school-age children residing in Chesterfield County. These include children who attend either public or private schools; are home-schooled; are religiously exempt; reside outside the household in colleges, hospitals, trade schools, boarding schools or other institutions; are in a correctional facility; attend school in another locality; or do not attend any school at all. Households without children between ages 5-19 or who have children who are not in the public education system benefit from responding.

"All Chesterfield County taxpayers benefit from an accurate census count of school-age children. Receiving the maximum amount of state revenue possible helps reduce the reliance on local tax dollars to support public education," said Lin Corbin-Howerton, director of school improvement for Chesterfield schools.

Information provided on the census form is confidential and will be used for 2008 statistical census purposes only.

Chesterfield EDtv now on Verizon

Television programming by the county's school system is now available on Verizon as well as Comcast. Chesterfield EDtv can be seen on Comcast Channel 96 and on Verizon Channel 26.

School programming on the two cable television providers is identical, with the exception of high school graduation ceremonies, which will be shown live only on Comcast 96. Repeats of graduations will be shown on Verizon and Comcast.

Work is also underway to include Chesterfield EDtv on Cavalier cable service.

For a schedule of Chesterfield EDtv, go to www.chesterfield.k12.va.us, click "More CCPS News" on the right side of the screen, then "Chesterfield EDtv" and then "View an Online Calendar."

More roadwork

The Virginia Department of Transportation recently awarded a $387,000 contract to install pavement markings along roads in Chesterfield, as well as Prince George, Amelia, Nottoway and Powhatan counties. The markings are expected to be completed by October.

Crash kills driver

A two-vehicle crash has claimed the life of 44-year-old Jerome Walker of the 4600 block of Valley Crest Drive.

Police said Walker was traveling north on Warbro Road in a 2006 Nissan Altima at about 7 a.m. on Apr. 11 when he attempted to make a left turn into Chattanooga Plaza and pulled into the path of a 2002 International dump truck. Walker was taken to VCU Medical Center where he died of his injuries.

Police continue to investigate this crash.

Shooting death nets 23 years

A Midlothian man will serve 23 years in prison after shooting and killing a woman as she was riding in a car on Hull Street Road. According to reports, 25-year-old Joseph O. Swafford fired into the car occupied by Kira K. Jones, a friend of Swafford's former girlfriend, during a domestic dispute in December 2006.