To residents of the low-income housing complexes that line U.S. Route 1 in northeastern Chesterfield, police activity has become all too commonplace. But on Saturday morning, a group of police officers visited the Jefferson Davis Highway corridor to answer a different type of call. In the sweltering heat, on a well-worn patch of dirt and grass in front of the […]
2017-07-26
Very hungry caterpillars invade county
Insects defoliate 7,000 acres, drop lots of ‘excreta’It might sound like light rain, but with nary a cloud in sight, whatever is falling through the trees around David Sanders’ home isn’t precipitation. A closer examination of the foliage reveals the real source of the noise: the variable oakleaf caterpillar, and its falling excreta. Even with the heavy rain the night before, hundreds of little balls of excrement […]
Report: County suffers jobs-housing imbalance
A recent urban planning study by Virginia Commonwealth University yielded a surprising piece of information: The area surrounding Chesterfield Towne Center has the largest imbalance between low-wage jobs and affordable housing in the entire region. The report titled “Understanding the Jobs-Affordable Housing Balance in the Richmond Region,” demonstrates that in Central Virginia, modest-wage retail and service-sector jobs are not located near […]
New police station opens on Jeff Davis
Cruising down Jefferson Davis Highway in the early 1980s, Col. Thierry Dupuis had his work cut out for him. Just like today, the corridor known as the “Pike” to locals was one of the Chesterfield County Police Department’s most active areas, and it was Dupuis’ job to patrol it. “It was really challenging and really rewarding,” said the current police […]
Smoked splendor: Perfect pork, with a smoker or without
When you think of smoked meats, no doubt your mind travels to fantastic, fall-off-the-bone barbecue, beautifully pink from hours engulfed in rich wood smoke. Smoking meats is a tradition that predates our written history, preserving protein-rich foods for the winter months. Today we use smoking to achieve perfect flavor and tenderness. And while serious meat lovers may choose to invest […]
Life in Retail
Shopping for optionsI love to shop. Not just for clothes – my favorite shops have interesting antiques or used items, preferably some garden things. Retail is a tough business, and the big question these days is, “How do I shop?” A neighbor swears by Amazon Prime and loves having dog food delivered to her door. On the other hand, a bargain purse […]
Dave Brat has compassion
I am for Congressman Dave Brat because he has compassion for others [“Opposition to Brat rooted in compassion for others,” Letters, July 5]. He believes compassion comes from the heart and not from forcing others to comply with his wishes. He tries to teach others to treat others with respect and love and not to use the government and his […]
CALENDAR
THURSDAY, JULY 27 Henricus Discovery Days: Food of the 17th Century, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Henricus Historical Park, 251 Henricus Park Road. Ages 3-10 can learn what breakfast, lunch and dinner might look like for the Powhatan Indians or Virginia colonists. Includes a story, site tour and a craft. Registration required. $8-$10/child, $5-$7/accompanying adult. 318-8797 DiabetesSisters monthly meetup, 7 p.m., Midlothian […]
Elsewhere
JULY 27 “James and the Giant Peach Jr.,” 10 a.m., Pine Camp Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road, Richmond. The School for the Performing Arts in the Richmond Community (SPARC) performs this musical based on the classic Roald Dahl book. Free. sparconline.org “Colors of Haiti,” 9 a.m.-9 p.m., The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Road, […]
CRIME WATCH
Arbor Lake Apartments (Arbor Lake Drive) – A rape occurred in the 6800 block sometime before 12 p.m. on July 1. Bellwood Maisonettes Apartments (Alfalfa Lane) – Computers, cameras and other items were stolen when a residence in the 2500 block was burglarized sometime before 5:30 a.m. on July 12. Beulah Apartments (Beulah Road) – Cash and other property were […]