LATEST NEWS

Virginia State Police are continuing to investigate after a 39-year-old woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash in Amelia County last week.

There are several activities scheduled for the Christmas season in Amelia County this year. A season’s decorating contest scheduled for businesses along the annual Christmas parade route and is sponsored by the sheriff’s office. The decorations must be up by tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 1), and the theme is the same as the parade’s: Christmas in Paradise.

First Lieutenant Grady Owens, Amelia Academy Class of 2017, and Virginia Military Institute Class of 2021, graduated in October from U.S. Army flight school. He completed initial flight training in the “Lakota” helicopter, followed by advanced airframe training in the AH-64 at Fort Novosel, Ala. (formerly Fort Rucker). His wife, Hannah Owens, pinned on his wings at the graduation ceremony. They are stationed at Fort Liberty in Fayetteville, N. C., where Grady is an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division. He is assigned to the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. Lt. Owens and his wife, are the proud parents of a 15-month-old daughter, Casey Lee Owens. Lt. Owens is the son of Malinda Hutchinson of Amelia.

With more than 100 more meals needed than ever before, the volunteers at the Amelia Community Thanksgiving were almost swamped Wednesday (Nov. 22). Those wanting to take home or eat the full course Thanksgiving meals began to show up about 11 a.m. and the demand was steady until 2 p.m. when the volunteers were able to begin cleaning up, according to coordinator Noell Tyson Berry. The 15th annual event served 680 meals, more than the 500 to 550 served in the past, with more than 311 of those meals delivered by volunteers. Mrs. Berry said the sweet potatoes ran out first and then the green beans but everyone got a good meal in spite of the unexpected demand. “A HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered or donated to the annual effort,” said Mrs. Berry.

Julia Dawson, a director of the board of the Amelia County Historical Society, gave the Benediction at ceremonies honoring Amelia native, Corporal James E. Yeatts, U.S. Army, at the unveiling of the World War II veteran’s war memorabilia at the Jackson Memorial Library and Museum on Nov. 19. In the background are lists of the names of all Amelia citizens who served in uniform during that conflict. Cpl. Yeatts performed as a forward ground observer for his heavy artillery battalion from before the massive Allied amphibious invasion of Normandy, France in Operation Overlord in June 1944, to the occupation of Germany after the Axis surrender in May 1945. Nearly 70 years later, he received the National Order of the Legion of Honor of the French Republic, the country’s highest award, as well as comparable Belgian recognition, for his role in restoring freedom in those countries. His son, James Yeatts, Jr., and grandchildren, Terry and Beth Manning, presented the artifacts to the society this year in his memory. Mr. Manning keynoted his grandfather’s wartime and later service, stating that the Amelia High School Class of 1941 member – who, along with several of his classmates, had left high school before graduation to attend military training went from a “boy to a man” in very short order during the tumultuous days of World War II. Mr. Steve Meadows of Chesterfield, and Zone Four Governor of the Ruritans, additionally spoke of “Green Thumb Yeatt’s” community service for over 60 years as a Ruritan.

On Nov. 9, the Amelia Ruritan Club celebrated its eighty-fifth anniversary of providing service to Amelia County. Ruritan National President Mike Morrison, National Secretary Juliann Poff, National Treasurer David Thompson and National Foundation Trustee Debra Knesal attended the event to participate in the celebration. Other officials attending included Appomattox District...

As the Civil War drew to its dramatic close, the Amelia County Courthouse in Virginia became the setting for a historic moment. Here, General Robert E. Lee received the last orders from Confederate President Jefferson Davis. This event presaged Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, marking the end of the conflict. The courthouse, a repository of records predating the war, remained intact, as Union forces did not burn it during their advance.

The annual “A Celebration of the Season,” is set for Saturday (Dec. 9) at the Field Day of the Past. Buildings on the grounds will be illuminated with holiday cheer for visitors to enjoy a family evening. Several handpicked vendors will be selling unique items for holiday shoppers looking for that “something special” to gift. Lavender related products, special handmade baskets, holiday scarves and décor, live Christmas wreaths, some yummy cookies (they sold out last year), and special soaps will all be available.

The Amelia County Historical Society will hold its annual Corporation Meeting, also known as “the open membership meeting,” at 2 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 10). It will convene in the Amelia County Administration Building conference room, located at 16360 Dunn Street. The day’s agenda will feature geologist, Dr. Scott Duresky, of Charlottesville, who has conducted extensive research into the rocks and minerals of Amelia’s Rutherford Mine, a world-famous pegmatite formation. His lecture will discuss the history and past economic impact of that site, as well as other of Amelia’s former mines and mineral prospects. The presentation also will elaborate on several of the specimen types found at the Rutherford mines. Society members are encouraged to attend and the public is invited. Refreshments will be served.

Despite its theme, this year’s Christmas parade will be held in Amelia – not Paradise. There are, according to the internet, 27 towns in the United States named Paradise, and, while I’m certain one or more of them will be holding a Christmas parade, the official Amelia County, Virginia Christmas Parade will be held right here in the Village of Amelia Court House.

The Amelia County Christmas Parents Board of Directors and the 2023 Christmas Father, Rev. Joe Jones, Jr. are pleased to announce the details of the 2023 Toy Shop. On Thursday (Dec. 7) and Friday (Dec. 8), the Toy Shop will be held at the War Memorial Building (Parks and Rec. Gym.) The Toy Shop has gifts for ages infant to 18 years old. Distribution will occur as follows: • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with A, B, or C – 9 to 10 a.m. Thursday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with D, E, or F – 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Thursday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with G, H, or I – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with J, K, or L – 1:45. to 2:45 p.m. Thursday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with M, N, or O – 3. to 4 p.m. Thursday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with P, Q, or R – 9 to 10 a.m. Friday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with S, T, U, V – 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. Friday. • Parents’/Guardians’ last name begins with W, X, U, V – 11:30 to 12:30 p.m. Friday.

The Comprehensive Plan subcommittee of the Amelia County Planning Commission met Thursday, Nov. 16 to discuss possible changes to the Comp Plan. The county’s Comp Plan must be reviewed regularly to see if its provisions are “still viable,” Community Development Director Brady Deal told the committee members.

The magic of Christmas came to life for the 2023 holiday season at dusk on Sunday, Nov. 27, when the Field Day of the Past iconic star lit up the sky over the show grounds in anticipation of the annual “A Celebration of the Season,” set for Dec. 9.

Victoria Daniel, a student at Amelia County High School in Amelia County Public Schools, and two other students from elsewhere were awarded the 2023 Virginia School Board Association’s Exhibitors Scholarships. The scholarship, funded by exhibiting companies at the VSBA’s Annual Convention, was made available to Spring 2024 graduating seniors who had served as student school board representatives. BPA, VMDO, Optima Health, Schneider Electric, Branch Builds, SFE, and Howard Shockey and Sons sponsored this year’s scholarship program, which is in its 11th year.

AMELIA COURT HOUSE—If you’re having a hard time choosing your Christmas tree from one of Virginia’s 500 tree farms this season, just stop and listen. “You come here, walk around, and decide which tree is speaking to you,” said second-generation grower Tim O’Neal on a recent episode of Virginia Farm Bureau’s TV show Real Virginia. He and his wife, Laura, cultivate Scotch and white pines at their choose-and-cut farm in Amelia County.

Recently it was disclosed Amelia County had received a tourism grant which will be used to erect “Welcome to the Village” signs on Goodes Bridge Road (Rt. 360 Bypass). The county plans to locate one of the signs on the Co. 1 (Amelia C.H.) fire station property and the other near Southern States.

Donning festive attire while sipping hot cocoa alongside neighbors, friends and strangers to usher in the holiday season with festive floats, marching bands, The Grinch and Santa Claus is a family tradition for many. There are several taking place in the Tri-Cities. The City of Petersburg's "Winter Wonderland" Holiday Parade...

There are several activities scheduled for the Christmas season in Amelia County this year. A season’s decorating contest scheduled for businesses along the annual Christmas parade route and is sponsored by the sheriff’s office. The decorations must be up by Dec. 1, the day before the parade, and the theme is the same as the parade’s: Christmas in Paradise.

Amelia County Board of Supervisors Members and BOS-elect,. I am writing to you today to first thank you for a very spirited campaign, congratulate those that will continue forward, and welcome those that are beginning the journey with us. As elected officials yourselves, I trust that you will value your constituents’ decisions. With that said, we have an opportunity to step into the next 4 years on a different foot and work better together with the citizens’ best interest at heart.