News & Announcements Archives
January 2008
Va. Driver Penalties Nearing An End
January 31, 2008 | Virginia News
The Virginia Senate unanimously approved repealing the state's controversial abusive-driving fees Wednesday and agreed to give refunds to anyone who has begun paying the fees.The bill now goes to the House, which also has approved a measure to repeal the fees.
House panel approves mental health bill prompted by Tech killings
January 29, 2008 | Virginia News
A slew of bills that would boost state funding for mental health services and change the way services are delivered took another step toward becoming law Monday.In the House of Delegates, legislation targeting what some legislators have referred to as the "Tech moment" unanimously passed the Courts of Justice Committee. HB499 lays out new regulations for what happens if a person who is ordered into outpatient mental health treatment doesn't receive it.
A companion bill, SB246, is being carried by Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, in the General Assembly's other chamber.
Chesapeake will hire consultant to review police staffing, procedures
January 29, 2008 | Virginia News
Chesapeake will hire an independent consultant to review the police department's procedures, policies and staffing levels, City Manager William Harrell announced at a press conference this morning. Harrell's decision comes less than two weeks after Chesapeake Detective Jarrod Shivers was shot and killed while serving a search warrant.Luray Police Investigations Stretched Thin
January 24, 2008 | Virginia News
Department Downsizing Prompts Request For Additional InvestigatorIt's been a growing problem ever since Luray downsized its investigative department and enacted other changes on the recommendation of consultant Carroll Buracker and Associates in 2005.
After the Buracker study, the police department rolled its two full-time investigative positions and assistant chief into one job. Petefish, assistant chief before the study, now handles all departmental investigations plus his old administrative duties.
Senate panel defeats bill to close “gun-show loophole”
January 23, 2008 | Virginia News
The Senate Courts of Justice Committee today voted 9-6 to defeat a bill to close the "gun-show loophole," effectively rendering the bill dead for this legislative session.“Driving While Texting” Bill Killed
January 23, 2008 | Virginia News
Adult cell phone addicts won’t be charged with “driving while texting,” at least for now.On Tuesday, the House Transportation Committee referred a bill to ban sending text messages while driving to the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS). The decision was made by voice vote, and it effectively kills the bill for the 2008 General Assembly session.
The purpose of JCOTS, which meets between legislative sessions, is to research policy-related science and technology issues. Delegate Joe May, R-Leesburg, and other members of the Transportation Committee, believe the technology aspects of the bill need more research.
Retiring Chatham police chief looks back on 38-year tenure
January 23, 2008 | Virginia News
With his retirement approaching on March 2, Chatham Police Chief Floyd Poindexter is not just saying goodbye to 38 years of law enforcement. He praises this town as one of society’s last holdouts against a creeping moral decay and mourns the passing of a simpler time.For the 69-year-old Poindexter, Chatham is where people wave when he cruises by and trust him enough to call him for help with just about anything. It’s a place he loves so much he has no qualms issuing warnings instead of speeding tickets in some cases, to keep the town from building a reputation as a “speed trap.”
Lynchburg woman given seat belt award whose life saved by one
January 23, 2008 | VACP
Ashley Foster remembers the moment when the world stopped spinning and her Ford Expedition landed on its wheels after careening 75 feet down an embankment.Her head hurt. Glass was everywhere. The airbags in the car had inflated - all but hers. But she was still in the car, held tight by the seat belt that very possibly saved her life. Foster likely would have been thrown from her car had she not been belted in.
Because of that simple act, Foster was recognized with the Saved by the Belt award by the Bedford City Police Department and the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police.
House committee kills gun-show loophole bill
January 18, 2008 | Virginia News
The General Assembly's House committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety today killed the House's version of the gun-show loophole bill by a vote of 13-9. The bill would have made all sales at gun shows subject to instant background checks.Governor: Colleges aren’t proper place for concealed guns
January 18, 2008 | Virginia News
Students carrying concealed weapons on college campuses is not a good state response to the April 16 shootings at Virginia Tech, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says.During a visit to Winchester on Thursday, he said regulations regarding concealed weapons should be left to university police chiefs and other officials on campuses.
"I tend to really trust the campus security people and presidents," the governor said. "I think the folks who are running campus security have a pretty good sense what’s the right thing on their campus or not.
