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FRIDAY, JAN. 23, 2009

CALOS PRESENTS TO WOMAN’S CLUB

KOUTNIK’S CLASSICS

Volume 84, Issue 7

30 YEARS AGO IN HOPEWELL

INSIDE TODAY

SAFE WINTER DRIVING TIPS Remove ice or snow. Take time to remove the snow from the entire car so it doesn’t blow onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers. Clear windows, mirrors and lights. See and be seen. Make sure windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order. Turn on your headlights to be seen by other drivers. down and Slow increase following distance. A greater cushion in between vehicles can prevent panic stops and allow greater room for error. See Page 3

WEST END GIRLS AND BOYS BASKETBALL BOYS VARSITY West End beat Carmel Christian Monday night 6540. Bobby Devers led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points; Timmy Warthan had 13 points, and 9 assists; Bryan Sides 11 points, 5 blocked shots and 12 rebounds; Alex Bridger 10 points and 5 steals; Ellis Fisher 8 points; Mason McQuage 2 points; and Cody Moore had 2 points and 7 assists. The Crusaders, still without leading scorer Travis Hathaway, were beaten badly by conference power, Banner Christian, 75-41, on Tuesday night. Devers had 13 points, Sides 10 points and 10 rebounds, Warthan 6 points and 3 assists, Bridger 5 points, Moore 4 points and 5 steals, and Fisher 3 points. See Page 12

HAMPTON COLISEUM HOSTED THE TWO DAY EVENT

HE TALKS ABOUT THE “BACK ROADS”

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EVERYDAY LIVING

HOPEWELL GOES 1-2 AT PRESTIGIOUS VIRGINIA DUELS

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SPORTS

COMMUNITY

The Hopewell News

‘I did not expect this to happen’ www.hopewellnews.com YOUR HOMETOWN NEWSPAPER IN HOPEWELL, PRINCE GEORGE AND ENON SINCE 1925

75 CENTS

Civil rights leader, councilor attended inauguration ◆ By ELLIOTT ROBINSON Forty-four years ago, the Rev. Curtis Harris Sr. helped make history as he marched along U.S. Route 80 with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. between Selma and Montgomery, Ala. On Tuesday, he sat on the frigid National Mall, witnessing history as Barack Obama was sworn in as

the nation's first minority president. "It was a historic experience and I was thrilled, despite the cold weather — I was wrapped up well — I was able to observe the swearing in of the president and the vice president," Harris, ward 2 councilor and national vice chairman of the board of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, said.

Harris set out to Washington, D.C., Monday afternoon after participating in a breakfast in honor of King in Chesterfield County. As he looked back at his experience with King and his battles for equality in the TriCities, the inauguration held a special significance to him. "I was excited about this matter, and I did not expect this to happen in my lifetime but it

happened, and I'm thrilled." Throughout his lifetime as a civil rights leader, Harris endured the violent attacks on peaceful protests in the 1960s, threats on his life and an unsuccessful bombing of his home in Hopewell. Harris, 84, was born in Surry County and has lived in the city for 80 years. He has been a member of City Council since 1986 and has the longest tenure

of any other councilor. Like many of the millions of people in attendance for the inauguration, Harris initially planned to return to Hopewell that evening but Sen. Jim Webb had other plans for him. "I was prepared to come back yesterday," Harris said Wednesday, "but during the day, Sen. Webb asked me through his See HARRIS, page 14

PRINCE GEORGE EMS HONORED George Prince County's Emergency Crew was given credit with helping improving the odds of surviving sudden cardiac arrest at their annual installation banquet at the Moose Lodge in Hopewell, Saturday, Jan. 11. The banquet is held as a way of recognizing members for outstanding service, crew leaders and its charter members. See Page 5

OBITUARIES Donald Gene Coker Juanita Irene (Price) McDonald Mary G. Weaver See Page 2A

DAILY OBITUARY UPDATE NOW AVAILABLE

STAFF PHOTO

The Rev. Curtis Harris Sr. stands across from his church wearing Barack Obama clothing. Hr traveled to Washington, D.C. Tuesday to witness Obama’s inauguration.

Phone 541-1826

Police looking for more city volunteers

Neighbors helping neighbors cut crime

◆ By ELLIOTT ROBINSON

◆ By ELLIOTT ROBINSON

Anyone in Hopewell most likely has seen the Police Volunteers. They are out at funeral escorts, help direct traffic, patrol the city and set up the city's command center. "We support the mission of the police department," said Susan Temple, secretary of the Police Volunteers. They also need more volunteers. The four-year-old program hopes to expand its manpower to better serve the city and give some relief to police officers. "This is an investment and we free up the police force to do what they need to do," said Vanessa Justice, former mayor of Hopewell. The Police Volunteer program began in 2005 as an idea of Rex Marks, the former chief of

police. Dot Carter, who was instrumental in setting up the program, took it upon herself to go door-to-door in several neighborhoods to garner the initial batch of volunteers. "We didn't have anything like that round here," Carter said. Before heading out into the field, volunteers undergo training, said Officer Kevin Johnson, who is the supervising officer for the volunteers. "We're not training people to be police," he said. "We just want them to do things as safely as possible." Duties include providing up to four cars for funeral escorts for all of the funeral homes in the city. If that duty was left solely to Hopewell Police, only one car would be available for the escort, Johnson said. "They can do an escort way See POLICE, page 14

Statistics can be deceiving, said Hopewell Police Chief Steven Martin during his monthly citywide neighborhood watch meeting. Overall, the city saw a 2 percent drop in crime in 2008 but a change in how breaking and entering is recorded drove those numbers significantly higher. In what may have come to a surprise to some in the city, Martin said that most of the instances of breaking and entering occurred in broad daylight between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when most people are working and not at home. As not all people on a particular street are guaranteed to be at work during those hours, having PHOTO BY ELLIOTT ROBINSON neighbors looking out for each Capt. Gabriel Costanzo, left, and Chief Steven Martin discuss police other's houses is particularly incidents in Hopewell during the citywide Neighborhood Watch important, said Capt. Gabriel meeting Thursday evening. Costanzo.

"If you see someone walking down the street with a TV in the middle of the day, call us," Costanzo said. Recently, some arrests in the city had been made thanks to the watchful eye of some residents who alerted police. One burglary suspect was apprehended when a neighbor noticed a strange man unscrewing a light bulb at a house. "Encourage [neighbors] to call us up," he said during a slideshow of significant arrests. "If you get a lot of people involved, you'll see a lot more people put up here being arrested," Costanzo said. Also at the meeting, Martin said, a helpful thing to do is fill out a inventory sheet that lists a description and serial number of every big-ticket item in a home. Once an object is reported stolen, See WATCH, page 14

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POLICE better than we can," he said. The Police Volunteers also direct traffic for parades and other events, patrol the streets for noncompliant vehicles. bring McGruff to schools and they even patrolled Hopewell High School for two weeks after December's bomb threat. "Officers have remarked on their willingness to work and the professionalism they've shown," Johnson said in a press release. "These uniformed volunteers provide a real presence and some much-needed eyes and ears as they go about their duties throughout the city." Additionally, they hold bike rodeos and other general foot and car patrols where they record or radio back any incidents they see, Temple said. "We are the police's eyes and ears," she said. "Older people say they feel safer because they see us on the streets." Their training also includes self defense, CPR, first aid and instructions on setting up the city's command center in case of an emergency. "If there's an incident in the city, we're trained to drive it out and activate it," Temple said. "They theory is, if there is an emergency, the police and fire are going to be very busy." Other duties also include aiding in training with new police recruits to see how they would

HARRIS aide to represent him at a prayer meeting where the president and vice president were present. It's the National Prayer Service at the National Cathedral on Wisconsin Avenue in Northwestern D.C." After the service, Harris headed for Hopewell. Although he will remember Obama's inauguration as a triumph in civil rights, his memories from before Selma and Montgomery and beyond tell him there is much more work the coun-

WATCH the serial number goes into a national database that would indicate it is stolen. The forms are available at the Hopewell Bureau of Police Martin holds monthly citywide neighborhood watch meetings to update watch leaders and

THE HOPEWELL NEWS

Friday, January 23, 2009

Continued from page 1 react in certain situations. Their simulation duties don't end there. "We were contacted by one of the plant to test their own internal security," Johnson said. "Happily, they passed," Temple added. The volunteers come from all walks of life from the former mayor of Hopewell, Navy intelligence, the CIA, Air Force and Army veterans and crossing guards. "People who jump in come to love it," Temple said. Jim Wisniewsky, who joined after hearing about it at a Hopewell Citizen's Academy meeting, agreed. "I saw it as an opportunity to serve," he said. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old, have a valid driver's license, pass a background check and be physically able to participate. At least eight hours a month is requested for service but they can be flexible. Physically-active retired people are encouraged to apply. "What's important for me is citizens being involved," Justice said. For more information on joining the Police Volunteers, contact Johnson at 541-2222 or e-mail him at [email protected]. Police Volunteers President George Baker is available as well at 895-4724 or [email protected].

Continued from page 1 try needs to do to come together across racial lines. "It's not over," he said. "We have an African-American president for the first time but many minds have to be changed and we need to have opportunities to change the minds of people so this country can survive. Unless we can change the minds of people, shift hate to the love column, all of this is for naught."

Continued from page 1 members on city issues, gather feedback and give presentations. For more information on joining or creating a neighborhood watch in the city, contact Lt. Dean at the Hopewell Bureau of Police at 5412222.

Hopewell hosts VAWA event On Friday, Jan. 30, Hopewell High School will be hosting the first ever Virginia Wrestling Association (VAWA) Benefit Double Dual. There will be a high school dual between Hopewell and Fauquier (#2 AAA team in Virginia), and a college dual between George Mason and University of Virginia. The gate proceeds will go directly to the Virginia Wrestling Association, which is the organization that helps to develop and support future olympians in the sport of wrestling in Virginia. Admission is $8 per individual, donations greater than $8 will be accepted and will cover the admission fee. The high school dual begins at 5:30 p.m. and the college dual begins at 7 pm. We are hoping to put no less than

500 fans in the stands for this great event. The highlighted match-ups for the high school dual (state rankings are according to virginiawrestling.com): 112 - Ryan Hunsberger (Faq) #2 AAA v. Jonathan Gay (Hop) 145/152 - Chris Moon (Faq) #2 AAA at 152 v. Cody Allala (Hop) #1 AAA at 145 160 - Daniel McGillivary (Faq) #1 AAA v. Clint Allala (Hop) #2 AAA 285 - Kevin Friend (Faq) #2 AAA v. Cam Granderson (Hop) #2 HWY in Central Region 103/112 - Greg Flournoy (Faq) #1 AAA at 103 v. Jonathan Gay (Hop) 112/119 - Ryan Hunsberger (Faq) #2 AAA at 112 v. Flomoe Akoi (Hop)

The Hopewell Blue Devil wrestling team went 1-2 at the prestigious Virginia Duals that took place Friday and Saturday Jan. 9 and 10 at the Hampton Coliseum. Hopewell lost its opening match on Friday to the number 3 seed Kingsway High of New Jersey by score of 51-22. The Blue Devils were then defeated by Northern Region power Langley by a score of 39-29 to open the day on Saturday and then defeated Menchville High School by score of 44-22 to end its weekend at the tournament. While forfeiting three weight classes, it was an uphill battle for the Blue Devils, however, the young wrestlers, Ondre Johnson, Wade Wallace, and Darius Sheridan stepped up to make all of the matches competitive. Ondre had his strongest showing of the season by going 2-1. The Langley match provided plenty of fireworks and was perhaps the most entertaining dual meet for the Blue Devils on the weekend. The Blue Devils decided to forfeit the 145 pound weight class and bump freshman phenom Cody Allala, who is the top ranked AAA wrestler in the state at 145 pounds, to 152 pounds to face

defending AAA State Champion and #1 ranked AAA wrestler at 152 David Helmer. After a scoreless 1st period, Helmer choose down to start the 2nd and scored an escape to lead 1-0, Cody scored a takedown and then Helmer got another escape to make the score 2-2 at the end of two, Cody scored an early escape to begin the third to lead 3-2, Helmer scored a takedown with about a minute to go in the match to take a 4-3 lead that was followed by an escape by Cody to send the match into overtime tied at 4-4. In overtime Helmer was hit with an early stall warning but was able to score a takedown in the last 10 seconds for the victory. Two matches later at 171 Junior, Clint Allala recorded his 100th career victory against Mike Pechstein by a fall in 1:03. Clint is the 6th member of the Hopewell Wrestling Century Club and is well on his way to becoming the all-time wins leader in the Hopewell Wrestling Program which is 139 held by current Assistant Bobby Henderson. He currently has 101 career wins. Going 3-0 for the Blue Devils on the weekend were Jonathan

PHOTO BY ELLIOTT ROBINSON

Honoring Martin Luther King’s birthday at Fort Lee Chief Steven Martin and other members of the Hopewell Bureau of Police stand with members of the Hopewell Police Volunteers.

◆ By BERKLEY PRITCHETT Two people who attended the University of Alabama shared the same stage in Memorial Chapel at Fort Lee to celebrate Martin Luther King's Birthday. Former garrison commander Col. Gwen Bingham and Deputy to the Commander Larry Toler recalled their experiences at a university that became a battleground in the fight for civil rights. In 1963, former governor of Alabama George Wallace tried to prevent two black students, Vivian Malone and James Hood, from registering at the school by standing in the doorway of the school. He stepped aside when he was confronted by the National Guard troops that had been mobilized by President John Kennedy so Hood and Malone could register. "I remember George Wallace in 1963, and I remember him standing in the doorway," Toler said. "I graduated from the University of Alabama, and for her to sit there and for me to sit here on the same day — that says a lot about where we are and what we've done." Bingham attended the school in the '70s, about a decade after Wallace tried to block the door, but

racism at the university had not completely subsided. Bingham recalled during her freshmen year she took a sociology class but struggled in it. Several friends suggested that she consult the teacher about how she could improve her grade. "The professor looked at me in my eye, and I remember it like it was yesterday," Bingham said. "And he told me it's a known fact that people like you don't do well in this discipline." She felt angry about the professor’s remarks, but thanked him and then left his office. She didn't want him to see her cry. She would go on to make an F in the class. "I'm not proud of making that F," Bingham said. "But in some ways it's a subtle reminder of how not to treat someone." When Toler attended the school, he took a speech class that was required to graduate. For his graduation requirement, he did an interpretation of the "I Have A Dream" speech. "It's the one thing in my life that I put more work into more than anything else," Toler said. "You don't know how hard it is for someone like me to be able to do that. But the professor came to me and said I thought I'd never see a

Church league basketball

PHOTO BY BERKLEY PRITCHETT

Col. Gwen Bingham recounts her experience as a student at the University of Alabama.

white boy in Alabama do that." Toler said the professor's words were a reflection of how the nation had progressed and changed. He ended up getting an A in the class. "In just a few days we'll witness change in the White House, as

we as the nation will bear witness the first black man being sworn in to become the 44th president of the United States of America," Bingham said. "I wonder what Dr. King would think of all this right now.”

BOYS VARSITY West End beat Carmel Christian Monday night 65-40. Bobby Devers led a balanced scoring attack with 19 points; Timmy Warthan had 13 points, and 9 assists; Bryan Sides 11 points, 5 blocked shots and 12 rebounds; Alex Bridger 10 points and 5 steals; Ellis Fisher 8 points; Mason McQuage 2 points; and Cody Moore had 2 points and 7 assists. The Crusaders, still without leading scorer Travis Hathaway, were beaten badly by conference power, Banner Christian, 75-41, on Tuesday night. Devers had 13 points, Sides 10 points and 10 rebounds, Warthan 6 points and 3 assists, Bridger 5 points, Moore 4 points and 5 steals, and Fisher 3 points. The Crusaders record dropped to [8-7] and [5-3] in the VCAA conference. Banner remains undefeated in conference play.

Carmel Christian Monday night, 60-33, behind Natalie Slayden’s 24 points. Brianna Person added 8 points, Jordan Torrence 7 points, 7 assists and 7 steals. Laura Rowe hit for 6 points; Carley Warthan 4 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 6 steals; Eboni Hill scored 4 points; Brittany Person 3 points; Jordan Waitman and Andrea Tucker had 2 points each. On Tuesday, West End trailed 21-17 at halftime, to a much bigger Banner Christian team. But the Bearcats quickly faded, as West End rolled to a 27-6 second half advantage to win 44-27. Slayden led the Crusaders with 14 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals; Warthan had 11 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 9 steals; Brianna person had a season high 10 points; Laura Rowe added 5 points and had 6 steals; Andrea Tucker and Jordan Waitman had 2 points each. West End improved to [[8-4] overall and hold solidly on to second place in the VCAA conference with a [6-1] record.

130 - Jay Ives (Langley) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 135 - Cameron Kaihara (Langley) over Jacorey Jones (Hopewell) Pin 1:32 140 - Ondre Johnson (Hopewell) over Mark Wilson (Langley) Maj 18-6 145 - Josh Bates (Langley) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - David Helmer (Langley) over Cody Allala (Hopewell) Dec 6-4 160 - Kiefer Hazard (Langley) over Quentin Jones (Hopewell) Pin 2:33 171 - Clint Allala (Hopewell) over Mike Pechstein (Langley) Pin 1:03 189 - Keith Winfield (Hopewell) over J. D. Drasbek (Langley) Maj 16-7 215 - Double Forfeit 285 Cam Granderson (Hopewell) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

over Nathan Walker (Menchville) Pin 1:50 125 - Flomoe Akoi (Hopewell) Stephens Richard over (Menchville) Dec 8-2 130 - Maurice Chapman (Menchville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 135 - Kyle Graham (Menchville) over Jacorey Jones (Hopewell) Pin 0:39 140 Dante` Johnson (Menchville) over Ondre Johnson (Hopewell) Maj 11-1 145 - Cody Allala (Hopewell) over Seth Robertson (Menchville) TF 16-1 *Hopewell deducted 1 team point for unsportsmanlike conduct on the bench 152 - Dylan Goodill (Menchville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Quentin Jones (Hopewell) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 171 - Clint Allala (Hopewell) over Alexander Ellis (Menchville) Pin 1:12 189 - Keith Winfield (Hopewell) over Marcus Graves (Menchville) Maj 14-4 215 - Double Forfeit 285 Cam Granderson (Hopewell) over Nick Marcos (Menchville) Pin 5:27

West End Basketball

Hopewell Recreation and Parks is sponsoring an Adult Church Basketball League. Any local churches that are interested in playing in the league must pay a fee of $450 by Friday, Feb. 13, 2009. The League will be playing games on Mondays and Thursdays nights at Mallonee Gymnasium

starting Monday, March 9, 2009 and ending in April 2009. If you intend to have a team or teams in the league, please make sure the fees are paid by the date listed above. For more information call 541-2356 and ask for Ronnie Parker.

Congratulations again to the indoor track team. This past weekend several members participated in the Asics Invitational at Liberty University. Bryan Yates took 3rd in the high jump while tying the school record with a jump of 6’2”. Amber Pierson placed 1st in the long jump and 3rd in the 300 meter. Daniel Arakelian placed

1st in the pole vault and Anthony Carlie claimed bronze in the long jump. Desi Scott set a new school record in the 500 meter while earning a bronze medal in the event. Amanda Tomlin set new school records in the 1600 meter and the 1000 meter. This brings her current school record total to 6 events. The team looks forward to their GIRLS VARSITY home meet on Feb. 4. The lady Crusaders beat

Gay (112), Clint Allala (160/171), and Keith Winfield (189). Going 2-1 at the Duals was Flomoe Akoi (119/125), Ondre Johnson (140), Cody Allala (145), and Cam Posting Granderson (285). records of 1-2 were Wade Wallace (103), Darius Sheridan (119/125), and Quentin Jones (152/160). The wins by Wallace and Sheridan were their first of the season. Hopewell is now 5-12 on the year in dual meets.

140 - Ondre Johnson (Hopewell) Anthony Marandola over (Kingsway) Dec 5-0 145 - Cody Allala (Hopewell) over Jarred Smith (Kingsway) Pin 3:07 152 - Joe Renard (Kingsway) over Quentin Jones (Hopewell) Pin 1:41 160 - Clint Allala (Hopewell) over Mike MaCauley (Kingsway) Maj 13-3 171 - Mike Contarino (Kingsway) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 189 - Keith Winfield (Hopewell) over Austin McKenna (Kingsway) Pin 1:56 215 - Brian Mills (Kingsway) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 285 - Mark Dormann (Kingsway) over Cam Granderson (Hopewell) Dec 9-3

Track team at Liberty

Blue Devils go 1-2 at prestigious Virginia Duals

Below are the complete results for each match: Kingsway (NJ) 51 Hopewell 22 103 - Cody Watson (Kingsway) over Wade Wallace (Hopewell) Pin 0:54 112 - Jonathan Gay (Hopewell) over Ryan Harbeson (Kingsway) Dec 2-0 119 - Chevy Hague (Kingsway) over Flomoe Akoi (Hopewell) Pin 3:29 125 - Collin Flanagan (Kingsway) over Darius Sheridan (Hopewell) Pin 1:16 130 - Dylan Lauser (Kingsway) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 135 - Kurtis Becker (Kingsway) over Jacorey Jones (Hopewell) Pin 1:00

Langley 39 Hopewell 29 103 - Anthony Kotoriy (Langley) over Wade Wallace (Hopewell) Pin 1:14 112 - Jonathan Gay (Hopewell) over Dylan Phillips (Langley) Pin 5:29 119 - Flomoe Akoi (Hopewell) over Daniel Hozik (Langley) Dec 6-5 125 - Matt Wilson (Langley) over Darius Sheridan (Hopewell) Pin 1:01

Hopewell 44 Menchville 24 103 - Wade Wallace (Hopewell) over John Spario (Menchville) Dec 10-4 112 - Jonathan Gay (Hopewell) over Justin West (Menchville) Pin 0:57 119 - Darius Sheridan (Hopewell)