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There are so many things I would rather do than cut grass. It’s a complete waste of time, but even in this unusually dry spell, the grass height has grown almost to kneehigh level on a giraffe. Perhaps, today will be different. I will complete my morning walk early, while it is cool. Then, I will jump on the tractor and bush-hog my yard. Later this afternoon, I will hitch up the boat and head to the lake to torment the crappie. Sounds like a plan.

Four years ago, Alicia Hazzard decided driving to Powhatan County at 8:30 a.m. for 10K training was too much, so she decided to form a team right at home in Amelia. Training for the Monument Avenue 10K, an approximately 6.2-mile run stretching down Monument Ave-nue and other streets in Richmond, Ms. Hazzard was proud of the group who crossed the finish line on April 20. “I am really proud of the motivation the group has…it was great, really great,” said Ms. Hazzard. The Monument Ave 10K is the 14th largest race in the nation, and Ms. Hazzard shared that it was nice to have friends to support her and carpool with downtown. During the off-season from the 10K, the group enjoys continuously meeting to run or walk, and keep that support going. “The 10K came and went, and we’re now the Amelia Walk and Run Club, we go shorter distances, have more attainable times, and we welcome every pace,” said Rebecca Tarrant, a member of the club. “We motivate each other’s personal goals, and first-timers to come again. Our runners will stick around for walkers, and sometimes we motivate ourselves with getting breakfast after,” added Ms. Hazzard. The group has grown since its inception in 2022, with 32 members at its largest. The group tends to average 15 members on runs and spans all age demographics. “We’ve had moms with babies in strollers, teenagers, and people in their 70s all show up,” said Ms. Hazzard. With consistent support from the Amelia Parks and Recreation Department, the club is grateful for being able to use its bathrooms and facilities during meetings. The group looks forward to the upcoming Amelia 5K on Sept. 7, supporting the Amelia County Food Pantry. As well as, the kids running series beginning in October which will run for five weeks. Training for the next 10K will formally begin on Feb. 1, with the run on April 12. For those interested in joining the club, Ms. Hazzard noted that it’s free to join and meetings are typically held at 8:30 a.m. Sundays outside the War Memorial Building (parks and rec. gym).

The Monday (July 8) Amelia County School Board regular meeting had an extensive agenda. The board voted on various action items, heard updates from administration, and considered a public comment about the presence of the Ten Commandments in schools. In closed session the board considered six student matters, two religious...

The Amelia County Planning Commission has four public hearings scheduled for its Monday (July 22) meeting. Woodland Resources LLC is requesting the rezoning of 152 acres on Amelia Springs Road (Rt. 642) from Agricultural A-5 to Rural Preservation RP-10 to allow the property to be divided into three parcels. Kevin...

Reader, — a request. Before reading further, please take 60 seconds to draw a mental image of a homeless person and imagine that person’s history. Two years ago, I would have imagined a holloweyed, chronic derelict panhandling the streets of San Franscico or Richmond to score another shot of heroin or cheap whiskey. And I would have been right in thousands of cases. But it is a documentable fact that homelessness in this region of rural Virginia looks radically different.

Soon Amelia County residents will say “goodbye” to another one of its valuable public servants. The latest county employee to resign is Community Development Director Brady Deal, who, after a too-short tenure, will leave Aug. 2 for a position in the private sector. Mr. Deal served the county’s...

Amelia County Parks and Recreation’s Youth Volleyball Camp for players in grades 3-12 will be held Saturday, (July 20) in the Parks and Rec gym. The elementary school bootcamp will be held from 10-11 a.m. Players in grades 3-5, will learn the basics of athletic movement and volleyball in a fun atmosphere. Campers will work on moving, throwing, and jumping while also learning the basics of volleyball.

NOTE: Due to lack of space in this week’s paper (July 18) this announcement is being published digitally, but will run next week (July 25) in the print edition. This week the Amelia County Commissioner of the Revenue office will mail out tax relief certificates or denials for the disabled or elderly that applied on or before March 1.

In a recent article by Stacker, the news site compiled a list of Virginia counties with the shortest and longest life expectancies. Amelia County ranked no.27 for shortest life expectancy at 73.4 years, which is 4.7 years below the state average. See the full list and article below. (Stacker) –...

The Virginia Department of Historic Resources will hold a dedication ceremony for a state historical marker focusing on the life of a Black educator and civic leader in Virginia this weekend.

This past April, Audra Morris was appointed the new director of Social Services in Amelia County. A longtime resident of the county, Mrs. Morris has lived in Amelia for over 30 years but grew up in Chesterfield County. Mrs. Morris originally had a background in finance, working as an assistant...

There will be a service for the unveiling of the new Virginia Highway Historical Marker (left) honoring Rosa Dixon Bowser Sunday (July 14) at 2 p.m. at the Amelia County Veterans Center. The marker itself is located on westbound U.S. Rt. 360 at the Grub Hill Church Road (Rt. 609)...

Amelia County community members came together on Sunday to celebrate the return of their house of worship.

AMELIA, Va. (WWBT) - An Amelia church took the next step toward their future as they held a groundbreaking ceremony – less than a year after its building burned to the ground. Many who worship at promised land baptist church – have been members their entire lives. “This...

Amelia County Parks and Recreation’s $75 early bird special for youth football and cheerleading registration is still active. Football teams are Flag (ages 5-7), Minor (ages 8-9), JV (ages 10-11), and Varsity (ages 12-13). Cheerleading has a Minor Squad (ages 5-7) and a Major Squad (ages 8-13). The early bird special has been extended through the football and cheer camps and will end once the season starts July 29. Beginning July 30, the regular registration fee of $95 per player will start.

James Leon Jeter was born February 6, 1938, in Amelia, Virginia. He was the son of the late James Alfred Jeter and the late Josephine Barley Jeter. On Sunday, June 30, 2024, James Leon Jeter passed peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family. At an early age, James...

Although it has already been discussed numerous times during the FY ’25 budget discussions, a county decal discussion is on the Amelia County Board of Supervisors’ meeting for Wednesday (July 17). Also on the agenda are consideration of a Special Event Permits for the Field Day of the...

As the demand for local grass-fed beef increases, many producers are embracing direct-to-consumer sales. If you have been considering adding or diversifying your operation to include direct marketing, join Virginia Cooperative Extension for a “Field to Filet” program. The program will walk through considerations for direct marketing from start to finish. Participants will learn about cut sheets, allowing them to assist customers in customizing their beef orders—specifying thickness, portion sizes, and preferred cuts. We will discuss pricing considerations and work through input costs and cut pricing. With beef prices at record highs, understanding how to price direct-marketed beef is essential for profitability and marketability.

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... I ask one thing of you and all other readers. Before reading farther, please take 60 seconds to draw a mental image of a homeless person and imagine that person’s history. Two years ago, I would have imagined a hollow-eyed, chronic derelict panhandling...