WOODBRIDGE, Va. – On a chilly night in Woodbridge, the Potomac Nationals gave up three unearned runs in the final three innings as they fell 5-4 to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. The P-Nats wasted a strong start from Adam Olbrychowski and have now dropped six straight contests.
Potomac had a chance in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game with a two-out rally. Wade Moore brought home Justin Bloxom with an RBI single to make it 5-4 but Kevin Keyes struck out swinging with the tying run at second base.
Trailing 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning, the Pelicans tied up the game at 3-3 on a double by Josh Richmond. Santiago Chirino was able to score from first base because of a fielding error by Randolph Oduber.
Jake Skole gave Myrtle Beach the lead in the top of the eighth with a sacrifice fly that scored Odubel Herrera. Herrera advanced to third base earlier in the at bat courtesy of a two-base error by Potomac pitcher Rob Wort.
WINSTON-SALEM, NC – On a night with the wind blowing out of BB&T Ballpark, the Winston-Salem overcame a four-run Potomac lead to beat the Nationals 7-6. The Dash swept the four-game series in North Carolina on a walk-off hit by Trayce Thompson.
In the ninth with the score tied 6-6, Winston-Salem got a one-out hit from Jake Oester off Neil Holland. Ryan Demmin came into the contest to replace Holland and Wagner knocked a double down the left field line to put runners at second and third with one out. Kyle Eveland pinch ran for Oester and after a walk to Marcus Semien, Eveland scored on a single to left-center field by Trayce Thompson and for the second time this year Potomac lost on a walk-off hit.
Randolph Oduber started the contest with a bang: a homer over the 18-foot high wall in center directly over the 399 marker off of Winston-Salem starter Matt Heidenreich. The Nationals barrage continued with a Blake Kelso triple off the short three-foot high wall in right field. Kelso scored on a Zach Walters ground out to first. Potomac added another run in the first with back-to-back doubles from Michael Taylor (to right center) and Justin Bloxom (to left center) and led 3-0.
The Dash scored themselves in the first off LHP Bobby Hansen Jr. Three singles from Marcus Semien, Trayce Thompson and Dan Black equaled a run for Winston-Salem and it was Nationals 3-1 after an inning.
Read the entire article at PotomacNationals.com.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — Three horses in Fairfax County were found wounded on Thursday.
The horses, which graze on a property in the 2600 block of Frying Pan Road near Dulles Airport, were cut and needed medical attention. The wounds don’t appear to be life threatening, stated Fairfax County police.
Investigators think the horses were injured sometime between 9 p.m. Wednesday and 9:30 a.m. Thursday. A man was seen stumbling in the area about 11 a.m. Thursday, and was described by nearby Frying Pan Park employees as white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 160 pounds. Police said they do not know if he’s involved in the incident.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Fairfax County Crime Solvers.
By LANCE CPL. TABITHA BARTLEY
Quantico SentryÂ
QUANTICO, Va. — Within the past few weeks there have been two fatal accidents, involving motorcycles on Joplin Road, not far outside of Quantico’ main gate. Neither accident involved base personnel. Joplin Road is one of the many narrow, curvy roads in the area can be dangerous to the many service members who ride motorcycles.
The Navy Safety Center annually publishes a motorcycle personal motor vehicle fatalities graph with the rates of the last 10 years. The annual average number of Navy personal who died in motorcycle accidents in each of the last 10 years is roughly 20.
“Not only is this part of Virginia one of the most congested areas for traffic in the nation,” said Ed Billig, the traffic safety branch manager, “There is also wildlife, curvy roads and other hazards on the road to worry about. It’s the adversity of being in this area.”
Even with a slower speed limit throughout base, there are still a number of curvy roads and hidden driveways that drivers have to be aware of. Not only should people operating motor vehicles be looking out for hazards, but make sure to listen and observe the area around.
“Riders especially need to stay attentive and not get complacent,” said Billig. “Riding is a mental thing; you need to continuously be scanning and looking around you. Be prepared for the unexpected and have a plan to avoid an accident.”
Courses and camps are offered both on base and in the civilian sector, to help riders get more comfortable on rider, and have the muscle memory to handle a potential accident.
Semper Ride hosted the American Super Camp course at Camp Upshur on April 18 to teach riders to regain control of an out-of-control motorcycle. Marines trained for two days on a motocross course.
“Purposely losing control is something in street riding you never do in your training,” said Jeff Tilton, the project manager for Semper Ride. “It is very valuable cross training for street riders. They are able to get out of control and experience how to regain control, building muscle memory.”
“We really emphasize body positions,” said Chris Carr, instructor for American Super Camp. “Specifically, where you sit on the motorcycle and how that will affect the handling of the bike.”
Body positioning is an important part of riding, especially during turns, and can help a rider to avoid an accident.
The Traffic Safety Branch aboard Quantico offers a number of courses for riders to improve their skills and practice riding in a controlled environment. To sign up for motorcycle courses visit www.quantico.usmc.mil, select the course and follow the prompts.
Semper ride also has events available for riders. Visit them at semperride.com for more information.
“I want students to be better, safer motorcycle riders, that are why we are doing this,” Carr said. “We want people leaving this course safer than when they got here. That’s the whole idea.”
By Brad Fulton
Capital News Service
RICHMOND, Va. – Gov. Bob McDonnell signed two bills Thursday requiring schools to stock and administer epinephrine, a drug that could save students having a severe allergic reaction.
McDonnell signed House Bill 1107, sponsored by Delegate Thomas “Tag” Greason, a Republican from Potomac Falls, and Senate Bill 656, introduced by Sen. Donald McEachin, a Democrat from Richmond.
The measures require schools to adopt plans to have epinephrine available for emergencies. Only a school nurse or other trained school employee could administer the drug.
The state budget passed last week allocated $200,000 to public schools to buy epinephrine injectors, commonly called EpiPens.
The legislation was introduced in January after 7-year-old Amarria Johnson, a student at Hopkins Elementary School in Chesterfield County, went into cardiac arrest from a peanut allergy and died.
“This legislation and the money in the recently passed budget will help prevent another tragedy like Amarria Johnson’s from occurring in a public school in the commonwealth,” McDonnell said. “Having a plan in place and access to epinephrine in schools, where children spend half their day, is critical.”
Amarria’s mother, Laura Pendleton, attended the bill signing ceremony. Also present were state legislators, pediatricians and representatives of the Food Allergy Network.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, food allergies among school-aged children increased 18 percent between 1997 and 2007. Additionally, a study by the American Academy of Pediatrics showed that nearly 25 percent of allergic reactions in schools occur in children who were previously undiagnosed.
State education officials plan to draft guidelines for the possession and administration of epinephrine by July 1. Local school boards must implement their policies beginning with the 2012-2013 school year.
Virginia American Water announced that two nonprofit environmental organizations have each received $3,000 through the company’s Environmental Grant Program to advance protection of water resources.
Petersburg-based Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, which works to protect the Appomattox River and promote its natural beauty and history, will use its grant to install informational and interpretive signage at significant points along the river. The signage will increase awareness of the river’s amenities and encourage protection of its resources.
The Friends of the Occoquan, which is based in Woodbridge and works to preserve and maintain the Occoquan Watershed, will use its grant to organize biannual river cleanups and for educational materials for civic organizations, youth groups and schools.
“We are committed to protecting the environment in the communities we serve and proud to support the efforts of local organizations that share our vision,” said Virginia American Water President William R. Walsh. “We established the Environmental Grant Program to offer assistance to our community partners, while leveraging local resources and capabilities to make a positive impact on the environment.”
Established in 2005, American Water’s Environmental Grant Program offers funds for innovative, community-based environmental projects that improve, restore or protect the watersheds, surface water and/or groundwater supplies in the local communities the company serves.
WOODBRIDGE, Va. — Residents can take back their unwanted or unused prescription drugs this weekend.
Potomac Mills mall will serve as a prescription drug take back drop off point, where residents can bring their unused prescription drugs to be destroyed by state and federal officials.
Residents on Saturday are welcome to bring their prescription drugs to the main patio entrance of the mall, by the food court, at 2700 Potomac Mills Circle in Woodbridge between 10 a.m. and noon.
Those collecting the drugs said the event will be free, and those who turn them in will remain anonymous. The event is an effort to discourage pill abuse, theft and hazardous disposal, officials said.
A similar drug take back event was held at the mall last year. In September 2010, more than 5,000 pounds of drugs were collected throughout the state during a prescription drug take back event.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. -- The Prince William Chamber of Commerce expressed strong praise for the Prince William Board of County Supervisors following a unanimous board vote to increase the BPOL (Business/Professional/Occupational/License) tax income threshold from $200,000 to $250,000. The new threshold will provide BPOL tax relief to companies with revenues of less than $250,000. The Board also directed County staff to engage the Prince William Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 2,000 area businesses, in dialogue about initiating significant business tax reforms.
“Both of these decisions represent progress for the prosperity of our community. A balanced approach towards business taxation and regulation is essential to nurturing our robust rate of jobs creation and economic growth,” said Nancy Hiteshue, Prince William Chamber Director of Public Policy.
The Chamber has long advocated for BPOL reform at both the local and state levels. Hiteshue said that the group ultimately seeks elimination of the tax, which was originally instituted to help fund the war of 1812. At issue is the fact that is based on a company’s gross revenues rather than profits. Therefore, a business operating at a loss could still be liable for BPOL tax.
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STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. -- During the lunchtime hour Wednesday, Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman Susan Stimpson talked about the county’s public schools.
From her Facebook page, she and Falmouth School Board Representative Meg Bohmke took questions from constituents about things like student activity buses and rebuilding Stafford Senior High School. The entire discussion can be viewed on Stimpson’s Facebook page.
“Many of the districts are not wanting to provide [afterschool activity buses] because of the costs of gas, wear, and manpower. However, Prince William County has them and daily they provide rides to within a few blocks to many teens every day. One way to cut costs would be that parents have to sign their student up for the bus and pay a fee. I would gladly pay money for my student to ride. Those who could not afford, such as free and reduced, could have a waiver number, like their lunch number, so this appeals to everyone, not just those who have,” stated Jackie Gardner, of Stafford.
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By URIAH KISER
QUANTICO, Va. — Mayor Isis Tharpe came to the Marines with a concern. Some residents of her Town of Quantico – the only town in the U.S. located within a military installation – said it was taking too long to get through base security gates to get to their homes.
The solution proposed the Base: Issue a town resident ID card to present at security checkpoints. The problem: The card would work no differently than the current procedure of presenting a driver’s license or other government-issued ID card, and Base officials have no way of making the proposed cards mandatory for residents.
Officials said the cards would improve security on the base and the town of about 500 residents, as everyone who applies for a card would be screened through a national crime database and a terrorist watch list.
“I think we know that 9/11 was a watershed point for many things across the United States…over the last 10 years, a lot of the installations across the United States have been asked to increase their security,” said Quantico Marine Base spokesman John Rosewarne.
To get to the town or onto the base, everyone must present ID at security checkpoints, including the main gate at Fuller Road and U.S. 1. Those who ride OmniLink buses to and from the town are also screened when military guards board buses and check IDs.
Town residents are currently issued a sticker for their car denoting they live in Quantico, but must also present ID when passing through the gates. The issuance of any new ID card would not replace the sticker, said Tharpe.
The new cards would be issued to those 16 and older, to those who passed a criminal background check, as well as legal immigrants. The base would not issue them to anyone with outstanding arrest warrants, anyone who has had their driver’s license revoked, those who had been previously barred from the base, visiting relatives of town residents, or commercial vendors moving in and out of the town.
Some residents said Quantico is the safest town in the U.S. because it’s surrounded by constant security, and noted they don’t mind applying for a new ID card.
Others pointed out a lax in Quantico’s security at a Virginia Railway Express station, where train passengers can come and go without presenting ID.
“Who’s monitoring the people who get off the train? This is our home, this is our town and we should not feel like we are prisoners here,” said Patricia Thornton.
Tharpe said she will wait until a formal written presentation about the proposed ID cards is provided by base officials before putting it up for a vote by the Town Council later this year.
