Part scientist, part artist, part alchemist – farmers plant crops and raise livestock guided by the latest research, personal experience, the Farmer’s Almanac and gut instinct. In this rural community, hobby farming is gaining ground, with more awareness about things like GMO’s and organic produce, free range chickens, and hormone-free meat creating niche markets for operators of small farms, many of whom sell their excess produce or handicrafts at local farmers markets.
Add a comment

Read more...

Just two months after being charged, Brenda van Emmenis pleaded guilty Thursday (Feb. 27) to stealing $1 million from her former employer, Fluvanna-based National Filter Service.
Brenda van Emmenis, 54, faces up to 400 years in prison when sentenced May 8 in Fluvanna Circuit Court. She is being held in the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange County.
Van Emmenis, better known as Brenda Rigsby, pleaded guilty to 13 counts of embezzlement and seven for conducting unlawful financial transactions.
Add a comment

Read more...

In papers filed Wednesday (Feb. 26) lawyers for Davenport & Co LLC renewed its request to have the lawsuit against it dismissed. It also asked the court to deny the Board’s attempt to amend its complaint filed Jan. 8.
A hearing on the matter is set for 11 a.m. on March 4 in Fluvanna County Circuit Court.
In 2008, the Board sought advice about financing the new high school. In September of 2011 the Board filed a lawsuit claiming Davenport & Co LLC, who had been the Board’s financial advisor for several years, gave them bad advice.
That bad advice caused the county to pay more than necessary for bonds to build the high school and lined Davenport’s pockets at the county’s expense, the suit contends.
Add a comment

Read more...

Fluvanna Circuit Court Judge Susan Whitlock on Thursday (Feb. 27) sentenced a robber who terrorized homeowners during the 2012 winter holidays to 43 years in prison.
Kevin Scott Burchardt, 34, of Amherst County, pleaded guilty in October to 15 felony charges stemming from break-ins and an armed robbery he committed on Fluvanna residents from November 24 through December 27, 2012, said Fluvanna County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jeff Haislip.
Add a comment

Read more...

Fluvanna County High School held its annual winter sports banquet on Wednesday, Feb 26. In a mobbed cafeteria, Fluco Activities Director Scott Morris started the proceedings with a thank you to the school administration, the staff, the booster club, and the athletes’ parents.
As is always the case at these functions, Morris then called upon the various coaches to report on their teams’ season and to recognize their top athletes’ achievements.
Add a comment

Read more...