— A man convicted of repeatedly raping his stepdaughter was given a double life sentence in Colonial Heights Circuit Court on Tuesday The man was previously found guilty of two counts of rape by force a news release from the Colonial Heights Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney says the jury heard testimony from the man's underage stepdaughter about being raped nightly "Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Noelle Nochisaki argued to the jury that the defendant groomed his step-daughter and that the DNA of the child proved that the defendant impregnated her Nochisaki and convicted the defendant of two counts of rape," the news release said a judge sentenced the man to one life sentence for each count of rape Deputy Nochisaki argued that the defendant had preyed upon and impregnated his step-daughter who was supposed to protect her and prevent this from happening Deputy Nochisaki further argued that he showed no remorse for his actions." she endured a monster," and commended the victim as "a brave EDITOR'S NOTE: CBS 6 removed the name of the convicted rapist in an effort to protect the victim's identity proposed by House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington R-Texas as part of the 2025 budget reconciliation would significantly reduce the number of schools eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which allows schools serving large numbers of low-income children to provide free meals to all students schools qualify for CEP if at least 25% of their students are from low-income households The proposed changes would raise that threshold to 60% more than half of the participating schools — 24,000 schools spread across every state serving more than 12 million children — would no longer be able to use CEP,” the study states “These schools would be mired in unnecessary paperwork and children in low-income families would likely miss out on meals How would the cuts affect VA and Tri-City students?Under the proposed cuts a total of 784 schools within 84 school districts in Virginia would no longer be able to provide free school meals through the CEP with 451,117 children in the state losing access to free programs Hopewell and Colonial Heights all participate in CEP Petersburg and Hopewell public schools both meet the proposed 60% threshold and are not at risk of losing access But Colonial Heights Public Schools could lose access to the program nearly 3,000 students at all five of its schools are eligible for free meals regardless of income through CEP Warren Hammonds, executive director of the Colonial Heights Food Pantry said the city has already been struggling with food insecurity over the past couple of years in particular and added  that this move could make the situation much worse for some of the community’s most vulnerable members — its children “For the families whose children are receiving free or reduced meals who’s intimately familiar with the needs of the community “The CHFP already serves many of these families but we certainly couldn't make up for those extra meals received elsewhere.”  “The CHFP is already experiencing an increased need in our area by over 70% in the past two years and our food availability is not keeping up that pace of increase,” he told The Progress-Index “For families losing school meals and even for hunger relief agencies like ours the times would become even more demanding.”  A spokesperson from Colonial Heights Public Schools told The Progress-Index that the school division did not wish to comment on the matter seven schools and 4,267 students in Dinwiddie County Public Schools as well as two schools and 1,380 students in Richmond Public Schools 43 schools and 27,130 students could lose the free meals they currently receive 40 schools and 36,234 students could lose access Ongoing cuts to school funding and the Department of Education have been at the forefront of recent critiques of the Trump administration “As someone who's been in low income schools, every penny counts,” 18-year-old high school senior Miles Dillahunt — who described themselves as a product of the public education system — said at Saturday’s Richmond rally protesting the Trump administration “So many kids rely on public education just to get a meal — I know that because I am one of those kids,” they said sometimes I go home and there's no food on the table for me They're not ripping up weeds to plant new flowers They're ripping trees out of ground and torching the earth behind them." The following table outlines which school districts in Virginia would be impacted by the cuts including how many schools in each district and how many children would be affected as analyzed by the Food Research & Action Center and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application VA passed onto a better life peacefully at home on Thursday He was also preceded in death by his loving wife of 76 years He was educated in Colonial Heights and Petersburg schools Herbert joined the U.S Navy at age 17 during WWII and served in the North Atlantic and South Pacific on the USS Card He came home and soon after married the love of his life They settled in Colonial Heights where he was a lifetime resident He found a job working at a service station and learned the auto mechanics trade but after several years he decided he wanted to go into Mortuary Science He went to Echols Mortuary College in Pennsylvania and became a Licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer he came home and joined his brother Alvin at E the Governor of Virginia appointed him to the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers for a term of 7 years He also served as President for part of his term He continued in this profession for over 50+ years he and Alvin turned over the business to their nephews this did not deter Herbert from continuing to work there when he could Herbert received his first set of golf clubs from his wife as a 40th birthday gift and became quite the avid golfer He played as much as possible while he was still employed but after retirement as much as twice a week He joined the Colonial Heights Senior Golf Association and continued to play until reluctantly stopping at age 92 Herbert was a member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Heights for 60+ years where he was a Lifetime Member of Kiwanis International and a George F He was also a Lifetime Member of the Capital District Kiwanis International and received a Tablet of Honor from Kiwanis International The Kiwanis Club honored him with a Club Scholarship for high school students Herbert was 60+ year member of Colonial Heights American Legion Post #284 where he served as Service Officer for 21 years He was also a member of Blandford Masonic Lodge #3 AF and AM in Petersburg for 50+ years Herbert was an avid Christian and lived a full Christian life. He was a founding member of Colonial Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where he served as Trustee Susan Small Belcher (Earl) and Nancy Small Barnes (Kris) both of Colonial Heights; four grandchildren and Callie Belcher Luck (Michael); a great-granddaughter The family would like to thank his caregivers Jackie and Lyn for taking such excellent care of him over the last two + years They would also like to thank Crater Community Hospice and his nurse for their wonderful care and kindness over the last six months A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m with the Reverend Kathryn Hull officiating Interment with Navy Honors will follow in Southlawn Memorial Park The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Herbert’s memory to the Colonial Heights Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 246, Colonial Heights, VA 23834, or to Crater Community Hospice, 3916 S Crater Road, Petersburg, VA 23805. Online condolences may be registered at www.ealvinsmall.com Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Enter below + watch your fave nurse creators for extra chances By entering this sweepstakes, you agree to receive emails from Nurse.org. No purchase necessary. Alternate entry method and official rules. You can unsubscribe from emails at any time using the “unsubscribe” link provided in every email, in accordance with Nurse.org privacy policy Learn more about our editorial process Virginia Colonial Heights nursing home is at the center of a growing investigation involving patient neglect and elder abuse—with some staff now facing felony charges and one nurse accused in the death of a patient According to search warrants filed in Colonial Heights Circuit Court, disturbing text messages were exchanged between two Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) working at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center One of the nurses has been charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death The other had a charge of falsifying records dismissed—though prosecutors say more charges and victims are expected In the text exchanges, the nurses allegedly admitted to withholding medications from nonverbal residents during med pass “The people that can’t talk didn’t get s***  Another nurse responded:“I do the same thing sometimes… They gonna be okay.” They also discussed giving melatonin and Tylenol to “miserable” patients and joked about not checking on residents' safety in her car for another nurse to pick up—raising concerns of med diversion wrtv According to search warrants, the two nurses texted about administering medication With nurse 1 asking if nurse 2 administered medications to nonverbal patients The nurses talked about moving residents to different rooms because they were “beefing,” but told each other to note in the chart that there were "no issues." Investigators were also provided documentation showing that residents were billed daily for services that were never actually performed—but were still charted as completed Following an investigation, the Virginia Department of Health has now barred the facility from accepting new residents. A newly released 340-page complaint outlines serious issues including: Officials say the facility is still under investigation Families of current residents are being urged to stay alert and informed 18 staff members, including multiple nurses, were arrested in December 2024 in connection with the death of a 74-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and diabetes Not repositioned or provided proper wound care Investigators say staff documented care that was never actually provided—something known as charting care you didn’t give The patient’s foot was also reportedly broken and incorrect medication may have worsened her condition An investigation revealed the facility had been billing Medicare and Medicaid for services that were never performed was arrested and charged with elder abuse after allowing a high-risk patient to leave the facility against medical advice who had multiple fractures and required constant care for colostomy bags and MRSA-positive—dumping his colostomy waste in public Abbasi declared the patient mentally competent—without performing a physical assessment—despite prior evaluation by a psychologist who found otherwise Among the staff arrested were Kamesha Kittrell Both were denied bond due to the seriousness of the allegations Kittrell is accused of falsifying staff training records and instructing staff to chart care they hadn’t given Brewer is accused of documenting wound care that was never performed which prosecutors say may have directly contributed to the patient’s death A judge described the case as “gut-wrenching The case has drawn attention from nurses nationwide many of whom have taken to social media to express frustration and concern over what they see as a complete breakdown of standards in long-term care Influential nurse voices like @The.Nurse.Erica viral videos urging fellow nurses and students to take these allegations seriously emphasizing that “documentation is care” and warning about the legal and ethical consequences of false charting A post shared by Nurse Erica RN, BC (@the.nurse.erica) Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is owned by Innovative Healthcare Management LLC which operates five other facilities in Virginia The company’s homes have been flagged for low staffing and received 1 out of 5 stars in federal CMS ratings CMS reports show this company ranks in the bottom 15% of nursing home operators nationally As the investigation continues, state and federal agencies are pushing for stronger safeguards in elder care. The Virginia Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Task Force and a new Elder Abuse Investigation Center have been formed to improve enforcement and collaboration between agencies If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today Angelina has her finger on the pulse of everything nursing Angelina is an expert at producing content that nurses love to read As a former nurse recruiter turned marketer she specializes in warmly engaging with the nursing community and exponentially growing our social presence Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies - Ethnicity Ronald “Ronnie” Wayne Moseley or Coach Moseley passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday He was the son of the late Andrew Jackson Moseley Sr Virginia and was a student athlete and graduate of Park View High School He went on to earn a degree in Psychology from East Tennessee State University and eventually a Masters in Business Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University he taught Physical Education and Health at Colonial Heights Public Schools including 35 years as assistant football coach 8 years as the head boys’ basketball coach and many miles teaching driver’s education His true passion was leading and mentoring young people as a coach which often extended beyond the playing field he was endlessly devoted to his children Shannon always encouraging them to pursue their dreams and become the best versions of themselves The values he instilled in them will continue to shape their lives for years to come Gwen Moseley; his daughter Shannon Lodge and husband Mark of Chesterfield his son Travis Moseley and wife Sara of Chesterfield and his son Reid Moseley and wife Kalene of Houston and Mia Moseley; and numerous nieces and nephews Thomas Edward Moseley and Andrew Jackson Moseley Jr A special thank you to Crystal Andrews and family and Florine Wheeler who provided Ronnie with the best care as he battled his disease A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday 2025 at 10:30 AM at Colonial Heights High School Auditorium 3600 Conduit Road Colonial Heights Family will receive friends in the high school gymnasium after the service the family requests that donations be made to Colonial Heights High School Athletic Department or Crater Community Hospice Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Colonial Heights Chapel of E Alvin Small Funeral Homes and Crematory 2033 Boulevard Colonial Heights COLONIAL HEIGHTS –The search is on for a new school superintendent here following the announcement that Haidee Ratliff is stepping down after two years on the job The School Board said Friday it will work with the Virginia School Boards Association on the process of finding Ratliff’s permanent replacement. In addition, the board plans a public hearing Feb. 25 to seek citizen input on the successor and has also launched an online survey to gather information “The appointment of a new superintendent is one of the most important responsibilities entrusted to a school board and it is our priority to ensure that the public has an active role in this selection process,” School Board chair Steven Neece said in a statement issued Friday afternoon and residents to participate by completing the survey or attending the public hearing.”  The public hearing will be held at the Colonial Heights High School Vocational Education Center More: Newsmaker 2024: School Board clerk shines light on rare disease that claimed her husband who has been with the Colonial Heights school system for more than three decades 28 she was retiring to spend more time with her family and to welcome a new grandchild Formerly the system’s assistant superintendent for instruction, she was elevated to the top position in 2023 after Dr. William Sroufe stepped down in a mutual parting of the ways Sroufe had come under fire from the community for his handling of claims that former Colonial Heights Police Chief Jeff Faries who was also coach of the high-school girls softball team had acted inappropriately with some of the team members Faries resigned his coaching position before the allegations became public. Once they did, he was put on leave by Colonial Heights while the Virginia State Police conducted an investigation Bill Atkinson (he/him/his) is an award-winning journalist who covers breaking news Reach him at batkinson@progress-index.com or on X (formerly known as Twitter) at @BAtkinson_PI — A Virginia family is receiving support from the community after a car wreck killed a mother and left her husband with severe injuries Jason and Sherri Thornton were driving home from a business trip on April 14 when their SUV was hit head-on in Tennessee He has undergone three surgeries since the accident and was recently transferred to a rehabilitation facility closer to home where he has been able to see his children who own Carlton's Auto Service in Colonial Heights are well-known in the Tri-Cities area for their generosity and community involvement employees are continuing operations while supporting the family "It was devastating," mechanic David Gagnon said "We're still trying to rock and roll for Jason and the family." Coworkers describe Jason as resilient despite the challenging recovery ahead The couple was known for their willingness to help others including flexible payment options for customers facing financial difficulties they would kind of do like a payment or try to help them the best they could," Gagnon said Sherri was particularly active in community service "She would always be here and she was working on something for Prince George Schools or some donation package or she was working on Christmas things to give away," Gail Koch With three young boys now without their mother, friends have established a GoFundMe and a Meal Train to support the family More than $12,000 had been raised for the family as of Friday afternoon "Anything that can take a little stress off him right now is going to be positive for him," Cody Cotter The community's support extends beyond financial assistance "We're all praying for him," customer Lee Gilliam said "He's been a good guy to the community and everybody loves him and trusts him." Those who know Jason believe he still has more to accomplish there's plenty more for Jason to do that he's still here with us," Koch said CBS 6 is committed to sharing community voices on this important topic. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy — Thirteen people associated with Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Most were facing charges related to an investigation of elder abuse in which eighteen total staff members were arrested in December 2024 Prosecutors allege that a resident at the facility received inadequate care which led to wounds and ultimately her death They claim the elderly resident was left in her bed for days in her own urine and feces and was not changed as she should have been A judge previously called the allegations "gut-wrenching" and "horrendous." The court postponed cases for seven defendants Wednesday including four staff members charged with felony abuse and neglect Among those defendants were Nurse Manager Michelle Beddoe Night Nurse Shakima Brewer and Administrator Shawanda Jeter All the defendants approached by CBS 6 for comment declined to speak about their cases Colonial Heights Commonwealth's Attorney Gray Collins explained that the continuances were necessary because prosecutors still need more documents from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Collins said VDH has retained a lawyer in this matter and plans to cooperate with requests for records Collins added that investigators have uncovered more victims and evidence as they have reviewed extensive volumes of documents but they need more time to go through them “As we’ve gotten more documents and as our nurse practitioner and our detective have gone through the documents they’ve uncovered more and more victims and more and more evidence,” Collins said WATCH: CBS 6 investigation leads state to find 4 federal violations at Colonial Heights nursing home five staff members charged with falsifying patient records appeared in court on Wednesday Collins claims they documented the use of a Hoyer lift for a victim when One of those defendant's charge was dismissed after prosecutors determined she was not liable but Collins indicated that more serious charges were forthcoming for more serious crimes “The charges that we’re looking to bring back are abuse and neglect which are a different type of charge with more victims than just this one so we didn’t want to go forward on a lesser charge We wanted to get all the information and bring back the correct charges,” Collins said WATCH: 'Mind was blown' after state inspection led to improved staffing at Colonial Heights nursing home One more staff member entered a deal on Wednesday She agreed to complete 80 hours of community service and take an educational course on vulnerable adult abuse and neglect awareness and prevention the charge will be dismissed in six months and she will be allowed to practice nursing again The final person to face the judge Wednesday was a lawyer for the facility who was accused of obstructing or resisting a police search warrant at the nursing home citing a lack of evidence to support the claim spokesperson for Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center sent a statement regarding the outcomes of Wednesday's court appearances the general district court judge ruled that the physician may practice medicine without restrictions at the request of the Commonwealth attorneys charges have been dropped for many individuals the first trial resulted in an acquittal before the presentation of any defense Our community continues to focus on patient care Collins noted that investigators have identified at least four additional alleged victims at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center He urged the community to contact the police department if they believe their loved ones have been affected at the facility This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share. Colonial Heights’ Appomattox River Greenway Trail will see a half-mile addition this spring as part of phase five of ongoing trail renovations Currently, the existing river trail starts at Appamatuck Park, located at 151 Archer Ave., and ends at Roslyn Landing Phase five will add a brand-new asphalt path along the Appomattox River from Roslyn Landing to Jennick Drive The added path will be around 2,200 feet long— adding around half a mile to the trail — and 10 feet wide The new stretch of trail will also include two prefabricated bridges The bidding process for construction companies is underway and is expected to wrap up next month COLONIAL HEIGHTS − A man is in custody after police claim he robbed a pizza-delivery store early Wednesday afteroon then led Prince George County authorities on a short pursuit before crashing his vehicle in Petersburg A police statement identified the suspect as Michael Anthony Edmonds Edmonds has been charged with armed robbery use of a firearm in the commission of a felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and wearing a mask in public with the report of an armed robbery at Marco's Pizza in Dunlop Village Shopping Center off East Ellerslie Avenue Police said a man wearing a mask pulled a gun and demanded cash from the register before running away It was soon determined that the suspect eventually left the shopping center in a car No one was reported injured in the robbery Prince George Police tried to stop a vehicle on state Route 36 in front of Fort Gregg-Adams that matched the suspect's car the vehicle sped off toward Petersburg with Prince George Police in pursuit The chase ended after the car crashed into another vehicle at the intersection of East Washington and Henrico streets a juvenile in his car and the driver of the other vehicle were taken to Bon Secours Southside Medical Center for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries Edmonds could be facing charges in Prince George stemming from the pursuit The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Weather Advisory for portions of south central and southeast Virginia According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield mixed precipitation is expected in Petersburg with total snow and sleet accumulations of up to two inches and ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch anticipated The snow will likely begin on Tuesday morning and continue into the early afternoon with a “gradual change to rain or freezing rain” after 4 p.m. although it may continue to snow on-and-off before 1 a.m Light freezing rain may continue into Wednesday morning It will likely continue to rain throughout Wednesday The Winter Weather Advisory will last until 8 a.m The Petersburg Public Works and Utilities Storm Response Team are prepared to begin treating bridges and main roads throughout the city with chemicals, salt and sand starting early Tuesday morning, according to a Monday afternoon Facebook post by the city Once the city is done treating primary roads “The City’s Storm Response Team will work continuously as needed to treat city roads,” the post states “The Police and Fire Departments will also monitor road conditions to ensure public safety Petersburg asks that residents stay off the roads during the snow and sleet due to safety concerns and the fact that this will help city crews treat and clear streets more easily The city also asks that residents use off-street parking when possible to help snowplows clear the streets To report poor road conditions or fallen trees blocking roads, residents should call the Petersburg police non-emergency line at (804) 732-4222. Power outages should be reported to Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. For emergencies, call 911. You can also find our power outage tracker on our website. Tri-City residents are encouraged to prepare for icy conditions and stay updated on the latest weather developments as the cold front begins How to stay safe on snowy or icy roadsIcy roads — and the dangers they create — are one of the main causes of accidents during the winter. Check out some key tips from Icy Road Safety for driving safely in freezing weather and icy roads below: COLONIAL HEIGHTS – At least 18 staffers at a Colonial Heights nursing home are facing numerous charges of elder abuse and neglect after one of the patients discharged from the facility two months ago died Five of the 18 were arrested Wednesday at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center on East Ellerslie Avenue Colonial Heights Police said in a statement Wednesday afternoon Charges range from falsifying records and obstructing the legal process – all misdemeanors – to more serious felony counts of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults Colonial Heights Police Major Robert Ruxer said in the statement They came after police received a report on Oct of possible elder abuse and neglect by the family members of a recently discharged patient Investigators continued their probe that led to the charges being obtained The attorney general’s Elder Abuse Task Force and the Virginia Department of Health Professions joined police in raiding the center Wednesday morning several search warrants were executed to gather more information for the ongoing investigation were each charged with one felony count of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults Jeter was also charged with two misdemeanor counts of abuse and neglect and one count of resisting and obstructing legal process They are being held without bond at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County was charged with five counts of falsifying records and released on a $5,000 unsecured bond was charged with one count of falsifying patient records and released on recognizance was charged with one count of falsifying patient records and released on a $1,500 unsecured bond Colonial Heights Police released the names of the 13 other employees in the outstanding warrants three felony counts of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults; Paulette Landes one count of resisting or obstructing execution of legal process; Shakima Brewer one felony count of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults five counts of falsifying patient records; Monica Pickering-Harris one count of falsifying patient records; Miracle Austin two counts of falsifying patient records; Voncelia White two counts of falsifying patient records; Ashley Webb one count of falsifying patient records; Rugiatu Contech two counts of falsifying patient records; Shacary Faison one count of falsifying patient records; Paola Ho-Arias two counts of falsifying patient records;  Nichole Overfield one count of falsifying patient records;  Lakisha Young-Johnson one count of falsifying patient records; and Rochelle Allen The suspects’ ages and places of residence were not released According to a spokesperson for the state health department investigators assigned to VDH’s Office of Licensure and Certification [OLC] went to Colonial Heights Rehab & Nursing on three separate occasions – April and May of 2023 VDH investigated six complaints of improper care and conducted surveys for COVID-19 infection control and emergency preparedness they were back to investigate one care complaint investigators returned to get answers on nine care complaints VDH spokesperson Maria Reppas told The Progress-Index her agency “has been cooperating and will continue to cooperate” with Colonial Heights Police on the investigation OLC continues its separate investigation into the nursing home “Due to the ongoing criminal investigation VDH cannot comment further on this matter at this time,” Reppas said A spokesperson for Attorney General Jason Miyares said his office would not comment on the investigation beyond the announcement of the charges and investigation said in a statement that he was assured by VDH that “ all residents are receiving proper care and will remain involved to ensure that the proper individuals are placed in leadership positions moving forward." Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center is owned by Henrico County-based Innovative Healthcare Management LLC The company also owns Wonder City Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Hopewell two sites in Richmond and one in the southwestern Virginia town of Chilhowie The Progress-Index is awaiting a response from Innovative Healthcare Management on a request for comment on the arrests Colonial Heights Police asks anyone who may have information related to its investigation of the nursing home to call (804) 520-9300 That info can also be shared anonymously through Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or the P3Tips mobile app — Inspectors from the Virginia Department of Health acting on behalf of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services substantiated ten complaints about Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center involving issues like wound care including excessively low weekend staffing and lack of incontinence care during a recent inspection survey Their survey spanned 15 days and produced a 341-page report that was released to CBS 6 as part of a public records request VDH inspectors began their survey on the same day Colonial Heights Police arrested multiple employees at the facility in connection to a former resident’s death Cindy Wilson, a caregiver for veteran John Hill, previously told CBS 6 that she had serious concerns about the facility and I wanted the same for him because of the lack of care,” Wilson said Watch: Agency stopped sending veterans to these nursing homes amid 'care concerns' Inspectors found that for multiple reasons staff failed to maintain the call light in a position where residents could access it to call for help who had multiple fractures including the spine and pelvis The resident stated they were told it was because the facility did not have transportation to get them to the appointment which could not be rescheduled for another two-and-a-half months staff failed to notify the physician of medications that were not administered on nine different occasions Inspectors also highlighted a resident who had a pressure ulcer on their sacrum and required interventions that included turning the resident often and keeping their skin clean and dry The inspector asked a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to turn the resident on their side after noticing the resident had been lying in the same position for three hours a urine-soaked towel was wadded up under the resident “The smell of urine was very strong,” the inspector wrote When asked how often a resident is to be turned but this was her first day at the facility Inspectors interviewed several staff members at the nursing home who raised concerns about staffing at the facility One CNA said they were assigned to 15 residents on the day the inspector found a resident lying on a sheet with a “strong urine odor,” and it was impossible to get to each of them timely She said it would be easier to get to everyone in a more timely fashion if they had more CNA staff A licensed practical nurse (LPN) said she was trained in wound care and would normally be the treatment nurse but she had not been doing treatments in a long time because she was always pulled to work on a medication cart due to staffing issues Another LPN stated she normally had 32 residents “A total disaster for any family member to be in,” Wilson said “I’m praying that no one else ever again has to go back to that facility unless it’s better.” several CNAs and LPNs said that once the state investigation began An LPN said her “mind was blown” when she had four nurses on her unit and it has made a difference in the care they provide Another LPN stated it was “so nice to be able to provide the care that the residents needed and not in a rush.” A CNA stated that staffing started to drop in September and did not go back up until the state showed up She told the inspector that staffing improvements since the state arrived were "wonderful We were not able to do all of the care before." Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center provided information about its plan of correction and the state noted that they complied with each of their deficiencies on February 16 When we asked a publicist from a New York PR firm that represents the facility for a statement about the survey she said “we have no comment." COLONIAL HEIGHTS – A city nursing home already under fire after several staff members were arrested last December for elder abuse now finds itself the defendant in a $10 million lawsuit for a separate case of wrongful death and neglect The family of Geraldine Richardson filed the suit Feb 24 in Colonial Heights Circuit Court against Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center according to a copy of the suit obtained by The Progress-Index In addition to the $10 million in compensatory damages the family also is seeking $350,000 in punitive damages There are four defendants named in the lawsuit – the center on East Ellerslie Avenue; its parent company The suit alleges that the center and staff ignored care for Geraldine Richardson a former patient who suffered untreated severe pressure ulcers across her body in 2022 as a result of not being repositioned in her bed or chair It also claimed that Richardson was malnourished and suffered a stroke that went unnoticed for some time Richardson was hospitalized twice at Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg during one week in December 2022 once for the amputation of a toe on her left foot and the other time after staff noticed her “droopy face” due to the stroke she was returned to the nursing home within days of treatment Richardson was taken to Southside a third time on March 5 for treatment of necrotizing facilitis after a wound at the base of her spine was discovered to be dark and draining told The Progress-Index in an email that the center will not comment on the suit our community cannot share details of care,” Barnett said No dates have been set for future court hearings In an unrelated matter, 18 Colonial Heights Rehab employees were arrested last December in connection with the death of a former resident The charges range from abuse leading to death of a vulnerable adult to fraud to obstruction of justice Three of the four employees charged with the abuse leading to death remain in custody and will have their next hearings July 16 was released late last month after her charges were not prosecuted Kittrell was the center’s director of nursing at the time of the death Nine employees charged with falsifying records will not have those charges prosecuted Three more employees have hearings set for May — Inside three search warrants filed in Colonial Heights Circuit Court on March 19 and 25 are details about alleged text communications between two Licensed Practical Nurses at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center One of the two has been charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death and the other had their falsifying patient records charge dismissed Wednesday Nurse One spoke about “removing 15 Zofran pills from the medication cart within the facility for Nurse Two and leaving them in their personal car for that nurse to pick up due to being sick.” Zofran is an anti-nausea medication that requires a prescription Nurse Two sent a message to Nurse One about administering medications to patients and stated “Been done The people that can’t talk didn’t get s*** And the ones who miserable get melatonin and tylenol.” Nurse Two also asked Nurse One why they did not check on the resident to see if they were safe and Nurse One said “to be honest I did not think much about it I just thought it’s something you always do.” “it is but it’s still risky coming back with pounds of drugs." Nurse Two told Nurse One “don’t let that notty head boiled egg with legs shape b**** get to you.” Nurse One replied with a laughing face emoji and Nurse Two said “send the picture.” Nurse one responded with a picture of a resident’s COVID order placed in the charting system by the facility’s medical director That resident is at the center of the criminal case who prosecutors allege received inadequate care which led to wounds and ultimately her death and that’s who the detective who filed the search warrant wrote that text was about the nurses also discussed patients needing to be moved to different rooms because they were “beefing.” But the nurses told each other to note that there were no “issues” in the charts The search warrant also alleges that documents have been provided to the lead investigator and a nurse investigator with the Virginia Attorney General’s Office that show residents are being billed for services daily the residents were not actually being seen and the care was charted as being done It states that “through a joint investigation with other agencies the money billed through Medicare and Medicaid has a possible nexus to money laundering and or wire fraud and “kickbacks” for fraudulent services not rendered WATCH: Criminal charges against Virginia nursing home staffers to be upgraded Colonial Heights Commonwealth’s Attorney Gray Collins said Wednesday that more serious charges are coming and investigators have uncovered more victims We asked a spokesperson for Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center for a response to the information detailed in the search warrant “The case involves unsubstantiated allegations which did not lead to any arrests The unsuccessful attempts by the prosecution are repeated measures of malicious slander to Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center which does not constitute news The true information is that many of the charges against innocent these nurses were dropped The sole case tried resulted in the charges being dismissed at the conclusion of the Commonwealth’s case.” prosecutors said there are still five staff members who have pending felony charges and one who was charged with a misdemeanor and took a plea As for the case that resulted in charges being dismissed that was the case against an attorney for the facility who prosecutors alleged had obstructed a detective with the police department and told her to leave when she attempted to gather medical records from the facility utilizing a search warrant That case “had nothing to do with the care of the victim,” Collins said RICHMOND – A bill establishing a commission to oversee regional disbursement of revenue from the Petersburg casino is already drawing heat from local leaders with one Petersburg councilor suggesting companion legislation that would require adjacent localities to share services such as law enforcement and social services Legislation dropped in the House of Delegates Jan 8 would establish a Tri-Cities Improvement Commission that would assume control of casino-related tax revenue from the host city – in this case That panel would determine priorities to share the revenue among all localities within a 10-mile radius of Petersburg that have an average annual household income of $81,000 or less that means the cities of Hopewell and Colonial Heights and the counties of Dinwiddie and Prince George House Bill 2232 is sponsored by Del. Mike Cherry, R-Colonial Heights A spokesperson for Cherry declined to comment Friday morning on the motive for the measure disbursements handled by the T-CIC would be divided equally among the five member localities based on the priorities established by the panel The term for the commission members would be two years with the localities appointing their members More: Macy's will close its Southpark Mall store this year. The final day remains unclear home to the Hard Rock Casino & Resort in Bristol a 14-locality revenue-sharing commission oversees disbursements to the cities of Bristol and Norton Bristol is one of four cities chosen in 2020 to host casino gambling in the commonwealth but that city’s voters rejected two separate referendums to allow the casino and Petersburg voters overwhelmingly approved the measure last November The Cordish Companies of Maryland and Bruce Smith Enterprise of Virginia say they will break ground on the casino project by spring of this year brand of casinos and resorts across the country including one scheduled to open next month in Louisiana More: When will Live! open Louisiana casino in Bossier? First slot machines roll onto gaming floor Cherry’s Republican colleague in the House, Del. Kim Taylor of Dinwiddie County – whose district includes Petersburg – supports the proposal Taylor said that since the casino is expected to be a regional revenue driver it was only applicable that the entire region should reap the benefits “Establishing this commission ensures that all regional stakeholders are given agency to ensure that revenue from the casino is equitably distributed amongst the localities Petersburg has waited a long time for this casino project to get under way and this commission would ensure that Petersburg has a voice in how the revenue is reinvested back into our community.”  Taylor, one of the original legislative co-sponsors of the casino project since it was launched in 2022, was not asked to back a House version of the bill during the 2024 General Assembly session. Instead, state Sen. Lashrecse Aird, D-Petersburg carried legislation that cleared both legislative chambers Aird told The Progress-Index Friday that she was not given advance notice of Cherry’s bill Cherry had requested a meeting with her this week to reportedly discuss it but because Richmond’s ongoing water crisis forced the General Assembly to recess until Monday Aird refrained from making an initial comment saying she intended to “give it a good read” between now and Monday when legislators return to Richmond More: Eighty-two, déjà vu: GOP incumbent Taylor announces re-election bid in repeat of 2023 race Petersburg city administration has yet to comment on Cherry’s legislation. However, Petersburg Ward 1 Councilor Marlow Jones had plenty to say about it in a couple of Facebook posts the city’s delegate – Jones said he was “appalled” by the legislation and is not hesitating to oppose it “Let’s be clear – the casino’s presence in Petersburg will naturally generate revenue for these localities which are already fortified with businesses and attractions that will undoubtedly profit from the influx of visitors,” Jones wrote this initiative appears to be a deliberate attempt to keep Petersburg shackled in the shadows of prosperity Jones proposed what he called a “counter bill” that he said “aims to rectify the imbalance created by HB 2232 and to foster a collaborative approach to community development.” His recommendations:  The localities would collaborate to provide “a sufficient number of firefighters along with an additional fire engine” to cover an extra shift for Petersburg’s depleted fire department staff; Each locality would share public-works resources with Petersburg “to support infrastructure improvements and repairs that benefit the entire region;” Each locality would contribute resources to enhance Petersburg’s school system and staff support to ensure equitable access to quality education for our children;” and Each locality would collaborate on providing more social services to Petersburg “addressing the needs of our most vulnerable populations.” That would include funding for programs that support housing “The costs associated with these contributions will either be covered by each locality or divided equitably among all involved,” Jones concluded “This approach emphasizes shared responsibility for the well-being of our community Cherry’s legislation is assumed to be heading to the House General Laws Committee for further vetting COLONIAL HEIGHTS – After almost a year of rumors that Macy’s Inc the nation’s top-selling retailer made it official Southpark is among 66 stores the New York City-based retailer said Thursday that it planned to shutter as part of its “Bold New Chapter” business strategy It is the only Virginia location that was on Thursday’s list but a note on the list of the 66 stores said the majority would close by March “Closing any store is never easy,” Macy’s chairman and chief executive officer Tom Spring said in a company statement late Thursday afternoon “But as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service.”  The statement describes the Bold New Chapter strategy as a plan “designed to return the company to sustainable profitable sales growth.” When the strategy was announced last February the company said it would close 150 “underproductive stores” while focusing on the remaining 350 locations Macy’s designated as “go-forward stores.”  Girl Scout Cookie 2025 lineup, how to find them: Bittersweet, two iconic flavors to retire When customers click on the website for Macy’s at Southpark Mall, they see the following note: “Macy's South Park Mall is closing. You can visit us nearby at Macy's Chesterfield Towne Center or use our store locator to find other locations near Colonial Heights Thank you for being a valued Macy’s customer.”  The note also directs customers to Macy’s online shopping page.  The Chesterfield and Short Pump stores are expected to remain open It’s the second time in less than a month that a retail chain announced plans to close in central Virginia. In December, discount retailer Big Lots said it would close all of its stores including ones in Chester and Prince George County Macy’s started life in the Tri-City area as Thalhimer’s department store inside Petersburg’s Walnut Mall shopping center Thalhimer’s set up shop there and maintained two stores until it closed the Petersburg store later that year Thursday Jan. 16: Free "Pathways to Effective Parenting" classes kick off in Petersburg Its closure makes Macy’s the second Southpark Mall anchor to shut down It also leaves JCPenney as the last original anchor store of the mall was changed to Belk and then Dillard’s before it closed in 2012 Dick’s Sporting Goods took over the old Dillard’s space and has been there ever since COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — New allegations have surfaced surrounding a Colonial Heights nursing home at the center of an elder abuse investigation Less than one month after 18 employees of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center were arrested in connection to a former resident's death a doctor at the facility is now charged with elder abuse involving a separate incident and different victim 16 for what prosecutors called a "lack of oversight of patient care" pertaining to an offense that occurred Jan Watch: Company that owns Colonial Heights nursing home runs several other facilities Court documents obtained by CBS 6 revealed Colonial Heights Police received "numerous calls" between Jan 14 about a man wandering city streets and dumping waste out of a colostomy bag The man reportedly "could barely walk," was "stumbling if not falling down," and had a "very unsteady gait." A criminal complaint showed the man had recently suffered multiple fractures and had a medical condition that put him at high risk of infection which were required to be cleaned and drained hourly and daily the documents said a VCU psychologist who had recently evaluated the man declared him not competent and unable to make medical decisions by himself VCU Medical Center turned over all rights to the man's brother to sign off on surgeries that were performed before the man's arrival at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center he stated the man "was of sound mind and signed himself out of the facility [against medical advice]." The detective alleged Abbasi "never physically saw [the victim] to make this determination." Prosecutors said Abbasi was not at the facility full-time While Abbasi reportedly said the man should be taken to a hospital for evaluation he "never attempted to contact the police department nor swore out a medical [emergency custody order]" for the man A medical emergency custody order is a legal process available to physicians to ensure people who refuse medical care can get the treatment they need The complaint alleged Abbasi did not know what a medical emergency custody order was Colonial Heights prosecutor Noelle Nochisaki said Abbasi's negligence placed the victim at risk of injury or death Colonial Heights Police secured its own emergency custody order for the victim the man was still undergoing medical treatment and was not yet cleared to go to a mental health facility Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center declined to respond to the allegations and prosecutors plan to file a bond modification motion that would prevent Abbasi from practicing medicine and ban him from the facility Court records filed by Abbasi's defense attorney Kevin Calhoun indicated he has run his own private medical practice for 25 years and was the medical director at Riverside Regional Jail for over ten years When asked for a response to the charge against Abbasi COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — The medical director at a Colonial Heights nursing home charged with elder abuse for what prosecutors call a "lack of oversight of patient care" will be allowed to continue to practice medicine at the facility Prosecutors had appealed a previous decision by a judge to allow Dr Gohar Abbasi to continue to practice medicine at the facility while the case plays out in court Novey said while aspects of the case are "very concerning,” he felt it was up to the Medical Board to decide if he should be prohibited from practicing medicine as opposed to making that a condition of his bond This case involves a patient at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center named Timothy Holton Holton was homeless and sleeping outside a 7- Eleven when he was run over by a car His injuries and subsequent rehabilitation led to his admission to the facility Watch previous coverage: Man was run over behind Virginia 7-Eleven Abbasi was not only the medical director at the facility and he should not have allowed Holton to sign himself out of the facility if not falling down," and had a "very unsteady gait.” he stated the man "was of sound mind and signed himself out of the facility [against medical advice].” Prosecutors allege Abbasi "never physically saw [the victim] to make that determination.” argued his client was not working the weekend Holton left the facility and you can’t hold someone accountable for a patient they never met and knew nothing about He also argued that if anyone is responsible in this case Atkinson claimed the facility deemed Holton cognitively intact on admission to Colonial Heights Court records said a VCU psychologist who had recently evaluated the man declared him not competent and unable to make medical decisions by himself CBS 6 is following this story. Click here to email the CBS 6 Newsroom Va — "Where is the money going?" That was the question Debra Kabel posed after her husband spent a little more than a week at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center a facility that's been at the center of abuse and neglect prosecutions and a damning inspection report from health regulators The nursing home is a for-profit facility with a 1-star quality rating from the federal government As the facility provided low-rated care with low staffing levels financial records revealed that it paid several million dollars to an interrelated company under the same ownership causing concern for experts who reviewed the provider's filings Kabel said her husband Michael has been through the wringer After a fall in November of last year seriously injured his spine part of Michael's recovery included about ten days at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Debra visited Michael at the facility every day and she said he would often complain about a lack of attention from staff Michael couldn't move himself or feed himself due to the injury They were doing just bare minimum care for him," she said Her worries hit a breaking point on day nine "One of the younger nurses came in to turn him and do his wound care 'What wound are you talking about?' And she said he has this bedsore back here.' And that was news to me," Kabel recalled Kabel said she had her husband transported by ambulance to a hospital where she said he underwent surgical debridement so that the wound could heal It's terrible," Kabel said as she showed CBS 6 pictures of the wound which were taken after his discharge The photographs are too graphic to publish Michael was admitted to the facility with a stage 2 bedsore to his sacrum records showed the wound had progressed to an "unstageable" level that was "worsening" and had an "overall decline." A spokesperson for Colonial Heights declined to comment on questions about Michael's care initiated by the Virginia Department of Health in late December after 18 employees were arrested in an elder abuse investigation that the facility failed to provide care and services for pressure injuries The inspection report which surveyed a sample of residents not including Michael stated staff failed to give residents prescribed treatments to prevent wounds and failed to reposition a resident every two hours Watch: Criminal charges against Virginia nursing home staffers the report said a nurse trained in wound care told investigators she had not done treatments "in a long time" because she was pulled to other tasks "due to staffing issues." A long-term care ombudsman reported to investigators they had "received multiple concerns" about "wound care not being done." Inspectors faulted the nursing home for failing to maintain adequate staffing which was "excessively low" on the weekends and the report noted that employees said they had a saying when they were short-staffed that went Because these facilities are not exactly cheap I understand that most people are there for Medicare but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be taking care of them," Kabel said Through Freedom of Information Act requests CBS 6 obtained the facility's financial reports to get the answer Expert 'disturbed' by 'exorbitant' payments to related party Since a majority of nursing facilities' income comes from Medicaid and Medicare they have to submit cost reports to state and federal regulators The reports are supposed to show how the money is being spent and essentially justify the reimbursements facilities receive Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is owned by Virginia Care HoldCo LLC and operated by Medical Facilities of America It reported about $8 million in profits between 2020 and 2023 experts who reviewed the cost reports don't take the reported loss at face value but they don't show the profits at the nursing home," said Ernest Tosh a Texas-based nursing home abuse and neglect attorney and financial analyst Tosh said true profits can appear unclear due to something that's commonplace in the nursing home industry: related party transactions That's when a facility does business with other companies Those transactions then appear as operating expenses on cost reports But recent research of the industry overall has suggested expenses among interrelated parties could be inflated to mask profits A 2023 report from the legislative branch agency that advises Congress on Medicaid said it was "concerned about the potential for related-party transactions to increase costs above what would be expected for an economically operated facility." you could overpay on rent and what that does is it sucks all the money out of the nursing home and makes it look like it's unprofitable," Tosh said And that's what Tosh expects may have happened at Colonial Heights The nursing home disclosed on its state cost report that a related party owned the property of the facility and then charged itself rent The landlord company is listed as 831 East Ellerslie Avenue LLC and the company operating the nursing home is listed as Colonial Heights Operator LLC Both companies are owned by Virginia Care HoldCo LLC But the rent costs increased significantly from $2.6 million in 2022 to $6.1 million in 2024 a former nursing home administrator of a non-profit facility in Massachusetts and expert witness in long-term care cases also analyzed the cost reports and had a similar reaction "One of the most disturbing things out of everything I looked at is that they are paying exorbitant amounts of rent," Rich said While Tosh's data found that rent on average in Virginia made up about 10% of a facility's total operating expenses in 2024 Colonial Heights' rent last year made up 25% of total operating expenses That's the highest percentage Rich said he's ever seen I've never seen more than 10% rent in any of the cases I've looked at," Rich said The facility also claimed more than $500,000 in related party transactions for administrative costs but it did not disclose which companies they were on its 2024 cost report the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) which is responsible for reviewing and settling the cost report said those costs should be identified but added "this is not always done accurately by providers." DMAS spokesperson Brooke Barlow said the agency has now inquired whether Colonial Heights paid management and consulting fees to its related companies Innovative Healthcare Management and Medical Facilities of America While Barlow said the facility disputes that those companies are under common ownership she said the facility has not provided sufficient documentation to prove it On the facility's 2024 federal cost report which was submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) the facility did not disclose any related party transactions including the millions of dollars it paid itself in rent you have to reveal all related party transactions," Tosh said When asked whether the facility believed the $6.1 million in rent payments to interrelated companies were reasonable "The rents are believed to be fair market value and all governmental filings were submitted by qualified professionals who are not identified in any irregularities." For comparison, using the fair rental value system set by DMAS Barlow said the facility would receive an estimated $1.2 million in capital costs reimbursements if all Medicaid claims in 2024 were approved Medicaid residents made up 68% of the nursing home's admissions in 2024 Barlow said DMAS has 180 days to settle the state cost report from the date it was submitted Colonial Heights did acknowledge that about $1.6 million in rent payments would not be allowed for reimbursement under Medicaid regulations Barlow said the facility could still use Medicare reimbursements to cover those costs a spokesperson for the Office of Attorney General Jason Miyares which has a unit focused on matters involving Medicaid declined to comment due to "pending litigation." Barnett did not answer specific questions about the apparent nondisclosure of related parties on the federal cost report Tosh says low staffing equated to $2.7M in reduced costs Experts said it's important to analyze the finances because they reveal how much money is or isn't going directly toward care he said the latest payroll data from 2024 showed the facility staffed registered nurses much below average and significantly below what CMS has proposed as the minimum standard to "significantly reduce the risk of unsafe and low-quality care for residents." According to CMS data a resident at Colonial Heights received 18 minutes of registered nurse time per day when the average in Virginia is 39 minutes "The number one most expensive employee in a nursing home is registered nurses that's going to maximize profits," Tosh said "There are articles written and published all the time about staffing in nursing homes how higher staffing equates to better outcomes there is no way you don't understand that." Tosh estimated it would have cost the nursing home an extra $2.7 million last year to bring nurse staffing levels up to the proposed federal minimums which cited the facility for poor staffing stated that after VDH began its investigation One employee said her "mind was blown" by the difference in care she could provide when there were more staff members available to care for residents Barnett did not directly answer questions about the facility's staffing "The information is incorrect and out of context We understand the intense scrutiny and salacious nature of the news cycle Eighteen members of our staff were arrested and prevented from caring for residents We look forward to the conclusions of these matters so we can freely defend the quality caregivers and our community." She did not provide further comment when asked to explain what information is inaccurate Much of the information contained in cost reports and staffing data is reported to government entities by the facility itself she recognized that providers need to make money but in a way that's transparent and allows for minimum standards of care to be met "I'm not saying that they shouldn't make a profit Because there's really no reason that you couldn't give great care and still take home a decent paycheck," Kabel said She's now calling for stronger laws at the state level surrounding financial reporting and ownership oversight "You need to enforce laws based on nursing homes that are substandard and prosecute those for this lack of care because this definitely needs to change," Kabel said Tosh said while CMS tracks nursing home ownership changes at the federal level the agency's database is not keeping up with the pace in which acquisitions are occurring He said all states should publish their own ownership data to give the public more timely information He and Rich agreed that audited consolidated financial reports of all nursing home chains to include statements from the parent companies and related parties should be required and reviewed by lawmakers who are ultimately responsible for setting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates "Nursing homes are one of the three most regulated industries or fields in the country," Rich said the financial aspect is not getting the scrutiny that it deserves." — Colonial Heights business owners and city officials have been dealing with a wave of graffiti over the past week that has left buildings and other structures across the city tagged by spray-painted designs Surveillance video captures the vandal in action tagging both sides of Jackie Stuller's business The vandal has two tags: one is the phrase "fat cats," and the other is "lazy man" accompanied by a sleeping stick figure that side of the building is where my customers walk in at so it's the first thing they see before coming in," Stuller said "I’m sure they don’t want to see 'lazy' on that side of the building." including a dumpster and the city's welcome sign an electrical box across the street was also vandalized has faced not only graffiti but also vehicle damage on his lot "Somebody damaging your property is never good," Abualia said five cars on his lot were scratched by a vandal Colonial Heights Police urge residents to report any damage or information related to what they are calling a "rash of vandalisms" by contacting Crime Solvers at 748-0660 — A Colonial Heights business owner and resident took matters into his own hands to address a vandalism issue swiftly and effectively The vandalism in question began appearing across the south side of Colonial Heights last week When Donna Sheffield first saw the graffiti painted across from her home I mean it doesn’t look nice," Sheffield said she was pleasantly surprised to see someone painting over the same walls that had been vandalized both a business owner and Colonial Heights resident Stuller had dealt with graffiti on his own building twice and decided to take action "I don't want people to see that in my city." Stuller formulated a plan: visit vandalized sites around the city and meticulously match the paint colors at a Home Depot store Mayor Greg Kochuba applauded Stuller’s efforts "He’s doing it on his own because he has love for the city and to go to that extent Do you know about a good news story in your community? Email the CBS 6 Newsroom COLONIAL HEIGHTS – The night nurse who prosecutors said was “the last hands” on a nursing-home patient before she became ill and died was granted bond Tuesday morning and told to stay away completely from nursing care the nursing home or any of the other 17 defendants in the case is one of four defendants jailed on the most serious of all charges abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death General District Judge Matthew Nelson set the unsecured bond at $5,000 and ordered Brewer to take part in pre-trial services including alcohol and drug screening online court records indicated Brewer had not yet been released from Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County She was not physically in court but took part in the hearing via teleconference from the jail The victim was a 74-year-old resident of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center who suffered from cerebral palsy and diabetes she was taken to Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg with necrotic pressure ulcers – also known as bedsores – around her vaginal area that doctors determined were caused by prolonged exposure to urine and feces that the center staff failed to clean One of 4 Colonial Heights nursing home employees jailed for abuse gets bond: Court records joined by the state’s Elder Abuse Task Force raided the Ellerslie Avenue facility on Dec the head of nursing and another care provider falsifying records and obstructing the legal process Prosecutor: Brewer covered up condition In court Tuesday morning deputy commonwealth’s attorney Noelle Nochisaki told the judge that Brewer was the last nurse to tend to the victim before she was taken to the hospital “She was the last hands on the case,” she said yet Brewer told the nurse who relieved her that “she is doing great,” and there were no issues “Then the day nurse came in and saw something was wrong,” Nochisaki said the woman was taken to SMC where the bedsores were detected She later underwent surgery to remove most of her vagina Nochisaki said the victim’s wounds were so grotesque that “doctors first thought it was violent sexual assault due to the trauma and bruising of the area.”  Nochisaki said that because of her cerebral palsy the victim was unable to move herself and was supposed to be lifted from her bed to a chair by a special machine an investigation found that the machine was never used and the only time the victim was removed from her bed it was done by two orderlies who broke her foot in the process Snow news across the Tri-City area: Updates something Nochisaki said would not have been needed “had it not been for these wounds.”  In addition to the abuse – a felony – Brewer was charged with five counts of falsifying patient records Nochisaki said those records were falsified to cover up the repeated neglect adding that the stench from the affected area was “overwhelming” and easily recognized defense attorney Edward Nickel noted that Brewer had a previous felony conviction on her record – driving under the influence in 2016 – but she adhered to all conditions surrounding that conviction and had not been arrested until Dec Nickel also said there was “some dispute over what her specific role was” in the care of the victim Since overnight staff is smaller than a regular day shift Brewer was often responsible for as many as 60 patients at a time The defense counsel did not question the severity of the allegations But Nickel said circumstances in this case were different because “they did not reflect any specific violence.”  Nickel said Brewer was not a flight risk and added she intended to remain at her Richmond home with her two sons and oldest son sat silently in the courtroom during the 20-minute hearing When Brewer is released, that will make Shawanda Jeter, the center’s director, and Danielle Cline Harris, another nurse at the center, the only two defendants remaining in custody. Kamesha Michelle Kittrell, a nursing supervisor at the center, was granted bond Dec The remaining 14 defendants were all released on bond or recognizance on charges of either falsifying records or obstructing the legal process Every defendant is due back in court March 26 for preliminary hearings COLONIAL HEIGHTS — Attend the 5th annual Tri-Cities Home 22 and 23 presented by the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce [SOVA] The event takes place at Keystone Truck and Tractor Museum "This exciting event is designed to showcase the best in home improvement Stroll through a wide range of exhibitors who offer the latest trends products and services for your home and garden Gather ideas and find inspiration for home renovations and redecorating covering various topics such as gardening tips These sessions will provide valuable knowledge and practical advice to help you transform your living space Talented artisans and crafters will be in the marketplace to showcase their one-of-a-kind creations from handmade jewelry and artwork to unique home decor items There will be entertainment and activities for all ages at this family-friendly and food and beverages will be available for purchase from local vendors List of ribbon-cuttings Petersburg, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie Chambers work together as a team: Networking gurus Grand prize: Total value of $2,000 Win side of beef, brand-new freezer: Local chambers host Valentine's Day Raffle I reached out to SOVA member Michael VanWyck He has been a main sponsor and vendor of the event since its inception He owns Incredible HVAC and Incredible Cleaning Services and is co-owner of RVA Roofing Services/Roof Maxx of West Richmond "This year marks my fifth year as a main sponsor of the Tri-Cities Home and I couldn’t be more proud to see how far it’s come I still remember when the SOVA Chamber and a few local small business owners came together to brainstorm an event that would truly serve our community south of the river Our vision was to create a space where customers could connect with local businesses and feel inspired to shop local and buy local Garden and Craft Show grow each year—not just in the number of vendors but also in the number of community members who attend Whether people are seeking out new services or simply enjoying a free day of discovery the event has become a cornerstone for local connection Garden and Craft Show has been a fantastic way to build our brand and connect directly with the community our families and I genuinely look forward to coming out each year and share more about how we serve this amazing community "Thank you to everyone who continues to support this event It’s a testament to the strength and camaraderie of our local community I look forward to another great year and hope to see you there." Visit the 5th annual Tri-Cities Home, Garden and Craft Show on March 21 from noon - 6 p.m., March 22 from 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. and March 23 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Keystone Truck and Tractor Museum is located at 880 W. Roslyn Road in Colonial Heights. Visit sovachamber.com to learn more about SOVA or to register to become a vendor Your support is vital to local journalism. Please subscribe — A Colonial Heights judge denied a request by a former employee at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center to be able to work as a health care provider as she awaits the outcome of her case Miracle Austin is one of 14 different staff members at the facility charged with misdemeanor falsifying patient records with the intent to defraud Colonial Heights Police allege she falsified patients' records between Aug a judge granted Austin bond but said she was prohibited from providing any type of medical care Her attorney attempted to get that condition of her bond removed Tuesday arguing that the bond conditions for a doctor at the facility that was criminally charged in connection with his alleged conduct at the facility do not limit or prohibit his work as a health care provider The attorney also argued the prohibition has caused an extreme financial burden for Austin Her next court date is scheduled for March 26 CBS 6 is following this story. Email your thoughts to the CBS 6 Newsroom COLONIAL HEIGHTS — A rash of residential burglaries since late November has the city’s police department turning to the public for clues 27 happened at houses south of Temple Avenue according to an email from the Colonial Heights Police The others were in the area around Lakeview Avenue and the Colonial Square shopping center Police said the burglaries occurred between 8 a.m and involved both vacant and occupied single-family residences “The Colonial Heights Police Department is urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity,” a statement read Anyone who may know something about the series of burglaries is encouraged to contact Detective D.W Aleshire at (804) 520-9326 or email aleshired@colonialheightsva.gov Information can be shared anonymously through Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or the P3Tips mobile app COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — More than one month after police officers and state agents conducted a sweeping raid of a Colonial Heights nursing home at the center of an elder abuse investigation another staff member has been charged with a felony She now faces one count of abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death Beddoe works as a nurse manager at the Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center on Ellerslie Avenue and investigators say she managed the unit where the victim resided WATCH: Company that owns Colonial Heights nursing home runs several other facilities Prosecutors have identified the victim as a 74-year-old woman who suffered from cerebral palsy and diabetes prior to her death which investigators say was caused by sepsis due to poor care at the facility Beddoe was required to know the status of all the patients in her unit and make sure they were being taken care of properly Beddoes's arrest makes her the 19th staff member to be charged in connection with this case, which first made headlines when the raid took place the morning of Dec. 18. the Colonial Heights detective handling the case had received 84 complaints from community members about concerns related to the nursing home Last week, a doctor at the facility was charged in connection with the death of another patient WATCH: Family member of resident voices concerns over care at Colonial Heights nursing home after staff arrests Beddoe was arraigned Wednesday morning and requested a court-appointed attorney under the condition that she cannot work in healthcare Beddoe and many of the other defendants are due back in court on March 26 Colonial Heights and Hopewell will be open on Dec How much? Virginia minimum wage to increase on Jan. 1 — Three people lost their home to an apartment fire at 100 Lakeview Park Road in Colonial Heights on Thursday morning Firefighters from Colonial Heights Fire and EMS and Petersburg Fire and EMS were dispatched to the scene they found a two-story multifamily dwelling with smoke showing from the front of the structure," a Colonial Heights Fire & EMS spokesperson said "Crews went into an offensive attack mode on the fire." which was marked under control at 11:22 a.m. although smoke caused damage throughout the rest of the apartment and no firefighters were injured during the response The three individuals who were displaced are receiving assistance from the Red Cross The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Colonial Heights Fire Marshal’s Office — Litter has become an issue in Colonial Heights with trash scattered from city streets to rural areas Christy Archileti has taken it upon herself to address the problem and has recently spent three days picking up litter along Archer Avenue she has observed the accumulation of "trash everywhere." Motivated by the unsightly conditions and complaints shared on social media she collected a total of 12 orange trash bags she expressed disappointment as the area quickly became littered again just hours after her efforts "There’s still a ton of trash out there," she added who has lived on Archer Avenue for four years called it "pitiful" that so many "people throw trash out here all the time." said she has seen people littering while sitting on her porch they just throw it on out their windows in the car," Blizzard said She expressed a desire to assist Archileti in her cleanup endeavors "Knock on my door next time and I’ll help you." "We’ve gotten the BMUU Crew out here twice to go up and down the Boulevard here in front of the store," Stuller explained He views the litter as a reflection of his business and is committed to contributing to community improvement and if this is what we need to do to help out The auto shop owner has also witnessed a woman regularly walking the Boulevard cleaning up trash with a pick-up stick and a bag He plans to involve his middle school softball team in a team-building exercise this Wednesday where the players will participate in picking up trash along the Boulevard COLONIAL HEIGHTS − Police are looking for the driver they believe hit a homeless man earlier this week and left the scene It happened in the early morning hours of Tuesday according to a statement from Colonial Heights Police who is known as "Timmy" to the businesses he frequents along the southern end of the Boulevard was lying in an area behind the convenience store at 617 Boulevard when police discovered him Police believe that was where he was injured The victim was taken first to Bon Secours Southside Medical Center in Petersburg then later sent to VCU Medical Center in Richmond for further treatment People familiar with the victim said they believed he may have health issues but he was not known to panhandle or make threats He repeatedly walked along the Boulevard every day "Timmy and I have become very close over the last year," local business owner Wanda Lee Ward posted on Facebook have some sort of fear of him or have compassion for him Addressing the location where the victim was found Ward said he probably went there because it was "where he knew and felt the safest." Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to call Senior Police Officer Corbin Ramos at (804) 520-9300 extension 7 or email ramosc@colonialheightsva.gov That information can also be shared anonymously through Crime Solvers at (804) 748-0660 or the P3Tips mobile app COLONIAL HEIGHTS – An electrical fire Monday forced the evacuation and closure of the Walmart store on Southpark Boulevard for several hours The fire started in the refrigerated-foods section of the store Colonial Heights Police said in a post on Facebook It was not immediately clear how many shoppers were inside the building Officials closed the store to determine the cause of the fire and to ensure no other problems occurred a Walmart corporate spokesperson called the incident a “small electrical fire” but added it was taken care of quickly “Back to business,” she told The Progress-Index Walmart operates locations in Petersburg and Chester The Colonial Heights location recently completed a remodel — Chesterfield Judge James O’Connell called the allegations laid out by the prosecutor against Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Administrator Shawanda Jeter and Nurse Trainer Danielle Harris “gut-wrenching They were among the 18 staff members arrested Wednesday when dozens of police officers and state officials showed up at the nursing home In making her argument against bond for both defendants Colonial Heights prosecutor Noelle Nochisaki told the judge the victim in this case was a 74-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and diabetes She said the woman was supposed to be removed by a lift out of her bed but that was never done and records were falsified to show that she had been The prosecutor said the woman was left in her bed for days in her own urine and feces and her wounds from the poor care were so bad that Adult Protective Services originally thought she may have been the victim of a sexual assault though the flesh wounds to the patient’s genital region were so bad CBS 6 investigative reporter Melissa Hipolit personally viewed the pictures of the wounds that were shown to the judge and can report a bed sore on the victim’s back was covered in tissue that appeared black in color and the woman’s genital area was covered in dark purple splotches that resembled bruising Nochisaki said the wounds were so severe that investigators said they caused the sepsis which ultimately killed the patient She also said the victim's foot was broken at some point and she was given incorrect medicine that “poisoned” her and instead of reporting the incident and having her transported to the hospital is facing some of the most serious charges in this case prosecutors said she hired nursing staff with barrier crimes on their record to include malicious wounding and domestic assault When detectives executed a search warrant at the facility on November 4 Nochisaki said Jeter tried to prevent them from executing the search warrant lied to them that she didn’t know how to get into the system the prosecutor said the registered nurse oversaw training at the facility but she said Harris failed to provide adequate training to staff She said Harris was not ensuring mandatory training was being done and instead had staff sign off that it was done Judge O’Connell ended up granting each woman a $10,000 bond but on the condition that they cannot provide any medical care to the public or return to the facility Hipolit tried to ask Jeter’s family if they had anything they wanted to say on her behalf The next court date for Jeter and Harris is March 26 is also charged with a felony in this case and is set to be arraigned on Friday Facebook|Instagram|X|Threads|TikTok COLONIAL HEIGHTS — The city of Colonial Heights closed the Appomattox River Trail on Sunday due to flooding The trail should not be used during this time as the water levels will continue to change can be accessed at Roslyn Landing Park in Colonial Heights at 265 Charles Dimmock Parkway Former Titmus Optical site at N. Dunlop, Commerce could be turned into housing lots Snow predicted in Virginia this week: Will it impact the Petersburg area? After a relatively mild winter in the Tri-Cities be prepared for another wave of snow to hit the region on Sunday followed by a strong cold front early next week that will plunge Petersburg Hopewell and Colonial Heights into the 10s When will the snow start in Petersburg, Hopewell and Colonial Heights? According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield there may be a chance of rain and snow before 1 p.m with a higher likelihood of snow beginning in earnest after 1 p.m The day will remain cloudy but not too cold The snow is expected to continue throughout portions of the day and potentially the night but wrap up before 1 a.m with 1 to 2 inches of snow expected in total Monday will bring sun after a mostly cloudy weekend but also a sudden drop in temperatures with a day-time high near 27-29 degrees and a nighttime plunge to a low of around 10 Tuesday is also expected to be mostly sunny but remain frigid with a daytime high near 24 degrees and a nighttime low of around 9 The sunny weather will continue on Wednesday with a similar expected daytime high near 26 and a predicted nighttime low in the 10s Thursday and Friday are expected to warm up with a daytime high for both in the mid-to-high 30s although Thursday night is expected to remain in the mid-teens while Friday night is expected to reach lows in the mid-20s Friday is also expected to bring another wave of snow — this time a predicted 4 to 5 inches in total Tri-City residents are encouraged to prepare for icy conditions and stay updated on the latest weather developments as the cold front begins Any power outages should be reported to Dominion Energy at 1-866-366-4357. In an emergency, call 911. You can also find our power outage tracker on our website. Icy roads — and the dangers they create — are one of the main causes of accidents during the winter. Check out some key tips from Icy Road Safety for driving safely in freezing weather and icy roads below: — Judge Curtis Hairston granted the former Director of Nursing at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center He said there was evidence that she posed a potential danger to the community but the conditions he would place on her bond would mitigate those factors provide medical care or work in a medical facility or have contact with the other defendants pending the outcome of the case Prosecutor Noelle Nochisaki argued that while Kittrell did not provide direct care to the 74-year-old victim — who prosecutors allege died from sepsis due to poor care received at the facility — she was the employee who was supposed to make sure proper care was given Nochisaki said the “buck stops at the supervisor” and Kittrell was “hands off” in her role WATCH: Inspection revealed serious deficiencies before Virginia nursing home death She said it was Kittrell’s responsibility to oversee facility nurses and patient care and ensure proper policies and procedures were followed argued his client was only in charge of billing and making sure medications were ordered when she was the Director of Nursing at the facility Stanton said the position was a “middle manager” role and there is “very little” to tie Kittrell to what she is accused of He also said she stopped working there in August which was at least two months before the victim died Kittrell is charged with three felony counts of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults the Colonial Heights Police Department detective handling the case has received 84 complaints from community members about alleged concerns related to care at the facility is scheduled to have her bond hearing on Jan where five of the 18 were arrested by authorities Dec released its first statement since that day The three-sentence statement was short on specifics due to the ongoing probe but it promised to while simul work with the investigators while simultaneously carrying on with day-to-day business Their well-being remains first and foremost,” read the statement released by a public-relations firm representing the center “We are not at liberty to speak to the allegations as the investigation is ongoing and are cooperating fully with authorities.”  along with state Department of Health authorities and the Virginia attorney general’s Elder Abuse Task Force raided the Ellerslie Avenue nursing home Wednesday they also had search warrants for additional information Shortly after investigators became involved Colonial Heights Police said in announcing the investigation five of the suspects were arraigned in Colonial Heights General District Court faces one count of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death one count of abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in injury two counts of abuse and neglect of vulnerable adults and one count of resisting and obstructing the legal process She is currently being held at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County also faces a count of abuse and neglect resulting in death and also is being held at Riverside Both Harris and Jeter are due back in General District Court on March 26 23 to answer five counts of falsifying patient records 23 for one count each of falsifying records arrests have been made of 11 of the remaining 13 suspects:  was arraigned Friday on one count of abuse and neglect resulting in death All have been released on bond or recognizance Warrants remain pending for the final two suspects identified as Paulette Landes and Rugiati Contech Landes was charged with resisting or obstructing the legal process and Contech was charged with two counts of falsifying records COLONIAL HEIGHTS – One person was killed in a house fire Sunday morning deputy fire marshal James Jennings said in an email Fire crews arrived to find heavy smoke and fire coming from the basement Jennings said the fire was brought under control after about an hour The victim was found when crews were able to get into the house Chesterfield County Fire & EMS assisted with battling the blaze Neither the victim’s identity nor what started the fire has been released Anyone who may have information about the incident is asked to contact assistant fire marshal Kenneth Bish Jr — A longtime Macy's location in Central Virginia will be closing as the department store chain shutters 66 "underperforming" locations across the country The Macy's at Southpark Mall at 170 Southpark Circle in Colonial Heights will close during the first quarter of 2025, according to information released by the company on Jan. 9. “Closing any store is never easy, but as part of our Bold New Chapter strategy, we are closing underproductive Macy’s stores to allow us to focus our resources and prioritize investments in our go–forward stores where customers are already responding positively to better product offerings and elevated service,” Macy’s Chairman and CEO Tony Spring said The closure now means there will be 15 Macy's locations in Virginia: Arlington WATCH: Police release video of Southpark Mall shooting Macy's announced in February 2024 that it would close 150 stores over the next three years resulting in a 3.5% reduction of its total workforce or roughly 2,350 employees That will leave open roughly 350 locations when the plan is finished The closures are one element of the chain's “bold new chapter” to combat declining sales there are plans to expand Macy's portfolio of small-format retail stores which are about a fifth of the size of its standard department stores and modernizing the 350 locations it will keep open nationwide "Investments in the pilot Macy’s stores - First 50 - have boosted sales for three consecutive quarters and contributed to record customer satisfaction scores for the Macy’s nameplate," officials with the company said Macy's reported quarterly sales of $4.74 billion in November which was slightly above $4.72 billion projection COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va. — Lawyers for Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, where more than a dozen employees have been charged in an elder abuse investigation are weighing in on the criminal case in a new court filing CBS 6 legal expert Todd Stone called the filing unique considering the facility itself is not actually facing any charges at this point It was about two months ago that Colonial Heights Police swarmed the nursing home arresting at least 18 workers on charges ranging from falsifying patient records to neglect The case centers around a patient who prosecutors claimed received inadequate care and later died Investigators alleged the resident was left to lay in her own urine and feces court filings reveal the nursing home has retained its own lawyers from the law firm McGuire Woods and they're taking issue with how police handled its search warrants In a new petition filed Thursday by Mike Herring on behalf of Colonial Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Center Herring asked the court to force police to list out all the property they seized to fulfill an inventory requirement Herring said police executed two search warrants for medical records and doctors' notes related to the alleged victim as well as personnel training records spanning several years But on documentation that requires police to disclose which items they took Herring claimed police only wrote "requested documents." Herring argued the police's vagueness and lack of details violated the law What they're saying is just comply with the Virginia Code But Stone said a big question is: What grounds does the nursing home have to compel the court to do anything when it's not actually a defendant They should have reported these things.' But who are you as a third party to come in and tell us what to do in this criminal case?” Stone said In making its case as to how the inventory concerns impact the facility "Notice of what CHPD seized is essential to the safekeeping and preservation of protected health and personal information and documentation the accused individual employees were given bond conditions that prevent them from providing medical care or returning to the facility Herring said the nursing home is unable to assess or contest those actions due to police's "refusal to comply The petition also suggested Colonial Heights Police seized property that was outside of the scope of the authorized search warrant referencing harm caused by an "unlawful seizure." A detailed inventory would help the facility challenge the seizure of those items in question "I think this is an attempt by the nursing facility to get their foot in the door and then there could be other requests down the road depending on what happens here," Stone said Commonwealth's Attorney Gray Collins filed a response objecting to the petitioner's request for a ruling without a hearing Collins also requested more time to research whether the nursing home has standing to make these arguments to begin with As to allegations that police seized items that were beyond the scope of the authorized search warrant Collins noted that could be explained in a hearing Herring has not responded to CBS 6's request for comment A spokesperson for Colonial Heights Police acknowledged CBS 6's request for comment but said she had not yet heard back from the investigator on the case — A tanker truck leaking diesel fuel from one of its saddle tanks left a nearly two-mile trail through Colonial Heights Thursday afternoon Firefighters were called to a parking lot across from Colonial Heights Middle School just before 3 p.m The tanker truck driver told investigators he was on I-95 when he hit something in the road He took the Temple Avenue exit and drove down Temple and into the Southpark Mall area before exiting onto Conduit Road and driving about another mile before stopping The driver then got out of the cab and immediately set out pads to try and contain the leaking fuel according to deputy fire marshal Brett Jennings.The Crate Hazmat team was called in to help contain the fuel and keep it from running down into a nearby storm drain City crews were also called to spread sand over the diesel fuel on the streets Students were in the process of leaving school at the time the truck pulled into the parking lot They were allowed to continue leaving and traffic was allowed to keep using Conduit Road and Temple Avenue The driver told investigators he had about 60 gallons of fuel in his saddle tank COLONIAL HEIGHTS – One of the four nursing home employees jailed for elder abuse leading to a former patient’s death has been released on bond Court records indicate Kamesha Michelle Kittrell was granted a $2,500 bond at a hearing Monday in Colonial Heights General District Court She is facing two counts of abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death and one count of abuse involving injury the head of nursing at Colonial Heights Rehabilitation & Nursing Center 18 on various charges surrounding the death of a 74-year-old woman whose family said she had been abused and neglected during her stay at the center Court records indicate they remain in custody at Riverside Regional Jail in Prince George County Drone finds 17-year-old dog who had been missing for days. 'It was a miracle' Kittrell is not allowed to return to the Ellerslie Avenue facility work in the medical field or have any contact with the other defendants until her case is adjudicated Prosecutors contend that while Kittrell did not have direct contact with the victim – who they claim died of sepsis last October due to the lack of attention received – she is culpable for the death due to her nursing-head duties for oversight of staff and proper medical care Jeter and Harris are all due back in court March 26 for preliminary hearings on the charges Petersburg has never regulated the city's short-term rentals. Now, it’s going to start. The remaining 14 suspects were all granted bond at the time of their arrests Most of those charges involved falsifying patient records the state Department of Health and the Virginia attorney general’s Elder Abuse Task Force raided the center In a statement Dec. 19 to The Progress-Index Colonial Heights Rehab management said it was “cooperating fully” with the investigation No other statements have been released since 5:47 p.m.511 Virginia reported a road incident on I-85 North at mile marker 61 in the county of Dinwiddie Motorists were informed they could expect delays due to a vehicle crash The Virginia State Police issued The Progress-Index a press release at 5:32 p.m The email urging drivers to stay off the roads stated the following: there have been 305 crashes since midnight including 24 injury crashes across the state Virginia State Police continue to urge drivers to stay off the roads during the storm allowing the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and other emergency crews space to work." drivers are reminded to follow these guidelines: For the latest road conditions and updates, call 511 or visit the VDOT Virginia Traffic Information website at www.511virginia.org and the National Weather Service office in Wakefield says we can expect rain and sleet to fall for the remainder of the day into evening a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 8 a.m Wednesday as low temperatures Tuesday could mean slicker than usual spots will likely become slick and hazardous," NWS said in its weather warning The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes." NWS says "moderate to heavy" snowfall continues Weather-related closings continue to occur The city of Petersburg closed its circuit court and circuit court clerk's office at 1 p.m City Council postponed its meeting Tuesday evening to Feb 10 a.m.Snow began falling across central Virginia Tuesday morning School systems made the decision Monday night to close in advance of the inclement weather allowing for somewhat lighter traffic on the roads Virginia Department of Transportation crews began pre-treating major highways and other arteries Monday in preparation for the incoming weather The National Weather Service issued a Winter Weather Advisory for portions of south central and southeast Virginia According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield PetersburgCourts and government offices All City of Petersburg government offices are closed today  The General District and Circuit Court are open the Juvenile and Domestic Relations court is closed  detours or schedule changes have been announced so far PAT has instructed all operators to report at regular times Stay tuned on the latest Petersburg transit updates, including any potential delays or disruptions, via PAT’s website at www.ridepat.com All Petersburg City Public Schools are closed and all PCPS daytime school activities and after-school activities are cancelled The school system will continue to monitor weather conditions and will provide updates via the PCPS website Hopewell City Public Schools are closed for all students and staff. Stay updated via the Hopewell City Public Schools website at www.hopewell.k12.va.us/ Colonial Heights Public Schools are closed for students and staff. Stay updated on developments via their website, www.colonialhts.net/ Icy roads — and the dangers they create — are one of the main causes of accidents during the winter. Check out some key tips from Icy Road Safety for driving safely in freezing weather and icy roads below: — Someone is shooting arrows at geese in Colonial Heights and a second goose survived with an arrow through its body The goose can actively fly," Colonial Heights Animal Control Supervisor Hannah Jones told CBS 6 Jones says both arrow incidents are under investigation making it illegal to shoot or kill a bird within city limits "It gives a bad taste to bow hunters when they shoot something like that out in the city," hunter James Fields said "That’s the people that give hunters a bad name," said Josh Sibley of Dance’s Sporting Goods Sibley said the picture of the injured goose people shared online raised other concerns It’s not ethical at all to be hunting with it," he said Colonial Heights Animal Control said the injured goose has been spotted more than a mile away from where it was first seen They are still hoping to capture it and provide medical treatment If you have any information about the shooting of the two Canada geese you are asked to call Crime Solvers at 748-0660