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The Central Virginian

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The Central Virginian

Weekly community newspaper covering Louisa County and Lake Anna -- Virginia Louisa's hometown newspaper has become a full-fledged news organization.
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Locals from Gum Spring to Gordonsville and from Zion Crossroads to Bumpass can't wait for Thursday to see what we've got in our award-winning paper. But between Thursdays, we keep our community informed through our web site and Facebook and Twitter pages.

07/08/2025

Parkinson’s support group looks to recapture pre-COVID numbers

On the second Thursday of each month, the Parkinson’s Disease and Caregiver Support Group meets at the Betty Queen Center from 1:00-2:30. During their June meeting, eight Louisa residents, a mix of caregivers and those with Parkinson’s, bounced ideas off one another to share their experience and tips on how to manage the disease.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a type of neurologic movement disorder that also affects the brain. Most people recognize the symptoms of “tremors,” which can look like shaking, but it also manifests in non-motor symptoms including sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue. It is chronic and progressive, and affects people’s ability to perform common, daily activities.

Louisa residents shared that before the COVID pandemic in 2020, the group routinely had over 30 people meet each month at Louisa Baptist Church. With numbers that big, they were able to separate into two distinct groups, the caregivers and patients with the diagnosis.

“We know there’s more people with Parkinson’s; they may just not know about us,” an attendee said.

Louisa resident Maureen Deel is the leader of the group.

“[The group] really is helpful, not only for the patients, but the caregivers. We always have questions for the patients, ‘what meds are you taking, how is it working for you, what are the different symptoms?’” Deel said. “With Parkinson’s—nobody is the same, and it affects everyone differently. The more people that are here with Parkinson’s that talk about it, the more education you can get very quickly.”

One resident chimed in, that when he was diagnosed over three years ago, the doctor simply gave him some literature to read. It wasn’t until he started attending community groups that he began to better understand PD and how other community members were managing it.

“Everyone thinks about the shaking when they hear Parkinson's, but there’s a lot going on inside that you don’t see,” another attendee added. “It affects your mind.”

Click below to see how three LCHS grads with CNA certifications are making a difference in the life of a community member with Parkinson’s:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/living/health/parkinson-s-support-group-looks-to-recapture-pre-covid-numbers/article_61195c18-00eb-4d33-b8ed-460f4561e5c2.html

07/08/2025

RT. 622 OVER LAKE ANNA TO CLOSE FOR INSPECTION OF D**E 3

Drivers on Moody Town Road should expect detours starting Monday, July 14

CULPEPER — Dominion Energy, in coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation, will close Route 622 (Moody Town Road) as it crosses Lake Anna in Louisa County for its annual inspection of D**e 3.

The closure is scheduled from July 14 to 18, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and will be lifted overnight. The work is limited to D**e 3 at the water crossing, so all homes and businesses on both the north and south sides of the lake will remain accessible during the inspection.

A signed detour will be in place for drivers needing to cross the lake. Drivers south of the water will be directed west onto Route 701 (Eastham Road) and then to Route 652 (Kentucky Springs Road) to head north. Drivers north of the lake will follow Route 622 west to Route 652 to head south.

Local updates about conditions in VDOT’s Culpeper District are posted to X.com/VaDOTCulp and the Culpeper District page.

Current traffic conditions, VDOT’s statewide network of traffic cameras, and other travel information are available on the 511Virginia website, the free VDOT 511 mobile app, or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

07/07/2025

MINERAL ADOPTS FY26 BUDGET—

Holds off on major water decisions

The Mineral Town Council (MTC) had an hour-long discussion on how to address their water situation during a special meeting on June 24, just days before the deadline to adopt their Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Council members Olivia Barrow and Bernice Kube were not in attendance.

Council member David Hempstead started questioning some of the line items, asking how they fit into the overall budget. One item, “special events” listed at $12,000 caught his attention. Treasurer Kelly Singletary responded that this was a new line item this year, which could include a larger Christmas event like a tree lighting, as well as events like Fall and Spring markets.

“When I’m looking at whether or not we are going to have water in two years—is this necessary?” Hempstead asked. “I’m just pointing out where there are potential savings that can go towards the water system.”

The Town of Mineral recently received a notice from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) alerting town officials that there can be no new water connections in the town for at least two years. The town holds a permit to purchase water from the Louisa County Water Authority (LCWA), but only allows the town to purchase supplemental water. Currently, the town has been purchasing 100% of its water from the LCWA. To avoid straining the LCWA, no new connections can be made as the town works to revitalize its wells for water production.

Hempstead noted he didn’t see anything for infrastructure repairs. Mayor Ron Chapman responded this money was under “contracted services,” where the town is requesting $90,000 for FY26.

The FY26 budget totals $1,481,950, with $70,000 from grants in the capital improvements expenditure budget. Revenues from the water and sewer fund is expected to be $435,350. Only $90,000 is allocated for contracted services for water and sewer repairs. The budget is 1.1% greater than last year’s budget.

Council member Michelle Covert reminded the council that the town is losing $8,000-9,000 a month (or roughly $100,000 a year) due to manholes leaking stormwater, and that the town had previously $160,000 to fix the problem.

“$90,000 is not enough to fix everything that breaks in a year,” Covert said, adding that $70,000 is coming in from grants to improve the water. “...[$90,000 is] substantially inadequate. I say this every time and it is my responsibility to do so, it’s not going to cover what we have to pay. I believe we need capital improvement money that the town puts up for water, and enough repairs to cover at least what we already know needs [to be done], which is probably close to $300,000.”

Continue reading by clicking the link below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/mineral-adopts-fy-26-budget/article_feb8ac3b-7742-4ceb-9091-5cae1c45799e.html

07/06/2025

Independence Day celebration at Southern Revere Cellar’s Red, White, and Brew festival

07/05/2025

The Louisa County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) recently wrapped up two dynamic summer programs aimed at strengthening relationships between law enforcement and local youth. The 2025 Teen Law Enforcement Academy (TLEA) and the 2025 Law Enforcement Adventure Program (LEAP) were both designed to foster trust, mentorship, and a deeper understanding of law enforcement.

TLEA offered teens ages 14-19 more than just a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement—it focused on building lasting relationships and mutual respect between young people and the deputies who serve the community. Throughout the academy, participants kicked off their summer by engaging in hands-on learning, team-building challenges, and real-world insights into what it takes to protect and serve.

Just as importantly, the program offered deputies valuable perspectives on local youth, giving them a chance to hear teens’ hopes, concerns, and ideas for the future.

Participants explored various facets of law enforcement, including sitting in at the emergency communications center, practicing at a shooting range, and touring the Central Virginia Regional Jail. The shared experiences helped create bridges of trust and understanding, opening doors to future leadership and mentorship opportunities.

“To all the participants: thank you for stepping up and taking the time to learn and grow with us. You are the future—and we’re proud to be part of your journey,” LCSO wrote via social media.

Click below to continue reading about the Law Enforcement Adventure Program (LEAP) for rising sixth, seventh, and eighth graders:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/living/education/more-than-a-camp-lcso-builds-bridges-with-local-youth/article_00a55a15-8166-4635-879e-6c97a81824b4.html

07/04/2025

THREE COUNTIES UNITE TO FINISH FIFTH AT STATE TOURNAMENT
—————————————————————————

The Louisa Senior Little League Girls All-Star softball team wrapped up an impressive run by finishing fifth in the state tournament. The team, made up of players ages 13 to 16 from multiple counties, represented District 14 in Alexandria, VA.

According to Coach Jason Diest, this marked the first time locally that three counties combined to form a team, bringing together players from East Orange, Culpeper, and Louisa. Together, they advanced to the state tournament after handily defeating Madison by a final score of 16-5.

Per Little League rules, districts are permitted to combine teams when individual counties do not have enough players to field their own team. This year’s roster consisted primarily of girls from Louisa County, with the team sporting the traditional green and gold uniforms.

The result was a united group that quickly built chemistry despite a long history of being heated rivals.

“At first, teaming up with girls I’d only competed against felt a bit odd, but once we put on the same jersey it was like we’d always been on the same side,” first baseman Lucy Ward stated. “We quickly bonded over our shared goals and team spirit—it didn’t take long for the unity to kick in.”

Continue reading about District 14’s journey through the state tournament by clicking the link below:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/sports/from-rivals-to-teammates/article_dcec6a96-69ae-4f2c-a21e-80128592650f.html

07/04/2025

On June 25, the Louisa County Chamber of Commerce held their businessperson of the year celebration at the Spring Creek Golf Club. The award recognizes those who provide exceptional leadership, business excellence, and meaningful contributions to the Louisa community.

Mike Kavros, the owner and manager of Callie Opie’s Orchard, was recognized as the 2025 winner.

07/03/2025

On June 26, Mineral District Supervisor and Chairman Duane Adams held a town hall with the purpose for Louisa residents to voice their opinions on the third Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center in Louisa County. If approved, this would be the fourth data center in Louisa County, following the June 24 announcement of the sale of the Shannon Hill Regional Business Park to data center developer and operator EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure ( Read more here: https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/third-data-center-headed-for-louisa/article_9a6e8169-14f4-4c73-b504-f744be179661.html ).

The AWS proposal would be built south of Davis Highway (Route 22) and north of Jefferson Highway (Route 33) surrounding the Northeast Creek Reservoir. The project is slated to be built on 1,370 acres in the Mineral voting district. If constructed, this would be the third AWS data center campus in Louisa County, following the Lake Anna Technology Campus and North Creek Technology Campus situated on 1,600 acres in the Technology Overlay District (TOD), a special zoning designation focused on technological development.

Adams initially stated that he was leaning towards a “no” vote on the project; after the conclusion of the over an hour-long Q & A, he vocalized a more decisive intention.

“I don’t support this project; when the proposal comes before the Board of Supervisors, I will vote ‘no,’” Adams stated, noting there are six other representatives on the (BoS) who will eventually cast a vote when it comes before them. He continued, encouraging attendees of the town hall to rally their neighbors, voice their opinions, and engage with their district supervisor.

“Somebody asked the question, ‘when is enough enough?’” You know what I think? I think we need to see what we have in place and what is going to happen,” Adams said. “We know that one of the data centers on Kentucky Springs is coming online by the end of the year. We know another one is coming online about the third quarter of next year. What’s our hurry? What’s our rush? Because if we get it wrong, we get it wrong for a long, long time…I work for you; I don’t work for AWS.”

Click the link below for extended coverage of this town hall— including the Q&A with local residents that touched on topics such as traffic impacts, effects on the local water supply, and more:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/town-hall-for-latest-aws-data-center/article_90c88780-0c07-4e3f-ade7-2f025222fd0f.html

07/02/2025

SHELTER OVERRUN : Overcrowding may force euthanasia at county no-kill facility

The Louisa County Animal Shelter is urgently seeking the public’s help as it faces a critical overcrowding crisis. Although the shelter has been at or near capacity for the past six to eight months, staff say the situation has now reached a breaking point.

Late last year, the shelter staff was recognized by the Louisa County Board of Supervisors (BoS) for their “exceptional commitment to the welfare and humane treatment of animals in the community.” After maintaining one of Virginia’s lowest euthanasia rates for several years, the shelter officially became a “no-kill” facility in 2023. But the current crisis is forcing the shelter to consider a heartbreaking possibility: euthanizing animals to make space. According to staff, the facility is currently packed to the brim with large hound dogs and pit bulls housed in 5-by-10 pens, with no room for additional strays.

“We do also have cats—they are just not big enough to be spayed and neutered... it’s kitten season so we are full on them as well,” Staff member Chrissy Gough stated. “But that’s not the issue right now, it’s the dog kennel—we don’t even have a kennel to put a dog in if a stray comes in... our staff is dying right now.”

While staff claimed they are extremely appreciative of the volunteers who help walk the dogs at a nearby “bark park” twice daily, they also made clear it’s not nearly enough to ease the strain, expressing concern with the rising number of abandoned dogs.

“Please come pick up your dogs,” Gough urged. “We understand accidents happen, but if they get out, just come get them right away. It’s a major problem right now and people just aren’t coming to get them like they should.”

In February, the BoS unanimously approved tougher penalties for owners of dogs found roaming at large. Under the new rules, a first offense is a Class 4 misdemeanor, with penalties escalating for repeat offenses. A third violation within two years of the second could result in a Class 1 misdemeanor, a fine of up to $2,500, and up to one year in jail.

With Louisa County’s population growing by nearly 4,000 since 2020, Green Springs District Supervisor Rachel Jones clarified the crackdown targets serious violations and repeat offenders, not pet owners who are trying to do the right thing.

“Not every dog running at large is going to be picked up and taken to our shelter, because the officer has discretion; he can return it if it’s somebody’s dog who just got off the leash or escaped their yard and they are actively looking for it,” Jones explained. “That’s not a dog at large... that’s a runaway dog that they return and help assist.”

Following these strengthened penalties, Shelter Director Skylar Colvin explained the shelter’s typical protocol of returning lost dogs to their owners, emphasizing that fines are not meant to discourage owners from reclaiming their pets.

“We never start out with throwing the fine, we always just contact people. If they are unable to pay the fine, we do not hold the animal and we still give them right back,” Colvin said. “The fine is in place for care to mostly provide food, it’s not a make-or-break situation that will prevent the animals from getting back home.”

Meanwhile, efforts to expand shelter space have temporarily stalled. In February, the county Planning Commission recommended approval of the FY2026–FY2045 Capital Improvement Plan, which included a $1.95M request for a shelter addition. At the April 28 BoS meeting, supervisors ultimately postponed funding to FY27, but stated money is in the budget to start the process of architectural drawings. During the meeting, the board also allocated $2.7M to General Services for renovation/repairs to the courthouse, county office building and medical center.

Although shelter staff declined to comment on the funding decision, Gough stressed the importance of the addition.

“It’s 100% a dire need right now,” Gough stated loudly, struggling to be heard over the constant barking. “Obviously, as I’m sure you can tell, we could really use the space.”

Click the link below to hear from the Louisa County Humane Society on how individuals who can’t adopt can still contribute:

https://www.thecentralvirginian.com/news/shelter-overrun/article_606695eb-b896-4ea2-be25-c809fd408638.html

07/02/2025

The Louisa County Public Schools (LCPS) school board discussed the potential third Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center at its July 1 meeting.

David Childress, Director of Technology with LCPS, outlined to the school board that while the proposed data center site does not connect to any of the middle or high school property, it does potentially connect to 91 acres that LCPS has previously purchased. Childress and LCPS Superintendent Doug Straley stated this land is considered as a potential future site for a new elementary school.

“Some of the questions that I really have, and we need to really be thinking about for that site, is, one, how much traffic would this project potentially bring in?" Straley asked. "We need to really get an understanding of that if we were going to consider that site for another school; we already know there’a lot of traffic out here for the middle and high school, especially in the mornings and afternoons.”

The video of the school board discussion is below, and takes place from 21:10-38:15.

07/02/2025

Have you seen me?

The Louisa County Historical Society is working with the Department of Historic Resources to locate some old structures in the county. This house, photographed in 1971, was called the Archer House. It was used for storing hay at the time. No other information is available beyond that it was in the USGS Gordonsville quadrangle. This area is only a small portion of Louisa County and runs north of the intersection of 15 and Klockner Rd to the county line, and from the western county line to just east of Passante Sr. Ln.

If you have any information which may help us in identifying this structure and its location, please call the Historical Society at 540-967-5975 or email [email protected]

07/02/2025

We are excited to introduce twelve new recruits who started yesterday. They will undergo extensive training over the next several months and are expected to be deployed in the field later this year. Please join us in welcoming them to our outstanding community, Louisa County, Virginia! Stay tuned for updates! Louisa County, Virginia

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Serving Louisa County and Lake Anna, The Central Virginian is an award-winning member of the Virginia Press Association.

The Louisa News and Farmer was established in 1879 by James E. Bibb, who changed the name to the Louisa County News in 1891. In 1903, Bibb sold the paper to R.W. Crawford, who changed the name to The Louisa Enterprise. The next year, M.B Quisenberry and Dr. James Boxley founded The Mineral Mirror, which was merged into the Enterprise in 1908.

Five years later, in 1913, the Enterprise was purchased and merged into The Central Virginian, which had begun the year before, on November 17, 1912. Over the years, The Central Virginian has chronicled the people of the county and promoted their efforts. The CV, as it is known, covers all aspects of life in the Louisa and Lake Anna area, covering everything from city and county government to school news, sports, business development, and more.

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