Cumberland Today

05/27/2020

Cumberland High School - Virtual Celebration - May 2020

Cumberland High School held its virtual celebration graduation ceremony. Congratulations Class of 2020!

05/26/2020

Governor Ralph Northam announced today that everyone ages 10+ will need to wear a face covering inside at a public place starting Friday, May 29. This includes people going inside all brick and mortar retail establishments, personal care and grooming establishments, places where people congregate, food and beverage establishments (except when eating), on public transportation, and when accessing state or local government services.The exceptions to this are when people are eating or drinking or exercising, people who have trouble breathing or are unable to remove the mask without help, or if your health conditions prohibit wearing a face covering. He also strongly recommended any child 3 years old or older wear a face covering "to the extent possible." He clarified that face coverings don't need to be medical grade.
"This is a matter of public health, and as a result, any enforcement that is needed will be done by our health officials. This is not a criminal matter, and our law enforcement, our police, and our sheriffs will not have a role in enforcing this," Northam said. "I am not looking for people to get in trouble by not wearing a mask, but I am looking for people to please do the right thing. I am asking people to respect one another."

05/26/2020

The Economic Development Authority of the County of Cumberland, Virginia (EDA) will hold a special called meeting on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Circuit Courtroom, located at 1 Courthouse Circle, Cumberland, Virginia 23040. The purpose of the meeting is to adjourn to closed meeting Pursuant to Va. Code § 2.2-3711.A.5: Discussion of prospective business where no previous announcement has been made; and A.8: Consultation with legal counsel – Subject: Development and occupancy of the Cumberland Business Park, and to approve the issuance of bonds. No public comment will be received at the meeting. For additional information, please contact the County Administrator’s Office at 804/492-3625.

05/26/2020

Route 60 Corridor Study - Projects | Virginia Department of Transportation

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has launched a survey via MetroQuest to give the public additional opportunity to provide feedback on the Route 60 Corridor Study, which recommends potential corridor improvements along the corridor in Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Cumberland, Nelson and Powhatan counties. The draft recommendations aim to enhance safety and capacity along the corridor while balancing the needs of economic development and access management.

Prior to the survey launch, two public meetings were held on the corridor study in July 2019 and a virtual public meeting was held in March 2020. Results from this survey will provide the study team with additional public feedback needed to continue the study.

The MetroQuest survey is available now at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route-60-corridor.asp and http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/richmond/route-60-corridor.asp. The survey will close on Wednesday, June 3, 2020.

The primary goal of this study is to provide localities with cost effective innovative intersection design improvements that are tailored for submission as SMART SCALE applications.

05/25/2020

We remember the men and women who gave the last full measure of devotion in service of our nation.

05/25/2020

Cumberland County Public Schools, VA

Cumberland High School will present the Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The virtual graduation can be found at cumberland-hs.stageclip.com as well as on our website, page, and YouTube. #iamcucps

05/15/2020

Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park

Friends of Bear Creek Lake State Park

Campground reopening Friday, May 22, 2020.

05/15/2020

Cumberland County Public Schools, VA

I have known the graduating Class of 2020 since they were in prekindergarten when I was their elementary principal. I have watched them grow into the wonderful young adults that they are today. They have done amazing things during their time at Cumberland County Public Schools. From serving as the School Board student liaison, being on the Superintendent’s Student Panel, holding offices such as FFA President, winning national FFA awards, participating in our first Dukes Discover passion projects, recommending changes at CuCPS such as adding middle school baseball and softball, to competing in state athletic competitions -- the Class of 2020 has left a legacy to the students following in their footsteps.

This is a bittersweet moment. My heart breaks that the Class of 2020 is not walking across the stage this Friday in front of a gym packed full of family and the educators that have been with them throughout their childhood. With no Senior Project Day nor Senior Night, I feel the 2019-2020 school year is incomplete. However, I have so much happiness and pride for this class. They have already contributed so much and have a great future.

To celebrate the Class of 2020, we are holding a Virtual Graduation on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The event will be shown on our website and YouTube. The traditional Graduation Ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. in the CHS gym as long as large social gatherings are allowed at that time.

To the Cumberland High School Class of 2020 -- I love and miss you immensely! I am so proud of you and know that you will do great things. Please stay in touch. You will always be a Cumberland Duke! Love, Dr. Griffin

05/15/2020

Congratulations to the CuCPS Foundation Scholarship Award recipients!

Congratulations to the CuCPS Foundation Scholarship Award recipients!

05/15/2020

Trooper Lucas Dowell being added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

Trooper Lucas Dowell being added to National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial

AMHERST Co. , Va. (WSET) -- Trooper Lucas Dowell was one of 146 officers honored on Wednesday in the 32nd Annual Candlelight Vigil for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial. Due to social distancing restrictions, the gathering that usually takes place in Washington D. C. was unable to be he...

05/14/2020

#VSP Warning Residents in #Lynchburg - Central #Virginia region & #Augusta County of Threatening Phone Scam

This week the Virginia State Police has been alerted by numerous residents within the Central Virginia and Augusta County regions of a threatening phone scam from an individual claiming to be a Virginia Police Sergeant. In two of those incidents, victims of the scam have purchased gift cards totaling sums of up to $1,200, which state police is now investigating. The phone scammer is also targeting those listed on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.

Based on the reports, the caller most commonly identifies himself as "Sergeant Yates of the Virginia State Police" and tells the individual one of two false claims:
1) There are arrest warrants on file for the individual
2) He will remove their DNA from the Virginia Sex Offender Registry

Regardless of the scammer's story, he will always tell his victim that gift cards must be sent to prevent one from being arrested or to have one's DNA removed from the Registry.

The State Police will never notify a resident by phone of an arrest warrant. Nor will State Police remove someone's DNA or any information from the Sex Offender Registry.

No one should ever send gift cards to anyone who calls and threatens arrest, that a family member has been abducted, or suggests a bribe. No law enforcement or government agency will ever request payment via phone or by gift card.

These scammers are often very aggressive and relentless, meaning they may call repeatedly the same day and/or week to try and convince you they are telling the truth and must be paid. Your best recourse is simply hang up - every time. Do not engage. Do not give any personal information - birth date, bank account, etc. - to the individual.

Scams can be reported to the Virginia State Police and/or the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-guides.

#VSP Warning Residents in #Lynchburg - Central #Virginia region & #Augusta County of Threatening Phone Scam

This week the Virginia State Police has been alerted by numerous residents within the Central Virginia and Augusta County regions of a threatening phone scam from an individual claiming to be a Virginia Police Sergeant. In two of those incidents, victims of the scam have purchased gift cards totaling sums of up to $1,200, which state police is now investigating. The phone scammer is also targeting those listed on the Virginia Sex Offender Registry.

Based on the reports, the caller most commonly identifies himself as "Sergeant Yates of the Virginia State Police" and tells the individual one of two false claims:
1) There are arrest warrants on file for the individual
2) He will remove their DNA from the Virginia Sex Offender Registry

Regardless of the scammer's story, he will always tell his victim that gift cards must be sent to prevent one from being arrested or to have one's DNA removed from the Registry.

The State Police will never notify a resident by phone of an arrest warrant. Nor will State Police remove someone's DNA or any information from the Sex Offender Registry.

No one should ever send gift cards to anyone who calls and threatens arrest, that a family member has been abducted, or suggests a bribe. No law enforcement or government agency will ever request payment via phone or by gift card.

These scammers are often very aggressive and relentless, meaning they may call repeatedly the same day and/or week to try and convince you they are telling the truth and must be paid. Your best recourse is simply hang up - every time. Do not engage. Do not give any personal information - birth date, bank account, etc. - to the individual.

Scams can be reported to the Virginia State Police and/or the FCC at https://www.fcc.gov/consumer-guides.

Augusta County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Donald L. Smith Lynchburg Police Department Buckingham County Sheriff's Office Prince Edward County Sheriff's Office Cumberland County Sheriff's Office Campbell County Sheriff's Office

05/14/2020

Cumberland County Public Schools, VA

CMS Bike Winners -- A BIG Duke Shoutout to the Hampden Sydney Cycling Club for making this happen!

05/13/2020

VirginiaDMV

Beginning May 18, DMV is opening 11 customer service centers statewide for specific, appointment-only services.

For more information about office locations opening May 18, scheduling appointments and services available, visit www.dmvNOW.com/reopening.

05/12/2020

Cumberland County man killed in single-vehicle accident
Contributed Report
A 21-year-old Cumberland County man was killed early Monday morning in a fatal truck accident in the county, according to the Virginia State Police.
The single-vehicle crash was discovered shortly after 5 a.m. on Monday, May 11 on Oak Hill Road about 2 miles from Route 60. The driver, Chase Billy Lee Cadd, 21, of Cumberland was not wearing a seatbelt and was partially ejected. He died at the scene.
Cadd’s 1999 Chevrolet 3500 truck was traveling north on Oak Hill Road when it ran off the left side of the road, struck a tree, and overturned, according to state police. Speed was a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation by trooper G.T. Lee.

05/11/2020

Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department

Cumberland Volunteer Fire Department

5/11/20 @ 0513: CVFD was dispatched to Oak Hill Rd about 2 miles from Anderson Hwy for an overturned vehicle. Units arrived to find a pickup truck on its roof partially blocking the road. Unfortunately, the driver of the vehicle was found to be deceased. The road was shut down for several hours while PD investigated the incident.

Rescue 21, Engine 24 & Utility 25 responded.

05/10/2020

Mothering is truly an art form. To all the moms, bonus moms, step-moms, foster moms, adoptive moms, soon-to-be moms, all engage in the art of mothering. To those who have lost their mothers, to those who desperately long to be a mother, to those who selflessly love like a mother; to those who mother any and all beings. Mothers can be defined as: to bring up a child with care and affection; to look after kindly and protectively, sometimes excessively so. On this day, we honor you. Happy Mother’s Day.

05/08/2020

Cumberland County Public Schools, VA

CuCPS Family Update: Friday, May 8, 2020

The next weekly student food distribution/delivery will be on Monday, May 11, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 crisis, additional benefits have been identified for some of our CuCPS families. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA), designated families will soon receive food funds through Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT). All elementary and middle school students will be eligible to receive funds because CuCPS participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal service program. Further, all high school students that are on a free or reduced meal plan also will be eligible to receive funds. This is a one-time supplemental program and funding will not be ongoing. Families will receive, via the US Postal Service, EBT debit cards along with a FAQ sheet regarding the program beginning mid-May. The Department of Social Services will be handling all funds, cards and undeliverable cards.

Other updates include:

WiFi Hotspots have been installed at the following locations:

Sharon Baptist Church: 1130 Plank Rd, Farmville
Shiloh New Covenant Church: 1665 Anderson Hwy, Cumberland
Ramans Midway Market: 3156 Cumberland Rd, Cumberland
Mama D’s Country Store: 1368 Columbia Road, Columbia
Jones Chapel Baptist Church: 947 Trents Mill Road, Cumberland
Cartersville Rescue Squad: 1667 Cartersville Rd, Cartersville

Hotspots are also available in the CMS parking lot and at New Life Church in Farmville.

The Class of 2020 will be celebrated at a virtual graduation on May 26, 2020, at 6:00 p.m. The traditional graduation ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 10, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. as long as large gatherings are allowed at that time. Congratulations to Graceyn Cubbage, the Class of 2020 Valedictorian, and Jordan Smith, the Class of 2020 Salutatorian. Graceyn plans to attend the University of Virginia and Jordan plans to attend Virginia Tech.

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, the School Board recognized Mrs. Overstreet as the Cumberland Elementary School Teacher of the Year; Mrs. Harmon as the Cumberland Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Sergeant Major Tigs as the Cumberland High School Teacher of the Year. In a LIVE surprise visit to her home, Mrs. Overstreet was named the Cumberland County Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

I hope everyone is doing well. We love and miss you…and can’t wait until the day we can all be together again. Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

05/08/2020

Cumberland County Public Library

Beginning today and every day someone is at the library (usually Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM), there will be a cart of FREE books on the library's front porch. This will continue until we reopen the library to allow patrons to check out books again and while our supply of materials lasts.

The books include children's, juvenile, young adult and adult fiction and non-fiction, including large print editions. We might be a little late putting it out some days, but just knock to remind us! Take whatever you want and pass them on to someone else when you're finished with them. Hope you find something you like!

05/08/2020

Congratulations to Cumberland's elementary, middle, and high school Teachers of the Year: CCES - Emily Overstreet, CMS - Tara Harmon, and CHS - Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs.

Emily Overstreet was selected to be the CuCPS Division Teacher of the Year. She was surprised LIVE during the May School Board Meeting!

Congratulations to our elementary, middle, and high schools Teachers of the Year: CCES - Mrs. Emily Overstreet, CMS - Mrs. Tara Harmon, and CHS - Sgt. Major Dwayne Tigs.

Mrs. Overstreet was selected to be the CuCPS Division Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Overstreet was surprised LIVE during the May School Board Meeting!

Again, congratulations to all!

05/07/2020

Cumberland County Public Schools, VA

Because of the COVID-19 crisis, additional benefits have been identified for some of our CuCPS families. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 (FFCRA), designated families will soon receive food funds through Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfers (EBT). All elementary and middle school students will be eligible to receive funds because CuCPS participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal service program. Further, all high school students that are on a free or reduced meal plan also will be eligible to receive funds. This is a one-time supplemental program and funding will not be ongoing. Families will receive, via the US Postal Service, EBT debit cards along with a FAQ sheet regarding the program beginning mid-May. The Department of Social Services will be handling all funds, cards and undeliverable cards.