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Chesterfield arson suspect expected in court

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A Chesterfield man accused in a number of arsons will be in court Thursday.

William Morrissette IV faces six counts of arson. Police say Morrissette set piles of paper on fire in an outside stairwell at Tactics Branding. That's a county business, just off  of Huguenot Road near Robious.

The six fires date back to mid-February. 

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Governor signs school safety legislation into law

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- Governor Bob McDonnell put pen to paper Wednesday, making new school safety measures across Virginia official.

There are 12 new laws tackling everything from bullying to emergency plans in schools.

The signing ceremony was held at Robious Elementary School, a live lesson of government in action, but what was signed there was meant to protect little learners all across Virginia.

"These 12 bills that I sign today will help Virginia to do everything I think is possible right now to protect you precious young people," McDonnell told students.

The laws are intended to fight things like bullying and mental illness. They will also put tools in place to keep intruders out and help students practice how to react when something bad happens.  

"You're going to have to practice that," said McDonnell. "And we don't want you to be nervous or scared. We just want you to be prepared!"

On Your Side Alert: Foreign lottery scams target seniors

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A warning from the United States Postal Inspection Service says there's been an increase in the number of seniors victimized by foreign lottery scams.

U.S. Postal Inspector David McGinnis says mail fraud is a constant problem. He says one of the leading complaints are foreign lottery offers. Sometimes the crooks won't take no for an answer.

"If the person resists, they have actually threatened people. They have gone on to Google Maps and looked at their house and when they call them, they say, 'Look, I know your house is a yellow house and there is a black truck parked in the driveway,'" McGinnis explains.

He says many of these lottery scams originate in Jamaica. Usually, when you are dealing with foreign lotteries, it's difficult to make an arrest but McGinnis says the Jamaican government is cooperating with U.S. authorities.

Pontoon plane pulled from Lake Chesdin; pilot: "mistakes happen"

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- The plane that crashed into Lake Chesdin is out of the water, after a six-hour process. The two pilots who were riding in it, are saying prayers of thanks.

"It's been an extremely tedious process getting this plane right-side up, and back on shore," said R.L. Dunn, who used his crane to get the plane ashore.

Dunn lives right off the lake, and is also friends with the pilots who flipped the pontoon plane, Frank Isbell and Doug Smith. Dunn rushed outside after they crashed.

"Luckily, they walked away from it…could have been worse," said Dunn.

Isbell is a veteran pilot of 37 years, but says mistakes can still happen. Isbell was trying to avoid a boat, and forgot to take up the landing gear. When the $100,000 plane hit the water, it overturned head-first.

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Small plane goes down in Lake Chesdin

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- A pontoon plane went down in Lake Chesdin near the Seven Springs Marina in Chesterfield Tuesday evening.

According to aviation expert and friend of the pilot John Mazza, the pilot, Frank Isbell, is experienced but didn't put his landing gear up inside the plane. Instead, the gear hit the water and flipped the aircraft.

Remarkably, neither the pilot nor the passenger were hurt.

The two-seater cub plane crashed on Lake Chesdin around 6:00pm. It then took a Good Samaritan with a pontoon boat two-and-a-half-hours to tow the aircraft to a dock where a crane turned the plane upright.

Mazza says Isbell had been on the lake all day taking off and landing the pontoon plane, which is made for water.

"That was his thirteenth landing of the day," said Mazza. "So I guess 13 wasn't a lucky number."

Chesterfield Parks and Rec offers outdoor programs for June

Evening Paddle

Paddle and float during the evening hours at the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Slip quietly through the waters to observe wildlife and to explore the varied environs of the Tidal Lagoon. Look for bald eagles and osprey and listen for owls. Minimum age is 10. An adult must accompany children 10 -14 years of age. Paddling time is approximately 3 hours.

Saturday, June 8, 4:30–8:30 p.m.

Henricus Park Visitors Center

Fee: $18

 

Old Rag Mountain Hike

See the result of mountain building and erosion during this hike to the summit of Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park. This circuit hike follows the rocky ridgeline that leads to the summit. Participants should be prepared to scramble over and through large granite boulders. This hike will be about 8 miles with 2510 feet of elevation gain.

Thieves steal bear, deer, skunk fur from Chesterfield park

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT)- Chesterfield Police need your help tracking down bear, deer, and even skunk. We're not talking about the animals themselves. We're talking about their fur!

Thieves swiped 20 animal pelts from Chesterfield's Henricus Historical Park.

"They were already in a state where they were not suitable for clothing," said Lee Walker with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. "There is really not a market for them, unless they plan to sell them to a teacher."

Walker notes the pelts could bring in anywhere from $50 to $75 a piece.

"We are trying to make the public aware in case somebody comes to them with this strange request," said Detective Kevin Bacon. "Do you want to buy one of these animal skins from me? There were things like bear skin, and dear skin, and even skunk."

The park released the following statement: