EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) Police said an  inmate was released, and despite a protective order, obtained a gun and hunted down the woman a judge forbid him to see—and in the middle of the gunfire, an 11-year-old is shot.

Police said that just hours after Evan Lee McNair– age 23– a convicted felon, faced a Greensville County judge and was released from jail on Friday, he found a gun.

“He was served a new protective order in court, that morning, and he was released sometime after lunch, and within several hours he had found the victim,” said Patricia Watson, Commonwealth’s Attorney Emporia-Greensville County.

McNair was ordered to stay away from his former girlfriend, but he tracked her down.

She got into her van with her child, a friend and her two children and attempted to leave when McNair pulled out a gun. He aimed the 40 caliber semi-automatic at his former girlfriend and fired-off eight shots.

“He was moving, running after the vehicle, going after the vehicle, firing,” said Detective Sgt. Stan Allen, Emporia Police.

When the shots landed, they hit a young girl with no connection to him at all.

Shawdell Walton, age 11, was out riding her scooter along Gowin Street when she became caught in the domestic situation.

She was less than one block away from her home.

One of the shots hit her in the head said police. She was flown by helicopter to VCU Medical Center where she is in critical, but stable condition.

“She’s got head trauma, nobody really knows at this point, we’re praying and we’re hopeful,” said Allen.

Investigators recovered eight shell casings and  searched for McNair, who they arrested early Saturday morning in Prince George County.

He was charged with attempted first degree murder, use of firearm in commission of a felony, possession of a gun by a convicted felon, domestic assault and felony violation of a protective order.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – An 11-year-old girl is in critical, but stable condition after she was shot in the head while riding her scooter. Shawdell Walton was hit in the head by a .40 caliber bullet after she unknowingly got caught up in the middle of a domestic dispute Friday, according to police in Emporia, Virginia.

“She was riding the scooter, trying to tell her mom something,” said Shawdwell’s friend Laniecia Jones.  “When she turned around,  a bullet came and shot her in the head.”

The impact from the bullet knocked Shawdell off her scooter and nearly killed her.

She was airlifted to VCU Medical Center where she was listed in critical but stable condition Monday.

[FULL ORIGINAL STORY: Bystander, age 11, shot in head and fighting for life]

“I turned around when I heard gunshots,” said Laniecia.  “And the guy was shooting and started running up the street.”

Police say 23-year-old Evan McNair unloaded a .40 caliber semi-automatic weapon in the direction of his ex-girlfriend’s minivan. According to police, with her kids in tow, she managed to escape.  But Shawdell, out for a carefree stroll on her scooter, wasn’t so lucky.

“He shot eight rounds, is what we’ve been able to determine at this point,” said Det. Sgt. Stan Allen.

The Friday afternoon shooting took place in an area bustling with children. “It could’ve been me,” said Laniecia.

Friday’s shooting came just hours after McNair was released from jail and served with a protective order.

“He was released after lunch,” said Patricia Watson, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Emporia-Greensville County.  “Several hours later he found the victim.”

The violence has rattled the nerves of parents and children living in the Reese community.

Especially since neither McNair nor his ex-girlfriend, who was apparently the intended target, lived there.

Laniecia said it’s hard for her ride her scooter, knowing her partner may never be able to ride again.

“I’m scared to come outside,” she said.  “They may shoot me.”

Evan McNair has been charged with attempted murder.

EMPORIA, Va. (WVEC) – An 11-year-old girl shot in the head while riding a scooter said she forgives her accused shooter.  Shardell Walton, of Emporia, is still recovering after she was hit by a stray bullet nearly two months ago.  [Read more]

“Well, physical…they’re just trying to help me like walk on my own without the cane,” Walton said.

She also told WVEC.com that she is not angry at the man who is accused of shooting her.

“I don’t have that type…I’m not that type of person. I don’t hold harm on anyone. I forgive him,” she said.

Evan McNair, 23, opened fire on his ex-girlfriend’s mini-van, according to police. The  shooting came just hours after McNair was released from jail and served with a protective order.

“He was released after lunch,” said Patricia Watson, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Emporia-Greensville County.  “Several hours later he found the victim.”

McNair is charged with murder.

Walton spent nearly two months in the hospital. She still needs one more surgery.

“There is one thing I’m scared about. I’m scared of getting a bone replaced in my head, but my grandma…her and my poppa try to calm me down a lot and it really helps,” she said.

McNair is due back in court July 9th.

Click here for complete coverage of the scooter shooting.

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – Two women were killed in a single vehicle accident early Saturday morning.

According to Virginia State Police Sergeant Michelle Anaya, the Honda Accord was traveling north on Pine Log road when the vehicle, driven by 18 year-old Heather Seal of Emporia, ran off the road to the left and struck a tree shortly after 7:30am.

Both Seal and her passenger, 18 year-old Rebecca Totino, also of Emporia, were flown to VCU Medical Center in Richmond where they both later died.

Sgt. Anaya says that neither woman was wearing their seatbelt and are looking to see if alcohol may have been a factor in the crash.

GREENSVILLE COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) – State police are still investigating what caused a car crash that left two teenage girls dead.

It happened at 7:30 Saturday morning as the two Emporia teens headed north on Route 633, Pine Log Road.

Their Accord ran off the left side of the road and hit a tree.

Heather Seal and Rebecca Totino, both 18, were airlifted to VCU Medical Center, where they later passed away.

State police say the driver and passenger were not wearing seat belts.

SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) The battle between Emporia leaders and Commonwealth transportation officials continues to heat up over a proposed new toll in Sussex County.

Virginia’s Department of Transportation formally submitted a request to the Federal Highway Administration for the new toll location Monday.

“The folks in Richmond don’t really care about Southside,” Emporia Mayor Sam Adams told CBS 6.

“The proposed plan that VDOT has set forth shows just how disconnected the Governor is,” Adams added.

Many Emporia residents tend to agree.

“This is a low income area and people just can’t be hit with more problems,” Sam Johnson, an Emporia resident, said.

VDOT officials told CBS 6 that although the department has asked for federal approval, it does not mean the new toll in Sussex County is finalized.

“By no means is it a done deal,” Michael Estes, VDOT’s Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, said.

Estes emphasized that the state must generate revenue in some fashion to meet the maintenance needs of Virginia’s roads.

“There has been an identified need of at least ten billion dollars,” Estes said.

Under the proposal submitted to the Federal Highway Administration, VDOT outlined where the revenue generated by a new toll would be spent.

“With this modest toll revenue we can fund an important project in the Petersburg area,” Estes said.

Other projects slated to be completed as a result of the new tool booths include bridge work in Richmond.

Emporia leaders and residents recognize the need for revenue to fix roads but contend a toll in Sussex County is not the solution.

Mayor Adams believes a toll booth in Caroline County would be more efficient.

“Caroline County carries 85,000 cars a day so obviously over 50,000 more cars a day is going to generate more revenue.”

Others believe it is time to raise the state’s gas tax, which hasn’t been increased since 1986.

Mayor Adams tells CBS 6 he will meet with lawyers tomorrow to discuss legal options including possible federal intervention.

Governor Bob McDonnell tells CBS 6 Virginia is at least 18 months away from instituting any new toll booths.

Emporia’s Elliott Sadler will race for a new team next season.

Virginia Tech prepares for their ACC Opener against Georgia Tech.

The Rocco’s family reunion is over in Charlottesville.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – There’s been a fair amount of opposition since Governor Bob McDonnell announced a plan to add tolls to Southern Virginia.

But now, five towns, cities and counties affected by the proposed toll plaza have hired a lawyer. 

Sussex County, Greensville County, the City of Emporia, the City of Petersburg, the Town of Jarratt and the Town of Stoney Creek are contributing to the legal fees — and might sue the state.

The governor’s proposed I-95  toll will be located in Sussex County, but will affect the aforementioned localities. The toll will cost $4 bucks for cars, and $12 bucks for trucks.

The group of y’ve hired lawyer Barry Steinberg from the law firm of Kutak Rock, LLP to fight the governor’s proposal.

In a statement Steinberg says, in part, that the single toll plaza’s location is “clearly racially discriminatory.” The statement goes on to say that “the racial and economic composition at this location is largely lower income and minority, a demographic that could not have possibly been overlooked when it was selected.”

Dreama Justice, who runs Carolina BBQ and Chicken in Emporia, says business is good, but worries the tolls will keep her customers away

“People may bypass us to bypass those tolls here, and they`re going to leave us and not enjoy their meal,” Justice said.

However, a spokesperson for Gov. Bob McDonnell, says tolls are a good idea.

“This is a common sense way to generate more revenue for transportation without raising taxes on Virginia citizens… And we’re looking at ways to discount or reduce the fees for local, regular users of the interstate”.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR)—Is expressing political opinions on Facebook freedom of speech, an online rant or racism?

That’s what many are talking about in the Emporia after a private Facebook post was sent to the NAACP.

Kim Thrower, the woman who made the post, was upset her candidate lost the mayoral race, so she took to Facebook.  In a short paragraph she expressed her concerns about the newly elected mayor and those who voted for her, calling them ignorant.

She also used several curse words in the graphic post.

The woman also happens to be the wife of Emporia’s city manager.

After the post appeared on her private account, the NAACP received a copy and immediately said the post was about race.

Thrower says that couldn’t be further from the truth. “I don’t believe me saying ignorant was a racial slur and if people want to make that a racial slur, I believe they have issue within themselves,” she said.

Thrower has made her Facebook account inactive since she believes it was one of her Facebook friends who scanned her page and made it public.

The NAACP local chapter President Debra Brown says she read the post and believes it is racial. Brown said that Thrower should apologize and went on to say that, “not only her but her husband as well should apologize for his wife’s behavior.”

“My words are mine,” said Thrower. “They are nobody else’s but mine and for this to be made a racial issue, I think that in itself is ignorance.”

Mary Person, who had served on Emporia City Council in the past, ran for Mayor and beat current city councilman Jim Saunders. The vote was close, with the final tally at 1401 to 1238, for Saunders.

Person becomes the first woman and first African-American to be voted in as Mayor.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – The little girl hit in the head by a stray bullet while riding her scooter earlier this year is now home for Christmas and ready to open presents.

Shardell Walton, now 12, was shot in April while she rode her scooter outside her Emporia home. Since the shooting, the sixth grader has had two surgeries, one just three weeks ago.

Walton said she does not remember what happened that day. Police said the child was hit when a man opened fire on his ex-girlfriend’s mini-van. The  shooting came just hours after the shooting suspect was released from jail and served with a protective order.

Walton’s family called her recovery a miracle. They said family, friends and prayer helped them through the ordeal.

Walton said because of her time in the hospital, she decided she wanted to become a nurse when she grows up.

“They [the nurses at VCU Medical Center] were good. That’s why I want to be a nurse now, because I like all of my nurse,” she said.

UPDATE: Happy ending for dog lost after I-95 crash

EMPORIA, Va (WTVR)—Four days ago, Felix—a six-month old dog—escaped from his crate during a car accident on Interstate 95.

Felix was saved from a shelter in Nash County, North Carolina and was headed for a new home in a northern state. There were two other dogs in a transport van with Felix that day; all headed to their new adoption homes.

In recent years, rescue groups have focused on getting dogs and cats, that were in the process of being euthanized, out from overcrowded shelters and into northern states.

The reason the arrangement works out, says animal care associates, is that most northern states have less animals in their shelters for adoption because of a highly successful spay-neutering program.

It’s the opposite in southern states, where many shelters are labeled as “kill shelters” because they don’t have the funds or space to keep all the animals they acquire, and as a result the animals are put down.

The transport up north mutually beneficial and allows many in the New England states a chance to adopt a healthy dog or cat without having to travel south to pick them up.

On Friday, Feb. 1, a transport van with the three dogs inside was involved in an accident in Emporia, Virginia.

Two of the dogs escaped from their crate.  One was found Sunday, deceased.

The other, Felix, remains on the loose. Animal care advocates said that Felix recently had heartworm treatment and will need medical attention.

A $600 dollar reward for his return is now being offered and flyers can be found on posts and in convenience stores around Exit 13 where the accident happened.

Tuesday morning, it is believed Felix was spotted near Exit 17 but was not able to be caught.

If you see him, call 252-985-8699.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – There is a good news about a missing dog that gained a huge following online.

CBS 6 News has learned Felix was found alive and well in Emporia on Sunday.

Volunteers from both Virginia and North Carolina had been searching for him for nearly three weeks, after he got loose following a crash on Interstate 95.

Felix’s story touched a lot of people, because he had been saved from a “kill shelter” in North Carolina and was being taken to a new family when he went missing.

RELATED:

• Dog at large after surviving car accident on I-95

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) — Friends, family and students from Virginia College honored the life of the beloved teacher found shot inside her burned down Chester home last week.

More than 400 people packed into a church in the small town to pay tribute to Dr. Madalyn Carey on Sunday afternoon.

Many reminisced about Carey’s vibrant personality and the love and compassion she showed for others. Some said their professor could light up a room just by offering sweet words and a smile.

Carey’s father, the pastor at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, offered a eulogy of forgiveness at his daughter’s celebration of life. He had a candid conversation with the congregation.

“I’m not angry at nobody,” James Alfred Carey said. “The gentleman who took my daughter’s life, she was trying to help him,”

Carey said his daughter was always trying to assist people who were “down and out” – and that Lloyd Warren Jr. was her latest rescue.

“She told my wife, ‘I think he’s at the door,’ and she said, ‘Do you want me to come over?’” Carey said. “She said, ‘No, Mom, I got this.’”

Carey was found dead inside the charred debris of her rental home off Duxton Drive in Chester on Tuesday.

Police said she was shot to death by Lloyd Edward Warren Jr., a man that lived with her.

Deputies found Warren dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a rural Cumberland County cemetery Thursday.

Her family is still coming to grips with the unexpected loss.

“You can see the love she’s shown everybody,” Cathie Turner, Carey’s cousin, said. “Just as her brother was just saying, she’s everywhere. You can see that right here today [and] she is everywhere because she had a mission and served it.”

RELATED:

• Victim’s family left without answers after suspect’s death
• Person of interest in Chester homicide has violent past
• Campus hosts vigil for woman found murdered after house fire
• Police: Woman found in Chester house was shot
• Police search for person of interest in suspicious death

You can also find a complete list of events in our Richmond events calendar on WTVR.com. [Click here to add an event to our calendar]

MEMORIAL DAY

The New Morning Fitness Association presents “Never Forget Memorial Run, 1.4 Mile Silent Run”, Monday, May 27, around noon, through the heart of VCU to the Virginia War Memorial, assembly and sign in between 11:00 -11:45 am, info 804-828-1196 or email newmorningfitness77@gmail.com.

Richmond National Battlefield Park, in cooperation with the Department of Veterans Affairs, sponsors a Memorial Day program and wreath-laying to honor and remember those who have died in our nation’s service, especially those soldiers and sailors from the Civil War, 12 p.m., at the Fort Harrison National Cemetery, on the Fort Harrison battlefield, 8620 Varina Road, two miles south of Route 5, More details at 804-226-1981, www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.

Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony, co-hosted with American Legion 11th District, program starts at 10aM at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere Street, Thomas Jefferson High School Corps of Cadets Alumni Band will perform in the Shrine from 2-3pm, www.vawarmemorial.org or 804-786-2060.

The New Morning Fitness association presents “Never Forget Memorial Run, 1.4 Mile Silent Run”, around noon, through the heart of VCU to the Virginia War Memorial, assembly and sign in between 11:00 -11:45 am, info 804-828-1196 or email agadt@vcu.edu.

Memorial Day Service & Parade at Seven Pines Cemetery, 400 East Williamsburg road, service,, 400  East Williamsburg Road, community celebration, music, children’s activities, refreshments, Free, 804-737-4121.

Memorial Ceremony at Museum of the Confederacy, 10:30am at the Museum of the Confederacy, Representatives will memorialize our ancestors by placing two red Azalea plants at its entrance, the ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. followed by a group tour. For more information, please feel free to contact Rev. Dr. Paige Lanier Chargois, Coordinator 643-3825 or 261-6501.

FUTURE EVENTS: Richmond’s Annual Greek Festival, May 30-June 2 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Avenue, www.greekfestival.com or 804-358-5996.

National Marrow Donor Program’s 5K Be The Match Walk/Run, benefits patients with blood cancers like Leukemia find a marrow donor and receive a life-saving transplant, Saturday, June 1, in Monroe Park, 620 west Main Street, info www.BeTheMatchWalkRun.org.

6th Annual Broad Appetit Food Festival, Sunday June 2, 11am-6pm, the 100-300 Blocks of Broad Street, restaurants offer $3 small plates of signature dishes, www.broadappetit.com.

The RITE of Spring, Celebrating the 100th Anniversary Richmond Ballet & Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Wednesday, May 29, 7:30,Chrysler Hall Norfolk, vafest.org or 877-741-2787.

Stone Soul Music and Food Festival, featuring Fantasia, BBD, James Fortune, Wess Morgan and other, Saturday, June 1, noon 8:30pm, www.etix.com, www.kissrichmond.com or 804-672-9299 (Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm).

23rd Annual Umoja Music Festival, May 24 – 26, nTelos Wireless Pavilion, Portsmouth, Concerts on the Water, concerts free except headliner Saturday, May 25, 7:30pm Chaka Khan, bring lawn chairs recommended, www.umojafestportsmouth.com.

Richmond Bacon Festival, Saturday, June 9th, 12-5pm, 17th Street Farmer’s Market, admission free, food plates from $3 with drinks $6.

Virginia Pork Festival, Wednesday, June 12, 4 -pm, Emporia, Virginia, tickets $35, tickets not sold at the gate, www.porkfestival.com.

 “Like” my FaceBook page for all the up dates on all the events happening around town and sign up for my weekend E-Blast on www.WTVR.com. Make sure to watch CBS 6 News at 7 p.m.

You can also find a complete list of events in our Richmond events calendar on WTVR.com. [Click here to add an event to our calendar]

RICHMOND, VA (WTVR): Be The Match Walk & Run, 5K/1K Adult, 1K youth and tot trot, Saturday, June 1, 7:30 in Monroe Park, 620 West Main Street, Be The Match is a fundraising event that helps patients with blood cancers like leukemia find a marrow donor and receive a life-saving transplant, details, www.BeTheMatchwalkrun.org.

6th Annual Broad Appetit Food Festival, Sunday, June 2, 11 am – 6 pm in the 100 to 400 blocks of West Broad Street, from Henry to Adams will be blocked, the region’s largest food event, signature dishes from 70 plus of Richmond’s Finest local restaurants, live music and a kids area, $3 small plate offerings & $5 combo plate, admission is free, details: www.broadappetit.com.

38th Annual Greek Festival, Through June 2, Friday & Saturday, 11am-10pm, Sunday, 12pm-7pm, at Saints Constantine and Helen’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Malvern Avenue, Greek Foods, dancing, music, wine and arts & crafts. The festival also benefits Linc, Elijah House Academy, Friends and Coordinators Inc. Details: www.greekfestival.com.

149th Anniversary of the Battle of Cold Harbor, 5515 Anderson-Wright Drive, Mechanicsville, June 1 & 2, Saturday, 10 am – 5pm, Sunday, 10 am -3 pm, ranger-led programs and firing demonstrations at re-enactment, living history volunteers, details contact Richmond National Battlefield Park, 804-226-1981 or www.nps.gov.

James River Association 23rd Annual Westover Lawn Party, Saturday, June 1, 2 -6 pm, at Westover Plantation, 7000 Westover Road, Charles City, www.jamesriverassociation.org.

Radio One Stone Soul Music and Food Festival, Saturday, June 1, noon – 8:30pm at Richmond Raceway Complex, featuring American Idol winner Fantasia, Bell Biv Devoe, Hi-Five, SWV, Tamela Mann, James Fortune, Wess Morgan and many more, advance tickets $35,www.kissrichmond.com or 800-514-ETIX (3849).

The Cameroonian of Greater Richmond hosts it’s “Cameroon Culture Night” Dinner & Celebration, Saturday, June 1, 9pm – 2 am, at PINCH Hall, 3708 Meadowbridge Road, advance tickets $20, at the door $25, can be purchased at Goree Restaurant,1823 East Main Street, 804-389-4488; Tropicanna Restaurant, 6333 Jahnke Road, 804-274-0428; or 804-484-2371.

CARITAS Indoor Yard Sale, Friday, May 31, 10am – 3pm & Saturday, June 1, 9am -1pm, at the CARITAS Furniture Bank,1125, East Commerce Road, 804-343-5008.

The Greater Virginia Bridal Show, Sunday, June 2, 1 -4 pm at the Science Museum of Virginia, enter to win a Virginia Bride Magazine’s $35,000 Dream Wedding Giveaway, details: www.vabridemegazine.com.

Community Yard Sale & Raffle Fundraiser for Oklahoma, Saturday, June 1, 1-5pm, at Sweet Frog near VCU’s Monroe Park Campus, 20% will be donated to the American Red Cross and 100% of all purchases from the yard sale will be donated. Wanted: gentle used items to sell, crafts, furniture, baked good, original artwork and other items. Volunteers and other businesses who are interested in participating please contact  Caroline Upshaw via Facebook or 804-867-1004.To donate right now visit https://www.redcross.org/donate/index.jsp?donateStep=2&itemId=prod10002 to donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.

Varina Ruritan Club & Henrico Parks & Recs. hosts 18th Annual Varina Community Day, Saturday, June 1, 10 am – 2 pm in Dorey Park, 2999 Darbytown Road, music, a petting zoo, face painting, a moonwalk and other activities, www.henricorecandparks.com or 804-501-5134.

Pocahontas Premieres, Richmond Youth Symphony, free concert, Sunday, June 2, gates open 6pm, concert 7pm, 804-796-4255.

Chesterfield County Parks & Recs. Family friendly programs at Historic Eppington Plantation, 14602 Eppes Falls Road, Chesterfield, Saturday, June 1st, tour of house and grounds at 10 am, scavenger hunt 2 -4pm, $10, registration required for both days, 804-751-4946 or 804-748-1623.

Free Family Fishing Fair in Byrd Park, Saturday, June 1, 8am – 2pm at Shield’s Lake, local fishing experts will be on hand and at 11am a kid’s Casting Contest & Backyard Bass Contest, age 16 & older needs a fishing license to fish; June 7 & 8, Virginia’s Free Fishing Weekend, no fishing license needed,  www.RichmondGov.com/parks.

The Psychic Festival, June 1st & 2nd,  Saturday, 10am -6pm, Sunday, noon-6pm, Carytown’s Aquarian Bookshop, 3519 Ellwood Avenue, more than 40 Psychics, palm readers, healers, tarot card readers, and others will be on hand to read and analyze, www.aquarianbookshop.com or www.babygirlproject.org.

Latin Ballet of Virginia “Fiesta Del Sol”, A Latin celebration for children and their families. live music from Ban Caribe & Timbason, Sunday, June 10, Maymont Children’s Farm, 3pm, www.latinballet.com or 804-356-3876.

Virginia Burlesque & Slideshow Festival, workshops, films, panel discussions, and International performing artists, through Sunday, at venues around Richmond, www.virginiaburlesque.com.

FUTURE EVENTS: 1st Annual Richmond Bacon Festival, Sunday, June 9th, 12 – 5pm, 17th Street Farmers’ Market, Bacon, Beer & Bands, Facebook: Richmond Bacon Festival.

Senior Day in the Park, featuring Kirby Carmichael  and Ban Caribe, Thursday, June 6, 10am – 2pm at the Carillon in Byrd Park, music, food, games, senior activities, info 804-646-5733.

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, Saturday, June 8th, 2 -6 pm, Richmond Raceway Complex, www.Beerandbourbon.com.

The Liberation Tour featuring Mary J. Blige, Anthony Hamilton and comedian Jay Lamont, 8pm at Richmond’s Landmark Theater,, 800-745-3000.

Groovin in the Garden Concert Series, Thursdays 6 -9 pm, 1800 Lakeside Avenue, gates open 5:30, July 26 – Yonder Mountain String Band, August 6 – Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers with Railroad Earth, www.groovininthegarden.com or 804-262-9887.

Jazz Cafe at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Thursdays, 6 -9 pm, in the BEST Cafe in conjunction with the Richmond Jazz Society, www.vajazz.org; Friday Art & Wine/Meet Up with Art at VMFA, 5 – 8:30pm, www.vmfa.state.va.us.

Ashland Strawberry Faire, Saturday, June 8, 10 am – 5 pm at Randolph Macon College, Historic Ashland, live music, dancing, pipes and drums, Little Miss & Little Mr. Strawberry Contest and other activities, free admission, www.ashlandstrawberryfaire.com.

Volunteer to cheer in the Summer Games for Special Olympics Virginia, June 7 & 8, www.volunteer2cheer.com and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/SpecialOlympicsVirginia.

37th Annual AT & T Norfolk Harborfest, June 6 -9, Town Point Park, Downtown Norfolk, www.festevents.org/mini-site/nrfolk-harborfest.

57th Annual Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell, Opening Night Festivities Celebrate Families and Children, June 7 & 8, starts at 7:15pm; June 19, 8pm, Freedom Fest, Gumbo: A Night of Blues, Jazz & Light R & B, featuring Carlton Blount, James Gates, Alan Parker, Brandon Lane, Chief, Desiree Roots, Weldon Hill, Hannan Lane & others, Free, www.RichmondGov.com/parks.

Capital Jazz Fest, Friday, June 7 – Sunday, June 9, at the Merriweather Post Pavilion, Maryland, over 30 National Acts performing, www.capitaljazz.com.

Legendary Go-Go Band Trouble Funk performs Saturday, June 15, 9 pm – 2am, at the Military Retirees Club, 2220 Sleed Street, advance tickets $25, call 804-648-0101 or 804-321-3188.

Virginia Pork Festival, Wednesday, June 12, 4 -pm, Emporia, Virginia, tickets $35, tickets not sold at the gate, www.porkfestival.com.

Richmond Vegetarian Festival, Saturday, June 15, noon – 6pm, in Bryan Park. www.veggiefest.org.

“Like” my FaceBook page for all the up dates on all the events happening around town and sign up for my weekend E-Blast on www.WTVR.com. Make sure to watch CBS 6 News at 7 p.m.

RICHMOND, VA. (WTVR): Hot off the grill, that’s the way you’ll find the pork dishes at the annual Virginia Pork Festival happening in Emporia, Wednesday, June 12, from 4-8pm. Tickets are on sale for $35 and only sold in advance, and includes all you can eat and drink. Tickets will not be sold at the gate.

Virginia Pork Festival’s primary goal is to promote the Pork Industry, but it also provides an outlet for non-profit organizations to raise funds for their groups. Volunteers also serve as well and on the menu more than 43,0000 pounds of pork is prepared, from barbecued loin chops, spareribs, Boston butt, minced BBQ, pigs feet, chitterlings, sausage burgers, bologna steak burgers, biscuits, hushpuppies, french fried sweet potatoes, corn and beverages and so much more.

In addition to all the pork dishes and food you can eat, there are five stages of live entrainment, featuring The Embers, The Konnection, Overtime and The Rhondels. For tickets to one of the East Coast largest food festivals, log onto www.vaporkfestival.com or call 434-634-6611.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – The man who shot a girl who was riding her scooter down an Emporia street was sentenced to 39 years in prison.  Evan Lee McNair, 23, pleaded guilty to malicious wounding and firearms charges in connection to the April 2012 shooting.

The shooting victim, now 12, is still recovering from injures she suffered in the shooting.

McNair shot the child when he opened fire on his ex-girlfriend’s mini-van. The shooting came just hours after McNair was released from jail and served with a protective order to stay away from the woman.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – Animal control officers in Emporia are investigating the discovery of a decapitated dog.

The small Yorkshire Terrier was found Wednesday morning in front of a home on Reigel Road in Greensville County. The family contacted Peggy Malone and Tara Malone-Menendez at the Greensville/Emporia Humane Society to report the gruesome discovery.

“It’s horrible,” Peggy Malone said. “I can’t imagine any person doing this to a defenseless little animal.”

The black/brown Yorkie’s body was severed at the neck, Tara Malone-Menendez said. The dog was wearing a small harness, but no collar was located.

A pool of blood was also discovered in the street, along with several skid marks.

While Menendez initially thought the dog had been struck by a vehicle, she said the positioning of the body and head, along with the clean cut, indicated the animal was intentionally beheaded.

“As small as he was with the size of a tire, there should have been some type of trauma to the front of the animal, the head, or the rear of the animal,” Menendez said.

Malone said a veterinarian who works with the humane society confirmed the dog’s injuries were not consistent with an animal being struck by a vehicle.

While Malone said she’s contacted the Sheriff’s Department, animal control officers are handling the investigation. Several calls to animal control officer John Mise were not returned as of Wednesday evening.

Malone and Menendez said they searched the neighborhood for the dog’s owner.  They said a neighbor told them a man had been looking for a small dog earlier in the week.

The humane society is offering a reward for information in the case.

RICHMOND, Va (WTVR) — Labor Day is just a few days away.  For many it means an extra day off from work.  Unfortunately some in our area are still looking for a job.

When you look at some of the bigger counties here in the Commonwealth, we know there are fewer Virginians looking for a job when compared to those across the nation.  However there are some areas in our state seeing the percentage of those looking for work in the double-digits.

The unemployment rate went up to 5.7 percent in July, from 5.5 percent in June.  Economists said partially to blame is the time of year.  This is when some students are leaving their seasonal job to head back to class, causing a slight uptick in the unemployment numbers.  Those living in the southern and western section of the state are experiencing higher unemployment.

VCU Economist Leslie Stratton believes a slow recovery is on the horizon.

“To hire a new worker is expensive,” Stratton said.  “So I think that as the economy slowly improves firms become more confident that the recovery is underway and they’re going to be more willing to hire new workers.”

Here is how the unemployment numbers stack up in Central Virginia:
Richmond:  8.3%
Henrico:   5.5%
Chesterfield: 5.6%
Hanover: 5.3%
Petersburg: 10.7%
Emporia: 12.4%

Although the number of those looking for work went up to 5.7 percent in July, the Commonwealth remains well below the nation’s 7.4 percent unemployment rate.

EMPORIA, Va. (WTVR) – The manager of Simmons Travel Plaza off Interstate 95 near the Virginia-North Carolina line said he’s never seen anything like it.

A truck driver pulled up to the pumps Sunday night, spent 25 minutes filling multiple fuel tanks and then drove off without paying.

The bill? More than $1,500 for 414 gallons of fuel.

The truck, which was not hauling a trailer, was described as Freightliner Cascadia or Colombia with a moose grill on the front.

The back wheels had black inserts and the front wheels had either spiked or extended lugs, Simmons Travel Plaza general manager Tony Moore said. The back side of truck had a blue light in the top corner and an amber light in the bottom corner, he added.

The driver used the phone at the pumps to convince the clerk inside the travel plaza to let him fill up, Moore said. Once he finished pumping, the driver pulled up to the center as if he was going to pay, waited for the clerk to turn around and then drove off.

Anyone with information about the fuel theft is asked to call the Greensville County Sheriff’s Office at (434) 348-4200.

In 2001, Virginia enacted strict “drive off” laws to punish people who fill up their vehicles and drive off without paying. This truck driver could lose his license if he is caught.