Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, July 14, 1995                   TAG: 9507140047
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

IN VIRGINIA

RICHMOND - A Richmond mother has pleaded guilty to distributing heroin to her 4-month-old child.

Jacqueline R. Edwards, 28, said her child shared her heroin addiction. She said she tried to relieve the infant's withdrawal by putting some of the drug on her own finger and then putting her finger in the child's mouth.

The baby's condition was discovered when Edwards was arrested in April on a charge of credit card fraud.

She told authorities she had been a heroin addict for 12 years.

Edwards pleaded guilty Wednesday in Richmond Circuit Court. She faces up to 40 years in prison at an Aug. 28 sentencing.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Karen M. Matthews said the infant's father has custody.

- Associated Press

Three named to Transportation Board

RICHMOND - Gov. George Allen has named three new members to the Commonwealth Transportation Board and reappointed a fourth.

Named Tuesday to the board were John V. Cogbill III of Chesterfield County, a partner in the law firm of McGuire, Woods, Battle and Boothe; William L. Prettyman of Virginia Beach, who owns a real estate firm; and Robert T. Lee of Fairfax County. Lee is a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force and serves as a judge advocate.

Allen reappointed Roy Parrish Byrd of Pittsylvania County for a four-year term.

- Associated Press

Officer cleared in traffic-stop shooting

HALIFAX - A Halifax County grand jury has declined to indict a police officer who shot a man during a traffic stop.

Town police officer Lloyd Cobb shot and wounded Freddie Penick, 39, on May 21 after Penick began dragging Cobb beside his car.

According to police reports, Cobb chased Penick after learning that Penick was a habitual traffic offender who had lost his driver's license.

When Penick stopped after several minutes, Cobb asked him to get out of the car. Police said he refused.

When Cobb tried to pull him out, the man started driving, dragging Cobb. Police say Cobb fired through a back window, hitting Penick in the back before letting go of the vehicle.

Penick drove about a mile before fleeing on foot. He was arrested shortly afterward and charged with attempted murder of a police officer.

Cobb is a longtime law enforcement officer and a candidate for sheriff of neighboring Mecklenburg County.

- Associated Press

North Anna N-plant ranked for safety

MINERAL - Federal regulators have named Virginia Power's North Anna plant one of the four safest commercial nuclear operations in the country.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission informed the Richmond-based utility last week that the Louisa County plant has been added to the agency's list of ``superior performers'' in the industry.

- Associated Press