Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 28, 1993 TAG: 9312280127
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WILLIAMSBURG - One of Colonial Williamsburg's most popular attractions, the Governor's Palace, will close Sunday for renovation.
The $1.5 million project includes the replacement of heating, cooling, security and fire-alarm systems, as well as the addition of improved electrical systems, a wheelchair lift and bathrooms for the handicapped, said Jim Bradley, Colonial Williamsburg spokesman.
The building is scheduled to reopen April 23, the palace's 60th anniversary as an exhibit.
Beatrix Rumford, vice president of special projects at Colonial Williamsburg, said the renovations will help protect and preserve the collection of 18th century art and furniture in the building.
- Associated Press
Petersburg declared federal disaster area
WASHINGTON - President Clinton declared Petersburg a disaster area Monday, making the city of 41,000 eligible for federal aid to help repair damage caused by severe storms and tornadoes in August.
Petersburg suffered an estimated $11 million in damage from the twisters that ripped into 120 commercial buildings and 50 homes Aug. 6.
Assistance under the presidential order can include disaster housing, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover. - Associated Press
Coast Guard searches bay for its old batteries
The Coast Guard is preparing to search the Chesapeake Bay for discarded mercury-filled batteries used to power navigation aids, despite saying the batteries pose little or no threat to the environment.
Prior to 1973, the Coast Guard disposed of the used mercury batteries from its buoys and navigation lights by dumping them overboard. Mercury is a toxic element that research indicates can cause cancer.
Each buoy was equipped with five batteries - each containing an ounce or two of mercury - that had to be replaced every year or two. Coast Guard spokesman Jack O'Dell said the service believes any threat to the environment from the mercury is minimal.
The Coast Guard said no one knows how many of the 20-pound to 40-pound batteries are at the bottom of the bay. Besides being dumped overboard by the Coast Guard, other batteries were lost when they were knocked into the water by passing ships or pulled loose by vandals.
Since the early 1980s, the mercury-battery buoys have been phased out in favor of solar-powered ones. - Associated Press
Stepbrothers waive extradition in deaths
WOODSTOCK - Two stepbrothers waived extradition Monday and will return to New York to answer charges they severely beat their mother and shot her friend to death.
James William Hendrickson, 27, and Robert Motter, 23, both of Hamden, N.Y., waived extradition in a brief appearance before Shenandoah County General District Judge David Simpson. They were returned to the Shenandoah County Jail in Woodstock to await the arrival of authorities from New York.
The two were arrested Friday in Strasburg on suspicion of having attacked Jeanie Fenmore, 34, and Patricia Hendrickson, 48, the previous day at Hendrickson's home in Hamden.
Fenmore suffered a fatal gunshot wound, authorities said. Hendrickson was in fair condition at a hospital Monday.
The men were driving Hendrickson's car when they were apprehended, police said. They face second-degree murder charges and other charges for the beating. - Associated Press
by CNB