The Ashland Police Department will attempt to reduce the number of crash related deaths and serious injuries by participating in the statewide Click it or Ticket campaign. In 2011, Virginia recorded a seat belt use rate of 81.8%. Even with that good news, citizens still lost their lives on Virginia roadways, of those, many individuals were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash. The Ashland Police Department will join law enforcement agencies from across Virginia and the nation to reinforce Click It or Ticket- “Day and Night.” In 2011, Ashland experienced an increase in seat belt usage from 80% to 83.6% however our goal is 100%. Chief Doug Goodman wants citizens to know that they should expect to see Ashland Police officers at all hours of the day and night enforcing all traffic laws. Safety of all of our motorists in Ashland is a top priority.

A seat belt survey was conducted at the intersection of Route 1 and Route 54 in May of this year; we discovered that 73% of drivers were belted. It is our goal to increase this percentage through education and enforcement. Our focus is to lower the total number of injuries caused from crashes on our roadways.

Facts Related to the Town of Ashland Traffic Accidents:

The total number of reportable crashes in 2011 was 104, compared to 119 reportable crashes investigated in 2010. Which is a decrease of nearly eleven percent (11%) compared to the previous year.

The total number of crashes involving injured parties in 2011 was forty-one (41), compared to forty-four (44) crashes resulting in injuries in 2009. Which is a decrease of six percent (6%) compared to the
previous year.

The Ashland Police Department joins thousands of law enforcement officials, highway safety representatives and safety advocates in Virginia who have vowed to support the annual mobilization. High
visibility enforcement such as the Click It or Ticket mobilization is credited with increasing the national belt usage rate from 58 % in 1994 to an observed usage rate of 81.8% in 2011. Virginia’s goal in 2012 is to increase usage to 82.5%.

James Shelhorse
Lieutenant
Public Information Officer
Ashland Police Department
601 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Office (804) 412-0604
Cell (804) 347-1839

This initiative was based off of community complaints and officers observations made in and around the Apple Garden Inn. As a result of this investigation a search warrant was executed on this property where additional narcotics and paraphernalia were located in rooms where children were staying.

We will continue to work with our community partners to provide for our Town’s safety and security. Especially the safety of our children and improve the quality of life in the Town of Ashland.

James Shelhorse

Lieutenant
Public Information Officer
Ashland Police Department
601 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Office (804) 412-0604
Cell (804) 347-1839
jshelhorse@ashlandpolice.us

“We want to pass our safety message to everyone who will be celebrating this weekend” said Chief Goodman. “Please act responsibly and designate a sober driver before the Super Bowl party begins.”

Super Bowl Sunday is one of America’s biggest and most entertaining national sporting events as friends and families gather to socialize and watch the big game. Unfortunately, it has also become one of the Nation’s most dangerous days on the roadways due to drunk driving.

According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in past years, fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes accounted for 31% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. Historically, on Super Bowl Sunday, 49% of the fatalities occurred in crashes where a driver or motorcycle rider had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level of .08 or higher.

The Ashland Police Department will have additional officers on patrol this weekend to assist in removing drunk drivers from our community’s roadways.

To learn more information you can also visit http://buzzeddriving.adcouncil.org/

James Shelhorse
Lieutenant
Public Information Officer
Ashland Police Department
601 England Street
Ashland, VA 23005
Office (804) 412-0604
Cell (804) 347-1839

jshelhorse@ashlandpolice.us

Tobacco Trading Warehouse is housed in an old tobacco warehouse built near the turn of the century. It is located to the right behind Ashland Feed and Seed. The warehouse will be open Thursday- Saturday with plans for monthly auctions. Space is also available for local vendors and artists to showcase and sell there products and designs.

Mac specializes in Massage Therapy, Energy Work and Reiki healing and Rene is a well know hair stylist who
joined the Indulgence team upon their expansion into the new location at the Ashland Hanover Shopping Center.

Admission is free and visitors will receive a “Stage Coach Schedule” showing the time and place of the holiday events on the historic floors of Hanover Tavern. The day includes a visit and photos with Colonial Mr. & Mrs. Claus, a community bake sale, children’s colonial holiday crafts, roving “Pick-a-Pocket Lady” and Magician, story telling, special musical performances in the theater, free refreshments and caroling on the porch, lighting of the Hanover Tavern Christmas tree at 4:45 pm and much more (a full list of events can be found at hanovertavern.org).

Events and presentations include:
•10 am – Noon – Visits and Pictures with Colonial Mr. & Mrs. Claus
•10 am – til Sold Out – Community Bake Sale
•10 am – 2 pm Meet Historic Tavern Characters including Patrick Henry and Others
•10 am – 2 pm –Children’s Colonial Holiday Crafts
•10 am – 2 pm – Roving “Pick-a-Pocket Lady” and Magician
•10 am – 2 pm – Story Reading with Local Celebrities (Christmas classics)
•2 pm – 4:15 pm – Holiday Music by Talented Local Youth
•4:15 pm – 4:45 pm – Cookies, Punch & Caroling Led by “True Anointing”
•4:45 pm – Ceremonial Lighting of The Tree

Brunch will be available at the Hanover Tavern Restaurant & Pub from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm with a special $5.00 children’s menu featuring pancakes or French toast sticks, scrambled eggs, with a choice of bacon or sausage.

For more information or to make a brunch reservation please contact us at 804-537-5050 or at info@hanovertavern.org. A full schedule of events is available at www.hanovertavern.org.