Turner trial tops year’s stories

In 2008, I was fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on how you look at it) to witness and be a part of many great news stories in Nelson County. In no particular order, this is my top 10 news stories of 2008 for the Nelson County Times:

The trial of Thomas Junior Turner for the murder of Dewey Wood

In May, Thomas Junior Turner, of Arrington, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the fatal shooting of Dewey Wood, also of Arrington. Wood was shot by Turner outside of Turner’s home in May of 2007 over a dispute about money. Turner was convicted of second-degree murder in February.

Speed limit changes on Va. 151

In 2007, people dying on Va. 151 prompted public outcry for change. Speed limits were lowered from 55 mph to 45 mph on sections of Va. 151 near Nellysford and Afton. The number of accidents has since decreased and there were no fatalities along Va. 151 in Nelson County in 2008.

Synchronicity Members killed in India attacks

A Nelson County father and daughter were among more than 170 people who were killed by terrorists in Mumbai, India, on Nov. 26. Alan Scherr, 58 and Naomi Scherr, 13, were part of a group based in Faber that were taking a spiritual journey to India. Hundreds turned out for their funeral and memorial in December.

Nelson County boys basketball takes state championship

The Nelson County High School Boys Basketball Team made history in 2008 by becoming the first-ever local team to win a state championship. In March, the Govs beat Surry County, 50-47 to clinch the title.

The race for the south district Board of Supervisors seat decided by 3 votes

After previous South District Supervisor Harry Harris announced his plans to retire, four people vied for his seat in the county’s November elections in 2007. The votes were so close that it wasn’t until January of 2008 a winner was decided and Joe Dan Johnson assumed the post, 324 votes to 321.

Courthouse gets new renovations plan

Nelson County’s 200-year old courthouse is set to see some major renovations. The Nelson County Board of Supervisors voted to spend $11 million renovating existing structures and building a new facility on the property.

Lovingston house fire claims two lives

A mother and her son were killed in an early morning house fire that occurred near U.S. 29 in Lovingston in January. Shatia Arrington, 27, and Andre Brown, 11, died in the blaze while her husband, Jerry Arrington, 32, rescued their two daughters, Star, 8, and Tajada, 7. A truck driver en route from Philidelphia to Winston-Salem, N.C., Steven Newman, saw the blaze and stopped to dial 911. Donations of clothing and money poured into the family after the fire.

First Nelson County distillery planned

Construction has already started on Nelson County’s first whisky distillery. Two Washington, D.C.-area men, Joe Hungate and Brian Gray, and Chris Allwood, of Scotland, have plans to make whisky in Nelson County at Eades Distillery near Lovingston.

Stolen goods returned to Nelson families

In April, authorities seized thousands of items from a Fluvanna County home that were suspected of being stolen by two Fluvanna County men, Mark Wayne Shifflett and Ronald Lee Morris. The two were connected with more than 50 burglarized homes in an eight-county area. Guns, jewelry, power tools, CDs, electronics, musical instruments, and even a dog, were taken and then returned to area residents.

Nelson’s second brewery opens

Nelson is already known for it’s wine. But whisky? And now beer? Devil’s Backbone Brewery opens in Glen Mary, near Wintergreen, in Nelson County. This is the second brewery in Nelson to open, joining Blue Mountain Brewery, which opened in 2007.

Courtesy of The News & Advance’s Matt Busse, the top 10 stories viewed on the Nelson County Times Web site (in order):

1: Blog: Thomas Junior Turner trial

2. Shipman man killed in wreck

3. Police seize 400 pot plants in Nelson County raid

4. Shaken by death

5. UVa students dig up Nelson County history

6. Va. 151: Road to Tragedy

7. Who grows or makes local food products in Nelson County?

8. 25 have died at Crabtree Falls

9. Two die in Lovingston fire

10. Woman greets two deputies with sword