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Chairman Alan Files watches as Bert McLaughlin gives Bibles to Habitat homeowners Christina Webb and her son Daniel, and Bruce (holding daughter Kaydence) and Kayleigh Elbourn. McLaughlin and his wife Elsie donated nearly 27 acres located on Hopewell Road to New Kent Habitat. Amy Jo Martin photo

Habitat for Humanity is key
New Kent's first Habitat homes are dedicated
By AMY JO MARTIN
Tidewater Review Staff Writer

Generous donations by community residents, members and local businesses has led New Kent Habitat for Humanity to dedicate its first two houses.

The earth-friendly homes for the Elbourn and Webb families will become part of a future Habitat subdivision, located at 6301 Hopewell Road, near the former KOA campground.

Kayleigh Elbourn, her husband Bruce, and their three children, Kaydence (five months), Loghan (25 months), and Zachary (three years old), will be moving into the newly completed three-bedroom, two-bath 1,280-square-foot home, closest to the subdivision entrance in approximately a month.

The Elbourns were the first family accepted by New Kent Habitat. When they applied, they were living in Kayleigh’s mother’s garage.

They had relocated to Williamsburg because the winter had grown harsh and their temporary home had inadequate heating, and because Loghan’s breathing was becoming troublesome.

Bruce Elbourn works as a laborer at David Nice Construction and volunteers with the New Kent Fire and Rescue Department, while Kayleigh volunteers at New Kent Elementary School during the school year. She is currently doing coursework online at Anthem College to become a medical biller and coder.

Bruce and Kayleigh’s time with the school and fire department count towards their “equity sweat hours” required of all Habitat families.

The Elbourns enjoy spending time together, watching TV, going to the park, and visiting with extended family.

“New Kent’s Habitat home will be a blessing and a relief for the Elbourns. The family…appreciates all of the hard work that the New Kent Committee has done to make the dream of homeownership a reality,” said Richmond Habitat. [more]

Reservoir: Is it water under the bridge?
Appeal is pulled
By FRANCES HUBBARD
Tidewater Review Staff Writer

KING WILLIAM – After 20 years of manning its battle stations, Newport News’s fight for the King William Reservoir Project may have just sailed its final course.

Last week, in an email to plaintiffs, the United States Department of Justice announced it will not appeal the U.S. District Court’s ruling earlier this year that overturned the issuance of the Army Corps of Engineers’ permit for construction of the project.

“We are now looking at where we can go from here,” said Leeann Hartman, a spokesperson for Newport News Waterworks. “Do we need to continue with the reservoir project or do we need to look at something else?”

The Justice Department, representing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, filed a Notice to Appeal on June 1.

The agencies were appealing the March 31 decision by U.S. District Court Judge Henry H. Kennedy that ruled the project as destructive to the environment, pleasing opponents who labeled the project “ill-conceived” from its beginning.

The ruling forced the City of Newport News to announce it was suspending activity on the proposed project, which brought to a halt several ongoing studies, wetlands mitigation, and land acquisitions.

Now, according to Hartman, the project team at Newport News Waterworks is reviewing its ongoing studies, where they are, what has been done, and what needs to be done to wrap them up. [more]

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This week's weather in West Point:
Wednesday 93
Thursday 89
Friday 86
Saturday 90

This week: July 1, 2009