NEWS NEAR YOU

Petersburg In the fall, students attending Peabody Middle School will be required to wear uniforms. The uniform will be black or blue cotton khaki-style pants, skirts or shorts, with gold or white polo-type or dress shirts or blouses. For details, visit the Petersburg school system's Web site at www.petersburg.k12.va.us/home.aspx

Louisa A judge postponed a plea hearing scheduled for yesterday for the former Catholic priest accused of stealing from two Louisa County churches. Prosecutors expect to revise the dates on some of the 13 embezzlement charges against the Rev. Rodney L. Rodis. Rodis' lawyer, John R. "Jack" Maus, said his client would need extra time to consider the changes before entering a plea. Circuit Judge Timothy K. Sanner rescheduled Rodis' arraignment until Sept. 8. Rodis, 52, is accused of redirecting for personal use up to $1 million donated to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bumpass and St. Jude Catholic Church in Mineral while he was pastor of both from 1995 to 2006.

Cumberland The Cumberland County School Board will have a work session today at 6 p.m. in the Luther P. Jackson Adult Education Center. The meeting will focus partly on policy updates.

Henrico Henrico County Motor Officer M.C. Pecka won top honors

at the annual Chesapeake Bay Police Motorcycle Rodeo competition held in Portsmouth in May. Last week, the Henrico Division of Police received a new, hand-held radar unit from Kustom Signals Inc. as recognition of Pecka's accomplishments. The annual competition raises money for the March of Dimes.

Powhatan The Powhatan County Board of Supervisors will have a workshop Thursday at 7 p.m. in the county library's large conference room to discuss the feasibility analysis for a special tax service district.

King William The King William County Board of Supervisors will hold a work session Thursday at 6 p.m. in the board room of the Administration Building, 180 Horse Landing Road. The purpose of the meeting is to review and consider draft amendments to the county code including provisions on animal control, parking and loitering.

Amelia Crossroads Prevention Services/Piedmont Healthy Families will offer free parenting classes in Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties. For details or to register, call Peggy Snow at (434) 392-9461.

AROUND THE STATE

Lynchburg Liberty University soon will offer skiing on campus -- all year long. Officials of the Christian school announced yesterday that a 40,537-square-foot area of the school's Liberty Mountain will be covered with a slippery carpeted surface used in Europe called Snowflex, which imitates the properties of snow. Plans call for a main slope of 450 to 500 feet, a beginner slope and a ski lodge. Construction is to begin in late August or early September, with completion by January. The school did not disclose the cost but said the project was being funded by a donation.

Montross A former softball coach in Westmoreland County has been sentenced to prison for sex crimes involving a 14-year-old player. Melvin Antonio Smith III, 21, pleaded guilty last month to four felony charges and one misdemeanor involving the teenager. Last week, a Westmoreland County circuit judge sentenced the former Washington & Lee High School coach to a total of 71 years in prison but suspended all but 18 months. Smith also entered guilty pleas to two additional felony charges involving the player. Smith was a volunteer coach for about a month in 2007.

-- From Staff and Wire Reports