A popular event to kick off the summer in Scottsville is taking a break. Signs pointing to the James River Runners Great Chili Cook-off will stay in storage this year.
The May event benefits the Scottsville Rescue Squad, but is cancelled this year. A cook-off organizer who is battling cancer and a shortage of rescue squad volunteers are forcing the cancellation.
Scottsville Rescue Squad President Mac McDonald said, "It would have been a real strain on their family to produce this event this year, so we all sat down and said in the interest of sanity for all of us and health as well, we're going to hold off for this year and wait for the party a year from now."
The event has raised more than $245,000 for the rescue squad over the years. McDonald says members will have to be more frugal to make up for the loss of funds.
