SPORTS
INSIDE
Fall home improvement guide
Football: Atlee, Patrick Henry, Hanover sweep opponents
PAGE
9
Vol. 8 No. 2 | Richmond Suburban News | September 7, 2022
School board adopts transgender bathroom policy By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
A
fter months of heated debate and consideration, the Hanover County School Board voted to adopt a controversial transgender and nonbinary bathroom and locker room policy last Tuesday. The policy, which has caused intense citizen divide over its material, was originally proposed during the regularly scheduled Aug. 9 school board meeting and was the sole topic of discussion at an Aug. 16 special meeting. But while school board members offered citizens some clarity on commonly-raised questions at the second special meeting on the issue held Aug. 30, none of the people in the packed school board meeting room were allowed to speak before the policy was
Christina Amano Dolan/The Local
The school board’s meeting room reached full capacity last week, with a wave of citizens in attendance to witness the board’s vote on a transgender bathroom policy.
approved in a 5-2 vote. Ashland representative Ola J. Hawkins and John Redd, representative of the Mechanicsville District, voted against its
adoption. The policy was drafted under the guidance of Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF),
Compass Christian Church to host ‘Cruise-In Event’ By Christina Amano Dolan Editor Compass Christian Church is launching the church’s second annual “Cruise-In Event” this month to benefit another family grappling with childhood cancer. The free event will take place Sunday, Sept. 18 at the church’s grounds, located at 8137 Liberty Circle in Mechanicsville. Similar to last year’s event, the morning will feature a community vehicle display, live music presented by the church’s worship band, a cotton candy cart, face painting, outdoor games and activities, and a series of raffle
prizes geared toward both children and adult attendees. All cars and bikes are welcome to participate with no fee required. Bike and car registration opens at 8:30 a.m. at the start of the event, accompanied by live music, activities, free beverages and raffle opportunities. Registration will close at 10 a.m. and a live outdoor workshop service will follow. At 11 a.m., all vehicle awards and raffle prizes will be distributed. A complimentary lunch will be offered to attendees featuring a BBQ meal from Smokey Bottom BBQ. Christie Jones, the church’s
a conservative Christian legal advocacy group. The school board announced its engagement with ADF in March in review of the Hanover County Public Schools (HCPS) transgender student policy. The policy proposes that a student who identifies as transgender or non-binary must request access to the restroom or locker room that aligns with their gender identity but not their sex. The student and their parent or legal guardian must submit a written request to the principal of their school and any relevant information requested by school administration that may include a statement on how the student has “consistently, persistently and insistently” expressed their gender identity, signed statements from the student’s physician, therapist or licensed counselor verifying see POLICY, pg. 8
MHS lifts suspension on football program following assault investigation By Christina Amano Dolan Editor
Photos courtesy of Compass Christian Church
Harper has a blast with her mom at the Compass Christian Church’s first Cruise-In Event as the day’s guest of honor in 2021.
outreach director, said the idea for a local Cruise-In Event was inspired by the Rappahannock Church of Christ’s annual events, which have been held for 18 years to benefit families in the sur-
rounding community. “And we thought this is such a great thing,” Jones said. “We could do something similar, since we’re not in the same area, and help twice as see COMPASS, pg. 4
MECHANICSVILLE — The Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office announced Friday that it has referred the names of two juveniles to the Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney for prosecution after an investigation of reports of hazing on the Mechanicsville High School football team. The charges involve simple assault in violation of Virginia criminal code section 18.2-57. Because of the ages of those involved, the Sheriff ’s Office will not release the names or other identification of the students involved. All football activities were suspended at the school after Hanover County School Board officials were notified of the see FOOTBALL, pg. 12