Richmond Free Press May 16-18, 2024 edition

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VOL. 33 NO. 20

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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MAY 16-18, 2024

Historic hospital tops endangered sites list Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Preservation group deems Richmond Community Hospital at risk

By George Copeland Jr.

A key part of Richmond’s African-American history. A critical resource at a time of medical segregation. A place where many who worked, were born, or said goodbye to loved ones. And now, one of Virginia’s many endangered historical sites.

Richmond Community Hospital was formally recognized as one of 10 endangered historic places in Virginia, as part of

Preservation Virginia’s annual list of buildings and locales at risk of decay, destruction or disappearance throughout the state.

Members of the nonprofit group announced the list Tuesday morning at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia. They were joined by representatives from groups who nominated the various sites included on the list and supporters of the sites themselves, including Viola Baskerville of the Save Community Hospital group.

“These historic sites represent important spaces in communities throughout the Commonwealth,” Preservation Virginia CEO Elizabeth S. Kostelny said. “From Hampton to Roanoke, Loudoun County to Brunswick County, these historic sites are in need of awareness and assistance to ensure they are preserved for future generations.”

Please turn to A4

Commence the protest

Grads walk out on Youngkin at VCU

By George Copeland Jr.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Over 100 Virginia Commonwealth University graduates walk out May 11 as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his 2024 Commencement address at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

College commencements across Richmond began in dramatic fashion over the weekend, as graduates drew attention to problems with their schools, their leaders and their treatment of students.

Last Saturday, over 100 graduates at Virginia Commonwealth University walked out of the university’s commencement ceremony in protest of its keynote speaker, Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

Gov. Youngkin’s speech, which focused on the roughly 4,700 graduates as conductors “composing (their) symphony” was drowned out by cheers from the crowd as students stood and exited the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Some of those who left marched to Abner Clay Park, carrying signs that read “Youngkin Please turn to A4

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

She’s got next!

Virginia Union University’s 2024 undergraduate Valedictorian Brittani Martin, left, a bachelor of social work recipient from Potomac, Md., chats with her 2-year-old cousin Ariella Gleaton. following VUU’s 125th commencement exercises Saturday, May 11 at Hovey Field. Her big brother, 4-year-old Jonah Gleaton, was also there along with a host of other family members in town to celebrate their valedictorian speaker.

City Council approves Diamond District project, lawsuit follows

By George Copeland Jr.

Richmond City Council made a big swing in determining the future of the city, with members unanimously approving a new redevelopment project in the Diamond District during a special meeting last Wednesday afternoon. Outside of Council Chambers, the reaction was more mixed.

In response to the proposed project, attorney and community advocate Paul Goldman filed a lawsuit last Thursday that seeks to stop the issuing of $170 million in bonds as part of the project.

“I know this decision today might concern

some people, I understand it — this Sharon Ebert, Richmond deputy chief is a risk we’re taking on this opporadministrative officer for economic tunity,” Andreas Addison, 1st District, and community development. said during last week’s meeting. “But Mr. Goldman, however, has I see so much more potential upside challenged the approval of the that I think comes out of this, that I project in his lawsuit, which names think benefits a lot of people.”

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, seven city The project is expected to transform council members, Richmond City dozens of acres of land, replace the Clerk Candice Reid and Richmond Mr. Goldman almost 40-year-old Diamond with a Circuit Court Clerk Edward Jewett new baseball stadium and park, and build new as defendants. public spaces around the site.

The suit claims the development and approval Special surcharges and taxes within the district of the Diamond District project violates the state for hotels, sales and meals would help main- constitution, the Richmond City Charter and tain the development of the area, according to “several interrelated First Amendment rights.”

Mr. Goldman also asserts that the proposal was not properly conducted with residents’ thoughts and concerns in mind.

“In the long history of Richmond, indeed (...) in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia, no Mayor nor City Council have ever rushed through such a general obligation bond deal for a sports arena in such a short amount of time,” Mr. Goldman wrote in the suit, “leaving the public no practical opportunity to play a meaningful role in the process.”

Mr. Goldman previously held a major role in community efforts against two failed proposPlease turn to A4

Va. lawmakers pass bipartisan budget leaving tax policy unchanged

By Graham Moomaw, Charlie Paullin and Nathaniel Cline

Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signs the budget with state Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, seated to his left, on Monday, May 13.

After months of partisan combat over different priorities, Virginia lawmakers approved a bipartisan budget deal Monday with no major tax changes, funding boosts for education and mental health and salary increases for teachers and state employees.

Both chambers of the General Assembly approved the new two-year budget plan by wide margins. In the House of Delegates, the vote was 94-6. The state Senate approved it 39-1.

“This has been a protracted process,” House of Delegates Appropriations Committee Chairman Luke Torian, DPrince William, said on the House floor prior to the vote. “But working together with the Senate and the governor we have developed a product that all parties believe will meet the needs of the Commonwealth.”

A handful of votes against the budget were cast by Republicans, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin officially signed the document Monday afternoon, resolving the budget standoff and officially ending the remote possibility of a state govern-

ment shutdown on July 1.

“We in fact listened to one another,” Gov. Youngkin said. “And understood each other’s priorities and perspectives.

And that came together in the budget that we are going to sign today.”

No tax increases, no tax cuts The new budget agreement reflects the narrowly divided political dynamic in Richmond after Gov. Youngkin failed to win GOP majorities in last year’s legislative elections.

The legislation doesn’t include any of Please turn to A4

A2 May 16-18, 2024

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Council members host honorary street naming ceremonies Richmond City Council members plan to honor two esteemed citizens this week with honorary street namings.

Councilwoman Ellen Robertson of the 6th District will hold an honorary street naming unveiling ceremony for the Rev. Shady Clark Jr. on Saturday, May 18 from 10 to 11 a.m. at the corner of 1601 Littlepage St. and Mechanicsville Turnpike. A reception will follow.

Rev. Clark has been a pastor at Eastminister Presbyterian Church in the East End for almost 50 years. He also served in the education field as a high school counselor and principal, school district administrator, community college adjunct professor and a supervisor with the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Program Administration and Accountability. Richmond City Council established the honorary street naming designation on March 25. The corner of 1601 Littlepage St. and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be named Rev. Shady Clark, Jr. Way. In the 3rd District, Councilwoman AnnFrances Lambert will also host an honorary Ms. Robertson street designation ceremony for Melvin L. Davis Sr. on Wednesday, May 22, from noon to 1 p.m. in the 400 block of East Ladies Mile Road.

Mr. Davis started as a painter who later constructed 40 homes in Richmond. He co-founded the Davis & Myers Construction Company in 1947, one of the largest minority-owned general contractors in the Mid-Atlantic region. Mr. Davis died in 2006.

Richmond City Council established the honorary street naming designation on Dec. 11, 2023. The 400 block of East Ladies Mile Road will be named Melvin L. Davis Way. For more information about Melvin L. Davis Way, contact Sam Patterson at (804) 241-7544 or samuel.patterson@rva. gov. For more information about the 6th District event, contact Ms. Robertson at (804) 646-7964, (804) 314-7658 or ellen. robertson@rva.gov.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues For the week of Saturday, May 11, confirmed hospital admissions for COVID-19 in Virginia dropped 90.4% from the previous week. Three deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported statewide for the week ending Saturday, May 11.

COVID-19 wastewater levels in Central Virginia were below detection as of the week of Sunday, May 5.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues.

The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, May 16, 1 to 5 p.m. - Henrico Arms Apartments, 1566 Edgelawn Circle.

• Friday, May 17, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Plaza WIC, 509 E. Southside Plaza.

• Wednesday, May 22, 8 to 10 a.m. - East Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave.; 2 to 4:30 p.m - St. Luke’s Apartments, 117 Engleside Drive.

RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free at-home tests for pickup at select locations: • Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433.

• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-786-4099.

• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-786-1960.

• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804-230-7740.

• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-786-0204.

• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road. Unit #B, call 804-230-2077.

• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804-786-0555.

Call the Richmond and Henrico Call Center at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For information on testing sites, or go online at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine?

Those interested can schedule an appointment with RHHD by calling (804) 205-3501. Vaccines.gov also lists nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine, and those interested can also text their ZIP code to 438829 or call 1-800-232-0233.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently recommends that children between the ages of 6 months to 4 years old may need multiple doses of the updated vaccines depending on their COVID-19 vaccine status and whether they had previously received Pfizer and Moderna.

Waiting periods for additional vaccines can range from three to eight weeks or four to eight weeks depending on the vaccine dose previously received.

Children between the ages of 5 to 11 years old who are unvaccinated or have received a vaccine before Sept. 12, 2023, should get one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

Those age 12 and older who are unvaccinated should get either one updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two doses of the updated Novavax vaccine. People in that age range who received a vaccine before Sept. 12, 2023, should get one updated Pfizer, Moderna or Novavax vaccine.

People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get additional doses of updated COVID-19 vaccine, and are encouraged to talk with their healthcare providers about receiving them.

Information compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Corrections The name of South African artist Xolani Sivunda was misspelled in last week’s Cityscape. Also, on the Sports page, the name of Banner Christian School Athletic Director Zach Coyle was misspelled and the school’s nickname, the Bearcats, was incorrect. The Free Press regrets the errors.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Bus patrons at 5th and Hospital streets wait for a bus. The stop is one of many in the city without adequate shelter or seating.

Council, mayor approve first City collective bargaining agreements On Monday, Richmond City Council approved a series of collective bargaining agreements with several key unions.

This move establishes Richmond as the southernmost locality in Virginia to adopt collective bargaining for its employees.

The agreements were made with the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) 995, the Richmond Coalition of Police (RCOP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The city has formally established five bargaining units: Police, represented by RCOP; Fire and Emergency Services, represented by IAFF 995; Administration and Technical, represented by SEIU; Professional, represented by SEIU; and Labor and Trades, represented by The Teamsters.

While agreements for the Police, Fire and Emergency Services, and Administration and Technical units have been finalized,

negotiations for the Professional and Labor and Trades units will commence in the coming weeks.

This development underscores Richmond’s commitment to fostering positive labor relations and recognizing the contributions of its employees, according to a statement from the Office of Council Chief of Staff.

Councilmember Reva M. Trammell, who was an advocate for the collective bargaining ordinances, emphasized the significance of these agreements. She noted the approval acknowledges the vital role all city staff play in maintaining Richmond.

Council President Kristen M. Nye, who co-led the collective bargaining efforts, expressed pride in Richmond’s progress, highlighting the city’s role as a leader in public sector collective bargaining in the Commonwealth.

Mayor Levar M. Stoney also celebrated the council’s decision. He remarked on his early advocacy for municipalities in Virginia to have the authority to pursue collective bargaining, expressing pride in the progress made since 2020.

Over the next three years, the City of Richmond has committed $29 million for Fire, Emergency Services, and Emergency Communications, $34 million for Police, and $20 million for Administrative and Technical Employees. In the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, $9.1 million has been allocated to raise pay for police officers, firefighters, and emergency services employees, $3 million for administrative and technical employees, and $3 million to provide a 4% salary increase to all City employees. An additional $2 million has been designated for targeted pay increases for positions identified as below market rate.

Richmond Folk Festival announces first artists The Richmond Folk Festival returns to Brown’s Island September 27-29, celebrating its 20th anniversary. The initial lineup of artists for the 2024 Richmond Folk Festival includes go-go band Trouble Funk, jazz artist Lonnie Holley, bluegrass group Junior Sisk Band, among many others.

This year, the festival is scheduled earlier than usual to avoid coinciding with Yom Kippur. Additionally, there are changes to the festival site, with two of the six stages relocated due to ongoing developments. An updated festival site map will be available on the festival’s website and in guides distributed at the event.

“The festival site on Downtown’s riverfront is an ever-changing one, as we see its growth and progress lead to a number of modifications,” said Stephen Lecky, director of events at Venture Richmond. “You’ll still find all your favorite things to see and do, but this year, you may need to look at the festival map to chart your course. We’ll provide you with everything you need to find what you’re looking for!”

Over the past two decades, the festival has grown into one of Virginia’s largest events, attracting fans to Downtown Richmond’s riverfront to celebrate American culture through music, dance, traditional crafts, storytelling and food.

The Richmond Folk Festival is a free event that welcomes approximately 200,000 people over a three-day weekend. It features six stages and over 30 performing groups from across the nation and around the world, showcasing a diverse array of cultures and traditions. To mark the 20th

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Thousands came out for 3 days of music, food, and vendors for the 19th Richmond Folk Festival on Brown’s Island.

anniversary, the festival will bring back several favorite performers from previous years.

Other artists announced this week include: Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, performing Southern Italian pizzica tarantata from Salento, Italy; John Doyle & the Irish American Music Masters, featuring Irish music from Chicago, Brooklyn, Bristol, Vermont, Asheville, North Carolina, and County Louth, Ireland; Mis Blandine, showcasing Congolese soukous from To-

ronto, Ontario; Peni Candra Rini, performing Javanese sindhen from Tulungagung, East Java, Indonesia; and Rancho Aparte, featuring Colombian chirimía music from Quibdó, Colombia.

The Richmond Folk Festival is presented by Venture Richmond Events in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts, Virginia Humanities, Center for Cultural Vibrancy, the Children’s Museum of Richmond, and the City of Richmond.

HCPS announces new chief of equity, diversity and opportunity After the search for a new leader of the Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity, Henrico County Public Schools has appointed Tiffany Lewis, an education specialist from within the same office.

Ms. Lewis, a Varina High School graduate, began her work in the school division as an English teacher at Varina High from 2007 to 2010. She later joined the Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity in 2020 and has led initiatives to support belonging, inclusion and achievement for all students.

“Ensuring every student — regardless of their background — has access to the resources and support they need to be successful is at the heart of all teaching and learning in Henrico Schools,” said Amy Cashwell, Henrico Schools

superintendent. “Through her work in the classroom and the Office of Equity, Diversity and Opportunity, Tiffany Lewis has demonstrated a deep understanding of student and family needs and the many ways HCPS and community organizations can partner together to break down barriers to achievement, address inequities and celebrate our diverse community of Ms. Lewis learners.”

Ms. Lewis earned a bachelor’s in communications with a minor in English from Old Dominion University. She also earned a master’s in organizational communication from

Marist College in New York and a master’s in education from the University of Virginia. She has several professional certifications and has served as an adjunct professor, academic consultant and curriculum writer.

“It is an honor to work with school and community partners to serve the students and families of Henrico County Public Schools in a way that recognizes and honors the dignity of all through a lens of equity and inclusivity,” Ms. Lewis said. “As a product of Henrico County Public Schools, I know the beauty that exists in the array of diverse lived experiences throughout the Henrico family. I am eager to continue helping our students attain high-quality academic outcomes for real-world, life-ready application.”

Richmond Free Press

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A4 May 16-18, 2024

News

Preservation group deems Richmond Community Hospital at risk Continued from A1

Other sites included the Grand Contraband Camp in Hampton, Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Albemarle County, the Massies Mill Odd Fellows Hall in Nelson County, Lower Surry Church in Surry County and the Suffolk African American Waterman Villages in the City of Suffolk.

The Jackson Blacksmith Shop in Goochland County, the Waterford Historic District in Loudoun County, the Blick Plantation in Brunswick County and the Washington Park Caretaker’s Cottage in the City of Roanoke also were named as part of the list.

The designation is the latest development for the Richmond Community Hospital since Virginia Union University announced its plan to build housing in the Northern area of its campus earlier this year. The potential removal of the building as part of that project inspired a public backlash, as well as offers to assess and figure out ways it can be a valued part of the city.

While gatherings in support of the hospital’s repair and reuse have been stymied recently by weather, those leading this com-

munity effort were honored to have their concerns about and goals for the building recognized.

“It elevates the exposure to Virginia about the importance of saving Richmond Community Hospital,” Ms. Baskerville said. “We’re hoping that we can then elevate that attention to the national level.”

“We look toward, hopefully, that this puts Virginia Union on notice that it is endangered and that inviting Historic Richmond in to do assessment now is a good thing to do.”

When asked for a response to the designation of the hospitals, a school representative acknowledged the group’s work while making clear that their housing project was still a major priority.

“Preservation Virginia does important work in the region, and the university is taking their point of view into consideration as we prepare to build new apartments in the North Side,” a VUU spokesperson stated. “Richmond has a pressing need for more housing options, and Virginia Union is working to be part of the solution.”

The next steps for Preservation Virginia, according to Ms.

Kostelny, will involve working to raise awareness of “the need to restore the purpose and revitalize these places.”

These efforts will include collaboration with the groups that nominated sites, influencing and contributing to public policy and other initiatives that will shine a light on the state of these places and the need to improve and maintain them.

Of the 180 sites listed as endangered and supported over the years by Preservation Virginia, only 10 percent have been lost so far, according to the group.

“Our goal is to strengthen the community’s ability to articulate how historic preservation and historic places enrich the local economy and the lives of all residents,” Ms. Kostelny said.

For Ms. Baskerville and those already working to preserve the hospital, plans are underway for an event in July celebrating the 90th anniversary of the hospital opening. Another rally outside the building is expected to be held in early June.

“We’re brainstorming and looking at ways that we can sustain the movement,” Ms. Baskerville said. “It is in its infant state, but we hope it grows strong.”

City Council approves Diamond District project, lawsuit follows Continued from A1

als for a casino supported by Mayor Stoney and City Council members. A judge is set to hear the case on Thursday, according to Mr. Goldman and officials at the Richmond City Circuit Court.

Mr. Goldman was not the only person to raise concerns over the stadium financing. Hours

before City Council approved the issuance, the Richmond Crusade for Voters’ Board of Directors shared their worries over the potential financial burden residents would have to shoulder in a press release.

They also joined with the independent political group Richmond For All in calling for a referendum on the proposal.

“We believe that residents should have a

Grads walk out on Youngkin at VCU Continued from A1

Not Welcome at VCU” and “No Graduation As Usual,” chanting as they crossed the city.

“I’ve been told we should not politicize our major events in our university,” said graduate Arrington Evans, addressing the crowd and the press on the grounds of the park. “I’ve been told that it would ruin our moment, and if anything I think it made our moment better.”

A similar walkout by graduates occurred during Gov. Youngkin’s keynote speech at last year’s commencement ceremony at George Mason University. While Gov. Youngkin didn’t directly address the disruption of the VCU ceremony, his speech did seem to vaguely refer to the actions and decisions of some of the graduates.

“I encourage you to see opportunities for addition and multiplication, not subtraction and division. Seek out both/and moments, instead of either/or moments,” Gov. Youngkin said. “We need each of you, your talents, dreams, aspirations, your contributions that certainly will make tomorrow better than today.”

The walkout and subsequent march was the culmination of weeks of criticism by students over the choice of Gov. Youngkin as keynote speaker. His perspective on student protests against the Israel-Hamas war has earned him pushback that grew after VCU, local and state police used tear gas to disperse a proPalestenian encampment at the university weeks earlier.

However, Gov. Youngkin’s positions on race, gender, sexuality and education were frequent points of criticism weeks before that encampment. His administration’s approach to how VCU develops its curriculum ultimately inspired the walkout and protest, which was encouraged by the Not Welcome at VCU student group and the VCU chapter of the Virginia NAACP. “Your administrative decision to continuously postpone the racial literacy requirement as well as comply with Gov. Youngkin’s demand to view the syllabi is anti-democratic and anti-intellectual,” the VCU NAACP wrote in a letter to the VCU Board of Visitors and VCU President Michael Rao. “These actions not only undermine academic freedom and intellectual inquiry, they also perpetuate a narrative that overlooks the intricate nuances of racial history.”

While other commencement ceremonies went smoother in comparison to VCU, ongoing issues were made known at another. During Virginia Union University’s commencement ceremony last Saturday, Student Government Association President Syiyanna Finch took the time to acknowledge the challenges students and faculty had to face while on campus during her student address.

She cited heating and cooling issues in buildings, elevators that don’t work or leave people stuck, internet connection issues that drew laughter and applause from the guests and graduates.

The event was the first complete VUU graduation since the COVID-19 pandemic, with 343 graduates accounting for the largest graduating class in VUU’s history, alongside the largest class of graduate students VUU has seen, according to school officials.

VUU President Hakim J. Lucas downplayed any controversy around Ms. Finch’s speech as students being allowed “to tell their story,” but her words clearly struck a chord for those present, even when presented as a humorous take on the collegiate experience.

“But besides all that, we made it and we stuck it through,” Ms. Finch said. “And because of everything we went through at Virginia Union University, we can go through anything in this world.”

direct voice in matters of such magnitude,” Crusade President Marty Jewell said in a statement. “A referendum ensures that the people’s will guides decisions that profoundly impact our city’s financial landscape.”

If the Diamond District project is allowed to continue, development is expected to start in June.

On Monday, City Council also unanimously

voted to approve Mayor Stoney’s $2.5 billion budget proposal with several amendments added after multiple meetings and public comment.

An additional $17.6 million was reallocated to the Richmond Public Schools budget for a total of $239.3 million, pulling funding from other parts of the proposal, including $2.5 million from the now-postponed demolition of the Richmond Coliseum.

Va. lawmakers pass bipartisan budget Continued from A1

the tax cuts Gov. Youngkin called for in his original budget proposal last year. It also temporarily drops the idea of expanding the state’s sales tax to digital purchases like streaming services, downloads and software licenses, a tax expansion Democrats had included in their budget plan to help raise more money for public schools.

The end result is a budget with no tax cuts and no tax increases, but Democrats have signaled they plan to keep studying the digital sales tax proposal as part of a broader look at the state’s code ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

Democrats characterized the agreement as a win and emphasized that it reflected virtually all of the spending priorities they laid out during the regular session that ended in March.

“This is essentially the same budget that the governor called ‘backwards’ and now he will be signing it into law,” House Speaker Don Scott, D-Portsmouth, said in a statement. “We have historic funding for education, healthcare, coastal resiliency, and gun violence prevention. We are being consistent with our values and putting our money where our mouth is.”

Education funding Due to the elimination of the digital sales tax, the state will lose $169 million in education direct aid spending. However, the budget includes more than $370 million for the At-Risk Add-On, which supports economically disadvantaged students, and a more than $70 million increase in support for English learner students.

The two-year budget includes state money to pay for 3% salary increases in both years for teachers and other school staffers as well as state employees.

The compromises on how public education will be funded in the new two-year spending plan “raise concerns about longterm fiscal stability of our state budget to fund critical K-12 priorities in the future,” the education advocacy group Fund Our Schools Coalition said in a statement after Monday’s special session wrapped.

The plan also has significant new spending to improve the state’s behavioral health system, adding more resources to help Virginians suffering from mental health crises.

RGGI re-entry language nixed In addition to backing off the digital sales tax proposal, the budget deal dropped a Democratic provision aiming to force the Youngkin administration to have Virginia rejoin the carbon market known as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. L. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, suggested those steps were necessary as part of the back-and-forth with a Republican governor.

“I know these actions are not popular … and many feel that we are essentially kicking the can down the road, but progress can take time and sometimes compromise,”

Sen. Lucas said.

The market requires electricity producers to purchase allowances to emit carbon as a way to incentivize decreasing the release of planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.The revenues are returned to the participating states, where in Virginia about $730 million had been directed toward flood resiliency and energy efficiency programs.

But Gov. Youngkin had called the monthly fee tacked onto customer’s monthly bills to recoup the allowance purchases — which amounted to about $2.39 in Dominion territory — a “hidden tax,” prompting him to withdraw Virginia from the market through an executive order and regulatory change, despite advocates saying a legislative change is needed. The matter is being challenged in Floyd County Circuit Court.

Delegate Rip Sullivan, D-Fairfax, said in a floor speech Gov. Youngkin insisted the RGGI language come out “under threat of veto.”

“If RGGI is a tax then so are the additional fees Virginians will soon see on our electric bills,” Delegate Sullivan added, referencing legislation carried by Delegate Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington, and Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax, that Gov. Youngkin signed, allowing utilities to recover early development costs for a small modular reactor.

As for his insistence on removing the RGGI reentry language, Gov. Youngkin said in a press conference Monday afternoon, “We had a robust discussion around all aspects of the budget. … If we know that everyone is not happy then we probably landed in a good spot.”

Some environmental groups, except for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council, who support the RGGI funding coming into Virginia, released a statement earlier in the day that said removing the language was a “capitulation by the General Assembly.”

The Bay Foundation and Environmental Defense Fund said in their own statements not including the RGGI language was a disappointment, but separate measures included in the newly approved budget — including funding for pollution reduction measures and a new Chief Resilience Officer — are to be lauded.

Veteran families’ tuition waiver changes Even as legislators in both parties hailed the deal’s passage as an example of putting partisan differences aside, some lawmakers pointed to a new problem that arose during budget talks that happened largely in private and was apparently only spotted once the deal became public.

Several legislators in the House and Senate voiced concerns about a provision included in the budget they passed that will impact the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP), which provides college tuition waivers to the spouses or children of per-

manently disabled military veterans.

Language in the budget will now require family members of disabled veterans seeking to further their education at a college or university to first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a change from the previous standards that required applicants: be the spouse or child (age 16 to 29) of a living or deceased veteran of the United States Armed Forces, United States Armed Forces Reserves, or the Virginia National Guard Virginia residents; have a physical presence in Virginia; and attend a Virginia public college or university.

The program is administered through the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (VDVS) in collaboration with the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV).

Several senators said on the floor that the budget language adds an unnecessary roadblock for veterans’ families trying to obtain an education.

“This is an issue I’ve heard from numerous families who really feel blindsided by what has happened,” said Sen. Tara Durant, R-Fredericksburg. “We expect this type of legislation to go through the proper process, through committee, when those who are impacted by it can come before committee and speak on it. … Instead [we are] legislating this through the budget. Many of us today are surprised to see how this is going to impact those families.”

Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-Virginia Beach, characterized it as an unintentional error.

“There’s nobody here that wants to cause any harm to those who sacrificed their lives, and what we recognize as a benefit or helping hand for their children. … I know that in our hearts of hearts, we don’t want to cause any harm to this program. I’m asking for Gov. Youngkin to call [for] a study on” the program’s requirements, Sen. DeSteph said.

Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, the patron of the 2019 legislation that expanded the program, agreed that its requirements needed further study and said his original intent was for the fund to provide veterans’spouses and children “opportunities for undergraduate” education, not “medical school and other things” he said the program is currently being used to pay for.

Gov. Youngkin proposed an amendment that would have preserved military families’ access to the program without the new FAFSA requirement but lawmakers rejected that suggestion, and all of his amendments, when they reconvened in the April 17 veto session.

Partisan drama was kept to a minimum Monday, and General Assembly leaders appeared to be trying to complete the budget as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“I don’t want to keep y’all here any longer than I have to,” Delegate Scott quipped at one point while presiding over the House. “As much as I love you all.”

This article originally appeared on virginiamercury.com

First AME pastor defends bankruptcy filing for FAME Corp

By Los Angeles Wave Staff

In response to the recent financial decisions, Pastor Robert Shaw from First AME Church in Los Angeles has issued a statement in defense of the church’s choice to file for bankruptcy protection for three of its entities: Fame Assistance Corporation, Fame Housing Corporation, and FAME/Good Shepherd Center Housing Development as of May 1.

The move comes in the wake of severe financial difficulties attributed to what has been described as mismanagement and unfair business practices by the church’s leadership following

the Rev. Cecil Murray’s tenure. Pastor Shaw disclosed that problematic transactions and the misallocation of assets by the previous administration had left the church in a precarious financial state, necessitating the filing to stave off further fiscal damage.

“The last thing I wanted these entities to do was file for bankruptcy protection, but the three involved FAME corporations had assets that were encumbered or otherwise transferred to other parties under questionable circumstances, creating an untenable financial situation for the church,” Pastor Shaw said in a statement released by the church. “The perceived mismanagement

and unfair business practices in the administration that came after Rev. Murray sparked a chain of events that led the three involved Fame entities to where they are now. That status forced us to move quickly to avoid additional damage.”

According to one board member, “This has been a nightmare of epic proportions, I’m really disappointed with our current situation but my faith in God is unshaken!

The situation also casts a shadow over the legacy of one of Los Angeles’ most storied churches, with members expressing disappointment and heartbreak over the alleged mismanagement by former leaders. The financial

turmoil follows unsuccessful efforts by Shaw’s predecessor, Pastor J. Edgar Boyd, to rectify the church’s finances and reclaim assets, underscoring the depth of the crisis inherited by the current leadership.

The bankruptcy filings threaten the continuity of critical community services ranging from transportation to housing assistance. Despite the challenges, Pastor Shaw reassures that efforts are underway to maintain service delivery without interruption.

“In the face of these setbacks, our determination is to move forward,” Pastor Shaw said.

“Fueled by faith we embrace and include the community as our own to serve.”

Richmond Free Press

May 16-18, 2024 A5

Local News

Degrees of Excitement VUU

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Virginia Union University’s undergraduates walk in and later turn their tassels symbolizing their transition from candidate to graduate during the 125th commencement exercises Saturday, May 11, the University’s campus.

Bahamian family and friends of a Virginia Union University graduate proudly celebrate their graduate’s accomplishments during the processional of VUU’s commencement exercises.

VSU

Zakyia Armstrong, 26, of Suffolk, Va., a first generation graduate with a degree in biology, celebrates with bunches of flowers given to her following the graduation.

Photos by Julianne Tripp Hillian

Alexis Renee Williams shows excitement at graduation.

From top left to right Taylor Alexis Collins, Alexis McNair and Aliyah Mariah Mayers stand to be recognized as the highest ranking graduates during Virginia State University’s Spring Commencement ceremony. Lucious Edwards, Jr. shakes hands with L. Douglas Wilder after Mr. Edwards received an Honorary Doctorate Humane Letters during Virginia State University’s Spring Commencement ceremony in recognition of his service to VSU.

VCU

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Virginia Commonwealth University students protest as Gov. Glenn Youngkin delivers his commencement address at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Graduates celebrate after receiving degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

Richmond Free Press

A6 May 16-18, 2024

Local News

2 VSU mothers graduate alongside their children at commencement Courtesy of Virginia State University

At Virginia State University, the tradition of academic pursuit across generations is a tangible reality. The Spring 2024 Commencement witnessed a significant milestone as two families celebrated graduating together.

Having stood for 142 years, it is not uncommon for a son or daughter to attend classes on the same 231-acre campus as their mom or dad once did.

However, it is rare for them to do it simultaneously. And yet, that was the case for Tanya McCoy and Arifah Goodwin, who graduated last week. It was a special moment for both, but perhaps more special when Mrs. McCoy shared the stage with her son and Ms. Goodwin with her daughter.

The road to a college degree isn’t always straightforward.

There are twists, turns and bumps along the way, sometimes time away from the classroom. For the 54-year-old Mrs. McCoy, there was a musical career that spanned 25 years across Europe before returning to the U.S. to finish her schooling.

Mrs. McCoy was scheduled to graduate from VSU in 1995 but needed to complete her senior recital, a requirement for all music majors with a concentration in vocal performance before getting their degree.

Instead of knocking out the one-credit course, Mrs. McCoy ventured to Europe with her soon-to-be husband, another VSU music major, Kevin McCoy. She began performing abroad as a full-time singer, touring with The Black Gospel Pearls before going solo. During her career, Mrs. McCoy has performed in Germany, Spain, Romania, France, Austria and China.

While living out her dream, Mrs. McCoy pondered returning to VSU after her son, Kevin McCoy Jr., was born in 1999. However, it wasn’t until last semester that she actually enrolled.

rooted. Growing up, she attended classes at the university where both her parents earned undergraduate and graduate degrees.

They say history has a way of repeating itself, and that is undoubtedly true for Ms. Goodwin, who, as a single mom, continued the family tradition by bringing her 14year-old daughter, Erickah Rogers, to class with her while she worked on her bachelor’s in sociology.

There’s no denying Ms. Rogers’s first experiences at VSU left a strong impression on her. Still, she was reluctant Tanya McCoy and her son, Kevin McCoy, left, graduated to return after graduating high together at VSU recently. They were joined by fellow school. graduates, Arifah Goodwin and Erickah Rogers.

“Virginia State has always “I came back because I really been present in my life, and I think that’s part of the reason wanted to finish, and I promised why I didn’t want to come here initially. It felt like something my mom I would because I was the I already knew,” she said. first person from my family to go Ms. Goodwin decided to attend a different four-year institution, to college,” Mrs. McCoy said. “It was also extremely important but virtual learning was a struggle when the pandemic restricto me to create a legacy at VSU, especially after my son, Kevin tions forced her to take her courses online. Because Erickah, Jr., enrolled here.” her daughter, was back home and already close by, she decided Kevin Jr., who received a bachelor’s in business management, to transfer to VSU. had no issues appeasing his mother’s wish. He was even later “It was one of the best decisions I ever made,” she said. “I joined by his sister, Taylor, a junior at VSU. Right away, Kevin ran from it when I was 18 but quickly realized I could have my Jr. settled in and joined the university’s ROTC program, where own experience here.” he eventually became the battalion commander. Kevin Jr. says Just like her mom did in 2017, Ms. Rogers will receive her he plans to be commissioned into the Army as an officer, but degree in sociology. She says her mom is one of her biggest only after a one-of-a-kind graduation. academic inspirations, both personally and academically. After “Not many sons can say they graduated from college at the graduation, she plans to pursue a master’s in education. same time as their mom,” he said. “It’s hard to describe how it While her daughter plans to continue her academic journey, feels, but I can definitely say I made the best decision.”

Ms. Goodwin’s is coming to an end. She received her third degree It was the emotional end of a long journey that started and from VSU, a doctor of education in educational administration where it finished. and supervision. Currently, she works at VSU as the assistant “I found family and I found love at Virginia State University,” director for employee relations for the career services department.

Mrs. McCoy said. “My life is forever changed from being on As far as what is next for Ms. Goodwin, she has authored two this campus and I will never forget my time here.” journals catered to black women and plans to pursue a marriage Meanwhile, Arifah Goodwin’s ties to VSU also are deeply and family therapist license.

Biden and Trump agree to 2 presidential debates, leaving VSU date in doubt

By Josh Boak, Zeke Miller and Jill Colvin Associated Press

Students at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School work on a nature-themed mural in Jefferson Park.

Mural by MLK Middle School students to be unveiled at park For the past five weeks, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School students have collaborated on a nature-inspired mural in Jefferson Park as part of an after-school program. The completed mural will be presented 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the park.

The free after-school program, In Tune, is a mural project led by Open Space teaching artists and professional muralists Auz Miles and Birdie Oleniacz. Open Space, founded in 2021, is a nonprofit dedicated to art education and nature-based learning.

Guided by Ms. Miles and Ms. Oleniacz, students learned the process of creating a mural

by photographing nature elements found in the park, collaborating on the design of the composition and painting the outward-facing 24-foot by 8-foot stage wall of the Jefferson Park Stage House. The project aims to connect students to nature in a way that helps them recognize their interconnection with their community.

“By learning more about the vegetation and wildlife in the park, as well as the varied histories of the park, students are collaboratively creating a mural that expresses the energy unique to this location,” according to a press release from Open Space.

To learn more, visit openspaceed.org.

PH “Cruz” Sherman announces bid for 8th District School Board seat PH “Cruz” Sherman officially Blackwell Elementary School, and a entered the race for the 8th District special education instructor for ChesSchool Board seat, currently held by terfield Public Schools. Additionally, Dawn Page. Mr. Sherman filed his he is the CEO of Cruz Inc. Media and Declaration of Candidacy with the Cruz Inc. Radio 102.8.

Richmond City Office of Election on In a May 14 post to Facebook, Wednesday, May 8. Page announced Mr. Sherman announced he was 15 that she would not seek reelection registered voter signatures away from last week. the 150 signatures needed for his Mr. Sherman Mr. Sherman has been employed petition to be on the election ballot at Owens & Minor, Inc. for over 17 years and before June 18. His committee is planning a serves as a chaplain with the City of Richmond meet and greet for constituents to ask questions Police Department. He advocates for curbing and sign the petition. The date and location are gun violence and was a youth crisis counselor at to be determined.

bency. “I’ll bring my plane, too.

I plan on keeping it for another four years.”

The swiftness with which the match-ups came together reflects how each of the two unpopular candidates thinks he can get the better of his opponent in a headto-head showdown. Mr. Trump and his team are convinced the debates will exacerbate voters’ concerns about President Biden’s age and competence, while the Biden team believes the Trump often-incendiary rhetoric will remind voters of why they voted him out of the White House four

Hunter Biden.

CNN said that its debate would be held at 9 p.m. ET in its Atlanta studios with no audience President Biden and former present in a break from recent President Donald Trump on precedent. Moderators will be Wednesday agreed to hold two anchors Jake Tapper and Dana campaign debates — the first on Bash, CNN said. ABC did not June 27 hosted by CNN and the offer details on where its event second on Sept. 10 hosted by would be held. Disagreements ABC — setting the stage for their about moderators and rules first presidential face-off to play were some of the questions that out in just over a month. prompted the formation of the The quick agreement on the Commission on Presidential timetable followed President Debates in 1987.

Biden’s announcement that he The two campaigns and telewould not participate in fall vision networks had held weeks presidential debates sponsored of informal talks on ways by the nonpartisan commission to circumvent the commisthat has organized them for sion’s grip on presidential more than three decades. This debates following years of includes a debate scheduled complaints and perceived for Virginia State University slights, according to two on Oct. 1. people familiar with the mat“Virginia State University ter who spoke about internal was excited to make history discussions on condition of Mr. Trump as the first HBCU to host a President Biden anonymity. presidential debate,” Virginia years ago.

The Biden campaign had Congresswoman Jennifer McThe presidential debates, proposed excluding third-party Cellan said in a statement. “I always a critical moment on candidates, such as Robert F. hope the ongoing negotiations the political calendar, could be Kennedy Jr., from the debates between the two campaigns result particularly important in a year outright. Under the debate comin a presidential debate at VSU, when voters are underwhelmed mission’s rules, Mr. Kennedy and I have requested that the with their choices and have or other third-party candidates Biden-Harris campaign engage expressed concerns about the could qualify if they secured with Virginia State University candidates’ advanced ages — ballot access sufficient to claim students and the Tri-Cities com- President Biden is 81 and Mr. 270 Electoral Votes and polled munity with an event before the Trump 77. at 15% or higher in a selection election” Sprightly on social media, of national surveys.

President Biden’s campaign the rivals traded barbs — each Both CNN and ABC anproposed that media outlets claiming victory the last time nounced the same qualification directly organize the debates be- they faced off in 2020. threshold, saying candidates tween the presumptive Democrat“Donald Trump lost two de- will need to reach at least 15% ic and Republican nominees. bates to me in 2020, since then in four separate national polls of The debate is so unusually he hasn’t shown up for a debate,” registered or likely voters that early on the political calendar President Biden said in a post meet their standards. that neither President Biden nor on X. “Now he’s acting like he In response, Mr. Kennedy Mr. Trump will have formally ac- wants to debate me again. Well, accused President Biden and Mr. cepted his party’s nomination. make my day, pal.”

Trump of “trying to exclude me Hours later, President Biden Mr. Trump, for his part, said from their debate because they said he had accepted an invita- the president was the “WORST are afraid I would win.” He tion from CNN, adding, “Over to debater I have ever faced - He said, “Keeping viable candidates you, Donald.” Mr. Trump, who can’t put two sentences to- off the debate stage undermines had insisted he would debate gether!” democracy.”

President Biden anytime and anyThe June debate is likely to The commission said in a place, said on Truth Social he’d cap a busy and unsettled stretch, Wednesday statement, “The be there, too, adding, “Let’s get following the likely conclusion American public deserves subready to Rumble!!!” Soon after of Mr. Trump’s criminal hush stantive debates from the leading that, they agreed to the second money trial in New York, for- candidates for president and vice debate on ABC. eign trips by President Biden to president.” It said its mission is “to “Trump says he’ll arrange his France and Italy, the end of the ensure that such debates reliably own transportation,” President Supreme Court’s term, and the take place and reach the widest Biden wrote on X, working in expected start of two criminal television, radio and streaming a jab about the perks of incum- trials for the president’s son, audience.”

Richmond Free Press

May 16-18, 2024 A7

News

Virginia’s skill game debate could stretch into the summer ‘What we decided was that we would pick that up at another day’

By Graham Moomaw

After finishing work on almost everything else taken up during the 2024 session, the Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin have decided to keep talking about skill games.

The governor and several lawmakers said Monday that they’ll continue seeking a way to get the slot machine look-alikes taxed and regulated in response to a major lobbying push by business owners and the companies that make and distribute the games.

“What we decided was that we would pick that up at another day,” Gov. Youngkin said Monday as he signed a bipartisan budget deal that didn’t address the legality of skill games.

“That’s a commitment that we’ve made.”

There were few answers Monday on what the new skill game legislation might look like and when lawmakers could potentially return to Richmond to act on it.

“There’s more work to do,” said Sen. Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, a key sponsor of the skill game legalization bill. “We’ll make sure that we do put in that work so that by the time we come back we can be in a good place to have agreement on the bill.”

The decision to keep working on skill games even though the clock has run out on the regular 2024 session is the latest sign of pro-skill game lawmakers and industry lobbyists doing whatever it takes to allow the machines to start making money again for the businesses that host them.

Convenience store owners have traveled to the State Capitol in droves this year to convey that skill games have become a critical source of revenue that helped them get through the COVID19 pandemic and keep workers employed.

Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Scott, said he hopes the machines can still become legal on July 1, the date skill game supporters have been aiming for

Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury

Games that allow people to bet money and win cash have popped up around the city, including in this corner store. Manufacturers say they’re games of skill, not chance.

despite uncertainty over whether the state could have the manpower and technological systems in place to properly regulate them under that timeline.

The lobbying effort is being led largely by PaceO-Matic, a Georgia-based skill game company that’s become a major campaign donor to both parties in Virginia and has made contributions to both Gov. Youngkin and Democratic General Assembly leaders. The company also has hired Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, to perform legal work on its behalf and has hosted other senators at a rodeo event it sponsors every summer in Wyoming.

Lawmakers were back at the Capitol this week for a one-day special session to finish work on the budget. Because that special session didn’t completely adjourn Monday, lawmakers left open the possibility of returning later to take up skill games and any other legislation that might impact state tax revenues.

Summertime special sessions are rare, and they’re often called to address a crisis or emergency. It was unclear Monday how many rank

and file members of the General Assembly are on board with the prospect of coming back to the Capitol to resolve a dispute over how to legalize another form of gambling. Some weren’t too hot on the idea.

“I would rather us just be done with the issue,” said Del. Mark Earley Jr., R-Chesterfield, a skill game opponent who said he’s not convinced the public is clamoring for lawmakers to approve more gambling.

Virginians Against Neighborhood Slot Machines, an anti-skill game advocacy group funded by casinos that see the machines as undermining their more heavily regulated facilities, said it’s a waste of time and money to extend the special session to accommodate skill games.

“The amount of oxygen being wasted on convenience store slot legislation is truly embarrassing for our commonwealth,” the group said in a written statement.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, DFairfax, who voted for the skill game bill, said the talk of lawmakers returning to take up new legislation is more of a possibility than a sure

thing.

“If they come up with a proposal we’ll have to see what it is,” Sen. Surovell said. “To pass a bill like that in an efficient fashion in less than five days, it takes 80% votes. And I’m not sure whether or not people who don’t like skill games are willing to expedite the process.”

The skill game talks expected to occur over the next few weeks will mostly center on how to square Gov. Youngkin’s proposal, which skill game supporters see as far too strict, with a General Assembly bill critics say is overly friendly to the industry.

Gov. Youngkin proposed a higher tax rate on the machines than what the General Assembly envisioned, tougher regulations aimed at blocking minors and gambling addicts from accessing the machines and strict geographic limitations that would ban skill games in much of the state by barring them within 35 miles of any statelicensed casino or gambling facility affiliated with horse racing.

The geographic limits were particularly upsetting to skill game supporters because they would effectively ban the machines in nearly all of the state’s population centers due to the casinos and Rosie’s facilities, which feature slot machine look-alikes based on horse racing, that have already opened across the state.

Local control also has been a sticking point.

Before casinos and horse racing facilities could open their doors, the state required them to first win approval from voters in the communities they were interested in. The skill game bill that passed the General Assembly didn’t require voter referendums and gave city and county governments no ability to ban the machines at the local level. Gov. Youngkin had suggested giving local governments the ability to opt out of skill games without requiring the type of opt-in referendums necessary for casinos and horse racing.

The state Senate rejected all of Gov. Youngkin’s suggestions and sent the original bill back to the governor’s desk, where it’s still awaiting action.

The governor is facing a Friday deadline to decide what to do, but he’s widely expected to veto the bill and start fresh with a new attempt to legalize the machines.

This story originally appeared on virginiamercury.com.

Investigation reveals more than 1,000 deaths from police use of non-lethal tactics

By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

More than 1,000 people have died in the past decade after encounters with law enforcement, despite officers using non-lethal tactics, according to a recent investigation by The Associated Press, the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism, and PBS’ Frontline. The findings again show systemic issues within policing and raise questions about accountability and reform.

Each victim was unarmed and posed no immediate threat.

Yet, they met tragic ends after police resorted to methods such as physical holds, Tasers, and body blows, which are typically meant to subdue individuals without causing harm. The investigation underscored the potential lethality of these tactics when misused, echoing the outcry sparked by the death of Mr. George Floyd in 2020.

In one of many examples, investigators highlighted an incident in South Boston, Va., where one of three officers who shocked a man rolling on a hospital sidewalk said a suspect’s actions—not Taser guidelines— dictate what to do. They noted that officers fired their Tasers a combined 20 times, even Mr. Floyd after handcuffing the man. “There are eight pages of warnings, and basically, if I read and abided by every single warning, I would not tase anyone,” the officer said in response to a civil lawsuit later settled out of court. Federal prosecutors said they didn’t see enough evidence to pursue civil rights charges against the three officers.

For the report, investigators filed thousands of requests for government documents and body-camera footage, unearthing over 700 autopsy reports or death certificates and uncovering video evidence in dozens of cases previously unreported.

The victims hail from diverse backgrounds, including Black Americans like Donald Ivy Jr., who were disproportionately affected, comprising a third of the fatalities despite representing only 12% of the population. A former three-sport athlete, Mr. Ivy, left an ATM alone one night when officers tried to detain him. Mr. Ivy ran, and police tackled and shocked him with a stun gun, belted him with batons, and held him facedown. Like so many others, investigators said Mr. Ivy was not a threat to public safety. “And despite that, each died after police used a kind of force that is not supposed to be deadly and can be much easier to hide than the blast of an officer’s gun,” they determined.

Researchers also revealed a pattern of misconduct, with officers breaching established guidelines in approximately 45% of deaths. Many victims had underlying medical conditions or were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, factors that heightened their vulnerability to force.

Specific instances of misuse were highlighted, such as the widespread use of prone restraint, despite known risks of positional asphyxia. In numerous cases, individuals were pinned facedown for minutes beyond necessity, resulting in fatal outcomes. Similarly, researchers documented the excessive use of Tasers, with officers administering shocks beyond recommended limits, often with deadly consequences.

Researchers found that officers restrained someone face down in at least 740 of 1,036 deaths—usually with one, or sometimes more, using their body weight. In about half of the prone restraint cases, police didn’t turn the person over as soon as they were handcuffed or did so only after they had stopped responding. They noted a video showing a police officer in Ava, Mo., handcuffing a man experiencing a drug relapse and restraining him in a prone position for eight minutes. The officer warned that he wouldn’t ease up until the man stopped kicking.

Once still, the officer asked the man, “Are you going to be calm now?” He didn’t answer. Another two minutes passed before the officer realized the man didn’t seem to be breathing. A federal judge who reviewed the video ruled in the officer’s favor in a civil lawsuit, saying the law didn’t require police to stop prone restraint once a person quit struggling. Researchers said legal

interpretation was out of step with federal courts in other regions, which provide broad direction on the use of force.

“Every day, police rely on common tactics that, unlike guns, are meant to stop people without killing them, such as physical holds, Tasers, and body blows,” researchers concluded. “But

when misused, these tactics can still end in death—as happened with George Floyd in 2020, sparking a national reckoning over policing. And while that encounter was caught on video, capturing Mr. Floyd’s last words of ‘I can’t breathe,’ many others throughout the United States have escaped notice.”

Home Helps Everyone.

Affordability looks different than most people think — and nearly one in three Virginia households need it. Virginia Housing offers homebuyer and renter education resources, down payment and closing cost assistance grants, as well as affordable mortgages for first-time and repeat buyers.

Learn more at VirginiaHousing.com.

Richmond Free Press Apple tree blossoms Editorial Page

A8

May 16-18, 2024

Walk their way College graduations have come to an end, and it’s not just the students who are breathing sighs of relief as the semester concludes. The most jubilant group, albeit without mortarboards to toss in the air (they might have to settle for toupees), are college presidents. This spring has seen tension and dissent simmering on many campuses, placing these well-paid administrators in challenging positions.

Students have staged protests, camped out, spoken up, and even walked out, causing a stir nationwide.

The demonstrations have led to arrests, injuries, property damage, and perhaps most frustrating for college presidents, negative publicity.

Pictures and videos from these events evoke a sense of déjà vu for those who remember protests on college campuses from a bygone era. While the issues may have evolved, the fervor and determination motivating students to risk their education and safety remain unchanged. The young people protesting are prepared to put everything on the line for what they believe in, posing a formidable challenge for those in power.

Adding to the woes of these pampered presidents is the historical precedent that often vindicates the actions of protesting students. Looking back at past student protests on issues such as the Vietnam War, racial injustice, and apartheid in South Africa, it’s evident that the angry student was often on the right side of history.

Summer has given the leaders of colleges and universities a reprieve. They’ll have time to think about their actions and better ways to engage their students who voice dissent.

Legislating the obvious Before School Board member Jonathan Young resigned a few weeks ago, the rest of the School Board recognized they had a problem. Mr. Young’s behavior, which an independent review described as “weird” and “odd,” didn’t technically violate school board policy, making it challenging to hold him accountable officially. According to a statement from Mr. Young, some board members found alternative methods to compel his resignation, proving that necessity indeed breeds creativity.

Subsequently, the School Board has initiated efforts to establish new guidelines regarding board members’ interactions with students. The proposed rules range from the glaringly obvious to the practically unenforceable, underscoring the adage, “You can’t legislate common sense.” While these rules aim to prevent situations similar to Mr. Young’s awkward engagement with students, it feels like setting a trap after catching the bear.

However, exceptions always exist, even to the rule about common sense and legislation. After failing to schedule mandatory training, the School Board learned that they were in violation of a state agreement, potentially risking a loss of millions in state funding. Thankfully, it seems the board members are now prepared to schedule the required training, sparing RPS students from bearing the brunt of any potential funding cuts. This decision is vital, as our students and teachers cannot afford to operate with fewer resources. In light of this development, perhaps an addition to the code of conduct is warranted, stipulating that School Board members must ensure adequate funding for the schools under their purview. Perhaps Captain Obvious could draft it for them.

A special choice Chesterfield County officials deserve kudos for announcing their plans for a sports hall of fame, dedicated to athletes with ties to the county. Some might argue that amidst the chaos of the world, sports serve merely as a distraction. They have a point. Yet, amidst the troubles and turmoil constantly bombarding our screens, a respite is essential.

In the narratives of athletes and teams striving together toward a common objective, people discover love, hope and inspiration. This notion extends to tackling the genuine issues of our time. As Arthur Ashe Jr. said, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Black-owned businesses face obstacles made worse by anti-racial justice efforts “Recent legal challenges have targeted programs aimed at alleviating the obstacles faced by marginalized communities, particularly those designed to promote equity in entrepreneurship … With this analysis, we can create and implement strategies that catalyze informed policymaking, advocacy efforts, and targeted interventions aimed at reversing systemic barriers and fostering a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

— Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity, The State of Black Business 2024 The good news: Blackowned businesses are more likely than other businesses to have a low level of debt, or no debt at all. The bad news: That’s because Black-owned businesses are far less likely to be approved for loans in the first place, and Black business owners are more likely to pull from their personal savings for business expenses.

The Alliance for Entrepreneurial Equity, a partnership of the National Urban League and Third Way, embarked on an “analytical journey” to understand the nuanced dynamics of racial inequality in the business landscape and underscore the urgency of advancing equal opportunities

for Black communities and other communities of color.

The result, the State of Black Business report, finds that Black Americans are drastically underrepresented among business owners relative to their share of the population. They are more likely than other businesses to be shut out of traditional financing opportunities. They are starved for venture capital investment. And they are less likely to be awarded government contracts.

Yet efforts to correct these disparities are under attack by extremist activists determined to preserve — if not widen — the racial gaps in the entrepreneurial

Marc H. Morial ecosystem.

Earlier this year, a federal court shut down a pathway to opportunity for historically disadvantaged business owners and forced the Minority Business Development Agency to offer its services to non-marginalized communities.

The same right-wing activist who successfully challenged affirmative action in college admissions has sued to end a grant program for Black women entrepreneurs. Lawmakers in more than 30 states have introduced or passed more than 100 bills to shut down diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

Despite growing at a rate of 30% between 2018 and 2021, Black-owned businesses with at least two employees represent only 2.5% of all businesses in the United States. These businesses are smaller — only 3% have more than 20 employees, with the vast majority having fewer than five employees.

They’re also younger. Nearly half are less than two years old, compared to 19% of white-owned businesses.

Black-owned businesses face the greatest obstacles to financing, by far, more than any other demographic. Only 32% — compared with 56% of white-owned businesses — are fully approved for the financing they seek, while 40% — compared with 18% of white-owned businesses, are completely denied loans, lines of credit and cash advances.

Even when financing is approved, Black-owned businesses are more likely to be offered high interest rates. As a result, these businesses are more likely to delay plans to expand and have a harder time refinancing their existing debt.

The racial gap in venture capital investment is even more startling. Only 0.5% of venture capital funding went to Black founders in 2023.

As the fourth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder approaches, the demand for racial justice that arose in its wake is

What’s the meaning of antisemitic?

Who would oppose legislation to outlaw antisemitism?

More people than you might think.

First, there is the thorny question of definitions. Consider: How do you define “antisemitism”? As with some attempts to define racism, you may find yourself settling on a version of the late Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart’s famous definition of obscenity: “I know it when I see it.” But, as with “racism” and other words that draw legal limits on inhuman acts or beliefs, there is no moral off-ramp called, “It depends.”

That’s why I found it ironic that the debate over a bill that passed last week in the Republican-controlled House to curb antisemitism began with heated discussion over definitions.

Eager to do something in response to a nationwide wave of pro-Palestinian protests at colleges, the Republican-controlled House passed a bill aimed at addressing reports of rising antisemitism on campuses.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, blamed “woke” policies by college leaders for failing to confront the spread and backed a bill to push back.

In contrast to the partisan gridlock that has plagued so much other major legislation,

this bill easily passed, although not without some important objections. The House passed the Antisemitism Awareness Act in a refreshing display of bipartisanship in these fractious times with a 320-91 vote, with a majority of Democrats — 133 — joining Republicans.

New York Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, who introduced the bill, was predictably delighted to thank the supporters of the bill “from a wide range of Jewish

Clarence Page organizations that are standing up, endorsing this legislation, and saying enough is enough.”

But is that enough? The American Civil Liberties Union was not impressed by the bill and opposed the legislation — which still must be approved by the Democratic-controlled Senate and signed by President Biden to become law — as infringing on rights of free speech.

Besides, as the ACLU pointed out in a statement, “Federal law already prohibits antisemitic discrimination and harassment by federally funded entities.”

Instead of protecting against antisemitic discrimination, the ACLU letter said, the proposed law “would likely chill free speech of students on college campuses by incorrectly equating criticism of the Israeli government with antisemitism.”

Thank you, ACLU, for adding to the body of material I call up every time somebody

suggests muzzling political speech — even obnoxious and toxic speech — that the First Amendment was written and enacted to protect.

That’s why Rep. Jerry Nadler, top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and one of the longest-serving Jewish members of the House, opposed the bill as “misguided.” While he agrees with some of its provisions, he said, “its core provision would put a thumb on the scale in favor of one particular definition of antisemitism — to the exclusion of all the others.”

Controversially for many Democrats, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition includes “claiming that the existence of a State of Israel is a racist endeavor” and “drawing comparisons of contemporary Israeli policy to that of the Nazis.”

That sounds like material for a separate debate, at least.

Can they work it out?

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, in a recent letter to Rep. Johnson, wrote that “there is nothing scheduled on the floor this week that would accomplish the concrete, thoughtful strategies outlined by the Biden administration” to accomplish the goal of combatting antisemitism.

But it could lead to a lot more debate.

That, too, is supposed to be what education should be about.

The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

The Free Press welcomes letters The Richmond Free Press respects the opinions of its readers. We want to hear from you.

We invite you to write the editor. All letters will be considered for publication. Concise, typewritten letters related to public matters are preferred. Also include your telephone number(s). Letters should be addressed to: Letters to the Editor, Richmond Free Press, P.O. Box 27709, 422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, VA 23261, or faxed to: (804) 643-7519 or e-mail: letters@richmondfreepress.com.

being stifled, along with the nation’s history of discriminatory hiring and lending practices, voter suppression and gerrymandering.

The same activists who are trying to stifle discussions of historical racism in America’s classrooms likely would prefer to stifle AEE’s report.

But we won’t be silenced.

We’re developing a national policy platform that encourages and supports entrepreneurs of color, gives them greater access to new markets and capital, streamlines regulatory procedures, provides more technical assistance, and more.

Systemic inequality robbed the U.S. economy of an astounding $16 trillion over 20 years.

Fear and resentment aren’t just harming communities of color, but the resiliency and prosperity of the nation as a whole.

The writer is the president of the National Urban League.

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Richmond Free Press

May 16-18, 2024 A9

Commentary/News

Oliver Hill’s haunting thoughts on landmark court case

As we approach the 70th anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision of the U.S. Supreme Court outlawing segregation in public schools, I remain haunted, and yet hopeful, by the words the late Oliver W. Hill, one of the lawyers who helped bring the case to our nation’s highest court, shared with me one afternoon at his North Side home.

I met Mr. Hill when his granddaughter and my daughter were in elementary school together.

After my husband, also a lawyer, told me about Mr. Hill’s renown as a civil rights litigator and his role in bringing the Brown case to the Supreme Court, I wrote a profile him for Style Weekly in 1984. But it wasn’t until I started reading to him two to three afternoons a week after he went blind that I truly got to know him.

During one of our reading

sessions around the time of the 50th anniversary of the court’s decision, I asked him where he was when he first heard the Supreme Court had ruled on the case. Mr. Hill recalled that he was driving to his office when he heard the news on the radio.

“I couldn’t believe it! I floored it to get to the office as fast as I could. As soon as I hit the door I started shouting that we needed to turn the radio on.

Everyone gathered around the radio in utter disbelief. Some people cried, others broke out the cigars. We were all overjoyed, to put it mildly.”

The joy and exultation did not last. A year later, the court issued another order requiring U.S. schools desegregate “with

all deliberate speed” a phrase Mr. Hill said came to mean “somewhere between now and all eternity.” He noted the decision helped open the doors to higher education, but that K-12 public education continues to suffer from segregated schools, the only real difference being that

Carol A.O. Wolf “we have moved from de jure to de facto segregation.”

At age 97, Mr. Hill admitted it pained him to accept that he had “little hope” that our nation’s K-12 public education system would be desegregated in his lifetime.

It was his contention that nowhere in this country were the negative effects of segregation as vivid and ingrained as they were in Richmond, the former Capitol of the Confed-

Oliver Hill, seen here with Spotswood Robinson and Thurgood Marshall, was part of the legal team representing plaintiffs in Brown v. Board of Education.

eracy and birthplace of Massive Resistance. Mr. Hill had harsh words for local newspapers and for the business leaders and elected officials who bounce from one civic boondoggle to another, all the while promising that proceeds from the projects will be used to help improve Richmond’s public schools.

“Never happens,” he said, adding that, “If the members of the clergy who give cover to the greed of the business leaders would only decide to demand legislators make our city school

facilities models of excellence, our city would benefit financially and morally.”

He believed in accountability and responsibility. “Were the citizens of the city and the parents — Black and white — to unite and demand the politicians stop giving excuses and instead give our children the schools they deserve,” he said, “there would be no need to throw tax abatements at companies to get them to come here. We would have an educated population of young people who could go to

any college they wanted to, a population that could not only take jobs in those companies, but create new businesses and new jobs.”

So, 70 years after the landmark decision and 20 years after the afternoon Mr. Hill talked about his disappointment that the Brown decision had not really done much to improve our nation’s K-12 schools, where are we?

“The fight for equality and equity must continue long after I and the others who led the charge are long gone. If you get tired of the fight — and you will — you must remember to take the long view and understand that eventually, evolution will take care of this ... ” “Evolution, Mr. Hill?!”, I interjected. “Evolution?!”

He answered, “Yes ... it does tend to be so damn slow, now don’t it?”

U.S. Capitol statue Commemorates civil rights icon Daisy Bates

Bronze statue of Daisy Lee Gatson Bates by sculptor Benjamin Victor on view in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol Building.

The recent unveiling of a statue honoring civil rights activthe future historians doing their part to better this country.” ist and journalist Daisy Bates in the National Statuary Hall Because of her prominent role in integration, Mrs. Bates brought out a bipartisan mix of individuals who praised the was often a target for intimidation, with rocks thrown at her icon and the newest fixture at the U.S. Capitol. home, bullet shells sent to her mailbox and threats that forced Arkansas Republican Congressman Bruce Westerman reher family to shut down their newspaper. flected on Mrs. Bates’ early life challenges, while the man who Mrs. Bates, who died in 1999 at age 84, played a crucial created the statue praised her courage. Democratic members role in desegregating Arkansas public schools in the 1950s. of Congress also chimed in, noting the historic installation Along with her husband, she published an Arkansas newsand acknowledgment of Mrs. Bates’ activism. paper dedicated to the civil rights cause and served as the “Considering the current climate that we’re in as it relates president of the state’s NAACP chapter. “Every high school, Ms. Bates to politics and race, it’s important that we remind people of every middle school, every elementary school, every college our history,” Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett said last week. in this country is the pattern of America today because of Daisy Gaston I think we need to consistently remind people of our history and what Bates,” remarked Charles King, president of the Daisy Bates House really matters. And hopefully, we can find it in our hearts to recognize Museum Foundation, during the unveiling ceremony.

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Legal Notices/Employment

Eastridge Road & N. Parham Road Phase 3 Sidewalks County of Henrico, Virginia Notice of Willingness to Hold a Public Hearing

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: IFB – 240012202 - Greene Elementary School Sidewalk Improvements - Phase II Pre-Bid Conference Call Meeting: May 24, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. For all information pertaining to this IFB conference call, please logon to the Richmond website (www.RVA.GOV).

Bid Due Date: Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Time: 2:00 P.M. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RVA. GOV). The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

The County of Henrico proposes constructing two sidewalk projects along Eastridge and N. Parham Roads. The Eastridge Road project will add approximately 250 feet of sidewalk along the northern side of Eastridge Road east of N. Parham Road connecting existing sidewalk, 40-feet of sidewalk along the southern side of Eastridge Road connecting existing sidewalk, and 2 pedestrian signals/ crossings. The N. Parham Road Sidewalk, Phase 3 project will install approximately 1,100 linear feet of concrete sidewalk along the western side of N. Parham Road from Holly Hill Road to Weldon Drive. Construction is currently anticipated for 2025.

Information related to these projects including the proposed sidewalk addition, project schedule, and funding information can be reviewed by appointment at the County of Henrico, Department of Public Works, 4305 E. Parham Road, Henrico, VA 23228, Telephone: (804) 501-4687. Project information is also available online at the following addresses: https://henrico.us/projects/eastridge-rd-sidewalk/

Greater Richmond SCAN – Circle Preschool Program Director We are seeking a compassionate and experienced early childhood educatorto lead ŽƵƌ ƚĞĂŵ ŝŶ ƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐ ĞdžĐĞƉƟŽŶĂů ĐĂƌĞ ĨŽƌ ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ ǁŚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ƐŝŐŶŝĮĐĂŶƚ early childhood adversity. The Circle Preschool Program Director is responsible ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ŵĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ƐƵƉĞƌǀŝƐŝŽŶ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĞĚƵĐĂƟŽŶĂů ĐŽŵƉŽŶĞŶƚƐ ŽĨ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ǁŝƚŚŝŶ Ă ƚŚĞƌĂƉĞƵƟĐ ƉƌĞƐĐŚŽŽů ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ƐĞƌǀŝŶŐ ƵƉ ƚŽ 14 young children who have experienced early ĐŚŝůĚŚŽŽĚ ĂĚǀĞƌƐŝƚLJ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ͘ dŚĞLJ ŽǀĞƌƐĞĞ ƚŚĞ ĚĂŝůLJ ŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐŚŝůĚĐĂƌĞ ĐĞŶƚĞƌ͕ ĞŶƐƵƌŝŶŐ Ă ƐĂĨĞ͕ ƚŚĞƌĂƉĞƵƟĐ͕ ĂŶĚ developmentally appropriate environment.

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Richmond Free Press

A10 May 16-18, 2024

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Squirrels limp back to Richmond

The floundering Richmond Flying Squirrels are hopeful the friendly confines of The Diamond will help them snap out of their prolonged slump.

Jairo Pomares’ left-handed bat may help.

The Squirrels returned home this week following a grinding two-city, 12-game road trip that resulted in 11 losses in 12 tries. Richmond Jairo Pomares finished the road trip 12-21 overall.

Pomares, elevated from Eugene, Ore., on May 4, provided a rare highlight May 11 with his first AA home run in a loss at Erie.

The native Cuban signed with San Francisco for $975,000 in 2018 and has slowly worked his way through the Giants’ farm system.

Before joining Richmond, Pomares had 41 home runs, 166 runs batted in and a .301 Squirrels back in the nest career average.

The Richmond Flying Squirrels play the While victories Reading, Pa., Fightin’ Phils, AA affiliate have been hard to of the Philadelphia Phillies, at The come by, the franDiamond for several games this week. chise’s box office Thursday, May 16, 6:35 p.m. Fireworks is booming. In their Friday, May 17, 12:05 p.m. RVA Day first 12 openings, Saturday, May 18, 6:05 p.m. Fireworks the Squirrels averaged more than Sunday, May 19, 1:35 p.m. Towel giveaway 7,100 fans, by far Tickets: SquirrelsBaseball.com/Tickets; the best in the Eastor 804-359-3866. ern League.

10.05

Kai Cole left the recent MEAC T&F championship with an Olympic trial qualifying time.

VUU has 4 QB candidates With four quality athletes to choose from, who will Coach Alvin Parker pick to be Virginia Union University’s starting quarterback?

“We feel very good about it,” Coach Parker said of his candidates. “All played well during the spring, and all played in our scrimmage with Virginia State.

“They’ll be working throughout the summer to compete for the starting job.”

These are happy times around Hovey Field.

The Panthers are coming off a 10-2 season in which Coach Parker they won their first CIAA crown in 22 years and then went to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Nine starters return on defense and eight on offense. But what about QB? Among the graduates is last year’s leading man, Christian Reid, who passed for 1,501 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Reid offered a steady hand week after week, never spectacular but always keeping the team on course.

If there is a leader in the clubhouse to succeed Reid, it would be fleet junior RJ Rosales, the top backup a year ago.

The 5-foot-8, 180-pound native Floridian passed for 301 yards and four TDs while also rushing 20

times for 130 yards and four scores.

Well-traveled Mark Wright, a 5-foot-10, 195pound native of Atlanta, previously played at Hutchinson Community College, Kan., and at Virginia State.

As a Trojan in 2021, he played three games and passed for 363 yards. In 2019 at Hutchinson, Wright tossed for 1,831 yards and 20 TDs. Jonathan “Myles” Derricott is a 6-foot-3, 175pound former Varina High standout, who sat out last season at VUU as a redshirt. Derricott is the nephew of Daninelle Derricott, who quarterbacked Patrick Henry to the 1994 State Division 5 title.

Panther’s passers Here are the starting quarterbacks for Virginia Union during Coach Alvin Parker’s tenure on Lombardy Street.

2024 To be determined 2023 Christian Reid 2022 Jahkari Grant 2021 Khalid Morris 2019 Khalid Morris 2018 Darius Taylor There was no 2020 season due to the pandemic.

Rams’ roster a revolving door Blink, and you might miss the next basketball season will be 6-foot-7 sophomore Alphonzo Billups from Varina, 6-foot-6 sophomore Miplayer transferring from or into the VCU. Due to the school transfer portal and NIL chael Belle from London, 6-foot-10 Christian revenue bidding, college hoops have become Fermin from Pennsylvania, 6-foot-5 senior Zeb a topsy-turvy world and the Rams have been Jackson and 6-foot-4 senior Joe Bamisile.

Jackson will be in his third VCU season smack dab in the middle of it.

Here’s some background: In Coach Ryan after transferring from Michigan. Bamisile, out of Monacan High, will be in his Odom’s first season, a Rams’ roster second Rams’season after stops at rebuilt from the year before went Virginia Tech, George Washington 24-4, reached the A-10 tournament and Oklahoma. final and advanced to the NIT quarEn route: Brandon Jennings, a terfinals.

6-foot-3 guard who earned Richmond Since then, here are the addiMetro Player of year honors at St. tions: Christopher’s. Jennings signed with • Jack Clark, 6-foot-10, is coming the Rams early last winter. to VCU as a graduate student after Also, 6-foot-9 Obi Okafor from pit stops at LaSalle, North Carolina Coach Odom Hampton is expected to join the acState and Clemson.

• Phillip Russell, 5-foot-11, chose to finish tion after two red-shirt seasons.

Gone: All-Atlantic 10 guard Max Shulga his career at VCU as a grad student following one season at St. Louis, two at Southeastern transfers to Villanova as a graduate student.

High-rising Tobi Lawal, among the NCAA’s Missouri and this past season at University of leaders in shooting percentage and dunks, Texas-Arlington.

• Terrence Hill, 6-foot-3, incoming fresh- transfers to Virginia Tech as a junior.

Jason Nelson, junior guard out of John Marman, first committed to Utah State (Odom’s previous school) before opting for VCU. He’s shall, transfers to Youngstown State, Ohio.

Also out of JM, Roosevelt Wheeler, a senior, from Portland, Ore., but played high school transfers to East Tennessee. ball in Chandler, Ariz.

Players Kuany Kuany and Sean Bairstow False alarm: VCU felt it had a commitment from Jamarii Thomas, the MEAC Player finished their college eligibility.

The NCAA allows 13 scholarships. The of Year from Norfolk State. However, after about a week Thomas changed his mind and Rams are at 10 and counting. Expect anything written about the Rams squad on Sunday might will enroll at South Carolina.

Returning Rams: Coming back for another be outdated by Monday.

Chesterfield County plans sports hall of fame Chesterfield County officials announced plans to establish a sports hall of fame during a press conference held at the River City Sportsplex on May 14.

The newly formed Chesterfield County Sports Hall of Fame aims to recognize outstanding individuals, including coaches, teams and sports contributors, who have

significantly impacted Chesterfield County’s sports history and legacy, according to a press release.

The hall of fame will be housed at the River City Sportsplex, a sporting facility in the county. Nominations for induction into the hall of fame will be accepted until July 1.

The selection process will culminate in a formal banquet on

Sept. 12 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education in Chester.

The hall began accepting nominations this week. Detailed information regarding nomination qualifications and procedures can be found on the official website of the Chesterfield County Sports Hall of Fame: playchesterfield.com/ sports-hall-of-fame.

NSU sprinter qualifies for Olympic trials HBCU’s will be represented at the upcoming Olympic Track and Field Trials.

Norfolk State’s Kai Cole has punched his ticket to the trials while also drawing the attention of world champ Noah Lyles.

“I see ya Kai!” Lyles posted on X after hearing of Cole’s heroics.

Lyles is the reigning world champ in the 100 meters and among the favorites to prevail at the Summer Games in Paris.

Cole is a 5-foot-5 graduate student at Norfolk State University.

Competing at the MEAC Championships last week at Dick Price Stadium in Norfolk, Cole won the 100 in 10.05 and 200 in 20.55, qualifying for the trials in both events.

Cole’s 10.05 for the 100 ranks among the 10 fastest times run by any American this year.

Aside from speed, Lyles and Cole have something else in common. Both are graduates of T.C. Williams High, the Alexandria school made famous in the sports film, “Remember the Titans.”

The Trials will be June 21 to 30 at the University of Oregon. The Olympics will be July 26 through Aug. 11 in Paris.

Should Cole qualify for Paris, he won’t be the first Spartan to do so. In 1976, NSU alumnus Steve Riddick won the gold medal in Montreal for the 4-x-100 relay.

Derricott led Varina to the Class 4 state title in the fall of 2021 and was RJ Jonathan Tayvon Mark a member of the Rosales Derricott Tyler Wright Blue Devils’ state championship basketball team in 2022.

Divisions of the CIAA. Starting this season, all Like Derricott, Tayvon Tyler was redshirted 11 football-playing members will be grouped in in 2023. Before that the 6-foot-4, 185-pounder the same standings. starred at Woodside High in Newport News, earnThe top two, regardless of location, will meet ing numerous postseason accolades. in Salem for the CIAA crown. This marks the final Under Coach Parker, VUU has become a year of the CIAA’s contract with Salem. dominant program in the CIAA and a perennial St. Augustine’s will remain in the CIAA for challenger for NCAA playoff honors. other sports but will no longer compete in football.

Since coming aboard in 2018, Coach Parker’s The Falcons were 0-10 last year and have been Panthers are 40-13 overall and 29-7 in CIAA. 2-26 since the 2020 season was lost to pandemic They will likely be the preseason pick to take top restrictions. Neither Virginia Union nor Virginia honors in 2024.

State were scheduled to play the Raleigh school There will be no more Northern and Southern this fall.

May 16-18, 2024 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

B

Personality: Antonio Villa Payares Spotlight on La Casa de la Salud founder and executive director Dr. Antonio Villa Payares was part of the first generation in his family to pursue a career in medicine. He became interested in becoming a doctor early on.

“At first, as a child, I admired those professionals and the role they (play) in society,” Dr. Villa Payares said. “Then in high school, I wanted to do something important that I enjoyed while helping other people.”

Dr. Villa Payares’ father was the most important influence in his life. He admired his integrity and moral principles, as well as how he showed up for his family and friends. His father also demonstrated how to treat others the way you want to be treated.

“He inspired me to be independent and work for anything that I want to achieve in my life,” Dr. Villa Payares said.

As a primary care physician, Dr. Villa Payares noticed how much he could impact other people’s lives. He also realized that he could do more for his community, especially through preventative medicine.

Today, Dr. Villa Payares makes an impact through his

work and his nonprofit, La Casa de la Salud. Founded in 2014, the organization works to improve the health of the Hispanic community.

La Casa de la Salud has about 30 volunteers who are mostly community health workers. The organization also has a few contractors and staff who also volunteer their efforts. The organization’s volunteers also work on events and activities in the community.

La Casa de la Salud is expanding to localities such as Virginia Beach and Harrisonburg to collaborate with other health organizations.

The goal for the organization’s expansion is not to duplicate but to supplement the work that the localities need in public health, especially with the activities the organization has for the community, Dr. Villa Payares said.

Meet the founder and executive director of La Casa de la Salud and this week’s Personality, Dr. Antonio Villa Payares: Occupation: Medical doctor and executive director of La Casa de la Salud.

Date and place of birth: Nov. 28 in Pivijay, Colombia.

When and why I founded: It was my Capstone project from my MPH at VCU in December 2013. We launched it as an initiative in the city of Petersburg in February 2014 and four months later I registered it as a 501(c)(3). I noticed the great limitation that Hispanics and other immigrants had accessing health information, health services and clinical preventive services.

Education: Medical doctor with master’s in public health and management.

Family: I came from Colombia in 2004 with my wife and three sons. My wife is a dentist and used to work in the community, too. Two of my sons are pursuing bachelor’s degrees and the other works as a mechanical engineer.

La Casa de la Salud (LCS) is: A nonprofit organization founded in 2014.

How LCS works: LCS serves as a bridge facilitating health and other information resources as well as education to preserve individuals and the Hispanic community’s health and wellbeing. We identify gaps or organizational barriers that prevent individuals from obtaining health and other social services.

How is LCS funded: LCS is funded by federal and state government funds as well as local foundations through grants. There is a small amount from individual donations which we are working on increasing through a plan to obtain more contributions

to expand our capacity and response.

LCS’ No. 1 goal or project: One of our main priorities for this year is to strengthen collaborations with health systems, clinics and other key partners to address together the needs of our community.

Strategy for achieving goals: Having a clear understanding of the dynamics and needs of our community.

No. 1 challenge: LCS has been growing fast and we are in the transition to strengthen its structures which is critical for our sustainability, however we are hoping to have good support from local organizations, partners and donors.

Ways I have witnessed the magic of LCS: This journey has been a great learning opportunity to confirm that we can influence others to generate great impact with simplicity.

There are people who are looking for ways to help others, but they do not know how to do it and this movement has been witness to it.

How to help or get help with LCS: Volunteers can call (804) 404-5633 or email

lacasadelasalud.org.

LCS partners with: We have a partnership with health systems, clinics, local health departments and other partners with other social services or resources. Working together to create synergy and achieve our goals.

How I start the day: With a coffee with my wife, followed by 30 to 40 minutes of physical and mental exercise.

Words that best describe me: Persistent, open-minded.

Best late-night snack: An orange or apple.

A quote that inspires me: “Don’t worry about failure; you only have to be right once.”— Drew Houston The best thing my parents ever taught me: Honesty with other people.

The person who influenced me the most: My padre.

Book that influenced me the most: “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel García Márquez Next goal: Expand our movement by engaging other people for healthy communities, facilitating information and providing tools to take care of themselves and others.

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BIRTH.BIRTHDAY.AWARD. GRADUATION.HONOR. ENGAGEMENT.WEDDING. ANNIVERSARY.LIFE.

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Share accomplishments in a special person’s life by announcing it in the Richmond Free Press.

Contact Cynthia Downing, advertising coordinator, today to find out more about affordable celebratory advertising rates to celebrate a special achievement or a special occasion.

Richmond Free Press The People’s Paper

422 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 www.richmondfreepress.com | advertising@richmondfreepress.com PHONE (804)644-0496 | FAX (804)643-5436

Richmond Free Press

B2 May 16-18, 2024

Happenings

Riverrock brings music and sports Downtown Dominion Energy Riverrock, an annual outdoor sports and music festival, returns this week with a new layout and an expanded footprint. This year’s festival, based at Brown’s Island, also will include Kanawha Plaza.

“As Richmond evolves, the Dominion Energy Riverrock landscape does too,” said Meghan Keogh, event director for Dominion Energy Riverrock. “This keeps us on our toes, and we think the yearly changes are part of what makes this iconic festival fun!”

The plaza will be the site of popular events such as Boulder Bash, Speed Comp, and Slackline Trickline, alongside food and beverage vendors. Organizers cited Kanawha Plaza’s proximity to Brown’s Island and the James River as enhancing the festival experience.

The festival, held May 17 through 19, also will feature over 40 outdoor vendors and sponsor activations, including Bold Rock

and Athletic Brewing offering free beverage sampling and Hardywood Park Craft Brewery brewing a special beer, Hardywood Riverrock Pale Ale. Some of this year’s performers include Sam Reed and Love Jones, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, Night Ideas and Rumble Trio, among others.

Since its inception in 2009, Dominion Energy Riverrock has grown to become a prominent outdoor sports and music festival, drawing attendees to Richmond’s urban riverfront. The event aims to promote outdoor recreation opportunities in the region and foster appreciation for outdoor activity.

Organized by nonprofit groups Sports Backers and Venture Richmond, Dominion Energy Riverrock 2024 is free for all spectators. More information, including the full music schedule, can be found on the festival’s website, riverrockrva.com, or social media.

Trail running is one of the many events at Dominion Energy Riverrock, being held this weekend at Brown’s Island and other locations Downtown.

Coming Together Virginia hosts dinner talk on race and psychiatry In a culmination of a three-part series exploring the intricate relationship between race and mental health, Coming Together Virginia presents its Tuesday Dinner Gathering on May 21 at 6 p.m. at Ginter Park Presbyterian Church. This event features guest speaker Dr. Shawn Utsey, a professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Dr. Utsey will present excerpts from his 2022 documentary “The Central Lunatic Asylum for the Colored Insane.” This

Black History Museum to host film screenings in honor of Brown v. Board film delves into the intellectually stimulating exchange of

complex history of the United States’ first psychiatric facility for AfricanAmericans, shedding light on its evolution amidst the backdrop of scientific racism Dr. Utsey and racial disparities in mental health treatment.

This catered dinner gathering promises not only a nourishing meal but also an

ideas. Contributions of $20 per person are accepted to help cover expenses.

Coming Together Virginia is a local nonprofit organization that typically unites people over a meal to have challenging conversations.

“No one will be turned away,” a statement from the group reads. “So please come regardless of your ability to bring a dish or make a donation. We appreciate your voice and spirit contributing to our conversations!”

Library of Virginia hosts ‘knit in’ to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day The Library of Virginia will host a “Knit In Public Day at LVA” on Saturday, June 8, in honor of the annual Worldwide Knit in Public Day. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the library’s lobby and conference rooms.

Worldwide Knit in Public Day, observed every second Saturday in June, serves as a global invitation for knitters to engage in their craft in public spaces. The event aims to promote knitting as a social activity and facilitate skill-sharing among participants.

Knitting enthusiasts are encouraged to bring their ongoing projects to the “Knit In Public Day at LVA.” Activities will include listening to knittingrelated lectures, exploring displays featuring historic knitting patterns and contemporary fiber craft items from the Library’s collections, and watching live

Nicole Brown will present a lecture titled “Instructing them in sewing&c: Black Girls, Knitting, and the Williamsburg Bray School” at the event.

demonstrations. Refreshments will be provided, and visitors can enter to win door prizes from Richmond area yarn shops.

The event will feature two lectures, both of which will be livestreamed for virtual view-

ers. At 11 a.m., KT Vaughan will present “Knit Like Defarge: Encoding Meaning Into Your Stitches,” examining the literary connections of knitting, particularly inspired by characters such as Madame Defarge

from “A Tale of Two Cities.”

At 1 p.m., Nicole Brown will discuss “Instructing them in sewing &c: Black Girls, Knitting, and the Williamsburg Bray School,” exploring the historical significance of knitting in the education of Black children in the United States.

Additionally, visitors can download a digital copy of “Little Red Riding Hood’s Knitting Book” (1923) from the Library’s collection, offering insights into vintage knitting patterns and techniques.

For more information, please contact Nan Carmack at nan. carmack@lva.virginia.gov or call (804) 692-3762.

Marking the 70th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia will host a special event titled “Our Past, Our Present, Our Future.” Organized by SCORE in Communities, a nonprofit organization focused on education, the event aims to commemorate the pivotal ruling and its enduring impact on American society.

Set for Friday, May 17, the program will feature screenings of two mini documentaries: “On the Backs of Giants: The Story of Brown v. Board” and “Desegregation: Stories Mr. Hinojosa of Integration of Henrico Public Schools.”

These films delve into the historical context and narratives surrounding desegregation efforts, shedding light on the challenges and progress made in the pursuit of educational equality.

Highlighting the event will be David Hinojosa, director of the educational opportunities project at the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. Mr. Hinojosa has a national reputation as a leading litigator and advocate in civil rights, particularly in educational impact litigation and policy.

Seating will begin at 10:30 a.m. for the program, which lasts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registration is mandatory for participation and can be completed through Eventbrite.

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Stringing along in the park The River City String Quartet performs under a canopy of trees as hundreds of people gathered in Bryan Park for the Richmond Symphony Mile of Music Concert last Saturday, May 11. The free outdoor mini concerts consisted of five tents spread along a one-mile route through the park. The warm weather made it enjoyable for listeners to hear the quartets and quintets of brass, string and woodwind instruments.

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The Library of Virginia and Virginia Humanities will present a free film screening of “The Movement” followed by a panel discussion to reflect on a crucial event in Danville that shaped the fight for Civil Rights in Virginia and the nation.

Thurs., June 6 | 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Library of Virginia Registration is required: lva-virginia.libcal.com/event/12269413

Richmond Free Press

May 16-18, 2024 B3

Faith News/Directory

Faith and family inspire local nursing student

Ms. Norwood

While Ms. Norwood knew she wanted a future in nursing, she faced a unique challenge compared with her classmates.

For several years, she has had severe osteoarthritis, which causes extreme pain while walking.

“Typically, the farthest I can walk is from my bedroom to my kitchen, but sometimes the farthest I can walk is just to the front door of my bedroom,” she said.

Ms. Norwood first experienced arthritis in one knee while working toward her first bachelor’s degree at Morgan State University, but her pain

�tar Fellowship Baptist Church

“The Church With A Welcome”

Sharon Baptist Church

Rev. Larry D. Barham, �r., Pastor

500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

Sundays Morning Worship 10:00 A.M.

ultimately worsened over the years to the point where she began to use a walker and take medication. Now she primarily relies on a wheelchair for mobility.

Before applying to nursing schools, Ms. Norwood contacted several programs to determine whether they could accommodate her disability.

“VCU was one of the few schools to say they were willing to work with me,” she said. “Preparing for a career in nursing while bound to a wheelchair has its challenges and obstacles, but I don’t feel horrible about it because it

Spring

2223 Keswick Ave., Richmond, VA 23224 • 804-233-0059

REVIVAL

Back Inside

Wednesday, May 22 Friday, May 24, 2024 7:00 p.m. nightly

GUEST EVANGELIST:

Bishop Jeffrey Reaves, Pastor

Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Petersburg, VA

Theme: “Faith, Forward All Things To Heaven” (Hebrews 11:1-3)

WELCOME

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

1127 North 28th Street, Richmond, VA 23223-6624 • Office: (804) 644-1402

The Rev. Sylvester T. Smith, Ph.D., Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

Riverview Baptist Church

Join us at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday for in-person worship service or Live-stream on YouTube (Good Shepherd Baptist Church RVA).

Sundays Sunday School - 9:30 A.M. Worship Service - 11 A.M. Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In Person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube

St. Peter Baptist Church

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

2604 Idlewood Avenue, Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 • www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. John E. Johnson, Jr., Interim Minister

Worship Opportunities

7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL 8LIQI 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[ A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come worship with us!

Back Inside Sundays Join us for 10:00 AM Worship Service

Sunday Worship Opportunities: 10 A.M. [In-person and Livestream] Sunday Church School Opportunities: Adults [In-person] at 8:30 A.M. Children [Virtual] online via our website.

Bible Study Opportunities: Noon [In-person] 7 P.M. [Virtual]; Please contact the church office for directives.

2040 Mountain Road • Glen Allen, Virginia 23060 Office 804-262-0230 • Fax 804-262-4651 • www.stpeterbaptist.net

Live on Facebook @ 4ixth #aptist $IVSDI 37" Live on Youtube @4#$ 37" Or by visiting our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 `VeaUON]aV`aPUb_PU_cN www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

1858 7KH (EHQH]HU %DSWLVW &KXUFK ([LVWV WR /RYH 3HRSOH DQG (PSRZHU 2XU &RPPXQLW\

Sunday Church School • 9am (Zoom)

Sunday Morning Worship • 11am (in-person and livestream on YouTube)

Wednesday Bible Study • 7pm

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Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor ❖

The doors of the church are open for worship!

No registration required.

Join us in person or online on Facebook or YouTube

216 W. Leigh St., Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643- (PDLO RIILFH#HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ ZHE HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ

(Zoom)

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

10:30 a.m. Sundays

Please visit our website Ebenezer Baptist Church Richmond, VA for updates http://www. ebenezerrva.org

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823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

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rotations, we really got to dig created a Facebook page to into what the health needs were foster an online community for our local communities and for disabled people pursuing what kind of plans could we careers in health care. Through come up with to help solve this group, called “Ability issues.” in Disability-Disabled Docs, Reflecting on her accom- Nurses, Students, & Others plishments at VCU, Ms. Nor- in Medicine,” Ms. Norwood wood hopes more people with shares motivational stories to disabilities will pursue careers encourage others. in health care and that health “There are many people systems make their spaces who are able to work as health more accommodating. professionals without being “When in nursing school, limited by their disabilities,” they teach you to raise a pa- she said. “There are plenty tient’s bed to waist height, but of ways that we can make waist height for someone who the health care industry more can stand is not the same for accommodating for disabled NNIVE workers. It’s just a matter of someone who RSA CHUisRCinH’SaAwheelchair,” Ms. Norwood noted. believing in those ideas and She also hopes students a willingness to implement and staff with disabilities feel them.” more open to talk about their This story originally apexperiences in the medical field peared 44th at news.vcu.edu Pastoral to show they aren’t alone in Anniversary their challenges.

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Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church

1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 358—6403

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

10 a.m. Sunday, May 19, 2024 Music by the G.G. Campbell Male Chorus

Join in the celebra�on of the men of Moore Street!

3 Ways to Worship!

 In Person  Zoom (Login info on Facebook)  Facebook Live

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With a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Nursing, Erin Norwood is ready to help others — and set an example along the way.

Ms. Norwood is the first differently abled to graduate from the school’s accelerated bachelor’s program, and she hopes to raise awareness that people with disabilities can thrive as health care professionals if given the opportunity. Her journey also has been framed by faith and family.

Throughout her life, Ms. Norwood has volunteered for churches and Christian nonprofits, leading Bible studies, community outreach events and other activities. When considering careers, she knew she wanted to work in a field where she could provide the same kind of care that she fostered in church groups.

Ms. Norwood’s desire to become a nurse also stems from a more personal experience.

“My father died from a heart attack while I was in school. Looking back, he was experiencing many symptoms of heart failure. If we had recognized the signs earlier, it’s possible something could have been done to help him,” she said. “It became even more important to me to have the medical skills to help people wherever I am.”

gives me the opportunity to prove that it can be done.”

During her nursing studies, Ms. Norwood became especially interested in pediatric intensive care unit nursing. She spent many hours volunteering at VCU Health’s Family Care Center, as well as providing support to pediatric patients and their parents on the ICU floor.

“I really love working with children, especially infants, but I also love the fact that pediatric ICUs are very team-oriented,” she said. “There are doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and physical therapists all working together. It’s a really great atmosphere for building positive relationships and learning new skills.”

Inspired by a semester working with the Virginia Department of Health, Ms. Norwood also is considering a career in community health. With VDH, she joined various outreach projects, such as administering COVID-19 vaccines and providing food, clothing, diapers and other essentials to local underserved communities.

“There are so many factors that play a part in a person’s health and well-being, such as whether they live in a safe neighborhood, have access to healthy food, have transportation to see a provider, or can afford care or medications prescribed to them,” Ms. Norwood said. “During those

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By Olivia Trani

Women’s Day 2024 Join us On Facebook at

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Morning Worship dŚĞŵĞ͗ 11 a.m.

Theme: “Honoring Our Pastor,

“Women Walking ByLord” Faith A Laborer For The ” Jesus 1With Timothy 5:17 Scripture: Luke 8:1-3

Colors: Red, White and Blue Speaker:

Sunday,Delores July 26,McQuinn 2020 Reverend In church service or Colors: Morning Worship - 11:00 a.m.

join us on facebook Pastel and Speaker: White Rev. Robertubcsouthrichmond L. Dortch, Jr.

1922-2024

102

years

Union Baptist Church 1813 Everett Street Richmond, Virginia 23224 804-231-5884 Reverend Robert C. Davis, Pastor

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Richmond Free Press

B4 May 16-18, 2024

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2022-205 As Amended To amend Ord. No. 2000410-2001-10, adopted Jan. 8, 2001, as previously amended by Ord. No. 2001-220-231, adopted Jul. 23, 2001, and Ord. No. 2017-242, adopted May 29, 2019, which approved the “Shops at Stratford Hills Community Unit Plan,” for the purpose of increasing the area subject to the community unit plan by [2.85] 3.36 acres to [67.4±] 67.86± acres and modifying the development standards, under certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2024-130 To amend and reordain City Code §§ 2-1128, concerning applications for equalization of real estate assessments, 26-101, concerning the creation and purpose of the Office of Assessor of Real Estate, 26-104, concerning the duties, 26122, concerning the time of making and entering assessment and notice of increases, and 26147, concerning land books generally, to be effective for real estate tax assessments that are used to calculate real estate taxes for the tax years beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, and Jan. 1, 2027; to amend and reordain City Code §§ 26-104, concerning the duties, 26-105, concerning the assessment of new buildings substantially completed or fit for use and occupancy, and abatement of levies, 26122, concerning time of making and entering an assessment and notice of increase, 26147, concerning land books generally, 26-203, concerning the effective date of assessments, 26-230, concerning application to the Assessor for administrative reviews, 26-231, concerning notice of administrative reviews, 26-232, concerning action after hearing and rule of evidence, 26-233, concerning the delegation of hearings to assistant and the summary of evidence, and 26-262, concerning notice to the Assessor of new or remodeled buildings and assessment, to be effective for real estate tax assessments that are used to calculate real estate taxes for the tax years beginning on January 1, 2028, and later; and to amend ch.

26, art. III, div. 1 by adding therein a new section numbered 26-49, concerning the effective date of assessments, all for the purpose of transitioning the City Assessor’s annual real estate assessment cycle from a calendar year to a fiscal year. (COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, May 16, 2024, 1:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-131 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept grant funds in the amount of $50,000,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Capital Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Public Utilities’ Combined Sewer Overflow project in the Utilities category by $50,000,000.00 for the purpose of funding the Combined Sewer Overflow project.

(COMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development, Thursday, May 16, 2024, 1:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-132 To a u t h o r i z e R R G Properties, LLC, to encroach upon the public right-of-way with an outdoor dining area encroachment, and associated awnings, along the north line of East Broad Street and the east line of North 28th Street at the northeast corner of the intersection of East Broad Street and North 28th Street, upon certain terms and conditions.

(COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-133 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Programmatic Agreement, and a Second Amendment thereto, between the City Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

of Richmond and the Virginia State Historic Preservation Office for the purpose of ensuring compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act in the performance of programs funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

(COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-134 To designate the 2200 block of Gordon Avenue in honor of Gilda Marie Hines. (COMMITTEE: Land Use, Housing, and Transportation, Tuesday, May 21, 2024, 3:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-135 To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the acquisition by gift of the parcel of real property known as 436 Calhoun Street, and commonly known as the “Calhoun Family I n v e s t m e n t C e n t e r, ” from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, for the purpose of maintaining such parcel as a community center.

Ordinance No. 2024-136 To amend City Code §§ 2-1336, concerning definitions related to webpages for development and capital improvements projects, 2-1337, concerning general requirements, and 2-1339, concerning exclusions, and to repeal § 2-1338, concerning project webpage requirements. ( C O M M I T T E E : Governmental Operations, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2024-137 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and the Director of Procurement Services, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Goods and Services Contract between the City and Manchester Marketing, Inc. T/A Seibert’s Towing for towing-related services and tow lot operation. (COMMITTEE: Governmental Operations, Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 1:00 p.m.)

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the May 28, 2024 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2024-124 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1415 Bryan Street for the purpose of three two-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2024-125 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 3301 Maplewood Avenue and 800 Freeman Road for the purpose of a stadium, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the May 28, 2024 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, June 10, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2024-138 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3024 3rd Avenue for the purpose of a twofamily detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2024-139 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1416 Bryan Street for the purpose of two two-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2024-140 To authorize the special use of the property known as 6209 Forest H i l l Av e n u e f o r t h e purpose of a single‑family detached dwelling with an accessory building, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2024-141 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1609 Pollock Street for the purpose of up to three two-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the June 10, 2024 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JADE CLEMONS, Plaintiff v.

CORINNE PETERSON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001504-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of July, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CRISTINA RODRIGUEZ SEGOVIA, Plaintiff v.

JOSE VIRGILIO RODRIGUEZ, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001506-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of July, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

Continued from previous column

BRAXTON, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001505-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of July, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO CHARLES EDWARD SLAUGHTER, JR., Plaintiff, v. Civil Law No.: CL24-2855 ANGELITA VERNITA ROBINSON GOLDSTEIN, Defendant.

ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without interruption and without cohabitation for a period of more than one year, since September 15, 2011.

And it appearing by Affidavit filed according to law that the above-named defendant, is not a resident of this state and that due diligence has been used by or in behalf of plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the defendant is, without effect.

It is therefore ORDERED that the said Angelita Vernita Robinson Goldstein do appear in the Clerk’s Office of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of Henrico County, 4301 East Parham Road, Henrico, Virginia 23273, on or before and do whatever necessary to protect their interest in this suit.

A Copy, Teste: HEIDI S. BARSHINGER, Clerk I ask for this: Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr. VSB #32825 P.O. Box 4595 Richmond, Virginia 23220 Phone (804 523-3900 Fax (804 523-3901 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HENRICO BRIANA JANET NAVARRETE, Plaintiff, v.

FRANKLIN RENE MURILLO FUENTES, Defendant Case No.: CL24-2843 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is for the Plaintiff to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties have lived separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption, and with Plaintiff’s intent to terminate the marriage, for a period exceeding twelve (12) months, namely since October 1, 2017.

It appearing by affidavit that Plaintiff has no knowledge of the Defendant’s current address and Defendant’s present whereabouts are unknown and diligence has been used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the Defendant is without effect.

It is accordingly ORDERED that Franklin Rene Murillo Fuentes whose whereabouts are unknown, appear before this court on or before July 1, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. and do what is necessary to protect his interests herein.

I ask for this: Elizabeth F. Egan, Esq. VSB #44849 America Law Group, Inc. 8501 Mayland Dr. Suite 106 Henrico, Va 23294 Phone: 804-308-0051 Fax: 434-885-3600 Email: legan@americalawgroup.com

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LAWRENCE BRAXTON, Plaintiff v.

NATALIA CHRISTIAN

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LAKEISHA STARKS, Plaintiff v.

AARON STARKS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001433-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 25th day of June, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney

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VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA County of Henrico Circuit Court Stacey Maria (Shields) Clarke v Neville Marston Clarke Case No. CL 24-2720 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: OBTAIN A DIVORCE A VINCULLO MATRIMONII OR FROM THE BONDS OF MATRIMONY ON THE GROUNDS OF A ONE YEAR SEPARATION PURSUANT TO §20-91.

It appearing from an affidavit that diligence has been used without effect, by or on the behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city defendant is.

It is ORDERED that Neville Marston Clarke appear at the above named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 24, 2024.

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND LARRY FISHER, Plaintiff, DENICE FISHER, Defendant.

Case No. CL24000175-00 CGC ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the Defendant on the ground of separation over one year. It appearing from an affidavit that diligence was used by or on behalf of the Plaintiff, without effect, to ascertain the location of the Defendant, Denice Fisher, and that she cannot be found, it is Ordered that the Defendant appear before this Court before May 30, 2024, and do what is necessary to protect her interest herein.

I ASK FOR THIS: Veronica L. Allen, Esquire (VSB #89588) COATES, BATTLE & TYREE, PLLC 5206 Markel Road, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23230 Telephone: (804) 285-7000 Facsimile: (804) 285-2849 v.allen@coateslaw.com Counsel for Plaintiff VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CARROLL BAYTOPS, Plaintiff v.

SHELIA BAYTOPS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23001177-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER LORENA FIGUERO CASTRO, Plaintiff v.

CESAR CASTRO, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23003611-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 17th day of June, 2024 and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SHANETTA CARTER, Plaintiff v.

EL-JIVA CARTER, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24000790-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 18th day of Continued on next column

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June, 2024 and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

creditors with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. Plaintiffs, Case No.: CL24001352-TTB Defendants.

AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION TO: All Persons Having an Interest in the Real Property that is the subject of this Action namely, ELNITE B. CARPENTER, whereabouts unknown, and JAMES H. BAILEY, deceased, and their successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouses, or creditors with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. The object of this suit is to quiet title to and establish sole title in the Plaintiffs by adverse possession to a certain parcel of land totaling 0.084 acres, Tax Map #: E0100106009 and known as 1504 1/2 Vista St. Richmond, Va. 23231, which was carved out of existing parcels of land, Lots 13, 14, 15, 16 conveyed to Ezra Bailey by deed by Letcher H. Reid, Jr. and Virginia A. Reid, husband and wife, Robert E. Reid, and Gertrude Reid Morris dated July 7, 1949, and recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office of the City of Richmond on July 12, 1949 in Deed Book 516 A, Page 486, as shown on a plat by W.W. La Prade & Bros, dated April 1919 and recorded in Plat Book 11, Page 150. Other portions of the subject parcel were conveyed to Ezra Bailey

by Lucian C. Matthews, et al, including Lot 14 by deed dated June 7, 1949 recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office of the City of Richmond in Deed Book 515 B, Page 365, and A.R. Morris, et al, conveyed Lots 15 and 16 by deed dated August 1, 1946 recorded in the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office of the City of Richmond in Deed Book 484 D, Page 89.

An affidavit having been made and signed stating the Plaintiffs have been unable to locate defendants, ELNITE B. CARPENTER, whereabouts unknown, and JAMES H. BAILEY, deceased, and their successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouses, or creditors with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED that any of the parties, ELNITE B. CARPENTER, whereabouts unknown, and JAMES H. BAILEY, deceased, and their successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouses, or creditors with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN., appear within fifty (50) days of the entry of this ORDER, specifically on or before June 4, 2024, in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Richmond City, Virginia, and do whatever is necessary to protect their interest in said property.

I ask for this: Todd H. Ranson, Esq. (VSB #: 87931) HAIRFIELD & MORTON, PLC 2800 Buford Road, Ste. 201 Richmond, Virginia 23235 (804) 320-6600

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DAVELLE RUDD, Plaintiff v.

PRINCESS RUDD, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001273-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 10th day of June, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER GREGORY MOOREFIELD, SR., Plaintiff v.

DAISY MOOREFIELD, Defendant.

Case No.: CL24001272-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 10th day of June, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND 400 N. 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219 MYESHA DARSHELLE WATKINS v.

ANGELO ISAIAH WRIGHT Case No. CL24-1246 CNJ ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Obtain a Divorce.

It is ordered that Angelo Isaiah Wright appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 5, 2024 at 9:00 a.m.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk

CUSTODY VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re WILLIE RAYMONE DAVIS, III AND MARJA DAVIS RDSS v.

CYNQUETTA MURPHY Case No. JJ101001-10-00, JJ101000-10-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights {“TPR”) of Cynquetta Murphy (Mother), of Willie Raymone Davis, III child DOB 11/30/2021 and Marja Davis, child, DOB 11/30/2021 “TPR” means all rights and responsibilities remaining with parent after transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the person, including but not limited to rights of: visitation; adoption consent; determination of religious affiliation; and responsibility for support.

It is ORDERED that the defendant Cynquetta Murphy (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 7/12/2024, at 9:20 A.M., COURTROOM #1

PropertY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND FREDENA GREENWOOLRIDGE TERRY JONES GAIL GREEN VALENTINE v.

ELNITE B. CARPENTER & JAMES H. BAILEY, deceased, and their successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouses, or Continued on next column

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transon@hmalaw.com VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE CITY OF RICHMOND SANDRA D. HORTON and BURTON ROBINSON, JR. v.

ROBERT D. OWENS SR., deceased, and his successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouse, or creditor with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. Plaintiffs, Case No.: CL24001351-00-RBC Defendants.

AMENDED ORDER OF PUBLICATION TO: All Persons Having an Interest in the Real Property that is the subject of this Action namely, ROBERT D. OWENS, SR., deceased, his successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouse, or creditor with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit to quiet title on said property whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of “PARTIES UNKNOWN”.

The object of this suit is to quiet title to and establish sole title in the Plaintiffs in a certain parcel of land totaling 0.138 acres, Tax Map#: N0001149012 and known as 510 East Gladstone Ave Richmond, VA. 23222, which was deeded to the Sandra D. Horton by gift deed from Rosalie Taylor Robinson and Burton Robinson, Sr., husband and wife, dated May” 6, 2005, and recorded in the City of Richmond Circuit Court Clerk’s office on June 23, 2005 as Instrument#: 050020485, and to Burton Robinson, Jr. by gift deed from Burton Robinson, Sr., dated August 2, 2023, and recorded in the City of Richmond Circuit Court Clerk’s office on August 3, 2023 as Instrument #: 230011699. An affidavit having been made and signed that the plaintiffs have been unable to locate defendants, ROBERT D. OWENS, SR., deceased, and her successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouse, or creditor with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of PARTIES UNKNOWN. THEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED that any of the parties, ROBERT D. OWENS, SR., deceased, and his successors in title, including heirs, devisees, assigns, surviving spouse, or creditor with any interest in the property that is the subject of this suit whose names and whereabouts are unknown and who are made parties defendant by the general description of ROBERT D. OWENS, SR and PARTIES UNKNOWN, appear within fifty (50) days of the entry of this ORDER, specifically on or before June 5, 2024 in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of Richmond City, Virginia, and do whatever is necessary to protect their interest in said property.

I ask for this: Todd H. Ranson, Esq. (VSB #: 87931) HAIRFIELD & MORTON, PLC 2800 Buford Road, Ste. 201 Richmond, Virginia 23235 (804) 320-6600 transon@hmalaw.com

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond.

To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com.

EOE M/F/D/V Legal Secretary/Judicial Assistant Secretary/Judicial Assistant to Circuit Court Judge. Position requires excellent oral and written communication skills. Primary duties include composing and typing court orders; correspondence; preparing daily dockets; scheduling judge’s calendar; assisting the Bar, representatives of government agencies, and the public on the phone and in person; as well as general office duties to include filing and use of copier, scanner, phone system and e-mail.

Up-to-date computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office a necessity. Must be detailoriented and have the ability to handle multiple assignments simultaneously. Efficiency and the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines essential.

Qualified candidates will have extensive experience in the legal field, training as a legal secretary or paralegal, or relevant courthouse experience.

Submit resume to: circuitcourtclerkemployement@rva.gov Circuit Court Clerk’s Office City of Richmond 400 N 9 th Street Richmond, VA 23219 Attn: Personnel No phone calls or walk-ins EOE