RPS School Board newcomers projected to win local elections
By Paula Phounsavath
Five newcomers are poised to reshape Richmond Public Schools’ leadership as they hold commanding leads in Tuesday’s School Board election, though final results await mail-in and provisional ballot counts.
Matthew Percival, 1st District, won with 97.5% of the vote and ran unopposed since incumbent Elizabeth Doerr did not seek re-election. Percival said he is looking forward to “digging in and getting to the hard work.”
“I’m really focused on what we can do to bring about positive student outcomes,” Percival said Wednesday morning. “I was very excited to be watching some other School Board races so that I know who I’m going to be working with.”
Katie Ricard, 2nd District, is leading with almost 60% of the vote against incumbent Mariah White, with 40.2%.
“I am just really excited,” Ricard said. “I think Richmond Public Schools began the school year with a bunch of positive news and I just want to be a part of continuing that upward momentum.”
Ricard expressed her gratitude to White for serving the RPS community since 2021.
“She was on the board during … one of the most difficult times that education has faced in a very long time with COVID and coming out of the pandemic,” she said. “I appreciate how she’s always been in the community, shown up at her events across all the schools and I know she has a real heart for our families and students.”
With incumbent Kenya Gibson, representing the 3rd district, not seeking re-election and projected to win a City Council seat with 39.2% of the vote, the 3rd District race saw a highly contested competition between newcomers. Based on the cur-
Avula wins mayoral race
By George Copeland Jr.
Former health director Danny Avula has emerged as the unofficial victor in Richmond’s mayoral race, defeating four other candidates as six council districts cast their votes for him as of Wednesday.
“Thank you so much for putting your trust in me as the next mayor of our amazing city,” Avula said in a statement. “It’s going to take all of us, but together we will build a Richmond where everyone’s rights are protected, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and where no one gets left behind. Thank you, and let’s get to work.” Avula saw the greatest support among candidates in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 7th districts. Former City Council member and business owner Michelle Mosby came in second with the three remaining districts, followed by nonprofit founder Harrison Roday, City Council member Andreas Addison, and community activist and organizer Maurice Neblett.
“To the people of our great city, I want to express my deepest appreciation to each and every one of you who put your trust in me and my vision for our community,” Mosby said in a statement conceding the race Wednesday. “I want to congratulate Danny Avula on a race well run. I will continue to be an active and engaged member of this community, and I look forward
Harris says nation must accept election results
“It is OK to feel sad and disappointed”
By Chris Megerian and Darlene Superville The Associated Press
Faced with a sweeping rejection by American voters, Kamala Harris conceded the presidential election to Donald Trump on Wednesday and encouraged supporters to continue fighting for their vision of the country.
The Democratic vice president said the battle would continue “in the voting booth, in the courts and in the public square.”
“Sometimes the fight takes a while,” she said at Howard University, her alma mater, where she had hoped to make a
Richmond minority voters turn out strong for Harris despite national loss
By Paula Phounsavath
Black and minority voters turned out Tuesday in force across Richmond, with the city delivering an overwhelming 81.6% of its votes to Vice President Kamala Harris in her historic but ultimately unsuccessful bid for the presidency. The 2024 presidential race drew significant attention from local political experts, particularly regarding minority voter participation. Statewide, Virginia favored Harris with 51.5% of votes, earning her 13 electoral votes. Petersburg showed even stronger support at 85.6%, while neighboring Henrico County delivered 63.2% and Chesterfield County contributed 53.1% for Harris. Harris did not win the electoral or popu-
lar vote that night. She had 244 electoral votes, while President-elect Donald Trump garnered 277. Morgan Wimbush, a Virginia Commonwealth University senior and Richmond native, said she voted for Harris on Election Day at the University Commons because she, “[prefers] to be on the right side of history and making a real change in difference.”
“We’ve already seen what Trump has done and has not done, and so it’s just really important to me to vote today,” Wimbush said.
Wimbush also is of Black and Asian descent, so witnessing the first Black and South Asian female presidential candidate served as a symbolic moment for her. Precinct 215 at Midtown Green —
formerly the Bon Secours Training Center at 2401 W. Leigh St. — had a steady flow of voters throughout the day, with more than 2,500 expected to cast ballots, said Chief Election Officer Jada Flowers.
“Everybody wants to vote this time — even if they’re not really feeling well — they want to come out and say, ‘I’m making history because I’m voting on this presidential election,’ whichever way it goes, they want to be a part of it,” she said.
VCU political science associate professor Alex Keena referenced various polls that Black men gravitated away from Harris, in which he reported there was a 6% increase of Black men who voted Republican. “What I see is that Kamala has a lot
Charges against deputies linked to Irvo Otieno’s death dropped
By George Copeland Jr.
The final two cases against Henrico County Sheriff’s Deputies Brandon Rodgers and Kaiyell Sanders, charged in connection with Irvo Otieno’s death, have been dropped following the acquittal of another defendant in a related trial. Two nolle prosequi filings for Rodgers and Sanders were made by Dinwiddie Commonwealth’s
Attorney Amanda N. Mann and approved last Friday.
The motions followed a trial in October for former Central State Hospital employee Wavie Jones, during which jurors acquitted him of any role in Otieno’s death after 20 minutes of deliberation.
“After careful examination of the facts and the law in this case,” Mann wrote in the motions, “the Commonwealth is of
the opinion that, given the jury’s verdict in the first case, the result is likely to be the same given the parallel evidence for all charged. The Commonwealth has heard the jury’s determination and respects their verdict.”
Rodgers and Sanders were among seven deputies and three employees at Central State Hospital indicted by a jury for Otieno’s death. He died last year on the floor of the
hospital’s admission suite. Otieno’s transportation to the hospital came after hours in custody at Henrico County Jail while in a mental health crisis. His death was later ruled a homicide due to mechanical and positional asphyxia, as determined by a Richmond medical examiner. Rodgers and Sanders were initially
Please turn to A4
AP Photo/Ben Curtis
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a concession speech for the 2024 presidential election Nov. 6 on the campus of Howard University in Washington.
Julianne Tripp Hillian
Joyce Banks casts her vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at John B. Cary Elementary School in the Byrd Park neighborhood.
Irvo Otieno
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Danny Avula speaks to supporters, family and friends at the Broadberry during his watch party on election night.
A blanket of golden leaves covers the grounds of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in North Side, capturing the vibrant beauty of fall foliage. As autumn nears its end in mid-December, the warm temperatures of recent days have allowed for an extended display of seasonal colors.
City Council incumbents hold strong amid competitive election
By George Copeland Jr.
Most incumbents on Richmond City Council successfully defended their seats in Tuesday’s election, overcoming challenges from several newcomers. The election brought a few changes to the council, with a notable upset in the 3rd District and new representatives elected in two open seats. In the 3rd District, incumbent AnnFrances Lambert lost her seat to former Richmond School Board member Kenya Gibson, who earned 39.21% of the vote compared to Lambert’s 30.88% and community organizer Maria Carra Rose’s 29.2%.
“This campaign is proof that we can build a city for all of us, where each of us has a seat at the table,” Gibson said in a statement. “We have so much work to do, and I look forward to doing it with you.”
Elsewhere, 2nd and 5th District Council members Katherine Jordan and Stephanie Lynch secured their seats unopposed, while Andrew S. “Gumby” Breton and community advocate Sarah Abubaker will be new voices representing the 1st and 4th District, respectively.
Breton and Abubaker’s elections followed the exits of Andreas Addison and Kristen Nye from City Council, as he pursued the mayor’s office and she
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
For the week ending Saturday, Nov. 6, COVID-19 accounted for .6% of all emergency department visits in Virginia, with overall respiratory illness trending down from previous data. No deaths associated with COVID-19 were reported within that timeframe at time of publication. Data on COVID-19 wastewater showed levels below detection in Richmond and Henrico County as of the most recent sample collection week on Sunday, Oct. 20. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
• Thursday, Nov. 7, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - Calvary United Methodist Church, 1637 Williamsburg Road.
• Friday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Woman, Infants and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza
• Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2 to 4:30 p.m. - St. Luke’s Apartments, 117 Engleside Drive.
RHHD’s Resource Centers are providing free athome tests for pickup at select locations:
• Creighton Court at 2150 Creighton Road, call 804-371-0433.
• Fairfield Court at 2311 N. 25th St., call 804-7864099.
• Gilpin Court at 436 Calhoun St., call 804-7861960.
• Hillside Court at 1615 Glenfield Ave., call 804230-7740.
• Mosby Court at 1536 Coalter St., call 804-7860204.
• Southwood Court at 1754 Clarkson Road. Unit #B, call 804-230-2077.
• Whitcomb Court at 2106 Deforrest St., call 804786-0555. For Virginia Department of Health testing locations, visit vdh.virginia.gov. Additional testing site information can be found at vax.rchd.com. Want a COVID-19 vaccine?
Individuals interested in receiving the COVID19 vaccine can schedule an appointment with the Richmond and Henrico health districts by calling (804) 205-3501. Additionally, vaccines.gov provides a list of pharmacies and clinics offering the vaccine. You also can find locations by texting your ZIP code to 438829 or calling 1-800-232-0233.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offers a vaccine locator at vaccines.gov. Residents also can order four free at-home COVID test kits at covidtest. gov, while supplies last. The CDC recommends the new COVID-19 vaccine for everyone age 6 months and older. Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are approved for ages 6 months and up, while Novavax is for those 12 and older.
These updated vaccines are now available at pharmacies and health care providers. Health officials encourage eligible individuals to get their boosters.
For those who received previous doses, the CDC advises waiting at least two months before getting the new vaccine. However, exceptions exist for people completing an initial vaccination series, immunocompromised individuals, those who recently had COVID-19 and those receiving an initial series of Novavax doses.
Compiled by George Copeland Jr.
didn’t seek re-election.
“I am deeply honored and grateful to have earned the trust and support of voters in Richmond’s 1st District,”
Breton said in a statement following their win. “The 1st District residents, like many across the city, seek a City Council that is effective and collaborative, and I am committed to working tirelessly to represent every voice, address the challenges ahead, and seize opportunities for a brighter Richmond.”
Breton, the current chair of the Richmond City Democratic Committee (RCDC), celebrated the “positive, respectful nature” of the race against longtime political fixture Paul Goldman and Richmond Public Schools parent Zac Walker. However, not every race was as amicable.
Candidates occasionally sparred over the state of City Council, with some challengers presenting themselves as necessary alternatives. Incumbents, meanwhile, sought to balance the promises of past success and acknowledgements of failures in their campaigns.
A major point of contention was the three-way race for the 6th District seat between incumbent Ellen Robertson, her former liaison Tavares Floyd, and barber and community organizer Willie Hilliard. Robertson retained her
seat with almost 53.3% of the vote compared to Floyd’s 14.42% and Hilliard’s 31.61%.
Robertson’s win followed a heated race that became consumed by controversy as reporting challenged aspects of Floyd’s campaign and his past statements. Criticism and scrutiny followed, and Floyd didn’t respond to the allegations until the last days of the election.
When it came to other races, Cynthia Newbille ended her race to retain her 7th District seat victorious, with the incumbent keeping her seat against campaign efforts of former Richmond Democratic Socialists of America Chair Eric Sundberg, with the final vote tally of 66.75% versus 32.54%.
The race between incumbent Reva M. Trammell and former judicial officer Frank H. Wilson Jr.’s race for the 8th District ended with the incumbent earning 67.44% of the vote.
Finally, the 9th District race saw incumbent Nicole Jones re-elected to City Council following a challenge by Army veteran and RCDC member Stephanie Starling, with 57.95% of votes going to Jones and 41.73% to Starling.
McClellan, Kaine win re-election in Virginia’s midterms
By George Copeland Jr. and Paula Phounsavath
Democratic incumbents Jennifer McClellan and Tim Kaine secured key victories in Virginia’s midterm elections, with McClellan winning her second term in the 4th Congressional District and Kaine achieving a third term in the U.S. Senate. Both candidates celebrated Nov. 5 with supporters and pledged continued service on core issues.
McClellan, who won 66.8% of the vote against Republican challenger Bill Moher, initially claimed her seat in a special election on Feb. 21 to succeed the late Rep. Donald McEachin. Her win comes as she reaffirms her commitment to priorities such as childcare, affordable housing and voting rights.
“Thank you for sending me back to Washington,” McClellan told the crowd, which included prominent Virginia Democrats like gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, and Mayor-elect Danny Avula. In remarks to reporters, McClellan also emphasized her pledge to continue her work on the House Armed Services Committee and to advocate for legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Act to
strengthen protections under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
Kaine, who has held his Senate seat since 2012, defeated Republican Hung Cao with about 54.1% of the vote. Addressing supporters at an election night watch party at the Hippodrome, Kaine expressed gratitude and a sense of duty to tackle ongoing challenges.
“There’s so much work to do, but we’ve shown in Virginia that if we link arms, we can walk side by side with people and make progress,” Kaine said. “Thank you so much for putting your faith in me.”
Kaine’s victory, following a career that has included serving as Richmond’s mayor, and Virginia’s lieutenant governor and governor, is seen as another affirmation of Virginia’s swing-state status, even as Cao’s campaign made inroads with conservative and independent voters. Cao, a retired Navy captain and Vietnamese immigrant, built his platform around issues such as immigration, inflation and energy independence, while also voicing criticism of U.S. border policy, diversity and equity efforts and gun control laws.
Throughout the race, Kaine and Cao engaged directly only once in a debate at Nor-
folk State University, where they discussed the economy, abortion rights and national security. Kaine’s lead in both polling and campaign financing proved insurmountable, and Cao, who has yet to formally concede, acknowledged the steep odds against him in a social media post on Tuesday, calling the results “mathematically almost impossible” to overturn.
“We moved the heck out of that needle,” Cao said to supporters after Kaine’s projected win. “We’ve proven tonight that Virginia is not blue—if anything, it’s purple.” Cao’s run for Senate was his second attempt at public office, following a 2022 campaign against Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. His campaign this year earned endorsements from several prominent Republicans, including President-elect Donald Trump, former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, and the Virginia Citizens Defense League. As Kaine prepares for his next term, he faces a shift in Senate control, with Republicans projected to secure a minimum 52-seat majority. For McClellan, her win reinforces Democratic support in Virginia’s 4th District, and she will join other returning incumbents in navigating upcoming legislative challenges.
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Photos by Brian Palmer
Rep. Jennifer McClellan addresses supporters at her election night watch party Nov. 5 after securing re-election. McClellan, who represents Virginia’s 4th District, celebrated another term in Congress following a strong campaign. Above, Democratic incumbent Tim Kaine addresses supporters at his election night watch party at the Hippodrome in Richmond after winning his third term in the U.S. Senate. Kaine defeated Republican challenger Hung Cao with 54.1% of the vote.
George Copeland Jr./Richmond Free Press City Council members Ellen Robertson and Cynthia Newbille during an election night watch party Nov. 5 at The Black Olive restaurant.
Henrico teachers receive REB grants to pursue global learning, innovation
Free Press staff report
Six Henrico County Public Schools educators have received the 2024 REB Award for Teaching Excellence, earning grants of $10,000 to $15,000 to pursue transformative learning experiences. The Community Foundation, which recognizes Richmond area teachers who stand out for their inspiring classroom work, awarded these grants to support hands-on study across a range of fields. A seventh HCPS teacher was honored as a finalist.
This year’s awards celebrated 18 teachers regionally, with 14 finalists chosen from a pool of 85 nominees submitted by students, parents and colleagues. The HCPS recipients were surprised at their schools with announcements attended by division leaders, administrators, fellow educators and students.
Among the winners, Glen Allen High School’s Ryan Conway will use his $14,900 grant to study teacher training programs and advanced instructional methods in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, focusing on strategies tailored for Generation Alpha, the population born since 2010. Highland
Innovative Schools Summit, broadening her expertise in equitable school practices.
Elizabeth Broda of Henrico High School will apply her $13,700 award to travel to Hawaii, where she will work with nonprofits and learn how Native Hawaiian cultural principles promote community strength and empowerment. J.R. Tucker High’s Yvette Lee plans to pursue courses in design thinking and web development, visit England for insights into play-based computer learning and travel to Tanzania to study tech initiatives that support young women.
Hungary Creek Middle School’s Kendra Thomas, awarded $10,300, will take advanced writing and morphology courses, study dyslexia programs in Vermont, and explore cross-curricular middle school approaches to watersheds and Native American history in New England. Lastly, Jason Abril of Douglas S. Freeman High School will expand on a senior thesis by following the paths of ancient cave-painters and modern authors in Southern France to delve into the relationship between memory and personal storytelling. Additionally, Twin Hickory Elementary School’s Donna Letson received $1,000 as a finalist.
Va. museums partner for major exhibition on America’s 250th anniversary
Free Press staff report
Two of Virginia museums, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, are teaming up to present “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation,” a landmark exhibition marking America’s 250th anniversary. The exhibition will debut at the VMHC on March 22, 2025, in line with the anniversary of Patrick Henry’s historic “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” speech. Sponsored by VA250, Virginia’s official semiquincentennial planning commission, the exhibition will be displayed in Richmond before embarking on a statewide tour.
“Virginia’s history is essential to understanding the American founding,” said Jamie O. Bosket, CEO of the VMHC. “This exhibition presents a full narrative of our national story, covering its victories and struggles and amplifying the many voices that together built our Commonwealth and our nation.”
“Give Me Liberty” will be one of the first major exhibits in the nation commemorating the anniversary, with a focus on Virginia’s role in the American Revolution and the global influences that inspired democratic government. Important items, including a portrait of George Washington by Charles Willson Peale and Patrick Henry’s spectacles, will showcase Virginia’s enduring legacy.
The exhibition also will include voices from lesser-known groups, such as enslaved and free Black people, Indigenous communities, women and youths. These perspectives, according to Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Executive Director Christy S. Coleman, will provide visitors with an opportunity to view the Revolution’s legacy in a fresh light.
In addition to notable artifacts like Dunmore’s Proclamation Broadside from 1775 and Thomas Jefferson’s 1774 “Summary
View of the Rights of British America,” the exhibition will display reproductions of Patrick Henry’s speech paper cutter and the Speaker’s Chair from Virginia’s House of Burgesses.
Following its time at the VMHC, “Give Me Liberty” will move to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown from July 2026 through January 2027. A mobile version of the exhibition will tour Virginia, visiting local museums and community centers across the state. Accompanying the exhibition, a publication titled “Give Me Liberty” will be released in June 2025, featuring essays by historians to offer deeper context on
the stories within the exhibit.
As part of its 250th commemoration, the VMHC also will introduce a series of educational and community-focused initiatives. The Civics Connects program will provide resources aligned with Virginia’s Standards of Learning, and the museum will host citizenship ceremonies along with lectures featuring prominent historians. Through the Commonwealth History Fund, close to $1 million will support local projects tied to the 250th anniversary, ensuring communities throughout Virginia can connect with the lasting legacy of America’s founding.
Talk to explore lives of slaves and free persons in 1860
Fred Press staff report
On Nov. 9, an online audience will explore the everyday lives of enslaved and free African Americans on Virginia’s Middle Peninsula, guided by a historical lens on housing and community resilience. Historian Douglas W. Sanford will present “Interpreting the Evidence for African American History: Virginia’s Slave Quarters and Free Blacks on the Middle Peninsula in 1860,” hosted by the Middle Peninsula African-American Genealogical and Historical Society at 11 a.m.
Sanford’s talk will examine two facets of antebellum African American life: the structures that housed enslaved people
and the communities formed by free Blacks in the region. His research with the Virginia Slave Housing Project has documented housing sites across Virginia, providing insight into the lives of enslaved individuals under the management practices of their enslavers, as well as conditions in both rural and urban settings. He also will draw on data from the 1860 U.S. Census to explore the lives of free Black residents in the area, focusing on details such as age, gender, occupation,
family names, and the formation of Black neighborhoods. Despite legal restrictions and widespread discrimination, free African Americans cultivated family bonds, communities and cultural resilience in the shadow of the Civil War.
Sanford, a professor emeritus of historic preservation at the University of Mary Washington, has more than 40 years of experience in historical archaeology and preservation, specializing in African American archaeology in the Chesapeake region and the architecture of sites associated with enslaved people in Virginia.
For details on how to attend or to learn more about MPAAGHS, email mpaaghs. va@gmail.com or call (804) 651-8753.
Photo Courtesy of Monica Pedynkowski
Douglas Sanford
Springs Elementary’s Kionna Bobbitt will invest her $15,000 grant in earning certification in culturally responsive leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University and attending the K-12
Yvette Lee
Kionna Bobbitt
Harris says nation must accept election results
Continued from A1 victory speech after the election. “That doesn’t mean we won’t win.” Harris’ decisive defeat shattered hopes that she could rescue Democrats’ chances after President Biden’s re-election effort stalled and she replaced him at the top of the ticket. She trailed in every battleground state to Trump, a Republican whom she described as an existential danger to the country’s foundational institutions. And Trump appeared on track to win the popular vote for the first time in his three campaigns for the White House — even after two impeachments, felony convictions and his attempt to overturn his previous election loss.
Despite her stark warnings about Trump, Harris reached for optimism on Wednesday.
“It is OK to feel sad and disappointed, but please know it’s going to be OK,” she told supporters as some of them wiped tears from their eyes.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, was in the audience with his family. So were Reps. Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, and Barbara Lee, both from Harris’ home state of California.
Before her speech, Harris called Trump to congratulate him on his victory. She told the crowd that “we will engage in a peaceful transfer of power,” an implicit reference to Trump’s unwillingness to do the same four years ago.
Avula wins mayoral race
Continued from A1
to doing what I can with Mayor-elect Avula to build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and our community.”
Mosby’s loss occurred despite endorsements from former Mayor Dwight Jones, Delegates Mike Jones and Delores McQuinn, former House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn and others.
The son of Indian immigrants who works as a pediatrician at Chippenham Hospital, Avula’s victory followed an exhaustive mayoral race where candidates from a range of backgrounds often shared similar concerns and solutions. Transparency, accountability and rebuilding city government were frequent focuses of their campaigns, often in response to controversies that emerged or intensified during the race.
“I want to congratulate Dr. Danny Avula on his victory, and I wish him success in leading our city,” Neblett said in a phone interview. “We want change ... all five of us want something good for the city of Richmond.”
Avula’s work in health and social services locally and statewide was a key part of his campaign messaging. He also emphasized his community connections, whether through his wife’s work as a Richmond Public Schools teacher or his years of living in the city.
Avula’s campaign priorities included a national search for a new chief administrative officer, a focused and equitable approach to tax relief, expanded support for RPS, and efforts to improve affordable housing. He also has discussed the need to elevate and preserve the histories and cultures of the city.
Throughout the race, Avula faced occasional criticism on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ+ rights due to his personal beliefs or his work as director of the Virginia Department of Social Services for Gov. Glenn Youngkin, primarily from Roday.
“I wish Avula success in moving our city toward a more equitable future,” Roday said in a statement conceding the race and thanking his supporters. “Though the results aren’t what we had hoped for, I am immensely proud of the campaign we built together.”
In light of Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential election, Avula’s goals for the office may face additional challenges, a concern Addison raised in his concession statement.
“Richmond needs leaders who are ready to work together for our future, and I am prepared to support any efforts that strengthen our community,” Addison said. “But we must also acknowledge a chilling reality; the challenges our city faces will only be exacerbated once Trump takes office again.
“If we don’t come together to make Richmond a more welcoming and inclusive city, the next four years will hit our most vulnerable communities the hardest. We cannot succumb to fear and hatred. Richmond absolutely needs the best of us.” Avula made a similar point Tuesday evening, as he, his family, and supporters watched the results during an election night watch party at the Broadberry.
“The next four years, hopefully, if all goes well, will bring a lot of new opportunities, but they’ll also bring a lot of new challenges,” Avula said. “Know that our love, our connection, and our shared sense of calling to the city and to serving Richmond is going to pull us through, and I’m really grateful for that.”
After Trump lost to Biden, he directed his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol, leading to a violent insurrection that interrupted the ceremonial certification of the election results.
Now Harris is expected to oversee the same certification process to finalize Trump’s victory as voters brush off concerns about the future of American democracy and return the former Republican president to the White House.
Biden plans to address the election results on Thursday. The White House said he spoke with Harris and Trump on Wednesday, and he invited the president-elect to meet with him soon. David Plouffe, a top Harris adviser, said campaign staffers “left it all on the field for their country.”
Richmond minority voters turn out strong for Harris despite national loss
Continued from A1
of support, particularly men,” he said Tuesday morning. “The polls — if to be trusted — they imply that Trump is kind of siphoning off some Black men.”
Politico reported back on Oct. 23 a poll from the GenForward survey that was run from Sept. 26 to Oct. 6 by the University of Chicago. The survey’s findings showed a quarter of young Black men preferred Trump, in comparison to the 2020 presidential race where Black men overall supported President Biden nearly nine to one. Black women supported Harris by 63%. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by 60%, as well as Latinas by 55% who supported Harris.
However, U.S. Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., who won re-election in the 4th Congressional District, said while she was aware of Harris’ rising poll numbers, that didn’t match what she had witnessed throughout the campaign.
“That [6% increase] might have been … some movement when Biden was still on the ticket, but Vice President Harris
closed that gap when she became the nominee,” McClellan said Tuesday night. “I have seen the polls … that have shown Black men still preferring Vice President Harris over 80% and the Black population overall over 90%.”
Richmond 3rd District resident, Serena King, voted for Harris because she said Trump does not represent the minority voice.
“[He] is not for Black people, I don’t think he’s for Asians, I don’t think he’s for Hispanic people. I think he’s just for the rich and his own pocket,” she said Tuesday morning. “Then, he [has] felonies. How he could be president?”
Wimbush also expressed that the Black and minority votes were important for this presidential election because policy changes influenced them the most.
“I think that it definitely has the possibility to affect us more than it may others,” she said. “Not only is it important to see people that look like you in high positions, but it’s also just important to use our voice to vote because our ancestors died for this.”
RPS School Board newcomers projected to win
rent vote tallies, Ali Faruk is leading in the 3rd District with 58% of the votes, followed by Kevin Starlings with 21.7% and Charlene Riley with 19.2%.
Faruk released a public statement Wednesday evening thanking his supporters.
“I am honored and humbled by the trust you have placed in me to serve as your next School Board member from the 3rd District,” he said. “I’d like to thank both Charlene Riley and Kevin Starlings for running robust campaigns and for their ongoing commitment to our students.”
The 4th District race also featured newcomers vying for the seat. According to the latest vote counts, Wesley Hedgepeth is currently leading in the 4th District
local elections
race with 44.3% of the vote. Incumbent Garrett Sawyer is following closely with 37.4%, while Angela Fontaine has 17.3% of the votes.
“I was elated to see the results,” Hedgepeth said of his projected win Wednesday morning. “My campaign team did a lot of boots-on-the-ground canvassing, meeting people and learning from the community.”
The last round of newcomers had two candidates in the 8th District, E.J. “Emmett Jay” Jafari, who is leading by 52.4%, against Patrick “Cruz” Sherman, who has 47% of the vote. Alongside the newcomers, four current School Board members are keeping their seats.
Continued from A1
charged with second degree murder, but these charges, along with others, were later downgraded to involuntary manslaughter. Rodgers was scheduled for a jury trial later this month, while Sanders’ trial was set for December.
Mann had previously filed nolle prosequi for other charges related to Otieno’s death, which she described as strategic moves to reintroduce them in a way that would better serve the prosecution. However, those cases have not been introduced, raising questions about the future of additional legal action in this case.
W. Edward Riley IV, Sanders’ attorney, was not surprised by Mann’s filings. He pointed to the results of Jones’ trial and the arguments made by his defense attorneys as evidence of the
“I’m just hoping that we can come together and really establish a great collaborative relationship,” Ricard said. “We are all in it for the students of Richmond Public Schools and we all want what’s best with them.” Continued from A1
With the newcomers starting their term in January, most said they are looking forward to working with the new board.
The only contested School Board race that projected an incumbent win was the 5th district. Incumbent board member, Stephanie Rizzi and former 5th District School Board member Mamie Taylor. Rizzi is leading with 51.4% of the vote, and Taylor has 47.4%. The three incumbents board members who ran unopposed were Shonda HarrisMuhammed, 6th District, Cheryl Burke, 7th District, and Shovonda Dixon-Fernandez, 9th District. They all had a 98% majority vote.
Charges against deputies linked to Irvo Otieno’s death dropped
challenges facing the cases. Similar to Jones’ defense, Riley asserted that Sanders and the others charged were trying to help while emphasizing the threat Otieno posed to himself and others, as well as what Jones’ attorneys described as a “sudden cardiac event” as the cause of Otieno’s death.
“They had no ill will towards this gentleman,” Riley said. “They were just trying to get him to where he could get help because he hadn’t been taking his medicine.”
In the months following Otieno’s death and nationwide criticism of his treatment, his family reached an $8.5 million settlement with the state, Henrico County, and its sheriff’s department. New legislation, Irvo’s Law, also was created and approved to allow expanded access for the loved ones of people experiencing mental health crises.
Otieno’s family and their attorneys have continued to seek accountability for those charged with his death and have been frequent critics of Mann’s handling of the cases, calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to take up the charges.
“Ms. Ouko was very dissatisfied with what she perceived to be a very lackluster and halfhearted effort by Commonwealth’s Attorney Amanda Mann to prosecute those charged in connection with her son’s death, which was ruled to be a homicide by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner,” Krudys said in a statement. “As the family has stated previously, this matter demands to be immediately investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.”
Mann did not release a statement on the filings or respond to inquiries by the Richmond Free Press before publication.
Danny Avula’s supporters welcome him at The Broadberry to celebrate during his election night watch party. Above, RVA Votes stickers in hand, VCU graduate students (from right) Nicki Patel, Goonja Shah, Tulsi Mehta, and Tania Gupta, stand outside Richmond’s Main Public Library after voting on Election Day. Three of them utilized Virginia’s same-day registration after recently moving to the state for school.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Avonte Richardson, 6, shows off his mother’s “Just Voted” sticker after she voted at Swansboro Elementary School. Mom Brinae Jackson joined a steady flow of voters at Swansboro Elementary School on Election Day.
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Julianne Tripp Hillian
Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace open enrollment begins
Free Press staff report
Open enrollment on Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace began Friday, Nov. 1, offering Virginians the opportunity to enroll in new health insurance plans or make changes to existing ones without a qualifying life event.
During the open enrollment period, free application assistance is available through the Enroll Virginia Program, which provides yearround support.
The Marketplace, accessible online at marketplace. virginia.gov, allows consumers to compare plans, enroll in coverage and find local assistance. Financial help is available to most applicants, with nearly 9 out of 10 customers qualifying for savings on plan costs. Every Marketplace plan covers essential health benefits including preventive care, hospitalization and prescription drugs.
“We encourage shoppers to review their plans every year instead of letting their coverage renew automatically,” said Deepak Madala, director of Enroll Virginia. “Plan details and prices change from year to
Richmond hires new leaders for Department of Finance
Free Press staff report
The City of Richmond has appointed Jamie Atkinson as the new director of revenue and Thomasena Gadson as deputy director of Finance. Both appointments aim to enhance leadership within the Department of Finance.
Atkinson, who started with the cityon Oct. 21, has 15 years of experience in financial management across federal, state, local, nonprofit and intergovernmental agencies. Most recently, she served as the budget director for the Austin Transit Partnership. Her previous experience includes eight years with the City of Austin, Texas, and three years as a civilian employee with the Department of the Army.
Atkinson will oversee revenue collection, business tax assessments and the administration of tax relief programs. She also is responsible for customer service, preparing the annual financial audit, revenue projections and managing collection rates.
Gadson began her position with the city on Aug. 26 and brings over 21 years of experience in the private and public sectors. She has worked with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, where she focused on tax compliance and collections. Most recently, Gadson served as a manager with the Tax Collections and Enforcement Administration in Washington, D.C.
As deputy director of Finance, Gadson will manage customer engagement, assessments, billing and technology improvements. She also is tasked with streamlining processes and enhancing service efficiency.
year, so a different option might be better for you in 2025.”
Since Virginia resumed Medicaid renewals last year, the state Medicaid agency has reported over 500,000 Virginians losing Medicaid coverage since March 2023. Individuals who no
longer qualify for Medicaid can find low-cost coverage options on the Marketplace.
“The most important thing is to act fast when you lose your health coverage,” Madala said.
“That way, you’re less likely to miss important deadlines
and experience a gap in your coverage. If you lose your Medicaid, a navigator can help you reapply or transition to a new low-cost plan.” Enroll Virginia, a nonpartisan initiative of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, offers
free, unbiased guidance on health coverage options through Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Medicaid and Family Access to Medical Insurance Security plan. Virginians can reach Enroll Virginia’s staff for help at 1-888-392-5132 or
schedule in-person or virtual appointments at enrollva.org/ get-help. For further assistance, visit marketplace.virginia.gov or contact the consumer assistance center at 1-888-687-1501 (TTY: 711).
Deepak Madala
Richmond Free Press
November 7-9, 2024
Keep fighting
The presidential election results left many of us shell-shocked. The polling didn’t predict this. Most of the pundits didn’t see it coming either. But here we are. Instead of building on the achievements and success of the Biden administration, we may be looking at a prolonged struggle to hold on to the rights and freedoms that we’ve been entitled to as Americans for years. We don’t want to go back, but now it appears that someone is about to take us for a ride. This won’t be the first time that a president has tried to reroute the pace of progress. Our leaders have fought this fight before and are ready for the battle.
Civil rights activist and founder and president of the National Action Network Al Sharpton issued a statement yesterday, a call to action for Americans to stand against the harmful policies Donald Trump is expected to impose as he prepares for a return to the White House.
“We already know what Donald Trump’s agenda aims to do, which is why we must channel our momentum into fighting back against his destructive policies. He and JD Vance want to turn back the clock to deliver an America that will make the Jim Crow era pale in comparison. He aims to wash away the blood, sweat and tears of our ancestors. He will continue to pit Americans against one another, demonize Black and Brown communities and turn immigrants into scapegoats for their own personal gain,” he said. “Though we may be down, we are not defeated. We will continue to organize. We will continue to speak out. We will continue to resist any agenda that tries to take us backward.”
The reverend is right, we have to keep fighting, even if it looks like the odds are against us. In retrospect, Harris had several obstacles in her campaign that proved formidable. First, she had just a few months to piece together a campaign machine, while her opponent has essentially been running for office for the past four years. Second, she had to reinvigorate the Democratic base, that was lackluster after a subpar debate performance from Joe Biden. Another obstacle was more daunting, and probably won’t show up when people are asked why they didn’t support her – gender bias.
The Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), a part of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers, has something to say about that. The center’s mission is to promote understanding about the role of women in politics, enhance women’s influence in public life and expand the diversity of women in government.
“Kamala Harris’ candidacy exemplified a good deal of what our research tells us about women’s advantages as candidates and officeholders. She was a formidable fundraiser. She connected with voters on issues important to her and to them. Her identity provided her with unique perspectives on overlooked issues,” the statement read. “Unfortunately, this contest also exemplified research on the obstacles women face when running for office, chief among them the unequal expectations placed upon women, and women of color in particular, who run for office. The day will come when America elects a woman president. In the meantime, we continue to celebrate the progress that has carried us to this moment.”
In the coming months, grassroots organizations, civil rights advocates and community leaders are likely to mobilize around the issues central to Harris’ campaign, amplifying their message and urging citizens to be vigilant. In her concession speech, Harris referenced her refrain, “When we fight, we win,” adding that sometimes the fight takes longer than you might’ve thought.
“This is not a time to throw up our hands, this is a time to roll up our sleeves,” Harris said. “This is a time to organize, to mobilize, and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”
Biden must act on
environment
Now in its final months, the Biden-Harris administration has a chance to cement its legacy on the environment. Congress returns for its so-called lame duck session on Nov. 12. The administration should pull out all the stops to work with Congress and use the powers of the presidency to get some more big things done.
First, the administration must continue its historic work to address the climate crisis and further push the United States economy away from the burning of fossil fuels. The Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the other major policy initiatives championed by this administration are some of the most effective tools we have to combat climate change, create good American jobs and ensure the U.S. leads in the next economy. There are two critical actions the federal government can take right now to combat fossil fuel-driven climate change. One is stopping the buildout of massive liquified natural gas (LNG) export terminals like the proposed CP2 facility in Louisiana. Approving more fracked gas infrastructure only will serve to lock us into a fossil fuel future neither country or the world can
afford. Increasing fracked gas extraction and processing for export is a bad choice all around. We do not need to be burning more fossil fuels for energy. Every step of the cycle from extraction to export is fraught with risks to public health. From the fracking and the pipelines used to transport the gas to the liquefaction process and the harm to ecosystems from the new terminals and tanker traffic, it all creates dangerous pollution.
The other lame duck session action the administration should
take against fossil fuel expansion is working to defeat the bad permitting bill by Sens. Joe Manchin (I-WV) and John Barrasso (R-WY). Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024 would gut bedrock environmental laws, endanger public health, open up federal lands and waters to further oil and gas leasing, and fast-track the review of proposed LNG export projects. It would be another big step in the wrong direction.
The second area in which the Biden-Harris administration needs to continue its historic leadership is in the protection of public lands. The administration’s America the Beautiful initiative aims to protect and preserve at least 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030. President Biden can go out with a
bang by using the Antiquities Act to create several more national monuments. This administration’s record in this area is stellar.
The administration protected over 12.5 million acres of public lands just in 2023 alone. Now President Biden has a chance to create national monument at Sáttítla highlands in Northern California. The monument would protect over 206,000 acres of land that hosts unique ecosystems and has deep cultural importance to Indigenous tribes in the area. He should also create the Chuckwalla National Monument, which would protect roughly 660,000 acres of the California Desert south of Joshua Tree National Park. And, at long last, the president should designate the site of Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Okla., a national monument to recognize the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921, one of our country’s most horrific and largest incidents of racial violence.
The other action the administration should take to protect lands is to finalize protections, under the U.S. Forest Service, for America’s remaining mature and old growth forests. Mature trees are especially effective at removing carbon from the air and are one of Earth’s most important natural defenses against the climate crisis.
Lastly, the Biden-Harris administration should work with Congress to expand access to the outdoors for all Americans. That means doing what it takes
Presidential campaign ends on cruel notes
It seems to me that Tony Hinchcliffe, the podcast host and alleged “roast comedian” who warmed up the crowd at Donald Trump’s recent campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York, could have found a less gratuitously cruel way to get laughs than to call Puerto Rico a “float ing island of garbage.” Call me old-fashioned, but I long for the days when candidates spoke not only to their loyal base but also to those less ideologically committed to either party.
Yet there was Hinchcliffe, taking a snide swipe at Puerto Rico, home to 3 million American citizens and ancestral homeland of millions more Americans living on the mainland. By insulting them and others, he was aptly setting the tone for the last week of Trump’s presidential campaign (if, indeed, it is the last week — we’ve all witnessed the protracted drama he’s capable of should he lose an election).
We tend to expect the conclusion of a presidential race to be a time for each party’s nominee to move away from their most partisan positions and to appeal to the political middle. But not this year. More than ever, Trump and Co. are attempting to rile up his right wing populist base and are sparing no artillery in their culture war. At the New
York rally, speaker after speaker gloried in macho populism, peppering their speeches with swear words, xenophobic humor and, of course, misogyny galore. This final doubling-down could help Trump grab headlines and mobilize some existing supporters, although it’s hard to imagine this will bring in new
voters who already are turned off by some of the Republican presidential candidate’s rhetoric.
With the polls amazingly locked in a dead heat between Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, the ex-president and his campaign minions have lost all inhibitions. Trump at this stage, suppressing any appearance of desperation, looks remarkably liberated from the genteel rules of respectable society. And his supporters love him for it, even if it turns off others.
“It was too brotastic,” conservative commentator Megyn Kelly said of the Madison Square Garden rally.
What made Hinchcliffe’s act so distasteful was that it punched down, violating the ethos of comedy. And it wasn’t particularly clever, either. At another point, he picked a Black face out of the crowd and used the person as an opportunity to make a watermelon joke. Being funny is hard; merely offending, not so much.
Hardly anyone familiar with
the current cachet of edginess should be surprised that the Republican Party has adopted it as a campaign mode. Like a lot of people who hang around politicians and party operatives these days, I have become accustomed to insults, followed by the predictable admonishments to lighten up.
In contrast to Trump, last Sunday in Philadelphia, Harris promoted a new pledge to boost Puerto Rico’s economy. Her message, which was thoughtful and empathetic, connected with voters who care about the welfare of this U.S. territory. Puerto Rican musical artist Bad Bunny posted Harris’ video pledging to create more jobs on the beleaguered island and rebuild its hurricane-battered power grid to his 45 million-plus Instagram followers, and other Puerto Rican artists joined in.
The fundamental choice in this election is between the politics of solving problems for the common good and the politics of selective cruelty.
Rude and crude “bro politics” act out what The Atlantic writer Adam Serwer describes as “rejoicing in the suffering of those whom they hate and fear.”
That is from his new collection of essays, “The Cruelty Is the Point.” Americans deserve better politics than this. But to get it, we have to find the courage to stand up to cruelty wherever we see it.
The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
to pass the Explore Act and sign it into law. The bipartisan bill is a package of policies including the Outdoors for All Act and expansion of the Every Kid Outdoors program to make national parks and public lands accessible to more of America’s youth. The Explore Act would help close the nature equity gap and help kids, families, veterans and others enjoy nature. This president deserves our gratitude for how he has prioritized the climate, fighting pollution and land conservation. President Biden now has a little under three months to keep doing big things. We should push both his administration and Congress to keep doing big things. These times call for bold action. And the planet, places and people we love deserve nothing less. The writer is the executive director of the Sierra Club and a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
Sellars/Richmond
Clarence Page
Ben Jealous
Election Day should be a federal holiday
The man is tall, chocolate black, with a crown of silver hair. He cocks his head in some kind of way, like he is moving on purpose. If I go to the gym early, I see him walking down the block around 5:15. Sometimes we say, ‘hey’ to each other, sometimes we don’t. I don’t know his name.
One day, grinning, he walks up to me and hands me a coffee. “You look like the kind of lady who likes sugar and cream in her coffee,” he says. I don’t have the heart to tell him I’m a tea woman, so I accept the cup gratefully. We do the small talk thing, still not exchanging names and we easily fall into talk about the election. “Yeah, I’m gonna vote for her,” he says. “But I don’t understand why Election Day is not a holiday.”
“What do you mean,” I say. “Think about it. It’s a pain to vote on a Tuesday. You could vote absentee or something,” I say.
“Yeah, but our government could make voting a priority.” I’m still sipping the too-sweet coffee, late for the gym now. “Well, bro,” I say, “You have a point.” He does. Voting should be a celebration of democracy. We should have the day off, not just to celebrate that which brings us together. There should be civic education. Conversations, broadcasts, more. Election Day should be a recognition of what citizenship means. It should be joyful and prideful, a reinforcement of who we are. Those who know me well know that I don’t write these words easily. It has taken me a lifetime to appreciate our nation, despite its many flaws and virulent racism. I don’t pledge
the flag and have written about why the words of the “Pledge of Allegiance” gall me. But the flip side is that I live here. my people built this. I can have ambivalence about our origins, our history of enslavement, our unequal justice, and at the same time appreciate “the experiment” of democracy. Our so-called democracy has extremely imperfect origins.
Julianne Malveaux
First, only propertied white men had the right to vote. And the system of the Electoral College gave population rich California the same sway in voting as population poor Idaho or Rhode Island. And Black folks were denied the right to vote through racism and chicanery. One of the ways to get past all of that would be to celebrate elections and to ensure that every eligible person had the opportunity to
vote. I’m not sure that anything can “bring us together” but an election celebration might be a step in the right direction. It might remind us that no matter what divides us, the franchise binds us together. Neighbor and I bump fists and part as I marinate these thoughts. I hustle to the gym, bubbling with ideas, especially as this 2024 election, “the most consequential of our lifetime” is underway. No matter what happens, what we know is that our country is woefully divided, and for good reason. Predatory capitalists have no. shame about exploiting workers. Drug companies have no regrets about charging too much money for too many essential drugs. Profit is king in these United States, and some make a profit while others are profit fodder. Can anything bring us together?
I happen to think that a national celebration of voting
rights could be a step in the right direction. Cynic that I am, I realize the many flaws in this idea. Some people don’t want everyone to vote. Look at all the election suppression that we are experiencing. In some states people must travel miles to vote. In some states people are being purged from the polls, even though they are legally entitled to vote. But what if we made the right to vote a celebration, and confronted those who would deny the vote by reminding them that voting is our nation’s key value. Let’s embrace this first Tuesday in November as a celebration. Let’s make it a national holiday. Let’s use it as a day to look each other in the eye and say, “this is what we have in common.” Now you could roast me on a spit before I’d consider voting for the Orange Man or chatting up one of his supporters. But I think of Dr.
No basis for lawsuit against VUU over former hospital
The Richmond Free Press has provided extensive coverage of a lawsuit former City Councilman Sa’ad El-Amin has filed against Virginia Union University in a bid to prevent the demolition of the former Richmond Community Hospital.
The question is why.
The extensive publicity cannot paper over a major flaw in this legal action: El-Amin has no standing to sue the university.
Courts require a genuine controversy, in which the person suing has a direct interest that would be harmed or has suffered damage and has targeted an allegedly responsible defendant.
But El-Amin simply has a policy disagreement and is attempting to get the Richmond Circuit Court to intervene in support of his point of view, which is not supposed to be how our court system works.
El-Amin cannot claim any direct interest that a court could consider. He is not a graduate of VUU, a member of the school’s board or even a contributor, and even if he were, it is not clear he would have any right to challenge in
court a policy decision that was properly voted on by the board. Thus, this suit is just another arrow in the advocacy playbook and likely would be dismissed out of hand if it were actually to be scheduled for a hearing.
If the Free Press has reported accurately, El-Amin has even included a false claim in his suit, that VUU as a nonprofit cannot sell property for a for-profit purpose. This is flat out inaccurate. A private citizen; in any case; has no authority to enforce Internal Revenue Service rules, and it would be up to the IRS and not a Richmond court or a Richmond resident to determine if something was amiss.
But yes, nonprofits can sell personal or real property as they please, with the approval of their board of directors. The 990, the IRS report that nonprofits must file each year, provides a section to detail an organization’s sale of property.
So as long as any money received does not go into the pockets of the board members or executives and is used for the purpose of the organization—in this case scholarships or support of the organization—the sale would be
perfectly legitimate.
It is quite clear what is happening here: VUU is attempting to create a fresh stream of income beyond tuition, alumni donations and corporate and government grants. It is doing so by creating a plan to add value to an underused portion of its campus, with the direct aid and support of a private company that is willing to risk its capital to develop the land for housing and share some of the projected proceeds with the school.
You would think this was the devil’s work instead of a praise-worthy transaction. The announcement brought out people like Viola Baskervile caterwauling about a vacant building to which they had paid no attention until VUU and its partner came up with a plan to replace it with new homes and apartments.
Just like El-Amin, Baskerville and her advocacy group have not shown any willingness to put up a dime to rescue the vacant building, which has been available for reuse for decades.
When the Capital Area Health Network opened a health clinic on the VUU campus, did these fine folk offer to redo the old hospital so it could be CAHN’s
home? No. Did they work with the state or Richmond-Henrico health departments to see if the building might be reusable for a public health purpose? No.
Did they generate any funds so they could persuade VUU to sell the building so it could be used for a community benefit? No.
Remember, the great Sarah Garland Jones and other physicians engaged with that hospital received tribute only after Bon Secours, the Catholic health system that purchased Richmond Community Hospital, took the initiative to do so in Church Hill. Baskerville and El-Amin were not advocates for that.
Keeping a portion of a building’s façade to pay homage to the past has been done at the State Capitol and in a Highland Park apartment project. Proper markers on the site could detail the contributions of the physicians who founded and practiced there and of the people served.
Why VUU is putting up with all the noise and confusion is unclear, but the school has the right of it and should proceed with its plans.
JeRemy m. LazaRUS Richmond
Maya Angelou and her beautiful inaugural poem, “On the Pulse of Morning,” at the Clinton inauguration: Here, on the pulse of this new day You may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister’s eyes, and into Your brother’s face, your country And say simply Very simply With hope— Good morning. In the name of Maya, and Clinton,and the Bush family, and Washington, and Eisenhower, and so many more, all 47 presidents, can we cleave to each other with civility and decency and say, with hope, good morning. Let’s make Election Day a national holiday. And thank you, neighbor, for the idea. The writer is an economist and author.
College
athletes are getting paid and fans are starting to share the bill
By Eddie Pells The Associated Press
At Tennessee, they are adding a “talent fee”to the price of sports tickets. At Arkansas, they will charge 3% more at the concession stands. At Michigan and Michigan State, athletic directors sent letters alerting boosters that winning is going to start costing more. And, in a first, Clemson is going to start adding an athletic surcharge to tuition bills.
Winning at big-time college sports has never been free, but in a rapidly changing era in which players are allowed to earn money and be paid by their own schools, it has never been clearer that fans will be picking up a bigger part of the tab.
“College athletics hasn’t professionalized as much as I think it was capable of,” said Nels Popp, a University of North Carolina sports business professor who believes most schools still rely on fans’ emotional, long-held school ties more than bottom-line marketing strategies. “And now, I think this is forcing them in that direction.”
Colorado fans storm the playing field after Colorado’s
When the NCAA reluctantly approved payments to players for use of their names, images and likenesses (NIL) in 2021, boosters who used to give to schools and their athletic departments started funneling money to collectives — independent organizations that raised the money and paid the athletes. Those collectives are becoming more and more closely linked to the universities.
NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 21, in Boulder, Colo.
willing to pay between $3,000 and $4,000 for a new tranche of chairback seats, which are rare outside of club sections at The Big House.
Not all fans are signing on amid “donor fatigue”
Under terms of a $2.8 billion lawsuit settlement that is on track to take effect next year, the NIL deals will remain in full force and the schools themselves will be dealing with other multimillion-dollar changes to their bottom lines, including:
• Each school with the money to do it will be allowed to share as much as $22 million in annual revenue with athletes — money they get from tickets sales, TV contracts and other sources. They can share less, but top recruits will be front of mind in the arms race for talent.
• The amount the NCAA pays more than 350 Division I schools every year is going to drop. The organization is on the hook to cover some $1.2 billion in damages under the settlement and the rest will be covered by conferences that will see less money shared each year from the NCAA and its lucrative men’s basketball tournament.
• Schools will be allowed to offer more scholarships across all sports and that costs money. For instance, a school could offer up to 20 additional scholarships for a total of 105 in football. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said adding scholarships across sports could add $29 million in education costs to the department’s bottom line. And that’s on top of the revenue sharing.
“Maintaining a high level of support for our 29 NCAA athletic programs will take an elevated commitment from everyone,” Manuel wrote to Wolverines fans last month.
One possibility for Michigan might be placing advertising inside of Michigan Stadium, a practice the Wolverines have steadfastly avoided over the decades. The school also sent out a recent survey asking, among other questions, if fans were
Free Press staff report
Virginia Union University’s football team made history Saturday, Nov. 2, tying a 108year-old record by defeating Bluefield State University 91-0 at Hovey Stadium. This impressive victory not only matched the largest margin of victory in school history but also equaled the 1916 team’s 91-0 win over Saint Paul’s College.
The Panthers showcased their dominance with a staggering 687 total offensive yards, setting a new school record. The defense also made headlines by recording 166 interception return yards, breaking the previous record of 119 set against Virginia State University in 1973. Jaehlan Jordan returned an interception 58 yards for a touchdown, while William Davis tied for the second-longest interception return in school history with a 98-yard pick-six. James Porter holds the record for the longest interception return at 101 yards, achieved against Virginia State in 1973.
Virginia Union’s offense was explosive,
In 2023, it cost two fans an average of around $180 to attend a college football game and about $340 to go to an NFL game After all, college sports didn’t have to worry about the biggest expense on a pro team’s budget — player salaries.
NIL started chipping away at that, and once the terms of the lawsuit settlement go into effect, that dynamic will shift even more. Michigan State AD Alan Haller told Spartans fans his department’s 2025-26 budget will include between $25 million to $30 million in added expenses. “As a department, we will continue to explore new opportunities for both revenue generation and cost containment,” Haller said. “However, without a doubt, your continued generosity and involvement will be paramount to our quest for excellence.”
Some fans will undoubtedly keep writing checks to keep the players — and hopefully, the wins — coming, along with retaining their “rights” to buy a certain number of tickets for football games.
A tour around the parking lot before this season’s Michigan-Michigan State game found others who sounded more reluctant.
“The price of the education is out of hand,” said Michigan State fan Mike Bouchard, citing a more than $55,000 price for an out-of-state undergrad to attend his alma mater. “There’s absolutely no way I’m going to dig into my pocket over and above that amount. Tell them to use their hundreds of millions in endowments.”
“Absolutely not,” said Ann Arbor resident Michael Ketslakh when asked if he would give more to support Michigan athletics. “I think it’s excessive. It’s bad for the sports.”
Rick Karcher, the faculty athletics representative at Eastern
State
scoring a school-record 41 points in the second quarter alone. The Panthers’ victory propelled them into first place in the CIAA, improving their conference record to 6-0.
“We certainly didn’t try to run up the score,” said VUU Coach Alvin Parker. “But everybody earned the right to play today, and everybody got the reps they earned. I’ve been saying all year that we have so many guys who can play, so when they get the opportunity I want them to take advantage of it.”
Quarterback Mark Wright had a standout performance, completing 11 of 15 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns, while RJ Rosales connected on five of six attempts for 121 yards and two touchdowns. Reginald Vick Jr. was a key target, catching six passes for 192 yards and three touchdowns, with teammate Mykey Anderson adding two receptions for 113 yards.
The Panthers will conclude the 2024 regular season with a trip to Petersburg to face Virginia State University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9.
Michigan, said fans continue to pay because, unlike pro sports where everyone knows the profits go to billionaire owners, the economic models in college are often hard to nail down.
“College sports fans, students and boosters are willing to continue absorbing the operational costs while the team’s coaches and administrators get richer because they view athletics as separate from the university,” he said.
Schools look for other ways of absorbing higher costs
Earlier this fall, Texas Tech said it was budgeting $14.7 million for this fiscal year — about $9 million more than the previous year — in support for the athletic program, which has a budget of nearly $129 million.
“I think if any unit on this campus was facing a 20-something-percent cut in their revenue, we would have to look at how we might respond, and we will in this case,” school President Lawrence Schovanec explained.
Texas Tech is hardly alone in contributing to its athletic program, but not every school runs by the same model. At Florida, for instance, sports are run by the University Athletic Association, which not only has funded sports but has often given money back to the school.
A story in the student-produced Florida Independent Alligator said UF sports revenue was eighth highest in the nation; two of its biggest boosters have given eight-figure sums to the UAA’s fundraising arm.
Clearly, though, it’s not only eight-figure donations that will keep college sports running.
Tennessee was among the first to grab headlines early in the football season when AD Danny White said the school was adding a 10% “talent fee” for 2025 football ticket renewals. That was on top of a 4.5% hike in ticket prices.
“That connection between resources and competitiveness has never been tighter,” White said. “Only now we have the ability to share these resources with our athletes.”
At Arkansas, AD Hunter Yurachek explained the 3% fee on concessions in a letter to fans that noted the importance of continuing to “maximize additional revenue opportunities” At Clemson, which long prided itself on not charging fees or ticket prices to students, the plan is to raise between $7 million and $8 million by adding a $150 “athletic fee” per semester to the price of tuition. The Tigers have been to four national title games over the past decade and won it twice.
“I think it’s kind of ridiculous, but there comes a point when we have good enough sports teams that it’s kind of valid,” student Sam Gault told South Carolina’s WSPA-TV when the fee was unveiled earlier this month.
To win big, schools will have to pay big, and simply fielding a competitive team is no longer a given. The question hanging over college sports is where the money will come from.
“You can pay more for tickets, put a sponsor patch on the uniforms, cut non-revenue sports or (start calling) the Big 12, the ‘Dr. Pepper Conference,’” said Popp, the professor at North Carolina. “I don’t think fans are anxious for any of those, but what might they be willing to accept? I think that’s what athletic departments have to figure out.”
Grant earns CAA Defensive Player of the Week honors
AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File
overtime victory over Baylor in an
James Haskins/Richmond Free Press
Reginald
Carol Adams was accustomed to being woken at night by yelling and fighting from the next room—an almost nightly pattern. But on Dec. 30, 1980, that pattern took a darker turn. Instead of screams, she heard gunshots. Her mother was killed and her father served just 18 months of a seven-year prison sentence for the crime. That night, Adams and her sister were left to fend for themselves, but it did not break her spirit. Instead, it fueled her determination to make a difference.
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports that 1.3 million American women experience domestic violence annually, with Black women nearly three times more likely to die from it. Silence only worsens this cycle, as many face cultural pressures to stay quiet and have little trust in law enforcement to protect them.
“The reasons for domestic violence in the Black community are so complex,” Adams said.“It’s how our cake was baked—slavery, child abuse, male absenteeism, alcohol, drug use, untreated mental illness—it’s just more prevalent in our community.
As a police officer, Adams began to understand the dynamics and restrictions of the system. So in 2014, she founded the Carol Adams Foundation to help victims make and execute an exit plan.
“I provide a listening ear,” she said. “Victims have to get to that place where they have a plan. I can’t convince anyone to leave. I can only support them by providing resources because victims live in crisis. You can’t make a plan when you’re in crisis.”
Surviving the trauma of
Personality: Carol Adams
Spotlight on founder of the Carol Adams Foundation
domestic violence is also a struggle. Adams’ trauma is triggered by yelling and screaming. She’s learned to separate from the event until things calm down. It’s a nervous condition, but she relies on her coping skills, listens to healing music and practices mindfulness.
“One piece of the madness ended when my mother was killed,” she said. “The other piece was that my sister and I were left alone.”
Adams wanted to join the Air Force and become a pilot before her mother was killed.
She hasn’t given up on getting her pilot’s license and plans to pursue it. A self-described daredevil, Adams purchased a small, fast car. She travels extensively and relishes the fact that she has the resources to do the things she wants to do.
“I’m doing things for my mother and grandmother,” she said. “My grandmother had no running water and no electricity. My mother couldn’t do what she wanted to do because of the situation she was in, and she didn’t live long enough. At my core, I’m free.”
Meet a child survivor of domestic violence who helps victims and children make plans for a better life and this week’s
Personality, Carol Adams:
Volunteer position: Founder, Carol Adams Foundation (CAFI).
Occupation: Captain with Petersburg Bureau of Police.
Date and place of birth: July 10 in Emporia.
Where I live now: Petersburg.
Education: Bachelor’s in human resource management and leadership from the University
Family: Two daughters, one son and five grandchildren.
What is the Carol Adams Foundation: We are a nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide emergency assistance to victims of domestic violence. Through the foundation, women, men and children will have a temporary safety net that will enable them to live violence-free and have the opportunity to become self-sufficient.
When and why I founded: CAFI was established in April 2014 to provide aid to people in distress, emergency shelter, workforce development, emergency financial support, transitional housing, referral mental health support and children services.
Domestic violence is: Violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or co-
habitation Domestic violence is often used as a synonym for intimate partner violence, which is committed by one of the people in an intimate relationship against the other person, and can take place in relationships or between former spouses or partners. In its broadest sense, domestic violence also involves violence against children, parents, or the elderly. It can assume multiple forms, including physical, verbal, emotional, economic, religious, reproductive, financial, sexual or any combination of these.
Carol Adams Foundation partners: Project Give Back to the Community, Jesus Christ Church of Latter-Day Saints, VCU – Healthy Communities for Youth, Nehemiah House of Prayer, Reynolds Foundation, Mosque No. 24, Buffalo Soldiers of RVA, Tuskegee Airmen of RVA, Engine Company No. 9 & Associates, Broad Rock Baptist Church Women’s Ministry, Beauty Empire Richmond, Keeshae Jacobs Foundation, New Canaan International Church, Puttin Communities Together and referral partners such as the YWCA, Safe Harbor and James House.
Funding: We are funded 80% by the community.
Why Carol Adams Foundation continues to remain necessary since our founding 10 years ago: The relationships established during crisis afford us the opportunity to continue working with families on various levels. Our ongoing services for both parents and children are not restricted to a defined time.
The work continues beyond the crisis.
Free CAFI programs: Transportation assistance, transitional housing, emergency housing, clothing, furniture, groceries, emergency financial assistance, parenting classes, support group sessions and Children services, including out-of-school activities. We also provide court ordered services for children and adults, workforce development assistance and domestic violence training consulting worldwide.
Our No. 1 goal or project: Build a campus on 20 acres of land and multipurpose building for housing and programs.
No. 1 challenge: Having our own property and facility.
How I’ve seen the Carol Adams Foundation impact lives: Rebuilding confidence in those who we assist, the transition from crisis to empowered, and employed, broadened experiences for both children and parents.
How to volunteer with the Carol Adams Foundation: Visit our website or call (804) 218-2866.
How to get immediate help: Email us at c afoundation@ icloud.com or call (804) 2182866.
Upcoming event details: Ten year anniversary celebration of the Carol Adams Founda-
tion, Inc. on Nov. 23 at 3300
Broad Rock Blvd. from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
How I start the day: Morning meditation, thankful prayer, no calls, texts, or emails.
Three words that best describe me: Optimistic, adventurous and empathetic.
If I had 10 extra minutes in the day: I’d spend it trying to help with a community-based project.
Best late-night snack: Kiwi. Top three on my playlist: Greg Amos, Black Violins and Madison Kelly.
Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Race car driving Words that inspire me: “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou. At top of my “to-do” list: Continue serving God and the people he called the least of them.
Best thing my parents taught me: Make every second count — tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Person who influenced me the most: My grandmother, Mary D. Powell.
Most influential book: “The Shack” William P. Young. What I’m reading now: “The Rewired Brain” by Margaret Rukstalis and A.J. Gregory. Next goal: Bachelor’s in aviation.
of Richmond.
‘Dirt Don’t Burn’ author to speak on Black education under segregation
By Paula Phounsavath
Author Larry Roeder will discuss Virginia’s history of segregated schooling on Nov. 14 at the Library of Virginia, highlighting his book “Dirt Don’t Burn” and Black communities’ pursuit of educational equality in Northern Virginia.
years for Loudoun County to gradually provide equal education for all children, Black and white.”
Loudoun County, often viewed as progressive and affluent, is no exception to the history of Black segregation, FitzgeraldWyatt noted.
The discussion will conclude the Library’s Carole Weinstein Author Series for the season. “Dirt Don’t Burn,” published last November and co-authored by Barry Harrelson, takes its title from a story shared by a former teacher who tried to heat her classroom without wood or coal. She explained to Roeder that “dirt is not fuel.”
The book addresses systemic racism against African Americans in Loudoun County, where Black students were denied educational opportunities from enslavement through 1968, when school integration was implemented.
“Dirt Don’t Burn” is important to read and share because it shows the value of learning about people who are different,” Roeder said. “It can reduce violence and show that beneath our skin color and personal practices, we are all human beings.”
Roeder leads the Edwin Washington Society, formerly the Edwin Washington Project, a research effort preserving newly discovered archives from Loudoun County schools documenting African American experiences. This work draws on forgotten
records, NAACP archives and educational philanthropy records. Roeder’s team was given the task by then-Superintendent Edgar Hatrick to research Black education history in Loudoun County leading up to 1968. While Roeder does not consider himself an “expert on Black history,” his experiences in segregated schools in South Carolina and Georgia, along with witnessing white resistance to integration, inform his perspective.
“The book is the effort of a team, of whom I am most proud,” he said. “We were telling a unique history of segregated schools in one community dating back to the Civil War, a story important to Loudoun and to communities across the nation where this history has been lost or denied.”
“Dirt Don’t Burn” continues the Library’s exploration of Virginia’s resistance to school integration. In September, the Library hosted the 60th anniversary of Brunswick High School’s integration with a panel featuring the “Brunswick 15,” students involved in that historic event.
“It’s in the same vein, looking at the repercussions and after-effects of Brown v. Board of Education,” said Catherine Fitzgerald-Wyatt, the Library of Virginia’s director of education and outreach. “This is another example in Virginia where, after the Brown decision, it took several
Lewis Ginter showcases Indian traditions
“One of the good things today is that the Edwin Washington Project is engaging [Loudoun] county students with this larger history,” she said.
Roeder also noted the presence of the Ku Klux Klan and white nationalists in Loudoun County’s segregated school history.
“When the former Ashburn Colored School was being restored, it was terribly vandalized,” he said. “But to the county’s credit, citizens across the political spectrum gathered at the schoolhouse to help erase the offensive graffiti.”
The talk will be moderated by Nathan Bailey of the Edwin Washington Project.
Fitzgerald-Wyatt hopes attendees will appreciate the power of community.
“The takeaway is thinking about community impact,” she said. “Hopefully, people will leave inspired to see what stories might be hidden in their own communities and help bring them to light.”
A book signing will follow the talk. The event is free, but registration is required at va.virginia.gov/public/weinstein.
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden hosted a celebration of Diwali on Saturday, Oct. 26, drawing visitors to experience India’s festival of lights. The event, “Diwali at the Garden,” offered a cultural immersion through music, dance, art and cuisine, embracing Diwali’s symbolic victory of light over darkness.
The festivities included performances by Bollywood dancers, a Bharatanatyam showcase by Priti Patil and her students, and traditional folk dances from Rajasthan. Prabir Mehta and his trio entertained guests with local music, while Anirudh Cheruvu delivered a spirited Bollywood performance to close the evening.
Free Press staff report
The Professionals Reaching Out to the Community Foundation. (PROC) will host its 28th Annual Beautillion on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The event, themed “Young Men Built for Success … The Legacy Lives On,” will present four young men who have completed the foundation’s program.
This year’s participants include Joshua Foster Thompson, a senior at Highland Springs High School and son of Yolonda Thompson and Eugene Christian, escorted by Jordan Williams; Tyler Anthony Haslam, a junior at Surry County High School and son of Kimora Porter and Anthony Haslam, escorted by Amara Ferebee; Daniel Nii Jones-Quartey, a senior at L.C. Bird High School and son of Daniel and Akosua Jones-Quartey, escorted by Danaesha Neal; and Chase Alexander Nelson, a junior at Clover Hill High School and son of Cedric and Tamara Nelson, escorted by J’adore F. Cadet.
The black-tie event also will include the presentation of edu cation and book scholarships to those who excelled throughout the eight-month Beautillion program.
For more information on this year’s event or to apply for the 2025 Beautillion, contact Brenda J. Foster at beautillion@procfoundation. org. Applications are available on the PROC Foundation’s website, www.procfoundation.org, and are due by March 30, 2025.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/richmond Free Press
Larry Roeder
Above, Prabir Mehta and his trio perform
at Diwali at the Garden, at Lewis Ginter
Botanical Garden. Right, Henna artist
Shikha Gupta applies a tattoo on Windell Camacho. Below, Rangoli art displayed at
Faith Forum bridges faith, environmental action
Free Press staff report
A two-day Faith Forum took place Oct. 16-17 in Richmond, bringing together spiritual leaders and environmental experts to equip religious communities with tools to address climate change.
The event, co-hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Church in the Public Square, Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond, Union Presbyterian Seminary and Virginia Interfaith Power and Light, occurred as Virginia grappled with the aftermath of recent extreme weather events.
“Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a moral one,” said Faith Harris, executive director of Virginia Interfaith Power and Light.
Keynote speakers Norman Wirzba and Melanie Harris explored how spiritual leaders could motivate their communities to embrace environmental justice and stewardship.
Ann Jurczyk of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation emphasized the urgency of the gathering. “As climate threats intensify, it’s crucial for faith leaders to guide their communities in building resilience,” she said.
The forum was held at Second Presbyterian Church on Oct. 16 and Union Presbyterian Seminary on Oct. 17, offering participants a chance to network and develop practical strategies for a more sustainable future. Organizers hoped the event would spark a new wave of climate activism rooted in faith communities across Virginia.
River Road Church welcomes Amanda Tyler for discussion on religious liberty
Free Press staff report
Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty (BJC), will present “How to End Christian Nationalism” on Sunday, Nov. 24, as part of River Road Church’s Distinguished Lecture Series. The event, scheduled from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 8000 River Road, will address the rising tide of Christian nationalism and offer an essential guide for Christians seeking ways to counter this ideology. Tyler, known for her work leading BJC’s Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign and as co-host of the “Respecting Religion” podcast, will draw from her
book to discuss how her faith, conversations with church leaders, research and Baptist convictions inform her approach to opposing Christian nationalism. Her visit to Richmond is one of several stops on her book tour for “How to End Christian Nationalism.” The lecture is free and open to the public, with a suggested donation of $10. Books will be available for purchase before and after the presentation. A churchwide supper will be held before the lecture, but Spread the word Richmond Free Press 804-644-0496
Riverview Baptist Church
earlier that day at 11 a.m. Free parking is available across River Road and behind the church.
From left, forum participants, Virginia Interfaith Power and Light Director Faith Harris, Ann Jurczyk, Virginia Urban Restoration Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Melanie Harris, professor of Black Feminist Thought and Womanist Theology from Wake Forest University; Norman Wirzba, professor of Christian theology and ecology at Duke University; and Hannah Garrity from Second Presbyterian Church of Richmond.
Virginia State dominates Lincoln University in 55-0 shutout
Free Press staff report
The Virginia State University football team scored over 30 points for the fourth straight game, shutting out Lincoln University 55-0 on Nov. 2.
The Lions received the opening kickoff and managed one first down before the Trojans defense forced a punt. On VSU’s first drive, it took only six plays for Jimmyll Williams to cap off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, making it 7-0. On Lincoln’s next possession, a third-and-16 resulted in quarterback Isiah Freeman being sacked and fumbling, which KJ McNeil recovered for a touchdown—VSU’s first defensive touchdown of the year. The Trojans defense forced a three-and-out on the following drive, with the punt setting up the offense at the Lions’ 41-yard line.
On the ensuing drive, it took five plays for Romelo Williams to find Malik Hunter in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown. Another three-andout by the Lions gave VSU the ball back with 42 seconds left in the first quarter. Williams connected with Hunter for a 17-yard catch-and-run before rushing 23 yards for a touchdown, leaving just one second on the clock. After Joshua Campbell’s fourth successful PAT, the score stood at 28-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Lincoln struggled on offense, giving VSU the ball back on their own 2-yard line after a blocked
punt by Jeffery Wilson, who also recovered the ball. Following a false start and a negative rushing play, R. Williams found Kevin Gayles wide open in the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 35-0. On the Trojans’ next offensive possession, J. Williams scored his second 1-yard touchdown run, although Campbell missed his first extra point of the season, making it 41-0. That would be the halftime score, as VSU outgained Lincoln 323-11 in the first half.
To start the third quarter, Rahsaan Matthews Jr. scored his first collegiate touchdown with a 23yard catch-and-run from Marquis Smith. Lincoln finally crossed midfield on their last drive of the third quarter but turned the ball over on downs. On the first drive of the fourth quarter, VSU’s offense began to use up the clock, taking nearly six minutes off before Matthews Jr. found Khali Coward for his first career receiving touchdown. From that point, the Trojans focused on running the ball while the defense continued to limit Lincoln’s opportunities.
On 46 plays, Lincoln averaged just 1.1 yards per play and totaled 52 yards, compared to VSU’s average of 7.2 yards. With this victory, the Trojans improved to 6-3 overall and 5-1 in the conference, setting up next week’s crucial matchup against Virginia Union University. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, and can be streamed on HBCU Go.
Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities
It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a non-resident oof the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 21st day of November, 2024 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests.
MELVIN,
A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask
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 non-resident oof the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 21st day of November, 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 JOSE BALTHAZAR PEREZ, Plaintiff v. BLANCA GIRALDO GIRALDO, Defendant. Case No.: CL24002947-00 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 26th day of November, 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 THOMAS STUTZ, Plaintiff v. NORA STUTZ, Defendant. Case No.: CL23002461-00 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 2nd day of December, 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 CUSTODY
VIRGINIA: IN THE JUVENILE AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS DISTRICT COURT OF THE
The City of Richmond announces the
CITY OF RICHMOND Commonwealth of Virginia, in re TREASURE LEE FORD RDSS v. TRACEY LEE FORD, MICHAEL JAMES STRASBURG, JR., UNKNOWN FATHER
Case No. JJ104334-02-00, JJ104334-03-00, JJ104334-04-00
ORDER OF PUBLICATION
The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights {“TPR”) of Tracey Lee Ford (Mother) Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) & Unknown Father (Father) of Treasure Lee Ford, child DOB 7/28/2024, child.
“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 defendants Tracey Lee Ford (Mother), Michael James Strasburg, Jr. (Father) & Unknown Father to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 12/09/2024, at 10:30 A.M, COURTROOM #4
ESTATE VIRGINlA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF HENRICO COUNTY In Re: Estate of Shirley Leon Bryson, Deceased CL24-7039 SHOW CAUSE ORDER It appearing that a report of the accounts of Tony A. Bryson, Sr., Administrator of the estate of Shirley Leon Bryson, deceased, and the debts and demands against such estate has been filed with the Clerk’s Office, and that six months have elapsed since qualification, on motion of the personal representative. it is ORDERED that the creditors of, and all others interested in, the estate, show cause, if any they can, at 9:00 am on the 2nd day of December, 2024, before this Court against the payment and delivery of the estate to the persons thereunto entitled, without refunding bonds. An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk
project(s) available for services relating to: IFB No. 250005333: Texas Beach Pedestrian Bridge Rehabilitation (ARPA)
For all information pertaining to this IFB, please logon to the Richmond website (www.rva.gov).
Bid Due Date: November 25, 2024/Time:
The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process. The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: 240009115 - IFB - Tredegar Street UPC 117943 construction award # 501097, project #107951 For
Chris Waugaman
Defensive end Mustapha Coly and offensive lineman Gabe Navarro celebrate a key play during in a recent game.