Richmond Free Press January 12-14, 2023 edition

Richmond Free Press

Bon Secours opens new East End medical facility

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A battered Bon Secours Mercy Health is promising increased investments in health care in Richmond’s East End in pushing back against critics claiming the giant health care system has diverted savings on expensive drugs away from the community to wealthier areas.

Michael Lutes, president of Bon Secours Richmond, on Tuesday dismissed the criticism as inaccurate and misplaced as he outlined plans to expand services under the banner of “Community Today, Community Tomorrow: Pathway to Wellness in the East End.”

During the next three years, Mr. Lutes said Bon Secours plans to build an urgent care center to treat people outside the emergency room as part of the plan that he said grew out of 60 community meetings, a community survey and input from nonprofit partners and physicians.

While he would not project a price tag, Mr. Lutes said the plan also calls for expanding or adding services in 12 specialty areas ranging from heart disease to stomach disorders at Bon Secours’ main outpost in the area, Richmond Community Hospital, and finally installing a new MRI imaging system at the hospital to replace one that is constantly in need of repair.

The promise of bolstered health care highlighted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the latest addition to the hospital campus, a $16.5 million, two-story office building where 147 nurses, social workers, physicians and other employees started to work Wednesday.

Former struggling student becomes RPS Teacher of the Year

By Holly Rodriguez

When Christal Corey was struggling academically through her seventh grade year, a comment from a classmate changed her mindset.

“‘You’re stupid,’ he said to me, and I told him that I wasn’t and that I would prove him wrong,” she said.

And she did. Ms. Corey said her grades improved and she went on to flourish through high school and college, and continues to do so as a teacher. Last Friday, the science and civics teacher at Franklin Military Academy became the Richmond Public Schools 2023 Teacher of the Year.

This isn’t the first time she has been recognized for teaching excellence. She received an R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence in 2021.

Ms. Corey follows a family legacy of working in educationher great grandmother and grandfather were both teachers and her mother, father and sister all work for RPS. Despite coming from a line of teachers, she said it was not her first career choice.

“I wanted to be a physical therapist,” she said. But working one-on-one with a student at Matoaca Middle School in 2014 helped her realize her passion for teaching.

Status of upcoming congressional election still unknown

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A federal judge could decide next week whether to halt the snap election to replace the late Congressman A. Donald McEachin.

Judge Roderick Young is to consider on Wednesday, Jan. 18, whether the state-sanctioned Democratic nomination process that resulted in Richmond state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan becoming the party’s candidate violated the federal constitution and the Voting Rights Act as at least seven plaintiffs have alleged.

The general election faceoff between Sen. McClellan and Republican Leon Benjamin Sr. in the 4th Congressional District is currently set for Tuesday, Feb. 21, under an order that Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin issued in mid-December in a bid to quickly fill the seat that became vacant following Congressman McEachin’s death on Nov. 28.

But Judge Young could prevent that from happening if he finds significant merit in the claims of the plaintiffs, who include Paul Goldman, former chair of the state Democratic Party, and Tavorise K. Marks, a businessman and one of the three candi-

Broken promises

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

City Hall policies apparently are made to be ignored.

At the top of the list is one Mayor Levar M. Stoney promised would be a constant when he first campaigned for office.

In running in 2016, he vowed to put the city’s fiscal house in order and deliver the annual comprehensive financial report (ACFR) on time – in contrast to the situation under his predecessor, Mayor Dwight C. Jones, who delivered the report late three years in a row.

Until this year, Mayor Stoney has kept that promise. But the ACFR for the 2021-22 fiscal year that ended June 30 has yet to be produced with audited details of the city’s revenue, spending and surplus.

dates whom Sen. McClellan defeated in the Democratic “firehouse” primary.

The defendants, including Gov. Youngkin and members of the state Board of Elections, have until Monday, Jan. 16, to provide a written response ahead of the hearing.

Mr. Goldman initially filed the suit in seeking to defend voting rights. The case is now in the hands of Charlotte County attorney John Janson, who has alleged in an amended complaint that the rushed state-sanctioned nomination process resulted in the denial of the rights of thousands of citizens to participate.

Gov. Youngkin set the date for the general election and then gave the major parties and independents just 11 days to file paperwork to make the ballot.

Last Friday, superintendent Jason Kamras, RPS School Board Chair Stephanie Rizzi and Vice-Chair Cheryl Burke joined Franklin Military Principal David Hudson and Assistant Principal Dr. Jennifer Smith to recognize Ms. Corey’s achievement.

“It is an honor and privilege to serve all of you,” Ms. Corey said during a tearful address to the students, teachers, staff and guests at the event. “Thank you to my colleagues for seeing the best in me.”

She told the Richmond Free Press that watching her father, who has worked for RPS for 24 years, set the ground work for developing her own passion for the profession.

“I watched my dad work and saw the impact on students,” she said. “I wanted to be able to give that to my community and wanted to help steer students in the right direction.”

Looking toward the future, Ms. Corey is thinking beyond the classroom for her career. “I would like to become a curriculum specialist and help other teachers become better teachers,” she said.

As Teacher of the Year for RPS, Ms. Corey will represent the district as one of 15 localities in the Virginia Department of Education’s regional competition.

Legislators told to ‘buckle up’ for fast-paced session Abortion, gun control and voting rights among top issues

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

A sharply divided General Assembly was gaveled back into session Wednesday for a potentially contentious 46 days. Highlights of the session will include debates, at least in committee, on a potential ban on abortion to authorizing retail sales of marijuana, reinstating the death penalty and raising the minimum wage.

How much of this legislation will get to the floor in both chambers remains uncertain in an election year when all 140 seats will be on ballot in November and every district has been renumbered and transformed by the redistricting resulting from the 2020 Census.

Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin has urged lawmakers to “buckle up because we are going to go fast,” but most observers believe the legislative product is likely to be slim given that Democrats now hold a four-vote majority in the Senate and

Lincoln Saunders, the city’s chief administrative officer, told City Council at it’s Dec. 12 meeting the ACFR was in the process of being completed.

However, he has not set a date for presentation. So far, council has not publicly expressed any concern over the delay.

City Hall has not responded to Free Press requests for information on the ACFR.

However, the council has voted at the mayor’s request to allocate $18 million of a still uncertain surplus to provide a refund to property owners on real estate taxes.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, two insiders in the Finance Department told the Free Press that the staff led by Sheila White started working Dec. 19 with the outside auditors on account reconciliations. In previous years, the reconciliation of accounts, they said, started in August after the close of the books.

As of Dec. 19, the insiders said that a first draft of the ACFR had not been completed, noting that four or five drafts are usually required before the final version is published.

Another policy that appears to have been quietly dumped involves the city’s contributions to Richmond Public Schools.

The

• Thursday, Jan. 12 & Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside

Women, Infants and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. - Fulton Neighborhood Resource Center, 1519 Williamsburg Road.

*Wednesday, Jan. 18, 8 to 10 a.m. - Eastern Henrico Rec

Center Pavilion, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave.

Call the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for more information on testing sites, or go online at vax.rchd.com.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid19-testing-sites.

Sen. McClellan and Jerome Legions Jr.

Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

Joey Trapani, center, COO of Bon Secours Community Hospital, conducts the official ribbon-cutting with Cynthia Newbille, City Council representative for the 7th District in Richmond’s East End. They are joined by others from the community, elected officials and surrounding health care systems employees.

Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

Christal Corey, a civics and science teacher at Franklin Military Academy, beams after learning she is the 2023 Richmond Public Schools Teacher of the Year on Jan. 6.

RRHA’s parking pass

The city’s housing authority this week gained a boost from City Council as it prepares to move its headquarters from Gilpin Court to a 600 E. Broad St. office building in Downtown.

The council Monday night unanimously approved a parking lease agreement that will provide the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority with 82 spaces in two city-owned parking garages on East Marshall street.

The vote ensures RRHA will have adequate parking for staff after the move.

RRHA has long been headquartered at 901 Chamberlayne Parkway. RRHA decided to move last year after determining the building needed extensive renovation and also to be closer to policy- and decision-makers at City Hall.

The Free Press had reported RRHA would move into another building, 730 E. Broad St., based on incorrect information provided by RRHA’s board of commissioners. RRHA spokeswoman Angela Fountain said that 730 E. Broad had been considered before 600 E. Broad became the choice.

Henrico Ministers’ Conference to host MLK celebration

Free Press staff report

Judge Roderick C. Young, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia, is the guest speaker for the 37th Annual Henrico County Commemoration Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The program is 9 a.m. Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 8775 Mt. Olive Ave. in Glen Allen. The program, sponsored by the Henrico Ministers’ Conference & Vicinity, will be live-streamed and available via Facebook and YouTube.

For more information, please email Rev. Zynora D. Manson, HMCV president, at zdmansonfulltone9@gmail.com.

MLK Holiday Closings 2023

In observance of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday on Monday, Jan. 16, please note the following:

City and county public schools: Closed

Government

Federal offices: Closed

State offices: Closed

Richmond City offices: Closed Chesterfield County offices: Closed Henrico County offices: Closed Hanover County offices: Closed

Courts State courts: Closed Federal courts: Closed

Libraries

Richmond City: Closed Chesterfield County: Closed Henrico County: Closed Hanover County: Closed

Banks, credit unions and other financial institutions: Closed

U.S. Postal Service: No delivery

Trash pickup: Regular trash pickup

Central Virginia Waste Management Authority recycling: Regular pickup

Department of Motor Vehicles customer service centers: Closed

Virginia ABC stores: Normal hours

Malls, major retailers, movie theaters: Varies; inquire at specific locations.

GRTC: Buses will operate on a Sunday schedule with no Express service

Richmond Free Press offices: Closed Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

Corrections

• Dr. Charletta H. Barringer-Brown is not the dean of Virginia Union University’s Evelyn Reid Syphax School of Education, as reported in the Jan. 5-7 edition of the Richmond Free Press. The Free Press obtained its information from an announcement on the homepage of VUU’s website. That information was removed from VUU’s website earlier this week.

• The Congressional 4th District special election is Feb. 21. In the Jan. 5-7 edition, Feb. 23 was incorrectly given as the date of the special election.

The Free Press regrets the errors.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Accrediting body imposes warning on VUU

By Debora Timms

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) placed Virginia Union University on warning last month. According to a disclosure statement issued on Dec. 9, 2022, the step was taken after a determination of non-compliance with core requirements relating to board governance and financial documentation, as well as several standards that address administrative effectiveness in reporting student outcomes and the university’s financial and program responsibilities under Title IV.

As the recognized regional accrediting body in 11 states, SACSCOC’s works to “assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.” SACSCOC President Belle S. Wheelan confirmed that VUU was placed on warning, but also noted that the university is still accredited.

Accreditation is important for several

reasons. It ensures the quality of the educational programs colleges and universities deliver. It also is required in order to receive federal funds for higher education, including student financial aid and research funds. Accreditation, or lack thereof, can also affect students’ ability to transfer credits to another institution or gain acceptance into certain graduate schools and professional organizations.

In order to be removed from warning, Dr. Wheelan said that VUU must correct the deficiencies or make satisfactory progress toward compliance. If it does not, the SACSCOC can take further action that could include probation or removal from membership.

Dr. Hakim J. Lukas, VUU’s president and CEO, addressed the warning in a

statement issued to the Virginia Union community last month. In it, Dr. Lukas acknowledged that there had been issues with submitting its annual audit on time.

“The University accepts the fairness of this action, and we have committed that all future audits will be filed on time. To accomplish this, we will be expanding our Business Affairs Office to accommodate the University’s significant growth,” his statement reads in part. “In addition, our leadership team is reviewing all internal processes to make sure they demonstrate the speed, rigor, and commitment to compliance that our stakeholders expect.”

Dr. Lukas said these steps should help bring VUU into full compliance by its next review in December.

VCU’s medical college benefitted from slavery Report documents ‘a troubled and problematic past’

By Debora Timms

Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine “profited in both concrete and indirect ways from slavery,” according to a university-commissioned report released last month.

Founded as part of Hampden-Sydney College in 1838, it became an independent institution in 1854 known as the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). Tax lists and census data show that MCV owned or rented enslaved laborers who cooked, cleaned, did laundry, maintained buildings and even helped to procure bodies— primarily from African-American burial grounds.

“Although they rarely receive any mention in college records, these enslaved

individuals played key roles in maintaining the institution,” New York University professor Peter J. Wosh wrote in the 74-page report. And they did so “within an institutional culture that denied their humanity.”

The report was commissioned by VCU following legislation in 2021 that required the five pre-Civil War public colleges to examine their historical involvement with slavery, to commemorate the lives of enslaved people and to develop programs that will benefit individuals and communities with connections to enslaved labor.

In a statement posted on Dec. 9, 2022, VCU president Michael Rao said that while the report’s findings were “expected, they remain harrowing and disturbing.” He went on to outline some of the ongoing

efforts the university is undertaking to address past wrongs. In 2020, the university began removing names and symbols that commemorate the Confederacy from its buildings and grounds, including last year’s renaming of the Department of African American Studies’ building to Gabriel’s House, in honor of an enslaved Richmond man who organized a rebellion in 1800 trying to end slavery in Virginia.

A special commission has been created to determine VCU’s next steps in further pursuing “healing and efforts at reconciliation.”

MLK Day celebration in Petersburg to include special proclamation

By Holly Rodriguez

A special program honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 50th anniversary of the city declaring a holiday in the slain civil rights leader’s name, begins 3 p.m., Jan.15 at the Petersburg Public Library, 201 W. Washington St.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Barrye L. Price, retired president and chief operating officer of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), will be the guest speaker. A military graduate of the University of Houston’s College of Business Administration, he also has a master’s degree in history from Texas A&M Uni-

versity. When Maj. Gen. Price earned a doctorate degree at Texas A&M in 1997, he was the first African-American to obtain a doctorate from that department.

The MLK Day program will include a musical performance from local soul music artist Rodney Stith.

The first 100 people to arrive will receive a commemorative gift, according to program organizers.

In addition, a proclamation will be made Jan. 17 recognizing the city’s 1973 City Council, which was one of the first localities in Virginia to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a holiday for city employees. The holiday was designated to begin Jan.

15 of that year, in honor of the civil rights icon’s birthday. City council members that year included Mayor Hermanze Fauntleroy, Vice Mayor Donald Houser, Councilwoman Florence Farley, Councilman Roy Hines, Councilman Clyde Johnson, Councilman John Slate and Councilman John VanLandingham.

The federal holiday recognizing Dr. King did not pass until 1986, following decades of work by his wife, Coretta Scott King.

For more information, contact Joanne Williams at jwilliams@petersburg-va.org or (804) 347-3321.

FEATURED GUESTS

The Department of General Services continues work to excavate and construct a tunnel between the new General Assembly Building and the Capitol’s subterranean visitor center that opened in 2007. As shown in this Jan. 7 photo, construction continues on the GAB on the northwestern corner of Capitol Square as well. During the renovation, the Capitol building remains open to the public, but the closure affects the Capitol complex’s Meriwether Café, gift shop, exhibit area, press room and two meeting rooms.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

CHARLAMAGNE

Dr. Lukas

Dr. Wheelan

Hundreds of Students. Millions in Scholarships.

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Students can learn more and apply at DominionEnergy.com/EquityScholarships.

Bon Secours opens new East End medical facility

Continued from A1

The ceremony came just two days before a planned community session the Richmond Coalition of Health Equity, an arm of Richmond Together, was to hold at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, to continue pressing Bon Secours to invest even more in health care in the East End.

The coalition was created in the wake of a New York Times exposé last year that claimed that Bon Secours was taking tens of millions in savings on drug prices provided through a federal program called 340B and collected through Richmond Community and spending them on operations in the suburban neighborhoods. Bon Secours has denied the claim and cited exaggerations and misstatements in the article.

“It’s a great day,” 7th District City Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille enthused to the audience of 120 people as she took part in ceremonially opening the new building.

Paying homage to the “21 African-American physicians without whom Richmond Community would not be here,” Ms. Newbille also noted that the hospital probably would not be in the community had Bon Secours not purchased it in 1995.

“I thank you for keeping your word and delivering on your commitment to develop a comprehensive wellness plan” based on community stakeholders, she said, before adding, “You said you would do that and we look forward to continuing to work with you as you implement it.”

Bryan Lee, Richmond Community Hospital’s president, acknowledged the building that sits across the street from the hospital on Nine Mile Road had taken longer to bring to fruition than anticipated.

However, as he and others noted, the investment is double the value of Bon Secours’ original development promise that dates back to 2013.

The East End medical office building was a key element of a deal Bon Secours made with the city to gain naming rights and space in the Washington Commanders training camp near

the Science Museum and control of the former Westhampton School property in the West End.

The long-awaited addition houses the East End’s first outpatient therapy program for adults with mental illness and substance abuse issues, complementing the in-patient psychiatric services offered in the hospital. Of the 104 beds, 40 are set aside for psychiatric care, Bon Secours has reported.

The new building also contains an outpatient clinic that offers vaccinations and other wellness and prevention services through Bon Secours’ Instructive Visiting Nurse Association arm.

The remainder of the space provides offices for Bon Secours pastoral care education team, community health team, home health and hospice teams and also provide space for tele-consult and intake services.

Mr. Lee called the building tangible evidence of the Bon Secours’ “commitment to improving the health and well-being of residents in the East End” since the nonprofit health system in 1995 purchased the hospital that Black physicians led by Dr. Sarah Garland Jones founded in 1907 next door to Virginia Union University.

He described the new building as “a highly anticipated milestone for this community. Over the past 27 years we’ve served this community. We’ve been a catalyst for positive change, job creation, and neighborhood revitalization in the East End.”

Started last February, the building required fast-paced construction to get it completed in just 10 months to meet a city-imposed deadline. Designed and supervised by Baskervill architects, the team of Gilbane Building and Davis Brothers Construction Co. got the building done and secured the temporary occupancy permit from the city on Dec. 28.

Along with the new building, Mr. Lutes said Bon Secours plans to increase “cardiology, endocrine, general surgery and oncology services” this year and begin adding or reviving specialty services for the brain, kidneys, lungs and stomach over th next two years. Dr. Leanne Yanni, the new medical director,

also is looking to reinstate a gynecology and obstetrics program that could allow East End women to deliver there.

She as well as Mr. Lutes noted that the critics are ignoring the high marks that Richmond Community has received from a respected national group called Leapfrog for the care it provides and are falsely claiming that services like heart care have been removed.

However, Bon Secours has no plans to reinstate an intensive care unit, Mr. Lutes said, though that is a key demand of advocates and critics who claim the ICU’s closure in 2017 led to cutbacks in other specialties.

Overall, the groundbreaking could only be considered a positive for Bon Secours as it continues to vigorously defend its use of 340B savings, calling them critical to providing services both in the East End and in other underserved communities in the larger Richmond market area.

One area in which Bon Secours is succeeding is on its efforts to counter alleged exaggerations included with the New York Times article. According to data from Bon Secours and Virginia Health Information, Bon Secours generated $46 million and $56 million a year in savings from 340B from 2019 to 2022, far short of the $100 million the New York Times claimed Bon Secours received. In addition, Bon Secours reported reserves of $900 million in 2019, not the $9 billion that was reported by the New York Times.

Mr. Lutes said Bon Secours uses Richmond Community as a convenient accounting vehicle for 340B savings generated through its entire system. He said that St. Mary’s and other hospitals also qualify as 340B facilities. He said the 104-bed Richmond Community only generates about $1.25 million in 340B savings because of its low patient load and would be shown as a money-losing operation if accounting for 340B were moved to another hospital.

Legislators told to ‘buckle up’ for fast-paced session Abortion, gun control and voting rights among top issues

Continued from A1

Republicans have a four-vote majority in the House.

Democrats in the Senate benefitted when Aaron Rouse flipped a previously Republican Senate in Virginia Beach in a special election Tuesday, giving them an extra vote and a cushion in defending a wide range of previous reforms on gun control, voting rights and a host of other issues.

In other words, items without bipartisan support in both houses are likely to end up being canned in one house or the other rather than advanced, no matter how worthy

As one observer put it, “This is a session that could see a lot of sound and fury, but little in the way of results.”

Abortion is a top example of an issue likely to get prime-time attention but go nowhere. The governor put the issue front-andcenter in calling on the legislature to criminalize abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

However, even Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert of Woodstock believes there is little chance of getting the Democratic-controlled Senate to go along with increased restrictions on women’s reproduction rights.

The 22-member Virginia Legislative Black Caucus made it clear in a press release that much of their work this session will involve protecting the changes that have been instituted, ranging from early voting and same-day voter registration to protection of women’s rights on health care and limits on guns sales.

For Richmond, the big question is whether General Assembly will authorize the capital city to hold a second referendum on

hosting a gambling casino-resort or snatch opportunity away and hand it to Petersburg as state Sen. Joseph D. Morrissey is proposing.

Richmond voters narrowly rejected the casino in 2021, but Mayor Levar M. Stoney and City Council are pushing to get a second vote.

Another big question is whether the General Assembly will vote to authorize retail sales of marijuana at this session or punt the issue until next year.

A bipartisan group of white Democrats and Republicans have filed bills to authorize medical marijuana dispensaries and big out-of-state corporations to start sales while eliminating any requirement for inclusion of Black-owned businesses or people who were damaged by past criminalization of pot.

A loose alliance of largely Black-led organizations, which advocates for inclusion of Black entrepreneurs in the potentially lucrative sales business and to ensure that state tax revenue from sales benefit the communities that were hardest hit by enforcement of anti-marijuana laws, plan to fight the effort to eliminate social equity provisions of the current law.

Amending the two-year budget will be a major focus of the session. The governor and legislators will have a $3.6 billion surplus to work with.

Among other things, the governor wants the House and Senate to enact $1 billion in additional tax cuts, on top of the $4 billion approved last year, and pour $230 million into expanding mental health services through the creation of 30 mobile crisis, expanding services in schools and increasing access to in-home

services in response to a series of high-profile mass shootings.

As part of his environmental package, Gov. Youngkin also is proposing to provide another $100 million grant to Richmond to support the city’s efforts to end the discharge of raw waste into the James River during heavy rains.

The governor is proposing his package of budget changes amid warnings that a recession could be ahead, a concern that has Democrats and some Republicans cautioning about shrinking tax revenue.

House Minority Leader Don Scott of Portsmouth considers the governor’s approach too targeted to benefitting large corporations while doing too little to benefit small businesses and working families.

“He is taking a more top-down approach to tax cuts,” said Alexandria Delegate Charniele L. Herring, chair of the House Democratic Caucus, who plans to again urge that the legislature make the earned-income tax credit fully refundable.

Democrats, including the Black Caucus members, have laid out their own vision for spending that calls for creating “an economy for hard-working Virginians,” essentially laying out a framework for the upcoming campaigns to win back control of the House and maintain their Senate majority.

Their plan calls for boosting spending for affordable housing, lowering prescription drug costs and requiring paid sick leave for health-care and grocery workers. They also want continue raising the minimum wage, now $12 an hour, to $15 an hour by 2026, though that appears unlikely to get through the Republican-controlled House.

Status of upcoming congressional election still unknown

Continued from A1

The Virginia Republican Party held its informal primary on Dec. 17 with just one polling place, leading the nomination of Mr. Benjamin, a minister, who previously lost two contests to Congressman McEachin.

The state Democratic Party followed on Dec. 20 with its informal primary that Sen. McClellan won that offered eight polling places in seven localities.

The suit alleges that eight polling places were too few, noting that registered voters in eight of the 15 localities in the

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues

Continued from A1

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free vaccines for COVID-19 and more at the following locations:

• Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to Noon - Henrico West Health Department, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, JYNNEOS shots, 2 to 4 p.m., Primary Moderna shots for ages 6 months to 5 years old and ages 12 and older, bivalent booster for ages 6 and older, Primary Pfizer shots for ages 6 months and older and bivalent boosters for ages 5 and older, Novavax primary shots for ages 12 and older and boosters for ages 18 and older and Flu shots, walk-ups welcome but appointments encouraged.

• Thursday, Jan. 19, 9 to 11 a.m. - Cary Street, 400 E. Cary St., Primary Moderna shots and bivalent boosters for ages 6 months to 5 years old, Primary Pfizer shots and bivalent boosters for ages 6 months to 11 years old, walk-ups welcome but appointments encouraged.

People can schedule an appointment online at vase.vdh. virginia.gov, vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 205-3501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-8294682).

Compiled by George Copeland Jr.

4th Congressional District had no polling place. That forced residents of those communities to drive substantial distances to cast a ballot, the suit alleges.

The suit also alleges that Democrats made no provisions for absentee voting by active duty military personnel, those hospitalized and in nursing homes, working parents and others for whom the limited polling options and the long lines resulted created a barrier to casting a ballot.

According to the suit, the state can authorize parties to run operations to choose nominees, including informal primaries, but

those operations must meet the constitutional standards that the state would have to follow if it were directly involved.

The state did run primaries in the 4th Congressional District in 2016 and 2020, with all polling places in the localities that comprise the district, including Richmond, Petersburg and the counties of Henrico and Chesterfield.

Mr. Goldman said the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that primaries should not be designed to benefit parties, but to accommodate the voters seeking to participate.

Broken promises

involves the city’s contributions to Richmond Public Schools.

In March 2019, 4th District Councilwoman Kristen M. Nye, now council vice president, successfully secured adoption of a resolution calling for 55.4 percent of real estate tax collections to be allocated to the operation of Richmond Public Schools in a bid to end complaints.

Accompanying the resolution was a financial report showing that the city had met or exceeded that percentage since at least 2009, undermining claims of advocates that schools were being short-changed in the budget.

However, unnoticed, the council dropped in the policy last May in adopting the 2022-23 budget. That budget provided a record $200 million for RPS operations. But that allocation represented only 52 percent of the projected $385 million in real estate collections, or $13 million less than RPS should have received under the policy.

When Mayor Stoney announced recently that Richmond was on track to collect in 2023 at least $406 million in real estate taxes, or $21 million more than was projected when the budget was finalized, he did not propose any of those dollars go to RPS as the policy would require.

Instead, he proposed to save $4 million and to spend the remaining $17 million on funding homeless shelter operations, improving pay for ranking police officers and firefighters and to take care of other city needs, such as paying for traffic calming measures.

Ms. Nye’s policy would have required $11.6 million of the windfall to be allocated to schools.

Ms. Nye did not publicly remind her colleagues about the policy violation when the budget was considered eight months

ago, and she did not raise the policy when Mayor Stoney issued his proposed spending plan for the new $21 million that council approved without dissent.

Ms. Nye declined to comment when the Free Press inquired about her current support for the policy.

Meanwhile, 6th District Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson has repeatedly grumbled publicly about the mayor’s failure to keep his 2021 promise to build the allocation for the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund to $10 million a year by 2025.

The mayor had publicly pledged to do so using increases in real estate tax revenues from expiring tax credits that were provided as an incentive to redevelop blighted property.

In 2020, the council approved a policy calling on the mayor to provide budgets that includes $10 million for the trust fund.

The fund did get built to $10 million in fiscal 2021-22 using federal funds from the American Rescue Plan, a Stoney proposal the council endorsed. And another $10 million was allocated to the trust fund from ARP funds in the current fiscal year that began July 1.

However, Ms. Robertson has pointed out that the trust fund will once again fall far short of $10 million in the 2023-24 fiscal year because neither the mayor nor the council has adhered to the policy of building up the trust fund with general fund money supplied by local taxpayers.

Ms. Robertson has expressed concern that upcoming budgets will continue to ignore the policy.

Council green-lights permit allowing Northside church to house homeless

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

More beds are opening for the homeless.

City Council cleared the way for Fifth Street Baptist Church to finally open a 30-bed shelter, though not before hearing from neighbors concerned about the lack of counselors and social workers to provide wrap-around services.

The council voted 9-0 for a special use permit to allow the church to begin offering shelter services – though there was no explanation for why the legal paperwork was required. The council already had lifted time limits on churches’ to operate homeless shelters.

The action followed the Jan. 5 announcement that an agreement finally was consummated that will keep a 60-bed shelter that Commonwealth Catholic Charities of Virginia is operating at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave. open until April 14.

Fifth District Councilwoman Stepanie A. Lynch, who has

been pushing Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration to get additional shelter beds, said that the need now is to ensure that behavioral health and other case management services are available to those in shelters.

CCC had begun operating a 30-bed shelter just before Christmas with private funds while awaiting a contract with the city.

The new contract is enabling CCC to expand its operations to 60 beds nightly for men and women age 18 and older.

The city already is supporting two shelters in South Side, a 60-bed operation for men at United Nations Church on Cowardin Avenue and a 40-bed shelter for women and children at RVA Sister’s Keeper on Hull Street.

In total, the city will be directly supporting 190 shelter beds for the winter. It is unclear, yet, whether the operations will open during periods of high summer heat or tropical storms.

Council already has approved spending nearly $5 million on improvements and operating costs for the four shelters, though

until now only the two on South Side offered space.

City Hall has long supported overflow shelters for the homeless for the winter to add space after existing shelters that nonprofits like CARITAS, Home Again and the Salvation Army operate are full.

As part of its operation, CCC is offering a hot dinner and bagged breakfast for its guests, a connection to a shelter case manager and medical and addiction services from the Daily Planet and the Substance Abuse & Addiction Recovery Alliance of Virginia.

Separately, Ms. Lynch did not introduce an ordinance to establish an inspection program for rental housing. She said the ordinance is still being drafted, and she is hopeful it will be ready for introduction at the Jan. 23 meeting.

Her legislation would be the third attempt to establish such a program. Council members previously introduced legislation in 2007 and 2014, but withdrew proposed ordinances after failing to gain majority support.

‘Paul Nichols Way’ to recognize former minister, VUU dean

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The late Dr. Paul Nichols, a once prominent minister in local, regional and national religious affairs, will be remembered with an honorary street sign at P and 28th streets in Church Hill.

City Council voted Monday to authorize the sign designating “Paul Nichols Way” that will be placed on the street beside Good Shepherd Baptist Church, where he served as pastor for 29 years.

During his career, he also served as dean of the Virginia Union University School of Theology, executive director of the American Baptist Churches’ Board of National Ministries of the American Baptist Churches and a board member of numerous Richmond

religious and community organizations.

The purpose of the sign is to celebrate the life and contributions of Dr. Nichols, who died at age 50 in 1990 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

Ahead of the vote, Dr. Nichols was lauded for his impact on the church and on future ministers.

Council President Michael J. Jones was among those who spoke glowingly of him and his impact on ministerial development.

“Every preacher who came through Virginia Union learned about Dr. Nichols,” he said. The Rev. Paul S. Pleasants of Calvary Baptist Church and

VCU presents ‘Memories of Jan. 6’

Free Press staff report

Two years after the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in the wake of the 2020 presidential election, two Capitol police officers will reflect on their part in a discussion at Virginia Commonwealth University on Thursday, Jan. 19.

The event, “Memories of January 6th: A Conversation with Two U.S. Capitol Police Officers,” will feature Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn and D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Danny Hodges as they share their experiences, and their thoughts on what the attack highlights about America’s political situation and institutions.

The discussion, in partnership with the Department of Po-

litical Science at Randolph-Macon College, will be moderated by Jatia Wrighten and Alex Keena, assistant professors in the Department of Political Science at VCU’s College of Humanities and Sciences.

“American democracy is not a given — it is something that has to be worked at and maintained,” Ms. Wrighten said in a statement. “Conversations surrounding an attempt to dismantle democracy and what that means for its citizens are imperative conversations to have with the public.”

The event will be in The Commons Theater in VCU’s University Student Commons at 907 Floyd Ave., from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and registration is encouraged. Those interested may register at bit.ly/VCUJan6.

Weldon Hill, a jazz musician and former provost at VUU and Virginia State University, were among those who turned out to support the sign. His widow, Brenda Dabney Nichols, also thanked the council for the tribute.

A Kentucky native, Dr. Nichols made Richmond his home base after enrolling at VUU as an undergraduate. He later added a master’s degrees from VUU and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education and a doctorate through a joint program of American University and Wesley Theological Seminary.

The resolution that 7th District Councilwoman Cynthia I. Newbille sponsored with support from Dr. Jones and 3rd District Councilwoman Ann-Frances Lambert cites Dr. Nichols for his leadership and contributions to religious life and community affairs.

Byrd politics discussion at VMHC

The history and legacy of U.S. Sen. and Virginia Gov. Harry F. Byrd and his organization on Virginia politics will be discussed on Thursday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

Journalist and author Michael Lee Pope will discuss his book, “The Byrd Machine in Virginia: The Rise and Fall of a Conservative Political Organization.” The book focuses on how the Byrd organization helped entrench Sen. Byrd’s conservative goals and beliefs throughout the state, and its lingering impact years after its end.

The event will be recorded and broadcast on VMHC’s YouTube and Facebook pages, while signed copies of Mr. Pope’s book will be available at Shop.VirginiaHistory.org.

Dr. Nichols

Big win

Once again, the Virginia General Assembly will have five Black senators, the largest number to serve at one time.

That good news was made possible Tuesday by voters in Hampton Roads who provided just enough support to make Democrat Aaron R. Rouse a new senator.

He eked out a victory in the special election to replace Republican state Sen. Jennifer A. “Jen” Kiggans, who won the 2nd Congressional District seat in November.

But it was oh, so close.

Mr. Rouse, a former pro football player and Virginia Beach councilman, flipped the state’s 7th Senate District blue with a 348-vote win over Republican Kevin H. Adams.

Unofficial results show Mr. Rouse won 19,430 votes to 19,082 for Mr. Adams in the district that includes Virginia Beach and a small portion of Norfolk, a less than 1 percent difference.

Whew.

Mr. Rouse will join Black Senate members who now include Sens. Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond, Mamie E. Locke of Hampton, L. Louise Lucas of Portsmouth and Lionell Spruill Sr. of Chesapeake.

The first time there were five was 2017 when both Sen. Spruill and Sen. McClellan moved from the House of Delegates; the last time there were five was in the 2019 session.

Rosalyn R. Dance of Petersburg was the fifth Black senator until Joseph D. Morrissey defeated her in the General Assembly elections that year.

Mr. Rouse’s victory is a definitely a big win for Democrats in the Senate.

A burly 6-foot-4 man, Mr. Rouse, who also leads an educational charity, was favored to win in a race that was closely watched for its impact on the narrowly divided Virginia Senate, where Democrats have clung to a slim two-seat majority since 2019.

His entry will boost the party’s membership in the 40-member chamber from 21 to 22 seats. That will give Democrats a surer four-seat majority to block objectionable portions of Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s agenda, including his push to ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

As the result of Mr. Rouse’s win, Virginia’s first Black female lieutenant governor, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears, will have less opportunity to cast tie-breaking votes.

His victory also boosts the Legislative Black Caucus, which will be 22 members strong in this session.

Alas, having five Black senators may again only be temporary.

In June, Sens. Lucas and Spruill will face off in a Democratic primary.

They have to run against each other after being placed in the same Senate district following the redrawing of district boundaries that was required to reflect population changes reported in the 2020 Census.

Meanwhile, Republicans retained their 52-seat majority in the 100-member House of Delegates following two special elections Tuesday to fill vacancies. The winners held seats for their respective parties, resulting in no change in the balance of party power in place since the 2021 election.

Bottom line: The legislature will remain divided and require bipartisan support for any bills or judicial appointments to pass both houses during the 46-day session that began Wednesday.

Legislation already was expected to be difficult to pass given that this is an election year for the General Assembly, with all 140 seats in both chambers up for grabs.

We welcome Sen. Rouse to Richmond and also look forward to seeing what, if anything, the legislature can get accomplished.

The King holiday reflects

Just four days after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968, the inveterate warrior, Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), introduced legislation to make his birthday a federal holiday.

It took 15 years, hundreds of protests, a song, and a tour to make Dr. King’s birthday a holiday, and Stevie Wonder’s lyrics, first debuted in his 1980 “Hotter Than July,” songs encouraged activists to keep pushing for the holiday after being repeatedly rebuffed. The Conyers legislation passed the House of Representatives 338-90 with much opposition from conservative white Southerners (primarily Republicans), speciously claiming that the holiday cost too much money.

On the Senate side, the legislation, sponsored by Sen. Ed Brooke (R-MA), passed 7822. The process was far from smooth, though. Then-North Carolina Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) passed out binders full of scurrilous lies about Dr. King, describing him as a communist and worse. Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan was so outraged that he described the information as “filth” and physically stomped on it. Still, then-President Ronald Reagan signed the legislation in 1983.

It has been 40 years since the bill was passed, and we ought to celebrate.

This legislation was only

passed because of Black people’s resilience and persistence. These might be metaphoric for the struggle we must continue to wage. One of the ways we continue to struggle is to ensure that everyone who sings “the Black Birthday song” realizes that the song is a tribute to Dr. King and was part of the struggle that was waged to make his birthday a national holiday.

Many states refused to embrace the national King holiday.

Monday of each January each year. This year it is celebrated on Jan. 16.)

Why the resistance? Ignorance, arrogance, Caucasity, and racial hatred. And before anyone suggest that Caucasity isn’t a word that appears in Webster’s dictionary, you don’t need a dictionary to know that Caucasity is the racist behavior of some Caucasians.

resilience

birthday a holiday and for gifting us with the Black Birthday song, a constant reminder of Dr. King’s sacrifice and contribution.

Dr. Julianne Malveaux is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

Editor’s note:

Indeed, it was not until 2000, 17 years after the federal legislation passed, that all 50 states had some form of a King holiday. Arizona was the last, and it paid for its resistance. The National Football League moved the 1995 Super Bowl from Phoenix to Los Angeles when Arizona refused to recognize the holiday. Several, including the Rev. Jesse Jackson, boycotted the state and canceled events scheduled there.

Even today, several Southern states, including Alabama and Mississippi, attempt to weaken the meaning of the King holiday by naming it the King-Lee holiday, forcing those who celebrate the King holiday to also implicitly recognize the Confederate traitor, Robert E. Lee. Utah lawmakers declared Jan. 15 (Dr. King’s actual birthday) as Human Rights Day rather than Dr. King’s birthday. It was not until 2000 that Utah became one of the last states to make Dr. King’s birthday a state holiday. (Dr. King’s birthday is celebrated the third

In addition to attempting to chip away at Dr. King’s legacy with their resistance to racial justice, Virginia had the audacity to couple the King birthday with those of Robert E. Lee AND Stonewall Jackson, another Confederate traitor. And Mississippi officially celebrates Confederate Heritage Month in April. Other states recognize the month, but there is no official celebration, although four states celebrate Confederate Memorial Day at the end of April or early May.

Confederates and their descendants spend lots of time and energy propagating lies. They persistently believe they won the Civil War, although an honest history says otherwise. They continue to chip away at the civil rights legacy, not just with words and Confederate holidays, but with the voter suppression that taints too many of our elections. The response to the fiction they continue to spin is our resilience and persistence in the face of their warped fantasies.

Thank you, Stevie Wonder, John Conyers, Edward Bush, Coretta Scott King, Rev. Jackson, Dr. Dorothy Height, and many other activists for persistence in making Dr. King’s

Here comes Gen Z

When 25-year-old Maxwell Frost of Florida takes his seat in the U.S. House this month, he will be the nation’s first Gen Z member of Congress. That—in and of itself—is a major milestone and accomplishment. And what makes it even better is that Mr. Frost is a young Black man who won on a great platform focused on ending gun violence, addressing climate change and providing universal health care.

I can’t wait to see what Mr. Frost accomplishes in Congress. And I’m equally excited about what other folks in his generational cohort will bring to Congress when they arrive. There’s just no question that young people who have formed their entire identities in the 21st century will transform government.

These are young people who have spent their whole lives being connected, via the internet, to people and events around the globe. Studies show this gives them greater acceptance of diverse cultures, and contributes to a higher level of empathy and sensitivity toward others. Past generations grew up acutely aware of the struggles of folks in their own neighborhood; to Gen Z, the challenges people face in Asia or

Central America are as real as the ones they face in Florida. This is a deeply valuable perspective to bring to a high position in government.

This also is a generation deeply motivated by their personal experiences to address the horror of gun violence and school shootings, which gives me hope that as more of them enter Congress, sensible gun safety legislation will finally win

relate. When I was 24, I left a job, cashed in my savings and my (tiny) 401K to run for mayor of Ithaca. It was a huge gamble that I’m glad to say paid off. But Like Rep. Frost, I came into office without financial security.

From 1984 until 2000, Virginia designated the third Monday of January as LeeJackson-King Day. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday was observed along with not only Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s birthday, but also the birthday of another Confederate general, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. In 2000, Virginia split Lee–Jackson–King Day into two separate holidays after much public debate. The state then celebrated Martin Luther King Day Jr. on the third Monday of January, while Lee-Jackson Day was celebrated on the preceding Friday. In 2020, Virginia eliminated Lee-Jackson Day altogether.

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out. It’s a generation that grew up with Obamacare, creating a minimum expectation for what the government can and should do to ensure health care for people. It’s a generation that cannot afford to buy homes, and will demand changes in housing policy. And it’s a generation faced with harsh economic realities created by corporate greed and economic injustice across the board, which could play out in the push not only for a higher minimum wage, but for a range of other economic policy changes as well.

On a personal level, harsh economic realities already have hit home for Maxwell Frost. Much has been written about his inability to rent an apartment in Washington because he was forced to finance much of his campaign with credit cards, affecting his credit rating. I can

And I want to say two things about that. The first is that “yes,” we need more elected officials who understand what financial insecurity is like. But second, we need to make it possible for more young people without family wealth to consider running for office in the first place. That means raising the pay for the local offices where most young public servants get their start, so they can afford to consider public service as a career. And it means finally changing campaign finance laws so candidates don’t have to come up with a small fortune just to be competitive in an election.

This is all possible, and I’d like to say probable, as more young people enter the political sphere. I love the creativity of young elected officials who are not wedded to the status quo or traditional ways of doing things. Maxwell Frost is the first Gen Z member of Congress, but he won’t be the last. Celebrating that is a great way to start the new year.

The writer is president of People for the American Way and is the former mayor of Ithaca, N.Y.

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Svante Myrick

Putting the ‘con’ in conservative

George Santos, a 34-year-old Republican congressman-elect, has gained notoriety before even coming to Washington. He was elected to the Congress from a Long Island, N.Y, district this fall on a résumé and a campaign constructed on breathtaking fabrications.

He lied about where he lives.

He lied about where he works.

He lied about creating a nonprofit organization called Friends of Pets United.

He lied about where he went to high school.

He lied about graduating from college.

He lied about being a landlord who owns 13 properties.

He lied about having four employees shot in the Pulse nightclub shooting.

He lied about his mother’s career and her death, claiming that she was a victim of 9/11 when she died in 2016.

He lied about being of Jewish heritage.

And he probably lied about his income and his wealth. He claimed assets of a million, and income of $750,000. He loaned his campaign $700,000. But he was evicted in 2015 and 2017 for failing to pay rent and hauled into court for not paying his debts. It remains to be seen where the $700,000 came from.

Mr. Santos painted himself as an example of the American dream, son of an immigrant family who, by grit and hard work, made his way to employment at Goldman Sachs. Only the dream was a delusion. Goldman Sachs has no record of his employment. This paragon of conservative virtues turned out to be simply a pretty shoddy con man.

When an investigation by the New York Times revealed his serial lies, he admitted to

“embellishing” his résumé. His attorney allowed that campaign money — some of which appears to have been used illegally to pay rent for Mr. Santos — may have been spent “unwisely.”

Mr. Santos told the New York Post that he may have added a little bit of fluff to his résumé, but — echoing Richard Nixon’s famous statement in the Watergate scandals — “I am not a criminal.” (Nixon at least chose to resign, whereas Mr. Santos fully expects to be

that he has no shame and no plan to withdraw. Will Republicans act to police their own membership and to stop this obvious fraud upon their own voters? If they refuse to act, they can tie up the Ethics Committee and neuter the FEC.

If Mr. Santos gets a pass, Republican leaders will be telling voters just who they are and what they will stand for.

Honesty is for suckers. Partisan advantage trumps decency. To gain power, Republicans are prepared to spread Trump’s Big Lie. They don’t hesitate to lie about their opponents.

sworn in when the new Congress convenes next week.)

The Republican district attorney of Nassau County, N.Y., has opened an investigation of his lies, stating that no one is above the law. The federal U.S. attorney in Brooklyn is reportedly investigating his financial finagling. A newly elected Republican congressman in a neighboring district, Nick LaLota, has called on the House Ethics Committee to investigate.

Democrats in the House have called on Mr. Santos to resign and are pushing to haul him before the Federal Election Commission and the House Ethics Committee. But this is not the Democrats’ responsibility. It is the responsibility of the Republican leaders in the House. And they have been notably absent without leave.

In any case, the current Republican members of Congress are not exactly exemplars of honesty or champions of truth.

Virtually all lined up behind Donald Trump, ignoring his serial lies in office, numbering more than 30,000 according to fact checkers.

Mr. Santos, not surprisingly, embraced Donald Trump’s Big Lie, the claim that the 2020 presidential election was stolen. More than 180 other members of the new House Republican caucus echoed that Big Lie. Mr. Santos has made it clear

And Mr. Santos shows they are prepared to put forth and stand by candidates who lie about their own families, education, employment and lineage.

The party won’t police itself. It is left up to voters to do it for them.

The writer is founder and president of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

Jesse Jackson

Stories by Fred Jeter

Former Benedictine star Davin Cosby rolls with the Tide

Davin Cosby Jr. is getting a jump start on his college basketball experience.

The former Richmonder who traces his hoops roots to Blackwell Community Center is now enrolled at the University of Alabama for the current spring semester.

He originally planned to enroll at ‘Bama for the fall semester, ’23.

The 6-foot-5 shooting guard signed with Alabama this past September while a student at Word of God Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C.

Before that he starred at Benedictine College Prep near Richmond, earning AllMetro and All-State honors.

Cosby is now officially a member of

the Crimson Tide of the Southeastern Conference. It is highly unusual to start a season in high school and finish in college, but there is an upside athletically and academically.

With plans to launch his college eligibility in the ’23-’24 campaign, Cosby will be red-shirted for the rest of this season

in Tuscaloosa.

He is immediately eligible to practice with the Tide, sit on the bench during games and learn Coach Nate Oats’ system. He also will be taking a full load of college classes.

Alabama started this week 13-2 and coming off a rousing 78-52 victory over Kentucky.

Basketball and cars drive John Marshall’s Damond ‘Redd’ Thompson

Vrooom! Damon “Redd” Thompson Jr. can rev up a basketball team with his blinding speed and exciting array of skills.

The John Marshall High School junior knows a few things about firing up a car engine, too.

Hoops fans know Thompson as “No. 2 in Blue,” the dynamic point guard for Coach Ty White’s North Side perennial powerhouse.

The defending State 2A champion Justices, 11-0 this season, have won 30 of their last 31 games over two seasons and are currently ranked first nationally by MaxPreps.

Away from the hardcourt, you might find the 17-year-old with his head under the hood of a car at nearby MTK Premier Auto Boutique on Brook Road. “Redd” doesn’t mind getting a little grease under his fingernails.

When most teenage athletes are asked about other activities, the general reply is “playing video games and hanging out with friends.”

Here’s Thompson’s version: “I like to work on cars,” he said. “I got involved through my uncle at MTK.”

That would be MTK owner Mike Wiggins. “Redd is a car-head for sure,” said Wiggins. “It’s a hobby for him, but he enjoys the entire culture … he loves all cars, especially hypers.”

Thompson drives his own Honda Crosstour to JM home games. Then he turns the key on a JM attack that seems destined for a second straight State 2A title.

“Redd can score, pass, play great defense … basically he does whatever we need on a given night,” Coach White said. “He’s instrumental in all we do.”

Thompson says his main goal, as primary ball handler, is “to be a leader.”

Asked to describe his offensive style, he

Mixing old and new

John Marshall’s dominating first five features three talented returnees from last year’s State 2A champions, plus two towering transfers.

Back from 2022 are North Carolina State commit Dennis Parker, a senior, and juniors Damon “Redd”Thompson and Dominique Bailey. Parker is the Justices’ scoring leader at 20.4 points per game.

Newcomers are 6-foot-8 freshman Latrell Allmond and 6-foot-6 senior Jason Rivera. Allmond averages 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rivera averages 14 points and nine boards.

said “smooth.”

And defensively, he aims to be “as annoying as possible” in the Justices’ relentless full-floor pressure style.

Thompson was at his best against the best. He was “Redd Hot” at the Chick-Fil-A Classic in Lexington, S.C., scoring 63 points in three games in late December.

In South Carolina, the whippet-quick 6-foot, 165-pounder dazzled with his scoring, playmaking, and his own brand of “annoying” defense.

He was named MVP of one of America’s most prestigious in-season tournaments.

On the season, Thompson averages 15.1 points and three assists, while hitting 35 percent of his three-pointers and 82 percent at the foul stripe.

Already, he’s received eight NCAA Division I scholarships offers from High Point, George Washington, New Jersey Institute of Technology,

Hofstra,

The list is likely

He is the son of Damon “Redd” Thompson Sr. and Valentina Thompson, both Virginia State University alumni.

“Redd Sr.” is the greatest football receiver in VSU annals, setting an NCAA Division II record for most catches (262). He has been elected to both the VSU and CIAA Hall of Fames.

Valentina Thompson was a Woo-Woo cheerleader at VSU and is currently the JM librarian.

JM’s Coach White was Redd Sr.’s and Valentina’s classmate at VSU.

“Redd Jr.” might have been headed for a football career, too, before breaking his arm as a 10-year-old with the Glen Lea Association. After that, it’s been all hoops.

JM is cruising for its third Class 2 state crown in the last four years. And with “Redd Jr.” at the steering wheel, it looks like a smooth ride ahead.

VUU, VSU star attractions in weekend hoops match

Grab a box of popcorn, find a comfy seat, and get ready for Star Wars, CIAA style.

When Virginia Union and Virginia State meet Saturday, arguably the league’s two premier ballers will be matching jump shots and dribble-drives to the hoop.

That would be the Panthers’ Robert Osborne and Terrence Hunter-Whitfield for the host Trojans. Neither school had to venture far to find their marquee attractions.

Osborne, aka “Wizard of Os,” is a powerfully built 6-foot-5, 230-pound senior from Hermitage High, a short car ride northwest of the Lombardy Street campus.

Let Freedom Ring! Annual Freedom Classic Saturday, Jan. 14 Multi-Purpose Center, Virginia State University Women’s game at noon, followed by Men at 3 p.m.

He leads the CIAA in scoring average at 19.1 and is second in rebounds with 8.5 per game, trailing only VUU teammate Raemaad Wright (9.9).

Osborne is second in the CIAA with a 54 percent shooting touch.

Hunter-Whitfield, aka “Hyphen Man,” is a 6-foot-5, 195-pound senior from Matoaca High on the outskirts of VSU’s Ettrick campus.

The son of former Trojan Ricky Whitfield, Hunter-Whitfield is second in the league in scoring (18.5) and first in steals with 2.5 per outing. Operating inside and out, he’s also among the CIAA’s elite at getting fouled (99 attempts) and making them count (70).

Hunter-Whitfield is third in CIAA shooting percentage (51 percent from field), just behind Osborne.

Forecast: Don’t be surprised if either Osborne of HunterWhitfield is named CIAA Player of Year in late February at the CIAA tournament in Baltimore.

Supporting casts: VUU’s first five based on minutes played are Osborne, 6-foot-7 senior Wright, 6-foot-5 senior Devon Sims, 6-foot-2 junior Mahzi Thames and 6-foot-4 sophomore Charles Tart.

VSU most minutes men are Hunter-Whitfield, 6-foot-6 graduate student B.J. Fitzgerald, 6-foot-1 grad student Zach Newkirk, 6-foot-8 junior Tremere Brown and 6-foot-8 sophomore Stephan Morris.

Background: The Freedom Classic, honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, was originally played on Sunday evenings at the Richmond Coliseum, often drawing close to 10,000 fans.

That all changed in 2018 when the rickety Leigh Street facility was padlocked by City officials.

Since then, the Classic has been at VSU’s 5,200-seat MultiPurpose Center. VUU won a year ago, 88-70.

Ladies first: Tipping off Saturday’s double-header at high

Northern Division Men’s Standings

CIAA Overall

Virginia Union 2-2 12-4

Shaw 2-2 9-7

Lincoln 2-3 7-9

Bowie State 2-3 4-13

Elizabeth City 1-3 6-9

Through games of Jan. 7

A former walk-on is likely to soon become the second leading scorer in NCAA basketball history.

And even first place—a spot held by the late Pete Maravich —remains a possibility for University of Detroit-Mercy graduate student Antoine Davis.

The 6-foot-1 son of Titans’ Coach Mike Davis had 3,103 points as of Jan. 4, seventh all-time in Division I, with at least 16 games to go.

Only Maravich’s otherworldly 3,667 grand total points at LSU seems beyond his considerable shooting range.

With a career average of 24.7, Davis would have to average over 30 per game the rest of the way, and tack on several post-season opportunities to challenge the iconic “Pistol Pete.”

Regardless of what the NCAA record book says, Davis versus Maravich is not a fair comparison.

Playing under his father, Press Maravich, Pete scored 3,667 points in three seasons, averaging 44.2 over 83 varsity games. Freshmen were not eligible at the time.

There was no shot clock during that era, no 3-point shot and shorter schedules. Three seasons now would add up to close to 100 games.

Davis’ total has come over five seasons and 127 games (as of Jan. 6). In addition to challenging for all-time scoring honors, he is likely to finish first of all time in 3-point connections.

His 492 three-ball total is now third behind Travis Bader (504 4t Oakland, Mich.) and Fletcher Magee (509, Wofford).

Davis’ father, Mike, is the former coach at Indiana, Alabama-Birmingham and Texas Southern.

Antoine Davis never played in a traditional high school set-

ting, opting for the Homeschool Christian Youth Association, based in Houston.

He originally committed to play for the University of Houston, but enrolled as a walk-on at Detroit-Mercy the same season his father began coaching there. There were no available scholarships on the 13-man limit.

Wearing No. 0, he scored 32 points in his college debut and was placed on scholarship as soon as an opening occurred the next season.

• • •

When the NCAA offered student-athletes an additional season for the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 year, it created some statistical irregularities. Among those benefitting was University of Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard. In five full seasons, the Spiders standout set the career record for steals (466), passing several fourseason players.

noon will be VUU (7-6 overall, 2-2 in CIAA) against VSU (6-7, 2-2).

Native Minnesotan Sommer Blakemore leads the Trojans with 16 points per game. Ny Langley, a senior from Greenville, N.C., averages 18 points and 12 boards for the Panthers.

Rematch: The ancient rivals will meet again Feb. 18 at VUU’s Barco-Stevens Hall in the regular season finale. Then it’s off to Baltimore where they could possibly meet for a third time.

Gettin’ down to the nitty-gritty

NFL playoffs first round schedule

NFC No. 7 Seattle at No. 2 San Francisco, Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Fox TV

No. 6 New York Giants at No. 3 Minnesota, Sunday, 4:30 p.m., Fox

No. 5 Dallas at No. 4 Tampa Bay, Monday, 8:15 p.m., ABC and ESPN

Bye: Philadelphia AFC No. 7 Miami at No. 2 Buffalo, Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS No. 6 Baltimore at No. 3

Cincinnati, Sunday, 8:15 p.m., NBC

No. 5 LA Chargers at No. 4

Jacksonville, Saturday, 8:15 p.m., NBC

Bye: Kansas City

The 32-team NFL is now down to 14 of its finest.

Playoffs begin this weekend with six games and Philadelphia of the NFC and Kansas City of the AFC receiving byes. Missing from the field is last year’s Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, who fell to 5-12.

Surprise entries are the New York Giants, who rallied from 4-13 a year ago, and Jacksonville Jaguars, who rebounded from 3-14 in 2021.

The divisional round will be Jan. 21-22, with conference finals Jan. 29 and the Super Bowl Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz.

Davin Cosby Jr.

Antoine Davis, at 6-foot-1, had 3,103 points as of Jan. 4, seventh all-time in Division I, with at least 16 games to go.

James Haskins

Fans know Damon “Redd” Thompson, right, as “No. 2 in Blue,” the dynamic point guard for John Marshall High School’s basketball team.

Mount St. Mary’s, Jacksonville, Robert Morris and College of Charleston.

to grow as Thompson continues to put his talents on display for JM (Class of ’24) and powerful AAU Team Loaded on the travel circuit.

Personality: Sean David O’Brien

Spotlight on ART 180’s board president

Sean David O’Brien loved Richmond from the time he came to the city as a University of Richmond undergraduate student.

“One of my favorite things to do is get out in the city because it’s so different from where I grew up,” he said. “The history, different neighborhoods and row houses — I just love it.”

Born in Portsmouth, N.H., Mr. O’Brien grew up in Fort Worth, Texas. As a high school student, he flourished at what he describes as “a very diverse high school.” He especially enjoyed soccer, a sports hobby that he maintains even today. But he credits his years as a Richmond Spider at UR with setting the foundation for his desire to work with organizations contributing to the greater good.

After college, Mr. O’Brien moved to Washington, D.C., and began volunteering while he was unemployed. He volunteered for an organization that delivered meals to people who were homebound and suffering from AIDS, and the experience left an imprint on his consciousness that only encouraged his feeling of commitment to making a difference in the community.

“Everyone there was from different walks of life and super committed,” he said.

“The people we helped were so grateful and it really opened my eyes to the power people have in joining with others to do good in the world.”

Mr. O’Brien, president of the board of trustees for

ART 180, says the nonprofit arts organization has shown Richmond what the city could be, providing inspiration and a space for Black and Brown children to express themselves artistically. He discovered ART 180 a decade ago and later became one of its volunteers, he says.

“More than anything, ART 180 provides a spirit that helps to remind people that we don’t have to be defined by our past,” he adds. “There is so much we can do in order to make Richmond a vibrant community for the arts and for the lives of students, teachers and parents who are a part of these programs.”

Meet an advocate for the arts and this week’s Personality, Sean David O’Brien.

Volunteer position: President, ART 180 board of trustees.

Occupation: Director, Community Health, Bon Secours Richmond.

Date and place of birth: Aug. 16 in Portsmouth, N.H. Where I live now: Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, University of Richmond, and master’s degree in urban and environmental planning, University of Virginia.

Family: Wife, Lili; two sons, Sam and Miles.

ART 180 is: An organization that provides young people

from across the Richmond area the freedom to express themselves creatively and transform our community with their artwork, stories, and lives.

When and why founded: 1998. Seeing that the majority of Richmond youths had limited access to artistic workshops and programming, ART 180 was founded to bridge this gap.

Founders: Marlene Paul and Kathleen Lane.

How I became involved with ART 180: I discovered ART 180 in 2012 while running down Monument Avenue and seeing the huge wooden painted panels that ART 180 youths created for the “What Do You Stand For?” exhibit. I stopped to read the young

artists’ statements of personal inspiration and it touched something deep inside me. I later attended one of the youth exhibitions at ART 180’s Atlas space and was hooked. Volunteering led to an invitation to serve on the board and here I am today.

When elected board president: September 2020.

Why I accepted position: I was the board vice president and it was my turn. I was nervous and a little intimidated.

Length of term: I’ve served three consecutive, one-year terms.

Previous president: Joeffrey Trimmingham. He was an excellent role model.

Number one goal or project as board president: Encouraging the amazing ART 180 team to follow their instincts and embrace new paths.

Strategy for achieving goals: Foster an environment where board and staff feel empowered to have honest, supportive conversations without fear of saying something wrong.

ART180 is especially important for Black and Brown children and their families because: It uses artistic expression and community building as a means for Black and Brown youths to believe their voices deserve to be heard and

they have something important to say that our society needs to hear.

Number one challenge facing ART 180: Envisioning its evolution over the next 25 years.

Ways I have witnessed the magic of art and young people through ART 180: These young folks are so much braver than I will ever be … to put their art out for others to see and then talk about it to a bunch of people they don’t know is just so impressive.

As ART 180 kicks off its 25th anniversary this year, its most notable achievement has been: Connected, supported and inspired so many people over its life. It has been a real catalyst for positive change in our city.

Ways to get involved with ART 180 as a volunteer or participant: You can volunteer or just attend an exhibition at Atlas on First Fridays in Jackson Ward or follow them on social media to learn about the latest happenings.

A perfect day for me is: Watching soccer, sleeping late, having lunch out with family and friends, walking my dog, shopping for records and a nap(s).

Something about me that people may not know: My grandfather, Davey O’Brien, won the Heisman Trophy in 1938 as a quarterback for Texas Christian University (TCU). They won the national

championship that year.

A quote that inspires me: “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.” — Arthur Ashe Jr.

My friends describe me as: Kind.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Travel to England and watch my favorite Premier League soccer team, Southampton FC, play a game in St. Mary’s Stadium.

Best late-night snack: Pimento cheese on crackers and a beer.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Treat everyone with respect.

The person who influenced me the most: I strongly believe that you can learn something from everyone, and I’ve been so fortunate to have had so many amazing people teach me something.

Book that influenced me the most: “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole. This book makes me laugh out loud every time I read it, which I value more and more as I age.

What I’m reading now: “Richmond’s Unhealed History” by Benjamin Campbell.

Virginia’s history is chock full of people finding new and innovative ways to ensure Black and Brown people suffer.

Next goal: To give myself a little slack.

The RAW power of women gets lifted in East End gym

By Debora Timms

Jacqueline Evans, 60, has done it for the last four years and she loves it—even if most people are surprised to find out what it is.

“People my age think I’m going through a midlife crisis,” the Richmond native said about her powerlifting passion. “But younger people think it’s awesome. They are quite surprised that I can keep up or even outperform them.”

The oldest member of the only all Black and Brown female powerlifting team in the Richmond area says she enjoys challenging herself. Competing took a backseat to the pandemic in 2020 and surviving a breast cancer diagnosis in 2021, but Mrs. Evans finally competed last October when she earned a trophy in her age group for bench pressing 125 pounds.

“I’ve never won a trophy before for anything,” Mrs. Evans said about the result. “For me, it’s like a childhood dream come true.”

Teammate and co-captain of the RAW Powerlifters, DeAndra Lee also had a result she was proud of at that meet—a personal best deadlift of 290 pounds.

Those results are a reflection of the pair’s hard work and dedication, but they also give credit to Coach Rhesa Weatherspoon, owner of Richmond area gym, RAW Affects.

Ms. Weatherspoon opened her doors in July 2018, looking to offer the community something different and more personal than larger gyms. She uses her degrees and certifications in areas including sports science, fitness training, dietary nutrition, massage, yoga and meditation to help people achieve their health and fitness goals.

“I call myself a fitness and wellness expert. I believe in taking a holistic approach. My motto is ‘One Body, One Life,

Desirée Roots, Weldon Hill to perform at VMHC

Free Press staff report

Desirée Roots and the Weldon Hill Ensemble will headline the 7th Annual National Day of Racial Healing on Tuesday, Jan. 17, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd.

Organized by Coming Together Virginia, the concert will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and feature a medley of music from Ms. Roots, a Grammy-nominated singer who has performed for over 30 years, including serving as the opening act for B.B. King, Shirley Horne and other musicians.

Ms. Roots, the author of the “Forever Ella” multimedia production, formerly “Ella at 100,” received the Theresa Pollack Prize for Excellence in the Arts in 2004, and joined Virginia Repertory Theatre in 2021 as an artistic director of community.

Concert tickets can be purchased at www.secure.virginiahistory.org/1865/1962.

Library of Virginia celebrates 200 years

Free Press staff report

The Library of Virginia will celebrate its bicentennial in 2023 with “200 Years, 200 Stories: An Exhibition,” running free for all from Tuesday, Jan. 24, through Saturday, Oct. 28.

The exhibition, alongside a multimedia presentation, will feature a wide range of 200 Virginians to reflect the many stories of the state, using the millions of historic and cultural items contained in the Library’s collections.

“We’ve been fortunate to play such an important role in preserving Virginia’s history and culture for two centuries,” Librarian of Virginia Sandra Treadway said in a statement.

“This exhibition provides a great opportunity to educate the public about the significance of our collections and engage them in exploring the past while reflecting on how it connects to the present and our next century.”

Featured Virginians will include Ethel Bailey Furman, one of the first Black female architects in Virginia, David Martin, founder of the Martin Agency and creator of the famed tagline “Virginia is for Lovers,” and Chinese immigrant Ow Chuck Sam, who became a naturalized citizen and served during World War II.

The event is just the first of several planned to celebrate the Library’s bicentennial this year. The 200th anniversary event schedule can be found at www.lva.virginia.gov/200, with more events to be added in the coming weeks.

One Chance,’” Ms. Weatherspoon said. “I love what I do and I’m very passionate about it.”

There are six trainers, including Ms. Lee, who work with Ms. Weatherspoon at RAW Affects to offer group classes such as dance fitness, strength, conditioning, agility and more.

“We work hard, but we have a lot of fun. We’re a community here in the gym. Everybody knows everybody,” says Ms. Lee. “That’s a very different, unique quality for a gym. RAW Affects is one of those rarities you find.”

Ms. Lee says the gym’s supportive and encouraging environment is just as important as the physical, mental and emotional strength that members work on when they work out. Another important feature of the gym for her is its Black woman owner.

“That ownership allows me to see a representation of myself, which is a big deal,” she says. “Rhesa gives me the motivation to keep pushing myself in the areas I want to grow in as an entrepreneur, a woman and a Black female.”

“I love to rave about Rhesa,” Mrs. Evans agrees.

Both women also say the powerlifting team was a big drawcard for them. Although not all of them compete, that team now has 26 women who train at RAW Affects.

“Powerlifting is a growing sport for women because women want to be stronger inside and out,” Ms. Weatherspoon says, noting that strength does not mean bulk. “I’m not bulky, but I am a very strong woman.”

All three women are quick to mention the importance of weight-training in building bone density, muscle tone and confidence—especially in women.

“I love to see strong women. I wish more women would do [powerlifting], or at least try it,” Ms. Lee said. “When I’m training or in a competition, I feel like a such a badass.”

“I learned to ride a motorcycle at 50, got my first trophy powerlifting at 60 and I’m still going,” Mrs. Evans adds. “I hope to still be lifting in my 70s and 80s.”

For now, several of the women are gearing up for their next competition in bench pressing and dead lifting on March 11 at Walker’s Gym in Hopewell.

For more information, email rawaffects@outlook.com.

The Big Dipper heads to Petersburg

Free Press staff report

JMI and Virginia State University will host the inaugural Big Dipper Innovation Summit (Big Dipper) Jan. 12 -14 at VSU’s Multi-Purpose Center, 20809 2nd Ave. in Petersburg.

The Big Dipper is a three-day “experience featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, exhibitions, and more,” according to its organizers. It is designed to spotlight the foremost thought leaders and talents in tech, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, music, and culture.

“The summit is a destination for creators, entrepreneurs, big dreamers, big thinkers, makers, and curators who want to talk innovation, new ideas, and

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the next frontier across major industries and emerging markets,” said Ken Johnson, JMI president and CEO and a Summit co-founder.

Featured guests include:

• Media mogul and Radio Hall of Fame inductee Charlemagne Tha God

• Dr. Howard-John Wesley, senior pastor, The Historic Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria

• Charis Jones, CEO of Sassy Jones

• CNN’s Bakari Sellers

• James Beard award-winning chef and restauranteur Rodney Scott

• Dr. Dietra Trent, executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs.

The Big Dipper opens Thursday, Jan. 12, with the Kickoff Coffee Conversation, followed by Big Sky Vision, a session for

entrepreneurs who have moved into areas of opportunity they previously thought unimaginable. The weekend culminates on Saturday, Jan. 14, with the 2023 Freedom Classic Festival and a double-header matchup between HBCU rivals Virginia Union University and VSU women’s and men’s basketball teams.

Additional programming includes breakout sessions on both days, and the Mega Mentors Fine Arts Benefit & Sale at the Hippodrome in Richmond on Friday night also features Art of Noise, a DJ Dance party featuring surprise guests, from 8 p.m. to midnight Friday at the VSU Multipurpose Center.

For full details, and to register and purchase tickets, visit www.bigdippersummit.com.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

Rhesa Weatherspoon, owner of Raw Affects Gym, left, encourages Desiree Jackson, 45, of Richmond as she presses 120 pounds while LaShawn Freeman, 49, of Chesterfield spots her. The women are preparing for an upcoming competition on March 11 at Walker’s Gym in Hopewell.

DeAndra Lee, 42, of Henrico County completes a round of strenuous curls while doing a wall squat at Raw Affects Gym on last Saturday.

Jackie Evans, 60, center, of Richmond receives enthusiastic high-fives, after successfully benchpressing numerous reps of 100 pounds from her fellow competitive weight-lifters at Raw Affects Gym.

Richmond Free Press freelance writer, editor Charles H. Taylor III, dies at age 70

By George Copeland Jr.

From his earliest days to his twilight years, Charles H. Taylor III was a person of excellence and compassion for those who knew, worked with and loved him.

A freelance writer, journalist and community leader with decades of accomplishments and many accolades, Mr. Taylor passed away unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism, possibly COVID related, last Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. While the exact nature of his death is still being investigated, the impact of Mr. Taylor’s life has been clear in the days since his passing was announced, as friends, colleagues and family have celebrated his compassion, intelligence, humor and warmth.

“Gosh, what can I say about nearly 22 years of constant, witty banter and deep conversations about every aspect of life and humanity,” said Jim Bogden, Mr. Taylor’s spouse. “We shared the same values and saw the world through the same set of lenses.”

Mr. Taylor was born Jan. 16, 1952, in Portsmouth. As a student in the Portsmouth Public School system, he graduated from I.C. Norcom High School in 1970 as class salutatorian.

Within the same year as his high school graduation, Mr. Taylor began attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he spent three years.

He later earned a bachelor’s in organizational management at the former Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville.

To his family, Mr. Taylor was known as the family photographer, using his talents to take pictures before cell phones became common, earning him the nickname “Uncle Cheese.”

From gifts of decorative Easter Eggs to frequent visits, he was always a welcome presence in their lives.

“He loved to visit family and shower the grandnieces with gifts from his travels,” said Barbara Taylor Spruill, one of Mr. Taylor’s sisters. “There was always excitement when he came to town.”

For more than 30 years, Mr. Taylor applied his many skills to several jobs and services. This included working as a corporate communications representative and media and community relations manager for Dominion in both Norfolk and Richmond, and as a senior communications representative for PepCo in Washington, D.C. Before

those jobs, Mr. Taylor also worked for a short while in radio and as a reporter for Richmond Newspapers Inc.

He later worked as a media relations manager for the Arlington County government and as a senior staff writer for the National Association of Counties, before eventually retiring to Chestertown in Maryland with Mr. Bogden and their two Labradoodles, Mina and Kashi. For his work, he was honored by the National Association of Government Communicators and the International Association of Business Communicators in 2004.

His career saw him serve as a public representative, leader, collaborator and teacher for many, and the relationships formed and lessons learned continue to this day.

“He was someone that I could just throw any kind of topic at him and trust that he would be able to report on it.” said Beverly Schlotterbeck, who worked with Mr. Taylor for 11 years as the editor of the County News publication for NACo.

“He was an anchor for me, and for the paper.”

Outside his professional

career, Mr. Taylor took on a number of community roles and activities that aided the public welfare and fit with his personal interests. He was a member of the Social Action for Racial Justice Committee in Chestertown, had traveled to Cuba, England, Malta and Paris throughout his life, and performed square dancing recreationally and for several years with the D.C. Lambda Squares.

An avid fan of opera and the symphony, Mr. Taylor was serving on the National Music Festival board of directors as its chair at the time of his death, having previously served as its vice chair. He also had roles on the boards of the Kent Cultural Alliance, the Sultana Education Foundation and the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. He also was part of the CLAIR Fellowship Exchange program for the Tottori Prefecture and Tokyo in 2009. He also was a past president of the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals, an affiliate chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

“Charles, you were a great friend and leader—one of the sweetest, kindest, most thoughtful persons it has been my privilege to know,” NMF Artistic Director Richard Rosenberg wrote in a social media post. “Thank you for being a part of

our lives and for lending your generous support to NMF. You will be forever remembered.”

Mr. Taylor had ended his retirement last year to work with the Richmond Free Press as a freelance reporter and editor. Bonnie Newman Davis, Free Press managing editor, said she’d known Mr. Taylor for more than 30 years, having previously worked with him at another Richmond newspaper.

“I was thrilled when Charles called to ask ‘How may I help?’” she said. “His first story for us chronicled a Richmonder who last year climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain at 19,341 feet. When the Free Press was approached about writing the article, I instinctively knew that the story had Charles’ name all over it. He wrote an excellent story!

“I am devastated that Charles is no longer with us, but I am at peace knowing that his body of work and legacy will be with us forever.”

According to Mr. Bogden, more than 200 people plan to celebrate Mr. Taylor’s memory in Portsmouth and Chestertown in coming weeks, as funeral plans continue to solidify. The outpouring of love and support in the wake of his death is proof that, whether he was Uncle Cheese for his family, Mr. Safire for some of his co-workers,

Longtime Richmond educator remembered

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Bessie Patricia Carter Brown loved being involved with education, her family said.

In a career that spanned more than 30 years, Mrs. Brown taught in Richmond Public Schools, at Reynolds Community College and finally at Richmond Preparatory Academy.

Those who knew her admired her ability to handle classroom challenges without raising her voice.

Her role in educating thou-

sands of students during her career is being remembered following her death Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. She was 78.

Family and friends paid final tributes to her Friday, Jan. 6, at Third Street Bethel AME Church, where she was a lifelong member.

Born in Richmond, Mrs. Brown, who was called “Pat” by those close to her, began her career after graduating from Maggie Walker High School in the city and completing her degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. She

later added a master’s degree from VCU.

She was a reading specialist at several RPS elementary schools and at least one middle school before moving on to Reynolds, where she was

involved in testing and teaching. After retiring, she spent four years at the Richmond Preparatory Academy before fully retiring in 2010. Mrs. Brown was a member of various reading and education

Shepherd Baptist Church

associations and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Survivors include her daughter, Charmayne B. Vincent; sisters Lillian C. McCollum and Cynthia C. Brown; and a grandson.

Charlie-Bear for his spouse or simply Charles Taylor, his life and work affected many for the better.

“Of course, I knew how special a person he was,” Mr. Bogden said, “but I am surprised and gratified how widely he was loved by so many people.”

Mr. Taylor is predeceased by his father, Charles H. Taylor Jr., mother Viola Holland Taylor and stepmother Almina Taylor. He is survived by Mr. Bogden, his sisters, Barbara and Angela Taylor Bunch, nephew Jeremy Bunch, nieces Nicole Spruill, Jessica Bunch, Dionne Spruill and Dana Spruill, and grandnieces Charleigh Bunch and Naomi Spruill.

A memorial service is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, at the Fellowship United Church of Christ in Chesapeake. A celebration of life also will take place Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Chestertown Presbyterian Church. A celebration of life will take place Saturday, Jan.28 at Shrewsbury Church in Kennedyville, Md.

Sharon Baptist Church

Mr. Taylor

Support for Damar Hamlin continues among NFL and fans

By Jay Adams

Sunday, Jan. 8, marked the first time that the Buffalo Bills took to the football field since Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on the field only minutes into their Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Since that traumatizing game, an outpouring of love and support for Hamlin has swept not only

Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, January 23, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2022-369

As Amended To authorize the special use of the property known as 3206 Delaware Avenue for the purpose of two single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2022-373

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract Urban Baby Beginnings between the City of Richmond and Urban Baby Beginnings, for the purpose of purchasing diapers for distribution by the Capital Diaper Bank, LLC to families of the city of Richmond with demonstrated need.

( c OMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2022-374 To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract Little Hands between the City of Richmond and Little Hands Virginia, Inc., for the purpose of purchasing safe sleep spaces, strollers, and car seats for families of the city of Richmond with demonstrated need.

( c OMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-001

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $4,254.00 from the United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Bureau of Justice Assistance, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20222023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the City Sheriff’s SCAAP (State Criminal Alien Assistance Program) Special Fund by $4,254.00, for the purpose of funding additional City Sheriff personnel salary costs related to the incarceration of criminal aliens.

Ordinance No. 2023-002

To amend Ord. No. 2022056, adopted May 9, 2022, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, to transfer $72,000.00 from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, and appropriate such $72,000.00 to the Department of Emergency Communications, for the purpose of moving the funding for the Office of Emergency Management from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to its new location within the Department of Emergency Communications.

Ordinance No. 2023-003

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $85,630.00 from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Emergency Communications called the FY22 LEMPG Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Emergency Communications’ FY22 LEMPG Special Fund by $85,630.00, for the purpose of funding all hazards preparedness and resilience through comprehensive emergency management, hazard assessment, and training.

Ordinance No. 2023-004

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $100,000.00 from the Commonwealth

fans of football, but the nation.

Hamlin’s GoFundMe “The Chasing M’s Foundation Community Toy Drive,” received more than $8 million in contributions from over 250,000 donors, and counting, as of Jan. 9. Prior to Hamlin’s health scare, the fund had an overall goal of $2,500.

The nation celebrated last week when Hamlin woke up and sent a message to his fans via his

Instagram.

“When you put real love out into the world, it comes back to you 3x’s as much,” he said. “The love has been overwhelming, and I’m thankful for every single person that prayed for me and reached out.” Hamlin was transferred from the University of Cincinnati Medical Center on Monday to Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute. He was discharged from the Buffalo Hospital

Wednesday to continue recuperating at home. That “love” for Hamlin continued Sunday.

Among all 16 games played during the final week of the NFL’s regular season, the No. “3” (Hamlin’s number) in Bills’ colors was painted on each team’s 30-yard line.

Before each game, every stadium read aloud a pre-game message honoring Hamlin, the first responders, and the doctors who saved his life.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities

of Virginia, Department of Historic Resources, to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Planning and Development Review called the Elegba Folklore Society Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20222023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Planning and Development Review’s Elegba Folklore Society Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $100,000.00, for the purpose of funding capacity building and programming enhancement for the Elegba Folklore Society, Incorporated.

Ordinance No. 2023-005

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $131,184.00 from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20222023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Fire and Emergency Services’ State Fire Programs Special Fund by $131,184.00, for the purpose of funding the construction, improvement, or expansion of fire prevention and suppression services and training facilities.

Ordinance No. 2023-006

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $159,796.00 from the Virginia Department of Transportation and to amend Ord. No. 2022055, adopted May 9, 2022, which adopted the Fiscal Year 2022-2023

General Fund Budget and made appropriations pursuant thereto, by (i) creating a new line item in the Non-Departmental agency entitled “Greater Richmond Fit4Kids –Safe Routes to School” and (ii) appropriating such $159,796.00 to the new “Greater Richmond Fit4Kids – Safe Routes to School” line item in the Non-Departmental agency, all for the purpose of funding a safe routes to school program.

Ordinance No. 2023-007

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $300,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Planning and Development Review called the Preservation Virginia Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20222023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Planning and Development Review’s Preservation Virginia Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $300,000.00, for the purpose of funding the exterior restoration of the John Marshall House and fire suppression at the Historic Jamestowne Research Center.

Ordinance No. 2023-008

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $1,000,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Planning and Development Review called the Valentine Museum Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Planning and Development Review’s Valentine Museum Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $1,000,000.00, for the purpose of funding The Valentine’s collections

inventory, refinement, care, and access project.

Ordinance No. 2023-009

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to accept funds in the amount of $2,000,000.00 from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources, to amend the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by creating a new special fund for the Department of Planning and Development Review called the Virginia Museum of History and Culture Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund, and to appropriate the increase to the Fiscal Year 20222023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Planning and Development Review’s Virginia Museum of History and Culture Project DHR Historic Preservation Grant Special Fund by $2,000,000.00, for the purpose of funding the Virginia Museum of History and Culture’s History Matters Campaign capital improvements project.

Ordinance No. 2023-010

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to accept funds in the amount of $5,840,854.00 from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, and to amend Ord. No. 2022-056, adopted May 9, 2022, which adopted the Special Fund Budget for the Fiscal Year 2022-2023, and made appropriations thereto, by (i) creating a new special fund for the Department of Housing and Community Development entitled the HOME - ARP Special Fund and (ii) appropriating the increase to the Fiscal Year 2022-2023 Special Fund Budget by increasing estimated revenues and the amount appropriated to the Department of Housing and Community Development’s HOME - ARP Special Fund by $5,840,854.00, for the purpose of reducing regional homelessness.

Ordinance No. 2023-011

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside Program Safe Routes to School Grant Agreement between the Virginia Department of Transportation and the City of Richmond, for the purpose of funding improvements for safe routes to school. ( c OMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-012

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Help Me Help You Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and the Help Me Help You Foundation, for the purpose of implementing a guaranteed income pilot program for returning residents.

(cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-013

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Fiscal Agency Agreement between NextUp RVA and City of Richmond, for the purpose of accepting funds from NextUp RVA as reimbursement for funds expended by the City for “CarMax Basketball Youth Development and Summer Camp” activities. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-014

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and the Virginia Department of Health, acting through its Richmond City Health District, for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-015

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and La Casa de la Salud, for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program.

(cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-016

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Waymakers Foundation, for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-017

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Sacred Heart Center, Inc., for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-018

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Nolef Turns Inc., for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-019

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Community 50/50, Inc., for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program. (cOMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-020

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Contract between the City of Richmond and Virginia Union University, for the purpose of funding a community health literacy program.

( c OMMITTEE: Education and Human Services, Thursday, January 12, 2023, 2:00 p.m.)

Ordinance No. 2023-021

To declare a public necessity for and to authorize the acquisition of the parcels of real property owned by The Conservation Fund, A Nonprofit Corporation, and known as 3011 Dock Street and 3021 Dock Street, consisting of 4.33± acres, for the purpose of maintaining such properties as public greenspace in the James River Park System.

Ordinance No. 2023-022

To authorize the Chief Administrative Officer, for and on behalf of the City of Richmond, to execute a Grant Agreement between the City of Richmond and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, for the purpose of supporting the planning, development, and initial operations of a cultural space to be located at the Main Street Station train shed in the city of Richmond.

(cOMMITTEE: Finance and Economic Development,Thursday, January 19, 2023, 1:00 p.m.)

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the January 23, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

DIvORcE

vIRGINIA: IN THE cIRcUIT cOURT FOR THE cOUNTY OF HANOvER MARION THOMAS, Plaintiff v. JONATHAN THOMAS, Defendant. case No.: cL22003671-00

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 of the Commonwealth of Virginia, appear here on or before the 7th day of February, 2023 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests.

A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk

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

vIRGINIA: IN THE cIRcUIT cOURT FOR THE cOUNTY OF HANOvER RANAN GARRISON, aka ROMAN GARRISON, Plaintiff v. BITENA GARRISON, Defendant. case No.: cL21000518-00

ORDER OF PUBLIcATION

The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months.

It is ORDERED that the defendant, who has been served with the Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 8th day of February, 2023 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests.

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

cUSTODY

vIRGINIA: IN THE JUvENILE AND DOMESTIc RELATIONS DISTRIcT cOURT OF THE cITY OF RIcHMOND commonwealth of virginia, in re MIcHAEL JAMES STRASBURG, III & JAYDEN JAMES STRASBURG RDSS, v. TRAcEY LEE FORD, case No. J-101012-05, J-101013-05

ORDER OF PUBLIcATION

The object of this suit is to: Terminate the residual parental rights (“RPR”) of Tracey Lee Ford (MOTHER) of Michael James Strasburg, III, child, DOB 3/15/2010 and Jayden James Johnson, child, DOB 7/2/2014 “RPR” 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 and that.

It is ORDERED that the defendants Tracey Lee Ford (Mother) to appear at the above-named Court and protect his/her interest on or before 4/18/2023, at 2:00 P.M., cOURTROOM #2 (McG)

vIRGINIA: IN THE cIRcUIT cOURT OF HENRIcO cOUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF A cHILD KNOWN AS ALEXANDRIA GRAcE KITTLE (vIRGINIA BIRTH REGISTRATION NUMBER 145-18-081342) BY LAURIE LYN FRANcIS AND RANDALL TERRY FRANcIS case No. cA-22-45-00

ORDER OF PUBLIcATION

The object of this suit is to allow the petitioners Laurie Lyn Francis and Randall Terry Francis to adopt a child known as Alexandria Grace Kittle pursuant to Virginia Code Section 63.2-1242.3. However, the petitioners have been unable to locate the birth mother, Mary Grace May, for purposes of service and whose parental rights must be terminated in order to proceed with the adoption.

Diligence has been used without effect to ascertain the location of Mary Grace May. An affidavit has been filed in support hereof. The last known address of Mary Grace May is: 923 Schroeder Rd. Powhatan, Va. 23139.

Upon consideration, this Order of Publication is GRANTED and it is therefore ORDERED that the birth mother Mary Grace May appear on or before March 24, 2023 at 9:30 am in the Circuit Court for Henrico County and do what is necessary to protect her interests.

A COPY TESTE: HEIDI S. BARSHINGER, Clerk I ask for this: Sherry A. Fox, Esquire (VSB #72943) Fox Family Formation 9962 Brook Road, #613 Glen Allen, VA 23059 (804) 317-3416 {Telephone) sfox@foxfamilyformation.com Counsel for Petitioners

PROPERTIES

vIRGINIA: IN THE cIRcUIT cOURT OF THE cITY OF RIcHMOND JOHN MARSHALL cOURTS BUILDING cITY OF RIcHMOND, Plaintiff, v. DIANA METzGER BROOKE, et al, Defendants. case No.: cL22-4384 ORDER OF PUBLIcATION

The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3700 Iron Bridge Road, Richmond, Virginia, Tax Map Number c0081065012 to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Diana Metzger Brooke

An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, Diana Metzger Brooke who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose last known post-office address is 836 Stevenson Road, Severn Maryland 21144, has not filed a response to this action, and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title and/or any creditors with a current or future interest in said property, have not been identified and/or served despite diligent efforts to do so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of Parties Unknown.

IT IS ORDERED that Diana Metzger Brooke, and Parties Unknown , come forward to appear on or before FEBRUARY 16, 2023 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter.

An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

Trustees’ Sale of 13301 Fern Run Montpelier, vA In execution of that certain deed of trust dated November 19, 2015 securing payment in the original principal amount of $500,000.00 recorded in the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court of the Hanover County, VA as Instrument Number 20151123000154100 at page 0001, (the “Deed of Trust”), default having occurred in payment of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee, at the direction of the secured party will offer for sale at public auction at the main entrance to the building housing the Circuit Court of Hanover County, VA, 7530 County Complex Road, Hanover VA on February 3, 2023 at 12:00 Noon. the property described in the referenced Deed of Trust located at the above address and more particularly described as follows: ALL that certain Lot, piece or parcel of land, with the improvements thereon, and appurtenances thereto belonging, lying and being in the South Anna District, Hanover County, VA known and designated as Lot 7, Section “B”, Riverview Estates containing 10.004 acres, more or less according to a plat of survey recorded in the Clerk’s Office, Circuit Court, Hanover County, VA in the Subdivision Plat Book 7, pages 190-191. TERMS OF SALE: CASH. A bidder’s deposit of $30,000.00 or 10% of the sale price, whichever is lower, in the form of cash or certified funds payable to the Substitute Trustee must be presented at the time of sale. The balance of the purchase price is due within fifteen (15) days of the date of sale, otherwise Purchaser’s deposit may be forfeited to the Substitute Trustee(s) to be disbursed in accordance with VA law. The Property and appurtenances thereto, if any, will be sold “as is” without warranty of any kind and subject to any and all

judgments, liens, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements or other matters of record or not of record which may take priority over the referenced Deed of Trust. Time is of the essence. The sale is subject to post-sale confirmation by the secured party or the Substitute Trustee of the terms and acceptability of the sale, at the sole discretion of the secured party or Substitute Trustee. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser’s sole remedy will be the return of the deposit paid without interest and the Purchaser will have no further recourse against the Substitute Trustee, the Mortgagee or the Trustee’s attorney. Additional Terms of Sale will be announced at the time of sale and will be set forth in the Trustee’s Memorandum of Foreclosure Sale to be executed by the successful bidder at the time of the sale. This is a communication from a debt collector and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Sale is subject to seller confirmation. Substitute Trustee: RVA Recovery, LLC,. Contact Stephen B. Wood at The Wood Law Firm, 6720 Patterson Ave., Suite D. Counsel for Trustee. For information contact: Stephen B. Wood TEL: (804) 335-0888.

File #GF2022010 Ad. Dates. January 5, 2023_ and January 12, 2023

ABc LIcENSE

vA House of Soul cocktail Grill LLc Trading as: vA House of Soul cocktail Grill 3406 Mechanicsville Tpke Henrico, vA 23225-5363 The above establishment is applying to the V IRGINIA A LCOHOLIC B EVERAGE C ONTROL (ABC)

AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Lawrence Russell Len Jr., owner Date notice posted at establishment:

NOTE: Objections to the issuance of this license must be submitted to ABC no later than 30 days from the publishing date of the first of two required newspaper legal notices. Objections should be registered at www. abc.virginia.gov or (800) 552-3200.

BID

cOUNTY OF HENRIcO, vIRGINIA cONSTRUcTION BID

ITB #22-2466-12EAR

HIDDEN cREEK PARK STREAM RESTORATION Due: January 26, 2023 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available, please refer to our website at www.richmondgov.com. EOE M/F/D/V

Senior Software Engineer – Capital One Services, LLC in Richmond, VA; Mult pos avail: Resp for overall tech design,

platforms. To apply, visit https://capitalone. wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Capital_One and search “Senior Software Engineer” or “R160493”.

McKesson Corporation, Business Systems Analyst, Richmond, VA. Plan, conduct, and direct the analysis of complex business problems to be solved with automated JD Edwards systems. 20% domestic travel required. To apply, please send resumes to JobPostings@McKesson.com. Reference #: 001506.

Timmons Group seeks one Software Engineer to develop, analyze, recommend, & implement commercial & govt software apps. Create graphic designs, positively interact w/ clients, & contribute to developing creative standards & procedures. Position requires Master’s degree in CompSci, or software development/engineering role (or 5 yrs

Oracle, SQL, C#, C++, .NET, and Visual Studio. Job located in Richmond, VA. Applicants should apply at stacy.fossum@timmons.com

NewMarket Services Corporation seeks one Data Science Specialist to develop, design, & create new apps, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. Assess the value, importance, or quality of data. Position requires Master’s degree in CompSci, Comp exp designing, building, & measuring complex ETL jobs & managing data sets (or 5 yrs exp w/ concurrent exp w/ Informatica, Oracle, SQL, UNIX, Job located in Richmond, VA. Applicants should apply at Shawn.Boone@newmarket.com

city of Richmond, virginia cITY cOUNcIL PUBLIc NOTIcE