Richmond Free Press July 22-24, 2021 edition by Richmond Free Press

More than ‘Just a Friend’ Biz Markie dies at 57 B2

VOL. 30 NO. 30

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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Tightening the reins

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Dawn Staley going for gold A8

JULY 22-24, 2021

Milwaukee Bucks bring home trophy after 50 years

Richmond School Board votes 5-4 to issue its own design request for a new George Wythe High School and empanel new evaluation team after 3-hour debate By Ronald E. Carrington

Free Press wire report

After four months of heated debate, the Richmond School Board on Monday night pushed ahead with its own plan to build a new George Wythe High School and two Milwaukee other schools in hewing to its mantra that “schools build schools.” Giannis Antetokounmpo had the Capping three hours of debate, a five-member board majority that has embraced Larry O’Brien Trophy in one arm, the RPS control of construction voted to move ahead with getting its own designs for NBA Finals MVP trophy in the other replacing the 60-year-old South Side school and creating its own evaluation panel that and there was a cigar on the table in it has invited the city to join. front of him. The plan includes two new schools in South Side — a 1,600-seat replacement for All the work it took to lift the MilGeorge Wythe and a 1,000-seat career and technical education high school in a former waukee Bucks from a team that won tobacco factory — and a new Woodville Elementary School in Church Hill that would 15 games when he was a rookie to one result in closure of Fairfield Elementary. with 16 wins this postseason was finally Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports The 5-4 vote approved a proposal that board Vice Chair Jonathan Young, 4th Disfinished. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo trict, advanced. Those voting for Mr. Young’s plan included Mariah “This is time to celebrate,” Antetokcelebrates with the Bill Russell NBA Finals Most White, 2nd District; Kenya Gibson, 3rd District; Stephanie Rizzi, ounmpo said. Valuable Player trophy after the Bucks claim the NBA 5th District; and Dr. Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District. Milwaukee waited 50 years for that. championship Tuesday night in Game 6 against the In doing so, the majority rejected an alternate proposal that Phoenix Suns at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. Please turn to A4 two members of the minority, Liz Doer, 1st District, and Nicole Jones, 9th District, advanced to have RPS send representatives to a panel Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration has set up. That panel was to evaluate responses to a request Mr. Kamras for proposals, or RFP, for architects for a replacement George Wythe that the mayor issued last month. The School Board’s action puts SuperBy Jeremy M. Lazarus serious felony cases that virtually all of the members range in intendent Jason Kamras on the hook for involving drug deal- age from their 70s to early 90s. issuing a RFP for a new George Wythe A regional grand jury vested with ing and other major “I’m concerned about the lack of didesign by Aug. 23, and for the other two sweeping powers to investigate and issue crimes. Richmond’s versity and about the lack of turnover,” schools shortly thereafter. indictments appears to have been exempted regional grand jury said Sen. Morrissey, who serves on the Mr. Kamras told the board its directive from the push to ensure racial equity in considers criminal Senate Judiciary Committee, which deals is unrealistic because the school adminiscriminal justice. indictments involving with issues related to courts and criminal tration doesn’t have the capacity to do the Mr. Young Instead of diversity, Richmond state cases from the city justice. RFP, nor does it expect to have in place a Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey said that and three counties, He said the grand jury, which is the last three-person construction management unit he has been advised this grand jury is a Sen. Morrissey Chesterfield, Hanover checkpoint before a case can head to the to do such work until October. majority-white club of elderly people, a and Henrico, though the city relies on it circuit court, needs to have a membership The board’s action again calls into quessubstantial number of whom have served the most. that better reflects the community. tion just how soon a new high school can for years. Sen. Morrissey said his concern about Sen. Morrissey, a former Richmond be completed. While Mr. Young and several He said reforms to alter that picture the grand jury’s composition and tenure prosecutor whose license to practice law other board members have said a new George could be in order for the Richmond multi- was aroused by information he received in Virginia was revoked in 2018, said that Wythe can be done by 2024, Mr. Kamras and jurisdictional grand jury, and similar bodies that offered a glimpse into an operation having regulars on a grand jury can distort city officials have said 2027 is more realistic across the state, whose membership has that, by law, is shrouded in secrecy. the process. He said people who serve for with the school system in charge. been controlled by prosecutors and judges He said he was told that only three years are prone to become too cozy with the Mayor Stoney In a statement released after the board’s for decades. members of the regional grand jury are grand jury’s special counsel and the police decision, Mayor Levar M. Stoney said: The General Assembly authorized Black and that there are no Asians or officers who offer the bulk of testimony “School Board members Rizzi, Young, Gibson, White and such regional grand juries in the early Latinos or representatives of other relevant Harris-Muhammed have again stubbornly refused to hear the Please turn to A4 1980s to speed the indictment process in community groups. He said he was told demands of the George Wythe community. Tonight’s vote doesn’t give students and their families any more reason to hope that a new school will be built one day sooner than the 2027 timeline outlined by the Superintendent. Our students and families deserve better.” Mr. Young, though, said the mayor’s statement is too pessimistic. He said that RPS is on track to get the school done in three years. He said that under the approved plan, a design team should be on board in less than 90 days. He said the architects

Concerns raised over lack of diversity among regional grand jury members

Sewer system upgrades may result in bills tripling for city customers

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Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Young entrepreneurs Evora Anna Cherry, 9, left, owner, president and CEO of Evora’s Arts and Crafts, chats with Heaven Thompson, another young entrepreneur, about her work during the Richmond Children’s Business Fair last Saturday outside the Science Museum of Virginia. Roughly 70 young business owners were selling their goods and services during the fair. It’s a good start on what may become a career.

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Richmond faces many challenges, but one of the biggest and most expensive lies underground in the sewer system. For the first time, City Hall has disclosed that the city is facing a bill for more than $800 million to keep its pledge to end by 2035 the discharge of largely untreated human waste into the James River during heavy rainfalls. According to the disclosure, the cost of borrowing that much money during the next 14 years to end the city’s pollution of the river would require nearly tripling the monthly charge for sewer service. The current cost is around $41.70 a month for the average residential customer. Tripling the fee would have a huge impact on lower-income renters and homeowners in Richmond, particularly in the Black community, which bears a higher share of the city’s poverty.

Bypassing City Council, Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration made the disclosure in a letter pleading for Gov. Ralph S. Northam to help. The letter, dated July 7 and signed by the nine Democratic members of Richmond’s delegation to the General Assembly, urges the governor to carve out $833 million for improvements to Richmond’s sewer system from the influx of $4.3 billion the state is to receive from the federal American Rescue Plan. The governor has yet to respond, but the delegation is expected to press the issue during the upcoming special session that is to open Monday, Aug. 2, to create a spending plan for using the ARP dollars. So far, the Stoney administration has not responded to Free Press queries, nor has it made any presentation to the council or the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality about the magnitude Please turn to A4

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

In this file photo, rainwater floods the intersection of Overbrook Road and Lombardy Street in North Side. About one-third of Richmond’s storm drainage is tied into its sewer system, mostly in the East End, North Side and Downtown.

Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following location: • Thursday, July 29, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Henrico West Health Department, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Appointments are not necessary, but can be made by calling the Richmond and Henrico COVID-19 Hotline at (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by registering online at https://bit.ly/RHHDCOVID. Testing will be offered while test supplies last. COVID-19 testing also is available at various drug stores,

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Richmond Free Press

A2 July 22-24, 2021

Local News

‘Where are people to go?’ Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Homeless residents of a small tent city outside the vacant Richmond Coliseum received a final notice to move before a 12-foot fence blocking access is completed. The fence is being installed as a squad of city workers prepare to salvage useful items from the building before its demolition. Above right, in the shadows, Dianne Wilmore, City Hall’s homeless services liaison, delivers the notice to a person Tuesday as Richmond Police Capt. Dan Minton and Officer Matthew McHugh watch. Above left, two of the residents, Talisha Braxton, 28, and Burney Hatchett III, 47, chat in a photo taken July 11. Ms. Wilmore, though, did not offer any housing options to those in the tents, according to those she spoke with. The message, the residents said, was simple: Go somewhere else. And those who lived in the tents, along with a few people who can be seen sleeping on Downtown sidewalks, are just a small fraction of the homeless who soon could be looking for shelter. Currently, dozens of homeless families are housed at a Days Inn in South Side, with their stays paid for with federal CARES Act funds. The Free Press has been told that anyone there who has not been placed in alternative housing by Saturday, July 31, will be discharged with their possessions to the street. There are multiple shelters that nonprofits such as CARITAS,

RRHA extends eviction moratorium; halts CEO search By George Copeland Jr.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond the Salvation Army and Home Again operate, but there are indications all currently are brimming with people and have no extra room. The city has not operated a summer shelter program since the pandemic. Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration has not announced how it plans to address the current problem. City Council has called for creation of a year-round shelter and homeless service center. The administration is required to have a winter overflow shelter in place by Oct. 1, but with less than three months to go, the administration also has not announced a location. City Council’s Education and Human Services Committee has called an emergency session for 2 p.m. Thursday, July 29, on the homeless and the city’s shelter needs. Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch, 5th District, the committee chair, said Wednesday she has asked the administration to provide an update on the status of the year-round operation and to provide a development timeline. If the center is still a distant prospect, she also wants the administration

to provide an update on its plans for a cold weather shelter. Ms. Lynch said the situation is urgent and needs to be addressed. In June, the city administration indicated it was working to buy a local hotel for the year-round operation, but the Free Press has been told that proposal hasn’t advanced. Additional city investment in homeless services also has turned iffy. In May, the council backed a plan to invest an additional $1 million to support such services using money from the federal American Rescue Plan, but that plan was dropped in June. The Richmond area is supposed to receive a one-time infusion of $11 million in federal funds to support homeless services that would be over and above previous federal support, but that money has not arrived. The situation is frustrating homeless advocates like Rhonda Sneed, whose nonprofit Blessing Warriors is a mainstay in providing food, clothing, other necessities and sometimes hotel rooms for those without shelter. “Where are people to go?” she has pointed out on social media. The city has been in conversations with officials from Henrico and Chesterfield counties about creating a regional year-round shelter, but to date, the conversations have not produced any results.

Wrinkle in removal: city doesn’t own Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill’s statue By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Ms. DanielsFayson

Just weeks before more than 1,500 of Richmond’s public housing residents were facing losing their homes, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has extended its eviction moratorium to September, but not beyond Oct. 31. The decision was announced last week, days after the RRHA Board of Commissioners announced a temporary halt to its search for a new chief executive officer and an outside review of the organization. RRHA officials cited a federal moratorium on enforcement actions because of nonpayment among the reasons for the extension. During the extended eviction freeze, RRHA plans to reach out to residents with outstanding payments or rent agreements. Property managers will be “going door to door in an attempt to talk to those who are behind” and offer support services or encourage them to apply for rent assistance, according to an RRHA statement. Property managers also have instituted special hours on Saturday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 14, for meetings with RRHA families to discuss accounts. Housing advocates applauded the extension while they challenged RRHA to take further action to ensure tenants can maintain their housing. The Legal Aid Justice Center asked RRHA to apply directly for rental assistance for qualifying families through the state’s Rent Relief Program, re-analyze the accounts of tenants with outstanding balances to make sure all charges are correct, or forgive these debts entirely if the other options don’t work. “Legal Aid Justice Center is encouraged by RRHA’s decision to extend the nonpayment eviction moratorium for its residents to fall of 2021, but asks that RRHA go further,” the group said in a statement. “We do not believe that many families fell behind because of individual choices but, more likely, they were unable to pay their rent because of systemic problems in our housing system.” Meanwhile, the RRHA board announced July 13 that it has suspended its search for a new chief executive officer as it conducts a full review of the organization and its operations. The pause comes after months of efforts and discussions to replace former CEO Damon E. Duncan, who announced his resignation in March 2020 after less than a year on the job. Stacey Daniels-Fayson, who has been serving as interim executive director since June 2020, will continue in that role, the board stated. Ms. Daniels-Fayson is the fourth CEO in as many years. The board cited a period of self-reflection, spurred by feedback from RRHA residents, as a major prompt for its decision. “We must first look inward to develop a clearer picture of the organization itself and then build a profile of the next executive who can lead RRHA through very challenging work,” the board’s statement read. According to the board, the review will be outsourced. “We will contract with an outside company to evaluate and assess all the functions, policies and procedures of RRHA,” the board said in a statement. “As Commissioners, we feel that we owe this to our residents, our staff and the community as part of our commitment to serving Richmond.”

RPS to host Summer Fest

Richmond Public Schools is hosting two weekend parties to help spread the word to parents, students and community residents about the plans for in-person classes that are scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 8. Titled “Summer Fest,” the first is to be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St. The event will feature an art station, a mobile playground, a splashpad, free food and beverages and other fun attractions, RPS announced. The event will be moved indoors if it rains. An identical event is to be held the following weekend in South Side. That one will be held 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4825 Old Warwick Road, with the rain site being Broad Rock Elementary School, 4615 Ferguson Lane.

The City of Richmond apparently never has owned one of the Confederate monuments it is trying to get rid of, and that could add a new complication to its removal. That’s the statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill that has stood since 1892 at what is now the intersection of Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road. Seeking to match Monument Avenue with its statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, cigarette magnate Lewis Ginter arranged with the Hill family for Gen. Hill’s body to be moved from Hollywood Cemetery and reinterred at the current site, and then commissioned the statue as an oversized grave marker. While streets have been built around the monument, it is not clear whether the city has the authority to remove the statue and Gen. Hill’s remains because there is no record the city owns the small parcel of land on which the statue stands. Apparently, the city never required Mr. Ginter to give the property or the statue to the city. The City Attorney’s Office conducted an extensive search of property records after receiving a query from city resident Michael Sarahan and, according to Mr. Sarahan, “found no record of a deed or other document conveying property rights to the city.”

Mr. Sarahan said that that James Nolan, press secretary to Mayor Levar M. Stoney, confirmed that the city has found nothing in the way of a record of a legal transfer. Mr. Sarahan, a former assistant city attorney, said that finding indicates the statue is not an improper encroachment. For the city, the fact it has no evident ownership could mean it would need to undertake condemnation proceedings to acquire the property, force the sale for delinquent property taxes and buy it at auction or find the heirs of the last known owner and have them agree to relinquish their rights. The ownership issue surfaced after the city’s Urban Design Commission and the Planning Commission approved a plan to remove the Hill monument and create an intersection that is easier for traffic to navigate and to reduce vehicle collisions. The city’s Traffic Engineering Office rates the intersection as one of the more dangerous in the city due to the statue’s presence. In 2019, 43 crashes were reported at the location. The Stoney administration has indicated that there is a deal with the family, which has agreed to relocate the statue, pedestal and grave. Whether the family will voluntarily proceed with removal now that the city does not own the property is unknown.

VSU eliminates debt for 1,200 students By Jeremy M. Lazarus

At least 1,200 students attending Virginia State University no longer have to worry about the money they owe the school. VSU, located near Petersburg, joined the list of universities that have used federal CARES Act money from 2020 to pay off past-due accounts for tuition, fees and room and board that students racked up since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The university announced July 16 that the federal dollars would pay off about $1.3 million in past due expenses that the estimated 1,200 students have accumulated since March 13, 2020, when the pandemic emergency was declared in the state. Virginia Union University in Richmond and Norfolk State University announced in June debt relief for its students in seeking to make the best use of the influx of federal dollars. More than 3,300 students at the two schools are expected to benefit. VSU Provost Donald Palm described the debt relief “as critical to helping students continue to pursue their academic dreams.” Like most schools, VSU does not allow students that still owe money to graduate.

Those aided at VSU represent about 25 percent of the student body, typical of many of the schools. The balances were cleared after other federal, state and private support was applied to each student’s debt, VSU noted. The debt relief is limited to enrollment costs associated with taking classes in the spring, summer, fall and winter of 2020 and in the winter and spring of 2021, VSU stated. As at most schools that chose to use the federal money to tackle student debt, VSU’s debt relief program will not affect balances on student loans owed to lenders. Students who had outstanding balances that were accumulated before the pandemic also will still owe that money, VSU stated. The federal rules accompanying the funding each school received barred the payoff of debts accumulated prior to the pandemic’s start. The federal funds came through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund that was part of the $2.2 trillion pandemic relief package known as the CARES Act that Congress passed and then-President Trump signed into law. The universities are reporting this was one-time money, and that they are not ex-

pecting additional funds from other relief packages that were passed later, including the American Rescue Plan. Meanwhile, Virginia Union University reported using nearly $5 million in CARES Act money to pay off accumulated debts for 1,172 students. VUU also stated that about $2 million was distributed in relief payments to 2,103 students, or virtually every student enrolled. On average, the relief amounted to $962 per student. Norfolk State reported that it used $2.5 million in CARES Act money to clear the debts of 1,200 students. Hampton University, meanwhile, reported in late May that it would distribute $500 in relief funds to 3,315 of its students, with 1,093 of those students who also were eligible for federal Pell grants receiving an additional $405 each. During commencement, Hampton officials also announced CARES Act funds would be used to provide $500 to help reduce balances of loans students have taken out. Those without any borrowings were to receive a refund of the $150 graduation fee, the university announced. The school, though, has not announced any plan to pay off debts students accumulated during the pandemic.

Harry Hughes, chief schools officer for RPS, is leaving Harry Hughes, the chief schools officer for Richmond Public Schools, is leaving at the end of July. Mr. Hughes, a member of Superintendent Jason Kamras’ leadership team who is the executive manager of school principals, said he wants to return to the front lines in education and work more directly with students and teachers. “If everything works out as I hope, I will be at an elementary school next year either as a teacher or a dean or instructional coach,” Mr. Hughes said, but he did not specify where. “That taps into my strengths, as I miss

the days of interacting with students while bonding and growing with them,” he said. Since 2018, Mr. Hughes has initiated social-emotional learning programs within RPS and imMr. Hughes plemented changes in the division’s code of conduct that were designed to lower suspension rates that disproportionately affect African-American students.

He also oversaw four principal directors to manage the school system’s 44 schools and worked to advance Dreams4RPS, the school system’s five-year strategic plan. “First and foremost, Harry has improved the system’s culture and climate by establishing the district’s restorative practices and trauma-informed program, which include community circles in every school as well as a great deal of training for teachers,” Mr. Kamras said. “Harry has been a critical part of the administrative team and will be sorely missed,” the superintendent said.

Richmond Free Press

NOW OPEN AT THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA www.smv.org An exhibition created by the Australian Museum and toured internationally by Flying Fish

July 22-24, 2021 A3

Richmond Free Press

A4 July 22-24, 2021

News

School Board votes 5-4 to issue its own design request for a new George Wythe High and empanel new evaluation team after 3-hour debate Continued from A1

should be able to have designs ready for bid next year. If all goes well, he said a general contractor should be hired and starting work within 12 to 15 months. But Mr. Kamras disagrees. He told the board that RPS is having a difficult time filling the jobs of the new three-person construction team that would be in charge of the process. He said the chaos and public wrangling since mid-April over school construction control has scared off prospects for the three jobs — director of school construction, construction project manager and construction procurement manager. An additional 12 positions also are needed to fill out RPS’ new 15-member procurement group. “It has been difficult to fill the new construction positions because many qualified candidates have determined that coming to RPS is not the best career move at this time,” Mr. Kamras told the board. The school administration, after consulting with procurement offices in Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield, drew up a timeline in June that showed an RFP wouldn’t be issued until Jan. 1, with the design contract awarded on July 1; the construction contract awarded January 2025 after public engagement and pre-qualification of bidders; and the construction completed in

George Wythe High School

July 2027. Under the plan adopted Monday night by the School Board, the administration would create a seven-member evaluation panel to recommend the winning design team, with four seats for RPS and three seats for city representatives. The approved plan shrinks the size of the replacement George Wythe from the original plans for a 2,000-seat school to a capacity of 1,600 students. Mr. Kamras also bridled at that. He told the board that Wythe currently has an enrollment of 1,300 students and is growing.

Milwaukee Bucks bring home trophy Continued from A1

Antetokounmpo ended one of the greatest NBA Finals ever with 50 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots as the Bucks beat the Phoenix Suns 105-98 on Tuesday night to win an entertaining series 4-2 and cap off a joyous return to a fan-filled postseason after last year’s NBA bubble. It was the third game this series with at least 40 points and 10 rebounds for Antetokounmpo, a dominant debut finals performance that takes its place among some of the game’s greatest. Antetokounmpo finished with 35.2 points, 13.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game while shooting 61.8 percent, the first player in finals history to reach those numbers. He shot 16 for 25 from the field and made an unbelievable 17-of-19 free throws — a spectacular showing for any shooter, let alone one who was hitting just 55.6 percent in the postseason and was ridiculed for it at times. “People told me I can’t make free throws and I made them tonight. And I’m a freaking champion,” Antetokounmpo said. He hopped around the court waving his

arms with 20 seconds remaining to encourage fans to cheer, but there was no need. Their voices had been booming inside and outside for hours by then, having waited 50 years to celebrate a winner after Lew Alcindor — before becoming Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — and Oscar Robertson led the Bucks to their first championship in 1971. “For the city, I’m sure it means everything,” said Khris Middleton, the other player left from that 15-67 team in 2013-14. “They’ve seen the work that we put in over the years for them to get to this point.” In a season played largely without fans, the Bucks had 65,000 of them packed into the Deer District outside, a wild party that figured to last deep into the Midwestern night. The party wasn’t bad inside, either: Confetti rained down inside as fans chanted “Bucks in 6! Bucks in 6!” — a hopeful boast by a former player that turned out to be a prophetic rallying cry. “I hope they enjoyed it just like we are now,” Middleton added. The Bucks became the fifth team to win the NBA Finals after trailing 2-0 and the first to do it by winning the next four games

since Miami against Dallas in 2006. Chris Paul scored 26 points to end his first NBA Finals appearance in his 16th season. Devin Booker added 19 points but shot just 8 for 22 and missed all seven 3-pointers after scoring 40 points in each of the last two games. “There’s just a pain that goes with your season being over,” Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams said. “But I’ve never dealt with this and so I’m grateful, like I said, but I know this is going to hurt for a while.” The teams that came into the NBA together as expansion clubs in 1968 delivered a fine finals, with the last three games all in the balance deep into the fourth quarter. And Milwaukee was ready for the moment. Middleton scored 17 points and Bobby Portis came off the bench with 16. Holiday had 12 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds to go along with his usual sturdy defense that helped finally cool off Booker. “I think it’s just a credit to the players,” Bucks Coach Mike Budenholzer said. “We’ve been pushing. We’ve been trying to get better. The players embrace everything. They’re amazingly coachable. They take it, soak it in and make the best of it.”

Concerns raised over lack of diversity among regional grand jury members Continued from A1

in support of an indictment. He said he was told that the longest serving members of the regional grand jury become testy if a new person seeks to raise questions about the facts and testimony presented. A Free Press review of court records found that three of the current members of the regional grand jury have served for at least 10 years, while another has served for seven years. Richmond Circuit Court Judge Beverly W. Snukals has been the regional grand jury’s presiding judge during a major portion of her 19-year tenure on the court and has issued the jurors’ reappointments every six months. She declined to comment on the grand jury or the appointments. Based on state law, Judge Snukals makes the appointments based on recommendations from judges in Richmond and from the three other jurisdictions to ensure each locality is represented and from the grand jury’s special counsel, David Stock, an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Henrico County who has held the post

for nine years. According to state law, members of the regional grand jury are to be drawn from the pool of area residents who are called to serve on regular grand juries in each of the four jurisdictions. However, nothing precludes Judge Snukals from reappointing the same people. No central database is maintained to provide racial or gender information on those appointed to serve on any grand jury in Richmond or elsewhere. Sen. Morrissey said he is considering introducing legislation that would prevent routine reappointments and require people from different backgrounds and various age groups. How much impact such reforms would have is uncertain. Created to speed up the indictment process in serious criminal cases, the regional grand jury, like most grand juries, tends to issue indictments. According to legal experts and state law, that is because grand juries in Virginia only hear the prosecution’s side of the case and because the standard for an indictment is low. The grand jury does not decide guilt

or innocence. Instead, Virginia law states that the grand jury only must find there is “probable cause” that the person under consideration for indictment was involved in alleged wrongdoing and should be face a trial. That standard is far short of the “beyond a reasonable doubt” that is required to convict. The grand jury also is not required to be unanimous. Only a majority of members must agree that there is “probable cause,” according to state law. Still, it might preclude the appointment of people who fall asleep during testimony, as the Free Press was told is not uncommon in the Richmond regional grand jury. Mr. Stock did not respond to a request for comment about whether grand jurors nod off during hearings. Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon L. Taylor, who is Mr. Stock’s boss, said that although she does not personally attend the grand jury’s sessions, “I have not heard any concerns about how Mr. Stock has handled and continues to handle the multi-jurisdictional grand jury from any of the other jurisdictions.”

Sewer system upgrades may result in bills tripling for city customers Continued from A1

of the problem. The VDEQ reported that it has never received any documents projecting the overall cost of system improvements to end the discharges but expects to receive one by 2024 as part of the agency’s efforts to monitor city progress on ending the discharges. The request for $833 million, which was not supported by any documents attached to the letter, would represent a huge increase. That amount is seven times more than the $117 million the Richmond Department of Public Utilities asserts on its website that it is spending to end the discharges. It is four times larger than the $217 million the city already has spent, according to the city’s approval capital budget for 2022 to 2026. And it is 13 times larger than the $63 million the city plans to invest through 2026 to reduce the polluting discharges. Richmond’s problem stems from what

is called its combined sewer overflow system, or CSO. Like Alexandria, Lynchburg and hundreds of cities elsewhere, Richmond is facing a problem because at least a century ago it connected its stormwater system into its sewer system. It did so when discharging waste into rivers was a common practice. Today, about one-third of Richmond’s storm drainage is tied into its sewer system, mostly in the East End, North Side and Downtown, according to the city Department of Public Utilities. The trouble comes when a surge of rainwater floods into the sewer system. In the CSO area, and an inch of rain can create more than 300 million gallons of water, which overwhelms the existing storage and treatment capacity and leads to discharges of waste from 25 outflows, which inject disinfectant to reduce the impact of the waste on the river. Municipal waste discharges became an issue in the 1970s with the creation of the

Environmental Protection Agency, which began demanding change. In 2005, Richmond signed a consent decree with VDEQ to make improvements, a longer timeline than Alexandria and Lynchburg, which are spending heavily to meet their 2027 deadline. Richmond has come a long way in the past two decades. That includes expanding the capacity of its wastewater treatment plant to handle larger volumes and installing underground storage in Shockoe Bottom and in its Downtown canals to hold more rainwater. During the next five years, Richmond plans to install improvements to its existing system and add more storage by installing huge pipes in the city’s James River Park. But as the letter notes, far more would need to be done. Without a state bailout, ratepayers who already grouse about the cost of city water and wastewater can only expect to see their bills continue to rise.

He said that if the increases are sustained in the years ahead, a school with a capacity for 1,600 students “would be overcrowded on day one.” Mr. Young said after the meeting that Mr. Kamras and school officials are raising objections that do not seem to have merit. “The city has already issued an RFP for design of a new Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press George Wythe. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. The RPS procurement can get a copy, change some of the wording as needed and issue it,” he said. “They could do it next week. This should not be a problem.” “I’m tired of talking about George Wythe,” Mr. Kamras told the board, noting other important items on the School Board’s agenda are being neglected. He noted the lengthy debate forced the board to defer discussion of his administration’s $65 million plan to boost literacy. School Board Chair Cheryl Burke, 7th District, also wishes the debate over George Wythe would end. “It breaks my heart that we debate back and forth about who’s in charge and who’s not in charge,” she told her board colleagues. “In the end, none of us are in charge. In the end, the children are in charge.” Staff writer Jeremy M. Lazarus contributed to this report.

Free COVID-19 testing, vaccines Continued from A1 clinics and urgent care centers throughout the area for people with and without health insurance. Several offer tests with no out-of-pocket costs. A list of area COVID-19 testing sites is online at https://www. vdh.virginia.gov/richmond-city/richmond-and-henrico-areacovid-19-testing-sites/ 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/covid-19-testing-sites/.

Want a COVID-19 vaccine? The Richmond and Henrico health districts are offering free walk-up COVID-19 vaccines at the following locations: • Friday, July 23, 9 a.m. to noon – Henrico West Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson; 3 to 5 p.m. – East End Library, 1200 N. 25th St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. • Saturday, July 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Richmond Public Schools Summer Fest, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St.; noon to 2 p.m. – Richmond City Justice Center Community Food Distribution, 1700 Fairfield Way, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson • Tuesday, July 27, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Varina Library, 1875 New Market Road, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 2 to 4 p.m. – Silk Hair Studio, 1657 W. Broad St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. • Wednesday, July 28, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Washington Football Team Training Camp, 2401 W. Leigh St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Third Street Bethel AME Church Food Pantry, 614 N. 3rd St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 3 to 6 p.m. – George Wythe High School, 4314 Crutchfield St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. • Thursday, July 29, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Washington Football Team Training Camp, 2401 W. Leigh St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 9 to 11 a.m. – Care Advantage Inc. West End Office, 3201 Hungary Spring Road, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 1 to 3 p.m. – Care Advantage Inc. South Side Office, 10041 Midlothian Turnpike, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Twin Hickory Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road, Glen Allen, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson. • Friday, July 30, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Washington Football Team Training Camp, 2401 W. Leigh St., Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson; 9 a.m. to noon – Henrico West Clinic, 8600 Dixon Powers Dr., Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. Children ages 12 to 15 may only receive the Pfizer vaccine. Appointments are not required, but individuals can schedule an appointment online at vax.rchd.com or by calling (804) 205-3501. VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine. The American Academy of Pediatrics this week recommended that everyone over the age of 2 should wear a face mask inside schools, regardless of their vaccination status. In new guidance that came out on Monday, the physicians group said it is calling for masking in schools because a significant portion of the student population is not eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine and it would be difficult for schools to track students’ vaccination status and incorporate rules based on that status. Currently, only the Pfizer, two-dose vaccine is authorized for emergency use for children 12 and older. The AAP’s recommendations also differ from guidance released earlier this month by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that stated vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear masks inside school buildings. The concern comes as the numbers of new cases of the coronavirus continue to rise across the nation, including in Virginia, with the more contagious delta variant. The AAP also is encouraging all eligible to get vaccinated and for additional safety protocols be taken for in-person schooling, such as proper ventilation in buildings and cleaning and disinfecting. Nationally, the U.S. recorded more than 62,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. All 50 states also have reported a rise in infection rates for the first time since January, driving largely by those who are unvaccinated. Reports indicate that the delta variant accounts for 83 percent of new cases in the United States, with experts warning it could become the dominant strain in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Health reported 678 new cases on Wednesday, contributing to a total of 686,884 cases in the state, 31,037 hospitalizations and 11,491 deaths. Virginia’s seven-day positivity rate is 3.4 percent. Last week, it was 2.4 percent. According to state data, more than 4.5 million people are fully vaccinated in Virginia, or 53.3 percent of the population, while 59 percent of the population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to state data, African-Americans comprised 22.5 percent of cases statewide and 25.1 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 16 percent of cases and 6.5 percent of deaths. Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths Richmond 17,388 827 274 Henrico County 26,222 1,116 641 Chesterfield County 28,566 1,040 454 Hanover County 8,408 323 169

Richmond Free Press

July 22-24, 2021 A5

Local News

SURVEY Dear Richmond Free Press readers: Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Legacy of the Richmond 34 The Richmond Flying Squirrels highlighted a significant moment in Richmond history Saturday evening by honoring members of the Richmond 34, the 34 fearless Virginia Union University students who were arrested on Feb. 22, 1960, when they staged a lunch counter sit-in at Thalhimers department store in Downtown challenging the “whites only” service policy. Their peaceful protest, which took place just days after the noted Woolworth’s lunch counter sit-in by four North Carolina A&T State University students in Greensboro, N.C., led to the total integration of Thalhimers and other white-owned businesses Downtown and helped push later federal legislation in 1964 that ended segregation in public places and banned discrimination

on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or national origin. Several members of the Richmond 34 were recognized before Saturday evening’s game during a ceremony that included the Flying Squirrels retiring jersey No. 34 in their honor. Here, Richmond 34 member Leroy M. Bray Jr. stands and waves to the crowd as he is introduced. Others members of the history-making group being honored were, from left, Elizabeth Johnson Rice; Wendell Foster Jr.; J. Hunter Ellison and his mother, Geraldine Ellison, who were representing Joseph E. Ellison; and Raymond B. Randolph III, representing his father, Raymond B. Randolph Jr.

We need your help! dŚĞ sŝƌŐŝŶŝĂ WƌĞƐƐ ƐƐŽĐŝĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ĐŽŶĚƵĐƟŶŐ Ă ƐƵƌǀĞǇ ŽĨ ůŽĐĂů ŶĞǁƐƉĂƉĞƌ ƌĞĂĚĞƌƐ͘ /ƚ ŝƐ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ƚŽ ŚĂǀĞ ŽƵƌ ƌĞĂĚĞƌƐ͛ ƚŚŽƵŐŚƚƐ ĂŶĚ ŽƉŝŶŝŽŶƐ ƌĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞĚ͘ dŚĞ ŐŽĂů ŝƐ ƚŽ ůĞĂƌŶ ŵŽƌĞ ĂďŽƵƚ ŚŽǁ ǇŽƵ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞ ǇŽƵƌ ůŽĐĂů ŶĞǁƐ͕ ǁŚĂƚ ŶĞǁƐ ŝƐ ŵŽƐƚ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵ ĂŶĚ ǁĂǇƐ ǁĞ ĐĂŶ ŝŵƉƌŽǀĞ ĂŶĚ ĞǆƉĂŶĚ ůŽĐĂů ŶĞǁƐ ĐŽǀĞƌĂŐĞ͘ ZĞƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĂƟŽŶ ŝƐ ŝŵƉŽƌƚĂŶƚ ŶŽǁ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ĞǀĞƌ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ŐŽ ƚŽ ŚƩƉ͗ͬͬďŝƚ͘ůǇͬsW ͲŵĞŵďĞƌͲƐƵƌǀĞǇͲƐƵŵŵĞƌͲϮϬϮϭ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƐŚŽƌƚ ƐƵƌǀĞǇ͘ dŚĞ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ŝƐ ϱ Ɖ͘ŵ͘ &ƌŝĚĂǇ͕ :ƵůǇ Ϯϯ͘

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Editorial Page

July 22-24, 2021

The daily We read with great interest “How the White Press Wrote Off Black America,” an opinion piece by New York Times editorial board member Brent Staples published in the newspaper’s July 10 edition. In it, Mr. Staples talked about the historical indignities and denial of Black people’s humanity that pervaded news columns and coverage in white-owned newspapers, particularly in the South. These newspapers, champions of white supremacy, offered stereotypical depictions of Black people that helped fuel lynchings and other antiBlack violence, including the destruction of entire Black communities as in Tulsa 100 years ago. This blatantly racist news coverage continued for decades, contributing to the rise of Jim Crow; racial terrorism from Reconstruction through the 1950s and 1960s to derail civil rights efforts and their leaders; and perpetuating the racist messages undergirding and justifying the actions causing many of the inequities faced by Black people today in housing, employment, education, criminal justice, lending, health care and more. Mr. Staples also writes about the Black press, including the Richmond Planet and its fiery editor John Mitchell Jr., and the efforts those newspapers undertook “to refute what they rightly saw as white supremacist propaganda masquerading as news.” He gave examples of specific events covered by Black newspapers—monuments to Confederates, the massacre of Black sharecroppers in Elaine, Ark., and the overthrow of the Black-led city government in Wilmington, N.C.—and the divergent coverage and viewpoint of white newspapers. He further wrote about the recent “apology movement” by white newspapers after reviewing their past coverage and now acknowledging their role in diminishing and dehumanizing Black people. He proffers that this is a “belated understanding” by white news organizations that they “need every kind of reader,” including Black people, in order to survive in the current market. Of course, Mr. Staples’ opinion piece made us think about our Downtown neighbor, The Richmond TimesDispatch, which traces its beginnings to the early 1800s. The daily newspaper and its former sister paper, The Richmond News Leader, were owned by a family of Confederate war veterans and sympathizers who, according to the Dictionary of Virginia Biography, “labored to reverse the dramatic changes unleashed by emancipation and Reconstruction.” According to his biography, Joseph Bryan, who died in 1908, “lent his weight to those who demanded that Virginia restrict its electorate, pass sweeping segregation laws and revise its constitution to restore the old order as far as possible.” Richmonders don’t have to go so far back to understand the impact that mindset had on daily news coverage, overall civic life and the Black community. The newspapers were long champions of segregation, with editorial writers Douglas Southall Freeman championing segregation and James J. Kilpatrick and Virginius Dabney pushing “Massive Resistance” to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 1954 decision outlawing segregated schools. Those ugly and racist stances ignored the educational needs of Black children and denied opportunities to generations of Black youngsters and the greater welfare of Black people. While the Richmond Times-Dispatch published a front page editorial in July 2009 expressing its “regret” for Massive Resistance and the central role it played in “justifying its unworthy cause,” it offered no apology. Nor did its editorial board say anything about the newspaper’s white supremacy stance when the statue of the architect of Massive Resistance, former Gov. and U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd, was removed earlier this month from Capitol Square. As the adage goes, our history doesn’t have to own us, but we must own our history. We hope our Downtown neighbor will use this time of racial reckoning to reflect and review the printed record of the past and be straightforward with the Richmond community about its role in the decades of oppression of Black people throughout the city’s history. We appreciate the internal examinations daily newspapers across the country have undertaken and their reports of their findings to their readers. Apologies offer little succor for decades—no, centuries—of abuse. But an apology is a start. What’s harder is to change the present course so that the future is not laced with regret. History has shown us that each of Richmond’s newspapers has a role to play in the growth, development and success of our city. That is why we, at the Richmond Free Press, take seriously our mission to reflect and give voice to our community and empower our readers by addressing the issues and injustices that impact their lives. The insightful columns of Michael Paul Williams published in the Times-Dispatch during the past year on the Confederate statues that lace our city’s landscape and hurt our psyche won a Pulitzer Prize for commentary in June. We congratulate the Times-Dispatch on this prestigious award. Mr. Williams’ columns added a great deal to the community conversation and understanding of why the statues need to come down. But one plum doesn’t make a whole pie. We acknowledge that several members of our news team previously worked at the Times-Dispatch. As our mission statement establishes, “All of our lives are interwoven. We all, whether we like it or not, are in the same proverbial boat. We must work together – or continue to sink.” We hope that our Downtown neighbor will abandon its perspective that created its dismal past and, going forward, will present a fair, balanced and representative accounting of our current history for the benefit of all Richmonders.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

‘Please run for School Board’

Critical race theory, or CRT, asserts that racism is woven into the very fabric of our nation’s institutions. This is not new information for those who have studied how race affects our economy, politics, education, health care and more. CRT is not an attempt to “blame” white America for its origins as much as it is a pedagogical approach to reality. Through CRT, we can see the many ways that the uneven application of laws allowed envious white people to destroy Tulsa’s Black Wall Street, colonizers to gentrify Black neighborhoods, doctors to experiment on Black people and more. CRT also helps us understand how California stole parts of Mexico, how Chinese people were imported here without wives or families to build railroads, and how our Constitution defined Black folks as fractions of people. Attorney and Professor Derrick Bell (1930-2011) wrote about the many ways our racist gendered patriarch systematically oppressed Black people and

others at the periphery. He used both legal theory and fiction to amplify his points. CRT has been taught in our nation’s colleges and universities, and especially in our law schools, for decades. Now white legislators are passing laws in several states to outlaw the teaching of CRT because it hits too close to home. Much of this legislation demonstrates how ignorant some of these legisla-

Julianne Malveaux tors are. It also illustrates how heated the battle for fact and knowledge is. Every time you see a Confederate flag flying, you must know that those stars and bars were only added to state flags after Brown v. Board of Education became law and white Southerners wanted to communicate their allegiance to racism. The legislators who oppose CRT also oppose knowledge. Now, their fearlessly foolish conservative leaders are urging them to “take over” the schools by running for school boards around the country. Rich Lowry, the National Review Editor, wrote a piece, “The Point of the Anti-CRT Fight Should Be To Take Over the Schools.” What

he means is to take over young people’s brains. Mr. Lowry is smart enough to know that the historical whitewash conservatives are attempting cannot withstand historical scrutiny. So he and his conservative minions would instead inject their ideology into our schools, using low-turnout, low-budget races to grab power. Roland S. Martin deserves credit for lifting this. He has been looking at the damage school boards do for years. He says, and Lowry echoes, the power school boards have—to choose book vendors, to shape the curriculum and to select teachers and trainers. The anti-CRT crowd would shut this down. But we also shut ourselves down when we get stuck at the top of the ballot. It is essential to choose a president and vice president, a U.S. senator and congressperson, and it is equally important to select a zoning commissioner or a school board member. Rich Lowry’s piece makes it clear and makes it plain. He says that “education is too important to be left to educators.” He wants rabid—he didn’t say white, but I will— parents to run for school boards and to use their passion to lock knowledge out. So this is my plea to woke,

Commit to country, rather than party One year after the death of the great civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis, a group of Texas Democratic lawmakers is following Rep. Lewis’s lifelong call for people to make “good trouble” and “necessary trouble” to secure equality and justice for all. Congressional Democrats should bring the same level of commitment to resisting and overturning a new wave of voting restrictions that voting rights activist Stacey Abrams has labeled “Jim Crow 2.0.” Here’s why dozens of Texas lawmakers were in Washington, D.C., last week: Texas is the latest Republican-run state where legislators and the governor are trying to impose new voting restrictions — banning drive-through and 24-hour early voting, restricting distribution of absentee ballots, imposing new voter ID provisions — that they hope will make it harder for Democrats to win future elections. Their voter suppression laws are aimed at Black and Brown voters and others more likely to support Democratic candidates. Republican officials also are trying to make former President Trump happy by giving credibility to his false claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him. They’re using his lies about “election fraud” and “election integrity” to justify new restrictive voting rules. In Texas, Republicans control

the state House and Senate. And hard-right Gov. Greg Abbott is eager to do Mr. Trump’s bidding. Back in May, Texas Republicans tried to push their election bill through the House just before the close of the legislative session. Because the Texas House is required to have two-thirds of its members present to conduct official business, Democratic

Ben Jealous legislators stopped the bill from passing by walking out of the chamber. But Gov. Abbott is so set on getting his new voting law that he ordered legislators to come back into session this month to push it through. To prevent the state’s Republicans from forcing new voting restrictions into law, more than 50 Democratic legislators left the state on July 12. Gov. Abbott and Republican Senate leaders have threatened lawmakers with arrest to try to force them to attend the session. And he has said he will keep calling special sessions until he gets his way. That’s why the Texas legislators came to Washington. They brought an urgent message to members of Congress: The only way to protect voters from voter suppression at the state level is to pass national voting rights legislation. The House of Representatives previously has passed the For the People Act, which would reverse many new voting restrictions and includes a number of priorities specifically outlined by Rep. Lewis during his lifetime, and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, which would help prevent

future voter suppression efforts from taking effect. Both are essential to protect democracy and voting rights. But right now, Republicans in the U.S. Senate are using the filibuster to block the For the People Act, and they could do the same to the VRA. President Biden made a strong speech July 13 in defense of voting rights. He denounced new voter suppression efforts. And he called for the U.S. Senate to pass the For the People Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Act. I am grateful that President Biden has called attention to the urgent need for congressional action. Now we need him to use his leadership to get voting rights legislation through the Senate. And if Republicans continue to block it using a filibuster, he must work with Senate leaders to break through that obstruction. Rep. Lewis nearly died in the struggle to pass the national Voting Rights Act. He dedicated his career in Congress to defending it. I steeled myself for the disgust I felt when Republican officials praised him on the anniversary of his death, July 17, at the same time they are undermining the cause to which he devoted his life. Texas Democrats are honoring Rep. Lewis by making good and necessary trouble. It is time for Democrats in Washington, and any Republicans committed more to country than party, to do the same. The writer, a former national president of the NAACP, is president of People for the American Way and People for the American Way Foundation.

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

progressive Black folk: Please run for School Board. There are tens of thousands of Black women who have retired from education. Would you please run for the School Board? There are young people of color who understand the flaws in the education that was delivered to them. Please run for School Board. There are entrepreneurs who decry the inadequate education that so many young people bring when they apply for new jobs. Please run for School Board. Many of these posts can be won with a few hundred votes and a few thousand dollars. The right wing has their marching orders. We need to have ours, too. We can serve our communities and our nation by standing up for knowledge. Please run for School Board. The writer is an economist, author and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at California State University-Los Angeles.

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Richmond Free Press

July 22-24, 2021 A7

Letters to the Editor

Create a ‘Social Justice Trail’ in Richmond Re Column “Reimagining Monument Avenue,” Free Press July 1-3 edition: “Sometimes I feel like Cassandra; blessed with the gift of prophecy, yet condemned to have no one believe the things I foretell.” That thought came to mind as I read the column “Reimagining Monument Avenue” by Burt Pinnock and Julie Weissend. Shortly after the planting of the TDoR Memorial Tree, honoring those lives lost to anti-transgender violence, on the grounds of the Virginia Commonwealth University Police Department in November 2016, I came to realize and treasure the rich cultural heritage of the tree’s neighborhood. In opposite directions, within easy walking distance, stand a statue of Maggie L. Walker and a bust of Oliver W. Hill Sr. Additional research uncovered a treasure trove of other monuments to social justice causes, all within a 2.5-mile piece of level ground, following the street grid. This path begins with “Rachel Weeping For Her Children,” a Holocaust memorial on the grounds of Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, and concluding with a tribute to

Native Americans on the grounds of the State Capitol. Even more amazing, these sites sprang up organically, on what is essentially Monument Avenue extended. This realization developed just as the Southern Poverty Law Center, in the wake of the disastrous Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, urged progressive groups to seek neutral or affirming sites for counterprotests to avoid violent confrontations. At that time, I warned that the Confederate iconography lining Monument Avenue could lead to Richmond being spoken of in the same breath as Charlottesville. Last summer’s events proved me right, thankfully sans any fatalities. I’m heartened by the fact that Mr. Pinnock and Ms. Weissend state they want to look at the community in aggregate. I urge the creation of a formal Social Justice Trail, featuring the numerous sites already identified, together with others along the trail, to be developed by common consent. KENNETH C. DECKER Richmond

VEC brings suffering to thousands of unemployed After seven and one-half months waiting for unemployment insurance or pandemic unemployment assistance benefits, I am in dire straits: I am driving dirty, i.e., with no car insurance and an expired inspection sticker, because I have no income. I cannot communicate with a live person at the Virginia Employment Commission via telephone or email. Six weeks ago, I tried several times to fax documents to the VEC but there was no answer so I mailed the documents. However, I never received any confirmation that the documents were received. My Medicaid case manager shared last week that lack of unemployment benefits is the No. 1 concern for her clients. It is cruel and negligent that Gov. Ralph S. Northam and other elected officials ignore the suffering of tens of thousands of unemployed Virginians. We need a helping hand from our state and federal governments. The federal CARES Act gave Virginia money to help unemployed people but we are being kept in a holding pattern while the VEC hires and trains additional staff. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson’s ruling mandating that the VEC accelerate the processing of Unemployment Insurance (UI) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claims hasn’t changed

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anything. It has been almost two months since I was told that my claim would receive “expedited handling”—two months. Last week, Gov. Northam spoke compassionately about small businesses struggling because of COVID-19-related circumstances and promised to allocate CARES Act money to help them. Two months ago,

Gov. Northam grudgingly told unemployed Virginians waiting for unemployment benefits payments for months and months to be patient and to work with the VEC. Shame on Gov. Northam. Shame on Virginia. I need help. DOREEN COBBS Richmond

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF AN APPLICATION BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA FOR APPROVAL OF A RATE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE: RIDER GV, GREENSVILLE COUNTY POWER STATION, FOR THE RATE YEARS COMMENCING APRIL 1, 2022, AND APRIL 1, 2023 CASE NO. PUR-2021-00112 •Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has applied for approval to revise its rate adjustment clause, Rider GV. •In this case, Dominion has asked the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) to approve a biennial update procedure for Rider GV with two consecutive rate years. The proposed rate years for this proceeding are April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023 (“Rate Year 1”), and April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024 (“Rate Year 2”). •For Rate Year 1, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $142,481,000, which would decrease the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.10. •For Rate Year 2, Dominion requests a revenue requirement of $127,166,000, which would decrease the bill of a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by $0.28 as compared to Rate Year 1. •A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on November 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony. $Q HYLGHQWLDU\ KHDULQJ ZLOO EH KHOG RQ 1RYHPEHU DW D P HLWKHU LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V VHFRQG ÀRRU FRXUWURRP ORFDWHG LQ WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD or by electronic means. Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. •Further information about this case is available on the Commission website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. 2Q -XQH 9LUJLQLD (OHFWULF DQG 3RZHU &RPSDQ\ ³'RPLQLRQ´ RU ³&RPSDQ\´ ¿OHG ZLWK WKH 6WDWH &RUSRUDWLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ ³&RPPLVVLRQ´ D ELHQQLDO XSGDWH RI WKH &RPSDQ\¶V UDWH DGMXVWPHQW clause, Rider GV (“Application”) pursuant to § 56-585.1 A 6 of the Code of Virginia. Through its Application, the Company seeks to recover costs associated with the Greensville County Power Station, D QDWXUDO JDV ¿UHG FRPELQHG F\FOH HOHFWULF JHQHUDWLQJ IDFLOLW\ LQ *UHHQVYLOOH &RXQW\ 9LUJLQLD DQG NLORYROW WUDQVPLVVLRQ OLQHV D QHZ VZLWFKLQJ VWDWLRQ DQG DVVRFLDWHG WUDQVPLVVLRQ LQWHUFRQQHFWLRQ facilities in Brunswick and Greensville Counties, Virginia (collectively, the “Greensville County Project” or the “Project”). In Case No. PUE-2015-00075, the Commission approved Dominion’s construction and operation of the Greensville County Project and also approved a rate adjustment clause, designated Rider GV, for Dominion to recover costs associated with the development of the Project. The Greensville County Project became fully operational in 2016. In this proceeding, Dominion has asked the Commission to approve a biennial update procedure for Rider GV with two consecutive rate years. The proposed rate years for this proceeding are April 1, 2022, through March 31, 2023 (“Rate Year 1”), and April 1, 2023, through March 31, 2024 (“Rate Year 2”). The two components of the proposed total revenue requirement for Rate Year 1 are the Projected Cost Recovery Factor and the Actual Cost True Up Factor. For Rate Year 1, the Company is requesting a Projected Cost Recovery Factor revenue requirement of $130,771,000 and an Actual Cost True Up Factor revenue requirement of $11,710,000. Thus, the Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $142,481,000 for service rendered during Rate Year 1. The total revenue requirement for Rate Year 2 is comprised only of a Projected Cost Recovery Factor. For Rate Year 2, Dominion seeks approval of a total revenue requirement of $127,166,000. For purposes of calculating the revenue requirements in this case, Dominion utilized return on common equity (“ROE”) of 9.2%, which is the Company’s currently authorized ROE as set by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2019-00050. If the proposed Rider GV revenue requirements for Rate Year 1 and Rate Year 2 are approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, for Rate Year 1, implementation of its proposed Rider GV on April 1, 2022, would decrease the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.10. The Company states that, for Rate Year 2, implementation of its proposed Rider GV on April 1, 2023, would decrease the bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month by approximately $0.28 as compared to Rate Year 1. Dominion indicates it has calculated the proposed Rider GV rates in accordance with the same methodology as used for rates approved by the Commission in the most recent Rider GV proceeding, Case No. PUR-2020-00100. 7KLV $SSOLFDWLRQ LV RQH RI VL[ ¿OLQJV 'RPLQLRQ PDGH RQ RU DERXW -XQH IRU UHFRYHU\ RI IXQGV UHODWHG WR FDSLWDO SURMHFWV ,I WKH UHYHQXH UHTXLUHPHQWV LQ WKHVH ¿OLQJV DUH DSSURYHG DV SURSRVHG WKH cumulative impact would be a monthly increase of approximately $0.41 for a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Application and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals. 7$.( 127,&( WKDW WKH &RPPLVVLRQ PD\ DSSRUWLRQ UHYHQXHV DPRQJ FXVWRPHU FODVVHV DQG RU GHVLJQ UDWHV LQ D PDQQHU GL൵HULQJ IURP WKDW VKRZQ LQ WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV DQG WKXV PD\ DGRSW UDWHV WKDW GL൵HU IURP WKRVH DSSHDULQJ LQ WKH &RPSDQ\¶V $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG VXSSRUWLQJ GRFXPHQWV The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Application. On November 9, 2021, at 10 a.m., a Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing for the purpose of receiving the testimony of public witnesses, with no public witness present in the Commission’s courtroom. On or before November DQ\ SHUVRQ GHVLULQJ WR R൵HU WHVWLPRQ\ DV D SXEOLF ZLWQHVV VKDOO SURYLGH WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D \RXU QDPH DQG E WKH WHOHSKRQH QXPEHU WKDW \RX ZLVK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ WR FDOO GXULQJ WKH KHDULQJ WR UHFHLYH \RXU WHVWLPRQ\ 7KLV LQIRUPDWLRQ PD\ EH SURYLGHG WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKUHH ZD\V L E\ ¿OOLQJ RXW D IRUP RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V ZHEVLWH DW scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting. 2Q 1RYHPEHU DW D P HLWKHU LQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V VHFRQG ÀRRU FRXUWURRP ORFDWHG LQ WKH 7\OHU %XLOGLQJ (DVW 0DLQ 6WUHHW 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD RU E\ HOHFWURQLF PHDQV D +HDULQJ ([DPLQHU DSSRLQWHG E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ ZLOO FRQYHQH D KHDULQJ WR UHFHLYH WHVWLPRQ\ DQG HYLGHQFH R൵HUHG E\ WKH &RPSDQ\ DQ\ UHVSRQGHQWV DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 6WD൵ RQ WKH &RPSDQ\¶V $SSOLFDWLRQ Further details on this hearing will be provided by subsequent Commission Order or Hearing Examiner’s Ruling. The Commission has taken judicial notice of the ongoing public health emergency related to the spread of the coronavirus, or COVID-19, and the declarations of emergency issued at both the state and federal levels. In accordance therewith, all pleadings, briefs, or other documents required to be served in this matter should be submitted electronically to the extent authorized by 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG 3URFHGXUH ³5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH´ &RQ¿GHQWLDO DQG ([WUDRUGLQDULO\ 6HQVLWLYH ,QIRUPDWLRQ VKDOO QRW EH VXEPLWWHG HOHFWURQLFDOO\ DQG VKRXOG FRPSO\ with 5 VAC 5-20-170, &RQ¿GHQWLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ RI WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH $Q\ SHUVRQ VHHNLQJ WR KDQG GHOLYHU DQG SK\VLFDOO\ ¿OH RU VXEPLW DQ\ SOHDGLQJ RU RWKHU GRFXPHQW VKDOO FRQWDFW WKH &OHUN¶V 2൶FH Document Control Center at (804) 371-9838 to arrange the delivery. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-140, )LOLQJ DQG VHUYLFH RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH WKH &RPPLVVLRQ KDV GLUHFWHG WKDW VHUYLFH RQ SDUWLHV DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 6WD൵ LQ WKLV PDWWHU VKDOO EH DFFRPSOLVKHG E\ HOHFWURQLF PHDQV 3OHDVH UHIHU WR WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ IRU IXUWKHU LQVWUXFWLRQV FRQFHUQLQJ &RQ¿GHQWLDO RU ([WUDRUGLQDULO\ 6HQVLWLYH ,QIRUPDWLRQ An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Application may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company, Lisa R. Crabtree, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or lcrabtree@mcguirewoods.com.

Call Rudy McCollum at (804)218-3614 24-7. Talk to an attorney for free

and get legal restrictions, fees, costs and payment terms.

Rudolph C. McCollum, Jr., Esq. McCollum At Law, P.C.

Mail to: P.O. Box 4595, Richmond, VA 23220 422 E. Franklin St., Suite 301, Richmond, VA 23219 (Franklin & 5th Sts.) We are a federally designated Debt Relief Agency under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and we help people file for bankruptcy.

Web Address: McCollumatLaw.com E-mail: rudy@mccollumatlaw.com

2Q RU EHIRUH 1RYHPEHU DQ\ LQWHUHVWHG SHUVRQ PD\ ¿OH FRPPHQWV RQ WKH $SSOLFDWLRQ E\ IROORZLQJ WKH LQVWUXFWLRQV RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V ZHEVLWH scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments RU E\ ¿OLQJ VXFK FRPPHQWV ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH 6WDWH &RUSRUDWLRQ &RPPLVVLRQ F R 'RFXPHQW &RQWURO &HQWHU 3 2 %R[ 5LFKPRQG 9LUJLQLD 23218-2118. All comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2021-00112. 2Q RU EHIRUH 6HSWHPEHU DQ\ SHUVRQ RU HQWLW\ ZLVKLQJ WR SDUWLFLSDWH DV D UHVSRQGHQW LQ WKLV SURFHHGLQJ PD\ GR VR E\ ¿OLQJ D QRWLFH RI SDUWLFLSDWLRQ ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DW WKH DGGUHVV above or at VFF YLUJLQLD JRY FON H¿OLQJ. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5 20-80 B, 3DUWLFLSDWLRQ DV D UHVSRQGHQW, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice, any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement RI WKH LQWHUHVW RI WKH UHVSRQGHQW LL D VWDWHPHQW RI WKH VSHFL¿F DFWLRQ VRXJKW WR WKH H[WHQW WKHQ NQRZQ DQG LLL WKH IDFWXDO DQG OHJDO EDVLV IRU WKH DFWLRQ $Q\ RUJDQL]DWLRQ FRUSRUDWLRQ RU JRYHUQPHQW ERG\ participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, &RXQVHO RI WKH 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH $OO ¿OLQJV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 2Q RU EHIRUH 2FWREHU HDFK UHVSRQGHQW PD\ ¿OH ZLWK WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ DW WKH DGGUHVV DERYH RU DW VFF YLUJLQLD JRY FON H¿OLQJ DQG VHUYH RQ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 6WD൵ WKH &RPSDQ\ DQG DOO RWKHU UHVSRQGHQWV DQ\ WHVWLPRQ\ DQG H[KLELWV E\ ZKLFK WKH UHVSRQGHQW H[SHFWV WR HVWDEOLVK LWV FDVH DQG HDFK ZLWQHVV¶V WHVWLPRQ\ VKDOO LQFOXGH D VXPPDU\ QRW WR H[FHHG RQH SDJH ,Q DOO ¿OLQJV UHVSRQGHQWV shall comply with the Commission’s Rules of Practice, including 5 VAC 5-20-140, )LOLQJ DQG VHUYLFH, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits $OO ¿OLQJV VKDOO UHIHU WR &DVH 1R 385 00112. $Q\ GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ SDSHU IRUP ZLWK WKH 2൶FH RI WKH &OHUN RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LQ WKLV GRFNHW PD\ XVH ERWK VLGHV RI WKH SDSHU ,Q DOO RWKHU UHVSHFWV H[FHSW DV PRGL¿HG E\ WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ DOO ¿OLQJV VKDOO FRPSO\ IXOO\ ZLWK WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI 9$& Copies and format, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice. 7KH SXEOLF YHUVLRQ RI WKH &RPSDQ\¶V $SSOLFDWLRQ DQG RWKHU GRFXPHQWV ¿OHG LQ WKLV FDVH WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 5XOHV RI 3UDFWLFH DQG WKH &RPPLVVLRQ¶V 2UGHU IRU 1RWLFH DQG +HDULQJ PD\ EH YLHZHG DW scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information. VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA

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Richmond Free Press

A8 July 22-24, 2021

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Virginian Keldon Johnson of San Antonio has new title: Olympian On his life journey, Keldon Johnson will have gone from Richmond to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Keldon Johnson Johnson, who is 6-foot-7 and 210 pounds and plays for the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, has been added to the U.S. men’s basketball squad that will be looking for its fourth straight gold medal. He was added to the roster due

to a medical condition involving original selection Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his first exhibition game leading up to the Olympics, Johnson had 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting from the floor in the Americans’’ victory over Spain in Las Vegas. Johnson was born Oct. 11, 1999, at Chippenham Hospital in South Side but mostly grew up in South Hill. He starred at Park View High School in South Hill and

U.S. women’s basketball team going for 7th straight gold medal Positive COVID-19 tests dash Coco Gauff

Kara Eaker

Zach LaVine

Katie Lou Samuelson

U.S. Olympians’ dreams

Free Press wire report

When the flame is lighted Friday, July 23, kicking off the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the U.S. team will be minus several competitors because of COVID-19. U.S. tennis player Coco Gauff, 17, tested positive for the coronavirus, forcing her to pull out of the competition on Sunday. And Kara Eaker, 18, an alternate on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, has tested positive for COVID-19 in an Olympic training camp in Japan. She and fellow gymnastics alternate Leanne Wong, 17, who had close contact with Eaker and who reportedly has not been vaccinated against COVID-19, have been placed in isolation. Eaker, who was vaccinated against the novel coronavirus two months ago, is showing no symptoms, according to her family, who is monitoring the situation from their home in Grain Valley, Mo., a suburb

of Kansas City. Additionally, the U.S. men’s basketball team traveled to Tokyo on Monday without guard Zach LaVine, who entered coronavirus health and safety protocols. And Katie Lou Samuelson, a member of the U.S. 3x3 women’s basketball team, is missing the games following a positive test result. Already, the U.S. men’s basketball team had reshuffled its roster last week after losing guard Bradley Beal to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and forward Kevin Love withdrew from participation. Disappointment was expressed all around. Gauff, who is ranked No. 25 by the WTA, shared the news of her COVID-19 test results in a tweet on Sunday. “It has always been a dream of mine to represent the USA at the Olympics, and I hope there will be many more chances for me to make this come true in

the future,” she tweeted. The U.S. women’s gymnastics team, comprised of world and Olympic champion Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Grace McCallum, Sunisa Lee, MyKayla Skinner and Jade Carey, and two additional alternates, have all been moved to their own rooms—no room sharing—in a hotel in Japan since the positive test. Biles, who is also the world champion, and the rest of the regular team have been vaccinated. Skinner, who made the team in the “plus-one spot” —meaning she can compete as an individual in Tokyo— following Olympic Trials did battle both COVID-19 and pneumonia last winter. The games open Friday with a state of emergency in force in Tokyo, which means almost all venues will be without any fans as new COVID-19 cases rise in the capital. The women’s gymnastics team begins competing Sunday.

If there is such a thing as a “lock” for an Olympic gold medal, it may be the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Team—aka Team USA. Coach Dawn Staley’s contingent of tall, talented and battle-tested women is the clear favorite heading into the Summer Games in Tokyo. The Americans have struck gold in six straight games and are 66-3 overall in Olympic competition. They are undefeated since 1992. Experience is in abundance, and it’s all winning experience on the brightest stage. Players Sue Bird, 40, and Diana Taurasi, 39, will be making their fifth Olympic appearance. Sylvia Fowles is going for a fourth time, Tina Charles for a third and Brittney Griner and Breanna Stewart for a second. The team also includes newcomer A’ja Wilson, the reigning MVP of the WNBA. The current Las Vegas Aces standout played for Coach Staley at the University of South Carolina. Griner, at 6-foot-9 and 205 pounds, is arguably the most dominant inside player in the world. Playing for the Phoenix Mercury, she is a seventime WNBAAll-Star, two-time scoring champion and seven-time leader in blocked shots. The U.S. team will compete in Group B of preliminary pool play. The team will face Nigeria on July 27, Japan on July 30 and France on Aug. 2. The gold medal game will be Aug. 8 and the world would be surprised if the Americans aren’t in it.

later at Oak Hill Academy in Southwest Virginia before signing with the University of Kentucky. After one season at Kentucky, he opted for the NBA draft and was a first round selection—29th overall—in 2019 by the San Antonio Spurs. This past season, Johnson averaged 13 points and six rebounds for the Spurs under Coach Gregg Popovich, who is serving as the Olympic team’s coach.

Coach Dawn Staley

Sylvia Fowles

Brittney Griner

A’ja Wilson

Tipoff in Tokyo Here are the women, and their WNBA teams, who are representing the United States at the Tokyo Olympics: • Ariel Atkins, Washington Mystics • Sue Bird, Seattle Storm • Tina Charles, Washington Mystics • Napheesa Collier, Minnesota Lynx • Skylar Diggins-Smith, Phoenix Mercury • Sylvia Fowles, Minnesota Lynx • Chelsea Gray, Las Vegas Aces • Brittney Griner, Phoenix Mercury • Jewell Loyd, Seattle Storm • Breanna Stewart, Seattle Storm • Diana Taurasi, Phoenix Mercury • A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces • Coach Dawn Staley, University of South Carolina

Trayvon Bromell running for ‘World’s Fastest Human’ crown, gold Trayvon Bromell’s first trip to the Olympics ended with no medals, a painful injury and a ride out of the stadium in a wheelchair. His prospects for the Summer Games in Tokyo, however, are considerably brighter. The 26-year-old former Baylor University All-American is in the top of the conversation for “World’s Fastest Human.” Thus far in 2021, Bromell has posted the two fastest 100-meter clockings—9.77 seconds and 9.80 seconds—on the globe. This is his second Olympics. Competing at the 2016 games in Rio de Janeiro, Bromell suffered a heel injury in the 4x100 relay and tumbled to the track at the finish line. He later underwent surgery on his foot to remove bone spurs and had two additional surgeries for Achilles’ heel injuries. After a rough patch involving lengthy rehabs and precious training time, the 5-foot-8, 156-pound native of Florida has shifted back into top gear. Endorsed by New Balance, Bromell won the Olympic trials last month in Eugene, Ore., in 9.80. Earlier this summer, he ran a 9.77 in a meet in Miramar, Fla. Bromell will be joined in Tokyo by U.S. teammates Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley, who finished second and third in the U.S. Olympic trials. Other contenders for “World’s fastest” honors in Tokyo include South African Akani Simbine, Nigerian Divine Oduduru, Canada’s Andre De Grasse, Zharnell Hughes of Great Britain and Jamaican trials champ Tyquendo Tracey. Among those not sprinting in Tokyo is American Christian Coleman, who was suspended for drug violations. Coleman had been an Olympic

Runners take your mark Here is the schedule for the men’s and women’s 100 meters events at the Tokyo Olympics: *Women: Friday, July 30 – Round One; July 31 – semifinals; July 31 – finals (session between 8 and 10:55 p.m. EDT). Men: Saturday, July 31 – Round One; Aug. 1 – semifinals; Aug. 2 – finals (session between 8 and 10:55 p.m. EDT).

Bob Hayes in 1964.

Trayvon Bromell

favorite at one time. Also not running in the 100 are Americans Justin Gatlin and native Virginian Noah Lyles, who finished seventh and eighth at the trials. Gatlin was the 2004 Olympic 100-meter champ and the last man to claim the “World’s Fastest Human” title since Jamaica’s Usain Bolt dominated the 2008, 2012 and 2016 games. Bolt set an Olympic mark of 9.63 in 2012. In 2016, Bromell finished a disappointing eighth in the 100 meters and then things got worse on the relay. Due to a baton exchange violation, the Americans were disqualified. Bromell finished his anchor leg and tumbled

to the track in agony. Since returning, he is undefeated in both 2020 and 2021, with 14 straight victories over that distance. Bromell wants to forget 2016 and complete the feel-good story of “From Wheelchair to World’s Fastest.” * In Olympic history dating to 1896, American men have won the gold in the 100 meters 16 times, while taking 14 silver and nine bronze medals. The most recent U.S. winners were Gatlin in 2004, Maurice Greene in 2000, Carl Lewis in 1984 and 1988, Jim Hines in 1968 and

* With American Sha’Carri Richardson out of contention, the favorites to win the women’s 100-meter crown are both Jamaican – 2016 Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah and 2008 and 2012 winner Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 5-foot “Pocket Rocket.” Fraser-Pryce, now 34, has the world’s fastest time this year, 10.67. Thompson-Herah has run 10.71. Richardson won the U.S. trials with a time of 10.86, but was later disqualified for a drug violation. Representing the United States women in Tokyo will be Javianne Oliver, Teahna Daniels and Jenna Prandini, who finished second, third and fourth, respectively, at the trials. The last American woman to win Olympic gold in the 100 was Gail Devers in 1992 and 1996. American Florence Griffith Joyner, or “FloJo” as she was called, set the Olympic record of 10.62 in 1988 in Seoul.

‘Bones’ Hyland wants to be 22nd VCU Ram drafted by NBA If someone were to update Virginia Commonwealth University’s history in the NBA draft, an apt title might be “From Bodine to Bones.” A total of 21 Rams have been picked in the annual NBA draft, starting with native Richmonder Jesse “Bodine” Dark in 1974. About to enter the honor roll is Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland, who is leaving VCU after two sparkling seasons with an eye on becoming a pro. The 75th annual NBA draft, involving two rounds and 60 picks, will be held Thursday, July 29, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. While mock drafts differ wildly, Hyland has been predicted to go as high as 14th overall (by USA Today), and as low as the top of the second round.

The 6-foot-3, 169-pound native of Wilmington, Del., was Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year this past season, averaging 20 points, five rebounds and two assists while hitting 37 percent from beyond the arc. Hyland led the Rams to a 19-7 record and a berth in the NCAA. His most memorable game came at a key moment. In the A-10 quarterfinals on March 5, Hyland scored 30 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, passed for two assists and made two steals in a 73-68 win. Some consider it the greatest game in the annals of VCU postseason action. After deciding to enter the draft, Hyland was selected to showcase his talents at the NBA Combine in Chicago. He dazzled the scouts with a single game performance of 17

points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals in just 23 minutes. His Chicago stats while facing top competition from the United States and abroad, may have triggered a move for him from the second round to the first round. VCU has come to be a regular in the NCAA Tournament and challenges for its conference lead most seasons. In 2011, the Rams reached the NCAA Final Four. It wasn’t that way in 1974 when Dark, who played at Maggie L. Walker High School before enrolling at VCU, heard his name called by the New York Knicks. The Rams were a fledgling program in those days, just removed from NAIA affiliation. Dark was little known outside of campus, except by the NBA scouts. He never had the opportunity

for postseason play. Still, Dark was chosen as the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the NBA draft and spent one season in New York playing behind the likes of guards Walt Frazier and Earl Monroe. Dark, unlike the spindly Hyland, was a broad-shouldered 6-foot-4, 210-pound big guard who looked like he might have been an NFL selection. VCU Coach Chuck Noe once said “Bodine” was so popular around town he might one day become the mayor. The nickname likely stems from the burly, fun-loving character Jethro Bodine of the TV sitcom “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Hyland dazzles with his exceptional range on his three-ball and what has been labeled “blow by” speed. He is

‘Bones’ Hyland

also a quick, aggressive defender. “Bones” is a protégé of former Virginia Union University star A.J. English, who helped coach Hyland in his formative years in Wilmington. The nickname “Bones” comes from an early nickname “Bizzy Bones.” Hyland figures to become VCU’s first NBA pick since Larry Sanders went to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2010 as the 15th overall draft pick.

July 22-24, 2021 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

Personality: Darrick Hanks-Harris Spotlight on founder of The Black Village of RVA In early December, Darrick Hanks-Harris began a new initiative to aid Black-owned businesses struggling in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seven months later, what started with eight local vendors has expanded into helping more than 200 businesses—and Mr. Hanks-Harris says it will only get bigger from here. The Richmond native and Lynchburg resident is the founder of The Black Village of RVA, an organization centering on Black businesses and establishing connections with the wider Richmond community by organizing and hosting pop-up events where business owners can feature their wares. The goal: To ensure not just the sustainability of these businesses, but their growth and the uplifting of Richmond’s African-American community as a whole. “Small businesses require in-person customer reach, and this was a way to help with ensuring business growth in our community,” Mr. HanksHarris says. “We want business owners to know what it takes to turn their hobbies, interests and passions into companies with equitable resources for them and their families.” The BVRVA got its start after Mr. Hanks-Harris took a trip to the RVA Black Farmers Market last October. Inspired by the sights of networking and solidarity, he hosted his first pop-up event a few months later at The Well Art Gallery in South Side and officially launched The BVRVA in January. As founder, Mr. HanksHarris organizes and oversees the various pop-up events The BVRVA hosts. The scores of vendors participating offer a range of wares, from cosmetics, soaps, apparel and teas to stained glass, art and jewelry. Food trucks run by Black vendors also are present.

The BVRVA’s recent Juneteenth event brought together 125 vendors, with the lowest earner generating $600 in revenue from the pop-up. Additional events are in the planning stage, including a Black Girl Magic Festival for women entrepreneurs in August, followed by a two-day conference in September. While the kind of aid The BVRVA provides is a great help for any small business, it’s especially important for Black-owned businesses that face documented difficulty in getting the loans, grants and related resources necessary to weather turbulent times like these, Mr. Hanks-Harris says. “Systemic problems impact the Black community the most,” says Mr. Hanks-Harris. “Having a Black market helps create our own resources. The opportunity for networking within itself is one of the biggest assets of having a Black market.” In addition, the organization has been sourcing donations for college scholarships, which will be awarded later this year. And while The BVRVA doesn’t yet have a physical location, Mr. Hanks-Harris is looking to purchase a property that would allow them to establish a new place for African-Americans to purchase goods and a means to better the community’s financial security. Mr. Hanks-Harris is excited to see where this new venture takes him. “Stay tuned with The Black Village of RVA,” Mr. HanksHarris says. “We are coming to display Black excellence in every form possible.” Meet an advocate for Black businesses and this week’s Personality, Darrick HanksHarris: No. 1 volunteer position: Founder, The Black Village of RVA .

pandemic. Small businesses require in-person customer reach, and this was a way to help with ensuring business growth in our community. The Black Village of RVA’s goals for Black businesses: To help Black entrepreneurs access resources that ensure the growth of their business. We want business owners to know what it takes to turn their hobbies, interests and passions into companies with equitable resources for them and their families.

Date and place of birth: Feb. 26 in Richmond. Where I live now: Lynchburg. Education: High school diploma and some college. Occupation: Entrepreneur and owner of It’s Mr. Baker, a Hull Street bakery. Family: I am the youngest of five children. I have one sister and three brothers. I am an uncle to three nieces and one nephew. The Black Village of RVA’s mission: To be the center for growth within our local Black community. We hope to provide equitable resources that help others to stay connected with Black-owned businesses, organizations, projects and platforms. Most importantly, we aspire to assist in circulating our money within our community to provide new opportunities for people who look like us and to beat all odds. When and why founded: Dec. 5, 2020. The BVRVA was founded to help other businesses increase exposure to local customers who may have been struggling through the

How The BVRVA is making a difference: Not only do we provide a space for business to increase sales, customer reach and marketing skills, we also are in the community providing resources to those in need. So far, we have helped individuals receive jobs and we hosted a fundraiser for a local recovery home. We have many more plans for the future. One social impact project we are working on currently is our three scholarship funds that will go to local incoming college freshmen during the 2022 school year who aspire to be an entrepreneur. Why it’s important to have a market of local Black vendors: Systemic problems impact the Black community the most. Studies have shown that it is more difficult for Black business owners to receive loans, grants and other resources that help with the expansion of their businesses. Having a Black market helps create our own resources. The opportunity for networking within itself is one of the biggest assets of having a Black market. Where The Black Village of RVA is located: We do not have a physical location yet. However we service businesses

all over Virginia including the DMV and 757 areas. Dates and time for upcoming events: • Sunday, July 25, Summer Fest Pop Up Shop, noon to 5 p.m., at Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave. • Saturday, Aug. 7, The Black Village Market Square, Night Edition, 4 to 8 p.m., 1308 Hull St. • Sunday, Aug. 15, Black Girl Magic Festival, noon to 6 p.m., at Diversity Richmond, 1407 Sherwood Ave. • Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 17-18, Black Girl Magic Business Conference, at the Richmond Marriott in Downtown, featuring a day of female entrepreneurs teaching what you need to know to start and grow your business. • Friday, Dec. 10, The Black Village of RVA Inaugural Gala, at the Richmond Marriott in Downtown. How to become a vendor: Visit theblackvillageofrva. com to purchase your spot and register to be a vendor. How many vendors initially and now: In December, we started with eight vendors and we now have more than 200 vendors that have participated in our events. Is the pandemic still requiring vendors and patrons to follow any guidelines: Yes, we require all non-vaccinated vendors and guests to wear a mask. It is important to be intentional about spending in the Black community because: It allows the Black community to have higher money circulation, and for businesses to stay open. We have high economic power, but it is often not circulated in our community. We are helping other people become richer, while our tax brackets remain the same and or increase at a significantly lower rate. The Black Village of RVA is more than an event: It is a

community resource. How I start the day: Giving thanks to God for waking me up in my right mind. It’s easy to forget that being able to be here and present is a blessing that we should not take for granted. Three words that best describe me: Funny, charismatic and visionary. Best late-night snack: It’s Mr. Baker cheesecake. How I unwind: Listening to gospel music What I have learned about myself during the pandemic: I have a lot of great ideas and care/love for the Black community that I want to and can bring to life. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Going to the gym. Quote that I am most inspired by: “You have not, cause you ask not, and I am asking in this season.” At the top of my “to-do” list: Finish the work I started yesterday and think of a way to make it better. Best thing my parents ever taught me: Living a balanced life and remaining authentic in everything I do. Person who influenced me the most: My aunt was 55 when she passed and I learned how to bake watching her as a child. When she passed, I wanted to do everything she did in her short lifetime and more. Book that influenced me the most: “The E Myth: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What To Do About It” by Michael E. Gerber. What I’m reading now: “The Five Levels of Leadership” by John C. Maxwell. Next goal: Stay tuned with The Black Village of RVA. We are coming to display Black excellence in every form possible.

We honor the spirit, creativity, and perseverance of these college-bound students who have overcome great obstacles to achieve and thrive in a challenging environment. Ailyah Blackshear Virginia Commonwealth University

Devante Jackson J. Sargent Reynolds

Mikel Hudson Virginia Commonwealth University

Nyla Cooper Virginia Commonwealth University

Dai’Quana Washington Radford University Mekhi Lucas Virginia Union University Shanaya Peck Undecided Shytina Huey J. Sargent Reynolds Varchon Laws Old Dominion University

CELEBRATE WITH US! 2nd Annual “Open House in the Village” Tuesday, July 27, 2021 Details at: rrha.com/calendar

This event will provide items not covered by their scholarships such as furnishings and essentials for their dorm rooms, gift cards, equipment, and more. Show your support with a tax-deductible donation: Cash App: $RRHAScholarshipFund Check: RRHA Scholarship Recipients, 901 Chamberlayne Parkway, Richmond VA 23220

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Richmond Free Press

B2 July 22-24, 2021

Happenings License plate campaign pays homage to Richmond Planet By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Reginald L. Carter is within striking distance of scoring another victory for his campaign for Black history and racial justice. The 32-year-old Richmond resident is singlehandedly leading the charge to get a specialty license plate featuring an arm with a bulging bicep and raised clenched fist – the Black power logo that the largely forgotten but once influential Richmond Planet newspaper featured on its masthead long before the term was coined in the 1960s. Mr. Carter’s purpose: To raise awareness of the publication that was the voice of Richmond’s Black community from the early 1880s until its demise decades later. The Richmond Planet, under the leadership of its “fighting editor” John Mitchell Jr., battled lynching, segregation and other forms of oppression against Black people. “We need to remember,” Mr. Carter said. To get the state Department of Motor Vehicles to make the plate, Mr. Carter said he needs 450 vehicle owners to pre-order one or more by Dec. 24, 2021. The cost: $10 for each standard plate and $20 for a personalized plate, he said. Mr. Carter, who has already led successful campaigns to take down a Confederate statue in his hometown of Tappahannock and memorialize a lynched man in Essex County, said that 358 people already have pre-ordered the plates. Among them are Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney, rapper Robert R. “Meek Mill” Williams, pro football players Clelin Ferrell and Anthony Harris and Darryl Johnson of The Rock Project mentorship program. Mr. Carter is using email and social media to promote the campaign. He said people can contact him at RichPlanetPlate@gmail.com,

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Reginald Carter gathers signatures for his proposed Richmond Planet license plate during a rally earlier this year in Downtown at Adams and Broad streets where a mural of longtime Richmond Planet editor John Mitchell Jr. is located.

to secure an application or via Instagram @ richplanetvaplate. Mr. Carter, a graduate of Virginia State University who has a master’s degree from the University of Richmond, is more used to working behind the scenes as a human resources specialist at a state agency.

But he started moving out front after being inspired by the racial justice demonstrations that erupted after the Minneapolis Police murder of George Floyd last year. “I could no longer sit on the sidelines. I had to get involved,” Mr. Carter said. His biggest success to date involves the

pending removal of the largest symbol of Black oppression in Essex County—a Confederate soldier atop a pedestal embossed with a rebel battle flag that for generations has stood in front of the Essex County Courthouse in Tappahannock. After a 369-day campaign Mr. Carter organized and led, the Tappahannock Town Council voted unanimously to remove the statue embodying white supremacy and support for slavery. The council is now seeking bids from interested parties as part of the removal process. “This statue stood in front of the courthouse and jail,” Mr. Carter said. “Who could walk past that and believe justice would be served?” At the same time, Mr. Carter also has successfully secured approval of a state history marker recalling the 1896 lynching of an Essex County man, Thomas Washington. The new history marker, he said, will memorialize an innocent man who was hanged by a mob based on unproven rumors of wrongdoing involving a white child He also used an online fundraising tool to raise the $2,000 to pay for the marker that is to be set near the site of the illegal hanging in Center Cross on U.S. 17 near Tappahannock. He said a total of $10,000 was raised, and he plans to donate $8,000 to Tappahannock to aid with the costs of the Confederate statue’s removal. Mr. Carter is a bit surprised at how well the projects he started have turned out. “I am grateful for the support that has made it possible,” he said. “I never thought I could have accomplished so much. And on my own, I couldn’t. Everything has been an uphill climb. It has been frustrating at times. I have just stayed positive and sought to keep moving forward. And so far, with help from so many others, it has worked out.”

Celebrating the ‘firsts’

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Richmond’s first Black police officers and firefighters are being commemorated in a big way. Murals featuring the trailblazers are being created on the side of the Mocha Temple No. 7 Shrine building at 613 N. 2nd St. in Jackson Ward. The project is being spearheaded by veteran muralist Sir James L. Thornhill of the Global Arts Initiative and Engine Company No. 9 & Associates. Here, Mr. Thornhill, center, finesses the details with two other artists, Jason Ford, left, and Kevin Orlosky. The 10 firefighters were hired July 1, 1950, and were stationed at Engine Company No. 9 at 5th and Duval streets in Jackson Ward. It also will feature a portrait of the late Chief Ronald C. Lewis, who became Richmond’s first Black fire chief in 1978. The portion honoring the city’s first Black police officers is being painted on the north side of the building. It celebrates Officers Doctor P. Day, John W. Vann, Frank S. Randolph and Howard T. Braxton who were hired May 1, 1946. The project is to be unveiled at a ceremony in August.

Rev. Jesse Jackson honored with France’s highest award Free Press wire report

PARIS The Rev. Jesse Jackson was awarded France’s highest award on Monday for helping “change the destiny of the United States” and with it, the world. In a ceremony at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron made the longtime civil rights leader who helped free French citizens taken hostage by Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during the first Gulf War, a commander of the Legion of Honor. Rev. Jackson, 79, who had gallbladder surgery this year and is being treated for Parkinson’s disease, had visible difficulty walking. The founder of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition sat beside the podium as President Macron spoke during the ceremony. “He’s a visionary with talent for uniting and leading people, whose moral and physical courage … has helped him to overcome adversity and change the destiny of the United States, our oldest ally, and to change our world for the better,” President Macron said. Speaking in English, the French president called Rev. Jackson “a great friend of France” and “very popular in our country, but not just in our

Ludovic Marin/pool photo via AP

French President Emmanuel Macron, left, and the Rev. Jesse Jackson celebrate after the civil rights leader was awarded with the Legion d’Honneur, Officer of the Legion of Honor, medal during a ceremony Monday at the presidential Elysee Palace in Paris.

country.” President Macron recounted Rev. Jackson’s life, from his childhood in segregated South Carolina to his work with the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his activism in Chicago. After draping a red ribbon with a medal around Rev. Jackson’s neck, President Macron clasped and held aloft Rev. Jackson’s hand amid applause from the small invited audience. Rev. Jackson did not make

any remarks during the ceremony. The civil rights leader has remained active despite his health problems. He has advocated for vaccinations against COVID-19 in Black communities with below-average inoculation rates. Through the Chicago-based national Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the 1984 and 1988 candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination also has

continued to advocate for voting rights. Last month, Rev. Jackson was arrested and ticketed for obstructing traffic during a voting rights demonstration near the U.S. Capitol. President Macron described the world of “institutionalized inequality” that Rev. Jackson grew up in and that shaped his future as a civil rights leader. He recounted Rev. Jackson’s failed bids for the presidency and said, “You paved the way for those who came after.” Referring to former President Obama’s election as the first Black president of the United States, the French leader asserted that “2008 would definitely have been impossible without your fights and your contribution.” President Macron also recounted a “less-known story for which you never sought credit”— Rev. Jackson’s 1990 role in freeing French hostages during the first Gulf War. Citizens from France and several other countries were trying to stop the invasion of Kuwait and were taken hostage by Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. President Macron said Rev. Jackson negotiated the release of French citizens “and thanks to you, they were safely returned to their families.” “You are a brother to us,” President Macron said.

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Black Pride with purpose Hundreds of people turned out for Black Pride RVA Weekend, three days of fun, entertainment, education and purpose that kicked off last Friday with a black tie awards ceremony. Last Saturday’s event, shown here, was called “Day of Purpose” and featured health, wellness, education booths at the Trinity Family Life Center on Dill Road. Participants at the free event also enjoyed food, artists, vendors and entertainment, including singer Teraj, above left, who performed with backup dancers. Resin artist DeJAnae Griffis, above right, shows off some of her work.

Hip-hop classic Biz Markie succumbs at 57 Free Press wire report

LOS ANGELES Biz Markie, a hip-hop staple known for his beatboxing prowess, turntable mastery and the 1989 classic “Just a Friend,” died Friday, July 16, 2021, with his wife by his side. The cause of death has not been released. He was 57. “We are grateful for the many calls and prayers of support that we have received during this difficult time,” Jenni Izumi, Biz Markie’s representative, said in a statement. “Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years. He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter.” Biz Markie, whose birth name was Marcel Theo Hall, became known within the rap genre realm as the self-proclaimed “Clown Prince of Hip-Hop” for his lighthearted lyrics and humorous nature. He made music with the Beastie Boys, opened for Chris Rock’s comedy tour and was a sought-after DJ for countless star-studded events. The New York-native’s music career began in 1985 as a beat boxer of the Juice Crew, a rap collective he helped Big Daddy Kane join. Three years later, he released his debut album “Goin’ Off,” which featured underground hits “Vapors” and “Pickin’ Boogers.” Biz Markie broke into mainstream music with his platinum-selling song “Just a Friend,” the lead single on his sophomore album “The Biz Never Sleeps.” The friend-zone anthem cracked Rolling Stone’s top 100 pop songs and made VH1’s list of 100 greatest hip-hop songs of all time. “This one hurts baad ... RIP to my Aries bro, Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest said on Twitter, where an outpouring of mourning for Biz Markie was growing. “Ahhh man @BizMarkie damn im gonna miss u so so many memories.” Questlove said he learned from Biz Markie early in his career. “Biz built me man,” Questlove posted on Instagram along with a picture of him and Markie. “In my early early stages it was Biz who taught me the REAL places to cop records….Biz taught me what cities had good digging….. Biz taught me where to collect 45s……Biz taught me where to collect 8TRACK TAPES!!” After two successful albums, Biz Markie was served with a copyright infringement lawsuit for a song on his third studio album, “I Need a Haircut,” in 1991. He and his label, Warner Bros Records, were sued by Irish singer Gilbert O’Sullivan who claimed that elements from his 1972 hit “AloneAgain (Naturally)” were illegally sampled in Biz Markie’s “Alone Again” The judge ruled to halt further distribution of the album, which was reissued without the illegal track. The judgment also changed the landscape of music sampling by dictating they were pre-approved by the original owner. Despite the setback, Biz Markie released his fourth album “All Samples Cleared!” in 1993 that was an apparent reference to the court battle. He released his final album, “Weekend Warrior,” a decade later. Biz Markie kept his name relevant as he consistently booked more than 175 shows a year, according to the rapper’s website. He has appeared on television shows, including “In Living Color,” “Empire” and “black-ish” along with the 2002 movie “Men in Black II,” in which he played an alien parody of himself in the film starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Biz Markie also taught the method of beatboxing in an episode of the children’s show “Yo Gabba Gabba!” “We lost another Rap legend Mr. Biz Markie,” ParliamentFunkadelic bassist Bootsy Collins tweeted. “To a lot of us he was more than Just a Friend.”

Richmond Free Press

July 22-24, 2021 B3

Faith News/Directory

Unsung civil rights pioneer Gloria Richardson dies at 99 Free Press wire report

ANNAPOLIS, Md. Gloria Richardson, an influential yet largely unsung civil rights pioneer whose determination not to back down while protesting racial inequality was captured in a photograph as she pushed away the bayonet of a National Guardsman, has died. She was 99. Tya Young, her granddaughter, said Mrs. Richardson died in her sleep July 15, 2021, in New York and had not been ill. Ms. Young said while her grandmother was at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement, she didn’t seek praise or recognition. “She did it because it needed to be done, and she was born a leader,” Ms. Young said. Mrs. Richardson was one of the nation’s leading female civil rights activists and inspired younger activists who went on to protest racial inequality in the late 1960s and into the 1970s. She was on the stage at the pivotal March on Washington in 1963 as one of six women listed as “fighters for freedom” on the program. However, she was only allowed to say “hello” before the microphone was taken. The male-centric Black Power movement and the fact that Mrs. Richardson’s leadership in Cambridge, Md., lasted about three years may have

obscured how influential she was, but she was well-known in Black America, said Joseph R. Fitzgerald, who wrote a 2018 biography on Mrs. Richardson titled “The Struggle is Eternal: Gloria Richardson and Black Liberation.” “She was only active for approximately three years, but during that time she was literally front and center in a high-stakes Black liberation campaign, and she’s being threatened,” Mr. Fitzgerald said. “She’s got white supremacist terrorists threatening her, calling her house, threatening her with her life.” She was the first woman to lead a prolonged grassroots civil rights action outside the Deep South. In 1962, she helped organized and led the Cambridge Movement on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with sit-ins to desegregate restaurants, bowling alleys and movie theaters. Mrs. Richardson became the leader of demonstrations over bread and butter economic issues like jobs, health care access and sufficient housing. Mrs. Richardson was born in Baltimore and later lived in Cambridge in Maryland’s Dorchester County — the same county where Harriet Tubman was born. She entered Howard University when she was 16. During her years in Washington, she began to protest segregation at a drug store.

Anonymous/Associated Press

Gloria Richardson, head of the Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee, pushes a National Guardsman’s bayonet aside in July 1963 as she moves among a crowd of demonstrators in Cambridge, Md.

In 1962, Richardson attended the meeting of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in Atlanta and later joined the board. In the summer of 1963, after peaceful sit-ins turned violent in Cambridge, Maryland Gov. J. Millard Tawes declared martial law. When Cambridge Mayor Calvin Mowbray asked Mrs. Richardson to halt the demonstrations in exchange for an end to the arrests of Black protesters, she declined

to do so. On June 11, rioting by white supremacists erupted and Gov. Tawes called in the National Guard. While the city was still under National Guard presence, Mrs. Richardson met with U.S. Attorney General Robert Kennedy to negotiate what became informally known as the “Treaty of Cambridge.” It ordered equal access to public accommodations in Cambridge in return for a one-year moratorium on demonstrations.

Mrs. Richardson was a signatory to the treaty, but she had never agreed to end the demonstrations. It was only the passage of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964 that began to resolve issues at the local level. Mrs. Richardson resigned from Cambridge Nonviolent Action Committee in the summer of 1964. Divorced from her first husband, she married photographer Frank Dandridge and moved to New York where she worked a variety of jobs,

Muslims scale back Eid al-Adha observance in midst of pandemic Free Press wire report

CAIRO Muslims around the world this week begin observing a major Islamic holiday in the shadow of the pandemic amid growing concerns about the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus. Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is typically marked by communal prayers, large social gatherings and, for many, slaughtering of livestock and giving meat to the needy. This year, the holiday comes as many countries battle the delta variant first identified in India, prompting some to impose new restrictions or issue appeals for people to avoid congregating and to follow safety protocols. The pandemic already has taken a toll for the second year on a sacred mainstay of Islam, the hajj, whose last days coincide with Eid al-Adha. Once drawing some 2.5 million Muslims from across the globe to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the Islamic pilgrimage has been dramatically scaled back due to the virus.

This year, 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia have been allowed to perform the hajj, preventing Muslims from other countries from fulfilling the Islamic obligation. Indonesia marked a grim Eid al-Adha amid a devastating new wave of coronavirus cases in the world’s most populous Muslimmajority nation. Large gatherings were banned and tougher travel restrictions imposed. Vice President Ma’ruf Amin, also an influential Islamic cleric, appealed to people to perform holiday prayers at home with their families. “Don’t do crowds,” Vice President Amin said in televised remarks ahead of the start of the holiday. “Protecting oneself from the COVID-19 pandemic is obligatory.” The surge is believed to have been fueled by travel during another holiday — the Eid al-Fitr festival in May — and by the rapid spread of the delta variant. In Malaysia, measures have been tightened after a sharp

Good Shepherd Baptist Church 1127 North 28th St., Richmond, VA 23223 s Office: (804) 644-1402 Dr. Sylvester T. Smith, Pastor “There’s A Place for You”

Due to the COVID-19 Corona Virus All regular activities have been suspended until further notice. Visit https://youtu.be/qqzhnIEQyQc for inspirational messages from Pastor Smith

spike in infections despite a national lockdown since June 1 — people are banned from travelling back to their hometowns or crossing districts to celebrate. House visits and customary trips to graveyards also are banned. Healthy worshippers are allowed to gather for prayers in mosques, with strict social distancing and no physical contact. Ritual animal sacrifice is limited to mosques and other approved areas.

Health Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah has urged Malaysians not to “repeat irresponsible behavior,” adding that travel and celebrations during Eid al-Fitr and another festival on the island of Borneo led to new clusters of cases. “Let us not in the excitement of celebrating the Feast of Sacrifice cause us all to perish because of COVID-19,” he said in a statement. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin urged Muslims to stay

Moore Street Missionary

Riverview

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

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info. Drive-thru giving will be available the 1st and 3rd Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. (Bowe Street side) You also may give through Givelify. Be safe. Be blessed.

Also Visit Us On Facebook Sunday Service – 11:00 AM 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org

Le�’s Celebrat� Rev. Robert C. Davis ��TH ANNIVERSARY

Sunday July, 25, 2021 Morning Worship 10 am Speaker:

Rev. Wendell Johnson

Pastor of Jerusalem Baptist Church Theme:

A Committed Man Of God for the People of God Scripture: Psalm 28:9 Colors: Shades of blue

Drive In (weather permitting) or join us on Facebook UBCSOUTHRICHMOND

Union Baptist Church

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

“The Church With A Welcome”

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

Senior’s Recognition Day Sunday, July 25, 2021 • 10:00 A.M. Theme: “Pillars Of The Tabernacle” Speaker: REV. SAMUEL BARNES

Back Inside

Worship With Us This Week!

Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor

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

We Embrace Diversity — Love For All! Come worship with us! Sunday Service will not be held in our sanctuary. Join us for 11:00 AM Worship by going to our website www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

5106 Walmsley Blvd., Richmond, VA 23224 804-276-2740 • 804-276-6535 (fax) www.BRBCONLINE.org

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

2901 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 648-2472 ~ www.mmbcrva.org Dr. Price London Davis, Senior Pastor

(near Byrd Park)

(804) 359-1691 or 359-3498 Facebook Fax (804) 359-3798 sixthbaptistrva www.sixthbaptistchurch.org

Thirty-first Street Baptist Church

“MAKE IT HAPPEN” Pastor Kevin Cook

Sunday School – 9:30 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (515) 606-5187 Pin 572890#

All church ac�vi�es are canceled un�l further no�ce.

Broad Rock Baptist Church

“Due to the Corona Virus Pandemic, Services Are Cancelled, until further notice; but, please join us, by visiting BRBCOnline.org or YouTube (Broad Rock Baptist Church).”

Baptist Church

home. “I appeal to you all to be patient and abide by the rules because your sacrifice is a great jihad in Allah’s sight and in our effort to save lives,” he said in a televised speech on the eve of the festival. The World Health Organization reported that COVID-19 deaths have climbed after a period of decline. The reversal has been attributed to low vaccination rates, relaxed mask rules and other precautions, and the delta variant.

including with the National Council for Negro Women. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Orange and Tamara Richardson, and granddaughters Tya Young and Michelle Price.

e with Reverence elevanc R g in Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor bin ❖ om

The doors of the church are open for worship! No registration required. Join us in person or online on Facebook or YouTube

Weekly Worship: Sund Church School: Sund Bible Study: Wednesdays

10:30 a.m. Sundays

Looking for a welcoming place to worship this week? Stop by & see what God is up to at MMBC. 823 North 31st Street Richmond, VA 23223 (804) 226-0150 Office

“I refuse to accept the view th bound to the starless midnigh bright daybreak of peace a become a reality…. I believ unconditional love will

—Martin Lu

Richmond Free Press

B4 July 22-24, 2021

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, September 13, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2021-199 To amend and reordain City Code § 10-81, concerning advanced life support services, for the purpose of providing for the dispatch of certain basic life support services in addition to advanced life support services. (COMMITTEE: Public Safety, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, 12:00 p.m.) Ordinance No. 2021-200 To amend City Code § 2-1038, concerning the duties of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Commission, for the purpose of delaying the due date of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Commission’s first presentation to the Council until the December 6, 2021, Organizational Development Standing Committee meeting. ( C O M M I T T E E : Governmental Operations, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, 2:00 p.m.) This meeting will be held through electronic communication means pursuant to and in compliance with Ordinance No. 2020-093, adopted April 9, 2020, as most recently amended by Ordinance No. 2021-181, adopted June 28, 2021. This meeting will be open to participation through electronic communication means by the public and closed to in-person participation by the public. Less than a quorum of Richmond City Council will assemble in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most Council members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams. Video of the meeting will be streamed live online at the following web address: https:// r i c h m o n d v a . l e g i s t a r. com/Calendar.aspx. To watch the meeting’s live stream at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “In Progress” in the farthest right hand column entitled, “Video”. The agenda for the Richmond City Council meeting is accessible through the City’s legislative website at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. aspx. To view the agenda at the web address provided, find and click the link that reads, “Agenda” associated with the September 13, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting listed in the calendar. Interested citizens who wish to speak at the Richmond City Council meeting will be given an opportunity to do so by following the “Formal Meeting Citizen Participation Instructions” attached to the September 13, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ r i c h m o n d g o v. c o m i n lieu of calling in. The person responsible for receiving comments in writing is Candice D. Reid, City Clerk. All comments received prior to 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 13, 2021, will be provided to Council members prior to the meeting and will be included in the record of the meeting. 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-city-clerk. Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING LYNETTE EILEEN STREATER-HENDERSON, Plaintiff v. JEFFERY HENDERSON, Defendant. Civil Law No.: CL21-2608 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to obtain a divorce from the bonds of matrimony from the defendant on the grounds that the parties haved lived separate and apart without interruption Continued on next column

Continued from previous column

and without cohabitation for a period of more than one year, since April 22, 2019. And it appearing by Affidavit filed according to law that Jeffery Henderson, the above-named defendant, is not a resident of this state and that due diligence has been used by or in behalf of plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city the defendant is, without effect. It is therefore ORDERED that the said Jeffery Henderson, do appear in the Clerk’s Office of the Law Division of the Circuit Court of City of Richmond, John Marhsall Courts Building, 400 North 9th Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, on or before 8/30/2021 and do whatever necessary to protect their interests in this suit. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk

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

Gregory A. Lukanuski, Esq. City of Richmond, Office of the City Attorney 900 E. Broad Street Richmond, VA 23219 804-646-7949

personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that JAY G. KAUFFMAN, and GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest whose names are unknown, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that LEONARD RAY BAILEY, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that DEWEY G. CARTER and GAIL M. CARTER, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have 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 J. EVERETT JOHNSON, JAY G. KAUFFMAN, and GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest, R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, LEONARD RAY BAILEY, DEWEY G. CARTER, GAIL M. CARTER and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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

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 J. EVERETT JOHNSON, JAY G. KAUFFMAN, and GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest, R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, LEONARD RAY BAILEY, DEWEY G. CARTER, GAIL M. CARTER and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER NATHANIEL LEWIS, Plaintiff v. DEBORAH LEWIS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002401-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 10th day of September, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MICHAEL PROKOPUK, Plaintiff v. CATHERINE PROKOPUK, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001516-00 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 10th day of September, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ANGEL RIVERA DAVILA, Plaintiff v. SHERITA TAYLOR, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002247-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 23rd day of August, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOCELYN LOWE Plaintiff v. ADRIENNE AVERY, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001118-00 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 13th day of August, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Counsel The Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JASON TYNDALL Plaintiff v. ORQUIDEA TYNDALL, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002180-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, who is a nonresident, appear here on or before the 13th day of August, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. Dorothy M. Eure, Plaintiff’s Attorney VSB# 27724 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

CUSTODY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER In Re: Raelynn Elaine Deutsch, a minor By Bethany Danielle Duke, Mother and Next Friend, Petitioner. Case No.: CL21002253-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain the entry of a Name Change Order. It is ORDERED that the Charles Louis Deutsch, whose whereabouts are unknown, and who is the father of Petitioner Raelyn Elaine Deutsch, a minor, appear here on or before the 17th day of August, 2021 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

PROPERTY

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER ALTOMEEZE HARRIS-HYDE, Plaintiff v. EMANUEL HYDE, Defendant. Case No.: CL21002198-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 19th day of August, 2021 at 9:00 AM and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this:

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. STEVEN C. DAVIS, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-2364 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1528 Floyd Avenue, Tax Map Number W000-0608/035, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Steven C. Davis. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, STEVEN C. DAVIS, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and 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 STEVEN C. DAVIS, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 and do what is necessary to protect their interests in this matter. An Extract, Teste: Edward F. Jewett, Clerk

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. ERNEST E. DAVIS, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-2199 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2916 Cherokee Road, Tax Map Number C004-0660/038, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Ernest E. Davis and Lorene J. Davis. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, ERNEST E. DAVIS, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, LORENE J. DAVIS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, have not been located and have 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 ERNEST E. DAVIS, LORENE J. DAVIS, upon information and belief deceased, or her heirs, devisees, assignees or successors in interest, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. MARVIN A. ROBINSON, SR, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-2198 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2400 Coles Street, Tax Map Number S009-0145/006, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Marvin A. Robinson, Sr, and Goldie L. Robinson. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, MARVIN A. ROBINSON, SR, and GOLDIE L. ROBINSON, who have been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to their last known address, have not been personally located and have not filed a response to this action; that DENISE D. MITCHELL, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and 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 MARVIN A. ROBINSON, SR, GOLDIE L. ROBINSON, DENISE D. MITCHELL, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. J. EVERETT JOHNSON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-239 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 8001 Forest Hill Avenue, Tax Map Number C003-0240/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, J. Everett Johnson. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, J. EVERETT JOHNSON, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. J. EVERETT JOHNSON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-240 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 8011 Forest Hill Avenue, Tax Map Number C003-0240/002, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, J. Everett Johnson. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, J. EVERETT JOHNSON, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; and that JAY G. KAUFFMAN, GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest whose names are unknown, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that LEONARD RAY BAILEY, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that DEWEY G. CARTER and GAIL M. CARTER, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have not filed a response to this action; and that any heirs, devisees, assignees, successors in interest, successors in title

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. J. EVERETT JOHNSON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-241 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 8021 Forest Hill Avenue, Tax Map Number C003-0240/003, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, J. Everett Johnson. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, J. EVERETT JOHNSON, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that JAY G. KAUFFMAN, and GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest whose names are unknown, have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that LEONARD RAY BAILEY, who may be a creditor with an interest in said property, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that DEWEY G. CARTER and GAIL M. CARTER, who may be creditors with an interest in said property, who are not residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, have 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 J. EVERETT JOHNSON, JAY G. KAUFFMAN, and GLENN D. GREENWOOD, TRUSTEES of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, with R. Kirby Smith listed as beneficiary on an Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, or their successor/s in interest, R. KIRBY SMITH, BENEFICIARY of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Deed Book 177 page 880 on August 31, 1988, per Assignment of Mortgaged filed at Instrument Number 96-21276 on October 10, 1996, LEONARD RAY BAILEY, DEWEY G. CARTER, GAIL M. CARTER and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT Continued on next column

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OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. GERMAN G. BUSTILLO, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-1942 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3028 Navarone Avenue, Tax Map Number C009-1059/034, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, German G. Bustillo. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, GERMAN G. BUSTILLO, who has been served by posting and by mailing a copy of the complaint to his last known address, has not been personally located and has not filed a response to this action; that SHARON HORSTKAMP, Registered Agent for MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 0615529 on May 11, 2006, has not been located and 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 GERMAN G. BUSTILLO, SHARON HORSTKAMP, Registered Agent for MORTGAGE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION SYSTEMS, INC, Beneficiary of a Deed of Trust filed in the records of the Richmond Circuit Court at Instrument Number 06-15529 on May 11, 2006, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. JOHN B. COLEMAN, JR, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-2937 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 5015 Rear Snead Road, Tax Map Number C008-0660/064, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, John B. Coleman, Jr. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, JOHN B. COLEMAN, JR, has not been located and 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 Continued on next column

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so and are defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that JOHN B. COLEMAN, JR, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. INEZ FLEMING, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-2640 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 3019 Terminal Avenue, Tax Map Number C009-0593/002, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Inez Fleming. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, INEZ FLEMING, has not been located and 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 INEZ FLEMING, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before AUGUST 12, 2021 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

LICENSE Ashley Lawrence Barnes Trading as: Main Street Steakhouse 1112 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer On and Off Premises/Mixed Beverages on Premises license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. Ashley Barnes, Owner 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 800-5523200. COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #21-2193-7EAR Old Nine Mile Road Landfill Stream Restoration Due: August 12, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

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