Richmond Free Press May 6-8, 2021 edition by Richmond Free Press

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VOL. 30 NO. 19

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA

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Richmond Free Press

MAY 6-8, 2021

On the battlefield

City schools, agencies and government work to find strategies to combat gun violence that most recently claimed the lives of a young mother and her infant daughter; 40 city students have been shot during the past year By Ronald E. Carrington

South Richmond residents are preparing to bury a mother and her infant daughter, two of the latest victims of a spate of indiscriminate violence that has left families devastated and in tears over the unnecessary loss life. Sharnez “Shy-Shy” Hill, 30, and her 3-month-old daughter, Neziah, were killed last week when gunfire erupted at the recently renovated Belt Atlantic Apartments on Midlothian Turnpike, near George Wythe High School. Also hit by gunfire were a 29-year-old woman and two girls, one a 15-year-old student at George Wythe High School and the other an 11-year-old student at Westover Hills Elementary School. Since the April 27 shooting, the Richmond Police Department arrested Donald Hemmings, 22, Shyheem Martin, 23, and Shamondrick Perry, 19, in connection with the violent crime and are searching for others. On Wednesday, Richmond Police announced that a fourth person, Kavon Bynum, 18, had been arrested Tuesday night with help from the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force in connection with the

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Cruz Sherman, founder of Men in Action, leads a prayer during a rally Saturday of community members and public officials seeking solutions to stop the city’s gun violence. Group members hold up three fingers in tribute to 3-month-old Neziah Hill, who was shot and killed with her 30-yearold mother, Sharnez Hill, on April 27 in the courtyard of the Belt Atlantic Apartments on Midlothian Turnpike. Three others were wounded. The rally was held in view of the apartment complex. Among the officials attending the rally were U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, state Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith, Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English, Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras and Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory.

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Free Press wins big at VPA City erupts awards EE FR

JUNE 4-6, 2020

Tear gas clouds the air around protesters the Monume by plans announcreleasing tear gas nt and shooting Avenue statue of Confede ed Wednes pepper spray day. rate Gen. Robert about 30 minutes E. Lee on Monday evening before the 8 p.m. curfew when Richmon was to go d Police into effect. The Confede scattered hundred s of rate statues are headed peaceful for removal

By Jeremy M. Lazarus under

Death of Geor ge Floyd in Minneapolis prompts plans for reform Mayor Ston by ey including remoand Gov. Northam, val of Conf ederate statues on Monument Avenue By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The statues of Confederate traitors are headed from Monume for removal nt Avenue ending their long reign as — white supremacist icons of Richmon that extends d back The removals to 1890. now in the works appear the reforms to be the ﬁrst of to grow out of the seething unrest police brutalityover racism and days of protests that has led to and other cities. in Richmond The Free Press learned that Gov. Ralph S. Northam is to announce Thursda Police Chief statue of Confedey that the Will Smith crowd for rate Gen. Robert E. Lee police using takes a knee at a joint in the crowd tear gas and press conferen from its pedestal will removed Tuesday evening pepper ce with a powerfu — now ﬁlled after walking spray on a peacefu with Mayor Levar M. with spray-pa l message l crowd on Stoney with the throng kneeling at inted 9th and Graceduring Sunday’s peacefu placed in safekeep tags — and from the State Monday night at theon Tuesday outside City Hall where streets across l grassroo Lee Capitol to ing. the Lee statue statue. Mayor Stoney Separately, Mayor they apologiz from the Capitol, ts march from Brown’s Island gives a fist-bum on Monume ed to the Stoney Levar attended the nt Avenue. announced WednesdM. to the 17th p to a proteste rally with her Nasiah Street Market mother, Toya in Shockoe Morris, 4, carries a signr that he will join 9th District ay Morris, and Bottom. The Councilman City 15-year-old youngst Michael J. Jones brother, Tye. er,

The Richmond Free Press received top honThousands of protesters ors in the 2020 Virginia hit the stree ts Press Association News and Advertising Contest, Henrico, Ch capturing Best in Show under Phaseesterfield able to reopen Two of COVID -19 plan awards for both writing and photography among all non-daily newspapers across the state for coverage of the social justice demonstrations that swept the city last summer and the resulting removal of Confederate statues. Additionally, the Free Press captured the News SweepPlease turn to A6

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Business ow ner sweep up s after vandal ism

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

By Ronald E. Carringt on

Minneapolis police officer’s George Floyd George Copelan One of Richmon d Jr. the final straw.by kneeling on his neck killing of 46-year-old d’s oldest family for nearly 9 recovering from minutes was Outrage over jewelry stores late-night the death May is weekend by through the rogue elementslooting and vandalism last 25 of Mr. Floyd streets of Richmon of the killing attached to local has flowed d and cities of George Floyd protests across the country Surveillance and around in Minneapolis. the world. cameras showed Jewelers at Huge throngs that Waller 19 E. Broad have turned & Co. Friday and St. suffered protests and Saturday marches — out for nightly and inside jewelry when the shop’s damage last some of which have been front window marred by cases were dise was stolen, violence, looting and battles with police said Richard broken and merchan120-year-old — fury over the business that Waller Jr., owner of the Memorial Day triggered by Richard Waller four has club security generatio been slaying Jr. stands in the family of the Street that ns. guard for was vandaliz outside his family’s Mr. Waller allegedly passing who was arrested ed Friday for a phony $20 day morning and his son, David, were and Saturdaybusiness on Broad Mr. Floyd It hasn’t mattered bill. busy Wednestaking inventory night. that the officer, Chauvin for insuranc not intervene e claims. to save Mr. Floyd, and three fellow officers Derek Please turn Mr. Chauvin who did were immedia to A6 is tely fired other officers charged with second-d egree murder. and that were charged second-degree Wednesday with aiding andThe three murder. It hasn’t mattered abetting that, almost including Richmon d Police Chief universally, police chiefs, actions of the Will Smith, four officers condemned By video that showed George after viewing the Copeland Jr. Restaurants last words includedOfficer Chauvin kneeling the viral cell phone in Henrico on Mr. Floyd, There has been , “I can’t breathe.” whose Friday for limited indoor and Chesterfield will be able to open an outpouri zoos, botanica dining, along assassination Free COVI with gyms, of civil rights ng of fury not seen since D-19 testin enters Phase l gardens and sports facilities museums, to upheaval Free testing icon Dr. Martin the in g as most of the Luther King 1968 lines during Two of Gov. Ralph S. Henrico health for COVID-19 continue “Black Lives 100 cities. Cries of “No state Northam’s reopenin Jr. led the COVIDs by the Richmon districts. Matter” have justice, no 19 pandemic. The latest testing The g guidecities in all d and 50 states and been heard during the peace” and during governor announced the events are: last week progression of at least a news But it was not the state’s reopenin just black people20 cities around the world. in and Northern conference Tuesday, DATE/TIME sity of protester in which he g Virginia who LOCATION said Richmon making up a s was noticeable, with responded. The diver- their delayed schedule will remain under Phase d ADDRESS white Thursday, large June 4 “It’s all of our percentage of participa and Latino people he said, has not yet . Accomack County on One because of Tuckahoe 10 a.m. to 1 9000 Three the Eastern Shore, moved to nts. high infection p.m. Chopt However, somefight,” said Army Reservist Middle School rate from the the first phase because Road, in Western Malachai people did of its still coronavi Phase Two reopenin people were reported arrested not go unscathed. At Johnson. with Henrico g will allow rus. Friday, June tests, at least least Hotchkis restauran gatherings of during the 6,000 s Field ts able six 10 a.m. to 1 12 up to 50 people, reportedly have people have been killed first six days of pro- capacity, and indoor to operate indoor dining Community p.m. 701 E. Brooklan and dozens been injured, at 50 percent d Center of police centers at 30 percent classes and workouts in with at least Park Blvd. gyms capacity. one death. botanical gardens and fitness Both events Public places Please turn will be held like zoos, and sports To register, to A6 regardles reopen with call the Richmon s of the weather. certain restrictio facilities also will be museums, Hotline at allowed to d and Henrico ns, Gov. Northam (804) 205-3501 through COVID-1 from said. Please turn to A6

Rejected casino group threatens legal challenge to city selection process

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Friday. 8 a.m. to 6 9 p.m. Monday Walk-up testing will be done supplies last. at both sites while test

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Dennis Cotto has spent much of his adult life fighting legal battles. So the attorney from Northern Virginia is ready, willing and able to mount a legal challenge to Richmond City Hall over its casino selection process, most notably the city’s insistence that state and city procurement laws do not apply in this case. Mr. Cotto, who spearheaded the bid from the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos that has been eliminated from the casino competition, claims the city had no authority to ignore procurement laws that would have granted Golden Nugget “an administrative process from which to seek redress or appeal.” He has taken his complaint to the casino-regulating Virginia Lottery, which declined to intervene. The lottery cited the new state casino law that gives the city sole control of the selection of its preferred casino operator. Mr. Cotto also has appealed to state Attorney General Mark R. Herring to investigate the city’s action. But a month

Free COVID-19 testing

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Mr. Balmer

New city voter registrar brings experience, passion to the job By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Keith Balmer will make history Monday, May 10, when he is sworn into a four-year term as Richmond’s new voter registrar amid the surge of work for the June 8 Democratic primary. Mr. Balmer, 45, will be the city’s first Black voter registrar. The North Carolina native also will be the first man in 50 years to hold the top election post in Richmond. Most recently a state Department of Elections official, Mr. Balmer is returning to an office where he started his career at the bottom rung—working in the warehouse tending to the votPlease turn to A4

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, May 6, 2 to 4 p.m., Eastern Henrico Health Department, 1400 N. Laburnum Ave., Eastern Henrico. Drivethru testing. Appointments are encouraged 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. The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID-19 testing locations around the state at www.vdh.virginia. gov/coronavirus/covid-19-testing/covid19-testing-sites/.

later, he said he has yet to hear back from the state’s chief legal officer. He told the Free Press this week that his only choice is to file a lawsuit to allow a court to decide whether the city’s process is legal. He said he will file an action in Richmond Circuit Court later this month that could potentially disrupt the city’s efforts to send a casino recommendation to city voters for approval. “This is a matter of principle,” said Mr. Cotto, who has practiced law for 30 years and made procurement one of his specialties. In his view, “There cannot be a procurement Mr. Cotto which is not subject to procurement rules and procedures.” He said the purpose of this, according to the state law, is to prevent fraud, corruption and arbitrary decision-making. “I’ve lost bids before,” Mr. Cotto said, but “I’ve always gotten a debriefing. I wasn’t always happy with what I was told, but at least I had my day. This time, I was told there would be no debriefing (as to why Golden Nugget’s proposal was rejected), and that is a first in my experience.” City officials have not responded to a Free Press request for comment. The

city’s policy is not to comment on pending litigation or matters that could wind up in court. Mr. Cotto seems confident he has a strong case. He noted that other procurement specialists he consulted have agreed with him. He also pointed to the casino law and noted the Virginia Legislature did not include any language exempting the city from the state purchasing statute or the procurement ordinances in Chapter 21 of the City Code. He said the city, by ignoring those laws, has eliminated bidders’ rights to due process, which he called a fundamental element of public procurement. City Hall is promoting a casino-resort as a potential bonanza that would yield 2,000 well-paying jobs, minority business supplier opportunities and $30 million or more a year in new tax revenue. The city is facing a tight timetable to secure approval. First, the city’s internal evaluation panel must recommend a finalist to develop a casino-resort at a specific site, which is expected later this month. Then City Council must approve the selection. Then the city’s choice must pass muster with the Virginia Lottery, which has 45 days to conduct its preliminary review. Finally, the city needs to secure a Richmond Circuit Please turn to A4

Want a COVID-19 vaccine? Call the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts COVID-19 hotline — (804) 205-3501 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday to schedule a vaccine appointment. Or contact the statewide COVID-19 Vaccination Pre-Registration System at vaccinate.virginia.gov or by calling 877-VAX-IN-VA, or (877) 829-4682. The statewide call center is open 8 a.m.

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Evan Vucci/Associated Press

B is for Biden President Joe Biden took center stage Monday in a fifth-grade classroom at Yorktown Elementary School, where he and his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, talked with students during a swing to promote his $1.8 trillion package that would increase education spending. Mrs. Biden is an English professor at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria. Please see article, A7.

Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021

Local News

Richmond Public Schools to hold graduations at The Diamond Richmond Public Schools hopes it has hit a home run in its plans to hold in-person graduation ceremonies for the high school Class of 2021 at The Diamond baseball stadium. Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said the Richmond Flying Squirrels and Chief Executive Officer Todd “Parney” Parnell have stepped up to the plate allowing RPS to schedule all high school graduations at the stadium, at 3001 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd. Mr. Kamras said he is very grateful and thrilled to have the hometown team work with the school district to make graduations happen in an outdoor setting. He said dates and details for the mid-June morning and evening ceremonies will be available in a couple of weeks. Graduates, he said, will receive four guest tickets. The ceremony will be livestreamed for students, families and friends who do not want to attend in-person. Seniors who don’t attend can pick up their diplomas at their high school on their graduation date. Details and other logistical information, including where to pick up caps and gowns, will be available later. “This will be a very special times for city students to be together for the first time this school year,” Mr. Kamras. “There will be distancing, but all in the same place.” Chesterfield County Public Schools announced it will hold outdoor, in-person graduation ceremonies at each high school’s football stadium. Officials said groups of about 150 to 200 seniors will graduate at the same time, with spatially distanced seating for four guests per graduate. Depending on the number of graduates, a school may need more than two graduation sessions. Ceremonies will be held during the week of June 7, with specific dates, times and rain dates determined after each high school knows how many graduates will participate. Details will be communicated to students and families. – RONALD E. CARRINGTON

Cityscape

Photos by Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

New George Wythe may not happen until 2027, Kamras says By Ronald E. Carrington

The Richmond School Board voted to establish a community advisory board for the construction of a new George Wythe High School in South Side. The board voted 5-0 at its meeting Monday night to approve a motion by School Board member Stephanie M. Rizzi, 5th District, to establish the advisory board to review and provide input for the design of a new school building. Located at 4314 Crutchfield St. in Ms. Rizzi’s district, George Wythe High School opened in September 1960. The board will consist of four staff members from the high school, two students and two community members who will be chosen by the School Board once applications are created and people respond. Ms. Rizzi “I want to ensure that there is community engagement,” Ms. Rizzi said. Board members Shonda Harris-Muhammed, 6th District; Cheryl L. Burke, 7th District; Dawn C. Page, 8th District; and Nicole Jones, 9th District, abstained from voting. Since the School Board’s April 12 resolution to take over responsibility for new school construction from the city, there have been heated debates, a news conference and a public demonstration about the action because it has the potential to delay the project. The city administration has pulled back distribution of its request for proposals, or RFPs, for design and construction of a new Wythe High School. Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, who was opposed to Richmond Public Schools taking over the construction, said while his administration is following the will of the School Board, he doesn’t know when the new school will be built. “It will not be in the fall of 2024” as the city had planned, Mr. Kamras said. “It will be later. The (Richmond Public Schools) administration has to write the RFP from scratch, per the direction of the School Board. The process will be a little longer as we ramp up and develop the needed expertise.” His optimistic completion projection: 2027. In complying with the School Board’s resolution, Mr. Kamras’ administration has drafted job descriptions for three new positions needed to handle school construction—director of school construction, construction project manager and construction procurement manager. Once the position descriptions are finalized, Richmond Public Schools will forward them to the Virginia Department of Education for approval. The state also has recommended additional project positions to oversee construction, finance and site coordinators. “We will need to make some budget changes to make this happen,” Mr. Kamras told the Free Press. He also confirmed that several more positions will need to be created and filled. “I will forward a proposal to the board shortly,” he said. George Wythe school replacement plans were expected to be discussed at the quarterly Education Compact meeting Wednesday night between RPS and city officials.

Fans of legendary Richmond gospel performer Larry Bland applaud and cheer Sunday afternoon as Russell Bennett, a longtime friend of Mr. Bland’s, pulls away the covering from one of two new honorary street sign bearing Mr. Bland’s name. Location: Idlewood Avenue and Randolph Street, in the block where Mr. Bland lived in the near West End. A second sign is at Idlewood Avenue and Harrison Street. Mr. Bland, a keyboardist and arranger, was best known as director of The Slices of life and scenes Volunteer Choir that performed for 50 in Richmond years. In 1971, he was a founder of the Virginia State University Gospel Chorale. Mr. Bland succumbed to cancer in November at age 67. Fifth District City Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch spearheaded the street sign honor, with the unveiling ceremony held on what would have been Mr. Bland’s 68th birthday. The ceremony was filled with tributes, reflections and a musical selection by friends and former choir members and a proclamation from Mayor Levar M. Stoney. When the street sign was unveiled, the crowd broke out in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” and other songs in Mr. Bland’s honor.

City Council to vote on new $772M budget plan May 10 By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The first ever city pay supplement for public defenders who represent most Richmond residents charged with crimes. Significant pay bumps for city employees. Those are among the highlights of the $772 million general fund budget that Richmond City Council is poised to approve for the 2021-22 fiscal year that takes effect July 1. Other amendments would increase funding for recreation programming, provide money to conduct a fiscal audit of city and school spending and partially fund a civilian oversight board being created to investigate complaints of police wrongdoing. The council is expected to vote on the budget plan at its Monday, May 10, meeting. The new budget the council is wrapping up represents expenditures of about $3,350 for each of the estimated 230,000 city residents, or about the same level as the current year. The spending plan does not incorporate any of the $79 million the city expects to receive shortly as the first half of a projected $158 million from the federal American Rescue Plan. City Council already is eyeing using a big chunk of the new cash to beef up the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund and to improve services to the homeless. At a budget session Monday, a City Council majority overrode objections from the administration and a minority of members and agreed to provide $570,000 to supplement state salaries for staff attorneys in the Richmond Public Defender’s Office. The purpose: To enable that office to match the pay of assistant commonwealth’s attorneys, whose pay the city has long supplemented along with the pay of other elected constitutional officers and their staffs. The money represents the first phase of a two-year plan to boost the pay supplement to the Public Defender’s Office to $1.14 million a year. Council members Stephanie A. Lynch, 5th District; Michael Jones, 9th District; and

Katherine Jordan, 2nd District; spearheaded the push to get Richmond to follow Alexandria, Albemarle County and other localities to beef up pay for the underpaid attorneys who play a key role in ensuring fairness and equity in the criminal justice system. Separately, after balking last week, a City Council majority embraced Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to pump more than $8 million into pay improvements for city workers in a bid to stem the tide of city employees leaving for better pay elsewhere. Under the plan, most of the nearly 2,500 general city employees will receive a 3.25 percent bump in pay effective Oct. 9, the largest increase in at least 10 years. Firstyear employees hired after Oct. 1, 2020, and employees at the top of the salary range would be left out of the increase, although there could be bonuses for them. The $5.8 million for the pay increases also would allow the administration to boost pay for about 900 employees whom a 2018 salary study found were receiving salaries well under market. Those employees range from computer programmers and planners to property inspectors and customer service workers in the city’s 311 call center. Police and firefighters, as well as social workers, already have received higher salary adjustments recommended by the study, the administration said. Lincoln Saunders, the city’s acting chief administrative officer, described the plan as a “win-win” that would boost the income of the workers and potentially help the city address major challenges in retention and recruitment. Currently, one in six City Hall positions are vacant, while one in seven employees leave for better-paying jobs each year, Mr. Saunders has told the council. The city’s job offers often are rejected by applicants based on pay offers that are considered inadequate, he said. Among the vacant positions are 600 jobs frozen by the administration to help cover the cost of the pay hikes. Supporters included 4th District Councilwoman Kristen N. Larson, who had pushed for a 5 percent pay hike and led the April 27 effort that initially blocked the mayor’s plan. She changed her posi-

tion following weekend talks with other council members and staff. Separately, City Council upheld its decision to go along with the mayor to provide a two-step increase to sworn police officers and firefighters rather than implementing a new pay plan that could cost $12 million a year and was being pushed by the Richmond Coalition of Police and Local 995 of the International Association of Fire Fighters. The plan would pay people based on rank and years of service. The two-step increase is to be effective Oct. 9 and will cost $2.5 million. Approval of the plan drew tart criticism from police and firefighters groups, who argued the current pay plan is broken and needs to be replaced to prevent further attrition in the ranks. The police and fire departments now are using mandatory overtime to provide coverage after losing dozens of trained personnel in the past 12 months. The council, heeding the cautions from its staff and the administration, agreed to fund a study of the proposed new pay plan, leaving any changes likely until the next budget cycle. Eighth District Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell, chair of the Public Safety Committee, objected. “We’ve got to stop saying ‘a study, a study, a study’” and get on with implementing a change, she said. Ms. Trammell called the situation a crisis that is reflected in slower response times from police officers due to the shortfall in personnel. In other amendments, the council agreed to add $200,000 in funding for the impending civilian review board, or one-third of the projected annual cost of $600,000; added $580,000 in additional funding for city recreation programming; and included $100,000 to establish a program to allow residents to participate in allocating about $8 million in the budget. Another $300,000 was set aside to pay for a financial audit of both the city and the school system’s use of tax dollars. The council also agreed to provide $25,000 to the Hull Street Merchants Association to help pay for litter removal and cleanups, while rejecting a similar request from the Carytown Merchants Association.

Overlooked: Confederate marker at South Richmond courthouse By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Even as City Council starts to move ahead on disposing of most of the city’s collection of Confederate statues, another Confederate monument remains undisturbed at the South Richmond courthouse. City resident Michael Sarahan is raising concern about the continued presence of a massive, 5-foot-tall stone marker that was put in place May 9, 1935, to salute a Confederate unit known as the Manchester Elliott Grays. Mr. Sarahan said the marker stands in what he describes as the backyard of the Manchester Courthouse at 920 Hull St. that dates to 1871 and is named for Richmond’s first Black mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his late brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr. A gift from the Elliott Grays Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the marker stands on the 10th Street side of the courthouse. It goes largely unnoticed as the courthouse’s main entrance faces Commerce Road. The front of the marker facing Hull Street prominently features the Elliott Grays name

and includes engraving recalling the formation of the unit, which was created for the treasonous purpose of destroying the Union in defense of slavery. The back of the marker ironically faces Decatur Street, which was named for American Revolutionary War Navy hero Stephen Decatur Jr. The rear includes a smaller engraving recalling another Confederate unit, the Manchester Artillery, which had a similar mission during the Civil War. According to the engraving, the Elliott Grays formed on May 9, 1861, two days after Virginia became an official Confederate state and three weeks after the state seceded from the Union on April 17. The Manchester Artillery unit was organized a day later on the spot where the marker is installed. Mr. Sarahan has written a letter to Judge David M. Hicks, chief judge of the Richmond General District Court for which this courts building is a main center, to raise the question of removal. Mr. Sarahan said he has yet to receive a response. Mayor Levar M. Stoney pushed to remove virtually all of the city-owned Confederate stat-

ues and artifacts last summer after racial justice protesters began pulling them down. Despite a continuing State Police probe into whether the mayor violated state procurement law by awarding an emergency contract for $1.8 million for the statues’ removal, Mayor Stoney’s emergency action in taking them down was widely praised and appeared to have the support of a large majority of city residents. However, the Elliott Grays marker suggests the city’s inventory of Confederate items to be removed might not be complete. Until Mr. Sarahan began asking questions, the marker had not received any public attention, including from elected city representatives. The Free Press contacted city officials about the marker but has not received a response. City Council is holding a public hearing during its meeting Monday, May 10, to listen to residents’ views on the Confederate statues that are up for disposal. The council also expects to pass a resolution to put a process in place for selling or donating Confederate statues removed last summer from Monument Avenue and other sites.

Jeremy M. Lazarus/Richmond Free Press

This stone marker outside the Manchester Courthouse at 10th and Hull streets was put in place 86 years ago to honor the Manchester Elliott Grays, a Confederate unit formed just days after Virginia became an official Confederate state in 1861. It stands in the shadow of the courthouse now named for noted civil rights attorney and Richmond’s first Black mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his late brother, attorney Harold M. Marsh Sr.

Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021 A3

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Richmond Free Press

A4 May 6-8, 2021

News

slayings of Ms. Hill and her baby. The department also announced that a manhunt is underway for his twin brother, Kevon Bynum, who also is facing charges in the case. Richmond Police believe the gunmen targeted a single apartment in the complex and, with complete disregard for a play area full of children enjoying the evening sun, shot the five female bystanders. While Richmond has long been plagued by gun violence, the increasing involvement of children, teenagers and young adults as perpetrators or victims has escalated the calls for intervention. The South Side shooting is a prime example. The horrific event shone a spotlight on the increasing number of public school students who are being impacted. According to Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, more than 40 city students were shot during the past 12 months, with hundreds more impacted as witnesses or by the death or injury of a relative or a friend. In response to the mounting numbers of students experiencing such

mental and emotional trauma, the RPS administration along with the Richmond School Board, City Council and the office of Mayor Levar M. Stoney are working to address social and emotional health issues. The school district has been focusing on increasing mental health services for students, staff and families who, like soldiers on a battlefield, end up suffering post-traumatic stress disorder due to the violence. According to the RPS ReopenWithLove2.0 plan, the school district plans to materially demonstrate its commitment by investing in more professional mental health services. “I am more than supportive of combating gun violence,” Mr. Kamras said of a district-wide initiative proposed by the School Board to address the impact of gun violence on students. However, Mr. Kamras said he is uncertain the initiative could be ready by fall and the start of new school year. “I don’t want to rush into something and not do it well,” he said. “Gun violence is a very complicated and mentally difficult topic.” He said planning would involve working with teachers, counselors and social workers as well as community

organizations to create a program that has a desired, long-lasting impact. The first step, he said, would be improved funding to hire additional mental health staff. Mayor Stoney separately is looking for ideas and solutions from the Gun Violence Steering Committee he established last October. That committee, headed by Maggie Anderson, the mayor’s chief of staff, is comprised of city officials, residents with personal experience with gun violence and representatives from the Richmond City Health District and the nonprofit RVA League for Safer Streets. The task force also includes academic experts from the Division of Epidemiology in the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and the collaborative Healthy Communities for Youth. The committee is to deliver recommendations on short- and long-term prevention and intervention strategies to deal with the root cause of the violence. “That root cause is poverty,” Mayor Stoney said during a Free Press interview. “Since the coronavirus epidemic began (in March 2020), poverty has exacerbated across this country as well as

in this city,” he said. In addition to illness and death, the epidemic has resulted in a “loss of the human service safety net— libraries, parks, community centers, as well as other social services.” As vaccinations and immunity increase, the first step will be to restore those services to robust levels, several officials said. Ms. Anderson said the task force wants to go further and is researching the mental health offerings available in existing community programs. She said the group is benefitting from the participation of people who have experience with such violence as they offer the committee a better understanding of what may or may not work and insight on what is needed in terms of programs, counseling, training and the potential design of services. Committee member Torey J. Edmonds, who serves as VCU’s community intervention coordinator, said the committee is being deliberate. “We don’t want to just throw something together for the sake of saying we are doing something,” Ms. Edmonds said. “What we are doing is taking the information and trying to really understand what is going on with our young people as we see this challenging gun violence behav-

Free Press wins big at VPA awards Continued from A1 Richmond Free Press

A8 June 25-27, 2020

Photo Feature

Protests continue

Reginia H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Hundreds gather in a Juneteenth candlelight vigil in front of the monument to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, whose statue already has been torn down. The display capped the all-day celebration of the liberation of slaves on Friday, June 19. Rapper Trey Songz was among the participants in the candlelight event that began at the Lee statue and culminated at the Davis monument. Right, a traffic cone is propped on the head of Confederate Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and a rope is around his neck Monday, evidence of the Sunday night effort to pull him off his pedestal at Lombardy Street and Monument Avenue. Richmond and State Police ended up using tear gas and other means to disperse the crowd.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Front porch lights along Monument Avenue offer a glimpse of the crowd around the J.E.B. Stuart statue around 9 p.m. Sunday. The gathering included people trying to fell the statue.

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

This scene shows two of the six people that police officers arrested for failing to leave the area of the J.E.B. Stuart statue after an unlawful assembly was declared. Ninth District City Councilman Michael J. Jones sought to negotiate with the officers, but police ultimately used tear gas and pepper spray to move people on.

Left, R&B star Trey Songz of Petersburg prays during a Juneteenth event at the Lee statue Friday, June 19. Below, from left, Mymy Hardon, Joel Charles and Amira Jones hold lit candles during a vigil at the Lee statue helped close out the program at the daylong celebration of the liberation from slavery. Right, 8-year-old London Miles stands on the stairs of the Lee monument and shows off a sign with the slogan “Black Kids Matter” at the event. Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Cyclists participating in the Black Lives Matter/Father’s Day Bike Ride pause to take a group picture Sunday in front the Lee statue during the ride through the city. The Urban Cycling Group and R&B singer Trey Songz organized the unifying event that drew hundreds to ride peacefully through the city.

• Mr. Lazarus, Free Press vice president for news enhancement; Mr. Copeland; Mr. Carrington; and Brian Palmer, freelance writer and photographer, for general news writing; and • Bonnie V. Winston, Free Press managing editor, for editorial writing. Second place honors went to: • Ms. Coleman, for page design, and • Ms. Boone, Ms. Sellars and Mr. Palmer, for picture story or essay. Third place honors went to: • Ms. Coleman, for small space ads; • Ms. Boone, for breaking news photo; • Ms. Sellars, for personality or portrait photo; and • Mr. Lazarus, for feature series or continuing story.

New city voter registrar brings experience, passion ing machines. Describing himself as someone who “loves elections,” the Virginia Commonwealth University graduate said that he is looking forward to “serving voters and the community” and increasing the office’s visibility. “I want to be out in the community,” Mr. Balmer said. “I want our office to have a presence at community events. I want to go to the high school civics classes to speak about voting and to encourage seniors to register.” He also plans to reach out to community leaders “to see how we can work together” to increase voter registration and the participation of underserved communities in elections. On April 13, a divided Richmond Electoral Board selected Mr. Balmer to lead Richmond’s election operations. He takes over from the acting registrar, Jerry Richardson, and is the permanent replacement for 25-year veteran J. Kirk Showalter. Ms. Showalter was fired in February and has indicated she is contemplating a legal challenge. Ms. Showalter succeeded the late Alice C. Lynch, who also served

Rejected casino group threatens legal challenge Continued from A1

stakes Award for large, non-daily newspapers and won 11 first place awards, two second-place awards and four third place awards in that division. The annual competition in writing, photography, news presentation and advertising recognized work published in 2020. Winners typically are announced at the VPA’s annual banquet in early April, but because of the pandemic, they were announced during a series of virtual presentations last week. Members of the Maryland-Delaware-District of Columbia Press Association judged the entries. The Best in Show Award for Writing was awarded to Jeremy Lazarus, George Copeland Jr., Ronald E. Carrington and Brian Palmer for a package of stories about protests surrounding the Confederate statues in Richmond and their removal. The judges wrote: “In a crowded field of some truly extraordinary journalism, this robust package chronicling the debate surrounding the removal of local Confederate statues was well-researched, roundly sourced and expertly written. The group effort showed a consistent and thorough knowledge of the matter, along with follow ups that added more context and nuance with each additional article.” Regina H. Boone and Sandra Sellars won the Best in Show Award for Photography for a package of photographs of the widespread and continuous social justice protests in Richmond spawned by the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis Police. The judges wrote: “Good variety of photos tell the story here.” While the Free Press has won four Best in Show Awards in photography, advertising and graphic design in 2004, 2012 and 2014, this is the first Sweepstakes Award in the newspaper’s 29-year history. “The recognition earned by Richmond Free Press writers and photographers from the Virginia Press Association is richly deserved and much appreciated,” said Free Press Publisher Jean Patterson Boone. “They covered 2020 Richmond fiercely and truthfully. They took risks to cover the stories in spite of COVID-19. “I am so grateful for our entire team. I know our founder, Ray Boone, is smiling from above.” First-place awards went to: • April Coleman, Free Press vice president for production, for advertising in both the entertainment and professional services categories; • Ms. Sellars, in the breaking news, general news and sports feature photography categories; • Ms. Boone, in the pictorial photo category; • Ms. Boone and Ms. Sellars, in the picture story or essay category; • Mr. Carrington, for education writing; • Reginald Stuart, freelance writer, in the feature series or continuing story category;

Continued from A1

ior,” she said. “We are mapping out opportunities in the city where our children can connect so they can have positive environments, relationships and experiences while developing healthy behavior.” Meanwhile, City Council is considering putting $1.1 million into the 2021-22 budget to provide new funding for gun violence initiatives, including hiring one or more staff at the Richmond Health District to focus on the issue and ways to reduce it. Separately, attorney Thomas P. Barbour Jr. announced the launch of a new nonprofit, the Virginia Holistic Justice Initiative, whose purpose is to provide a social worker to help people charged with nonviolent crimes connect with supportive services to keep them out of jail. Mr. Barbour said that VHJI will work with the courts with the aim of diverting more people from serving time. He said the nonprofit already has started the RVA Justice Hub with support from CapTech, an information technology consulting firm that provides a directory of government and nonprofit social services programs and operations. Staff writer Jeremy M. Lazarus contributed to this article.

25 years as registrar. Richmond Electoral Board Chairman James M. Nachman, a Democrat, and C. Starlet Stevens, a Republican and the board’s secretary, have been at odds over the ballot counting in the Nov. 3 election. But they both agreed that Mr. Balmer was the best choice among four finalists. Board Vice Chair Joyce K. Smith, also a Democrat, backed another candidate and voted against Mr. Balmer’s selection. An easygoing man, Mr. Balmer said he knows the staff and is not planning any significant changes. “I want to work with the people who are there,” he said. He brings substantial experience to the post that comes with an annual salary of around $125,000. During his early time in Richmond, Mr. Balmer rose from the warehouse to be involved in nearly every part of the voting operations. He learned how to maintain and test equipment prior to voting and delivered the equipment to the polls. He also has led training classes for election officers, worked as a roving official on Election Day to troubleshoot and served as an administrative assistant to the Electoral Board. He also spent a year in the voter regis-

trar’s office in Alexandria. For the past three years, he has served as the liaison between the state Department of Elections and 40 local offices in Central Virginia and the Northern Neck. His role has been to find answers to questions, assist in resolving problems and ensure election operations ran smoothly. He said that he has read voraciously about elections, the process and its challenges “to learn everything I can.” Mr. Balmer credits his late adopted father and mentor, Samuel D. Phillips, for sparking his interest in elections. Mr. Balmer recalled Mr. Phillips getting up “at 4 a.m. every Election Day” to work at the polls. That dedication piqued Mr. Balmer’s interest. He said that after Mr. Phillips’ death in October 2010, he called the Richmond office to see if he could take Mr. Phillips’ place at the polls for the upcoming Election Day. He was asked to come in for an interview and to his surprise, Ms. Richardson, whom he will replace, asked if he might be interested in working at the warehouse. Then unemployed, he said he was quick to accept. “The more I was there, the more I got intrigued,” he said. “And the rest, as they say, is history.”

Court order to get the recommendation on the Nov. 2 ballot for voter approval before early voting begins on Friday, Sept. 17. Pending litigation of the kind Mr. Cotto is contemplating could prevent the court from issuing such an order. Mr. Cotto is involved as a partner and principal of year-old Bet on Gaming Holdings LLC, which teamed with Golden Nugget on the losing bid. He has emerged as a possibly disruptive factor to the approval schedule as the debate grows more heated over the proposal from The Cordish Companies, one of the two finalists remaining in the competition. Cordish’s proposal to build a casino on the Bow Tie-Movieland site in North Side has drawn opposition from 14 civic organizations fearful the casino would boost traffic congestion, crime and other problems. Opponents also have been been posting criticism of the cozy relationship that one of the company’s principals, Reed S. Cordish, had with the Trump administration and members of the Trump family. Meanwhile, public support appears to be growing for the other finalist, Urban One, which has proposed to develop its casino-resort in a commercial area near the Bells Road exit off Interstate 95. In the past two weeks, two South Side civic groups, including Richmond Highway Neighborhood Civic Association, have announced support. Mr. Cotto also listed two other concerns that he plans to include in his suit. First, he noted that City Hall’s announcement on March 24 that the six casino groups that bid had been winnowed to three finalists was issued two weeks before the conclusion of the city’s publicly advertised public engagement on all of the proposals through virtual meetings and online comment opportunities. Second, he said the stated reason for the elimination of the Golden Nugget, a seasoned casino owner, operator and developer, was invalid. Mr. Cotto provided a copy of a March 25 email from Leonard Sledge, the city’s development director and the contract officer for the casino procurement, notifying him that the Golden Nugget was disqualified. In the email, Mr. Sledge cited the fact that Golden Nugget did not have site control of its preferred South Side location and did not provide a timetable for selection of an alternate site. Mr. Cotto said that neither is required by the request for proposals the city issued, a legal document by which it is bound. He said Golden Nugget did provide a timetable and added that if Golden Nugget had been selected, it would have had multiple options of sites the city could support, including city-owned land. However, he said because the city is ignoring procurement laws, Golden Nugget has no means to challenge the decision.

Free COVID-19 testing Continued from A1

to 8 p.m. seven days a week to help people pre-register by phone or to answer questions about the vaccine. The call center has English- and Spanish-speaking agents and a call-back service to help people in more than 100 other languages. Additionally, TTY service is available to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing. VaccineFinder.org also allows people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine For more information: vax.rchd.com. The Richmond and Henrico County health districts launched a new walk-up vaccination clinic at George Wythe High School this week that will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each Wednesday to vaccinate anyone age 18 and older without an appointment. Another free vaccination site will open Friday, May 7, at Virginia Union University through a partnership with the state Health Department. The site is to operate through June 11. Registration is required at calendly.com/233/pfizer-1vaccinations?month=2021-05. Virginia State University also is offering inoculations through May 29 in collaboration with the Chesterfield County Health District. According to state health data, 2.7 million people have been fully vaccinated in Virginia as of Wednesday, or about 32.6 percent of the population, while 45.5 percent of the population have received at least one dose of the vaccine. State officials reported 663,538 cases of COVID-19 statewide on Wednesday, along with 28,688 hospitalizations and 10,844 deaths. Virginia’s seven-day positivity rate is 5.3 percent. Last week, it was 5.7 percent. According to state data, African-Americans comprised 22.2 percent of cases statewide and 24.9 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 16.4 percent of cases and 6.4 percent of deaths. As of Wednesday, Richmond reported a total of 16,868 positive cases, 796 hospitalizations and 258 deaths; Henrico County, 25,130 cases, 1,043 hospitalizations and 606 deaths; Chesterfield County, 27,415 cases, 948 hospitalizations and 426 deaths; and Hanover County, 8,003 cases, 282 hospitalizations and 155 deaths.

Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021 A5

African Americans are nearly twice as likely to have a stroke as other ethnic groups. Every 40 seconds, someone in America suffers from a stroke — and that someone is far more likely to be African American. That same group is also more likely to die from that first stroke. If you or a loved one is showing symptoms of a stroke, call 911 right away.

Health factors that cause stroke Stroke A stroke occurs when blood to the brain is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts Types of stroke: • ISCHEMIC: Blockage in blood ﬂow to the brain; nearly 90% of all strokes are ischemic • HEMORRHAGIC: Caused by bleeding in the brain

• • • •

High blood pressure High cholesterol Obesity Diabetes

Reduce your risk • • • • • •

Stop smoking Limit alcohol intake Maintain a healthy diet Be active Maintain a healthy blood pressure and lower your cholesterol Control your diabetes

Warning signs If you have one or more of these symptoms, call 911 • You have sudden weakness or loss of balance or can’t walk • You suddenly can’t see out of one or both of your eyes

• You get sudden face and/or arm weakness or numbness • You suddenly can’t speak, or you can’t understand others

To learn more about VCU Health Comprehensive Stroke Center, visit vcuhealth.org/stroke. © 2021 VCU Health. All rights reserved. Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; American Heart Association, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Ofﬁce Minority Health; Virginia Department of Health.

A6 May 6-8, 2021

Richmond Free Press

Local News

Funeral traditions changed — maybe permanently — by COVID-19 By Hazel Trice Edney and George Copeland Jr.

John E. Thomasson was a hero in his hometown. As a member of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors, he was the first African-American elected to public office in the county. Across 98 years, he built a successful realty company, helped to save mortgages, paid for college scholarships and owned the local funeral home for 53 years, where he oversaw the burials of thousands of Virginians. When he died of an age-related illness on July 22, there was hardly anyone in Louisa County who had not been touched by his life. Other than his wife of more than 65 years, the Rev. Christine Thomasson, there is likely no one who knows his impact better than his successor, D.D. Watson Jr., who was handpicked by Mr. Thomasson to purchase and take over his funeral home business in 2004. And yet upon the death of Mr. Thomasson—a businessman, philanthropist, politician and public servant whose life and work was recognized this year in a proclamation from the Virginia Senate—the largest single gathering in his honor held barely 12 people. That’s because of governmentimposed safety restrictions on public gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “If it wasn’t for the COVID virus, he would have had a service fitting for a king,” Mr. Watson said in a recent interview with the Trice Edney News Wire. “His impact was so far-reaching, but his life could not be celebrated like I thought should have been fitting for him. COVID stole that.” It hasn’t been just the homegoing celebrations for community figures like Mr. Thomasson that COVID-19 has impacted. During the past year, African-American funeral homes locally and nationally have been forced to adjust to handle the growing numbers of COVID-related deaths and the culture change COVID-19 has brought to African-American funeral traditions. For Richard A. Lambert Sr., president and owner of Scott’s Funeral Home in Richmond, the last year has seen their funeral services double from their typical 16 to 18 per month. At the same time, they’ve had to greatly limit attendance at funerals,

Living a year under

COVID

D.D. Watson Jr. of D.D. Watson Mortician Inc. in Louisa County.

Mimms said. “And I do believe that the funeral homes in Richmond have all kind of come together through this.” Even as funeral directors and morticians – the so-called “last responders” – work with bereaved families during the pandemic, many have suffered major losses of their own. More than 160 Black funeral directors and morticians have died from COVID19, according to Rev. Hari P. Close II of Baltimore, president of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association Inc., which represents Black funeral directors. “It’s an airborne virus. So, when you’re the embalmer, even when you’re wearing masks, that body has to be opened,” Rev. Close said. “The issue is, is the virus dead when the person dies? Or is it still alive? That’s why you have a lot of health examiners not trying to do autopsies because you’re opening up the remains making it more airborne.” Despite the danger of infection, Rev. Close said that many states did not prioritize embalmers on the same level as first responders, rescue workers and doctors to receive personal

protective equipment, which includes masks, sanitizer, gloves and protective clothing. As millions of people across the United States have received vaccines and most states now are trending downward with COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations, Rev. Close believes the Black community must do everything possible to guard against losing the tradition of holding large funeral gatherings. “A lot of our families have expressed that they can’t wait to go back to tradition because we actually celebrate people’s lives and your friends and families are part of that celebration of comfort to get through it,” he said. “As I said to my colleagues in the industry, we cannot allow our culture to be changed, because once we let that segment dissolve of the celebration of life, we’re in trouble.” “And I’ve expressed to some of my White counterparts how important this celebration is in the African-American community and the Hispanic community. We have a responsibility to the next generation to really emphasize the traditions of who we are.”

Richard A. Lambert Sr. of Scott’s Funeral Home in Richmond.

while adopting more tools that allow mourners to view and participate in funeral services offsite. Similar changes have come to Mimms Funeral Home, according to president and director Mia Frances Mimms. The South Richmond funeral home has adopted remote viewing through internet streaming, another commonality among funeral homes during the year of COVID-19. Mimms Funeral Home, which has its own crematory, also has been part of a growing reliance on cremations during the pandemic. According to the Cremation Association of North America, 58 percent of deaths nationally were handled by cremation during the first six months of the pandemic, a 3 percent increase from all of 2019. Ms. Mimms did not have specifics on cremation numbers for the past year, but said the business has seen a general increase from years past. She also noted the emotional and psychological impact of the increased workload on employees. “Sometimes we just have down time where we can all get together and just kind of voice what’s going on,” Ms. Mimms said. “It’s basically a judgment-free zone. I think that has helped all of us emotionally and mentally get through this, just to know that we’re all in it together.” But as funeral homes work to maintain a necessary service during this time, new worries have emerged for those involved. More than a year since the coronavirus was declared a pandemic, Mr. Lambert, Mr. Watson and others see the pandemic-related changes in funeral traditions as long-term alterations. “What concerns me is the loss of legacy … because (families) are not able to have proper closure for the loved one and they’re left with additional grief,” Mr. Lambert said. “A lot of times people have said that they will have more of a service later, but as time goes on, people have a tendency to forget. Not everybody is given that proper closure.” Mr. Watson echoed these concerns, speculating that COVIDrelated changes, such as Zoom goodbyes may “cause a nonchalant attitude about death.” “A grandson who once would have made it home from California to be at grandpa’s funeral is now going to say, ‘Well, put it on Zoom. I can’t take off a day. Make it for 12 o’clock, which is 9 o’clock for me in California, and I’ll sit at my desk and watch the funeral.’ ” Mr. Watson said. “And so, it has made it unnecessary to come home to say your final goodbyes to grandpa who raised you, nurtured you and gave you the opportunity to go to college.” There could be reasons for this change beyond nonchalance, according to Dr. Rahn K. Bailey, a forensics psychiatrist at the Charles Drew University School of Medicine in Los Angeles and the first Black physician to serve as head of psychiatry at Louisiana State University. “I think that in a lot of ways, things have changed permanently. Fear drives behavior,” said Dr. Bailey, who predicts that five years from now, people will still not have gone back to their pre-COVID traditions. “I think there will not only be a continuing fear of COVID, but fear of any other possible illnesses that they don’t know.” Those working in the mortuary field said they continue to respond to the changing demands of the pandemic as best they can, aided in part through their strong connections to the local community and to each other. “This year has been very fast coming hasn’t it? Like every day, so different. We just did not know what to expect,” Ms.

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Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021 A7

Local News

Former Judge Pamela O’Berry joins attorney general’s staff By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Control. Before going on the bench, she also served as general counsel for Just a month after she was forced the Richmond Police Department and off the bench in Chesterfield County, the Detroit Police Department. former General District Court Judge Ms. O’Berry also previously served Pamela O’Berry has landed softly in in the Richmond Commonwealth’s Atthe office of state Attorney General torney’s Office and was an associate Mark R. Herring. with the McCandlish Holton law firm Mr. Herring’s office announced whose partners have included two Former Judge that Ms. O’Berry has been tapped to former governors, Linwood Holton O’Berry serve as general counsel to the attorney general and his son-in-law Tim Kaine. following 12 years on the bench. The Attorney General’s Office also announced During the most recent General Assembly that Sylvia Jones, a veteran with the nonprofit session, the state Senate blocked Ms. O’Berry Legal Aid Justice Center, has been tapped to from re-election to a new six-year term on serve as deputy attorney general for the health, the general district court after the Chesterfield education and social services division. Branch NAACP and state Sen. Joseph D. “Joe” Ms. Jones served most recently as the LAJC’s Morrissey led an effort to prevent her from director of professional development. She prestaying on the court. viously was a senior software developer for The NAACP branch alleged that she imposed Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. longer sentences on Black people and was less Ms. Jones’ career also includes experience respectful of them in her courtroom. in private practice. She also has been an adAlong with her service as a judge, Ms. junct professor for Virginia Commonwealth O’Berry is a past chair and commissioner of University’s Wilder School of Government and the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Public Affairs.

Hanover Branch NAACP, others file legal challenge to planned Wegmans distribution center Free Press staff report

The battle over a proposed $175 million distribution center that Wegmans Food Markets Inc. wants to build in Hanover County is headed to court. The Hanover County Branch NAACP, the nonprofit group Protect Hanover and 20 residents of the historic Black community of Brown Grove are asking Richmond Circuit Court to reject a crucial state environmental permit that the company must have to proceed. The legal fight is expected to continue to tie up a project many regard as a potential economic boon for the county, but which Brown Grove residents and others see as creating a noisy and disruptive operation that could destroy their still rural community. The petition filed April 13 by attorney Brian L. Buniva on behalf of the plaintiffs claims the Virginia Water Control Board’s 4-3 vote on Feb. 26 to issue the permit was “arbitrary and capricious” as it ignored both state laws and regulations. The state Attorney General’s Office has yet to

respond, and a hearing date has not been set on the petition that could wind up in the state Supreme Court and that has made it virtually certain the project will remain on hold for now. One of the issues at the forefront of the petition: An allegation that the Water Control Board failed to properly take into account environmental justice issues, or the impact the immense project would have on the Brown Grove community and its Black residents, who would feel the brunt of the proposed 1.7 million-square-foot distribution center. The petition also states that Wegmans provided inaccurate information on the cost of developing at least three alternative sites and argues that the board accepted the company’s numbers without any independent verification. As a result, the petition states that the divided board approved a permit that would allow the company to destroy 15 acres of wetlands at the heads of three creeks, when other sites and options are available that would reduce the destruction to a half-acre or less. The petition alleges that action violates the state’s Chesapeake Bay Act and water quality laws.

President Biden promotes education spending at Virginia stops

Get vaccinated when it’s your turn.

Learn more at cdc.gov/coronavirus Brought to you by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

1900s, it made us the best ambitious set of spending educated nation in the world,” programs through narrow President Biden said. “The rest Democratic majorities in Conof the world has caught up to gress. He has proposed a comus. They’re not waiting. And bined $4.1 trillion to be spent 12 years is no longer enough on infrastructure, broadband, to compete with the world in new school buildings, electric the 21st century and lead the vehicle charging stations, the 21st century.” power grid, child tax credits Community college is an and child care, among other issue of personal importance to programs. the Bidens. The first lady is an All of that would be mostly English professor at Northern financed by higher taxes on Virginia Community College corporations and the wealthy, in Alexandria. an idea that has met immediate “My students, like all the opposition from Republicans. students here, I’m sure, come The Bidens began their trip from every walk of life,” Mrs. Monday by touring a fifth-grade Biden said. “They show up, they class at Yorktown Elementary don’t complain, and all they ask School. is for one thing in return: The The president went around chance to work hard and build asking the students, “What a good life for themselves and do you want to be when you their families.” grow up?” President Biden joked that “A fashion designer,” one Ha advocacy for community col- student responded. ppeni ngs leges was crucial for his own “A chef,” another said, to In s p irwhich ing Fa marital happiness. President rether-SoBiden n BI’ll rebe akfast “I have to admit if I didn’t plied, “Holy mackerel, have these positions I’d be darned!” sleeping in the Lincoln bed“A hairdresser,” one student room,” the president teased. said. President Biden quipped: There is uncertainty about “I could use some, some hair, President Biden getting an I mean.” ± 4H Richmond

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President Joe Biden traveled Monday to Yorktown and Portsmouth to promote his plans to increase spending on education and children, part of his $1.8 trillion families proposal announced last week. Visiting Tidewater Community College’s Portsmouth campus with First Lady Jill Biden, the president discussed his $109 billion proposal to provide Americans with two years of tuition-free community college. He also is seeking more than $80 billion for Pell Grants to help college affordability and $62 billion for programs that could improve completion rates at community colleges and institutions that predominantly serve disadvantaged students. The president said that education is the key to the country’s dominance and that people need classes beyond high school for the nation to be globally competitive. “When America made 12 years of public education universal in America in the early

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To heal a city The Richmond community continues to look for answers and solutions to the shocking multiple shooting that claimed the lives of Sharnez Hill, 30, and her 3-month-old daughter, Neziah, last week in the courtyard of a South Richmond apartment complex where children and families were enjoying the evening air. Police said a barrage of bullets from an assault rifle and two handguns were fired by two groups of gunmen shooting at one another across the courtyard at the Belt Atlantic Apartments on April 27. The Hills and other bystanders were struck in the crossfire, including an 11-year-old Westover Hills Elementary School student, a 15-year-old from George Wythe High School and a 29-year-old woman. While the three wounded were last listed in stable condition at a local hospital, the trauma of the tragedy remains and touches all of us. Richmond Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras said this week that 40 Richmond Public Schools students have been shot during the past year. That should not be Richmond’s normal, said Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith. The same all-out battle waged against COVID-19 in our community should be directed against gun violence, Mr. Kamras suggested. We strongly agree. For far too long, the Richmond community has been engulfed by waves of gun violence that are met with sorrow, tears, prayer vigils, balloon releases and pleas for change, including tougher gun laws, greater police presence and engagement from people to make neighborhoods safer. But these Band-Aid solutions are just that and have not made enough of an impact. Stopping the violence and creating real change will take the same concerted effort mounted — and resources deployed — to fight the coronavirus. And like the fight against COVID-19, the efforts to combat violence must be made by all sectors of the community, not just police. The public health and mental health sectors, schools, businesses, recreation and government and private sectors all must get involved. The violence and other problems we are seeing now are symptoms of years and years of people being cut off from things that make for healthy communities, said Daryl V. Fraser, a licensed clinical social worker and associate professor at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work. Mr. Fraser is a former president of the Richmond Association of Black Social Workers. The circumstances many people in Richmond are living in are not “normal,” with a consistent lack of resources and opportunity many of us take for granted. For instance, he said, many families live in situations of constant poverty, high unemployment, food and housing insecurity and lack of access to quality education. The question becomes why do children have access to guns and firearms, but not to grocery stores, healthy food and education, he said. What brings us to this sober moment, he added, is the realization that we should have been doing some things all along that may have prevented the latest tragedy. As the trauma compounds, he pointed out, hurt people hurt people. “While we don’t know each person’s circumstance, we know everyone wants to be seen, to be respected, to have their humanity recognized,” Mr. Fraser said. A disconnect from self and community feeds into the cycle of violence. We believe, like others, there is no simple solution to stemming the violence that plagues our city. But a better path can be forged by putting into place a system of comprehensive response that can work on various components simultaneously, including making sure basic needs are met, destigmatizing and prioritizing mental health, promoting healing circles and conflict resolution skills, helping people find jobs and working to ensure housing and food security. Sadly, we cannot give Ms. Hill and her infant their lives back. But step by step, piece by piece, we can work to shore up the lives of the children and families caught in the crossfire at the apartment complex last week, and those swept up in the violence that racks our communities from day to day. We can help heal the trauma of the wounded, repair the scars on our psyche and that of the city and work to ensure the humanity of everyone through both policy and practice. And with a collective effort, we can forge a path toward change.

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D.C. statehood a voting rights and racial justice issue Washington, D.C., has a higher percentage of Black residents than any state in the country, and they have no voting representation in Congress. This is systemic racism in action. It is long past time to give Washington’s 712,000 residents the representation they deserve by making D.C. our 51st state. It is shameful that people who live in the nation’s capital have no say in Congress. And it is unacceptable that local laws and budgets passed by D.C. elected officials can be overturned by members of Congress who decide to meddle in local decision-making. That explains why the District of Columbia’s license plates include the slogan, “End taxation without representation,” a rallying cry by American colonists against the tyranny of British rule. The disenfranchisement of hundreds of thousands of D.C. residents is fundamentally unAmerican and there is no good reason to allow it to continue. There are bogus reasons to oppose statehood and some

Republicans in Congress have been trotting them out now that legislation to admit Washington, D.C., as a state is moving forward in Congress. Some claim that Washington is too small to be a state. But D.C. has more residents than either Vermont or Wyoming. There are currently six states whose population is less than 1

Ben Jealous million. D.C. pays more federal taxes than 21 states — and more federal taxes per person than any state. Some make the false claim that it would require a constitutional amendment to make Washington, D.C., a state. Not true. The U.S. Constitution clearly gives Congress the authority to admit new states. That’s how every one of the 37 states that were not initially part of the United States have joined the country. The original District of Columbia was created out of land from Maryland and Virginia. In 1846, a good chunk of D.C. was returned to Virginia. No constitutional amendment was required then, and none is required now to admit Washington, D.C., as a new state. Some objections are so idiotic, frankly, that they must be

a cover for pure partisanship or worse. In March, a Heritage Foundation legal fellow testifying before Congress said D.C. residents shouldn’t get representation in Congress because they can already influence congressional debates by placing yard signs where members of Congress might see them on their way to work. One Republican congressman said — wrongly — that D.C. would be the only state without a car dealership. Another said that D.C. doesn’t have enough mining, agriculture or manufacturing. U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell said the plan to make D.C. a state was evidence of “full bore socialism on the march.” At least some Republicans are honest about their real reason for opposing statehood: They just don’t want to let D.C. voters elect Democratic officials who will support progressive policies supported by the majority of the American people. But that is not a principled position. None of the objections to D.C. statehood hold water, especially when weighed against the basic injustice of disenfranchising hundreds of thousands of people. Washingtonians have fought in every U.S. war. About 30,000 D.C. residents are veterans. But D.C.’s mayor does not even have

Biden-Harris at 100 days One hundred days into their administration, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have made surprisingly bold inroads in confronting racial injustice and the COVID-19 pandemic, but significant challenges remain. President Biden and Vice President Harris entered the White House at a moment of unprecedented multiple crises, and they have risen to confront those crises with remarkable speed and effectiveness. With the help of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, they have illuminated the systemic racial inequality that hinders our nation’s progress and set a course for healing. Whether the nation can stay that course remains to be seen. President Biden has been purposeful and intentional about including racial justice components in every policy he has undertaken in the first 100 days. He has used his moral voice to create a distinction between the poisonous philosophy of white supremacy and the idea of an America for everyone, an America of opportunity and pathways to progress for all people. Importantly, he has changed the tone of governing, adopting a tone of inclusiveness that stands in stark contrast to the reality show, finger-pointing, disparaging tone of the recent past. In a letter sent shortly after the election, I charged President Biden and Vice President Harris

to produce an immediate and extensive COVID-19 relief package. They responded with the American Rescue Plan, one of the largest anti-poverty measures in a generation. It has helped slash daily coronavirus infections by more than 70 percent, while quadrupling the daily number of vaccinations. President Biden has made it

Marc H. Morial possible for Americans whose lives were upended by the pandemic to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The letter established a set of fundamental principles on racial justice and equity to guide the Biden and Harris administration in the first 100 days and beyond. I asked them to assemble an administration that reflects the diversity of America. They nominated and fought for confirmation of the most racially diverse cabinet in U.S. history. I asked that they commit to fundamentally transforming the criminal justice system. They have restored the meaningful use of federal pattern or practice investigations, lifted restrictions on the use of consent decrees to hold police departments accountable for abuse and ended federal contracts with private prisons. I asked them to protect and defend voting rights. They have put the entire federal government to work in promoting and expanding access to voter registration and participation. I asked them to work toward economic parity for AfricanAmericans. The day they were sworn into office, the very first

executive order President Biden signed declared “… it is the policy of my Administration that the federal government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.” I asked them to advance equity in educational opportunities for all American children. The administration’s unprecedented investment in Title I schools and higher education will help students recover from the learning loss experienced during the pandemic. I asked them to promote a healthier nation by prioritizing access to health care, including testing, treatments and cures for COVID-19 in communities of color. More than 200 million Americans have been vaccinated, more than double the initial goal, including underserved communities. Tens of thousands more Americans have health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, and their premiums are lower. As productive as the first 100 days have been, a tremendous amount of work remains to be done. President Biden and Vice President Harris must make good on their promise to invest in America, to build a middleclass and to restore faith in our democracy. The American people need tangible results. The National Urban League’s full progress report on the BidenHarris administration’s first 100 days can be found here: https:// bit.ly/3aJQ8Wr The writer is president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League.

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.

the ability that governors have to mobilize its own National Guard — a fact that proved to be deadly during the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection. The bottom line in this: How can we hold ourselves out as a model of democracy when we are the only democratic country in the world that denies representation and self-governance to the people who live in its capital? We can’t. As the Biden administration recognized in announcing its support for D.C. statehood, it is long past time to correct this injustice. The U.S. House of Representatives voted on April 22 to admit Washington, D.C., as a state. Senate leaders must not allow filibuster rules or Republican resistance to prevent Congress from righting this wrong. The writer, a former national president and CEO of the NAACP, serves as president of People for the American Way and People for the American Way Foundation.

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Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021 A9

Letters to the Editor

Children paying the price for gun violence

Comments the State State Child ChildCare CarePlan Plan CommentsRequested Requested on on the for FFY 2022 through FFY 2024 for FFY 2022 through FFY 2024

Gun reform has been revisited time after time. It is time now for action to be taken. Gun violence has continued to plague Richmond’s AfricanAmerican community. According to the Virginia Department of Health Statistics, Black youths from all over the state are disproportionately affected by gun violence. The Gun Violence Archives reports 38 children have been killed by gun violence and 122 children have been injured since 2013 in Richmond. The 2021 General Assembly passed House Bill 1992 that

ŽŵŵĞŶƚƐ ŵĂǇ ĂůƐŽ ďĞ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚĞĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ƉƵďůŝĐ ŵĞĞƟŶŐƐ ďǇ ƐƵďŵŝƫŶŐ ŝŶ ǁƌŝƟŶŐ ƚŽ͗ &W> EΛĚƐƐ͘ǀŝƌŐŝŶŝĂ͘ŐŽǀ ŶǇŽŶĞ ƐƵďŵŝƫŶŐ ǁƌŝƩĞŶ ĐŽŵŵĞŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŐŝǀĞŶ ĂŶ ŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚǇ ƚŽ ƐƉĞĂŬ͘ /Ĩ ǇŽƵ ĂƌĞ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ ƚŽ ĂƩĞŶĚ ƚŚĞ ƐĐŚĞĚƵůĞĚ ǀŝƌƚƵĂů ŵĞĞƟŶŐƐ͕ ĂŶ ŝŶǀŝƚĂƟŽŶ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƐĞŶƚ ŽŶĐĞ ǇŽƵƌ ĞŵĂŝů ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ŚĂƐ ďĞĞŶ ƌĞĐĞŝǀĞĚ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ŝŶĚŝĐĂƚĞ ƚŚĞ ƟŵĞ ǇŽƵ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂƩĞŶĚŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ƐĞŶĚ ǇŽƵƌ ŶĂŵĞ ĂŶĚ ĞŵĂŝů ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ ƚŽ ũĂŵŝĞ͘ĚƵŶŐĞĞΛĚƐƐ͘ǀŝƌŐŝŶŝĂ͘ gov ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ŝŶǀŝƚĂƟŽŶ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƐĞŶƚ ƚŽ ǇŽƵ͘ dŚĞ ĐƵƚͲŽī ĚĂƚĞ ĨŽƌ ĂĐĐĞƉƟŶŐ ĞŵĂŝů ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞƐ ŝƐ DŽŶĚĂǇ DĂǇ Ϯϰ͕ ϮϬϮϭ͘ dŚĞ ŵĞĞƟŶŐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƐƐĞĚ ďǇ 'ŽŽŐůĞ DĞĞƚ ŽŶ DĂǇ Ϯϲ͕ ϮϬϮϭ ĨƌŽŵ ϭϬ͗ϬϬ Ăŵ ʹ ϭϮ ŶŽŽŶ Žƌ ĨƌŽŵ ϲ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ʹ ϴ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ͘

prohibits a person convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member from purchasing, possessing or transporting a firearm. Gov. Ralph S. Northam proposed increasing the prohibition period from three years to five years. Yet, his proposal was rejected. Current gun laws also include the limitation of purchasing firearms, as well as efforts focused on universal background checks and the red flag law that allows authorities to take guns away from individuals who are deemed

dangerous to themselves or others. As far as prevention, stronger and additional laws are needed to protect our AfricanAmerican communities. Some recommendations that should be considered are requiring gun training classes to own a gun and setting an age limit on purchasing firearms in Virginia. Dr. Emanuel C. Harris, president of the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, discusses the need for teaching individuals how to handle conflict differently because it so often results in

No to casino off Arthur Ashe Boulevard Richmond doesn’t need a casino at Bow Tie Cinemas off Arthur Ashe Boulevard. I’m saddened to think about the cinema multiplex leaving. That movie theater transformed the Scott’s Addition area. I remember about 15 years ago when there wasn’t much going on in the area except for strip clubs, a few bars and restaurants and warehouses. Now, grocery stores, breweries, a bowling alley and apartments are seemingly going up overnight. Bow Tie Cinemas’ Movieland at Boulevard Square is a great place to watch a movie. And Scott’s Addition is now one of the most hip and vibrant areas of town. But, putting a casino there? I don’t get it. I don’t want it. And judging by all the “No

Casino” signs on Arthur Ashe Boulevard, other Richmonders don’t want it either. Richmond isn’t a gambling town. It’s an art, music, history and food town. Surely the city can think of a better use of prime real estate than a casino. Taking gambling money is taking the path of least resistance. It may seem like the city is getting something for nothing, but in the end, Richmonders will suffer. I live in Lakeside, but I spend a lot of time and money in the city. One thing is clear, though: If a casino comes to the Bow Tie site, I won’t be spending much time or money there.

KOREN SATCHELL Henrico County

ŽŵŵĞŶƚƐ ŵĂǇ ďĞ ƐƵďŵŝƩĞĚ ďǇ ĞŵĂŝů ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĞŵĂŝů ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ &W> EΛĚƐƐ͘ǀŝƌŐŝŶŝĂ͘ŐŽǀ

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gun violence. Senseless acts of gun violence can be stopped and the lives of children and others can be saved if policies are enacted.

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Richmond Free Press

A10 May 6-8, 2021

Sports Stories by Fred Jeter

Jamin Davis to be key building block for Washington For years now, a sturdy defense has been under heavy construction by the Washington Football Team. Jamin Davis becomes the latest building block on site. With the 19th selection in the first round of the NFL draft, Washington picked Davis, the uncommonly athletic linebacker out of the University of Kentucky. In doing so, Davis became the first-ever pick by first-year Washington General Manager Martin Mayhew. Mayhew is one of three new Black NFL general managers this season, joining Brad Holmes of the Detroit Lions and Terry Fontenot of the Atlanta Falcons. Returning Black general managers are Chris Grier of the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns’ Andrew Berry. Davis was born in Honolulu, the son of military parents, and grew up near Savannah, Ga. He possesses all the physical measurables Washington Coach Ron Rivera, a former linebacker himself, seeks for that position. Davis’ pre-draft credentials included 6-foot-3.5 height, 234 pounds, 4.48 speed for the 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical jump and an 11-foot standing broad jump. Despite those assets, Davis was not an overnight success at Kentucky. Redshirted as a freshman, he played mostly on special teams as a second-year performer and didn’t become a full-time starter until late in his third year. He opted out of the 2021 fall season to enter the NFL draft. Davis became a Wildcats difference-maker as a senior, roaming sideline to sideline to make 102 tackles, fourth best in the SEC. He also had three interceptions, one of which he returned for an 85-yard touchdown, showcasing his swiftness. He was first-team, All SEC for the 5-6 Wildcats. Away from the gridiron and prior to the COVID-19 shutdown,

Quarterbacks snatched up in NFL draft

“D” in D.C. stands for defense Here are the Washington Football Team’s first round draft picks for the last five seasons. All but Dwayne Haskins, a quarterback, are defensive stoppers. 2021 Jamin Davis, linebacker, University of Kentucky 2020 Chase Young, defensive end, Ohio State University 2019 Montez Sweat, defensive end, Mississippi State University Jamin Davis

Benjamin St-Juste

Davis was serving an internship with a legal firm in Lexington, Ky. He wore the No. 44 jersey at Kentucky, honoring his grandmother who died at 44. That number, worn by beloved Washington running back John Riggins, is retired by Washington but could be brought out of “retirement” if Riggins agreed. Washington’s defense was exceptional in 2020 under coordinator Jack Del Rio. Washington was second in the NFL, behind the Los Angeles Rams, in least yards allowed (282 per game). The team was fourth in least points (20.6 norm) yielded. In the last five drafts, Washington has gone with a defensive player as its No. 1 pick each year. In 2018, it had two, first-round picks — quarterback Dwayne Haskins and nose tackle Daron Payne. Last season, Chase Young, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2020, was NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. In the third round of this year’s draft, Washington used the 74th overall pick to tab cornerback Benjamin St-Juste (pronounced “joost”) out of the University of Minnesota. Should Washington decide to call its signals in French this fall,

2018 Dwayne Haskins, quarterback, Ohio State University; Daron Payne, nose tackle, University of Alabama 2017 Jonathan Allen, defensive tackle, University of Alabama

it won’t be a problem for St-Juste, who grew up in Montreal and spoke mostly French until he was 17. The 6-foot-3 Canadian began his college career at the University of Michigan before transferring to Minnesota. He had 59 tackles in 19 games for the Gophers over two seasons. Other Washington draftees: Round 2 — Sam Cosmi, offensive tackle, University of Texas Round 3 — Dyami Brown, wide receiver, University of North Carolina Round 4 — John Bates, tight end, Boise State University Round 5 — Darrick Forrest, safety, University of Cincinnati Round 6 — Camaron Cheeseman, long snapper, University of Michigan Round 7 — William Bradley-King, linebacker, Baylor University; Shaka Toney, defensive end, Penn State University; and Dax Milne, wide receiver, Brigham Young University.

0 out of 259: Trey Lance

Quarterbacks were in high demand in this year’s NFL draft. A record eight quarterbacks were selected in the first three rounds. That broke the record of seven in 2012, when the list included former Richmonder Russell Wilson. Here’s the 2021 list: Round one, pick one: Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) by the Jacksonville Jaguars; round one, pick two: Zach Wilson (Brigham Young) by New York Jets; round one, pick three: Trey Lance (North Dakota State) by the San Francisco 49ers; round one, 11th pick: Justin Fields (Ohio State) by the Chicago Bears; round one, 15th pick: Mac Jones (Alabama) by the New England Patriots Round two, 64th pick: Kyle Trask (Florida) by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; round three, 66th pick: Kellen

Justin Fields

No HBCU athletes chosen in NFL draft

Kellen Mond

Mond (Texas A&M) by the Minnesota Vikings; round three, 67th pick: Davis Mills (Stanford) by the Houston Texans; round six, 218th pick: Sam Ehlinger (Texas) by the Indianapolis Colts Three of the quarterback picks are Black — Lance, Fields and Mond. Lance is the son of a Black father and white mother, Carlton and Angie Lance. Carlton Lance starred in football at Southwestern Missouri State and later played in the Canadian and World Football Leagues. A native Minnesotan, Lance threw for 28 touchdowns while suffering no interceptions in leading North Dakota State to a 16-0 record and the 2019 FCS championship. The Bison played only one game in the fall of 2020 due to the pandemic.

HBCU athletes went 0-for259 picks in the seven-round NFL draft. There were zero selections from any of the HBCU schools or conferences. It didn’t help that the two HBCU Division I conferences, the MEAC and the SWAC, opted out of fall football seasons and played only limited spring seasons this year because of COVID-19. The Division II CIAA and

SIAC did not play at all this school year. That said, only one player from an HBCU was drafted in 2020. Lachavious Simmons, an offensive lineman from Tennessee State University, was the 227th overall pick in 2020 by the Chicago Bears. Tennessee State is an HBCU but plays in the Ohio Valley Conference. Four HBCU players were drafted in 2019 and three in 2018.

Olympic dream remembered

Basketball or football was never Olympic trials in Oregon when President Jimmy When the 2020 Summer Olyman option for John Christian, who was Carter shook the foundation of track and field. pics were postponed because of all about blazing down mostly cinder What had been feared, a U.S. boycott, became a the pandemic, few understood tracks, choking opponents with his reality. Because of the Soviet Union’s invasion of the athletes’ heartache more than Afghanistan, the United States and about 65 other trail of dust. John Christian. In the late 1970s, Christian ranked nations withdrew from the Moscow Olympics. In 1980, Christian’s OlymIn effect, the decision ended Christian’s career with the fastest men in the world. He pic dream went “poof” when was a two-time NCAA Division II as an international track sensation. Instead of the United States boycotted the champion in 1977 and 1978 at 100 competing for a meet that wasn’t to be, he packed Olympic games in Moscow for meters, as well as the NAIA and Penn up and headed East. political reasons. “It was ‘Wow, like wow.’ After all that hard Relays 100-meter king in 1979. Following a sensational track He competed at VSU under training … I was just happy they honored our career at Virginia State University, return flights at the airport.” Coach Pete BenChristian was in Eugene, Ore., While the Olympic nett, who rethe site of Olympic trials, when John Christian games in Tokyo were cruited him out the deflating news of the boycott postponed in 2020 beof New Kent High School was announced. cause of the pandemic, “I was hoping to get on a plane to Moscow. where he had a personal current world-class athInstead, I boarded a plane back home the next day best of 9.7 seconds for 100 letes only have to wait one yards. and went to work,” Christian recalled. year for the games, which Christian’s winning “I look back on that and it’s not a sweet taste.” are scheduled to take place Now 65, the New Kent County native is in his NCAA times were 10.62 this summer. 40th year as a track coach, health and physical seconds in 1977 and 10.30 For Christian, the 1984 education teacher and driver’s education instructor in 1978. He also ran a Olympic games in Los scorching leg on VSU’s at Charles City County High School. Angeles, which then were He is a member of the VSU Athletics Hall of 1977 championship 4x100 boycotted by Russia, were Fame and the Charles City County Athletics and relay team. too much of a stretch. He His personal best 100Activities Hall of Fame. soon retired. At 5-foot-11 and a trim 178 pounds, Christian meter sprint in open com“It’s disheartening,” he still looks as though he could outrun most of petition was a blistering recalled wistfully. “I trav9.9, comparable to the his teenage students. eled all over and competed His sons have traveled a different course. Jamion top times of all time. against the best. The kid from Christian was set to Christian is head basketball coach at George WashJohn Chri New Kent almost made the ington University and Jarell Christian is an assistant run the 100 meters and stian as a VSU stu Olympics.” 200 meters in the 1980 coach with the NBA Washington Wizards. dent.

Trelee Banks-Rose

Banks-Rose is latest VSU sprint sensation Trelee Banks-Rose is the latest sprint sensation at Virginia State University. The freshman from Washington, D.C., ran a victorious 10.44 seconds in the 100 meters on April 10 in a meet at the University of Mount Olive in North Carolina. Banks-Rose bested a field of 45 sprinters in the 100 meters. He also finished sixth in the 200 meters with 21.75 seconds. Coming up for the VSU Trojans is a meet May 16 at Sports Backers Stadium in Richmond. The NCAA Division II Nationals are May 25 through 30 in Allendale, Mich.

Collegiate’s Krystian Williams is breaking records

Krystian Williams

Krystian Williams runs and jumps like he has rockets in his sneakers and coils in his knees. The 16-year-old sophomore at Collegiate School has arrived far ahead of schedule into the track and field winner’s circle. And the best news of all, he’s just warming up. “Oh my goodness, Krystian has really solid potential. It’s exciting,” said Cougars Coach Brent Miller. Collegiate’s 2020 track season was canceled due to the pandemic, meaning Williams lost his entire freshman season. If that was a stumbling block, it hasn’t shown. He arrived at full stride this spring as a sophomore on a mission. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound son of Veronica Williams and Rodney Hounshell only needed three meets this spring to break Collegiate’s long jump record.

Competing April 24 on Collegiate’s synthetic track and runways, Williams won four events individually and assisted in two victorious relays in a dual meet against archrival St. Christopher’s School. It was Williams’ oh-my-gosh 23-4 long jump that sent statisticians scurrying to the record books. “The outcome wasn’t expected, but it felt great,” Williams said. “Our coaches had me well prepared with jumping drills and working in the weight room.” The 23-4 was more than four feet farther than the runner-up. “I did a double take,” Coach Miller said in viewing the long leap. “We measured it a couple of times.” The effort toppled the Cougars’ all time mark of 22-11 set indoors in 2020 by Donald Adams. Before Adams, the record of 22-6 was set by David Shannon in 1982.

Shannon is the son of Dr. David T. Shannon, the president of Virginia Union University from 1979 to 1985. Williams, who has been enrolled at Collegiate since kindergarten, said he knew by the time he was 2 or 3 that he might be “ahead of everyone else.” “I could tell when I started playing flag football,” he added. The record long jump was just the start of Williams’ memorable day in spikes. He also won the triple jump (43-5.5), the high jump (5-10) and 100 meters (11.44) while racing a leg on the triumphant 4x100 and 4x400 relays. “Definitely the best day in track I’ve ever had,” he said. Williams hails from an athletic family. His father, Rodney Hounshell, caught 157 passes for 2,590 yards and 19 touchdowns during a VUU football career from 1990 to 1992. His mother, Veronica Williams, was a standout track athlete at Marshall-

Walker High School. Krystian’s brother, Rodney Hounshell Jr., grew up in Oregon and is currently a basketball standout at Hawai’i Pacific University in Honolulu. Collegiate has a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning program on campus. In addition, Williams trains under Leonard Hopkins, a former track and football star at Marshall-Walker High and Norfolk State University. There’s a lot more to Williams’ athletic resume than track and field. He is also an aspiring football wide receiver and high-leaping basketball wing. “My main goal is just to improve,” Williams said. “Looking ahead, I want to make it to the next level, hopefully in football, but track is another option.” Collegiate’s “Rocket Man” has lifted off in dramatic style. It will be interesting to follow his flight and see where he eventually lands.

May 6-8, 2021 B1

Section

Richmond Free Press

Happenings

Personality: Navi Johnson

Spotlight on founder of RVA Black Farmers Market For many, the COVID-19 and skin care products to wines pandemic has led to difficult and much more. Ms. Johnson sees the martimes. For Navi Johnson, it was the ket’s work as a conduit of resilimpetus for a new public space iency for the African-American community in starting their own for African-Americans. The Henrico native is the businesses and staying afloat founder of RVA Black Farmers financially after losing jobs Market, which has sought to cre- during the pandemic. She also ate ways for African-American views the market as fostering farmers, gardeners and other the power of food sovereignty merchants to come together for the community. “A lot of us live in food safely and share resources since deserts where access to fresh it launched last June. Seeing the negative effects food isn’t a common thing,” of the pandemic and a greater Ms. Johnson says. “Being deshift to growing food among the pendent on others to provide African-American community, us the sustenance needed is a Ms. Johnson envisions the new downfall, and a lot of us learned initiative as one that can serve during the early days of the pandemic that we have to be a number of essential roles. “I wanted to create a space able to do it for ourselves.” Looking to the future, Ms. to celebrate how we triumph Johnson is laser-focused on and overcome in hard times,” expanding the market’s reach. University; studied magazine, Ms. Johnson says. Starting Saturday, May 8, Adding more farmers and newspaper and online journalRVA Black Farmers Market gardeners is a major priority ism at Syracuse University. will host markets throughout for her. “Black people need to be Occupation: Owner of V The the month in rotating locations. educated on growing their own Writer Press, LLC; music artist The first market will be held and independent contractor. from 8 a.m. to noon at U-Turn, foods and creating what they 2101 Maywill St., where it will need because we don’t know RVA Black Farmers Market’s be held every second Saturday what the future holds,” Ms. mission: To provide a space Johnson says. “It is important for African-American farmof the month. On Sunday, May 9, and every to be prepared and know that ers and merchants to come together safely and share our second and fourth Sunday dur- we can take care of each other resources. and ourselves.” ing the season, the market will Meet an advocate for self-re- When and why RVA Black be at the 17th Street Farmers’ liance and community resilience Farmers Market founded: In Market in Shockoe Bottom. and this week’s Personality, June 2020. I was inspired by And every third Saturday of Navi Johnson: the COVID-19 pandemic and the month, beginning May 15, the market will be held at The N o . 1 v o l u n t e e r p o s i - the unforeseen circumstances Way of the Lord Fellowship tion: Founder, RVA Black that followed — store closures and things of that nature. I Church, 1700 Blair St. in the Farmers Market. noticed because of it, a lot of Near West End. Date and place of birth: Sept. African-Americans began to So far, the market has part- 9 in Henrico County. grow their own food again. nered with more than a dozen Where I live now: Henrico I wanted to create a space to purveyors who also provide County. celebrate how we triumph and their wares through boxed deliveries available for purchase Education: Bachelor’s in overcome in hard times. VR Downtown Ad food FREEPRESS Half 04 from Activation 0412 HIGHREZ.pdf 1 4/12/21 12:54 PM means English Virginia State What online. Items rangingPh3 from food sovereignty

for the Black community: Being able to provide for ourselves and our community is powerful in the Black community. A lot of us live in food deserts where access to fresh food isn’t a common thing. Being dependent on others to provide us the sustenance needed is a downfall, and a lot of us learned during the early days of the pandemic that we have to be able to do it for ourselves. How RVA Black Farmers Market represents resiliency: In the beginning of the season last year, a lot of vendors had just lost their jobs due to the pandemic. The market not only shows resiliency as far as growing our own foods in hard times, but starting businesses and being in a space to make financial gain when they were laid off from their jobs. How farming and gardening are therapeutic during stressful times: The first thing my mother did when she had to return home after getting laid off from her job in North Carolina was build a garden. She discovered so much about herself and her newfound love for growing her own food. She spends every day in her garden and loves it. It definitely takes your mind off of hard times. Why local market of Black farmers, gardeners and vendors is important: We, as African- Americans, need our own space to flourish. Black people need to know that they can purchase fresh produce from Black farmers and grow-

ers. Black people need to be educated on growing their own foods and creating what they need because we don’t know what the future holds. It is important to be prepared and know that we can take care of each other and ourselves. Where RVA Black Farmers Market is located: This year, we are blessed to be at three different locations: U-Turn at 2101 Maywill St., 17th Street Farmers’ Market at 17th and Main streets in Shockoe Bottom and back at The Way of The Lord Fellowship Church at 1700 Blair St. Market dates and times: We have four markets each month for this season beginning every 2nd Saturday at U-Turn; every 2nd and 4th Sunday at 17th Street; and every 3rd Saturday at The Way of The Lord Fellowship Church. We begin Saturday, May 8, at U-Turn and Sunday, May 9, at 17th Street. The market is 8 a.m. to noon. RVA Black Farmers Market includes: Many other merchant vendors. Some sell food products, skin care products and more. Pandemic requirements at the market: Vendors and patrons must have temperature checks, hand sanitizer at the stations and social distance when standing in line. How to become a vendor: Send a message to rvablackfarmersmarket@gmail.com with the dates you’d like to attend. Farming and gardening for me: Allows me to grow in patience. It’s something special about planting seeds, taking care of them and watching them grow. How I start the day: In si-

lence — no phone, no social media, no noise. Just silence and getting my mind ready for the day. Three words that best describe me: Jovial, helpful and resilient. Best late-night snack: Popcorn. How I unwind: A hot shower, face mask and hot tea. What I have learned about myself during the pandemic: That I can adjust and still make things happen. Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Rap. Quote that I am most inspired by: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no.” At the top of my “to-do” list: The RVA Black Farmers Market until December 2021. Best thing my parents ever taught me: Never to tell myself “No.” Person who influenced me the most: My mother. She’s ambitious and does what she puts her mind to. She’s a free spirit and limitless and she taught me to be the same. Book that influenced me the most: “The Power of Broke” by Daniel Paisner andDaymond John. What I’m reading now: “Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind and Spirit” by Queen Afua. Next goal: To gather more Black farmers and growers for RVA Black Farmers Market. I really want to see the market grow to 50 percent of growers and farmers.

MEET CHANDRA BRIGGMAN Chandra is CEO at Activation Capital, located at 800 E. Leigh Street, which engages and connects those in our innovation ecosystem, and strives to give startup founders access to the tools and resources they need to navigate the entrepreneurial process. These resources include the VA Bio+Tech Park campus focused on life sciences and advanced technology companies; the Riverflow Growth Fund, a seed fund; and the Ecosystem Direct Investment Fund (EDIF). In 2020, the life sciences industry was considered essential and downtown’s BioTech labs stayed open for research. Being new to Richmond, Chandra says relocating during the pandemic brought silver linings. “I’ve been able to network virtually with people throughout Virginia even more than if I’d been driving to in-person appointments. And, I’ve definitely felt the southern hospitality,” she said. She’s excited about exploring the Downtown arts scene and enjoying more restaurants. Downtown has hundreds of small businesses, non-profits, and cultural institutions that are open! For more information visit VentureRichmond.com.

venturerichmond.com

#MeetMeDowntown

Richmond Free Press

B2 May 6-8, 2021

Happenings

Black professionals make significant donations to VMFA

Photos courtesy of Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

The generosity of Black professionals is making a big impact on the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. In recent announcements, museum officials said that it is renaming one its galleries to honor Dr. Monroe Harris Jr., president of the museum’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Dr. Jill Bussey Harris, after receiving “an important contribution” from the couple who are avid art collectors and longtime supporters of the museum. Separately, the museum announced that attorney Jackie Stone, a partner at McGuireWoods, and her husband, B.K. Fulton, founding chairman and CEO of the film and media investment company Soulidifly Productions, Left, “Nothin’ to Somethin’ – donated nine works by AfricanFreedom,” undated, top, and American artist Bill Traylor that will “Dance,” undated, by artist Bill be on view in the exhibit, “The Dirty Traylor (American, 1953-1949). South: Contemporary Art, Material collection of the VMFA and gifts of B.K. Fulton and Jackie Stone. Culture and the Sonic Impulse,” that opens May 22. Officials did not disclose the amount of the Harrises’ contribution. But Alex Nyerges, director and CEO of the VMFA, stated, “Their generous gift offers significant support for the museum’s continued efforts to expand and exhibit its collection of contemporary work by Black artists.” One of the museum’s 21st century art galleries will be renamed in the Harrises’ honor. Dr. Monroe Harris is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon and partner in Virginia Oral & Facial Surgery. Dr. Jill Bussey Harris is a cosmetic dentist who has a private practice, Beautiful Smiles. Both have long supported African and African-American art and artists. Dr. Monroe Harris also serves as chairman of the board of the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward. As the first African-American to lead the VMFA board, Dr. Harris has championed the expansion of the museum’s collection to include more works by African and African-American artists, including Kehinde Wiley’s “Rumors of War” equestrian statue that sits outside the museum on Arthur Ashe Boulevard.

“It’s important for us to not simply be involved, but to also give back to our community,” Dr. Jill Bussey Harris stated. The nine pieces donated to the VMFA by Ms. Stone and Mr. Fulton are works on paper created with paint, graphite and colored pencils by the late Mr. Traylor, who was born into slavery in Benton, Ala., in 1853. At age 85, he began creating abstract, stylized drawings of people in his community and Dr. Monroe Harris Jr. and Dr. Jill recollections of his past using materials he had on hand. He produced nearly Bussey Harris 1,500 works between 1939 and 1942. He died in 1949. Valerie Cassel Oliver, VMFA’s Sydney and Frances Lewis Family Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, called the pieces significant additions to the museum’s collection. “This collection of art will also serve as foundational markers that show the influences of such artists in the capturing and shaping of Black Southern sensibilities,” Ms. Oliver stated. “The Dirty South” exhibition, organized by Ms. Oliver, explores Jackie Stone and B.K. Fulton the legacies and traditions of Black culture in the African-American South through the lens of contemporary Black musical expression. The exhibit contains more than 140 works of art by intergenerational groups of artists and features sculpture, paintings, drawings, photography, film, sound pieces and large-scale works. The exhibit will run through Sept. 6. Details: www.VMFA.museum.

Actor Hill Harper to launch Black-owned digital wallet Free Press staff report

Richmond will be a stop on a national tour seeking to pump up interest in a new Black-owned financial app for cell phones that is to go live June 1. The application is called “The Black Wall Street” and is the brainchild of veteran actor Hill Harper, now a star of the hit ABC TV show ‘The Good Doctor,” and his partner, Najah Roberts, a Los Angeles dealer in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The stop In Richmond is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 11, at the Calhoun Family Investment Center, 436 Calhoun St., in Gilpin Court, one of Richmond’s poorest neighborhoods and one that Mr. Hill and Ms. Roberts believe could benefit from the financial education and exposure to Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies. Ms. Roberts is expected to host

the Richmond event as Mr. Hill is tied up in Vancouver, Canada, on the production of the show. During the two-hour stop, Ms. Roberts and others will offer an introduction to Bitcoin and promote the adoption of cryptocurrencies in Black and brown communities. The Black Wall Street app is a digital wallet that will allow members to have peer-to-peer payments, trade in cryptocurrencies or gain access to financial literacy courses. Mr. Harper said the new app draws its inspiration from the Greenwood community in Tulsa, Okla., the thriving Black business district dubbed “Black Wall Street” that was destroyed in a horrific racial massacre on May 31 and June 1, 1921. The app is launching on the 100th anniversary of the destruction of that community in a bid to offer a new way forward, Mr. Harper said, for a

Mr. Harper

Ms. Roberts

community that is increasingly turning to the internet to buy goods and exchange money. In an online discussion, Mr. Harper said the new app is seeking to revive the three elements of wealth creation that were notable in Greenwood before white people rampaged against Black success. He said first, there was Black ownership, and second, there was community trust in the institutions. Finally, the money spent in Greenwood circulated 60 to 70 times in a year

before leaving the community. Today, he said the dollars that the Black community receives from work and other sources now leaves the community in a day. Mr. Harper said the growth of digital wallets such as Cash App portends a day when Black money could leave the community in seconds unless there are competing Black-owned digital wallets like the one he is promoting. He is not the only one entering the field. Rapper Killer Mike already has launched his competing Greenwood app for investors of color. A Harvard Law School graduate, Mr. Harper began working with Black web developers last year before the COVID-19 pandemic to build the

app, which aims to capitalize on mobile device trends in communities of color. One in four Black and Latinx people already rely solely on their smartphones for information and purchases compared with 12 percent of white Americans, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The survey also showed Black Wall Americans use a smartphone for mobile banking more than any other group. Credit card giant Visa already projects a $4 trillion market for apps that replace cash and checks in the United States. Mr. Harper said The Black Street app is seeking to create a space where people can learn about finances, create a community and invest. If all goes well, he said, the app would become a marketplace where the circulation and recirculation of money would create jobs and businesses.

Powhatan County Fair opens May 14 for 3-day run Helicopter rides, an antique photography display, live music, carnival rides and games and a gospel jubilee are among the highlights of the 102nd Annual Powhatan County Fair taking place Friday, May 14, through Sunday, May 16. The event will be held at 4042 Anderson Highway in Powhatan, 12 miles west of state Route 288. Admission is free, with unlimited ride tickets $15 in ad-

vance. This year’s theme: “It’s a Family-A-Fair.” Organizers stated that extra precautions are being taken to keep people safe and healthy during the event because of COVID-19. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines will be followed, with sanitation stations located throughout the fairgrounds and implementation of strict sanitizing regimens for rides

and games. Fairgoers are urged to observe health, safety and social distancing guidelines. Gates open 5 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Details: www.powhatanfair. org or (804) 598-9808, or visit the Powhatan County Fair’s Facebook page.

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Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

Honoring Richmond’s first Black police officers Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney offers greetings at Sunday’s commemoration honoring the hiring of the first Black police officers in Richmond 75 years ago. The commemoration was held Sunday at Abner Clay Park in Jackson Ward, near the historic marker noting the May 1, 1946, employment of Howard T. Braxton, Doctor P. Day, Frank S. Randolph and John W. Vann. The four were assigned to the city’s 1st Precinct at Smith and Marshall streets and had walking beats around the Jackson Ward and Navy Hill area. The late Ruth B. Blair, the first Black woman hired by the police department in late 1949, also was honored at the event. Today, 229 of the Richmond Police Department’s 686 officers are African-American, or 33.3 percent, according to the department. Police Chief Gerald M. Smith also is African-American. Chief Smith was the keynote speaker for the event. Among the attendees: Henrico Police Chief Eric D. English, City Council President Cynthia I. Newbille and 2nd District City Councilwoman Katherine L. Jordan.

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DIAMONDS • WATCHES JEWELRY • REPAIRS 19 EAST BROAD STREET RICHMOND, VA 23219 (804) 648-1044

WWW.WALLERJEWELRY.COM

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BUILDING OR RENOVATING A CHURCH IN THE FUTURE?

Richmond Free Press

May 6-8, 2021 B3

Faith News/Directory

Shirley Rasberry, local seamstress, dies at 80 By Jeremy M. Lazarus

as a teenager and graduated from Armstrong High School. Shirley Mae Rasberry was a popular Richmond She was an active member for 40 years of Fifth Street seamstress, her family said. Baptist Church, where she served as a deacon and sang “It didn’t matter it if was an elegant wedding gown, in the Gospel Creations and the Tabernacle Choir. a prom dress or a dress that just needed a simple alShe was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, teration, she was the go-to person to get it done,” the the Delver Junior Woman’s Club, the Red Hatters Club family wrote in her obituary. and Unique’s Bowling Club. “She worked tirelessly day and night in her sewMrs. Rasberry was predeceased by her husband, Mrs. Rasberry ing room creating works of beauty her clients as she Milton Rasberry Jr. listened to her favorite gospel station.” Survivors include her son, Milton Rasberry III; daughters, Mrs. Rasberry died Monday, March 15, 2021. She was 80. Bernadale R. Witherspoon; LaTasha Rasberry and Tanya R. Family and friends celebrated her life Monday, March 29, at Hill; brothers, Alfred Young, Julian Young and Sherman Young; a service at March Funeral Home. sisters, Doris Y. Barnes and Linda Young; six grandchildren; and Born in Caroline County, Mrs. Rasberry moved to Richmond three great-grandchildren.

Contact Davis Brothers Construction Company, Inc., Building Churches for over 100 years. Est. 1908

Documentary details past and present of AME Church Corporate Office Richmond, Va.: s &AX

Langston R. Davis email: ldavis@davisbrotherscc.com

Atlanta, Ga. Office: s &AX

Langston R. Davis Jr. email: ldavisjr@davisbrotherscc.com

“The Church With A Welcome”

3HARON "APTIST #HURCH 500 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA 23222 www.sharonbaptistchurchrichmond.org (804) 643-3825 Rev. Dr. Paul A. Coles, Pastor

SUNDAYS Morning Worship 10:00 AM Drive-In Service in our Parking Lot

See you there!

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

Religion News Service The African Methodist Episcopal Church has released a short film online about its history that includes an interview with the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, the pastor killed in a June 2015 racial attack on his historic Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., church, in which he talks about the historically Black denomination’s significance.

Write: I’ll Listen Ministry “Enthusiasm”

Mother’s Day

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

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

“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).”

Sunday, May 9th, 2021 11:00 am

Speaker:

Reverend Monica Flippen

Associate Minister, Broad Rock Baptist Church

Theme: Lets Celebrate and Honor Our Mothers Happy Mother’s Day! Please Join us on facebook, UBCSOUTHRICHMOND, for a virtual good time in the Lord!

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

Pastor Kevin Cook

Moore Street Missionary

St. Peter Baptist Church

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

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

$R +IRKLAND 2 7ALTON 0ASTOR

Baptist Church

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

Worship Opportunities Join us for live worship service (No RSVP required) or live streaming each Sunday at 10 AM. Visit our WEBSITE, look under “/NLINE 3ERVICES,” and access the “0ASTOR S -ESSAGE.” Mother’s Day Guest Speaker: 2EV 'INA 7 #ANNON

All church ac�vi�es are canceled un�l further no�ce. Follow us on Facebook for “A Word from Moore Street’s Pastor” and weekly Zoom worship info.

Bible Study Opportunities Thursdays: Virtual Bible Study session via Zoom, every Thursday at 7 PM. Email request to spbcoffice@stpeterbaptist.net; A new Meeting ID and password will be emailed weekly.

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.

Tithing Opportunities Download the Tithe.ly giving app for Apple and Android devices. Your gift is safe/secure and goes directly to our church.

Be safe. Be blessed.

-OUNTAIN 2OAD s 'LEN !LLEN 6IRGINIA /FlCE s &AX s WWW STPETERBAPTIST NET

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

"APTIST #HURCH Sunday School – 9:45 AM Sunday Services – 11:00 AM Via Conference Call (515) 606-5187 Pin 572890#

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

Twitter sixthbaptistrva

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Jones Bibbs, Pastor

2IVERVIEW

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

Also Visit Us On Facebook Sunday Service – 11:00 AM 2604 Idlewood Avenue Richmond, Va. 23220 (804) 353-6135 www.riverviewbaptistch.org Rev. Dr. Stephen L. Hewlett, Pastor Rev. Dr. Ralph Reavis, Sr. Pastor Emeritus

EMANUEL JOSEPH KENNY, JR.

manuel Joseph Kenny, Jr., the son of Emanuel Joseph Kenney, Sr. and Sadie Fleming Kenny, was born on April 19, 1926 and departed this earth on April 5, 2021. Emanuel grew up in Richmond, Virginia. He married Lucille Hewlett on June 15, 1949, who predeceased him in 2015. Emanuel attended and is a former member of Moore Street Missionary Baptist Church. He graduated from Maggie L. Walker High School and was a proud team member of the Maggie L. Walker High School football team. Emanuel served in the PLOLWDU\ ʮUVW LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV 1DY\ DQG VXEVHTXHQWO\ LQ WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV $UP\

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Emanuel received numerous awards and accommodations, including The Charles A. Melton and Arts Center, Appreciation for Commitment to the Charles A. Melton Education and Arts Center, West Chester, PA, presented by 6HQDWRU $QGUHZ ( 'HQQLPDQ

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white officials at St. George’s Episcopal Church halt the prayer of his friend, clergyman Absalom Jones. “Before Black men were really free, when people were striving for some sense of dignity, those brave people who began the movement which became the AME Church had the courage and the integrity and the faith to step out and give leadership,” said Jamye Coleman Williams, a retired AME general officer.

OBITUARY OF

(near Byrd Park)

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

was produced as a DVD in 2016 but was screened chiefly for church members. It was posted on the AME’s YouTube channel in late April. It highlights the history of the 2.5 millionmember denomination and its work on social justice issues over more than two centuries. Church founder Richard Allen, a former slave who purchased his freedom, established Philadelphia’s Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1791 after watching

P.O. Box 16113 Richmond, Virginia 23222

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

“Our church and every good AME pastor knows that we’re not just concentrating on getting people to heaven,” the pastor told the filmmakers of “The Spirit of African Methodism” shortly before his death. “We’re also concentrating on the social, the psychological, all of the needs, the physical needs, and so we are to be about our Father’s business, which includes looking at the holistic ministry.” The 25-minute documentary

ance with Reverence Relev

Rev. Dr. Joshua Mitchell, Senior Pastor ❖

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic All regular activities have been suspended until further notice. Please join us on

Facebook or YouTube

10:30 a.m. Sundays 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays-Bible Study

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

7KH +RPH *RLQJ VHUYLFH IRU (PDQXHO was held on April 12, 2021 in West Chester, PA. and the burial service was held on April 13, 2021 at the Roselawn 0HPRULDO *DUGHQV *OHQ $OOHQ 9$

Antioch Baptist Church “Redeeming God’s People for Gods Purpose”

1384 New Market Road, Richmond, Virginia 23231 | 804-222-8835

SERVICES

SUNDAY WORSHIP HOUR – 10:00 A.M. CHILDREN’S CHURCH & BUS MINISTRY AVAILABLE SUNDAY SCHOOL (FOR ALL AGES) – 9:00 A.M. TUESDAY MID-DAY BIBLE STUDY – 12 NOON WEDNESDAY MID-WEEK PRAYER & BIBLE STUDY – 7:00 P.M. A MISSION BASED CHURCH FAMILY EXCITING MINISTRIES FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH, YOUNG ADULTS & SENIOR ADULTS BIBLE REVELATION TEACHING DIVERSE MUSIC MINISTRY LOVING, CARING ENVIRONMENT

DR. JAMES L. SAILES PASTOR

Richmond Free Press

B4 May 6-8, 2021

Legal Notices Continued on next column

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, May 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinance: Ordinance No. 2021-107 To amend and reordain City Code § 9-58, which assigns polling places in the city, to relocate and establish a new polling place for Precinct 111. 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. 2020-232, adopted December 14, 2020. 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 May 10, 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 May 10, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ richmondgov.com in 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, May 10, 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, including descriptions and maps of proposed boundary and polling place changes, are available for inspection 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 City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the City of Richmond Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing, open to all interested citizens, on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2021-108 To close, to public use and travel, a portion of an alley bounded by Hampton Street, Colorado Avenue, South Meadow Street, and Dakota Avenue, consisting of 2,296± square feet, upon certain terms and conditions. Ordinance No. 2021-109 To authorize the special use of the property known as 415 North 35th Street for the purpose of two single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The subject property is located in the R-8 Urban Residential zoning district. The Richmond 300 Master Plan recommends Neighborhood MixedUses for the Property. Primary Uses include single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes and small multi-

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family dwellings. The net proposed density is approximately 21 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2021-110 To authorize the special use of the property known as 513 Northside Avenue for the purpose of a dwelling unit within an accessory building to an existing single-family dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-5 Single-Family Residential District. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Residential. Primary Uses include Singlefamily houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. The density of the proposed development is approximately 17 units per acre. Ordinance No. 2021-111 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1005 Westover Hills Boulevard for the purpose of a mixeduse building containing up to 12 dwelling units and commercial space, upon certain terms and conditions. The properties are situated in an R-5 Single-Family Residential D i s t r i c t . T h e C i t y ’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Community Mixed-Use. Primary Uses are retail/office/personal service, multi‑family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses are single‑family houses, institutional, and government. Ordinance No. 2021-112 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1402 Roseneath Road for the purpose of an automated teller machine accessible from the exterior of a building, upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates a future land use for the subject property as Destination Mixed-Use Primary Uses: Retail/office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses: Institutional and government. Ordinance No. 2021-113 To authorize the special use of the property known as 2006 Carver Street for the purpose of two single-family attached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions. The current zoning for the subject property is R-5 Single Family Residential. The City’s Richmond 300 Master Plan designates the subject property for designates the subject property for Neighborhood Mixed Use. Primary Uses: Single‑family houses, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, small multi‑family buildings (typically 3‑10 units), and open space. Secondary Uses: Large multifamily buildings (10+units), retail/ office/personal service, institutional, cultural, and government. Ordinance No. 2021-114 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3017 Forest Hill Avenue for the purpose of a day nursery for up to 12 children, upon certain terms and conditions. The property is situated in an R-5 Single-Family Residential District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Residential. Primary uses are single-family houses, accessory dwelling units, and open space. Ordinance No. 2021-115 To conditionally rezone the properties known as 2 Manchester Road and 4 Manchester Road from the RF-1 Riverfront District to the B-4 Central Business District (Conditional), upon certain terms and conditions. The City’s Richmond 300 Plan designates the site as Destination Mixed‑Use. Primary Uses are retail/office/personal service, multi‑family residential, cultural, and open space. Secondary Uses are institutional and government. Ordinance No. 2021-116 To rezone the property known as 4401 East Main Street from the RF-2 Riverfront District to the TOD-1 TransitOriented Nodal District. The City of Richmond’s Master Plan designates a future land use category for the subject property as Corridor Mixed-Use. Primary uses are retail/ office/personal service, multi-family residential, cultural and open space. No residential density is specified for this land use designation. The meetings 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. 2020-232, adopted December 14, 2020. The meetings will Continued on next column

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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 Planning Commission members and Richmond City Council will assemble in City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, and most members and other staff will participate by teleconference/ videoconference via Microsoft Teams. The meetings will be streamed live online at the following web address: https://richmondva. legistar.com/Calendar. a s p x . To w a t c h a 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 May 24, 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 May 24, 2021 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda. Citizens are encouraged to provide their comments in writing to CityClerksOffice@ richmondgov.com in 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, May 24, 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 FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER KIMBERLY JEFFERSON, Plaintiff v. PURCELL JEFFERSON, III, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001573-00 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 17th day of June, 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER GEORGE MINNICKS, Plaintiff LETITIA MINNICKS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001626-00 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 17th day of June, 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 LADINA NORFLEET, Plaintiff Continued on next column

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v. FREZELL BROWN, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001672-00 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 17th day of June, 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JULIKZA ESTEVEZ, Plaintiff v. GODFREY PARKINSON, JR., Defendant. Case No.: CL21001594-00 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 17th day of June, 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 VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER DEMOND SCOTT, Plaintiff v. TAMIKA WATKINS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001663-00 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 21st day of June, 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 CITY OF RICHMOND LISA YVONNE (JENKINS) STEWART, Plaintiff v. HAROLD RICARDO STEWART, Defendant Case No.: CL21-1403-7 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to: Obtain a divorce a vinculo matrimonii or from the Bonds of Matrimony. It appearing from an affidavit that diligence has been used without effect, by or on the behalf of the plaintiff to ascertain in what county or city defendant is and the last known address of the Defendant is as follows: L.K/A. 51 Henry St. Roosevelt, NY 11575. It is ORDERED that Harold Ricardo Stewart appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 7, 2021. An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER JOHN ASHLOCK, Plaintiff v. LINDA ASHLOCK, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001482-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of June, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect her interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk Continued on next column

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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 CHARLENE HARRIS, Plaintiff v. BEN HARRIS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001481-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 2nd day of June, 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

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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 1st day of June, 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

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 24th day of May, 2021 at 9:00 AM, and protect his interests. A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Dorothy M. Eure, Esquire VSB# 27724 Law Office of Dorothy M. Eure, P.C. 8460 Mount Eagle Road Ashland, VA 23005 (804) 798-9667

defendants to this suit by the general description of “Parties Unknown.” IT IS ORDERED that RO B ER T L . R A M S E Y, ELIZABETH B. RAMSEY, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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 BOBBIE SALAS, Plaintiff v. VINCENT SALAS, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001406-00 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 1st day of June, 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER BRITTANY RILEY, Plaintiff v. MICHAEL RILEY, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001375-00 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 1st day of June, 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 Virginia: HENRICO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT 4301 E. Parham Road, Richmond, VA 23228 CARLETHA BOWMAN v. EDWARD BOWMAN, Case No.: CL20-5058 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to divorce. It is ORDERED that EDWARD BOWMAN appear at the above-named court and protect his/her interests on or before June 7th, 2021. Entered April 5, 2021 An Extract Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER IVI MOLIN, Plaintiff v. BAYRON GARCIA VASQUEZ, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001515-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to obtain a divorce from the bond of matrimony from the defendant on the ground of living separate and apart without any cohabitation and without interruption for a period exceeding twelve months. It is ORDERED that the defendant, whose whereabouts are unknown, appear here on or before the 10th day of June, 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MISTY BUFFUM, Plaintiff v. MATTHEW BUFFUM, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001258-00 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 24th day of May, 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER CHADWICK FOWLER, Plaintiff v. KRISTIN FOWLER, Defendant. Case No.: CL20003601-00 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 June, 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 JENNIFER DODD, Plaintiff v. JEFFERSON ROCK, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001259-00 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 24th day of May, 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

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER MARQUITA ARCHIE, Plaintiff v. LAVERNE ADAMS II, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001376-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER STEVEN LESTER, Plaintiff v. ALICE HANNA, Defendant. Case No.: CL21001117-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

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COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE COUNTY OF HANOVER HEATHER E. HUNTER-JUSTICE, Plaintiff v. RYAN E. JUSTICE, Defendant. Civil No.: CL21-001163-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit, brought by Heather E. HunterJustice is a complaint for divorce. It appearing from an affidavit that the Defendant, Ryan E. Justice, cannot be found, and that due diligence has been used witout effect to ascertain the location of the Defendant; it is hereby ORDERED that the Defendant appear before this Court on or before May 19, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., to protect her interest herein; A Copy, Teste: FRANK D. HARGROVE, JR., Clerk I ask for this: Jason W. Costanzo VSB #87422 Pagano & Marks, P.C. (804) 447-1002 Telephone (804) 562-5924 Fax Counsel for the Plaintiff

PROPERTY VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-2286 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1334 Darbytown Road, a parcel overlapping a jurisdictional boundary, assigned Richmond Tax Map Number E010-0049/029, and Henrico Tax Map Number 803-712-8123, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Robert Dewey Wade, Jr, William Wade and Lester Wade. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, has not filed a response to this action; that said owners, WILLIAM WADE and LESTER WADE, 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; 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 ROBERT DEWEY WADE, JR, WILLIAM WADE, LESTER WADE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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. ROBERT L. RAMSEY, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-2257 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 4315 Short Street, Tax Map Number C009-1006/018, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Robert L. Ramsey and Elizabeth B. Ramsey. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, ROBERT L. RAMSEY and ELIZABETH B. RAMSEY, 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 Continued on next column

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. DANIEL T. BOHANNON, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-4156 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 2100 Richmond Street, Tax Map Number E000-0764/001, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Daniel T. Bohannon, Tina Elizabeth Freedman, Lynette Louise Morris and Barbara Mae O’Cock. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, DANIEL T. B O H A N N O N , T I N A ELIZABETH FREEDMAN, LYNETTE LOUISE MORRIS, and BARBARA MAE O’COCK, 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 DANIEL T. BOHANNON, TINA ELIZABETH FREEDMAN, LYNETTE LOUISE MORRIS, BARBARA MAE O’COCK, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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. SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL20-499 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the properties briefly described as 3601½ Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/052, 3603 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S0080884/051, 3605 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/050, and 3607 Richmond Highway, Tax Map Number S008-0884/048, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Shakuntala I. Patel, Babubhai H. Patel, Ila B. Patel and Ashish A. Patel. An Affidavit having been filed that said owners, SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL and ILA B. PATEL have not been located and have not filed a response to this action; that said owner, BABUBHAI H. PATEL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, has not been located and has not filed a response to this action; that said owner, ASHISH A. PATEL, who is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 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 SHAKUNTALA I. PATEL, ILA B. PATEL, BABUBHAI H. PATEL, ASHISH A. PATEL, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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. BRUCE ROUNTREE, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL19-6075 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit Continued on next page

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May 6-8, 2021 B5

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is to subject the property briefly described as 2911 Hull Street, Tax Map Number S000-1343/014, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owners of record, Bruce Rountree and Annie L. Rountree. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, BRUCE ROUNTREE, 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, ANNIE L. ROUNTREE, is not a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 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 BRUCE ROUNTREE, ANNIE L. ROUNTREE, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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

Lundy, et. al. CL20-2972 2317 M Street E0000293004 City of Richmond v. William McKinley Perry, et. al. CL20-2621 4001 McKay Avenue Rear C0090424022 City of Richmond v. T. C. Houliares, et. al. CL20-2163 1706 South Meadow Street W0000875013 City of Richmond v. Antoinette L. Bland, et. al. CL20-2370 3609 Midlothian Turnpike S0002466031 City of Richmond v. Henry T. Carter, et. al. CL20-5338 3405 Mike Road S0080820025 City of Richmond v. Sharon Jones, et. al. CL20-2373 505 Milton Street N0001365026 City of Richmond v. Owen H. Coleman, Jr., et. al. CL20-3017 1432 Minefee Street S0071284002 City of Richmond v. Glenda P. Williams Tunstall, et. al. CL20-3288 201 Minor Street 201 N0000375001 City of Richmond v. Jacqueline Lewis Lucas, et. al. CL19-4155 1600 Monteiro Street N0000290012 City of Richmond v. Thomas Jasper Johnson, et. al. CL20-1933 2306 North Avenue N0000488005 City of Richmond v. Sandra M. Jones, et. al. CL20-3787 3202 North Avenue N0001132010 City of Richmond v. Dana E. Payne, et. al. CL20-3979 2410 Old Dominion Street S0000567007 City of Richmond v. Martha Gaines, et. al. CL20-2945 2110 Orlando Drive C0090420046 City of Richmond v. Kenneth W. Taylor, et. al. CL20-2094 2130 Orlando Drive C0090420048 City of Richmond v. Kenneth W. Taylor, et. al. CL20-2093 3402 P Street E0000964025 City of Richmond v. The LMT Land Trust, et. al. CL20-1681 2605 Phaup Street E0120291011 City of Richmond v. Carolyn Laverne Brown, et. al. CL20-3014 1537 Rogers Street E0000930043 City of Richmond v. James B. Harris, et, al. CL20-2618 1910 Rose Avenue N0000370003 City of Richmond v. Naomi A. Hall, et, al. CL20-2278 417 Smith Street N0000241035 City of Richmond v. Gloria Constello Sibley, et. al. CL20-2253 3505 Stockton Street S0002601011 City of Richmond v. Flora M. Warrick, et, al. CL20-2250 2723 Tate Street E0120426015 City of Richmond v. Junius W. Meredith, Sr., et. al. CL20-2414 5101 Walmsley Boulevard C0080857032 City of Richmond v. Althea V. Henry, et. al. CL20-2372 209 Winber Drive S0042908014 City of Richmond v. Lillian Chavis, et. al. CL20-3310 2721 Woodrow Avenue N0000707024 City of Richmond v. Bernard D. Ogburn, et. al. CL20-2968 2801 Y Street E0120427014 City of Richmond v. Parties Unknown, et. al. CL20-2948 2310 Yorktown Avenue S0080453006 City of Richmond v. Wilbert H. Patron, Jr., et. al. CL20-2946 TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. The purchase price will include the winning bid plus 10% of the winning bid. High bidders will pay at the time of the auction a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price, or $5,000.00, whichever is greater. If the purchase price is under $5,000.00, high bidders will pay in full at the time of the auction. High bidders will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Special Commissioner, and deed recordation costs, by a date and in a form as stated in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence. If a high bidder defaults by not making these payments in full, on time, and in the required form, the Special Commissioner will retain the deposit, and may seek other remedies to include the cost of resale or any resulting deficiency. Settlement shall occur when the Richmond Circuit Court enters an Order of Confirmation. Conveyance shall be either by a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed. Real estate taxes will be adjusted as of the date of entry for the Order of Confirmation. Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all

easements, liens, covenants, defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction. T h e S p e c i a l Commissioner’s acceptance of a bid shall not limit any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Individuals owing delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond, and defendants in pending delinquent tax cases, are not qualified to bid at this auction. Bidders must certify by affidavit that they do not own, directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of violation for building, zoning or other local ordinances. Questions may be directed to Gregory A. Lukanuski at greg.lukanuski @richmondgov.com (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin at christie.hamlin@ richmondgov.com (804) 6466940. Gregory A. Lukanuski Deputy City Attorney Special Commissioner 900 East Broad Street, Room 400 Richmond, Virginia 23219

Guapollon LLC Trading as: Guapollon LLC 7235 Hull Street Rd North Chesterfield, VA 23235-5803 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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.

Catherine Cheatham, Eliza K. Cheatham, Elwood Cheatham, Frances Cheatham, James Cheatham, Linwood Cheatham, Minnie S. Cheatham, Sarah Cheatham, Susie Cheatham, Dolly Caroline Page Cousins, Mathew Cousins, Kate C. Early, Amelia Haskins, Calvin Haskins, Corah Haskins, Creed Haskins, Hattie Haskins, Florence Haskins, Richard Haskins, Richard Haskins, Jr., Sarah E . H a s k i n s , S i d n e y F. Haskins, Luther Henderson, James Henderson, Howard Henderson, Irene Henderson, Constance Delores Howell, Mamie Hudson, Emma R. Jefferson, Robert H. Jefferson, William H. Jefferson, Beulah Jones, Dara Jones, David Jones, Essex Jones, Jemima Jones, Jerald Jones, Lizzie M. Jones, Samuel Jones, William Jones, Virginia Jones, Ruth Lee, Emma Ross, Emily C. Ross, George Ross, Junie Ross, Lizzie Stokes, Amanda Sturdevant, Cornelius Sturdevant, Eliza Sturdevant, Patrick Wooldridge, Rebecca Wooldridge.

of the cemetery cannot be avoided due to the mixed use development of the surrounding area which would make access to the existing abandoned cemetery more difficult and the existing cemetery site would continue to deteriorate and become unrecognizable. Pursuant to the requirements of Virginia Code § 10.1-2305, the applicant intends to apply for a burial permit through the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) to allow the archaeological excavation and relocation of the aforementioned cemetery. A copy of the Application may be requested from DHA. The exhumed human remains and funeral objects will be excavated by Bliley’s Funeral Home, 3801 Augusta Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23230, and will be respectfully reburied at 15491 Village Square Parkway, Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832, about 255 feet from the now existing cemetery, unless otherwise requested by interested parties. The excavation and reinterment will occur on the same day.

Comments on the project should be made in writing and addressed to the following:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA Pursuant to the terms of Orders of Sale entered in the Richmond Circuit Court, the undersigned Special Commissioner will offer the following real estate for sale at public auction at Motleys Asset Disposition Group, 3600 Deepwater Terminal Road, Richmond, Virginia on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 2:00 pm, or as soon thereafter as may be effected. The sale is subject to the terms and conditions below and any other terms and conditions which may be announced on the day of auction. Announcements made on the day of the auction take precedence over any prior written or verbal terms of sale. 915 East 15th Street S0000393007 City of Richmond v. Charles Jefferson, Jr., et. al. CL20-3076 118 East 18th Street S0000236024 City of Richmond v. Matthew Perkins, Jr. et. al. CL20-2610 5 East 19th Street S0000294013 City of Richmond v. 4J Properties, LLC, et. al. CL20-3989 110 East 21st Street S0000353035 City of Richmond v. Delia Wiley, et. al. CL20-3306 1621 North 22nd Street E0000859023 City of Richmond v. Elizabeth Dortch, et. al. CL20-5072 1308 North 26th Street E0000620012 City of Richmond v. John H. Taylor, Jr., et. al. CL20-3991 1005 North 27th Street E0000476035

City of Richmond v. Jonathan Bullock, et. al. CL20-138 207 East 37th Street S0042766020 City of Richmond v. William G. Davis, et. al. CL20-3307 3311 Barton Avenue N0001357017 City of Richmond v. Brenda M. Dunlap, et. al. CL20-2083 2502 Berwyn Street S0080381014 City of Richmond v. Edna P. Queen, et. al. CL20-2967 2504 Berwyn Street S0080381013 City of Richmond v. Edna P. Queen, et.al. CL20-3036 5401 Blue Ridge Avenue E0100230001 City of Richmond v. Evelyn Smith, et. al. CL20-2634 2821 Burfoot Street S0001123028 City of Richmond v. BG Property Soluctions, LLC, et.al. CL20-4116 5701 Campbell Avenue E0100227028 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 5705 Campbell Avenue E0100227035 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 5709 Campbell Avenue E0100227036 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 5713 Campbell Avenue E0100227037 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 5717 Campbell Avenue E0100227020 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 1403 Stiff Street E0100227031 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 1405 Stiff Street E0100227032 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 1407 Stiff Street E0100227033 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 1409 Stiff Street E0100227034 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 1411 Stiff Street E0100227019 City of Richmond v. Greanleafe Associates, LLC, et. al. CL20-2091 5715 Campbell Avenue E0100227030 City of Richmond v. Sallie C. Day, et. al. CL20-609 1401 Stiff Street E0100227029 City of Richmond v. Sallie C. Day, et. al. CL20-609 4400 Castlewood Road S0090301017 City of Richmond v. Elizabeth C. Edwards, et. al. CL20-2619 1604 Columbia Street S0071377003 City of Richmond v. Stella Clark, et. al. CL20-3075 3213 Delaware Avenue N0001158023 City of Richmond v. Elijah W. Jones, Jr., et. al. CL20-2663 3214 Dill Avenue N0001078006 City of Richmond v. Josephine W. Lewis, et. al. CL20-3077 1809 Fairfax Avenue S0000456017 City of Richmond v. Each One Counts etc., LLC, et. al. CL20-4356 3518 Florida Avenue N0001371002 City of Richmond v. Tessie M. Robinson, et. al. CL20-2964 3423 Frank Road S0080854029 City of Richmond v. Richard Woolridge, et. al. CL20-484 2803 West Grace Street Rear W0001291061 City of Richmond v. Red Hill Investments, LC, et. al. CL20-3857 3613 Greenbay Road C0090637026 City of Richmond v. Elmer Reid Van Cleave, et. al. CL20-3336 2610 Hopkins Road C0090528064 City of Richmond v. Omicron Group, LLC, et. al. CL20-2104 2101 Ingram Avenue S0000763011 City of Richmond v. George S. A. Friday, et. al. CL20-2106 1601 Lamb Avenue N0000290014 City of Richmond v. Thomas J. Johnson, et. al. CL20-1934 2400 Lamberts Avenue S0080815031 City of Richmond v. Jafar F. Abdul Rahman, et. al. CL20-2661 3011 Laurelbrook Drive C0090176009 City of Richmond v. Denease Kidd Burke, et. al. CL20-2666 507 Lincoln Avenue N0180455004 City of Richmond v. Irene J.

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VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING CITY OF RICHMOND, Plaintiff, v. RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, et al, Defendants. Case No.: CL21-1119 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of this suit is to subject the property briefly described as 1823 Harwood Street, Tax Map Number S007-1082/013, Richmond, Virginia, to sale in order to collect delinquent real estate taxes assessed thereon in the name of the owner of record, Richmond Renovations Inc. An Affidavit having been filed that said owner, RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, an entity listed as terminated in the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, 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 RICHMOND RENOVATIONS INC, an entity listed as terminated in the records o f t h e Vi r g i n i a S t a t e Corporation Commission, and Parties Unknown, come forward to appear on or before JUNE 10, 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 County of Henrico SAMUEL FLOYD MAYS, Jr., Trustee JOYCE DRUDGE MAYS, Trustee (Plaintiffs) Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased CATHERINE FORBES Heir of the Estate of W.S. Forbes THOMAS A. FATULA Heir of the Estate of W.S.Forbes Unknown Heirs of W.S. Forbes and parties Unknown (Defendants) Case No. CL-21-1423 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the above-styled suit is for the Plaintiffs to obtain interest in alleys bordering parcels free of encumbrances by adverse possession as they purchased these parcels, some with appurtenances on the alley ways adjacent to Lots 16-27, Block B Battle Park in Sandston, Henrico County, Virginia, and they and their predecessors in interest have cordoned off with fencing and continuously maintained such alley ways as their own for a period of over 18 years. And, it appearing by affidavit filed according to law that the Plaintiffs have exercised due diligence in attempting to contact Catherine Forbes and Thomas A. Fatula, heirs of the Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased, the only believed known heir, to no avail, it is therefore ORDERED that the said Catherine Forbes and Thomas A. Fatula, heirs of the Estate of W.S. Forbes, deceased, do appear on or before the 7th day of June, 2021, in the Clerk’s Office of this Court and do what is necessary to protect their interest. A Copy Teste: Heidi S. Barshinger, Clerk I Ask For This: Diane Christensen VSB #47568 Christensen Law, Inc. P.O. Box 775 Sandston, Virginia 23150 (804) 326-2154 (804) 326-2158 facsimile

BIDS COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #21-2154-4JOK Henrico Jail West Facility – Roof System Replacement Project Due: May 25, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/ COUNTY OF HENRICO, VIRGINIA CONSTRUCTION BID ITB #21-2161-4EAR Cooling Tower Replacement – Quioccasin Middle School Due: May 19, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. For additional information visit: https://henrico.us/ finance/divisions/purchasing/ solicitations/

NOTICE The Brew Crew LLC Trading as: Brewers Cafe 1012 Hull Street Rd Richmond, VA 23224-4072 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Wine and Beer on Premises/ Mixed Beverage Restaurant license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages. 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. Continued on next column

IN THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT FOR THE STATE OF TENNESSEE CHANCERY DIVISION AT CLINTON, TENNESSEE Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson Whereabouts Unknown Last Known Address: Unknown Charles Allen Walker, Jr. Petitioner Case No. 20CH2609 Vs. Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson Defendants NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION It appears from the pleadings filed in this cause that Kimberly Sue Walker Dotson whereabouts are unknown. In compliance with the provisions of T.C.A. 21-1-204 and the Order of Publication of this court entered April 9, 2021, service of process will be made by publication. SHE IS THEREFORE, HEREBY REQUIRED TO APPEAR ON OR BEFORE THIRTY (30) DAYS AFTER T H E L A S T D AT E O F PUBLICATION before the Clerk and Master of Chancery Court, located at 100 N. Main Street, Suite 308, Clinton, Tennessee and make defense to the complaint filed against HER in said court by Charles Allen Walker, Jr, Petitioner, or otherwise said complaint will be taken for confessed, and a Judgment by Default entered. Defendant is required to file responsive pleadings with the court and Plaintiff’s Attorney, H. Daniel Forrester, III, 224 N. Main St., Clinton, TN 37716. This April 12, 2021. Harold P. Cousins Jr. Clerk and Master By: Blake Williams Deputy Clerk PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENT TO RELOCATE INTERMENTS WITHIN THE MOUNT ETNA BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY, CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, VIRGINIA 1. APPLICANT: COSBY VILLAGE, LLC, A VIRGINIA LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANY 15871 CITY VIEW DRIVE, STE. 100 MIDLOTHIAN, VIRGINIA 23113 2. PROPOSED WORK FOR RELOCATION: The Applicant proposes to excavate all human remains from an abandoned cemetery of about 6,322.5 square feet of what was the MOUNT ETNA BAPTIST CHURCH C E M E T E RY l o c a t e d i n Chesterfield County, Virginia. The only remains of the church are several foundation pilings. The current site is unattended and difficult to locate and has lack of parking. The remains will be disinterred and relocated at a new site about 255 feet from the current location on a parcel of land containing 10,640 square feet. The Applicant is developing the subject property and surrounding area as a planned development and will provide in the new location a dignified area for the new cemetery which will be maintained by the Applicant and/or successor, which will provide easy access to and from the reinterred remains and will allow adequate parking for heirs and visitors to the new cemetery site. The current cemetery location is located at 15901 Cosby Road, Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832. The new site location is Parcel # 713671840700000, 15451 Village Square Parkway, Chesterfield County, Virginia 23832. The current cemetery contains nine (9) headstone markers with the following inscriptions: #1. “Grover M. Turner” (b. December 1, 1888, d. December 17,1975), #2. “Martha L. Owens” (b. July 7, 1905, d. May 16, 1996), #3. “Jemima Cheatham Owens” (d. June 8, 1961), #4. “Rev. George Lee Owens” (d. February 27, 1960), #5. “Mary D. Owens”, (b. March 15, 1920, d. January 5, 1981), #6. “Samuel Owens”, (b. September 8, 1914, d. October 17, 1995), #7. “Sylvia R. Turner”, (b. June 5, 1888, d. April 9, 1924), #8. “Helen T. Mason”, (b. June 5, 1905, d. December 13, 1937), #9. “John T. Jones”, (b. January 15, 1920, d. May 8, 1981). The current cemetery contains an unknown number of unmarked graves within the cemetery. Documentary research indicates the cemetery contains or could contain the following; Lizzie R. Archer, Elsie Briggs, Arthur Cheatham, Alex Cheatham, Continued on next column

Cosby Village, LLC, has determined that disturbance

3. COMMENT PERIOD:

Continued on next column

Bruce P. Ganey, Esquire 11159 Air Park Road, Suite 1, Ashland, Virginia 23005 Telephone: (804) 550-2106 Facsimile: (804) 550-1015 Cell Phone: (804) 516-8020 Email: tc@hanoverlaw.net and Joanna Wilson Green Virginia Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Avenue, Richmond, Virginia 23221 Email: burialpermits@dhr. virginia.gov Written comment should be received by the close of business on May 20, 2021. A public Hearing may be requested by any Respondent to this Notice. 4. CONTACT INFOMATION: If you have any questions about this project, please contact: Bruce P. Ganey, Esquire 11159 Air Park Road, Suite 1, Ashland, Virginia 23005 Telephone: (804) 550-2106 Facsimile: (804) 550-1015 Cell Phone: (804) 516-8020 Email: tc@hanoverlaw.net

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: RFP No. 200012830 Disparity Study City of Richmond, Virginia Due Date: Wednesday June 9, 2020 @ 3:00 P.M. Receipt Location: 900 East Broad Street, Room 1104, 11th Floor, Richmond, VA 23219 Questions regarding RFP shall be submitted no later than Thursday, June 3, 2021 @ 3:00 P.M.

Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com), or at 11th Floor of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219. Phone (804) 646-2670 or faxed (804) 646-5989. The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

The City of Richmond announces the following project(s) available for services relating to: RFP No. 210011164: Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Utility Engineering Services For all information pertaining to this RFP please logon to the Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com). Due Date: June 3, 2021/Time: 3:00 P.M.

NOTE: Offerors choosing to submit proposals through hand-delivery should allow extra time for delivery of proposals. Due to COVID-19, hand-delivered proposals will be accepted only during the hours of 9:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday at the 9th Street entrance to City Hall at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23221. Offerors choosing to hand-deliver proposals must call Alok Upadhyaya at 804-646-5040 when arriving at City Hall, and he will meet the offeror at the 9th Street entrance of City Hall to collect the submittal. Proposals will not be accepted after the Due Date and Time listed above. Information or copies of the above solicitations are available by contacting Procurement Services, at the City of Richmond website (www.RichmondGov.com). The City of Richmond encourages all contractors to participate in the procurement process.

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B6 May 6-8, 2021

Sports Plus

Track and field fundraiser May 8

The West End Striders and East End Lightning are cohosting a track and field meet Saturday, May 8, at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School, 1000 N. Lombardy St. Billed as the Maggie L. Walker “Legends” Youth Track and Field Invitational, the event is designed to raise funds for local athletes to travel and compete on the national level in the 2021 USATF Jr. Olympics in Florida. Action begins at 9 a.m. and will continue until 4 p.m. About 500 participants are expected from a variety of track clubs around Virginia. The East End Lightning and West End Striders organizations were created by local Richmond Public Schools alumni to benefit student-athletes. Tickets: www.Coacho.com. Details: Robert Evans, eastendlightning@gmail.com. LPN - Temp/FT position-

downtown Methadone Facility. Hours Monday- Friday 5:30 to 1:30. Saturday 5:30-10:30 a.m. Salary range is $21 to $24. Call Mary 804-644-4636. Email marym@hricorp.org. EOE.

Social Media Coordinator Richmond, Virginia

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) is seeking a Social Media Coordinator to join its Communications department in VTC’s Marketing Division. The Social Media Coordinator will report to the Director of Communications and support the Social Media Manager. This position will work in a collaborative team environment to disseminate information to key stakeholders, execute a strategic social media plan, and assist in the development of messaging for use inside and outside of the organization. All candidates must apply through our website https://www.vatc.org/administration/employment/. Application deadline: May 10, 2021.

Celtics’ Jayson Tatum scores 60 points in one game Jayson Tatum has joined the legendary Larry Bird at the top of one of the Boston Celtics’ all-time lists. Boston’s first round draft choice in 2017 out of Duke University, Tatum erupted for 60 points April 30 in the host Celtics’ 143-140 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. That matches the 60 points Bird scored for the Celtics in 1985. Other scoring bonanzas by Celtics players are 56 points by Kevin McHale in 1985, 53 by Bird in 1983, 53 by Tatum this season, 52 by Isaiah Thomas in 2016, 51 by Sam Jones in 1965, 50 by Bird in 1986 and 1989, and 50 by Paul Pierce in 2006. In 45 minutes of action against the Spurs, Tatum was 20 for 37 from the field (5-of-7 beyond the arc) and 15 for 17 at the foul line. He also had eight rebounds and five assists. The NBA all-time, single-game record of 100 points was set by the Philadelphia Warriors’ Wilt Chamberlain against the New York Knicks, in a 1962 game in Hershey, Penn.

Employment Opportunities Transplant Nephrologist, Richmond, VA. Mgmt of kidney & pancreas transplant patients. Participate in transplant donor & recipient selection meetings, high risk patient meetings. Mail resume to J. Fleming, VCU Health System Authority, 1010 E. Marshall St., Room 201, Richmond, VA 23219

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

EDUCATION/ EARLY CHILDHOOD INSTRUCTOR, #FO052 Reynolds Community College, Richmond, VA Full-time nine-month teaching faculty-ranked appointment. The successful candidate must be qualified to teach both CHD (Early Childhood Development) as well as EDU (Education) courses. Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Development or a related field and a Master’s degree in Education, or a Master’s degree in any field with 18 graduate semester hours in Education is required. The selected candidate must be able to successfully pass the college’s pre-employment security screening. Salary Range: $56,200 $65,000. Salary commensurate with the education and experience of the applicant. Additional information is available on the college’s website: www.reynolds.edu/jobs. APPLICATION PROCESS: Position to be filled for Fall 2021 Semester (August 16, 2021 start date). Review of applications will begin June 1, 2021.

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VTC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political >vw >Ì ] }i iÌ VÃ] À >}> ÃÌ Ì iÀÜ Ãi µÕ> wi` ` Û `Õ> Ã Ü Ì ` Ã>L Ì iÃ° Ì Ã 6/ ½Ã intent that its employment and personnel « V iÃ > ` «À>VÌ ViÃ V v À Ì > >«« V>L i federal, state and local laws and regulations Ài}>À` } ` ÃVÀ >Ì > ` >vwÀ >Ì Ûi action. Applicants requiring more information or requiring assistance may contact VTC Human Resources at 1-804-545-5634 or vtchr@vedp.org. TDD 1-800-828-1120

“STEWARDS INDIVIDUAL PLACEMENTS is currently hiring for its Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) program at Rock Creek Park, National Mall and Memorial Parks and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park! Please note that this is a program for underrepresented communities within the National Park System. As a CVA, members will spend 50 weeks focusing on building relationships with local communities, helping to improve disaster response processes in regard to volunteer mobilization, and helping to organize community stewardship days. If you are comfortable with public speaking and have an interest in, and the ability to engage with underrepresented populations among NPS staﬀ, please visit cvainternships.org for more information and additional requirements.”

AVAILABLE Downtown Richmond first floor office suite

5th and Franklin Streets 422 East Franklin Street Richmond, Virginia 23219

AA/EOE/ADA/Veterans/ AmeriCorps/Peace Corps/ Other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

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