Richmond Free Press October 26-28, 2023 edition

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OCTOBER 26-28, 2023

Finally, a show of support Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from Louisiana, is elected House speaker The Associated Press

Republicans eagerly elected Rep. Mike Johnson as House speaker on Wednesday, elevating a deeply conservative but lesser-known leader to the seat of U.S. power and ending for now the political chaos in their majority.

Rep. Johnson, 51, of Louisiana, swept through on the first ballot with support from all Republicans anxious to put the past weeks of tumult behind them and get on with the business of governing. He was quickly sworn into office.

“We are ready to get to work again,” he said after taking the gavel.

To the American people watching he said, “Our mission here is to serve you well and to restore the people’s faith in this House.”

A lower-ranked member of the House GOP leadership team, Rep. Johnson emerged as the fourth Republican nominee in what had become an almost absurd cycle of political infighting since Kevin McCarthy’s ouster as GOP factions jockeyed for power.

While not the party’s top choice for the gavel, the deeply religious Please turn to A4

Kitchen talk

The Associated Press

Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks Tuesday after he was chosen as the nominee for House speaker at a Republican caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington.

Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO of development partner Urban One, discussed the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino project with about 75 Richmonders at Southern Kitchen Restaurant in Jackson Ward on Monday evening.

The proposed $562 million gambling and entertainment complex is a joint venture between Urban One, a diversified media company, and Churchill Downs, the Louisville-based operator of the Kentucky Derby that also runs gambling establishments throughout the country.

Two years ago, Richmond voters narrowly rejected a referendum that would have opened the door for a proposed casino.

Two years later, the project is back on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Mr. Liggins and representatives of Colonial Downs have met with several organizations, including churches and news

Bonnie Newman Davis/Richmond Free Press

media representatives to shed light on the revised casino project that promises jobs with an average annual salary of $55,000 and pledges of charitable donations along with $30 million in annual tax revenue for Richmond.

The proposed project would be located in a former tobacco company site just off Interstate 95 in south Richmond, the same site that was identified in the first proposal. If the referendum passes, gambling options include slots, an on-site sportsbook and gaming tables.

The venue also would include a 250-room hotel, a 55-acre outdoor park, several sit-down dining options and a 3,000-seat concert venue, officials said at Monday’s event. While the venue is expected to attract Richmonders, its developers wager that most of its patrons will come from surrounding cities and states.

JLARC report shows the cost of child care adds up in Virginia

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Most Virginia families, particularly singleparent households, currently spend far more than 7% of household income on childcare, or well above the percentage the federal government defines as affordable, according to a new state report.

Families are spending between $100 and $440 a week for child care, the report from the

Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) found, or between $6,000 and $22,000 a year.

On average, JLARC noted, that level of expense represents about 11% of income for twoparent households and at least 25% of income for working single-parent households.

And that is if child care is available.

JLARC determined that available child care can only accommodate 88% of pre-school chil-

Black women and breast cancer diagnosis — just different While we have made great strides in improving cancer outcomes among many populations over the last several decades, one group remains consistently, inequitably left behind: Black women in America.

Black women have a 40% higher death rate from breast cancer than white women.

That disparity is even greater among Black women under age 50, where the death rate more than doubles.

I have spent my career working to address inequalities Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard within breast cancer outcomes in partnership with Black women, their families, providers and other community advocates. I currently lead a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of an intervention, Sisters Informing

Sisters (SIS), which pairs newly diagnosed Black breast cancer patients with Black breast cancer survivor-coaches, to work together through treatment decisions and help improve provider-patient communication.

This study was birthed years ago after the loss of a dear friend who could have benefited from tools to inform her treatment decisions. Around a table of

dren, meaning demand exceeds supply.

Already, about 140,000 children do not have access to day care, JLARC stated, with prospects that could increase if government assistance fades.

“Without child care, parents are often forced to reduce their work hours, take lower-level or lower-paying jobs or drop out of the workforce altogether,” said Stefanie Papps, a JLARC staffer who led the study.

“Although this can be a significant barrier to self-sufficiency for lower-income families, lack of affordable child care can be a significant barrier to employment for any family,” she noted in presenting the report Oct. 16.

According to JLARC, despite the expense, most working parents have been able to make care arrangements.

Of the nearly 1.2 million Virginia children 12 years of age or younger who need such services,

JLARC estimated that 990,000 have access to informal or formal care, including school and after-school recreation programs.

Licensed child cares either public, nonprofit, private or faith-based operations care for about 470,000 children, with relatives, friends and unlicensed operators caring for the rest.

But the shortages are acute, JLARC noted, particularly for children younger than 2 years of age.

Currently, about 24,000 infants and toddlers are on wait lists for child care, according to the Virginia Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education, as are 18,000 school-age children.

The big problem is money. Virginia, like other states, has benefited from federal subsidies that grew out of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree dies The Associated Press

Richard Roundtree, the trailblazing actor who starred as the ultrasmooth private detective in several “Shaft” films beginning in the early 1970s, has died. He was 81.

Mr. Roundtree’s longtime manager, Patrick McMinn, said the actor was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023. He was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and underwent a double mastectomy.

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Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Hay now!

Zuri Grant, 4, tackles a giant haystack while visiting Gallmeyer Farms on Millers Lane in Henrico County with her mother, Briana Brockington, on Oct. 21.

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Richmond Free Press

Local News

Early voting continues in Richmond

The next election is the General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Early voting for this election began Sept. 22 and continues until Saturday, Nov. 4.

All voters casting a ballot in person will be asked to show one form of identification. Any voter who does not present acceptable identification may instead sign a statement, subject to felony penalties, that they are the named registered voter who they claim to be. Any voter who does not present acceptable identification or sign this statement must vote a provisional ballot.

Absentee ballots no longer require a witness signature. You just need to provide your year of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number for your ballot to count! To determine your voting precinct, please visit: https://rva.gov/elections/precincts The locations, dates, and times are as follows: Office of Elections

2134 W. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227 Sept. 22 - Nov. 4, 2023 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 City Hall, 900 E. Broad St., Richmond, Va. 23219 Sept. 22 - Nov. 4, 2023 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 Hickory Hill Community Center 3000 E. Belt Blvd., Richmond, Va. 23234 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023 For more information, please call (804) 646-5950, or email vote@rva.gov, absentee@rva.gov, electionofficer@ rva.gov

Chesterfield opens early voting sites Free Press staff report

Chesterfield County opened five library satellite sites for inperson, early voting on Oct. 23.

The county’s early voting library satellite sites include: •North Courthouse Road Library, 325 Courthouse Road, North Chesterfield •LaPrade Library, 9000 Hull Street Road, North Chesterfield •Meadowdale Library, 4301 Meadowdale Blvd, North Chesterfield •Ettrick-Matoaca Library, 4501 River Road, South Chesterfield •Clover Hill Library, 6701 Deer Run Drive, Midlothian Each early voting, in-person library satellite site is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 4.

Voters can continue to vote early, in-person at the General Registrar’s office at 9848 Lori Road in Chesterfield, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday through Nov. 4 and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 4.

All in-person, early voting ends Saturday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m.

Once the voter arrives at an early voting location, they must provide their name and address and show an acceptable form of ID. To view a complete list of acceptable IDs, please visit the state Department of Election’s Voting In-Person page.

Voters can drop off their completed absentee-by-mail ballots at all early voting satellite locations while the polls are open.

Completed absentee ballots also are accepted at the General Registrar’s Office on Election Day, Nov. 7.

Curbside voting will be available during the early voting period for people 65 and older and for those with a disability. For more information regarding the General Election in Chesterfield County, please visit PromoteThe VoteCfield.org.

MBL presents ‘Women Who Mean Business Summit’ The Metropolitan Business League (MBL) will host its “Women Who Mean Business Summit” on Friday, Oct. 27, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Richmond Marriott, 500 E. Broad St. “This daylong conference promises to be an extraordinary experience and it’s a time for women to come together and talk about leadership as well as innovative ideas that they have in their businesses or in their careers. It’s just a wonderful opportunity for us to empower, encourage and inspire each other,” said Darricka Alexander, MBL event strategist.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Courage to Lead: Redefining Strength, Ms. Powell Embracing Our Fortitude.” Kelley Powell Williamson, president of KelleyWPowell Inc., local entrepreneur and author is the opening speaker.

A keynote address will be given by Kim Alexis Newton, founder of Alexis Enterprises, LLC. Ms. Newton will share how she stepped out on faith to leave a corporate job at Hallmark to start her successful quilting business. The event also will include breakout sessions focused on building dynamic relationships, mentorships and networking.

Tickets and vendor spaces are available. To register, visit www.thembl.org.

Fall for All Festival at River City Middle School A multicultural celebration of love, language and culture takes place Saturday, Oct. 28, at the 2nd Annual Fall for All Festival, hosted by River City Middle School, RPS School Board member Nicole Jones, 9th District, and the RPS Language Instruction Educational Program. The event is free and open to the public.

The fun starts at noon and ends at 4 p.m. Attendees will be provided resources for families and can enjoy carnival games and activities for children, food and music.

River City Middle School is located at 6300 Hull Street Road.

To request a reservation, please email mediarelations@ rvaschools.net

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

The skyline around Richmond’s Downtown riverfront area is peppered with cranes as CoStar Group continues construction of its $460 million expansion in Richmond.

More students gain eligibility for free school meals under expanded U.S. program The Associated Press

Millions of additional students in schools serving low-income communities will be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost under a rule change announced Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

At schools where 25% of families participate in income-based public benefits, such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, the federal government now will cover the cost of free meals for all enrolled students. Previously, the qualifying threshold was 40%.

Roughly 3,000 additional school districts serving more than 5 million students will now be eligible, officials said.

“While there is still more work ahead to ensure every K-12 student in the nation can access healthy school meals at no cost, this is a significant step on the pathway toward that goal,” said Stacy Dean, USDA deputy undersecretary for Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress temporarily made universal meals free to all students, but that ended last year. Other federal programs that provided direct food assistance to families also scaled down amid soaring food prices, putting strains on family budgets and leaving some kids hungry.

Meantime, eight states — California,

The Associated Press

Second-grade students select their meals during lunch break in the cafeteria last year at an elementary school in Scottsdale, Ariz. More students in schools serving low-income communities will be eligible to receive breakfast and lunch at no cost under a rule change announced last month by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico and Vermont — have made school meals free to all students, regardless of income.

The new rule will expand access to universal meals through a program known as the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP. Instead of requiring families to fill out individual applications for free or reduced-price meals, schools participating in the program receive federal funding based on income data, with local or state money filling in any gaps in the cost of offering meals to all students. Advocates

say reducing administrative burdens like applications helps ensure children don’t go hungry.

Some have criticized the costs of the program. The Republican Study Committee has called for eliminating the CEP altogether, arguing it ignores the individual income eligibility of each student.

Nationally, expanding a communitybased model of universal meals would alleviate burdens on many families, said Anna Korsen, policy and program director at Full Plates Full Potential, a nonprofit organization in Maine that works on maximizing access to school meals.

“The federal poverty guidelines that dictate who gets a free meal and who doesn’t are really outdated,” Ms. Korsen said. “There are so many families that on paper don’t qualify for a free meal, and they can get lumped into this group of ... families that can afford to pay for lunch or breakfast at school. But really, those families are living paycheck to paycheck.”

Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack said the rule change is a step toward fulfilling the promise of healthy school meals for all.

“Increasing access to free, healthy school breakfast and lunch will decrease childhood hunger, improve child health and student readiness, and put our nation on the path to better nutrition and wellness,” he said.

Virginia Supreme Court bans ‘skill games’

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Playing so-called “skill games” at gas stations, retail shops and convenience stores could soon come to a screeching halt in the wake of an Oct. 13 order from the state Supreme Court.

Virginia’s highest court on Oct. 13 threw out a nearly two-year-old injunction that blocked local commonwealth’s attorneys from enforcing a state ban on what essentially are slot machines that require a player to punch a button twice to operate.

Thousands of the games are in operation in retail establishments in Richmond and across the state, but their future is in doubt.

As yet, it is not clear when enforcement might begin.

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin, for example, has no plans to rush to enforce a ban.

“That’s way down my priority list,” she said, given the number of prosecutions for violent crimes that her office is dealing with.

She said she would deal with the issue of illegal machines if and when law enforcement officers bring information to her office concerning a specific store, but she indicated that she would not be thrilled to add that enforcement burden to her staff’s caseload.

Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenging the

ban is to be heard Dec. 18 in Greensville County Circuit Court.

Ahead of that court hearing, a threejudge panel of the Supreme Court ruled that the state has full authority to authorize, regulate or ban some or all forms of gambling and cleared the way for immediate enforcement.

The “skill games” are now listed as illegal gambling in the Virginia code, and those distributing or allowing the machines on retail premises can be charged with criminal offenses.

The General Assembly, considering them competition for newly authorized casinos, voted to ban the “skill games” effective July 1, 2021.

But retired Circuit Court Judge Louis Lerner halted enforcement after accepting the argument of truck stop owner Hermie Sadler that the ban of the games violated the First Amendment’s right of free speech.

The state’s appeal of Judge Lerner’s temporary injunction was filed in midSeptember.

The Supreme Court panel found Judge Lerner abused his discretion when he imposed the injunction in finding no merit in the constitutional argument.

In the order they issued lifting the injunction, Justices Stephen R. McCullough, Teresa M. Chafin and Wesley G. Russell Jr. wrote: “Although at times it is difficult

to determine where a particular activity falls on the speech/conduct continuum, no such difficulty is present when the activity being regulated is gambling, “We long have viewed gambling as conduct that may be heavily regulated and even banned by the Commonwealth as an exercise of its police powers.”

The office of Attorney General Jason Miyares, which had asked the Supreme Court for the review, applauded the finding that the ban on “skill games” is constitutionally valid.

The three justices said the state is not seeking to restrict the visuals or messages of the games, but the “promise (and the ultimate execution) of a payout if the game ends in a particular fashion.”

In a footnote, the justices noted, “If criminalizing promises of monetary winnings as determined by the outcome of a game violated free speech rights, the Commonwealth would be unable to prohibit unregulated bookmakers from taking bets on sporting events or citizens from running private ‘numbers’ games because such activities involve the same basic promise.”

“Our attorneys are currently reviewing the opinion and assessing next steps,” according to a statement from Pace-O-Matic, a major distributor of the machines through its Queen of Virginia franchise.

Free community testing for COVID-19 continues The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations: • Thursday, Oct. 26, 1 to 5 p.m. - Henrico Arms Apartments, 1566 Edgelawn Circle.

• Friday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Southside Women, Infant and Children Office, 509 E. Southside Plaza (Hours are temporary and will change the following week).

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

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

Want a COVID-19 vaccine or booster shot?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Richmond Free Press

THE RICHMOND GRAND DAY PARTY FEATURING

October 26-28, 2023 A3

THE ISLEY BROTHERS with appearances by DJ Lonnie B and more!

THE DAY PARTY KICKS OFF AT 11 A.M. HICKORY HILL COMMUNITY CENTER SPORTS FIELD 3000 E BELT BLVD

Free food and parking!

SCAN HERE TO REQUEST YOUR FREE TICKET!

For tickets and more information visit richmondgrandresort.com/isley-brothers-concert.

PAID FOR BY RICHMOND WINS, VOTE YES.

Richmond Free Press

A4 October 26-28, 2023

News

Chesterfield offering after-school snacks and supper Free Press staff report

Chesterfield County Public Schools is offering free afternoon snacks and supper at more than 30 schools for students in after-school activities, according to a news release from its media services unit.

Participating schools are located in areas where 50% of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. In the coming weeks, more Chesterfield County schools are expected to begin offering after-school meals. After-school meals will continue through the spring. Meals and are served first come, first served, and all food must be eaten on site.

During intersessions, Bellwood Elementary and Falling Creek Elementary (which both follow a year-round calendar) will not offer after-school meals but will offer morning snacks and lunch during their regular breakfast and lunch times.

For more information, contact Chesterfield County Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services at (804) 743-3717 or the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of School Nutrition Programs by calling (804) 225-2082.

These elementary schools offer after-school meals: Bellwood Elementary: Supper offered 4:05-4:35 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Bensley Elementary: Snacks offered 2:30-3 p.m. and supper offered 4-4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Beulah Elementary: Snacks offered 4-4:45 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Chalkley Elementary: Snacks offered 3:15-3:30 p.m. and

supper offered 4:30-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy: Snacks offered 3:45-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Crestwood Elementary: Snacks offered 4-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, starting Nov. 27.

Curtis Elementary: Snacks offered 4:20-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Ecoff Elementary: Snacks offered 4-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Enon Elementary: Snacks offered 4:15-4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Ettrick Elementary: Supper offered 3:55-4:30 p.m. and snacks offered 4:55-5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Falling Creek Elementary: Supper offered 4-4:45 p.m.

Monday through Thursday.

Harrowgate Elementary: Snacks offered 4-4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Hening Elementary: Snacks offered 3:45-4 p.m. Thursday starting Nov. 2.

Hopkins Elementary: Snacks offered 4:15-4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Gates Elementary: Snacks offered 4-4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Matoaca Elementary: Snacks offered 3:15-3:35 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Reams Road Elementary: Snacks offered 4:30-4:45 p.m.

Thursday.

Salem Church Elementary: Snacks offered 3:30-3:45 p.m.

Monday.

Spring Run Elementary: Snacks offered 3:55-4:30 p.m.

Tuesday through Thursday.

These middle schools offer after-school meals: Bailey Bridge Middle: Snacks offered 2:15-2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Elizabeth Davis Middle: Snacks offered 2:05-2:20 p.m.

Tuesday and Thursday. *Falling Creek Middle: Supper offered 2:10-2:30 p.m. and snacks offered 4:40-4:55 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Breakfast offered 6:45-7:15 a.m. at Saturday Academy.

Manchester Middle: Snacks offered 2:45-3:05 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

Matoaca Middle: Supper offered 2-2:30 p.m. Mondaysthrough Friday.

Providence Middle: Snacks offered 2-2:30 p.m. and supper offered 4:30-4:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Salem Church Middle: Snacks offered 2:10-2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

These high schools offer after-school meals: Carver College and Career Academy: Supper offered 5:30-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Thomas Dale High: Supper offered 3-4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Manchester High: Supper offered 3:10-3:40 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Matoaca High: Supper offered 3-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Meadowbrook High: Supper offered 3-3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Mike Johnson, a staunch conservative from La., is elected House speaker Continued from A1

and even-keeled Rep. Johnson has few foes and an important GOP backer: Donald Trump.

“I think he’s gonna be a fantastic speaker,” Mr. Trump said Wednesday at the New York courthouse where the former president, who is now the Republican front-runner for president in 2024, is on trial over a lawsuit alleging business fraud.

Three weeks on without a House speaker, the Republicans have been wasting their majority status — a maddening embarrassment to some, democracy in action to others, but not at all how the House is expected to function.

Far-right members had refused to accept a more traditional speaker, and moderate conservatives didn’t want a hard-liner. While Rep. Johnson had no opponents during a private party roll call late Tuesday, some two dozen Republicans did not vote, more than enough

to sink his nomination.

But when GOP Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik rose to introduce Rep. Johnson’s name Wednesday as their nominee, Republicans jumped to their feet for a standing ovation.

“House Republicans and Speaker Mike Johnson will never give up,” she said.

Democrats again nominated their leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York, criticizing Rep. Johnson as an architect of Mr. Trump’s legal effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to President Biden.

With Republicans controlling the House only 221-212 over Democrats, Mr. Johnson could afford just a few detractors to win the gavel.

He won 220-209, with a few absences.

Rep. Jeffries said House Democrats will work with Republicans whenever possible for the “good of the country.”

Overnight the endorsements for Rep.

Johnson started pouring in, including from failed speaker hopefuls. Rep. Jim Jordan, the hard-charging Judiciary Committee chairman, gave his support, as did Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the fellow Louisiana congressman, who stood behind Rep. Johnson after he won the nomination.

“Mike! Mike! Mike!” lawmakers chanted at a press conference after the late-night internal vote, surrounding Rep. Johnson and posing for selfies in a show of support.

Anxious and exhausted, Republican lawmakers are desperately trying to move on.

Rep. Johnson’s rise comes after a tumultuous month, capped by a head-spinning Tuesday that within a span of a few hours saw one candidate, Rep. Tom Emmer, the GOP Whip, nominated and then quickly withdraw when it became clear he would be the third candidate unable to secure enough support from GOP colleagues after Mr.

Trump bashed his nomination.

“He wasn’t MAGA,” said Mr. Trump, referring to his Make America Great Again campaign slogan.

Attention quickly turned to Rep. Johnson.

A lawyer specializing in constitutional issues, Rep. Johnson had rallied Republicans around Mr. Trump’s legal effort to overturn the 2020 election results.

Elevating Rep. Johnson to speaker gives Louisianians two high-ranking GOP leaders, putting him above Rep. Scalise, who was rejected by hard-liners in his own bid as speaker.

Rep. Johnson is affable and well liked, with a fiery belief system, and colleagues swiftly started giving him their support.

“Democracy is messy sometimes, but it is our system,” Rep. Johnson said after winning the nomination. “We’re going to restore your trust in what we do here.”

JLARC report shows the cost of child care adds up in Virginia Continued from A1

The federal government has poured $39 billion into the support of child care operations since 2020. The first $24 billion was used up in September, with an additional $15 billion projected to be used up by September 2024.

According to the Virginia Commission on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), the state invested more than $300 million in federal funds to support child care and keep afloat providers who managed to survive the economic shutdown the pandemic caused.

If the state does not continue that yearly investment in the 2024-26 budget the General Assembly is to pass in the new session that begins in January, then the child care industry in the state will

shrink while the number of low-income families who qualify for subsidies for child care will fall.

Most child care centers, despite the cost, cannot pay their staff members much above the state’s $12-an-hour minimum wage. JLARC found that on average, “lead teachers” in child care centers earned $16 per hour in fall 2022, while assistants earned $13 per hour — far below the pay for public schoolteachers.

The ECCE commission estimated that reducing state expenditures for child care subsidies to pre-pandemic levels could force shutdowns or reduced admissions.

The commission estimated that at least 36,000 children would lose day care or half of the 70,000 children who currently benefit from state help.

The ECCE estimate that nearly 38,000 working parents would experience child care-related job disruption if the state does continue that level of investment.

Some legislators are prepared to advocate for the state funding.

“There’s a significant gap between available funding and funding that’s needed to continue to meet family demand for child care,” Sen. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton, said. “So it falls to the General Assembly to meet this demand.

Others are not so eager to spend taxpayer dollars that way.

Virginia Beach Republican Delegate Barry Knight, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, has suggested that it might be time “to pull the plug” on additional state support.

Black women and breast cancer diagnosis — just different Continued from A1

survivors in the early 2000s, we reviewed over 500 materials that did have data or images specific to Black women. After years conducting cohort studies in patients and survivors and testing potential solutions to the problem of inequity in cancer care, here is what I’ve learned: Partnering with community-based groups improves patient engagement, for all communities but particularly for people of color. VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center fosters partnerships with organizations like Trials of Color, Here for the Girls, the Sisters Network and Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation; all of whom raise awareness about breast cancer and specialize in treatment support and/or encourage inclusive clinical trials.

We need studies, beyond clinical trials, that are specifically focused on the experiences of Black women to better understand the higher death rate after diagnosis. We cannot ignore the impact of lifestyle factors that often interact with social drivers of health, which are multilevel beyond the individual’s control, but are typically unaddressed in approaches that focus solely on the woman.

We can’t influence what type of tumor a patient has at diagnosis, but we can influence how we treat it. Good provider communication is more of a predictive factor in Black women getting chemotherapy promptly and completing their treatment than in white women.

That relationship is something we can

intervene to change — and that’s why I started SIS. Timely receipt of surgery and systemic therapies influence breast cancer outcomes.

Treatment delays in Black women are related to many factors (e.g., insurance, patient and provider factors). Trained survivor coaches, like those involved in SIS, have been through what the patients are dealing with and can help talk through the barriers. Our data has shown that when Black women have strong, trusting therapeutic relationships, they get the care they need, including through clinical trials.

Finding ways to address the existing structures and social drivers of health across a continuum of risk reduction, early detection, equity treatment and robust survivorship care is a job for all of us. The good news is, there are steps individuals can take should they or a family member face this disease.

Get mammograms regularly. Most U.S. medical organizations recommend them yearly after age 40, but some people with family history should start earlier.

Do your homework. Know your breasts through regular self-screening at home so you can identify any changes. This should not replace regular mammograms.

Understand your risk status by talking to family members about their own history with breast cancer.

Practice risk reduction. This involves maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and reducing or stopping smoking and drinking. Again, understand your risk status by talking to family members about their own history with breast cancer. Share the

history with your physician to determine if genetic counseling is right for you.

Advocate for yourself. If you think something is wrong, push for a screening.

We’ve heard too many stories of women getting delayed diagnosis because they were under 40 years of age.

Find clinical trials. As an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, Massey offers clinical trials that you may not find at other places. And it’s not just here in Richmond—through our Minority/ Underserved NCI Community Oncology Research Program, we offer clinical trials at affiliate sites across the commonwealth to make the latest advances in treatment more accessible to everyone.

These statistics facing Black women should be a clarion call. We need more people specifically trained in how to address issues of health inequity, across roles in healthcare teams. We shouldn’t be having this same conversation 10 years from now, but it’s going to take all of us to ensure that.

Dr. Vanessa B. Sheppard is the associate director for Community Outreach Engagement and Health Disparities at the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She also is the interim founding dean of VCU’s new School of Population Health, professor and the Theresa A. Thomas Memorial Chair in Cancer Prevention and Control.

Dr. Sheppard’s research focus is cancer disparities with an emphasis on breast cancer, cancer care delivery, behavioral trials and longitudinal cohorts. She was named the American Cancer Society’s Researcher of the Year in 2023.

Richard Roundtree as ‘Shaft’

Trailblazing actor Richard Roundtree dies Continued from A1

“Richard’s work and career served as a turning point for African-American leading men,” Mr. McMinn said. “The impact he had on the industry cannot be overstated.”

Mr. Roundtree, who was born in New Rochelle, N.Y., was considered the first Black action hero and became one of the leading actors in the blaxploitation genre through his New York street smart John Shaft character in the Gordon Parks-directed film in 1971. At age 28, it was Mr. Roundtree’s first feature film appearance after starting his career as a model.

Mr. Roundtree’s “Shaft” was part of a change in how Black movies were viewed in Hollywood, which failed to consider Black actors — especially for leading roles — in projects at the time. The blaxploitation films were primarily aimed at the African-American audiences.

In the film, his character navigated the world of thugs. He regularly whipped out popular one-liners like “It’s my duty to please that booty.”

“What we were doing was a good, old Saturday afternoon shoot ’em up,” Mr. Roundtree said in a 2000 interview with The Associated Press.

Isaac Hayes’ “Shaft” theme song — which included the line “You a bad mother— (Shut your mouth)” — helped insinuate the original movie into the pop-culture consciousness. The singer, who died in 2008, said the song was “like the ‘shot heard round the world.” His single won an Academy Award for best song in 1971 and two Grammys the following year.

After the film’s success, Mr. Roundtree returned in sequels “Shaft’s Big Score” in 1972 and “Shaft in Africa” in 1973. That same year, he played the savvy detective once again on the CBS television series “Shaft,” which lasted only seven episodes.

Mr. Roundtree reprised his role in the 2000 “Shaft” film, a revival that starred Samuel L. Jackson. He appeared as Mr. Jackson’s uncle in the big-budget film that was aimed at the general audience. Both appeared again in the same roles in the 2019 film starring Jessie T. Usher.

Mr. Jackson called Mr. Roundtree the “prototype” and the “best to ever do it” in a social media post.

“SHAFT, as we know it is & will always be his Creation,” he said of Mr. Roundtree. “His passing leaves a deep hole not only in my heart, but I’m sure a lotta y’all’s, too.”

Through his 50-plus year career, Mr. Roundtree appeared in a number other notable films including “Earthquake,” “Man Friday” with Peter O’Toole, “Roots,” “Maniac Cop” “Se7en” and “What Men Want” starring Taraji P. Henson. He also made his mark with television roles on “Magnum P.I.,” “The Love Boat,” “Being Mary Jane” and “The Love Boat.”

In 1995, Mr. Roundtree received a lifetime achievement award at the MTV Movie & TV Awards.

Richmond Free Press

October 26-28, 2023 A5

Medicare Enrollment is NOW OPEN Keep your doctors with an accepted plan You chose your Bon Secours care team — a team whose focus is, and always has been, on providing quality, compassionate care for those we serve.

Now it’s time to choose the Medicare plan to match.

Medicare Open Enrollment is available from October 15 - December 7.

Talk to your broker, or call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at 1-800-633-4227, and understand your options to pick a plan that keeps your Bon Secours providers in-network.

Bon Secours is committed to you and your care — so nothing comes between you and the caregivers you know and trust.

Learn more at bonsecours.com/medicare 17114BONPRI_V5 (10-23)

Richmond Free Press

A6 October 26-28, 2023

Local News

Virginia NAACP to gain new president Taxpayer rebates

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

The Rev. Cozy Bailey is on track to be elected the next president of the Virginia NAACP, according to outgoing president, Robert N. Barnette Jr. Rev. Bailey, currently president of the Prince William County Branch, is the only candidate for the civil rights group’s top office on the ballot, Mr. Barnette said.

The election of offices is Saturday, Nov. 11, he said.

Delegates from branches across the state may vote from 11 a.m. to 1

p.m. at the Omni Hotel at number of delegates due to 12th and East Cary streets in the failure of some branches Shockoe Slip, he said. to submit a required annual The election was to be financial report, according held during the group’s 88th to a report Monday to the annual convention that was executive committee. scheduled for this weekend Those branches were at the Omni. barred from sending delBut on Monday, Mr. egates to the convention as Rev. Bailey Barnette confirmed, the a result, according to the convention was called off because of report. a snafu that would have left too few Mr. Barnette said that rescheduling delegates to participate in the activities the election for Nov. 11 “should give us and the election. time to straighten out the paperwork” The national office limited the so that sufficient delegates can vote.

In 2019, Mr. Barnette replaced the Rev. Kevin Chandler, and then was elected to two full terms.

His apparent successor is a retired Marine lieutenant colonel whose 20 years of service included participation in Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s.

Rev. Bailey is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree from Boston University.

He currently is an associate minister at First Mount Zion Baptist Church in Dumfries, where he makes his home.

No tax cut for Richmond property owners

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

City Council has no plans to cut the tax rate on property taxes, essentially allowing an increase in the tax bills most property owners will pay.

Without discussion, Council’s Finance Committee on Oct. 19 endorsed Council President Michael J. Jones’ ordinance to maintain the current rate of $1.20 per $100 of assessed value that has been in place since 2008.

SICKLE CELL ASSOCIATION OF RICHMOND - OSCAR

The committee’s 3-0 vote means the paper is to be on the certain-to-be approved consent agenda at the Monday, Nov. 13, meeting.

No members of the public spoke on the ordinance at the committee meeting. The administration supported the committee’s action.

The vote to set the tax rate

would like to ask you to donate BLOOD to help sickle cell patients who need regular transfusions.

was required to avoid a tax cut of 7.5 cents that would have pushed the rate down to $1.125 per $100 of assessed value.

State law mandates that the tax rate be rolled back to limit any increase to 1% above the amount collected in the previous fiscal year.

City Assessor Richie McKeithen has reported that city

property values rose by 7.7%.

For example, a home valued at $100,000 for tax purposes would have been billed $1,200 in real estate tax in 2023. If the new assessment rose by 7.7%, the home would be valued for tax purposes at $107,700 and the city tax bill in 2024 would be for $1,292.40, or an increase of $92.40.

issued

Free Press staff report

Taxpayer rebate checks began rolling out this week, Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin announced Tuesday.

Eligible state taxpayers will receive $200 if they filed individually or $400 if they filed jointly with a spouse and had a tax liability, even if deductions and credits resulted in a refund, he stated.

As of Wednesday, taxpayers could check at tax.virginia. gov/rebate to determine their eligibility that should be in the hands of most filers no later than Nov. 7, he stated.

Those who have not filed still have until Wednesday, Nov. 1, to get it done to be eligible for the rebate, the governor stated.

Overall, the state expects to issue checks totaling more than $900 million, based on the newly approved budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year that passed the legislature a few weeks ago and the governor signed into law.

Shelter opens in city

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

They need specific blood types that match their own to minimize the risks of repeated transfusions.

African American blood donations are best for these patients.

Please call the RED CROSS at 800-733-2767 or go to www.redcrossblood.org and make an appointment to donate.

City Hall proved this week it is ready to shelter people on chilly nights.

With the temperature forecast to drop below 40 degrees Monday night, homeless people were allowed to shelter for the night at 730 E. Broad St. if they had no other housing options.

This was the first use of the city-owned building for a shelter.

The administration has said the space has been programmed to serve 65 male adults, 30 female adults and five families.

Early Tuesday, the temperature was recorded at 39 degrees.

A long-standing City Council policy requires the administration to have an overflow shelter when the low temperature, including wind chill, is forecast to be 40 or colder.

The shelter has closed as the nighttime temperatures rose this week.

But the 10-day forecast for Richmond suggests the shelter will need to open next Tuesday, Oct. 31, and continue to be available each night through Saturday morning, Nov. 4.

The forecast calls for low temperatures to be in the 30s before easing during the weekend.

The building is to be used until a permanent inclement weather shelter is in place.

City Council is anticipated to vote Monday, Nov. 13, to

730 E. Broad St.

authorize city officials to contract with the Salvation Army to operate a 150-bed shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave. At this point, that shelter is not expected to open before Dec. 1.

Separately, the council also is to vote on an ordinance allowing the city to contract with the nonprofit Home Again to operate a shelter for families at 7 N. 2nd St.

Bon Secours is in network, and here to stay Our plans provide access to more than 70 hospitals in Virginia, including Bon Secours, and over 18,000 doctors.

So you can find care when and where you need it.

Never go it alone. That’s our Anthem.

Plus you’ll get benefits like these: or low monthly premium or low copays for primary care and specialist doctor visits $0 or low prescription drug copays

We can help you find care at

833-808-1345 (TTY: 711) 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week

Vision coverage plus an allowance for eyewear Dental coverage plus an allowance for dentures and bridges

HealthKeepers, Inc. is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in HealthKeepers, Inc. depends on contract renewal. HealthKeepers, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serves all of Virginia except for the City of Fairfax, the Town of Vienna, and the area east of State Route 123. Anthem is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year. Translation services are available; please contact the health plan or your agent. This policy has exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policy may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, please contact your agent or the health plan. Other Providers are available in our network. Anthem HealthKeepers does not discriminate, exclude people, or treat them differently on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability in its health programs and activities.

Y0114_24_3006477_0000_U_M CMS Accepted 10/15/2023 VA Richmond Free Press In-home 10-26 11 x 10 r4c.indd 1

1060823MUSENABS 20/10/23 1:42 AM

Richmond Free Press

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC OF RENEWABLE PORTFOLIO STANDARD (RPS) FILING BY VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY D/B/A DOMINION ENERGY VIRGINIA CASE NO. PUR-2023-00142

Rider CE In this proceeding, Dominion makes four requests related to Rider CE. First, the Company seeks to update Rider CE for the recovery of costs associated with the CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3 projects, the CE-2 and CE-3 distributed solar projects, and related interconnection facilities, which have previously been approved by the Commission.

Second, Dominion requests recovery through Rider CE of the costs of the CE-4 Projects and CE-4 Distributed Solar Project, as well as the related interconnection facilities. The CE-4 Projects are discussed in more detail above. The CE-4 Distributed Solar Project consists of one distributed solar project totaling approximately 3 MW and related interconnection facilities.

• Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Energy Virginia (“Dominion”) has submitted its 2023 Renewable Portfolio Standard (“RPS”) filing (“2023 RPS Filing”). The 2023 RPS Filing includes Dominion’s RPS Development Plan and requests for approval to construct or acquire and operate four new utility-scale projects and to enter into 13 new power purchase agreements.

• Dominion requests approval of revised Rider CE with a revenue requirement of $136,676,486 over the rate year beginning May 1, 2024, and concluding April 30, 2025. According to Dominion, this amount would increase a typical residential customer’s bill using 1,000 kilowatt hours per month by $1.54.

• A Hearing Examiner appointed by the Commission will hold a telephonic hearing in this case on January 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., for the receipt of public witness testimony.

• An evidentiary hearing will also be held on January 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, to receive the testimony and evidence of Dominion, any respondents, and Commission Staff.

During its 2020 Session, the Virginia General Assembly enacted Chapters 1193 (HB 1526) and 1194 (SB 851) of the 2020 Virginia Acts of Assembly. These duplicate Acts of Assembly, known as the Virginia Clean Economy Act (“VCEA”), became effective on July 1, 2020. The VCEA, inter alia, establishes a mandatory renewable energy portfolio standard (“RPS”) program (“RPS Program”) for Virginia Electric and Power Company (“Dominion” or “Company”) in § 56-585.5 of the Code of Virginia (“Code”).

Subdivision D 4 of Code § 56-585.5 requires Dominion to submit annually to the State Corporation Commission (“Commission”) plans and petitions for approval of new solar and onshore wind generation capacity (“RPS Filing”). The Commission must determine whether the RPS Filing is reasonable and prudent, giving due consideration to the following factors: (i) the RPS and carbon dioxide reduction requirements in Code § 56-585.5, (ii) the promotion of new renewable generation and energy storage resources within the Commonwealth, and associated economic development, and (iii) fuel savings projected to be achieved by the plan.

On October 3, 2023, Dominion submitted its annual RPS Filing to the Commission (“2023 RPS Filing” or “Petition”). The 2023 RPS Filing requests the Commission: (i)

Approve the Company’s annual plan for the development of new solar, onshore wind, and energy storage resources (“RPS Development Plan”) in connection with the mandatory RPS Program pursuant to Code § 56-585.5 D 4;

(ii)

Grant certificates of public convenience and necessity (“CPCNs”) and approval to construct or acquire and operate four utility-scale projects totaling approximately 329 megawatts (“MW”) of solar pursuant to Code § 56-580 D;

(iii)

Approve to recover through the Rider CE rate adjustment clause the costs of (a) five utility-scale solar projects, totaling approximately 334 MW, and related interconnection facilities (collectively, “CE-4 Projects”), and (b) one distributed solar project, totaling approximately 3 MW, and related interconnection facilities (“CE-4 Distributed Solar Project”), pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 6;

(iv)

Approve an update to Rider CE for recovery of costs associated with the previously approved CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3 projects, the CE-2 and CE-3 distributed solar projects, and related interconnection facilities;

(v)

Make a prudence determination for the Company to enter into 13 power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) for solar resources, totaling approximately 435 MW, (collectively, “CE-4 PPAs”) pursuant to Code § 56-585.1:4;

(vi)

Approve recovery through Rider CE of the costs of the CE-4 PPAs pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 5; and

(vii)

Approve the Company’s request to consolidate Rider CE and Rider PPA pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 7, resulting in: (a) the recovery of costs associated with the CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3 PPAs through Rider CE, and (b) the end of Rider PPA as of April 30, 2024.

RPS Development Plan Dominion states that its RPS Development Plan reports on the Company’s progress toward meeting the solar, onshore wind, and energy storage development targets outlined in the VCEA and presents the Company’s development plan for solar, onshore wind, and energy storage facilities through 2035. The Company’s RPS Development Plan calls for additional investment in solar, onshore wind, and energy storage through 2035.

The Company also provides a consolidated bill analysis calculating the projected monthly bill through 2035 for residential, small general service, and large general service customers for each alternative plan presented in the Company’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan. For Alternative Plan B, for example, the Company projects the monthly bill of a Virginia residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours (“kWh”) per month to be $243.20 by 2035, an increase of $127.02 over the May 1, 2020 level of $116.18, using the methodology approved by the Commission in Case No. PUR-2020-00134. The Company’s bill projections are not final and all customer rates are subject to regulatory approval.

Further, the Company also presents its 2022 RPS Program Compliance Report in the Petition, certifying compliance with the RPS Program for compliance year 2022.

CE-4 Projects Dominion seeks CPCNs and approval to construct or acquire and operate four utility-scale projects totaling approximately 329 MW of solar. In addition to these four projects, Dominion intends to acquire and operate one additional CE-4 Project, a five MW solar facility (“Peppertown”); however, the Company asserts that, consistent with the Commission’s prior determination that projects of five MW or less do not require a CPCN, and Rule 10 of the Commission’s Filing Requirements in Support of Applications for Authority to Construct and Operate an Electric Generating Facility, Peppertown does not require a CPCN. The name, size, locality, interconnection and projected commercial operation date (“COD”) for each of the CE-4 Projects is provided below:

Beldale Blue Ridge Bookers Mill Michaux Peppertown

Size (MWac) 57 95 127 50 5

Locality Utility-Scale Solar Powhatan County Pittsylvania County Richmond County Henry/Pittsylvania County Hanover County

Interconnection Transmission Transmission Transmission Transmission Distribution

The Company asserts that the CE-4 Distributed Solar Project is needed to comply with the VCEA and to serve customers’ capacity and energy needs. According to the Company, the total estimated costs for the CE-4 Distributed Solar Project are approximately $10.9 million, excluding financing costs, or approximately $3,642 per kW at the total 3 MW (nominal AC) rating.

Third, the Company seeks to consolidate Rider CE and Rider PPA. Rider PPA was approved by the Commission pursuant to Code § 56-585.1 A 5 for the recovery of costs associated with the CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3 PPAs. The Company asserts that the consolidation of Rider CE and Rider PPA is in the interest of judicial economy because the Commission already considers the prudence of PPAs in the annual RPS Filing proceedings, and the consolidation would allow the Commission to consider associated cost recovery issues simultaneously. Such a consolidation would result in the recovery of costs associated with the previously approved CE-1, CE-2, and CE-3 PPAs through Rider CE. Consolidation would also result in the end of Rider PPA as of April 30, 2024.

Fourth, the Company seeks to recover the costs of the CE-4 PPAs through Rider CE.

• Further information about this case is available on the SCC website at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

Project

October 26-28, 2023 A7

COD 2026 2026 2024 2026 2024

The Company asserts that the CE-4 Projects are needed to comply with the VCEA and to serve customers’ capacity and energy needs. According to the Company, the total estimated costs for the CE-4 Projects are approximately $855.6 million, excluding financing costs, or approximately $2,562 per kilowatt (“kW”) at the total 334 MW (nominal AC) rating.

Dominion asks the Commission to approve revised Rider CE for the rate year beginning May 1, 2024, and ending April 30, 2025 (“Rate Year”). The Company is requesting a total revenue requirement of $136,676,486 in Rider CE for the Rate Year. If the proposed total revenue requirement for the Rate Year is approved, the impact on customer bills would depend on the customer’s rate schedule and usage. According to Dominion, implementation of its revised Rider CE on May 1, 2024, would increase the monthly bill of a residential customer using 1,000 kWh per month by approximately $1.54 when compared to the combined total residential rates in the current Rider CE and Rider PPA. CE-4 PPAs In its 2023 RPS Filing, Dominion also seeks a prudence determination for the CE-4 PPAs. The CE-4 PPAs consist of: (i) eight PPAs for utility-scale solar generating facilities totaling approximately 420 MW and (ii) five PPAs for distributed solar generating facilities totaling approximately 15 MW. Dominion asserts that the CE-4 PPAs are needed to comply with the VCEA and to serve customers’ capacity and energy needs.

As noted above, the Company seeks approval to recover the costs of the CE-4 PPAs through Rider CE, in addition to the costs of the CE-1, CE-2 and CE-3 PPAs previously approved by the Commission.

Interested persons are encouraged to review Dominion’s Petition and supporting documents in full for details about these and other proposals.

TAKE NOTICE that the Commission may apportion revenues among customer classes and/or design rates in a manner differing from that shown in the Petition and supporting documents and thus may adopt rates that differ from those appearing in the Company’s Petition and supporting documents.

The Commission entered an Order for Notice and Hearing in this proceeding that, among other things, scheduled public hearings on Dominion’s Petition. A hearing for the receipt of testimony from public witnesses on the Company’s Petition shall be convened telephonically at 10 a.m. on January 10, 2024. On or before January 3, 2024, any person desiring to offer testimony as a public witness shall provide to the Commission (a) your name, and (b) the telephone number that you wish the Commission to call during the hearing to receive your testimony. This information may be provided to the Commission in three ways: (i) by filling out a form on the Commission’s website at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting; (ii) by completing and emailing the PDF version of this form to SCCInfo@scc.virginia.gov; or (iii) by calling (804) 371-9141. This public witness hearing will be webcast at scc.virginia.gov/pages/Webcasting.

Beginning at 10 a.m. on January 10, 2024, the Hearing Examiner will telephone sequentially each person who has signed up to testify as provided above.

On January 10, 2024, at 10 a.m., or at the conclusion of the public witness portion of the hearing, whichever is later, in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, the Hearing Examiner will convene a hearing to receive testimony and evidence related to the Petition from the Company, any respondents, and the Commission Staff.

To promote administrative efficiency and timely service of filings upon participants, the Commission has directed the electronic filing of testimony and pleadings, unless they contain confidential information, and required electronic service on parties to this proceeding.

An electronic copy of the public version of the Company’s Petition may be obtained by submitting a written request to counsel for the Company: Elaine S. Ryan, Esquire, McGuireWoods LLP, Gateway Plaza, 800 East Canal Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219, or eryan@mcguirewoods.com. Interested persons also may download unofficial copies of the public version of the Petition and other documents filed in this case from the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

On or before January 3, 2024, any interested person may submit comments on the Petition by following the instructions found on the Commission’s website: scc.virginia.gov/casecomments/Submit-Public-Comments. Those unable, as a practical matter, to submit comments electronically may file such comments by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, Virginia 23218-2118. All such comments shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00142.

On or before November 27, 2023, any person or entity wishing to participate as a respondent in this proceeding may do so by filing a notice of participation at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling. Those unable, as a practical matter, to file a notice of participation electronically may file such notice at the address listed above. Such notice of participation shall include the email addresses of such parties or their counsel, if available. The respondent simultaneously shall serve a copy of the notice of participation on counsel to the Company. Pursuant to 5 VAC 5-20-80 B, Participation as a respondent, of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“Rules of Practice”), any notice of participation shall set forth: (i) a precise statement of the interest of the respondent; (ii) a statement of the specific action sought to the extent then known; and (iii) the factual and legal basis for the action.

Any organization, corporation, or government body participating as a respondent must be represented by counsel as required by 5 VAC 5-20-30, Counsel, of the Rules of Practice. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00142. For additional information about participation as a respondent, any person or entity should obtain a copy of the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing.

On or before December 7, 2023, each respondent may file with the Clerk of the Commission, at scc.virginia.gov/clk/efiling, any testimony and exhibits by which the respondent expects to establish its case. Any respondent unable, as a practical matter, to file testimony and exhibits electronically may file such by U.S. mail to the Clerk of the Commission at the address listed above.

Each witness’s testimony shall include a summary not to exceed one page. All testimony and exhibits shall be served on the Staff, the Company, and all other respondents simultaneous with its filing. In all filings, respondents shall comply with the Rules of Practice, as modified herein, including, but not limited to: 5 VAC 5-20-140, Filing and service, and 5 VAC 5-20-240, Prepared testimony and exhibits. All filings shall refer to Case No. PUR-2023-00142.

Any documents filed in paper form with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission in this docket may use both sides of the paper.

In all other respects, except as modified by the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, all filings shall comply fully with the requirements of 5 VAC 5-20-150, Copies and format, of the Rules of Practice.

The public version of the Company’s Petition, the Commission’s Rules of Practice, the Commission’s Order for Notice and Hearing, and other documents filed in the case may be viewed at: scc.virginia.gov/pages/Case-Information.

VIRGINIA ELECTRIC AND POWER COMPANY

Richmond Free Press Fall aboard in North Side Editorial Page

A8

October 26-28, 2023

Vote ‘YES’ for the Richmond Grand Resort and Casino For the past several weeks, Alfred C. Liggins III, CEO of Urban One, and representatives of Churchill Downs have spoken with church, civic and media organizations about their quest to build a gambling project on Richmond’s South Side.

In stating why Richmond voters should approve their $562 million Richmond Grand Resort and Casino project, their message — and delivery — has been decisive and forthright.

The developers consistently note the project will bring good paying jobs to the Richmond area to the tune of 1,300 new union-backed careers with an average annual salary of $55,000 that includes health care and retirement benefits.

Construction jobs also will be part of the equation, available to employees at all levels of experience and education.

They add that intrinsic goals and values such as providing a better quality of life for all Richmond area residents will be the real payday as the casino developers will invest in Richmond’s children and their futures. With $30 million in annual revenue projected for the city, those funds will be earmarked for better funded schools and services.

There’s more.

The project partners also will contribute $16 million over 10 years to Richmond nonprofits and charities, as well as provide significant funding to support responsible gaming.

A new 55-acre public park, or green space, in South Side will feature bike paths, walking trails, pickleball courts and facilities for community events, sports and family activities.

The project will redevelop a vacant industrial lot in South Richmond, creating the kind of economic activity, foot traffic and environment that makes a neighborhood safer.

The project also will invest millions in public safety around the casino and includes a designated security facility for Richmond Police.

The casino proposal is a private sector project with citywide benefits. The half-billion dollar project will be paid for entirely with private money. There are no tax breaks, incentives or tax dollars being used.

When meeting with members of several civic organizations earlier this week at a Jackson Ward soul food restaurant, Mr. Liggins could barely contain his excitement as he described the benefits, impact and possibilities of the Richmond Grand project.

“When it comes to the employment profile for this resort, 60% of the jobs there will go to Richmonders and 40% of the contracts for building this resort and for operations will go to small, women and minority-owned businesses,” he said.

His words were greeted with loud applause.

Sitting nearby and watching her son with pride was Mr. Liggins’mother, Cathy L. Hughes, founder and chairperson of Urban One (formerly known as Radio One), the largest African-American owned and operated broadcast company in the United States.

“This is the most significant economic development project in Virginia history for people of color,” Mr. Liggins continued. “The most significant.”

In reminding his audience that the bid to bring a casino to Richmond was defeated two years ago by a tight vote, Mr. Liggins added that many of the same naysayers and opponents to the project are still around. With their paternalistic attitudes on full display, they say the casino would be “bad” for South Side residents, or that the project’s developers “can’t handle” such a massive undertaking.

Mr. Liggins quickly hits the pause button when he hears such nonsense.

South Side residents voted by an 80% margin in support of the casino two years ago, he said.

“They want it there because nothing ever comes over there. The building that stands on the proposed casino site is abandoned and the land has been for sale for 10 years.

“The misnomer that it’s not good for you … it’s kind of disingenuous. That’s why we’re doing our best to tell our story. We’ve got to get it this time. South Side Richmond deserves this development and a city deserves to have balanced economic, fair and equitable development on both sides of the river.”

We at the Richmond Free Press could not agree more. We encourage our readers to Vote “YES” now or on Nov. 7 for Richmond’s own Richmond Grand Resort and Casino.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Right to vote hangs in balance “The right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and should be accessible to every eligible resident. It has been proven that participating in the civic process reduces recidivism, and individuals take pride in their communities when they can fully contribute to Virginia. True democracy does not deprive individuals of participation based on the whim of one individual. It’s time to correct the wrongs of our 1902 Constitution and leave the power to one succinct process that cannot be modified by a single person’s emotions in the moment.” — Sheba Williams, Executive Director, Nolef Turns Felony disenfranchisement is undeniably rooted in white supremacy.

In order to be admitted to the Union after the Civil War, the former Confederate states were required to ratify the 14th Amendment, which guaranteed the privileges of citizenship – including the right to vote – to formerly enslaved Americans.

Prohibited by federal law from barring Black voters, southern states quickly enacted measures known as the Black Codes, establishing severe penalties

for minor and vaguely-defined crimes like vagrancy. At the same time, these states rushed to prohibit anyone with a felony conviction from voting.

As a result of this racist legacy, one in 19 Black Americans of voting age is disenfranchised, a rate 3.5 times that of all other Americans.

While many states have

Marc H. Morial revised their laws and policies regarding felony disenfranchisement over the last three years, Virginia is the only state that places the voting rights of all residents with felony convictions at the sole discretion of a single individual, Gov. Glenn Youngkin. That soon could change, thanks to a lawsuit filed by Fair Elections Center on behalf of Nolef Turns, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with felony convictions, and two disenfranchised Virginians, Gregory Williams and George Hawkins.

A federal judge last week denied Gov. Youngkin’s request to dismiss the case. The National Urban League applauds U.S. District Judge John A. Gibney’s decision, and condemns Gov. Youngkin’s actions that made the lawsuit necessary.

Under the three governors

who preceded Gov. Youngkin, Virginia used specific, objective, and neutral criteria to restore rights to people with felony convictions – criteria such as sentence completion, or release from incarceration.

“In this way, they used their authority under the Virginia Constitution to remove arbitrary decision-making from the process and create a uniformly administered, non-discretionary restoration system,” the plaintiffs wrote in their complaint.

But Gov. Youngkin threw out this policy and grabbed the power to deny individuals’ voting rights for himself.

As of October 2022, more than one in 20 Virginians with felony convictions remain disenfranchised even after completing their full sentences including parole and probation—the sixth highest rate in the nation To be clear, the lawsuit does not call for Virginia to restore voting rights for all those with felony convictions – a policy that the National Urban League would endorse. It merely asks that Virginia set clear rules governing decisions on restoring voting rights, rather than leaving the decision to the whim of the governor without explanation or justification.

The Virginia NAACP recently announced it will sue Gov. Youngkin for public records

Get real about Middle East Some of my friends who know more about Middle East affairs than I do caution me against having too much optimism. Life is complicated, they note, especially in Middle East politics.

I am reminded of the late Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Eban’s famous quip about negotiating with the Palestinian leaders in 1973: They never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity.

That quip came back to mind after Hamas gunmen from Gaza launched bold and bloody attacks Oct. 7 on southern Israel, killing more than 1,000 people — the vast majority of whom were civilians — and igniting a war with Israel that threatens to rumble across the entire Middle East.

The shock caused a sense of diplomatic whiplash in neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which had been nearing a historic normalization agreement.

Among other benefits, the talks would have opened the door to economic and political deals, including a formal security arrangement with the United States and boosted the kingdom’s civilian nuclear program.

But then, as if to say, “Hey, what about us?” Hamas, the terrorist group that rules Gaza, attacked.

Serious questions still rage about how Hamas could have organized, rehearsed and pulled off such a grand and bloody scheme and caught Israelis off guard.

But many who ask why it

happened probably should turn to the recent negotiations in Riyadh for clues.

The very fact that the meetings brought Israeli negotiators to the Saudi kingdom, land of Islam’s holiest shrines, Mecca and Medina, was a monumental breakthrough. The kingdom has banned Jews since the days of the Prophet Muhammad.

But, as much as well-meaning outsiders — like me — might feel delighted by the prospect

Clarence Page of people from different backgrounds being “able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood,” as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., preached, there are many others for whom such a move is strictly forbidden.

To help me understand how deep-seated the politics of such a move can be, my friend and Chicago Tribune colleague Ron Grossman, a former history professor, offered a personal anecdote.

He was subbing for the Tribune’s Jerusalem correspondent when Secretary of State Madeleine Albright came to Israel in 1998, hoping to re-energize stalled peace talks between Palestine Liberation Organization head Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

While there, Ron arranged to visit with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, a nearly blind quadriplegic politician and holy man who founded Hamas.

“Yassin was frail, like a leaf about to fall,” Ron told me in an email. “When I asked his policy, he replied: ‘It is necessary to

kill Jews.’ I told the interpreter that I’m Jewish. Does that apply to me?”

“No,” the interpreter replied.

“The sheikh says that you, having been a guest, will always be welcome here.”

That was a relief, I’m sure.

Or, as Ron put it, “It was the moral imperative of the desert: A thirsty man must be given water.”

Indeed. Politicians may have to talk about compromise and other such niceties. But, as Ron put it, that’s “less likely to draw an audience in Gaza, where jobs are scarce, families have lots of mouths to feed, and the birth rate doesn’t decline with urbanization, as in the West.”

As far at the sheikh was concerned, the way out of the Palestinians’ misery was the way of the gun, not doves of peace.

And indeed, we have seen others who tried to have it both ways, like Anwar Sadat, who offered gifts to Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir’s grandchildren and talked seriously about peace, only to be assassinated by a Palestinian nationalist.

This might help explain why, after President Bill Clinton convinced Prime Minister Ehud Barak to accept a historically generous two-state solution in 2000, Arafat said: “No.” We make a mistake when we try to judge other people’s decision without taking into account how much their experiences and circumstances differ from our own.

Optimism has its virtues but, let us not forget, so does skepticism.

The writer is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

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

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

detailing how he makes decisions on voting rights restoration requests. He has withheld the records since the organization requested them in May. “Black Virginians are more overly represented in our correctional facilities. So, it impacts Black Virginians more so than any other ethnic group,” Virginia NAACP President Robert N. Barnette Jr., said. “We want to make sure that if people have done their time and have applied for the rights to be restored, that either they are given a reason or their rights have been restored.”

While Fair Election Center’s lawsuits won’t restore the voting rights of people on felony-level probation or parole in the 26 states that still deny them, or to the individuals who have successfully fulfilled their sentences in 11 states that still deny them, they are a step toward justice.

The writer is president and CEO of the National Urban League.

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Richmond Free Press

October 26-28, 2023 A9

Letter to the Editor/Local News

Remembering those who died while struggling with homelessness Free Press staff report

Bethlehem Lutheran Church, in partnership with Homeward and Commonwealth Catholic Charities, will host a second annual memorial service for people who passed away while struggling with homelessness. The service is at 4 p.m. on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 1100 W. Grace St. “All are invited and welcome to join us on All Saints Day, the traditional day in the Church calendar where the deceased of the previous year are remembered, as we remember those who passed away this last year,” according to a news release.

Following the service, everyone is invited to a Community Dinner provided by Bethlehem Lutheran Church for a time of fellowship and remembrance. For more information contact David Smith, Bethlehem’s director of Evangelism & Steward-

ship, at dwsmith78@gmail.com Bethlehem Lutheran Church Bethlehem Lutheran Church, a LCMS community of faith nestled into the heart of Richmond, that, in grateful response to God’s grace and empowered by the Holy Spirit through Word and Sacraments, makes known the love of Christ by word and deed within our church, community and the world. w w w. b e t h l e h e m r v a . o rg I n s t a g r a m & F a c e b o o k : BethlehemRVA Commonwealth Catholic Charities CCC’s Housing Resource Center has a team of dedicated staff who provide street outreach and case management for those experiencing homelessness to assist households in resolving

their homeless situation Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and

Richmond Free Press ‘takes its mission to inform the public seriously’

As a new Virginia resident, I signed up for home delivery of the local newspaper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I was still receiving national news from a digital subscription to my former newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, but I wanted a local paper to learn about the concerns, activities, policies and politics of my new city and state.

I also enjoy holding and reading a physical newspaper.

Some days later, I picked up a copy of the Richmond Free Press from a local business. Although written primarily by and for the Black community, it has everything any Richmond resident might be looking for in a local paper. Richmonders of all stripes should and do take note.

The articles and commentary are well-written and give readers essential information, like for example, when and where to vote or news of the legislation our dear governor has been obstructing which would have automatically restored the vote to ex-felons — those that have served their time or have been exonerated.

Every Virginia resident should be receiving local news and voter information, not just those who happen upon the information. It appears that someone in the governor’s office doesn’t want us informed.

Meanwhile, more than two months later, and despite three

separate and time-consuming calls to the Richmond TimesDispatch — they clearly save money by outsourcing their customer service, to, I’m guessing here, somewhere far, far offshore — I have yet to

receive a newspaper.

On the other hand, when I called the Richmond Free Press and asked if I could have the paper delivered, they started mailing it to me, postage free! This is an enterprise that takes its mission

to inform the public seriously.

Although the Richmond Free Press is free, it needs and deserves the community’s support.

It certainly has mine!

New Richmond resident, Susanna D. Wilson

5HTXHVW IRU 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV Request for Qualifications Contract ID#:#:C00116201DB126 C00117011DB130 Contract ID I-81 and CIP Exit 143 Districts to Exit 150Bridge Widening Bristol Salem Bundle The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking Statements of 7KH 9LUJLQLD 'HSDUWPHQW RI 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ 9'27 (VDOT) LV VHHNLQJ 6WDWHPHQWV RI 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV IRU Qualifications for the I-81 CIP Exit 143 to Exit 150 Widening design-build project from WKH %ULVWRO DQG 6DOHP 'LVWULFWV %ULGJH %XQGOH GHVLJQ EXLOG SURMHFW IURP TXDOL¿HG DQG H[SHULHQFHG qualified and experienced respondents withexperience design andof construction experience respondents with design and construction bridges. The project of hashighway four bridges facilities.

Project is located along Interstate 81 betweenincluding approximately Milereplacement Marker located in theThe Bristol District with the proposed improvements complete of 143.0 in Roanoke County and approximate Mile Marker 151.7 in Botetourt County the following bridges: Route 669 over Big Moccasin Creek in Scott County, Route 624 over North Virginia. The project adds a third lane to northbound and southbound I-81 beginning near Fork River in Scott and County, Route 671 Harris Creek The in Wythe County, and theClinch Exit 143 interchange ending north of over the Exit 150Branch interchange. total project Route 806 over Coal Creek in Tazewell County.

The project has three bridges located in length is approximately 8.7 miles. Project improvements include, but are not limited to,the theSalem District with the proposed improvements including and complete replacement of the bridges: following: an additional lane on both northbound southbound Interstate 81;following two bridges Route 881 over Creek in Carroll Routereplaced 692 overover CraigRoute Creek648 in Craig replaced overLittle RouteReed 1836Island (Belle Haven Road);County, two bridges County, and Route 663two overbridges Crab Creek in Montgomery County.

Theand project does not increase the (Reservoir Road); replaced over Tinker Creek Norfolk Southern WUDI¿F FDSDFLW\ RI FXUUHQW URDGV DQG EULGJHV 7KH ZRUN LQFOXGHV EXW QRW OLPLWHG WR URDGZD\ DQG Railway; two bridges replaced over US Route 220 (Roanoke Road).

EULGJH GHVLJQ VXUYH\ HQYLURQPHQWDO JHRWHFKQLFDO K\GUDXOLFV DQG VWRUPZDWHU PDQDJHPHQW WUDI¿F The work includes, among management other things plan, all work required to support the design and control devices, transportation utility relocation, public involvement/relations construction (a) roadway; (b) survey; (c) and structure and/ or bridge; (d) resurfacing of and and stakeholderof: coordination, quality assurance quality control, construction engineering existing asphalt pavement; inspection, and overall project resurfacing, management.repairing, rehabilitating (rubblizing, unbonded overlay), and/or removing of existing concrete pavement; (e) environmental (f) geotechnical; (g) hydraulics; (h) stormwater management; (i) traffic devices; (j) 4XHVWLRQV FODUL¿FDWLRQV UHJDUGLQJ WKH 5HTXHVW IRU 4XDOL¿FDWLRQV 5)4control VKRXOG EH VXEPLWWHG WR transportation management plan; (k) right-of-way; (l) utilities; (m) public involvement/ Daniel McBride, P.E. (daniel.mcbride@vdot.virginia.gov). relations (n) quality assurance and quality control; (o) Intelligent Transportation Systems; (p) railroad; (q) construction engineering and inspection; and (r) overall Project Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express (bidexpress.com) management.

The Department assures compliance VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities Questions/clarifications regardingwith theTitle Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be pursuant to this advertisement. submitted to Joseph A. Clarke, PE, DBIA (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov).

Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express (bidexpress.com) The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.

families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. www.cccofva.org Instagram & Facebook: cccofva Homeward Homeward’s mission is to prevent, reduce and end homelessness by facilitating creative solutions through the collaboration, coordination and cooperation of regional resources and services. www.homewardva.org Facebook: HomewardVA

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE (Ref: Virginia Code § 58.1-3321)

The City of Richmond proposes to increase property tax levies.

1. Assessment Increase: Total assessed value of real property, excluding additional assessments due to new construction or improvements to property, exceeds last year’s total assessed value of real property by 7.70 percent.

2. Lowered Rate Necessary to Offset Increased Assessment: The tax rate which would levy the same amount of real estate tax as last year, when multiplied by the new total assessed value of real estate with the exclusions mentioned above, would be $1.125 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

3. Effective Rate Increase: The City of Richmond proposes to adopt a tax rate of $1.20 per $100 of assessed value. The difference between the lowered tax rate and the proposed rate would be $0.075 per $100, or 6.7 percent. This difference will be known as the “effective tax rate increase.”

Individual property taxes may, however, increase at a percentage greater than or less than the above percentage.

4. Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rate and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the City of Richmond will exceed last year’s by 13.50 percent.

A public hearing on the increase will be held on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.

Richmond Free Press

A10 October 26-28, 2023

Sports Plus

Courtesy RVA Bandits

Darryl Johnston is founder and a coach for the RVA Bandits youth football program.

RVA Bandits compete for football championships this weekend

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Darryl H. Johnston fondly remembers playing youth football growing up in Richmond.

Frustrated that the city’s parks and recreation department was no longer fielding a team at the Broad Rock Sports Complex where he played as a child, the 32-year-old Atlantic City, N.J., native started a program in August.

“The response was huge,” said Johnston, with 72 youths registering to play and parents volunteering to coach and support the RVA Bandits.

He said the games have been fun and interest has remained high.

Three of the RVA Bandits teams will play for the local championship this weekend at Varina High School.

The 6U team will play at noon Saturday, Oct. 28, while the 13U team will play at 9 a.m.

Sunday, Oct. 29.

The 9U team he personally coaches will be vying for the championship at noon on Sunday.

A professional mentor who also is known by the nicknames “The Rock” or “Like a Rock,” Johnston hopes one or more of the Bandits teams will win and get on a track to the national championship in Naples, Fla. The teams in each age bracket would need to win games at the regional level and the state level to gain that opportunity, he said.

He did not have the records for the other Bandits teams, but the 9U team is going into the championship with a 5-2 record.

The success of the RVA Bandits is running counter, though, to the general trend for youth football in the city.

The Richmond youth football program is shrinking, with fewer youths signing up for play.

Without the Bandits, there would have been only

two teams offering play in the city this fall.

It is unclear why. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities has not conducted any surveys or corralled any data to explain the change.

It is possible youth interest has waned. Or there has been a shift to soccer due to more interest in the Richmond Kickers, and growth of Latino families for whom that is a preferred sport.

Whatever the reason, the Bandits have been critical to maintaining the city program this year.

In order to have enough games, the Bandits have had to play teams from elsewhere.

The 9U Bandits’ competition came from Northern Virginia, Petersburg, Chesapeake and Henrico as well as the city, Johnston said.

According to the department, the program was reorganized in 2021.

“The department moved to a district concept that aligns with city high schools,” spokeswoman Tamara Jenkins stated. “Each district has three to five teams in different age divisions and they each participate in a fall and spring season.”

During the spring, only 55 youths mostly 10 and under played with the two other teams that are in the program, RVA United and the RVA Wildcats, Jenkins reported.

This fall, the total grew to 273 youths, she stated, but the number would have been far smaller if Mr. Johnston had not organized the RVA Bandits.

Mr. Johnston said he remembers play ending with the city championships at Hovey Field, and he’s delighted the Bandits’ three teams could go further.

“We still have a ways to go. But wouldn’t it be great if we could win it all in our first season.”

EMBRACE YOUR INNER EARLY BIRD. Vote early now through November 4th.

All 140 seats in Virginia’s House and Senate are up for election. Every vote counts.

Visit us online to make your voting plan today.

Vote.Virginia.gov

Richmond Free Press

October 26-28, 2023 A11

Letters to the Editor

VALOTTERY.COM/ TUESDAY Stories by Fred Jeter

VUU has 7 wins and counting Virginia Union University loves playing at home at friendly Hovey Field. But road trips aren’t bad, either.

Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers routed Lincoln, 57-0, last week, much to the delight of a homecoming gathering of thousands.

Now comes a 286-mile trip to

CIAAnewcomer Bluefield State, W.Va. The Big Blue has lost seven straight games after an opening win over Livingstone.

Who’s afraid of the big, bad road? Not the Panthers.

VUU has won 13 straight games away from home over the past three seasons. The last road loss was at Hampton on

Sept. 4, 2021.

In just its third home game of the season, the Panthers totally dominated the Lions on the scoreboard and statistically.

VUU had 481 yards total offense to just 168 for Lincoln.

All-American tailback Jada Byers ran for 55 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries.

Byers added a fifth TD on a pass reception from Christian Reid. According to VUU, the record of six TDs in a game was set in 1927 by J.W. Cotton against St. Paul’s.

Panthers quarterback Reid passed for 176 yards and ran for another 65.

William Davis and Jabrill Norman led the defense with eight tackles each.

VUU’s Marvin Holmes, sometimes the loneliest man on the roster, was called on to punt

Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Virginia Union University had much to celebrate with its homecoming win over Lincoln University 57-0 on Oct. 21 at Hovey Field. The Panthers had 481 yards total offense to just 168 for the Lions. All-American tailback Jada Byers ran for 55 yards and four touchdowns on just 12 carries.

only once.

Much busier was place kicker Brady Myers who hit six extra points, a field goal and boomed 10 kickoffs for an average of 54 yards, with two touchbacks.

The “Byers & Myers” duo

Trojans veer off track It will be Senior Day Saturday at Rogers Stadium and the seniors, as well as the underclassmen, figure to have a chip on their shoulder and something to prove.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

After seven weeks of flying friendly skies, Coach Henry Frazier’s’ squad hit unexpected turbulence Oct. 21 against visiting Elizabeth City.

Final score: Vikings 17, Trojans 16.

No, that is not a misprint. Repeat Vikings 17, Trojans 16.

It was the CIAA’s upset of the year, but the word upset hardly does the occasion justice; shocker or stunner is more like it.

VSU went into the game 7-0; the Vikings limped into to Ettrick 1-6 but scurried back to North Carolina with added pep in their step.

The good news for Trojans and their fans is that all the goals are still on the table. But the bounce back needs to start Saturday against a Lincoln squad coming off a 57-0 loss at Virginia Union.

VSU has won 14 straight against the Lions, including 42-21 last fall in Pennsylvania.

STANDINGS

Northern Division Virginia Union Virginia State Lincoln Bowie State Elizabeth City Bluefield State

CIAA

Overall

5-1 5-1 3-3 3-3 1-5 0-6

7-1 7-1 4-4 4-4 2-6 1-7

Versatile Huguenot quarterback Jason Wright eyes championships playing as a freshman at If Huguenot High Benedictine and last year School football is to at Manchester, where he rise as a tower of power, alternated at QB with Jason Wright deserves to Landen Abernethy on go down as a cornerstone a 11-2 squad. of the project.

“Jason was splitting The junior quartersnaps at Manchester; He back has certainly been wanted his own team “Mr. Right” in first-year and we’ve given him a Coach Charles Scott’s lot of freedom,” Coach blueprint.

Scott said.

“He can beat you on The Wrights moved the ground and through the air,” Coach Scott from Midlothian to South Richmond to make the said. “He’s got the size transfer possible.

(6-foot-3, 196 pounds), Wright enrolled at speed (4.6 for 40 yards) the Forest Hill Avenue and smarts (4.0 GPA).” school last spring and After six games for went through 7-on-7 drills the 5-2 Falcons, Wright Jason Wright with the Falcons. had passed for 1,230 A versatile all-round athlete, he may yards and 13 touchdowns and run for 295 yards and five more TDs. He also holds also play basketball for the Falcons and would like to go out for the baseball team for place kicks.

Both losses were to Class 6 (larger enroll- as a centerfielder.

He hails from an athletic family. His ment) schools, Manchester and Cosby.

Rather than concentrate on individual older sister, Olivia, was on Manchester’s statistics, Wright prefers focusing on the Class 5 State finalist basketball team last Falcons’ overnight improvement from winter and is now enrolled at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. back-to-back 1-8 campaigns.

“Jason is a once in a lifetime quarterUnder Coach Scott, the Falcons have transformed from among the area’s weak- back for a coach,” said HHS quarterbacks est teams to a program with legitimate Coach Gene Townsel.

“He’s got all the tools, and he is such an postseason aspirations.

Asked what his goal was, Wright quickly incredible athlete he could play four other positions on the field, if we needed him to.” replied “to win a championship.”

Townsel added: Asked if that meant District, Region “But he has a quarterback’s heart.” or State championship, he replied “the More help is on the way for the whole thing.”

Huguenot figures to contend with the Falcons.

The JVs are 8-0, led by quarterback likes of Varina, Hopewell and Dinwiddie (all former State champs) in the Class 4 Charles Scott Jr., a 6-foot-4, 218-pound eighth-grader at Lucille Brown Middle Regional playoffs.

The son of Damiel and Sharyll Wright, School. The son of the coach had 23 TD this is Jason’s third high school stop, after passes through eight outings.

Trailing most of the way, VSU scored on a Jordan Davis to Lucas Nunez pass with 1:20 left to cut the deficit to 17-16.

The extra point kick by Matthew Ward failed. Ward hit an extra point and field goal earlier in the game and is 27 for 33 on extra points on the season.

Davis finished 22 for 34 for 282 yards through the air but VSU’s usually potent ground attack lost it legs. The Trojans managed just 46 yards overland.

Carl Poole, a graduate student from Danville, led VSU’s defense with 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Now the Trojans can only hope to send their seniors off with a bang against Lincoln.

Lincoln will come to Rogers as a clear underdog, just as Elizabeth City did.

City football schedule Armstrong Wildcats Wildcats 40, McKinley Tech 0 Wildcats 21, Petersburg 8 Wildcats 43, John Marshall 0 Wildcats 38, Goochland 8 Henrico 17, Wildcats 0 Friendship, D.C., 33, Wildcats 16 Wildcats 30, Atlee 26 Oct. 27 – vs. Thomas Jefferson, 7 p.m. Hovey Field

Huguenot Falcons Falcons 75, Clover Hill 6 Falcons 40, Richmond City 6 Falcons 26, Powhatan 22 Falcons 26, James River 0 Manchester 42, Falcons 20 Falcons 12, L.C. Bird 9 Cosby 27, Huguenot 26 Oct. 27 – at Midlothian, 7 p.m.

John Marshall Justices Greensville 32, Justices 0 Justices 12, Richmond City 0 West Point 29, Justices 6 J.R. Tucker 37, Justices 16 Thomas Jefferson 62, Justices 0 Justices 29, Charles City 0 Brunswick 30, Justices 7 Oct. 28 (Saturday) – home, Booker T. Washington, Norfolk

Richmond City Bulldogs

John Marshall 12, Bulldogs 0 James River 55, Bulldogs 0 Huguenot 40, Bulldogs 6 Cosby 49, Bulldogs 0 Midlothian 38, Bulldogs 12 Monacan 42, Bulldogs 0 Clover Hill 21, Bulldogs 0 Oct. 27 – at Manchester, 7p.m.

Thomas Jefferson Vikings Vikings 34, Meadowbrook 7 Vikings 54, Amelia 12 Vikings 64, Greensville 0 Vikings 62, John Marshall 0 Vikings 24, Godwin 14 Vikings 53, Deep Run 0 Vikings 53, J.R. Tucker 0 Oct. 27 – vs. Armstrong, 7 p.m. Hovey Field

is the top scoring combo in the CIAA. Byers has 78 points on the season; Myers 54.

Founded as an HBCU in 1895, Bluefield was a CIAA member from 1932 to 1955. More recently it has competed in the West

Virginia Division II conference and as an independent.

VUU will close its regular season Nov. 4 at home against Virginia State. It will determine the CIAA Northern Division championship.

Davis’ ‘layaway plan’ pays off As a Virgina State University freshman last fall, Cameron “Cam” Davis displayed his considerable talents during the week in practice.

This season he’s showing his skills on Cameron Davis Saturdays, when it really counts.

“We knew he was going to be a good one,” said Trojans Coach Henry Frazier. “Our starting offensive line last year couldn’t block him.”

An academic redshirt in 2022, the manufacturing engineering major has become a dominating force at defensive tackle for the 6-1 Men of Troy.

Through eight games he was second among all Trojans defenders with 37 tackles, including 25 solo. Only Carl Poole with 41 has more stops.

Davis’ tackling totals are uncommon for an interior lineman. Generally, the tackling leaders are the linebackers and strong safeties.

“I can be patient if I need to, but I like to get off the ball fast and into the other backfield,” he said.

Wearing jersey No. 97, he also has 11 tackles for losses, 4.5 quarterback sacks and two fumble recoveries.

“He can be a monster out there,” Coach Frazier said. “He’s a big, physical guy with a powerful motor.”

Davis was recruited to VSU out of J.R. Tucker High in Western Henrico by former Trojans Coach Reggie Barlow.

“I inherited him … it was a great inheritance,” said Coach Frazier, now in his second season as VSU coach.

Davis’ career at Tucker never gathered much steam. The Tigers were 1-10 his sophomore season, 0-6 his junior campaign and 4-5 his senior year. He won no individual honors and was lightly recruited.

His high school career ended with a 63-0 loss to Highland Springs in a regional playoff.

“That hurt,” he recalled, “but I knew I wasn’t finished.”

And he wasn’t, not by a long shot.

Baseball playoffs lack African-Americans Players of color have been in abundance on baseball’s bright playoff stage, but only two are African-American.

Of 40 primary starters (nonpitchers) in the now-completed American and National League Championship Series, only Tommy Pham of Arizona and Texas’ Marcus Semien are African-American.

Rightfielder Pham was born in Las Vegas of Vietnamese and African ancestry.

Semien, the Rangers’ leadoff hitting second baseman, was born in San Francisco.

All the other minoriYommy Pham ties are from the Carib- Marcus Siemen bean, South and Central America. Here is a list of other players of color on the “Final Four” rosters: Philadelphia: Johan Rojas, centerfield, from Dominican Republic.

Arizona: Ketel Marte, second base, Dominican; Gabriel Moreno, catcher, Venezuela; Lourdes Gurriel, centerfield, Cuba; Emmanuel Rivera, third base, Puerto Rico.

Houston: Jose Altuve, second base, Venezuela; Mauricio Dubon, second base, Honduras; Yordan Alvarez, designate hitter/leftfield, Cuba; Jose Abreu, first base, Cuba; Jeremy Pena, shortstop, Dominican; Martin Maldonado, catcher, Puerto Rico.

Texas: Adolis Garcia, rightfield, Cuba; Leody Taveras, leftfield, Dominican.

None of the starting pitchers are African-American.

The first African-Americans to play in World Series were infielder Jackie Robinson and pitcher Dan Bankhead with the 1947 Brookly Dodgers. Robinson went 7-for-27 at the plate while Bankhead was used only as a pinch runner.

A12 October 26-28, 2023

Richmond Free Press

Being a great place to work has its rewards.

And awards.

Because of our investments in industry-leading programs and resources, and our commitment to helping teammates achieve their personal and professional goals, we were awarded the Grand Stevie Award for Organization of the Year. I’m proud of this recognition, really proud of our dedicated employees, but most especially proud to be part of this community we all serve.

Victor Branch President, Bank of America Richmond

Learn more at bankofamerica.com/richmond

What would you like the power to do?®

The Stevie Awards recognize the achievements of businesses and professionals worldwide. Organizations self-nominate, providing data for various categories, and winners are determined by the average scores of more than 240 professionals worldwide serving as judges.

Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Credit Opportunity Lender © 2023 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

October 26-28, 2023 B1

Richmond Free Press

Section

Happenings

B

Personality: Rebecca Cornett Massey Spotlight on VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board chair Rebecca “Becky” Cornett Massey describe herself as being enthusiastic and a teammate.

When hearing the new chair of the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center Advisory Board discuss the center’s role in the Richmond community, her enthusiasm in being part of the center’s team is evident.

Mrs. Massey has been a patient advocate and volunteer for the center for more than 30 years. Her praise of those she works with, as patients, staff, clinicians and researchers is effusive.

“Our advisory board is a group of incredibly dedicated and committed volunteers from the community, many who have been with us for 30 years,” Mrs. Massey said. “They are so actively engaged; they are so giving of whatever resources they have. I’m so proud of this group of volunteers, as well as our young person’s group called the Massey Alliance.

“I have found the generosity in our community amazing,” she added.

As the fifth of eight children born to her parents, Doc and Eula Cornett in Eastern Kentucky, Mrs. Massey said they both were educators who taught her the importance of being there for others.

“It was watching how my mother interacted with her parents, my grandparents, and the care that she gave them as they grew older, and the care that both my parents provided for our neighborhood,” Mrs. Massey said.

Mrs. Massey met her future husband, William E. Massey Jr., in 1971 when he visited Kentucky to learn his family’s coal business in Martin County, Ky. The couple eventually moved to Richmond, where Mrs. Massey became a community volunteer with several Richmond organiza-

tions — including the Massey Cancer Center.

Founded in 1974 by Dr. Walter Lawrence, the center was designated as a National Cancer Institute Center of Excellence the following year and has remained so for almost 50 years. Its mission of treating everyone regardless of ability to pay, while advancing research that provides life-saving care and better quality of life after cancer, was made possible because of donors such as Mrs. Massey’s father-in-law, William E. Massey Sr. and his nephew, Morgan Massey. Because of the early and continuing support of the family’s Massey Foundation, the center eventually came to bear the family’s name in 1983.

Mrs. Massey is proud of the volunteers with whom she works in raising funds to support the center’s scientists, physicians and caregivers in the treatment, research and prevention of cancers.

And there is always the need for more.

“Such a large number of our patients do not have a support person with them or a support system,” Mrs. Massey said.

It is volunteers who often can help patients connect to the additional resources they need to go along with their clinical treatment or be a listening ear.

These relationships build advocacy and trust says Mrs. Massey, adding that most importantly, “it lets our patients know somebody cares.”

Meet an advocate and volunteer for the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center and this week’s Personality, Rebecca Cornett Massey.

Volunteer position: Patient advocate and advisory board chair, VCU Massey Cancer Center.

Occupation: Community volunteer since early 1980s, former

Extension/4-H Agent with the University of Kentucky and Virginia Tech.

Date and place of birth: Oct. 24 in Slemp, Ky. Where I live now: Richmond.

Education: Bachelor’s degree, Eastern Kentucky University.

Family: Husband, William E. “Bill” Massey Jr.; sons Will and Taylor Massey; son Travis Massey, his wife Luciana and their two children, Magdalena and Mateo.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is: A cancer resource of excellence for the treatment, research and prevention of cancers led by an incredibly gifted team of scientists, physicians and caregivers who provide care and research that is informed by the people it serves.

A truly comprehensive cancer center embracing the vision of health equality and cancer access that is led by nationally acclaimed Dr. Robert Winn, the only Black NCI designated

center director when hired — a very proud moment in Massey’s history!

Mission: Massey Cancer advances its laboratory research by bringing to the bench the needs that are heard throughout the communities it serves — primarily Central, Eastern and Southern Virginia made up of 47 counties and 19 cities that includes 4,088,904 racially, ethnically, geographically and socioeconomically diverse individuals! It is committed to understanding the cancer burden and disparities throughout the region and sharing information with our communities across the state.

When I hear the word cancer: It’s everywhere and affects us all — and doesn’t take notice of who you are, the color of your skin, or where you are from. One in every 2 men, and 1 in every 3 women will have a diagnosis during their lifetime.

How I have witnessed cancer impact lives: I see it every day I’m in the clinic and have lived it as a survivor. We watch and hear as patients go through all the emotions during their journey — the fear, the pain, the need to get it out of their bodies, the realization of maybe surgery, maybe chemotherapy, maybe radiation or all and how it interrupts life to become the “must” priority — and often the exclamation of “having lived a good life,” or better me than another family member. The need for resources while going thru treatment are so real — financial, spiritual, food and housing, support groups, nutritional information — all impact the cancer patient.

Why Massey is especially meaningful to me: To see the

gift of life and good quality of life as the outcome of a cancer diagnosis. Working with our dedicated team of volunteers, both in the clinic and with our Advisory and Alliance (young professionals) Boards, and supporting our staff and care partners, truly feeds my soul. To help create awareness of this resource and assist with friend raising and fund raising with Team Massey is very fulfilling.

No. 1 goal or project: To assist Dr. Winn and his team in raising awareness and funds to support our researchers and hire outstanding scientists and clinicians to advance cancer care.

We are committed to helping the development team raise $22 million through community giving, and planning a golden gala for Massey’s 50th anniversary in 2024!

No. 1 challenge facing Massey: Being able to respond to the cancer burden of shortened life span and access for all the people in areas we serve, and to meet the need for additional physicians and nurse teams as the number of patients increase following our pandemic years.

Also, our need to educate and advocate for early screenings and for each of us to recognize the need and have access to care. The increase in young adults being diagnosed is alarming.

Proudest moment for Massey: Saving the lives of Virginians for 50 years and in 2023 achieving National Cancer Institutes’ highest possible designation of Comprehensive!

How to volunteer with Massey: Contact VCU Volunteer Services via email at volunteer@ vcuhealth.org or call (804) 828-0922.

How Massey focuses on health equity: Ensuring the Massey mission of equal access for can-

cer care is always first of mind with Dr. Winn and team leading the effort, including continuing focus and strong support for community engagement for education of prevention and resources being offered through Massey Center — helping to alleviate the burden of cancer on all Virginians.

Upcoming events: Women & Wellness Luncheon at the Jefferson Hotel, Feb. 6, 2024 with “Eat, Love and Pray” author Elizabeth Gilbert as speaker in support of women’s cancer research!

How I start the day: Thinking about the day ahead with gratefulness and a cup of coffee with RVA news, also a little movement to get the joints working.

Best late-night snack: Peanut butter on Ritz crackers.

The music I listen to most is: Soft rock/country.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Bass fishing.

A quote that inspires me: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

At the top of my “to-do” list: Organize my computer.

The person who influenced me the most: My mother.

What I’m reading now: “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara Kingsolver.

Next goal: Effectively serving as chair of Massey’s outstanding volunteer Advisory Board in supporting Dr. Winn and his team in the priorities of the Center — health equity initiatives, ensuring endowment and facility funding and celebrating the Center’s 50th anniversary in 2024 with a Golden Gala fundraiser to support and advance cancer research.

Dress up and join us for food, fun, & community at Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan's

16TH COMMUNITY HARVEST FESTIVAL October 31 | 5:30-8pm Science Museum of Virginia 2500 W Broad St. Richmond, VA

THIS IS A FREE EVENT! All children must be accompanied by an adult For more information, email courtney@jennifermcclellan.com

Paid for by McClellan for Congress

Richmond Free Press

B2 October 26-28, 2023

Happenings Coming home to VUU Virginia Union University’s alumni, students, faculty and friends celebrate their homecoming win over Lincoln University 57-0 on Oct. 21 at Hovey Field.

The day’s festivities included greeting friends old and new, checking out the band and cheerleaders, tailgating and more.

Congratulations, VUU! Photos by James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

Chesterfield museum to host permanent exhibit honoring Cornelius Mimms The Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia’s African American History Committee will present a program in honor of Cornelius Mimms on Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. in the Chesterfield County Public Meeting Room, 10001 Iron Bridge Road.

Mr. Mimms was a licensed teacher following the Civil War and a prominent attorney for 46 years. In 1881, he

was the first African-American to be elected to the county’s Board of Supervisors, representing the Midlothian District.

He is the first African-American exhibited in the Chesterfield County Museum’s permanent gallery.

Mimms Drive and Mimms Loop at the Chesterfield Government Center were named after Mr. Mimms in 2002.

Immediately after the program, the public is invited

to view a permanent exhibit honoring Mr. Mimms at the Chesterfield County Museum, 6813 Mimms Loop. The program and exhibit are free and light refreshments will be provided. Descendants of Mr. Mimms will be present.

For additional information, please contact the Chesterfield Historical Society at (804) 796-7121 or via email at admin@ChesterfieldHistory.com.

Pumpkin picking Paris Jennings, 3, Jaki Planton, 1, and Princess Jennings, 7, tag along as Ebony Jennings gets a few pumpkins for art projects at the Gallmeyer Farms Pumpkin Patch in Henrico County on Oct. 12.

Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Local groups host ‘Trunk or Treat’ at VMHC Free Press staff report

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) and 24 other local organizations will present Halloween fun at the inaugural Trunk or Treat community event that will take place at the museum on Oct. 27 Participating partners will decorate the trunks of their vehicles for Halloween, load up on candy and other free giveaways, and set up in the VMHC parking lot for kids to safely “trick or treat” from vehicle to vehicle. There will also be crafts, games, food trucks, Halloween movies, rides on an outdoor trackless train, chocolate making demos, and free museum admission, which includes access to the museum’s newest exhibition “Apollo: When We Went to the Moon.”

“We are delighted to have so

many local partners willing to come together to host a Trunk or Treat event for families in the community,” Jamie Bosket, president and CEO at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture said in a statement. “We encourage families to come out and explore their state history museum in a fun and festive way.”

American Civil War Museum Children’s Museum of Richmond Science Museum of Virginia Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens The Valentine The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia Poe Museum Department of Historic Resource Preservation VA Agecroft Hall ReEstablish Richmond Branch Museum

The Trunk or Treat event will take place on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture.

The event is free, but registration is requested. For more information, please visit VirginiaHistory. org/Events.

Participating partners include: Historic Richmond James River Parks Friends of James River Parks Richmond Animal League Richmond SPCA Henrico Public Library Richmond Family Magazine Richmond Public Library Richmond Symphony Richmond Performing Arts Alliance Richmond Kickers St. John’s Church

Yard cleaning Finalists pitch podcasts of leaves curbside leaf vacuuming during RESONATE festival Free Press staff report

The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University will present the second annual RESONATE Podcast Festival Nov. 3-4. This year, both established and aspiring podcasters were once again invited to submit ideas that demonstrate sound-rich, creative nonfiction storytelling.

Three finalists were selected to present their pitches in front of a panel of judges and a live audience at the RESONATE Podcast Festival Pitch to be hosted by RESONATE founder Chioke I’Anson on Nov. 4. The winner will receive $10,000 to produce a pilot episode and a first-look agreement from sponsor VPM, Virginia’s home for public media.

The 2023 finalists and their podcast ideas are: EMILY REEVES: “Violence Week” documents the events in East Lansing, Mich., where an outburst of violence at a local high school — and the discovery of a gun — leads to a community reckoning over school safety, racial equity and the role of police in schools.

IVY LE: “Capitalize” is a comedy documentary in which host Ivy Le tries in earnest to get rich. Ivy Le is a Vietnamese American comedian, writer and actress based in Austin, Texas. She hosts the only queer comedy mic in Austin, co-produces Austin Sketch Fest and performs at comedy festivals all over the country like Laugh After Dark, Tower City Comedy Fest and Lysistrata.

MAYA KROTH: “The Foil: A father. A daughter. A search for alien life” is an eight-part podcast series that blends field tape, interviews, intimate family conversations and creative sound design to explore the “Roswell Foil,” a substance of mysterious origin once given to the host’s father, Jerry. The two will search for an earthly explanation for the foil and explore the possibility of alien life.

Trailers for each of the podcast pitches can be found on SoundCloud.

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October 26-28, 2023 B3

Faith News/Directory

Churches continue to alter services in era of COVID-19 ‘It gives you a reason to reach out to others’

By Darlene M. Johnson

Like other parts of the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic transformed church services throughout the Greater Richmond Region.

The onset of the deadly virus in early 2020 led to social distancing measures and restrictions on large gatherings. Some churches introduced drive-in services with congregants worshipping in their vehicles in church parking lots. Many churches shifted to online worship, streaming their services and sermons through platforms such as YouTube or Facebook Live.

Yet, while the pandemic led some churches to fully transition to online worship services, others such as Ephesus Richmond Seventh-Day Adventist Church, livestreamed services on YouTube before COVID-19.

Still, further adjustments were necessary once the country shut down. At Ephesus, Pastor Dr. Gary Banks and other church leaders realized a need to invest more in virtual broadcast services.

The church fully transitioned to online-only services in March 2020, said Dr. Banks, who has led Ephesus for the last six of his 31 years as a pastor. The transition prompted Ephesus’ leadership to buy new production software and shorten worship services from between two to three hours long.

While in-person Saturday services once drew up to 300 people, attendance for livestreams were not as faithful initially and the number of people went down, Dr. Banks said.

“There may have been 50 people online while I was preaching in real time,” Dr. Banks said. “By the end of the week, there were 300 to 400 views.”

Dr. Banks realized that although some worshippers were Rev. Thompson still attending services, others preferred to worship online at their convenience. “[The members of] churches who had poor production value sought out other streaming services within our denomination that had a higher production value,” Dr. Banks said. “A lot of my members watched our service live and then moved to a church that has a very high production value.”

In December 2020, Ephesus returned to in-person worship with a limited number of congregants. A big reopening was planned for January 2021, but in-person service was halted again when the COVID-19 omicron variant emerged, Dr. Banks said. Since then, Ephesus has conducted both in-person and online services.

Gloria Boothe has attended Faith Community Baptist Church in Richmond’s East End for 28 years, including the last three years since the COVID-19 pandemic transformed churchgoing services everywhere.

Mrs. Boothe, who is considered “the mother of her church” that is led by Rev. Ciarra Smith-Bond, readily admits her preference for worshiping inside the church rather than attending services online.

Physically attending Faith Community allows her to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow members and worshippers, Mrs. Boothe said, adding that she does not find the same sense of closeness online that being in her church sanctuary offers.

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

“Please come and join us” Every Sunday @ 11:00 am.

Church)

Live Streaming Every Sunday At: BRBConline.org or YouTube(Broad Rock Baptist Church)

Several months later, all restrictions were lifted and registration was no longer necessary. Mount Olive continues to provide the option to livestream from home in addition to in-person worship.

“We definitely put more emphasis on the virtual worship experience in terms of just making sure that we try to include those people who are worshiping with us virtually … making sure that they both feel a part of the worship experience,” Rev. Thompson said.

Amid the recent resurgence of COVID-19 cases, Mount Olive is prepared to modify their approach, if necessary, Rev. Thompson said.

“We are aware of the rise in cases and we have been Courtesy Ephesus Richmond Seventh-Day Adventist Church keeping watch on that,” Rev. Dr. Gary Banks, pastor of Ephesus Richmond Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and other Thompson said. “If we need church leaders realized the need to invest more in virtual broadcast services after the to make adjustments, we are COVID-19 pandemic led some churches to transition to online worship. Ephesus’ inprepared to do that.” person worship service has resumed on Saturdays and are streamed live on YouTube. *** “It’s nothing like being Meanwhile, The St. Paul’s around other believers,” she Baptist Church, led by Dr. said.

Lance D. Watson, not only has *** multiple locations in the area, Mount Olive Baptist Church but also has an online reach in Glen Allen also offered across the country. livestream services before the Dr. Pensacola H. Jefferson COVID-19 pandemic. Its last watches St. Paul’s Sunday pre-pandemic in-person service services at her home in Phoewas March 2020, said the Rev. nix. She was introduced to Darryl Thompson, senior pastor St. Paul’s livestreams a few of the church. Going virtual years ago by her friends, Dr. also spurred Mount Olive to Alice Freeman and Dr. Maceo put more effort and focus into Freeman Jr. Dr. Jefferson was its livestreams. stationed with the couple in “There were a few Sundays Japan at the Yokota Air Force when the pandemic really first hit that we did not have in-person Base in the early 1990s, she said. services at all. We just rebroadcast some previous services,” Rev. Dr. Jefferson had brain surgery in 2014 and relied on her Thompson said. “After that, I started going into the sanctuary, mother to drive her to church, she said. When the pandemic pre-recording the sermon and we would play it.” dictated a socially distanced society, the two began attending Eventually, Rev. Thompson and the Mount Olive media services solely online. team went to the sanctuary on Sunday mornings to produce Dr. Jefferson, who is an online christian discipleship the sermons live. Although there was a period of adjustment to counselor, said St. Paul’s livestreams “feels like going to online worship, church members eventually adapted. Viewer- church.” ship increased significantly compared to before the pandemic, She uses it as a “ministry tool” to connect with people who Rev. Thompson said. also do not go to physical locations for worship.

In August 2021, Mount Olive returned to in-person services “It gives you a reason to reach out to others, you’re not being with limited worshippers allowed and registration required. lazy, you’re not being complacent,” Dr. Jefferson said.

“The Church With A Welcome”

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

Sunday, October 29, 2023 B 10:00 A.M. Morning Worship Ins ack ide!

Initial Sermon - Linda Copeland

Bible Study online and in person Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Pastor Kevin Cook

Via Conference Call (202) 926-1127 Pin 572890# In Person Sunday Service also on FACEBOOK and YouTube

Worship With Us This Summer!

Sunday Morning Worship In Person & Online 10:00 A.M.

Join us on: mmbcrva.org or Facebook.com/mmbcrva or youtube.com/MosbyMemorialBaptist

Additional Summer Worship Opportunities

Dr. Alonza L. Lawrence, Pastor

St. Paul Baptist Church, Richmond, Va

Music: Shiloh’s Mass Choir

8LIQI 1SFMPM^MRK *SV 1MRMWXV] 6IJVIWLMRK 8LI 3PH ERH )QIVKMRK 8LI 2I[

Via: http://mmbcrva.org/give Or through Givelify

(804) 358—6403

Speaker: Rev. Lance Watson, Jr.

Rev. Rodney Eaton, Pastor 2420 Venable Street, Richmond, VA 23223

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

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

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

Moore Street Missionary

CENTENNIAL SERVICE

Sunday, November 5, 2023 10:45 am Theme: “We Have Come is Far By Faith”

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

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

Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Richmond, Va

7M\XL &ETXMWX 'LYVGL

*Worship Through Giving

th Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) om Meeting ID: 952 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 le Study (Wed. @ 7:00 PM) Baptist om Meeting ID: 854 8862 2296Church ve Via: http://mmbcrva.org/give Or through 1408 W. Leigh Street · Richmond, Va.Givelify 23220

in the Shiloh Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Contact person Tudy Roebuck (980) 263-7010 Speaker: Rev. Rodney Hunter

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

A 21st Century Church With Ministry For Everyone

Moms with Sons Prayer Call (Tues. @ 6:00 AM) (302) 202-1106 Pin: 618746 Early Morning & Noonday Corporate Prayer Call Wednesdays @ 6:00 AM & 12:00 Noon (415) 200-1362 Pin: 9841218

BANQUET

Saturday, October 28th • 6:00 pm

Riverview Baptist Church Sundays Sunday School - 9:30 A.M. Worship Service - 11 A.M.

“MAKE IT HAPPEN”

100 Anniversary th

400 South Addison Street Richmond, Va. 23220

(near Byrd Park)

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

Good Shepherd Baptist Church

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

The Rev. Sylvester T. Smith, Ph.D., Pastor “There’s A Place for You” Join us at 11:00 a.m. each Sunday for in-person worship service or Live-stream on YouTube (Good Shepherd Baptist Church RVA).

St. Peter Baptist Church Spread theWord

Dr. Kirkland R. Walton, Pastor

Worship Service Gospel Concert Vacation Bible School Homecoming Revival

Additional Opportunities to Engage with Us: call 804-644-0496 *Faith Formation/ Church School (Sat. @ 9:00 AM) Zoom Meeting ID: 952Richmond 9164 9805 /Passcode: 2901 Free Press *Give Via: http://mmbcrva.org/give Or through Givelify The People's Newspaper

Additional Weekly Worship Opportunities Moms with Sons Prayer Call (Tues. @ 6:00 AM) (302) 202-1106 Pin: 618746

Worship Opportunities

Worship With Us This Week

To advertise your church:

“Your Home In God’s Kingdom”

1858

The People’s Church

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

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

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

Weekly Worship: Sundays @ 10:30 A.M. Church School: Sundays @ 9:00 A.M. Bible Study: Wednesdays @ Noon &

216 W. Leigh St., Richmond, Va. 23220 Tel: 804-643-3366 Fax: 804-643-3367 (PDLO ṘFH#HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ ZHE HEHQH]HUUYD RUJ

Sunday Church School • 9am (Zoom)

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

Wednesday Bible Study • 7pm (Zoom)

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

Dr. Wallace J. Cook, Pastor Emeritus

Richmond Free Press

B4 October 26-28, 2023

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities City of Richmond, Virginia CITY COUNCIL

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 on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinance:

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, November 6, 2023 at 1:30 p.m in the Fifth Floor Conference Room of City Hall and the Council of the City of Richmond has scheduled a public hearing on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances:

Ordinance No. 2023-311 To amend Ord. No. 2022310, adopted Jan. 9, 2023, which amended City Code § 26-1065, concerning Downtown General Special Service and Assessment District boundaries, for the purpose of expanding the Downtown General Special Service Assessment District to include the Manchester area of the city, to change the effective date from Jan. 1, 2023, to Jan. 1, 2024.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

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 on Monday, November 13, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber on the Second Floor of City Hall, located at 900 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia, to consider the following ordinances: Ordinance No. 2023-281 To approve an amendment to the Master Plan for the City of Richmond, adopted by the City Planning Commission on Oct. 5, 2020, and approved by the City Council by Ord. No. 2020236, adopted Dec.14, 2020, to incorporate the Priority Neighborhoods Master Plan Amendment designating Creighton Court, Fairfield Court, Hillside Court, Mosby Court North, Mosby Court South, and Whitcomb Court as priority growth neighborhoods.

Ordinance No. 2023-282 To amend Ord. No. 2006194-200, adopted Jul. 24, 2006, and last amended

by Ord. No. 2013-197186, adopted Oct. 14, 2013, which authorized the special use of the property known as 900 West Franklin Street for the purpose of the expansion of a nonconforming retail bookstore, additional signage, and an increase in the radius within which required parking must be provided, to authorize uses permitted in the B-5 Central Business District and to waive parking requirements for those uses, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-283 To authorize the special use of the property known as 615 Maple Avenue for the purpose of an accessory building to a single-family detached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-284 To authorize the special use of the property known as 6426 Three Chopt Road for the purpose of an accessory building, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-285 To authorize the special use of the property known as 4400 Warwick Road for the purpose of a singlefamily detached dwelling with an accessory garage, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Ordinance No. 2023-316 To amend and reordain Ord. No. 75-309-302, adopted Dec. 15, 1975, as most recently amended

by Ord. No. 2021-204, adopted Sept. 13, 2021, pertaining to the “Stony Point Community Unit Plan,” for the purpose of amending the development standards, as they pertain to Map Section E of the Southern Portion of the Plan, to allow for additional signs on the property known as 3000 Stony Point Road.

Ordinance No. 2023-317 To authorize the special use of the property known as 7 North 2nd Street for the purpose of a certain hostel use or emergency housing use, upon certain terms and conditions, and to repeal Ord. No. 2011-141-144, adopted Jul. 25, 2011.

Ordinance No. 2023-318 To authorize the special use of the properties known as 3731 Grubbs Lane, 3731-A Grubbs Lane, 4045 Walmsley Boulevard, and 4057 Walmsley Boulevard for the purpose of up to ten multifamily dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-319 To authorize the special use of the property known as 3500 Hanover Avenue for the purpose of a singlefamily attached dwelling, upon certain terms and conditions.

Ordinance No. 2023-320 To authorize the special use of the property known as 1904 Powhatan Street for the purpose of two single-family detached dwellings, upon certain terms and conditions.

Interested citizens who wish to speak will be given an opportunity to do so by following the instructions referenced in the November 13, 2023 Richmond City Council Formal meeting agenda.

Copies of the full text of all ordinances are available by visiting the City Clerk’s page on the City’s Website at https:// www.rva.gov/office-cityclerk, and in the Office of the City Clerk, City Hall, 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Candice D. Reid City Clerk

Divorce VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER GLORIA MOUNTFORD, III, Plaintiff v.

RUFUS MOUNTFORD, III, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23003503-00 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 13th day of December, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. 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 BALWINDER SINGH MALHI, Plaintiff v.

AMARJIT KAUR, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23002867-00 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 a Complaint by Continued on next column

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posted service appear here on or before the 11th day of December, 2023 and protect her interests.

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

adoption of Harper Grace Robbins

By Mary Burwell Mayo Case # CA 23000059-00 ORDER OF PUBLICATION The object of the abovestyled suit is to waive the consent of Justin Smith Robbins birth father of Harper Grace Robbins, to the adoption of Harper Grace Robbins by Mary Burwell Mayo and approve a Final Order of Adoption. And it appearing by affidavit filed herein that the whereabouts of Justin Smith Robbins is unknown, and that due diligence to locate Justin Smith Robbins has been used. without effect it is therefore ORDERED that Justin Smith Robbins appear on or before December 15.

2023 at 9:00 a.m. at the Richmond Circuit Court and do what is necessary to protect his interest.

An Extract, Teste: EDWARD F. JEWETT, Clerk Susan H. Brewer VSB#15889 2224 Park Avenue Richmond, Virginia 23220-2715 Telephone: (804) 359-0897 SusanBrewer97@gmail.com

VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE COUNTY OF HANOVER SANDRA PERKINS, Plaintiff v.

BOBBY PERKINS, Defendant.

Case No.: CL23001696-00 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 a Complaint by posted service appear here on or before the 11th day of December, 2023 and protect his interests.

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

Custody VIRGINIA: IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND JOHN MARSHALL COURTS BUILDING In the matter of the

ABC lICENSE Selenite Enterprise Trading as: Cigarette Plus 13216 Midlothian Tpke, Midlothian Chesterfield, VA 23113 The above establishment is applying to the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage C ontrol (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Off Premises Wine and Beer license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

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

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REQUEST FOR BIDS For Easement, Franchise, Privilege, Lease or Right Upon, Over, Under, and Across 1 Hull Street, 101 Hull Street, and 2 Decatur Street In the City of Richmond The City of Richmond is seeking bids for an easement upon, over, under, and across certain property located at 1 Hull Street, 101 Hull Street, and 2 Decatur Street for the relocation, construction, maintenance, and operation of improvements and associated appurtenances of communication systems and facilities on that property as described and under the conditions set forth in the Deed of Easement.

All bids for the easement hereby offered to be granted must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk’s office by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023. Bids will be presented to the presiding officer of the Council of the City of Richmond on Monday, November 13, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. in open session and then will be presented by the presiding officer to the Council and be dealt with and acted upon in the mode prescribed by law.

The City of Richmond expressly reserves the right to reject any and all bids. The successful bidder shall reimburse the City for all costs incurred in connection with the advertisement of this ordinance in accordance with section 15.2-2101 of the Code of Virginia and shall post the bond required by the ordinance.

A copy of the full text of the ordinance is on file in the City Clerk’s Office, and the full text of the ordinance and Right of Way Agreement to be executed is available at: https://richmondva.legistar.com/LegislationDetail. aspx?ID=6362783&GUID=7038D4C5-FEE4-42FBA8B1-CFA4BAE84CB3&Options=&Search= Please address any questions or bids to: Candice D. Reid, City Clerk City of Richmond 900 East Broad Street, Suite 200 Richmond, Virginia 23219 (804) 646-7955

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL #VTC 24-042

The Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) has issued a Request for Proposal #VTC 24-042 to enter into an agreement with a qualified vendor to be the exclusive and licensed vendor (except for the exclusions and exceptions identified in the RFP) for the design, creation, production, marketing, sale, and distribution of the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC’s) Virginia is for Lovers (VIFL) branded apparel and merchandise, as well as for the design, build, hosting, and managing of an e-commerce site to be used to sell such VIFL merchandise. Sealed proposals are due not later than 5 p.m. EST on January 11, 2024. A Mandatory virtual pre-proposal conference will be held at 10 a.m. EST, November 9, 2023, and requires pre-registration by 4 p.m. EST, November 6, 2023. Proposals will only be accepted from those Offerors who attended this mandatory virtual conference.

In order not to miss any important deadlines, please read, immediately, the announcement of the RFP for important details about eVA registration, small business certification, virtual conference pre-registration deadline, etc. The RFP announcement may be found on the VTC website at https://www.vatc.org/operations/ request-for-proposal/. Copies of the Request for Proposal #VTC 24-042 may be downloaded from the VTC website at https://www.vatc. org/VIFLMerchandiseRFP2023. All inquiries regarding the RFP should be sent via email to VIFLMerchandiseRFP2023@virginia.org or by contacting Terry Minor at (804) 545-5523.

Immediate opening for Church Administrative Assistant ZION BAPTIST CHURCH

225 Byrne Street Petersburg, Virginia.

Hours 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Salary negotiable. General duties to include handling of delicate and confidential church business. Maintaining Sunday attendance records, scheduling of church events, maintaining church calendar, printing of bulletins, communicating with church vendors and maintenance of financial documents.

Must be well versed with Quick books, Word and Excel.

Excellent command of language and communication skills. Excellent interpersonal skills desired. For in depth job description call the church office at (804)733-7561 or send resumes to church email at zionbapt2@verizon.net

Request forQualifications Qualifications Request for Contract ID#:#:C00116201DB126 C00116201DB126 Contract ID I-81CIP CIPExit Exit 143 150150 Widening I-81 143totoExit Exit Widening Virginia Department of Transportation seeking Statements of TheThe Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT)(VDOT) is seekingis Statements of Qualifications for 143 todesign-build Exit 150 Widening project from theQualifications I-81 CIP Exit for 143the to I-81 Exit CIP 150 Exit Widening project design-build from qualified and experienced qualified and design and experience highway respondents withexperienced design andrespondents constructionwith experience of construction highway facilities.

The of Project is located facilities. The Project is located along Interstate 81 between approximately Mile Marker along Interstate 81 between approximately Mile Marker 143.0 in Roanoke County and approximate 143.0 in Roanoke County and approximate Mile Marker 151.7 in Botetourt County Mile Marker 151.7 in Botetourt County Virginia. The project adds a third lane to northbound and Virginia. The project adds a third lane to northbound and southbound I-81 beginning near southbound I-81 interchange beginning near Exit 143 interchange and150 ending north of the Exit 150project interchange. the Exit 143 andthe ending north of the Exit interchange.

The total Thelength total project length is approximately 8.7 miles.

Project improvements include, but are is approximately 8.7 miles. Project improvements include, but are not limited to,not thelimited to, following: the following: an additional on northbound both northbound and southbound Interstate 81; two bridges an additional lane lane on both and southbound Interstate 81; two bridges replaced over Route 1836 (Belle Haven Road); two two bridges replaced over over Route 648 (Reservoir replaced over Route 1836 (Belle Haven Road); bridges replaced Route 648 Road); two bridges replaced Tinker Creek and two bridges replaced (Reservoir Road); two over bridges replaced overNorfolk TinkerSouthern Creek Railway; and Norfolk Southern over US Route (Roanoke Road).

Railway; two220 bridges replaced over US Route 220 (Roanoke Road). work includes, among all required work required to the support theand design and TheThe work includes, among otherother thingsthings all work to support design construction of: (a) roadway; (b) survey; structure and/ or bridge; (d) resurfacing of (a) construction roadway; (b)of: survey; (c) structure and/ or (c) bridge; (d) resurfacing of existing asphalt pavement; existing asphalt pavement; resurfacing, repairing, rehabilitating unbonded resurfacing, repairing, rehabilitating (rubblizing, unbonded overlay), (rubblizing, and/or removing of existing overlay), and/or(e)removing of existing concrete(g)pavement; environmental (f) concrete pavement; environmental (f) geotechnical; hydraulics;(e) (h) stormwater management; hydraulics; (h) stormwater management; traffic control devices; (j) (m) (i) geotechnical; traffic control(g) devices; (j) transportation management plan;(i)(k) right-of-way; (l) utilities; transportation management plan; (k) right-of-way; (l) utilities; (m) public involvement/ public involvement/ relations (n) quality assurance and quality control; (o) Intelligent Transportation relations (n) quality assurance and quality control; (o) Intelligent Transportation Systems; Systems; (p) railroad; (q) construction engineering and inspection; and (r) overall Project management. (p) railroad; (q) construction engineering and inspection; and (r) overall Project management.

Questions/clarifications regarding the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Joseph A. Clarke, PE, DBIAregarding (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov).

Questions/clarifications the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) should be submitted to Joseph A. Clarke, PE, DBIA (joseph.clarke@vdot.virginia.gov).

Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express (bidexpress.com) Copies of the RFQ and additional submittal requirements can be found on Bid Express The(bidexpress.com) Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.

The Department assures compliance with Title VI requirements of non-discrimination in all activities pursuant to this advertisement.

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

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

EOE M/F/D/V

Senior Software Engineer: Position based in Glen Allen, VA. Design, develop, test, and implement business applications using Java, J2EE, JSP, JDBC, Hibernate, JPA, jQuery, Angular, React, HTML, XML, Spring, Hibernate, ClearCase, RichFaces, SQL, PL/SQL, Restful API in Unix, and Windows environment. Analyze user requirements and provide technical architecture.

Engage in Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) and MVC Frameworks. Develop and implement business rules using rules engine Spring Boot. Develop web applications with Angular and Web service calls using SOAP & REST. Create UML diagrams, engage in Junit testing and write and execute Junit test cases.

Utilize Oracle, SQL, and MongoDB to design and maintain databases. Require Master’s Degree or Foreign Equivalent in Computer Science or Computer Applications or Related Field with two years of experience in the job offered or related field. Job requires travel and/or relocation to various unanticipated client sites in the U.S. Mail resume to Global Sumi Technologies Inc., Attn: HR Department, 11549 Nuckols Road, Suite B, Glen Allen, VA - 23059.

Med Technologist, Richmond, VA. Provide lab diagnostic testing & results to physicians & other health care professionals for use in diagnosis/treatment of disease.

Ensure proper function/maintenance of area instrumentation & troubleshooting instrument assays or analytical problems.

Mail resume to J. Fleming, VCU Health System Authority, 830 E. Main St., Suite 200, Richmond, VA 23219.

Senior Software Engineer: Position based in Glen Allen, VA. Design, develop, test, and implement business applications using Java, J2EE, JavaScript, Spring, Spring Boot, JAX_RPC, SOAP UI, Hibernate, jQuery, AJAX, Angular JS, REST APIs, Clear Case, Maven in Unix, and Windows environment. Analyze user requirements and engage in all phases of SDLC. Convert business requirements into functional requirements to design, develop, test, and deploy features. Maintain source code in Bit Bucket and Bamboo using GIT and automate code deployment process. Implement DevOps platform and CI/CD pipelines. Create modules using Java Streams and Lambdas, Develop Stored Procedures using SQL and automate test cases using regression testing. Utilize Oracle and SQL Server to design and maintain databases. Require Bachelor’s Degree or Foreign Equivalent in Computer Science or Mathematics or Engineering or Related with five years of experience in the job offered or related field. Job requires travel and/or relocation to various unanticipated client sites in the U.S. Mail resume to Global Sumi Technologies Inc., Attn: HR Department, 11549 Nuckols Road, Suite B, Glen Allen, and VA - 23059.