Richmond Free Press October 6-8, 2022 edition

Voting

Training grounds Richmond Free

Former tobacco factory may become teaching site for construction workers

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Along with a huge investment to transform the 67-acre Diamond District, the private development team that has been awarded the project also is proposing to invest in a construc tion training center and in other projects that could benefit the Black community.

As part of its winning offer, RVA Diamond Partners (RVADP) has advanced a plan to convert a vacant tobacco factory at 2325 Maury St. into the training center.

Altria donated the 279,000-square-foot building to Richmond Public Schools five years ago, but the School Board’s hope of creating a career and technical high school to serve 1,000 stu dents has not advanced.

“This new proposal could break the logjam,” said 4th District School Board member Jonathan Young, an advocate for the new high school that he envisions as replacing the aging Technical Center in North Side.

RVADP proposes to lease the building for $1 a year and invest a projected $52 million to renovate the building and

add a parking deck, according to the plan obtained by the Free Press. RVADP plans to use state and federal tax credits and its own investment estimated at $34 million to handle the work, the plan states.

The plan, which RVADP emphasizes is preliminary and subject to change as the result of negotiations with RPS and the city, calls for shrinking the usable space in the building by almost one-third.

Of what remains, 175,000 square feet would go toward the development of a full-service construction training site, with the remaining 25,000 square set aside for new offices for RPS staff now based at City Hall.

Under the proposal, RPS would pay a fixed $3.8 million annually in rent and operational costs, with the option to pay off RVADP after 10 years at a pre-negotiated price and retake control. The projected cost does not include furniture, fixtures and equipment, RVADP noted.

RVADP would not run the training center, according to the plan, but would leave it to RPS and the city to determine the best operating entity. RPS currently spends about $5 million a year providing vocational instruction at the current Technical Center.

Michael A. “Mike” Hopkins, a Richmond developer and a

RPS rejects Youngkin policy; curricula challenged

By Holly Rodriguez

Transgender students attending Richmond Public Schools can expect to have their rights protected for now, and all RPS students may be learning under a new curriculum in the next few years.

Coffee-and-cake-with a cop

The Richmond School Board passed a resolution Monday night, introduced by 1st District member Elizabeth Doerr, declaring the “Richmond City Public School Board rejects Governor Youngkin’s model policies and affirms its com mitment to providing protections for all students regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.”

In mid-September, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin introduced new policies for school boards and districts across the common wealth to follow regarding transgender students, including:

• Students must only use bathrooms and locker rooms as sociated with the sex assigned to them at birth;

VSU alumni, faculty and students have much to celebrate this ‘homecoming’

By George Copeland Jr.

Virginia State University’s first homecoming since 2019 likely will be a landmark in many ways, returning to the campus this year amid a surge in interest and enrollments in historically black colleges and universities locally and nationally.

The multi-day, multi-event cel ebration, united under the theme of “Something Greater On The Hill,” already has showcased small and large-scale festivities, community events and multiple concerts since it kicked off last Saturday. More will be coming throughout the rest of the week for those inside and outside the VSU community, including a parade and multiple

events.

“Home coming and its traditions are a major part of the VSU experi ence,” VSU President Makola M. Abdullah said in a statement. “We have planned festivities that appeal to the various interests of all of our Trojans and we are excited to show off our many new upgrades to campus, to celebrate a victory and to welcome everyone safely back to the “Greater” at VSU.”

The event will be a unique for many new and returning VSU students, as student enrollment

has grown significantly since the last traditional homecoming was held. According to Alexis BrooksWalter, associate vice provost for enrollment management, the college, like many other HBCUs, has seen a surge in interest in recent times.

“We have seen a rise in enroll ment in the last two years, which has been a phenomenal experience,” Dr. Brooks-Walter said. “College and higher education allows stu dents, specifically a lot of minority students, to be able to attain their educational career and dream goals and so we’re very excited to be part of their pathway.”

VSU’s enrollment numbers for

Hurricane Ian closes some Florida schools indefinitely

The devastation from Hurricane Ian has left schools shuttered indefinitely in parts of Florida, leaving storm-weary families anxious for word on when and how children can get back to classrooms.

As rescue and recovery operations continue in the storm’s aftermath, several school systems in hard-hit counties in south western Florida can’t say for sure when they’ll reopen. Some schools are without power and still assessing the damage, as well as the impact on staff members who may have lost homes or can’t return to work.

Shuttered schools can worsen the hurricane’s disruption for children. Recovery from natural disasters elsewhere suggests the effects on children can be lasting, particularly in low-income communities that have a harder time bouncing back.

“In a week or two, we’ll have forgotten about Hurricane Ian. But these districts and schools and students will be struggling months and years later,” said Cassandra R. Davis, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina.

In Florida, 68 of 75 school districts are open for in-person instruction, and two more districts are expected to reopen this week, the state Department of Education said Tuesday. Among

those still closed is Sarasota, where nearly half of students qualify for free and reduced-price lunch, an indicator of poverty.

Abbie Tarr Trembley, a mother of four in

“Every

Please turn to A4

Gov. Youngkin

Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press

On “National Coffee with a Cop Day,” Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith stopped by Starbucks Coffee at 2309 W. Broad St. and chatted with community members including 10-year-old Bella Brownlee, a 6th-grader at Albert Hill Middle School. Along with her mom, Lynne Brownlee, both of North Side, Bella made a cake for the chief, which they gave to him together. Bella, an accomplished singer also belted out a few stanzas of The Wiz’s “Ease on Down The Road” for the chief and others in the Starbucks. Bella is out of school today because Richmond Public Schools is closed for Yom Kippur. Her mother captures the moment here on her cell phone.

Dr.

Regina H. Boone/ Richmond Free Press

Members of Virginia State University’s Marching Band practice music and highstepping routines that they will showcase during the school’s homecoming game this weekend. Taylor Whitehead is the interim band director for Virginia State University’s 120-member marching band, known as “The Trojan Explosion.” Drum major Juwan L. Walton, a junior from Franklin, keeps a trained eye on his fellow bandmates.

Monkeypox vaccine available to more people

The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts is expanding eligibility for the monkeypox vaccine. Anyone living with HIV or AIDS, and anyone diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in the last three months are now eligible to apply for the vaccine, official say.

The expansion is in response to the Virginia Department of Health updating its vaccine eligibility Monday to include more groups of people. RHHD is also simplifying its vaccine interest form and offering vaccine appointments to the remaining eligible individuals on its list.

“We encourage individuals in our communities to review the new eligibility and consider filling out a vaccine interest form next week if you’re newly eligible,” saic Elaine Perry, director of RHHD. “Thankfully, we’re seeing the numbers of new cases come down, but getting individuals who are likely to be exposed vaccinated can help ensure our communities are protected.”

Anyone interested in a monkeypox vaccine may visit rrhd. gov/monkeypoxvax or call (804) 205-3501 to review eligibility requirements and to complete a vaccine interest form.

Jefferson Davis Highway lives on with postal service

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

Jefferson Davis Highway no longer exists in Virginia, but the name of the president of the slavery-defending Confederacy lives on in the database of the U.S. Postal Service.

USPS continues to require that name to be used to mail let ters and packages to homes and businesses.

The self-service machines in lobbies require customers to input the Jefferson Davis Highway name to mail letters or packages to businesses and homes along the street. Mail using Richmond Highway, the new name for the stretch of U.S. 1 in South Side, can be returned to sender.

“Since many customers still address mail with the previous road name, the road name still exists in our system,” USPS spokesman Philip Bogenberger explained in an email. He pro vided no indication as to when USPS would update its address database to reflect the change.

The new Richmond Highway name went into effect in the city in December 2020. Chesterfield County’s stretch of U.S. 1 was officially changed from Jefferson Davis Highway to Route 1 in September 2021.

In January of this year, the remaining portions of Jefferson Davis Highway that were not renamed by localities became Emancipation Highway under legislation approved by the General Assembly and signed into law in 2021 by then Gov. Ralph S. Northam.

Fate of VUU sign, Confederate statue at standstill

By Jeremy M. Lazarus On hold.

That’s the status of two landmarks — Virginia Union Uni versity’s lighted logo signs that sit atop the 165-foot Vann bell tower on the campus, and the last Confederate statue still standing in the city.

The Richmond Planning Commission hit the pause button Monday on the logo signs as it considered whether to recommend City Council approve or deny a required special use permit for the lighted signs.

The commission gave VUU 60 days to get an opinion from the city’s building commissioner that the signs were properly installed in December 2019 and do not pose a safety risk of falling to the ground.

The commission could vote its recommendation at the Dec. 6 meeting. City Council already has shown strong support for keeping the signs in place.

The tower, part of the Belgian Friendship Building that serves as the school’s gym, is in a city-registered old and historic dis trict, and VUU needs the permit to keep the signs up as they are larger and brighter than allowed in such districts.

Separately, the fate of the statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road is on hold awaiting a decision from a Richmond judge.

Circuit Court Judge David E. Cheek Sr. heard arguments last week and told lawyers that he would issue a written decision within 30 days.

City Hall, which has been eager remove the statue, filed the suit to remove the statue after settlement talks with relatives broke down. The main issue is where the statue would be placed.

The city wants to donate the statue to the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, which previously was awarded ownership of other Confederate statues the city once possessed. The relatives of the general object and want to have the city put the statue, which they regard as a grave marker, in a location they select.

Maggie Walker Class of 1962 hosts final reunion

Free Press staff report

Graduates from the 1962 Class of Maggie Walker High School are preparing take their final stroll together down memory lane.

The class led by George Bennett plans to hold its 14th and final reunion Saturday, Oct. 8, at an Ashland restaurant, it has been announced.

The class began with 302 members, but has dwindled over the years to around 100. The committee planners are anticipating 65 members who are now 78 and 79 will be in attendance for this gala that is to feature dinner and the music of the Quintes sential Jazz Ensemble.

Built to serve Black students during the segregation era, the school operated from 1938 to 1979. The building is now home to a regional governor’s high school that maintains the Maggie Walker name.

Details: Jane C. Talley, (804) 314-0001.

Cityscape

Slices of life and scenes in Richmond

From shorts and tank tops to raincoats and umbrellas. Just like that, summer’s gone and the hurricane season arrives full throttle. While Richmond was fortunate to escape the wrath that Hurricane Ian recently spewed in Florida, South Caro lina and other states, we had our share of rain after several months of sunshine. A look back at the summer of 2022 includes a cyclist riding past Black Lives Matter photographs at Virginia Union University, 1500 N. Lombardy St.

Technical Center sees lack of classes

Teachers have little to do other than monitor halls

By Jeremy M. Lazarus

For decades, hundreds of Richmond high school students have been bused daily to the Technical Center on Westwood Avenue to learn everything from barbering to vehicle repair and construction trades. After those courses, students then were bused back to their schools to take regular classes.

In a move to reduce travel time for mostly juniors and seniors in career train ing, the Richmond School Board for the first time provided $1.5 million in the 2022-23 budget to cover the salaries and

expenses of hiring up to 15 teachers to provide math and science courses on the Technical Center campus.

Up to 20 new teachers are being hired to teach those subjects at the campus, according to Richmond Public Schools, and the Free Press has been told at least 11 are already on the campus.

The only problem: Most students were not assigned to take classes there, and the teachers have had little to do other than serving as hall monitors, according to three people employed at the Technical Center who spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern for retaliation.

Fourth District School Board member Jonathan Young, who spearheaded the

funding as a first step toward creating a career and technical high school, ex pressed disappointment after confirming the situation with students enrolled at the Technical Center.

He said they told him that they take vocational programs, but are not enrolled in any other classes there.

“I keep giving this administration the benefit of the doubt,” Mr. Young said. “That is becoming increasingly harder to do.”

Matthew Stanley, RPS spokesman, said the administration has “been busy with the recruitment of teachers and students into these classes and expect the classes to be much fuller in the spring semester.”

Maymont’s annual Garden Glow promises to shine brighter than before

Free Press staff report

Dramatic and colorful lighting will once again transform portions of Maymont’s gardens and historic architecture after sunset beginning next Thursday, Oct. 13, and continuing through Saturday, Nov. 6, it has been announced.

According to the park, the 5th Annual Garden Glow will be “bigger than ever” and include the illumination of the Italian Garden, the WestRock Woodland Trail and the Japanese Garden.

Artists Jeff Dobrow and Alfonso Perez Acosta are leading the development of the lighting.

As part of his work, Mr. Acosta plans to engage school-age children in painting designs on light bulbs to join his creations that will light a grove of trees. Mr. Do brow also will project a light show onto the park’s water tower by the Carriage House featuring illustrations inspired by the plants and the wildlife the grounds., and he will light up the Japanese Garden,

presented by Colesville Nursery, with abstract animation.

A fundraiser for Maymont, this year’s edition will also include expanded seat and art installation at the Glow Village on the Carriage House Lawn. Fire pits, food trucks, a bar, a shop and a shadow wall will add to the fun.

Tickets for the event are $15 per person in advance and $17 at the gate. Tickets are discounted by $5 for children 3 to 12, with reduced prices as well for Maymont members. In addition, tickets are $3 for adults with EBT or food stamp cards and free for their children.

Maymont, a 100-acre space created 132-years ago that sits next door to Byrd Park, also is recruiting volunteers to assist with the program.

Free parking will be available at the entry to Maymont, 1700 Hampton St., at The Robins Nature Center on the grounds and on nearby streets, the park stated.

Details: Maymont.org or (804) 3587166.

New authority to oversee Henrico County’s sports and entertainment venues

Free Press staff report

Henrico County is being proactive about its plans for sports tourism with its new Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority that will oversee an increasing number of public-private facilities in the county.

The new authority recently was estab lished by the Henrico County Board of Supervisors. Dennis Bickmeier was named the authority’s executive director in March after serving as president of Richmond Raceway since 2011. At the raceway, Mr. Bickmeier oversaw the 1,100-acre mo torsports and multipurpose entertainment complex that hosts two premier NASCAR race weekends and more than 200 concerts, trade and consumer shows and other events per year.

“The launch of the authority will provide a great opportunity for our team and partners to bring even more sports

and entertainment business to Henrico and the region,” Mr. Bickmeier said in a statement. “With all our current sports venues and the new facilities coming on line, as stated in our new tagline, it’s now

‘Showtime. All the Time’.”

The authority’s website – henricosea.com – is under development. Seven county staff members, with expertise in procurement, finance and general operations, are sworn in as the first members of the authority’s board of directors, according to the county. The authority currently has a full-time staff of four, including Mr. Bickmeier.

The HSEA is the result of Henrico County generating nearly $60 million in revenue in 2021 due to 160 sport tourna

ments taking place throughout the area. Current plans include opening the Henrico Sports & Events Center at Virginia Center Commons, and a 17,000-seat arena as part of the county’s GreenCity development proj ect. The GreenCity project, announced last year, is a $2.3billion project on the 204-acre former Best Products headquarters.

Henrico began tracking the economic impact of sports tourism in 2013. Events in 2021 included the USA Softball 12U Girls’ Fast Pitch Class A National Championship, the 137th USA Archery Target Nationals and U.S. Open and the 27th International Senior Softball World Championships.

The Henrico Sports & Events Center, projected to open in September 2023 at Virginia Center Commons, is being built through a partnership between the county and Rebkee Co., which is redeveloping the former mall property with housing, retail and other uses.

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Regina

Mr. Bickmeier

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Former tobacco factory may become teaching site for construction workers

member of the RVADP team, said that the plan “is a concept” and that nothing is fixed in place as yet.

Mr. Hopkins, whose companies would handle the renova tion work, said the project could be done in phases. He said that there is room for the addition of traditional programs that have not yet been included, such as cosmetology and barber ing, and for completely new programs, such as training in advanced manufacturing, robotics and computer construction and repair.

He said RVADP wants to have the construction training por tion ready by 2025 for RPS students and for adults who now take evening training courses at the Technical Center.

The demand for construction workers is already high, he added, with the projected development of the Diamond District

only anticipated to add to the existing need for workers.

Along with the training center, RVADP promises a robust plan of inclusion in all phases of the project.

The partnership’s community benefits plan contemplates that 49 percent of all spending for construction and professional ser vices will be with minority, small and women-owned businesses. That includes architecture, engineering, legal, accounting and banking, according to the community benefits plan.

One of the groups that RVADP is working with, Culture + Cuisine, would be in charge of creating a food hall and brewery that would be a minority business operation that also would include women-owned businesses.

RVADP also plans to work with Virginia Union University’s business school to create a training institute to assist entrepre neurs in developing businesses and also to provide $500,000 to launch a revolving loan program to aid such businesses to open

operations in the district.

In addition, Capstone Development, another RVADP mem ber, is to partner with Virginia Union University’s business and hospitality programs and integrate VUU students into every stage in the development and operation of a planned 180-room hotel, the plan noted.

Paid internships as well as part-time and summer jobs for students enrolled in Richmond-area technical schools and twoyear colleges also will be provided, said the developer.

Sir James Thornhill, a notable Black Richmond artist and mural creator, also has been tasked with overseeing the creation of the artwork for the Diamond District.

RVADP also plans to team with the Metropolitan Junior Baseball League and the Richmond Flying Squirrels to provide a Diamond District baseball league for children ages 5 to 8 to play T-ball and coach-pitch games.

RPS rejects Youngkin policy; curricula challenged

• If a student wants to participate in a sport or other extra curricular activities, they must, again, only participate in teams that align with the sex assigned at birth;

• The legal name and sex of a student can’t be changed even upon the written instruction of a parent or eligible student without an official legal document or court order;

• Teachers and other school officials can only refer to a student by pronouns associated with their sex assigned at birth.

This new policy reverses the former Gov. Ralph Northam-era directive created to better protect Virginia’s transgender students from discrimination.

Gov. Youngkin’s policy does not go into effect until the 30-day public comment period ends Oct. 26. Nearly 15,000 people commented in the first 24 hours following

the start of the public comment period Sept. 26.

Thousands of Virginia high school students across the com monwealth protested by walking out of their classrooms on Sept. 30. Gayle Dobbins, a physics teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School, encouraged the School Board to reject Gov. Youngkin’s policies during the public comment period of Monday’s School Board meeting.

“Outing a student at school against their will is a dangerous precedent,” he said. “Every student should feel safe and respected at school. If October is bullying prevention month, we shouldn’t allow anyone, especially the governor, to bully our students.”

A School Board decision impacting transgender students and their cisgender peers — students who identify with the gender assigned to them at birth — is the curriculum that has been used for the past two years and a subject of controversy at recent school board meetings. But after Monday’s meeting, that

curriculum is going to be more closely scrutinized to evaluate its effectiveness.

Students, current and retired teachers, parents, and commu nity leaders have offered commentary and reasons to keep and scrap the current RPS curriculum in recent weeks. At Monday’s meeting, 3rd District member Kenya Gibson introduced a motion passed by the board charging Superintendent Jason Kamras to create work groups, under the oversight of the executive director of teaching and learning and comprised of classroom teachers who use the curriculum daily.

The groups will “review the district’s language arts, math and science curricula to develop a three-year plan.” The mo tion recommended Mr. Kamras collaborate with the Richmond Education Association to identify the best teachers for the work groups, and for those names to be presented at the RPS School Board meeting Oct. 17.

Hurricane Ian closes some Florida schools indefinitely

school day?’” she said. “Every morning, I’m almost in tears.”

The hurricane damaged the roof of her house, and the fam ily lost power for three days.

She was grateful to be spared worse. But she has begun to worry about the effects on her children and their education.

Her son already repeated first grade to help him catch up from the disruptions of the COVID19 pandemic.

Online learning recently has been an option for schools

dealing with disasters from the coronavirus pandemic to hur ricanes, but researchers have said overreliance on remote education is not sustainable.

Ms. Davis has studied how Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and Hurricane Florence in 2018 impacted student learning in the southeastern U.S. She said research shows elementary stu dents continued to fall behind academically, as much as two years after a storm. But districts where parents are affluent and school budgets are healthy tend to recover more quickly.

The Virginia Department of Health also has a list of COVID19 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?

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

• Thursday, Oct. 6 & Oct. 13, 1 to 4 p.m. - Richmond Henrico Health District, 400 E. Cary St., Pfizer for ages 6 months and older, Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years old and ages 18 years and older, appointments encouraged.

• Wednesday, Oct. 12 & Oct. 19, 1 to 4 p.m. - Henrico Health District West Headquarters, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, Pfizer for ages 6 months and older, Moderna for ages 6 months to 5 years old and ages 18 years and older, appointments encouraged.

People can schedule an appointment online at vase.vdh.virginia. gov, vaccinate.virginia.gov or vax.rchd.com, or by calling (804) 2053501 or (877) VAX-IN-VA (1-877-829-4682).

VaccineFinder.org and vaccines.gov also allow people to find nearby pharmacies and clinics that offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster.

Those who are getting a booster shot should bring their vaccine card to confirm the date and type of vaccine received.

RHHD also offers at-home vaccinations by calling (804) 2053501 to schedule appointments.

New COVID-19 boosters, updated to better protect against the latest variants of the virus, are now available. The new Pfizer booster is approved for those aged 12 and up, while the new Moderna booster is for those aged 18 and older.

As with previous COVID-19 boosters, the new doses can only be received after an initial two vaccine shots, and those who qualify are instructed to wait at least two months after their second COVID-19 vaccine.

New COVID-19 cases in Virginia dropped by 16 percent during the last week, according to the Virginia Department of Health, and data from the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association showed hospitalizations statewide fell by 5 percent.

Richmond and the counties of Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover were at low levels of community COVID-19 as of last Thursday. Universal masking is now strongly encouraged for five localities in Virginia.

A total of 1,138 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide Wednesday for the 24-hour period, contributing to an overall state total of 2,093,393 cases in Virginia since the pandemic’s outbreak.

As of Wednesday, there have been 455,290 hospitalizations and 21,919 deaths statewide. The state’s seven-day positivity rate dropped to 10.5 percent on Wednesday. Last week, the positivity rate was 11.9 percent.

On Wednesday, state health officials reported that 72.7 percent of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, while 82.8 percent have received at least one dose of the vaccine.

State data also showed that nearly 4.1 million people in Virginia have received booster shots or third doses of the vaccine.

Among ages 5 to 11 in Virginia, 337,557 have received their first shots as of Wednesday, accounting for 46.6 percent of the age group in the state, while 294,893 children, or 40.7 percent, are fully vaccinated and 52,771 children have received a third vaccine dose or booster, making up 7.3 percent of that age group.

As of Wednesday, 49,477 children from the ages of zero to four have received their first doses, making up 10.9 percent of the population in Virginia, while 34,607 are fully vaccinated, or 7.6 percent of the population. As of Wednesday, fewer than 176,830 cases, 1,066 hospitalizations and 15 deaths have been recorded among children in the state.

State data also shows that African-Americans comprised 22.1 percent of cases statewide and 22.9 percent of deaths for which ethnic and racial data is available, while Latinos made up 11.2 percent of cases and 4.9 percent of deaths.

Reported COVID-19 data as of Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022 Cases Hospitalizations Deaths

Richmond 57,260 1,204 540 Henrico County 81,794 1,618 1,017 Chesterfield County 91,266 1,661 820 Hanover County 26,303 808 323

Sarasota County school of ficials say they hope to reopen schools for some of their 45,000 students on Monday. School leaders are aiming to reopen buildings in the northern part of the county, which suffered less damage compared to the schools in the south.

In the meantime, students can use online resources stu dents if they have access to the internet, Sarasota school offi cials said at a news conference. Florida’s education department did not respond to questions about its guidance to local school systems for addressing the missed school days.

Sarasota workers are ripping out and replacing carpets and drywall where water breached school buildings and discarding spoiled cafeteria food that went unrefrigerated in the days with out electricity. For now, school officials said, standing water makes some streets unsafe for students and families to navigate. School leaders are also assessing which teachers and other staff won’t be able to return to work

when schools reopen.

Two schools in the county have served as shelters for dis placed residents and will close on Friday to give workers time to clean them before reopening Monday.

Schools in the southern part of the county will take “at least another week to reopen,” Superintendent Brennan Asplen told reporters Tuesday.

Ms. Trembley has heard rumors that when schools do start back up, it will be online. She hopes that is not the case. “There’s no way that I can assist a 9-year-old with schoolwork and continue my job,” said Ms. Trembley, who works at a general contractor’s office.

After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, some students faced dis placement for a long time, up to five to six months until they were resettled, according to a study. There was a drop in test scores in that first year. “Not only do they have to move their home, but they’re even out of school for some time,” explained Bruce Sacerdote, a economist at

Dartmouth College.

Mr. Sacerdote compared regions that are harder hit by Ian to a “mini-Katrina” and said students in the places where the hurricane did the most damage will likely see severe effects in the first year, especially if they are fully displaced and must move to another town or state.

“COVID was also a really severe disruption and imposed learning losses on these kids already,” he said. “It’s a double whammy for a lot of these kids. ...

“Remote (learning) is better than nothing,” he said, “but it’s nowhere near as good as in person.”

VSU alumni, faculty and students have much to celebrate this ‘homecoming’

Continued from A1

fall 2022 haven’t been shared publicly yet, but a 40 percent increase in freshmen from last year is expected according to Dr. Brooks-Walter, and previous semesters could be cause for optimism. The college’s fall 2021 semester featured the largest year-to-year increase in enrollment in a decade, with 280 freshmen contributing to a total of 4,300 students at the time. VSU also reported a 76 percent student retention rate during that semester, its highest in 20 years.

Similar figures have been seen in other HBCUs in Virginia, with Virginia Union University reporting its highest enrollment since 2017 and its highest student retention rate during its fall 2021 semester. Hamp ton University, meanwhile, reported a 13 percent increase in student applications from 2019 to 2020.

Like other HBCUs, VSU’s good fortunes stand in sharp contrast to other colleges, where decreasing enrollment over the last decade fell further during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, U.S. News and World Report revealed that college student num bers fell by more than 600,000 countrywide, a decline that has continued into 2022. By comparison, HBCU enrollment numbers increased to 9 percent in 2020, accord ing to the National Center for Education Statistics, following decades of decline and college closures.

“When students decide to continue their education at Virginia State University, it is a testament to the idea that greater hap pens here,” said Donald E. Palm, provost and senior vice president for academic and student affairs, last year when VSU shared enrollment numbers.

“While we appreciate this accomplish ment, we will continue to be intentional in implementing more programs and strategies to ensure that our students enjoy a positive and transformative academic experience at VSU.”

When asked about potential causes for

this increase, Dr. Brooks-Walter pointed to a number of sources working together that are likely responsible. This included the efforts of the Black Lives Matter movement during the pandemic that led to large-scale and focused protests, including calls to reassess choices made by colleges, to notable alumni and athletes returning to their alma maters to celebrate the value of HBCUs or even join their staff.

She also cited the expansion of re sources like the Virginia College Afford ability Network, which is helping almost over 500 students attend VSU with free tuition, additional funding, and programs that connect colleges to high schools and former students looking to complete their degrees as major drivers of this increase for VSU.

The effects this rise in enrollment has had on VSU’s campus and the surrounding Petersburg community in just two years has been clear. While recent renovations at VSU have been touted as part of the homecoming week, Dr. Brooks-Walter said these changes reach much farther due to the larger number of students.

VSU has sought to expand its residen tial living spaces, as rising enrollment has stretched their housing capacity. The Petersburg community outside VSU’s cam pus has been a key partner in this matter, and apartments in Colonial Heights have reached out to provide living spaces. With additional state support for Petersburg com ing in the months ahead, Dr. Brooks-Walter sees this growth as a positive development for both the college, its community and their relationship.

“I think that it’s a phenomenal opportunity for the city,” Dr. Brooks-Walter said. “As we look at how the Commonwealth is pouring in to help the health, the education and the economic impact of Petersburg, VSU is center stage in most of those interactions.”

“We are closely tied with the commu nity, and so as we think about how VSU is growing, how Petersburg is growing, those are synergistic and I think we’re

gonna be able to help each other.”

The impact of increased enrollment has also extended to the courses taken and majors chosen, according to Dr. BrooksWalter. While psychology, biology, criminal justice, health and physical education remain top majors at VSU, 2022 has seen the biggest increase in computer science and engineering interest in years, with the number of freshmen in those courses nearly doubling.

As VSU is now placing greater empha sis on increasing its science, technology, engineering and mathematics scholars, and with several external partnerships at the college focused on STEM courses, this growth could pay further dividends for the college in the years to come.

Looking to the future of VSU, Dr. BrooksWalter said an additional residence hall will likely be needed for students if this growth in enrollment continues, to help maintain the college experience for students she saw as an important part of VSU life.

For the future of HBCUs in general, Dr. Brooks-Walter stressed the need for collective work and outreach to ensure they can continue to bring in new students and staff and fully support or accommodate them. She placed particular importance on HBCU funding that is equitable to the support given to other institutions, to ensure this rise in enrollment doesn’t overwhelm colleges like VSU that, as their homecoming theme highlights, seek to provide “Something Greater” for students, no matter their limits.

“We always have been doing more with less — that has been our story for the last number of years, that we have taken stu dents and been able to develop them and used the student support services to create leaders that can change the community,”

Dr. Brooks-Walter said.

“At some point, funding has got to equal ize or additional funding has got to be poured into HBCUs so that they can continue to do what they want to do, and help all the students that would like to attend.”

Gerald Herbert\The Associated Press

Boats operated by resident good Samaritans help evacuate residents who stayed behind Sunday on Pine Island, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian in Matlacha, Fla. The only bridge to the island is heavily damaged so it can only be reached by boat or air.

VCU Libraries lecture will focus on racism in health care

Free Press staff report

Journalist, author and educator Linda Villarosa will be the inaugural speaker in a new Virginia Common wealth University Libraries lecture series on social justice. Scheduled for Oct. 27, the talk will be based on Ms. Villarosa’s 2022 book, “Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation.”

“In the past two years, long-standing racial health inequity has become exposed, forcing America to grapple with issue of race and justice and to understand the origins of discrimination and its continued impact on the well-being of people and communities,” Ms. Villarosa stated in a news release.

As a journalist, Ms. Villarosa covers race, inequal ity and health as a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine. Her work has been recognized

Diversity Richmond names new executive director

Diversity Richmond announced Lacette Cross will become the organization’s new executive director, effective Oct. 17.

“We’re thrilled to name Lacette Cross our executive direc tor, to lead our talented staff and to continue the important work Diversity Richmond accomplishes in building a more inclusive and equitable region,” said Chris Moore, board chair. “Lacette possesses a truly unique combination of understanding the chal lenges we face as a community and the impactful ways that Diversity Richmond can serve the LGBTQ+ community, our families, friends and our allies.”

“Diversity Richmond has a rich legacy of being a catalyst, a voice, a place and a resource for Richmond’s LGBTQ+ com munity,” Dr. Cross said. “It is an honor to be chosen as the next executive director, and I am elated to join Diversity’s phenomenal board and staff at this pivotal moment for the organization. Together we will link arms to continue building the kind of dynamic, responsive and equitable organization our community deserves.”

Dr. Cross has more than 15 years of experience working with regional nonprofits in various positions, most recently as VA SIP strategic advisor with NEO Philanthropy. She served as interim executive director for Side-by-Side during 2021, after serving as its director of Volunteers and Outreach.

Dr. Cross earned a doctorate of ministry degree at Virginia Union University, a master’s in theology at Union Presbyterian Seminary, a master’s of divinity at VUU, and a bachelor’s in social work at Catholic University of America.

She was named an Equity + Health Fellow with the Rich mond Memorial Health Foundation and earned a Community Trustbuilding Fellowship with Initiatives of Change.

with awards from The American Medical Writers’ Association, The Arthur Ashe Institute, the New York Association of Black Journalists, the National Women’s Political Caucus and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists’ Association.

Ms. Villarosa is a professor and journalist in residence at her alma mater, The City University of New York, and also teaches reporting, writing and Black Studies at The City College of New York in Harlem. Her presenta tion in Richmond is linked to the October meeting of the Association of Research Libraries’ Leadership and Career Development Program Institute hosted by VCU Libraries.

The new Social Justice Lecture series will explore

Want to go?

When: 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27

Where: James Branch Cabell Library, Room 303, 901 Park Ave.

The lecture also can be accessed via Zoom link which is available after registration at https://www. support.vcu.edu/event/socialjustice

topics amplified by national voices regarding social justice concerns.

“We serve a diverse community of engaged stu dents, scholars, and residents,” said Irene Herold, Ph.D., dean of libraries and university librarian. “This lecture series supports our values of evolving to meet our community’s needs and embracing diversity and inclusion to foster excellence.”

The lecture is free and open to the public.

$1.45M grant to assist VSU students with child care costs

Free Press staff report

Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine have announced that Virginia State Uni versity will receive $1.45 million to assist student-parents (students who are also parents) with child care costs. The funds, which will be distributed over the next four years, will be used to offer studentparents access to affordable child care services both on and off campus.

The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to support low-income parents who are pur

suing postsecondary education, according to university officials.

“We believe that education can alter the trajectory of the lives of our students — particularly first-generation students,” said Regina Barnett-Tyler, principal investigator for the grant and VSU’s as sistant vice president of Student Success and Engagement. “To have a program that offers this assistance reaffirms our commitment to being an access and op portunity university and to providing an atmosphere conducive to learning, grow ing and transforming for all — no matter their circumstances or background.”

The targeted start date for the CCA MPIS program assistance for the spring semester is January 2023. Current VSU student-parents who are enrolled full time and who need financial support for child care should email the Department of Student Success and Engagement at dsse@vsu.edu

Virginia State University is one of four schools to receive the CCAMPIS grant funding. Other schools to receive CCAMPIS grant funding are Norfolk State University, Tidewater Community College, and Germanna Community Col lege.

Virginia Museum of History & Culture offers citizenship preparation classes

Free Press staff report

Beginning this month, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will of fer aspiring new citizens free citizenship preparation classes to help them prepare to take the U.S. citizenship test.

For eight consecutive Wednesday eve nings, from Oct. 26 to Dec. 14, museum staff will provide would-be citizens with civics and history lessons necessary to pass the citizenship examination. The

course, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. will allow participants to interact with original histori cal objects, books, maps and documents. Attendees also will receive free study materials to continue their preparation after the class ends.

In addition to the citizenship prepara tion classes, participants can find another learning resource in the museum’s travel ing exhibition, “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.” The exhibition examines the government’s founding and

the continuing story of America’s bold experiment in a “government of, by, and for the people.”

Pre-registration is recommended, but registration will be available on site for the first class. Participants should be able to read, write and speak basic English.

The Virginia Museum of History & Culture is at 428 N. Arthur Ashe Boule vard in Richmond’s Museum District. For more information visit VirginiaHistory. org/Citizenship

Dr.

Ms. Villarosa

There’s no place like a home that’s affordable

Finding affordable housing in the Richmond market is a real challenge for many.

A study of the Richmond market has found housing in 75 percent of the city is too expensive for a majority of families with household incomes below $60,000 a year, with virtually nothing left for any family with an annual income of $25,000 or less except public housing.

Essentially, housing prices have soared faster than incomes, according to the market value analysis that the Reinvestment Fund, a national lender for affordable housing, conducted earlier this year.

Richmond’s situation for lower-income households is worse than in larger cities such as Cleveland, Detroit and Pittsburgh, the fund noted.

Lower income residents in Chesterfield and Henrico counties also face a shrinking pool of affordable places to call home. Ac cording to the fund’s data, only 5 percent of Chesterfield County was affordable for families with household incomes below $42,000 a year, while only 17 percent of Henrico was affordable for families with incomes below $56,000 a year.

Still, the situation could be considered more dire in Richmond, the center of the region’s poverty, as the median household income is well below that of households in the region as a whole, the study found.

The household median income for the city is $47,220 a year, according to the Reinvestment Fund — meaning half of the households make more and half less.

That is $40,000 less a year than me dian annual household income for the Richmond region, which tops $87,000, the fund stated.

That obviously leaves a big share of city households with fewer dollars to cover rising housing costs, raising the risk of displacement of those families.

According to the fund, the bulk of the affordable housing in the city lies east of U.S. 1 in areas mostly associated with Black and Brown communities.

The fund’s study also found a family’s ability to enjoy housing choice is dictated by income and that households in Rich mond need to have incomes at or above 200 percent of the median, or $94,500 a year, to have access to all the options.

City Hall, backed by City Council, already has begun taking some steps to address the issue.

Developers of affordable apartments are being offered property tax relief. And Rich mond has set aside $20 million over two years to provide low-cost loans and even grants to support such developments.

However, these actions go only so far. We agree with 6th District City Council woman Ellen F. Robertson that this study and previous ones highlighting the dearth of affordable housing represent a challenge that must be addressed. If equity and di versity are to have real meaning then the city is called to do more to ensure that people have a place they can afford to call home.

A question of justice

In 1838, in a shameful chapter of American history, U.S. forces under Gen. Winfield Scott forced tens of thousands of Cherokee Indians – one of the “Five Civi lized Tribes” that had embraced the customs and language of white settlers – to march 1,200 miles to what was designated “Indian Terri tory” across the Missis sippi (centered in what is now Oklahoma).

Their lands were confiscat ed; their homes looted. Along what became known as the Trail of Tears, whooping cough, typhus, dysentery and starvation took a deadly toll, with an estimated one-quarter of the Cherokee people perishing along the way.

The U.S. government claimed that an 1835 agreement with Cherokee leaders – the Treaty of New Echota – provided the terms for forcibly removing the Cherokee and confiscating their land, which was in high demand by white plantation owners seek ing to expand their cotton fields. As part of the treaty, the U.S. government explicitly guaranteed

the Cherokee people a seat in the U.S. Congress.

Nearly 200 years later, that legal promise goes unfulfilled. It is far past time for the U.S. to fulfill its promise. The Cherokee Nation has designated a delegate – Kim Tee hee, an experienced leader who has worked on Capitol Hill and in the Obama administration. The treaty provision is an explicit promise

Jesse L. Jackson Sr.

only to the Cherokee nation. Yet because of the importance of hav ing a seat at the table in Congress, the National Congress ofAmerican Indians has united behind the call to fulfill the promise.

This is a question of honor. A treaty is a legal promise; breaking it is breaking the law. For the U.S., which prides itself as champion ing a “rules-based international order,” not honoring that promise is a glaring violation of our own principles.

This is a question of justice. The Trail of Tears was a brutal act of terror enforced on a proud people that, ironically, were among the Native American leaders in seek ing to make peace with the new American settlers. The injustice inflicted upon them did not end

with their arrival in what was known as “Indian Territory.” The condition of Native Americans in America continues to be appalling to this day.

From 2019 to 2021 as COVID raged across the country, the life expectancy of Native Americans plummeted from 71.8 years to 65.2, an unprecedented and stag gering decline. COVID has preyed on the most vulnerable. Native Americans had higher rates of vac cination than African Americans or Hispanics. But they suffer far higher rates of poverty, far worse access to health care, and as a direct result greater numbers of pre-existing conditions like obesity and diabetes. The result was a modern-day Trail of Tears.

Needless to say, having a del egate in Congress won’t correct that reality. But it will provide Native Americans with a voice so that their reality does not go unnoticed.

This is also a question of wisdom. At a time when zealots seek to drive America apart, to turn white people against people of color, natives against immi grants, Christians against Jews and Muslims, fulfilling the treaty promise would be an expression of simple wisdom.

We all do better when we all

Black wombs matter: ‘Aftershock’

Did you know that Black women are three or four times more likely to die from child birth complications than white women? Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL), who heads the Congressional Black Caucus Health Brain trust, said the data are more dire depend ing on where a mother lives.

In Illinois, Black women are six times as likely to die. In New York, Black women are 10 times as likely to die. And it’s not just Black women. With a signifi cant Indigenous population in Washington state, those women are eight times as likely to die as white women!

The issue of Black maternal health care is tackled in the film, “Aftershock,” which can be seen on Hulu. Produced by Tonya Lewis Lee and Paula Eiselt, the film features families directly and painfully impacted by how Black women are treated as they deliver children.

The Congressional Black Cau cus’ recent Annual Legislative Forum featured several brain trust meetings on health, including one titled, “Creating Maternal Health Care Systems that Believe and Protect Black Women.” It showed clips from “Aftershock” and in cluded panelists affected by the Black maternal health crisis.

Shawnee Benton Gibson’s daughter Shamony Makeba Gibson died from complications from childbirth only 13 days after she gave birth to her son. Although she complained of pain, shortness of breath, and more, health care providers told her these were “natural” childbirth symptoms.

Ms. Gibson was only rushed to the hospital to die when she could not move. Later, it was shown that health care provid ers ignored vital signs of her increasingly poor health. She died from medical indifference and incompetence.

Also featured in the film are Omari Maynard, Ms. Gibson’s

Julianne Malveaux

partner who is now raising two children alone, and Bruce McIntyre III, whose partner Amber Rose Isaac, died after an emergency C Section. He said her death is the result of “medical negligence” and has joined several others in shining light on this pandemic of Black maternal health.

“Aftershock” lifts the im portance of doula (pregnancy coaches and advocates) and midwives, an essential part of maternal health. It also looks at the criminalization of midwives and those who eschew traditional birthing. Some midwives have been criminally prosecuted for bringing healthy babies into the world.

The film also highlights the racist origins of the OB/GYN medical specialty. Developed by a sadist white physician, James Marion Sims, the specialty has its roots in experiments on en slaved Black women. Indeed, the lie that Black people can withstand enormous pain is rooted in enslavement and the brutal way Black women were experimented on.

Because Dr. Sims believed Black women could stand all kinds of pain, he conducted painful experiments without anesthesia. Really? Yet some medical professionals continue to laud his work, and until 2018

a statue celebrating him was part of New York’s Central Park.

His defenders say he was just a product of his times, but it is clear that he not only experimented on enslaved women that he owned but also purchased women to experiment on them. I reject the notion that Dr. Sims was a product of his times. He was a sadistic brute who denied Balck women’s very humanity.

Congresswoman Lauren Un derwood (D-Ill), the youngest member of the Congressional Black Caucus, has introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, an essential step toward eliminating the treatment Black women experience as they give birth.

Supported by more than 250 organizations, including the American Nurses Associa tion, the Association of Black Women Physicians, the Center for American Progress, the Chil dren’s Defense Fund, Families USA, the NAACP, and others, the legislation has more than 30 Congressional co-sponsors. The legislation has yet to pass the House of Representatives, and it is unlikely to pass the parsimonious Senate. People can get involved by reminding their representatives of the importance of this Momnibus Act.

Shawnee Benton Gibson, Shomany Gibson’s mom, said that if Black Lives Matter, then Black Wombs must also matter. She has turned the pain of her daughter’s death into powerful advocacy for Black maternal health. She is among the many, including Congresswomen Robin Kelly, Lauren Underwood and others who must be applauded for addressing this life-and-death issue.

The author is an economist and dean of the College of Ethnic Studies at Cal State LA.

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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.

do better. Giving the Cherokee Na tion a seat in the Congress would not only fulfill a treaty promise, but it would also symbolize that reality.

According to the provisions of the treaty, creating the promised seat in the Congress requires only a vote of the House of Repre sentatives. The delegate would be non-voting but could sit on committees and speak from the floor of Congress. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has expressed her support.

November is designated as Native American Heritage Month.

There can be few better ways to recognize it than to honor a nearly 200-year-old legal obliga tion, and create the congressional seat promised to those who were in this nation long before the Pilgrims arrived.

The writer is a civil rights leader, minister and president of the national Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

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Supreme Court welcomes the public again, and a new justice

By Jessica Gresko and Mark Sher man The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The Supreme Court began its new term Monday with a new justice on the bench, the public back in the courtroom and a spirited debate in a case that pits environmental protections against property rights.

The new member of the court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, wasted no time engaging, asking questions throughout nearly two hours of arguments in the dispute over the nation’s main anti-water pollution law, the Clean Water Act.

Justice Jackson, the court’s first Black female justice, seemed to be generally aligned with the court’s other liberal justices in favor of Justice Department arguments to preserve the authority of the federal government to regulate wet lands under the Clean Water Act against a business-backed challenge.

If Justice Jackson was eager to show she was ready to participate, several conservative justices also provided a quick reminder of the balance of power on a court where they hold a 6-3 majority.

They asked questions that were more skeptical of the regulation in a case that tests the reach of the law beyond rivers, lakes and streams.

One issue in the case is how far wet lands can be from a larger body of water and still be subject to regulation.

Justice Jackson said she wanted to know “why would Congress draw the coverage line between abutting wet lands and neighboring wetlands when the objective of the statute is to ensure

the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters?”

Under an opinion written by retired Justice Anthony Kennedy in 2006, regulators can require permits before allowing development on properties that don’t abut waterways as long as they prove a significant connection to the waterways.

Mr. Kennedy, who retired in 2018, was in the courtroom to hear some conservative justices appear to agree with the lawyer for an Idaho couple that Mr. Kennedy’s opinion was vague and unworkable.

Chief Justice John Roberts was un satisfied by Justice Department lawyer Brian Fletcher’s explanation of how to translate Mr. Kennedy’s opinion into practice.

“What does that mean?” Justice Roberts asked at one point.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch, who once was a law clerk to Mr. Kennedy, also appeared inclined to side with Chantell and Michael Sackett, who have wanted to build a home close to Priest Lake in Idaho for 16 years and won an earlier round in their legal fight at the Supreme Court.

Monday’s arguments were the first time the justices were back hearing cases since issuing a landmark ruling stripping away women’s constitutional protec tions for abortion. And for the first time in two and a half years, since the court closed in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, the public was allowed inside the courtroom, although the court is continuing to provide live audio of arguments on its website.

Because of the pandemic the court

is still closed to the public outside of arguments. And two justices wore masks in court Monday: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who has diabetes and has worn a mask in court consistently during the pandemic, and Justice Elena Kagan, who the court said tested negative for COVID-19 but had been exposed to someone with the virus.

A new stack of high-profile cas es awaits the justices in the upcoming term. Several cases the court has agreed to hear involve race or elections or

both, and the court has also agreed to hear a dispute that returns the issue of free speech and LGBTQ rights to the court.

Also hanging over the justices is some unfinished business from last term: The leak of a draft of the abortion deci sion seven weeks before it was formally announced. Chief Justice John Roberts ordered an investigation, but the court has yet to provide an update.

Justice Jackson, for her part, has been waiting for months to fully begin

her new role since being confirmed in April and sworn in when Justice Stephen Breyer retired in June

Justice Jackson’s husband, Patrick, and her parents were in the audience Monday, as were the parents of Jus tice Brett Kavanaugh, and his wife, Ashley.

Justice Jackson joins the court at a time of declining public support for the court. Polls following the court’s abortion decision have shown a sharp drop in the court’s approval rating and in people’s confidence in the court as an institution. A poll over the summer found 43 percent of Americans saying they have hardly any confidence in the court, up from 27 percent earlier in the year.

In addition to the abortion ruling, the court also expanded gun rights reined in the government’s ability to fight climate change and blocked a Biden administration effort to get workers at large companies vaccinated against COVID-19.

This term’s significant cases include a struggle over whether Ala bama must draw an additional Black majority congressional district, set for arguments Tuesday, and a controver sial Republican-led appeal that could dramatically change the way elections for Congress and the presidency are conducted by handing more power to state legislatures. There’s also the case of a Colorado website designer who says her religious beliefs prevent her working with same-sex couples on their weddings. Next month, the justices will hear a challenge to the consideration of race in college admissions.

Justices mull latest challenge to landmark voting rights law

By Mark Sherman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took up an Alabama redistricting case that could have far-reaching effects on minority voting power across the United States and seemed likely to divide the court along ideological lines.

The justices heard two hours of arguments in the latest showdown over the federal Vot ing Rights Act, with lawsuits seeking to force Alabama to create a second Black majority congressional district. About 27 percent of Alabamians are Black, but they form a majority in just one of the state’s seven congressional districts.

The court’s conservatives, in a 5-4 vote in February, blocked a lower court ruling that would have required a second Black majority district in time for the November elections. A similar ruling to create an additional Black majority district in Loui siana also was put on hold.

Conservative high court majorities have made it hard er for racial minorities to use the Voting Rights Act in ideologically divided rulings in 2013 and 2021. A ruling for Alabama in the new case could weaken a powerful tool that civil rights groups and minority voters have used to challenge racial discrimination in redistricting.

Some conservative justices seemed sympathetic to Ala bama’s arguments. “Where can the state win?” Justice Samuel Alito asked Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the Biden administration’s top Supreme Court lawyer who was arguing against Alabama.

The court’s three liberal justices pushed back strongly against Alabama’s arguments.

Justice Elena Kagan referred

to the Voting Rights Act as not only “an important statute” but “one of the great achievements of American democracy” while acknowledging that recent Supreme Court cases have cut back on the law. “Now, in recent years, the statute has fared not well in this court,” she said.

Justice Kagan told Ala bama’s lawyer, Edmund LaCour Jr.: “You’re asking us essentially to cut back substantially on our 40 years of precedent and to make this, too, extremely dif ficult to prevail on, so what’s left?”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the court’s first Hispanic justice, and Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, the court’s first Black female justice who was hearing her second day of arguments, were similarly unsympathetic to Alabama’s arguments. Jus tice Jackson said “what we all want” is for people to “spread out and live among one another and vote based on their own ... views as opposed to along racial lines” but that is not what is happening in Alabama.

Justice Alito suggested that polarized voting has more to do with ideology and is “not based on race.”

Partisan politics underlies the case. Republicans who dominate elective office in Alabama have been resistant to creating a second district with a Democratic-leaning Black majority that could send another Democrat to Congress.

Two appointees of President Donald Trump were on the three-judge panel that unani mously held that Alabama likely violated the landmark 1965 law by diluting Black voting strength.

The judges found that Ala bama has concentrated Black voters in one district, while spreading them out among the others to make it impossible for them to elect a candidate

of their choice.

Alabama’s Black population is large enough and geographi cally compact enough to create a second district, the judges found.

Alabama argues that the lower court ruling would force it to sort voters by race and the state insists it is taking a “race neutral” approach to redistricting.

That argument could reso nate with conservative justices, including Chief Justice John Roberts. He has opposed most consideration of race in voting both as a justice and in his time as a lawyer in Republican presidential administrations.

Justice Roberts said little Tuesday to telegraph his vote. Justices Clarence Thomas and Neil Gorsuch also had little or nothing to say in court, but

‘Modern-day segregationism hypocrisy’

When Thomas C. Williams was shown to be a mid-1800s slaveowner, as well as helping to set up the regulation of faculty at the University of Richmond, Mr. Williams was essentially dis avowed after the university rechristened its T.C.Williams Law School building.

In recent days there have been several editorials reporting on the student walkout to protest Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s, alleged volte-facing on school transgender policy.

The media has praised “Girl Power” for the Saudi Arabia airline completing the country’s first all-female crew flight, hailing it as em powerment for women all over.

During my time in the workforce I tried to make changes in the stereotypical challenges faced by its male “locker room” behavior, “old

girl’s club” mentality, “female domination” (mama, sister, girlfriend) environment, and ad ministration duplicity.

However, as a retiree, nowadays I won der why an eye-to-eye circle hasn’t been cre ated allowing individuals to parley instead of continuing to fan the flames of those separate corners we have nowadays that isolate for finger-pointing and blaming?

And, being of the opinion that structural renaming and statue removals are unproductive for any real changes, if society actually wants equality, diversity and inclusiveness, then why does it continue to enact its modern-day seg regationism hypocrisy?

RICK KNIGHT Henrico County

Justice Thomas in particular has voted consistently to limit the reach of anti-discrimination laws.

The outcome appears to rest with Justices Amy Coney Bar rett and Brett Kavanaugh. Their questions suggested they may be open to a more narrow win for Alabama than the broadest outcome the state is asking for, which might even allow states to dismantle existing districts where racial minorities make up more than half the voters.

Fred Schilling/U.S. Supreme Court via The Associated Press

In this image provided by the Supreme Court, from left, Associate Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Associate Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Associate Justice Elena Kagan stand in the Justices’ Conference Room on Sept. 30 prior to the formal investiture ceremony for Justice Jackson at the Supreme Court in Washington.

J. Scott Applewhite/The Associated Press

People gather as the Supreme Court begins its new term and to hear the first arguments Monday on Capitol Hill in Washington, . This session also was the first time that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson participated as the court’s first Black woman justice. And it was the first time the public was able to attend since the court closed in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

That will be the subject of much barstool, office room and social media debate in coming weeks as voters decide between Judge and the reign ing MVP, Shohei Ohtani, of the Los Angeles Angels.

If there were ever to be co-MVPs, this would be the season.

Both Judge, who answers to “All Rise,” and Ohtani. nicknamed “Sho’time,” classify as true phenoms.

Case for Judge being MVP: Judge’s quest for the Yankees’ and American League home run record and Triple Crown have been all over the news. The cable stations can’t stay away from him and his Pinstripe team mates. The “City that never sleeps” wouldn’t dare nod off when Judge comes to bat.

Case for Ohtani: Starring as a left-handed hitter and right-handed pitcher, the Japanese native is clearly a “once-in-a-century” player. He was MVP a year ago and he’s been even better this go-round. Historians must go back to Babe Ruth in early 1900s to find anything remotely comparable.

One upmanship: On Sept. 28, in Toronto, Judge blasted his 61st home run, tying the AL and Yankees’ record set by the late Roger Maris in 1961.

AL’s MVP award: Judge or Ohtani?

Among those honoring Judge after ward was Roger Maris Jr., son of the famous Yankee of same name.

On Sept. 29, in Anaheim, Ohtani (serving as pitcher/designated hitter) took a no-hitter into the eighth inning in a 4-2 win over Oakland. He finished with 10 strikeouts and, for good mea sure, had two hits of his own, stretching his hit streak to 14 games.

You make the call: As of Oct. 1, here is the evidence: Judge: batting .314 with 61 home runs, 130 runs batted in, 28 doubles, 16 stolen bases, 168 strikeouts, 108 walks.

Defensively, 272 putouts in cen ter and rightfield, six assists, zero errors. WAR (wins above replace ment) 10.5 Ohtani: batting .276 with 34 hom ers, 94 RBI, 29 doubles, six triples, 71 walks, 153 strikeouts, 11 stolen bases. WAR 9.8.

On the mound: 15-8 with 2.35

City

Losses pile up for NSU

In five setbacks, Spartans outscored by 42-11 average

Norfolk State University’s two-season losing streak has now hit eight games.

After finishing the 2021 season with three consecutive defeats, the Spartans fell to 0-5 this season following a 31-14 loss on Oct. 1 at Sacred Heart, Conn.

It’s been brutal thus far for Coach Dawson Odums’ Green ‘n’ Gold.

In the five setbacks, NSU has been outscored by an average of 42-11. Opponents have 28 touchdowns to the Spartans’ eight, and 2,265 total yards to Norfolk’s 1,323.

Next up is the MEAC opener Oct. 8 in Baltimore against Morgan State. Comparative scores don’t favor NSU.

On Sept. 17, Morgan de feated the same Sacred Heart team that blitzed NSU by 24-9 in Baltimore.

It may not help the visitors that Morgan will be celebrat ing homecoming. Morgan is the alma mater of Richmonder Willie Lanier, a member of the College and NFL Halls of Fame.

NSU’s top player so far might be Tyler Long, a 5-foot11, 222-pound linebacker from Cincinnati.

Long had 13 tackles vs. Sacred Heart and leads team for season with 29, with two sacks and an interception.

The Ohioan was secondteam All-MEAC a year ago while finishing fourth in MEAC tackling statistics.

His brother, David Long, starred at West Virginia and now plays for the NFL Ten nessee Titans.

Next:

Thomas

earned run average, 213 strikeouts in 161 innings.

Babe Ruth connection: In the Bronx, the ghosts of The Babe are still sighted. In 1927, at old Yankee Stadium, Ruth hit 60 homers in 154 games.

In 1961, again at the old stadium, Maris eclipsed Ruth in 163 games, earning an asterisk (*) in the record book. Judge, who plays same position as Ruth and Maris, will be trying to beat them both with more than 61 homers in 162 games.

Ruth was primarily a Boston pitcher from 1914 to ’19, posting a 94-46 record with 2.28 ERA. Upon going to Yankees in 1920, he turned to the outfield and hitting. His 714 career homers were most until Hank Aaron broke the mark in 1974.

“The Bambino” basically had two careers, as a pitcher and then as a hit ter. Ohtani is the only player to ever combine both tasks for an extended period.

In the beginning: Aaron James Judge is biracial. One day after birth in Sacramento, he was adopted by a white couple, Patty and Wayne Judge of Linden, Calif.

He starred in baseball, basketball and football at Linden High and then drew attention of pro baseball scouts at Fresno State. He joined the Yankees farm system in 2013 as a first-round draft choice.

In 2015, then with the Trenton Thunder, Judge saw action vs. the Richmond Flying Squirrels in Eastern League play.

Ohtani was born in Oshu, Iwate, Japan. He began playing with Nippon Ham Fighters in his county’s top pro league at age 19. He was a five-time Japanese League All-Star as a pitcher and first baseman. He also plays out field when asked.

In 2017 he signed a rich contract with the Angels and in 2018 became the AL Rookie of the Year.

Ohtani is 6-foot-4 with extraordi nary broad shoulders and thin waist on his imposing 215-pound frame.

$$$: The Angels have signed their two-way superstar to a $30 million fully guaranteed contract for 2023.

Judge rejected the Yankees’ sevenyear, $213.5 million offer earlier this year. He could become a lucrative free agent in 2023.

History book: The Yankees have had 22 MVPs over the years, most recently Alex Rodriguez in 2007. The Angels have had six MVPs, most recently Ohtani in 2021 and Mike Trout in 2014, ’16 and ’19. Ohtani is the second Japanese player to win MVP, following Seattle’s Ichiro Su zuki in 2001.

The jury is out: The MVP, along with all other individual awards, is voted on by the Baseball Writers of Association of America (BBAA).

Only regular season statistics are considered. No postseason stats enter the equation. The decision is not announced until after the World Series.

With two primetime candidates this season, Babe Ruth would probably give thumbs up to either. The Babe could see some of himself in both.

John

Thomas

Next:

Lights! Camera! It’s showtime on Lombardy Street!

Homecoming is well-timed for an exciting Virginia Union University football team that is receiving rave reviews.

Coach Alvin Parker’s Panthers are 5-0 and leading all of NCAA Division II in offense as they await CIAA rival Elizabeth City Saturday at high noon.

Even the grumpiest alumni would have a hard time finding something to complain about this fall. This is the program’s best start since the 2007 club under Coach Arrington Jones started 6-0.

Following last week’s 69-0 thrash ing of St. Augustine’s on the North Side, VUU is averaging a national best 52.8 points.

VUU is also first nationally in touchdowns with 37.

Among the many leading men is 5-foot-7 sophomore tailback Jada Byers, who leads Division II with 891 rushing yards, including 114 he rolled up against St. Aug’s. Second behind Byers is Limestone’s Tre Stewart with 768.

The New Jersey native also ranks first nationally in touchdowns with 13. He was the National Player of the Week following VUU’s seasonopening win at Valdosta State.

In

The

After upsetting Shaw, VSU eyes homecoming win

Virginia State University has mo mentum and rising star Jordan Davis on its side heading into homecoming weekend.

But will that be enough against invad ing Bowie State? Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. Saturday at Rogers Stadium.

First-year Coach Henry Frazier’s Trojans won their fourth straight game Oct. 1 with a nail-biting 28-24 decision over CIAA foe Shaw in Ettrick.

Led by triple-threat Davis, the ju nior quarterback from Woodbridge, the Trojans marched 90 yards on 10 plays in three minutes for the winning score with 12 seconds left.

Davis carried four yards for the clinch ing touchdown that keeps the Trojans very much alive for the CIAA Northern Division title.

Overall, Davis hit 16 of 31 passes for 257 yards and two TDs. He also ran nine times for 33 yards and two more TDs.

And that’s not all. Serving as punter,

Davis booted eight times for 178 yards, including one well-directed kick that came to rest on Shaw’s one-yard line.

Darius Hagans ran for 94 yards and Tylique Ray and Tayshaun Porter snagged TD passes from Davis.

With 580 yards so far, Hagans is second in CAA rushing behind Vir ginia Union’s Jada Byers.

On defense, Wil lie Drew had two interceptions, Tyrone Fisher made 14 tackles and Kymon Pope from nearby Dinwiddie had 12 tackles, including 3.5 for losses.

Bowie has won the last three CIAA titles, but a changing of the guard has occurred at the Maryland school.

Kyle Jackson is the interim replace ment coach for the ultrasuccessful

Damon Wilson, who now coaches at Morgan State.

While at Bowie, Wilson posted an over all 89-45 record and 62-12 in CIAA. The Bulldogs were 14-0 the past two seasons but have hit a snag this go-round.

Bowie comes to Rogers Stadium with a 3-2 record that includes a 17-14 loss to Shaw Sept. 17 in Raleigh. The Bulldogs have since routed CIAA lightweights Livingstone and St. Augustine’s for the past two weeks.

VSU opened this season with a loss at Lenoir-Rhyne, but has been ablaze since.

With at least five games to go, the four wins are more that it generated all last season in a lackluster 3-6 campaign.

No formal introductions will be needed Saturday among the coaches. VSU’s Frazier was a longtime head coach and assistant coach at Bowie.

Jackson and Frazier were part of the same staff at Bowie under Wilson for several seasons.

North Side confines, VUU defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg, 77-0, Livingstone 42-6 and St. Aug’s 69-0.

Elizabeth City, coached by former VUU assistant Marcus Hillard, faces long odds in Richmond. The Vikings are 1-4 and coming off a 49-14 loss to Johnson C. Smith.

VUU routed ECSU 44-14 last year in North Carolina.

Other Panthers likely to catch the eyes of alumni and friends include:

Quarterback Jahkari Grant: The graduate student from Windsor, Conn., tossed for 247 yards and four touchdowns vs. St. Aug’s before be ing relieved by Christian Reid, who passed for two more TDs.

John Jiles: The junior from Wake Forest, N.C., has 12 receptions on the season with 13 touchdowns and nearly 19 yards per catch.

Shamar Graham: The sopho more from nearby Thomas Jefferson High has been in on 36 tackles, including 3.5 behind the line of scrimmage.

Marvin Holmes: The Varina High grad has punted 13 times for a 44-yard average. That includes two fair catches and three boots inside the 20-yard line.

It’s all going VUU’s way this season.

But the season is not over and the Panthers travel to longtime nemesis Bowie State on Oct. 15. The Bulldogs will be the homecoming guests of Virginia State this week in Ettrick.

Stories by Fred Jeter

Jordan Davis

Homecoming on Lombardy Street Oct. 8: Elizabeth City at Virginia Union, noon kickoff, Lanier Field/Hovey Stadium

Tyler Long

Aaron Judge is enjoying one of the greatest and most celebrated seasons in baseball history.

But will the New York Yankees slug ger be the American League MVP?

Size matters: At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, Judge is among the tallest and heaviest non pitchers to ever play big-league baseball. Even his jersey number is big, No. 99.

VUU’s winning streak continues; conquers St. Aug 69-0

Shohei Ohtani

Don’t be surprised if both take the prize

Aaron Judge

James Haskins/Richmond Free Press

VUU’s John Jiles, left, has 12 receptions this season with 13 touchdowns and nearly 19 yards per catch.

Happenings

Personality: Janis Allen

Spotlight on the board president of Historic Jackson Ward Association

In a time of increased atten tion, discussion and potential change for Jackson Ward, Janis Allen is doing her part to make sure its history and legacy are preserved. As the newest board president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association, she is tasked with a mission that is both culturally important and deeply personal.

Ms. Allen’s family was just one of many Black families that were forced to move out of the area due to construc tion of Interstate 95 in the 1950s. The project split the district in half and was one of several initiatives that left it diminished.

Although she left the dis trict at a very young age, Ms. Allen nonetheless carried a deep connection to Jackson Ward, thanks to the memories and recollections of her fam ily. The memories formed an idea of Jackson Ward in her mind that heavily contrasted its reality.

“I grew up hearing sto ries about a place my family loved,” Ms. Allen says “The strength and pride that ran through those stories captured my attention and I wanted to live in that place. Yet it no longer existed.”

But those stories struck a chord with Ms. Allen, and when she moved back to Jackson Ward in 2011, she endeavored to not just be a great neigh bor, but an advocate for the district. Within the same year, she joined HJWA, taking on several roles that eventually led to her being elected to the board in 2015 and elected president in 2017.

With Jackson Ward sur rounded by several economic, political and redevelopment interests in Downtown Rich mond, the struggle to maintain its identity and the community’s integrity helps guide Ms. Allen’s mission and HJWA’s vision.

“Jackson Ward is more than what we know it is now,” says Ms. Allen, noting how large the district used to be. “It’s really kind of hard to sometimes even know what Jackson Ward is.”

“But we know that when we say that we need to encompass all of Jackson Ward — both sides of the bridge, that’s Jackson Ward to us.”

Currently, one of Ms. Allen’s major focuses is the Reconnect Jackson Ward Project, which is working on a redevelopment plan to connect the north and south districts split by I-95, with HJWA serving on the steering committee alongside other community stakehold ers. The effort to maintain Jackson Ward’s history and the community’s interest has proven difficult, as their ideas for true community investment in the plan conflict with zon ing laws and regulations that may not be addressed before redevelopment begins.

This struggle has been compounded by other obstacles HJWA has faced this year. This includes a shift to virtual meetings during COVID-19 and the cancellation of the annual 2nd Street Festival, which allowed them to connect with those tied to the district and the general public.

“The legacy of being from Jackson Ward is an awesome one and sometimes the ac companying responsibility can be palpable,” Ms. Allen says. “Being a part of HJWA affords me an opportunity to participate in maintaining and developing this vibrant community in a direct and meaningful way.”

Meet a leader working to maintain Jackson Ward’s legacy and community and this week’s Personality Janis Allen:

Volunteer position: President, Historic Jackson Ward As sociation.

Jackson Ward.

Education: Dana Hall School (High School) in Wellesley, Mass., bachelor’s degree in philosophy, Harvard Univer sity.

Occupation: Retired insur ance executive and freelance marketing consultant.

Family: My immediate family is a close-knit group of dear cousins, nephews and nieces including “greats” anchored by my beloved Aunt Deal, Mrs. Delia A. Coleman

The Historic Jackson Ward Association (HJWA) is: A neighborhood association committed to preserving a significant Richmond commu nity that is the largest National Landmark District associated with African-American his tory. Our intent is to continue to integrate this history into the modern-day experience.

Our vision: “Historic Jackson Ward will be the preferred place to live, work and play as a neighborhood that is safe, attractive and alive with cul tural, commercial and historic resources available to its resi dents, businesses and visitors.”

This community is home to a diverse population of residents, businesses, schools, churches, nonprofits, entrepreneurs and more. We continue to honor and promote the rich history and cultural heritage of our neighborhood while working through the complexities of gentrification.

When and why founded: The association was founded in the early 1980s, not too long after the Jackson Ward Historic Dis trict was designated a National Historic Landmark District in 1978. Reportedly, HJWA was the result of merging two other neighborhood associations –one being the Central Ward Improvement Association and the other is likely the Historic Jackson Ward Foundation.

Next year we will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the National Historic Landmark District designation. This will afford us an opportunity to revisit, celebrate and share the details of the path to the historic designation and the founding of HJWA.

Founders: The actual founders are not readily identified in the available records although the list of board officers is captured through the years, as are the names of the members. The list is so impressive and reflective of the many who have worked tirelessly on behalf of this beloved community.

The Central Ward Improve ment Association can be traced back to 1964 and was founded by Abner Clay and his wife Margaret. I know better than to begin to list other names –invariably and inadvertently I will omit someone. Yet it is imperative to note that I am standing on the shoulders of remarkable leaders.

Mission: The current mission of HJWA is to unite, protect, and advance the interests of the neighborhood and improve the quality of life in Historic Jackson Ward and the greater community.

Intentionally, this mission is broad, allowing us to attempt to address the many initia tives and projects before us.

Currently, there are close to 20 different initiatives and projects underway that impact Jackson Ward. From Reconnecting Jackson Ward and the Jackson Ward Com munity Plan, to the City Center Plan and the Fall Line Trail, to rezoning and considering the expansion of the Old and Historic District – plans are in play for the future of this community.

Why I became involved: My family is from Jackson Ward. I am third generation and moved back in 2011. As a member of the community I felt a responsibility and de sire to participate so I joined the Historic Jackson Ward Association. After being an

active member for a couple of years I was asked to run for a board seat. I was elected to the board in 2015 and was elected president in 2017.

Number one goal or project as association president: In addition to the requisite safety, infrastructure, beautification, and community engagement goals, the primary goal is to preserve the integrity of the community – especially in the face of increased development. We understand the need for more density and are not unilat erally opposed to it. What the community wants and needs is responsible development that respects its architectural and historic fabric as well as the characteristics of the Jackson Ward neighborhood. We want projects that are reasonable in height, compatible in style and materials and offer mixed use and mixed income develop ments (including home owner ship). Projects should always include /consider affordable housing including affordable home ownership Strategy for achieving goals: Continue to:

• Work with all stakeholders to achieve fair and equitable de velopment in Jackson Ward.

• Work on enhancing/encour aging community engagement so that the neighborhood’s voice is organized, amplified and heard.

• Foster alliances and col laboration.

• Continue to articulate what we want for the community and work to have these elements included and executed in the plethora of plans.

Bi ggest obstacles : Zoning codes that allow for develop ment by right that may be in conflict with what the commu nity envisions. While one of the big moves of the Richmond 300 is to rewrite the zoning codes, which may or may not address the issues, several unsupported projects will be completed and/or well underway before this is done.

When established: The roots of Jackson Ward can be traced Back to 1871. Before the Civil War the community was home to free Black people and enslaved individuals as well as European immigrants and Jewish residents. After the war the community became the hub for freed Blacks and eventu ally grew to be a city whiten a city. In its heyday, form the early 1920’s to the late 1940’s, the Ward grew to become an accomplished, thriving and enterprising African American neighborhood - a center of Black Excellence. Thanks to the lauded work done by JXN Project, the community celebrated its 150th anniver sary last year. Along with establishing a Giles B. Jackson Day – the project also installed 14 honorary signs throughout Jackson Ward in recognition of other Black Richmonders whose stories deserved to be highlighted. HJWA is currently working on at least two ad ditional honorary signs

How Historic Jackson Ward got its name: This question always leads to robust discus sion in the Community. For

as far back as I can re member (and reportedly as far back as 1901) the question has been met with one of the follow ing four answers: Col. Giles Beecher Jackson, James Jackson of the Beer Garden, President Andrew Jackson or Con federate General Thomas Stonewall Jackson.

While it is likely the Ward was named after one of the confederates (although there is still debate), the question leads to a conversation that put Giles B. Jackson front and center. In 1897, he was the first black lawyer to practice before the Supreme Court in Virginia. This is only one of his many outstanding accomplishments. Over the years, the discussions have led to the 2007 installation of an historic marker in his honor at the intersection of N. 2nd and East Clay Streets. Most recently posing this question resulted in a proclamation and celebration of Giles B. Jackson Day on April 17 2021 as part of the 150th anniversary The Jackson Ward name first appeared when Giles Jackson was in his childhood adding to the reasoning that he may not be the namesake. Yet some still believe he is because reportedly he proclaimed he was. What is undisputable is that Giles B. Jackson has an impressive resume –worthy of having a ward named after him.

Reconnect Jackson Ward project is: An effort to engage the community in the design a feasibility study for an in frastructure project in Jackson Ward. The study will form the

framework for an application for a competitive federal grant.

This project is described as a cap or lid over a section of the highway that will add green space and buildings as well as provide opportunities for art, culture and history. It will physically connect a portion of the North and South sides of Jackson Ward. Addition ally economic development will come from this effort.

The money from these grants is for infrastructure projects only. Yet we know the damage caused by these highways go way beyond infrastructure.

Project location: The project location generally extends from the Belvidere Street Bridge over I-95 to east of the North 1st Street Bridge over I-95. This encompasses portions of Jackson Ward, Gilpin Court, and surrounding neighborhoods

Upcoming events in Historic Jackson Ward: Ribbon Cut ting Ceremony at Abner Clay Park – Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.

Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia, “Forging Freedom, Justice and Equality” (now through April 2023).

Jackson Ward Plan Alternatives Workshops, Nov. 1, Calhoun Center, 436 Calhoun St.

How I start the day: I start the morning in silent prayer, grateful for another day.

Abundance, patience and fo cus are my mantras. Coffee is my fuel.

The three words that best describe me: Witty, tenacious, inquiring

Best late-night snack: Pop corn.

How I unwind: Listen to pod casts and solve Wordle.

What I continue to learn

FALL

about myself during the pandemic: Gratitude increases my fortitude.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: I sing along with country western songs wher ever I hear them. Knowing the lyrics is not a requirement.

A quote that I am most inspired by: “What you are thinking is what you are be coming.” — Mohammed Ali

At the top of my “to-do” list: To find more balance in my life and recruit more people for HJWA membership, board and leadership positions.

Favorite place in Historic Jackson Ward: The W.W. Browne House, the site of the first Black bank chartered in the United States, The True Reformers Savings Bank.

The best thing my parents ever taught me: Always strive to do my best and to behave myself. (Still working on that!)

The person who influenced me the most: My mother, Mrs. Willnette Anderson Lewis.

Saying her name brings tears to my eyes, puts a smile on my face and makes my heart swell. Her unconditional love and authentic personality shaped me. She will always be with me in spirit and I take this opportunity to continue to say “thanks.”

Book that influenced me the most: “Twenty-five years history of the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers, 1881-1905,” by William Patrick Burrell and D.E. Johnson.

Next goal: To complete my book about the life and legacy of the Rev. William Wash ington Browne and the True Reformers.

HARVESTFEST

Art

recognizes

Erin I. Kelly and Winfred Rembert are the latest win ners of the annual Art in Literature: The Mary Lynn Kotz Award, for their book “Chasing Me to My Grave: An Artist’s Memoir of the Jim Crow South.”

The book’s selection re cently was announced by the Library of virginia and the virginia Museum of Fine Arts. The book is a collaborative biography and memoir of Mr. Rembert’s life, from his part in the Civil Rights Movement to his time

Project Yoga Richmond closes its doors

Free Press staff report

After 12 years, Project Yoga Richmond is closing its doors. The nonprofit hosted its last classes in September, including the final Satur day Salutations at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Sep. 24.

This final farewell to PYR’s longest-standing signature program was led by one of the orga nization’s co-founders, Jonathan Miles.

Mr. Miles has been studying yoga and teaching classes since 2003. A beloved former teacher, Arlene Bjork, shared her belief that yoga be longed in the community, accessible to everyone that wanted it. After her passing in 2009, Mr. Miles, along with fellow students Dana Walters, Michelle Martello, Pam Cline, and Wendy War ren, took this idea as the inspiration to establish PYR as a non-profit organization.

Since 2010, PYR has worked to increase access to yoga through pay-what-you-can com

munity classes and mindfulness programs in the Greater Richmond area. Their outreach programs have included offerings such as trauma-informed yoga, yoga for recovery and specific classes for children, seniors and those with special needs. However, the past two years have proven to be a challenge.

In a statement posted to PYR’s website, the nonprofit points to the CovID-19 pandemic, declines in attendance and donations, as well as existing economic constraints, for leading to the decision to close their doors. The state ment closes with this message from the board of directors:

“Over the years, countless people have found their way to PYR and we are honored to have played a role in creating a community rooted in the practices of yoga and mindfulness. We hope that the many seeds planted by Project Yoga Richmond will continue to nourish the people of this city for years to come.”

Jonathan Miles, a co-founder of Project Yoga Richmond, conducts the final Saturday Salutations at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts on Sept. 24. Saturday Salutations was the organization’s “longest-standing” program. Although dozens of devoted yoga enthusiasts regularly attended the nonprofit’s pay-what-you can sessions, donations dropped off during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Richmond Folk Festival kicks off this weekend

Free Press staff report

Sunny, cool weather is being forecast for this weekend when one of virginia’s largest free events returns: The Richmond Folk Festival.

Up to 200,000 people could visit the 18th edition of this musical extravaganza that will run Friday, oct. 7, to Sunday, o ct. 9, with the riverfront Brown’s Island as the centerpiece.

“With six stages, this event will showcase world class entertain ment, arts, culture and food,” said Stephen Lecky, director of events for the Downtown booster group venture Richmond, which organizes the three-day affair in partnership with the National Council for the

rights activist

in prison, and was created through interviews with Ms. Kelly from 2018 to 2020 and Mr. Rembert’s art.

Mr. Rembert, who first met Ms. Kelly in 2015 as he sought help in sharing his life story with the world, died in 2021.

Both authors will be recognized on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and on Saturday, Oct. 15, during the Library of virginia’s 25th Annual Literary Awards Celebration.

Traditional Arts, City Hall, the state, the Chil dren’s Museum and major companies.

The festival, which highlights traditional music, will launch 6:30 p.m. Friday with various performers on three stages through 10 p.m.

Saturday’s programming will begin at noon and continue through 10 p.m. The festival will wind up Sunday with performances from noon to 6 p.m.

The event area will largely be closed to parking. Parking will be available at nearby decks and on streets. GRTC buses also will be running near the riverfront to provide easy access.

Details on performers and other festival offerings as well as parking and other information are available at RichmondFolkFestival.org.

Free Press staff report

Writer, educator and arts collaborator Kalela Williams is returning to Virginia as the new director of the virginia Center for the Book.

Ms. Williams most recently was director of writing for the Philadelphia organization, Mighty Writers, a nonprofit that teaches children to think clearly and to write with clarity. over the past decade, she played a key role in implementing special program initiatives such Phila delphia’s Free Library of Phila delphia, Opera Philadelphia, the Museum of the American Revolution and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Prior to her work in Phila delphia, Ms. Williams was the assistant director of the Furious Flower Poetry Center at James Madison University, and worked as an outreach admission counselor with the University of virginia.

“I am thrilled to return to Virginia, and to be a part of the transformative conversations that books open up for us all,” Ms. Williams said. “It will be exciting to engage with fellow virginians from every corner of this state through our upcoming Festival of the Book, and our center’s many other amazing offerings.”

The Virginia Center for the

Ms. Williams

Matthew Gibson, executive director of Virginia Humanities.

“The Center for the Book is home to some of Virginia Hu manities’ most cher ished and successful programs. We look forward to seeing the direction those programs take under her leadership.”

In addition to her new role, Ms. Williams’ young adult novel, “The Tangleroot Papers,” is scheduled for publication in 2024.

Virginia’s Center for the Book names new director Book, an affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, works across the Common wealth to unite com munities of readers, writers, artists and book lovers through year-round programs and partnership initiatives such as the Virginia Festival of the Book, which occurfs every year in March, as well as the yearround Shelf Life virtual event series and book arts studio located in Charlottesville’s Jef ferson School City Center.

“We’re happy to welcome Kalela back to Virginia,” said

To learn more about the Vir ginia Center for the Book, visit https://www.vabookcenter.org/

Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press

Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes Andre+Thierry

Ms. Kelly

79ers Gang

School opens for students recovering from addiction

By Holly Rodriguez

High school students in Cen tral Virginia recovering from alcohol and substance abuse now have a school designed to meet their academic, emotional and social support needs as they work toward earning a diploma.

The Chesterfield Recovery Academy, housed at the Career and Technical Center on Hull Street, is the first high school program for students recover ing from substance abuse to be established in Virginia.

Operating as part of the Chesterfield County School System, the pilot program began enrolling students Aug. 22 and classes began Sept. 8. To qualify, students must have completed a treatment program to address their addiction and be a student attending school in one of 15 divisions of Region 1.

“Students must have com pleted some sort of treatment program and be 30 days sober, whether that is Narcotics or Alcoholics Anonymous meet ings, a residential program or a therapist,” said Justin Savoy, coordinator of the school. Stu dents may then refer themselves or be referred by a parent or agency.

Mr. Savoy said students begin with a recovery plan that includes academic goals. They experience a typical school

Operating as a part of the Chesterfield County School System, the Chesterfield Recovery Academy pilot program began enrolling students Aug. 22 and classes began Sept. 8. To qualify, students must have completed a treatment program to address their addiction and be a student attending school in one of 15 divisions of Region 1: Charles City County, Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie County, Goochland County, Hanover County, Henrico County, Hopewell, New Kent County, Petersburg, Powhatan County, Prince George County, Richmond, Surry County and Sussex County. The Virginia General Assembly and Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved funding for the school in June.

therapy sessions, depending upon need and treatment plan. The school has rolling admis sions and the duration for enroll ment is one year. However, if students need longer, or recover more quickly, Mr. Savoy said, they can adjust their time in the program so they can return to the home high school district recovered and stable.

“The ultimate goal,” he said, “is to reintroduce the student to school in their home divi sion.”

Parents are encouraged to drop off and pick up students, but if they do not have trans portation, arrangements will be made to get the student to and from school each day.

“It’s an unfortunate truth that there is a need for this program in Central Virginia, and CCPS is honored and proud to provide a place where students in recovery don’t have to choose between school or sobriety,” said Dot Heffron, Chesterfield County

School Board member and vice chair of the Clover Hill District. “Locating the regional Recovery Academy in Chesterfield makes sense because of our proxim ity to several school division regional partners.”

Courses available to stu dents include English, world language, math, PE/health, science, pathway/internship, social studies, unified arts and computer science. The enroll ment goal for this year is 25 students, with space to expand to as many as 50 students.

“A successful outcome for this program will be engaged students who continue to make gains toward their educational goals while they do the difficult and important work of recovery from substance use disorder,” Ms. Heffron said.

To be considered for enroll ment, students should complete the interest form at mychester fieldschools.com/chesterfieldrecovery-academy/

DeMone

Coast Regional

Starring Cynthia F. Carter, C. Kelly Wright, and Desirée Roots!

DOUGLAS

BY DOUGLAS

Photo courtesy of Justin Savoy

Justin Savoy, coordinator for the Chesterfield Recovery Academy, said students begin with a recovery plan that includes academic goals. They experience a typical school day, with individual and group therapy sessions, depending upon need and treatment plan.

By Kathryn Post Religion News Service

Dating today can be a bit like ordering at Chipotle. The universe of dating apps makes it easier than ever to customorder a partner of your choos ing — their height, their food preferences, their religion.

A new crop of dating apps aims to target the more picky consumer — narrowing the menu by prioritizing a “main ingredient.” Want to date someone who is Mormon?

There’s an app for that. Want to date someone who is queer? Or gluten-free? Or over 50? There’s a site for that, too.

“What you’re seeing now is that the market is segmenting more and more as it becomes mainstream,” said Eric Eich mann, CEO of Spark Networks, an umbrella dating company.

“In our portfolio brand you have Silver Singles for people looking for love at a later stage in their life, we have Christian Mingle, we have Jdate, we have JSwipe too (both Jewish apps). It’s about people look ing for other people who have that same criteria as their first criteria.”

NNIVERSARY

This month, as Tinder cel ebrates its 10th anniversary, two new niche dating sites are hitting the market, joining countless other apps promising that shared beliefs and values

New dating apps — and ‘in person’ mixers — target religious and political niches

are key to long-lasting relation ships. While skeptics grimace at some brands’ gimmicky — or, in extreme cases, offensive — advertising, some specialized apps have proved successful. Sites like Muzz, for Muslim singles, boast over 7 million users.

Still, some app users say even the most selective dating site can still lead to burnout, “creepers” and catfishing.

Even before its official launch, the new site Dominion Dating has proved contro versial. Its target audience is Christian singles who believe husbands should rule over their wives, women should be homemakers and Christians should have children to exercise “dominion over the world,” per the website. Its membership application requires users to both abstain from “dressing sensually or immodestly” and submit an endorsement from “the man you are submitted to for discipleship,” all of which has solicited eye rolls aplenty from the app’s many critics.

Another ultraconservative app, The Right Stuff, is also slated to debut this month. Co-founded by former Trump administration personnel chief John McEntee, the app is ad vertised as a “dating app for the

Street Missionary Baptist Church

Right wing” and a substitute for apps that have “gone woke.”

Though The Right Stuff is more political than religious, Mr. McEntee told Religion News Service he expects most users will be Christian. He added that the idea for the invite-only app came from frustrations with existing options.

“Some of the current apps, it’s not just that the users are mean-spirited to conservatives. It’s that they make you agree to left-wing things, and it’s really in your face,” he said. “We’re

just saying, ‘Why don’t we just create our own place where we know at least that one giant filter is done for us?’”

The site is backed by bil lionaire Peter Thiel, who is in a same-sex marriage, but it does not offer dating services for LGBTQ users.

Some of today’s most popu lar dating apps, including Hinge, allow users to filter based on religion or politi cal identity, but others, like Bumble, require a premium subscription to do so.

Sharon Baptist Church

According to John Angelis, 42, a college professor and app user who lives in Virginia, users often try to get around the cost of additional filters on mainstream apps by advertising their political preferences.

“Some people now put on their profiles ‘Don’t swipe right or left if you’re a Republican or Democrat,’ whichever it is,” Mr. Angelis said. “I think politics is the No. 1 thing I see mention of in a profile. Compared to 10 to 15 years ago, I see much less religious preference stated.”

For Mr. Angelis, who occa sionally uses Bumble and a site called Christian Café, it’s faith that is non-negotiable when it comes to relationships. In his experience, Christian dating sites lead to better quality dates, even if the pool is smaller.

“(Christian Café) asks you a lot more questions about how you are actively participating in your faith, and you have to set up a profile that’s more about how did you become a Christian, how active are you in the faith, how often do you attend church.”

Michael Langlais, a profes sor at Florida State University who studies technology and relationships, noted that many contemporary dating apps cater

to surface-level connections based on profile pictures or witty catchphrases. He sus pects that religious apps are likely more effective for those seeking marriages, rather than casual dates.

“These religious apps are sort of like, let’s skip the shallow end of things and let’s go straight to values,” Mr. Langlais said. “And that can be a very powerful predictor of relationships, if you know you and this other individual share values.”

Many of the well-estab lished dating apps and sites distinguish themselves from stereotypical hookup apps like Tinder by framing themselves as tools for finding lifelong partners. Mr. Eichmann, of Spark Networks, spoke to RNS about Jdate, a 20-year-old Jew ish dating site that Eichmann says is ubiquitous in Jewish circles.

“When people think of Jdate, they realize it’s about finding a soulmate,” said Mr. Eichmann.

In addition, according to Mr. Langlais, research shows that today, the quality of relation ships formed online is similar to those formed in person, which, he notes, is a shift from what the research showed just 10 to 12 years ago. “My own research shows that people who meet on dating apps have just as much satisfaction and com mitment as those who meet in person,” he said.

St. Peter Baptist Church

Antioch Baptist Church

Images courtesy of Muzz, a Muslim dating app

Eric Eichmann, CEO of Spark Networks, an umbrella dating company recognizes the growing diversity of dating apps. “In our portfolio brand you have Silver Singles for people looking for love at a later stage in their life, we have Christian Mingle, we have Jdate, we have JSwipe too (both Jewish apps).”

Donald

By Fred Jeter

Donald “Cisco” Ross Jr., a former Arm strong High and VCU basketball standout, died Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2022. He was 74.

Mr. Ross played at Armstrong under Max E. Robinson and at VCU under coaches Ed Allen and Benny Dees.

He was extremely popular around town. At any bus stop, barber shop, department store or gym, everyone knew “Cisco” even if they weren’t sure of his full name.

While an Armstrong Wildcat, Ross helped lead his team to the finals of the National Negro Tournament in Chatta nooga, Tenn.

From Armstrong, he enrolled at Cleve land State where he played his freshman season under revered Hall of Fame Coach John McLendon.

After transferring to VCU (then called Richmond Professional Institute), the 6-foot guard scored a still-school record 55 points in

a Rams loss at Old Dominion in 1968, under Coach Allen.

A dynamic ballhandler, he averaged more than 30 points in 1967-1968 when the Rams were playing under the NAIA umbrella.

Mr. Ross

Mr. Ross also played the 1969-70 season at VCU under Coach Dees, but a back injury limited his effectiveness.

He was eligible for the 1970-71 season, under new Coach Chuck Noe, but stepped

As one of the first Black players at RPI/ VCU, Mr. Ross also was involved in recruit ing new players. He played a large role in luring Charles “Jabo” Wilkins to VCU.

star, dies

And in the spring of 1970, Mr. Ross organized a recruiting party on campus that led to the signing of Jesse Dark, Bernard Harris, Greg McDougald, Dave Edwards, Howie Robinson and Reggie Cain.

Some suggest that weekend signaled the start of “big time basketball” at VCU.

“They asked me to throw a party, so I threw a party they would never forget,” Mr. Ross told the Free Press several years ago.

Mr. Ross’ father, the late Donald Sr., was a standout at Virginia Union University where he earned All-CIAA honors. It was Donald Sr. who first earned the nickname “Cisco” (from the “Cisco Kid” TV series.)

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His son, the late Donald III, grew up in the Washington D.C., area and went on to become one of the all-time 3-point shooters at George Mason University.

Mr. Ross is survived by his wife, Annie Ross, and sister Donna Ross.

Richmond Free Press

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The People’s Paper.

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REAL PROPERTY TAX INCREASE

(Ref: Virginia Code § 58.1-3321)

The City of Richmond proposes to increase property tax levies:

Assessment Increase: Total 2023 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 13.04 percent.

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 $1.072 per $100 of assessed value. This rate will be known as the “lowered tax rate.”

Effective Rate Increase: The City of Richmond proposes to adopt one of the following tax rates per $100 of assessed value:

Tax Rate Difference from “lowered tax rate”

$1.10/$100 $0.028/$100 or 2.6%

$1.16/$100 $0.088/$100 or 8.2%

$1.20/$100 $0.128/$100 or 11.9%

This difference from the “lowered tax rate” 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.

Proposed Total Budget Increase: Based on the proposed real property tax rates of $1.10, $1.16, $1.20, and changes in other revenues, the total budget of the City of Richmond will exceed last year’s as follows:

Tax Rate Amount of Increase from Last Year

$1.10 0.52%

$1.16 4.91%

$1.20 8.52%

A public hearing on the increase will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 900 East Broad Street.

Legal Notices/Employment Opportunities

S0000237002

the parcel, and the heirs, devisees, assigns or successors in interest, if any of such person, as they may appear. Defendants.

Case No.: CL21005152-00-7 ORDER OF PUBLICATION

The object of this suit is to quiet title by adverse possession as thereto belonging, lying and being in the City of Richmond, Virginia, land designated as Parcel ID: E0110223010, commonly known as 1710 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23231, belonging to the Plaintiffs’ and Parcel ID: 011023009, commonly known as 1710 1/2 Williamsburg Road, Richmond, Virginia, 23231, belonging to Defendants.

An affidavit has been make and sworn to that the whereabouts and post office address ofJoseph Wilson, one of the heirs of Margaret W. Lotsey, deceased, is unknown, if deceased, his heirs, and further that there may be parties who are unknown that may have an interest in said property.

On consideration whereof, it is ORDERED that all parties hereinabove named, including those designated as “parties unknown” appear or on before the 10/24/22 at 9:00 am/pm, and do what is necessary to protect their interests.

I ask for this: Terry T. Hughes, Esquire Counsel for Plaintiffs 742 Cedar Lane Road Palmyra, Virginia 22963 Office: 434-589-7673 Fax: 434-589-5987

NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION SPECIAL COMMISSIONER’S SALE OF REAL ESTATE

Pursuant

CL22-136 1424 North 19th Street

E0000771016

City of Richmond v. Onthemove1, LLC, et. al. CL21-5386 1705 North 19th Street E0120283003

City of Richmond v. Valerie Brooks, et. al. CL22-1022 921 North 20th Street E0000420020

City of Richmond v. Trustees of The Temple of Judah, et. al. CL21-4340 1905 North 22nd Street E0001239003

City of Richmond v. Russell S. Lunning, et. al. CL22-1623 1409 North 31st Street E0000719014

City of Richmond v. Ruth A. Lyons, et. al. CL20-2177 901 North 36th Street E0001279001

City of Richmond v. Jerry Lewis, Jr., et. al. CL22-1625 909 North 36th Street E0001279008

City of Richmond v. Jerry Lewis, Jr., et. al. CL22-1626 2401 Alexander Avenue S0080815058

City of Richmond v. Equity Trust Company, Custodian, et. al. CL21-3341 2510 Belt Boulevard C0090480016

City of Richmond v. Marie Franstine Coone, et.al. CL22-914 201 West Brookland Park Boulevard N0000887001 City of Richmond v. 201 West Brookland Park, LLC, et. al. CL22-215 3410 Carolina Avenue N0001161006

City of Richmond v. Donald Thompson, Sr., et.al. CL22-386 2401 Clearfield Street C0080615042

City of Richmond v. Electra Properties, LLC, et. al. CL21-5069 3212 Cliff Avenue N0001140023

C0060760044

City of Richmond v. Arthur J. Collier, Jr., et. al. CL22-1132 1117 Eggleston Street W0000590039

City of Richmond v. Joseph H. Jones, et. al. CL21-4516 4008 Forest Hill Avenue S0002921010

City of Richmond v. Willie N. Haile, et. al. CL21-3347 3414 Keighly Road S0080780022

City of Richmond v. RJR Ventures, LLC, et. al. CL21-4321 1414 Lynhaven Avenue S0071229019

City of Richmond v. Dixon/ Lee Development Group, LLC, et. al. CL21-4322 1708 East Main Street E0000108032

City of Richmond v. 1708 E. Main Street Land Trust, et. al. CL21-3904 2408 Melbourne Street E0120251007

City of Richmond v. Doyen Properties, LLC, et. al. CL22-137 401 Mitchell Street N0000222014

City of Richmond v. Ronald K. Charity, et. al. CL22-121 616 South Pine Street W0000161014

City of Richmond v. Phyllis Hoyle Bailey, et. al. CL22-1668 10230 Pondera Road C0010616022

City of Richmond v. Karima Ahmad, et. al. CL21-4332 3510 East Richmond Road, Unit 3 E0001763010

City of Richmond v. Eliezer, LLC, et. al. CL22-302 3510 East Richmond Road, Unit 21 E0001763028

City of Richmond v. James W. Maris, et. al. CL22-303 3510 East Richmond Road, Unit 23 E0001763030

City of Richmond v. Elaine D. Winfree, et. al. CL21-2936 1702 Stony Run Parkway E0003307002

City of Richmond v. The Joanne Carolyn Brewer Martin Living Trust, et. al. CL22-550 1702A Stony Run Parkway E0003307008

City of Richmond v. The Joanne Carolyn Brewer Martin Living Trust, et. al. CL22-551 3216 Terminal Avenue C0090589016

City of Richmond v. Tekeisha Smith, et. al. CL22-416 1413 Vinton Street E0100197007

City of Richmond v. Roy F. Humphrey, et. al. CL18-6178

TERMS OF SALE: All sales are subject to confirmation by the Richmond Circuit Court. The purchase price will include the winning bid plus 10% of the winning bid. High bidders will pay at the time of the auction a deposit of at least 20% of the purchase price, or $5,000.00, whichever is greater. If the purchase price is under $5,000.00, high bidders will pay in full at the time of the auction. High bidders will pay the balance of the purchase price to the Special Commissioner, and deed recordation costs, by a date and in a form as stated in a settlement instruction letter. Time is of the essence. If a high bidder defaults by not making these payments in full, on time, and in the required form, the Special Commissioner will retain the deposit, and may seek other remedies to include the cost of resale or any resulting deficiency. Settlement shall occur when the Richmond Circuit Court enters an Order of Confirmation. Conveyance shall be either by a special commissioner’s deed or a special warranty deed. Real estate taxes will be adjusted as of the date of entry for the

Order of Confirmation. Properties are sold “as is” without any representations or warranties, either expressed or implied, subject to the rights of any person in possession, and to all easements, liens, covenants, defects, encumbrances, adverse claims, conditions and restrictions, whether filed or inchoate, to include any information a survey or inspection of a property may disclose. It is assumed that bidders will make a visual exterior inspection of a property within the limits of the law, determine the suitability of a property for their purposes, and otherwise perform due diligence prior to the auction.

The Special Commissioner’s acceptance of a bid shall not limit any powers vested in the City of Richmond. Additional terms may be announced at the time of sale. Individuals owing delinquent taxes to the City of Richmond, and defendants in pending delinquent tax cases, are not qualified to bid at this auction. Bidders must certify by affidavit that they do not own, directly or indirectly, any real estate with outstanding notices of violation for building, zoning or other local ordinances.

Questions may be directed to Gregory A. Lukanuski at greg.lukanuski@ rva.gov or (804) 646-7949, or to Christie Hamlin at christie. hamlin@rva.gov or (804) 6466940.

East Broad Street, Room 400

Virginia 23219

BID

October 25, 2022

2:00 p.m.

LICENSES

Play Makerz, LLC Trading as: Play Makerz LLC 1115 Hull Street Richmond, VA 23234

The above establishment is applying to the V IRGINIA A LCOHOLIC B EVERAGE C ONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a mixed beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Play Makerz LLC, owner Date notice posted at establishment: September 23, 2022

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.

Red Lagoon, LLC Trading as: Red Lagoon 617 2nd Street Richmond, VA 23219-1311

The above establishment is applying to the V IRGINIA A LCOHOLIC B EVERAGE C ONTROL (ABC) AUTHORITY for a Retail Restaurant Beer and Wine On and Off Premises Mixed Beverage license to sell or manufacture alcoholic beverages.

Jeffrey Hamlin, owner Date notice posted at establishment: September 26, 2022

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.

The University of Virginia

Library Book

RFP-UVA- UVA-00069

Thank you for your interest in applying for opportunities with The City of Richmond. To see what opportunities are available,

Richmond, Virginia

Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 2:00 pm, or as

thereafter as may be effected.

the

subject

and

City of Richmond v. Richard E. Souels, et. al. CL18-0962 2306 Concord Avenue S0080453014

City of Richmond v. Donald E. Mitchell, et. al. CL21-4432 3413 Delano Street C0090561018

City of Richmond v. Ithiel Group, LLC, et. al. CL22-290 3030 Dorset Road C0080507050

City of Richmond v. Gerald D. Wagemann, et. al. CL22-388 445 West Duval Street N0000210053

City of Richmond v. Marvin A. Robinson, Sr., et. al. CL22-291 606 Effingham Drive

City of Richmond v. James W. Maris, et. al. CL22-304 3510 East Richmond Road, Unit 27 E0001763034

City of Richmond v. James W. Maris, et. al. CL22-305 2214 Seminary Avenue N0000587013

City of Richmond v. Rodney A. Harris, et. al. CL22-1660 4024 Southampton Road C0010426010

City of Richmond v. John David Schneider, et. al. CL21-863 1710 Spotsylvania Street E0120333009

City of Richmond v. James Henry Roots, III, et. al. CL20-1651 1814 Stockton Street

Gregory A.