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Loudoun Board Questions Sheriff Over ICE Agreement
Sheriff Mike Chapman last week addressed the Board of Supervisors to dispel “misinformation” surrounding his agency’s recent agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He said the agreement formalizes a longstanding practice of the Sheriff’s Office to inquire with other agencies prior to releasing a person incarcerated at the Adult Detention Center. A formal Memorandum of Agreement was signed in late March, which prompted a community protest in front of the office’s Leesburg headquarters. “Let me explain what we do and what we don’t do when it comes to working with ICE,” Chapman said.
Virginia’s progress reducing overdose deaths is worth celebrating
Virginians have reason to feel encouraged by the latest reports from state and federal officials of the death count in the ongoing battle against fatal overdoses of fentanyl and other drugs. In April, the Virginia Department of Health Office of the Chief Medical Examiner announced that deaths from fentanyl overdoses in the commonwealth were down 44% from the previous year. They are down 46% from the worst year on record, 2021.
Williams: By punishing speech, VCU loses its moral compass
On the one-year anniversary of the storming of the VCU Gaza Solidarity Encampment by police in riot gear, more than a dozen Virginia Commonwealth University police officers converged upon the Cabell Library lawn and students were threatened with arrest for sitting on blankets. This absurd show of force on April 29 escalated what had been a low-key gathering of several dozen students commemorating the encampment — an event where participants were asked to bring blankets, schoolwork, art supplies, music and games.
Norfolk prosecutor revokes city attorney’s authority on shoplifting charges following council vote
Norfolk City Council members unanimously approved a code change this week that will let the City Attorney’s Office prosecute misdemeanor shoplifting cases, despite objections from some residents. But the change drew a swift rebuke from the city’s top prosecutor, who said he would revoke the city attorney’s authority to prosecute any misdemeanors in Circuit Court and would implement additional oversight of charges pursued in District Court.
Lynchburg midwives lead resurgence in maternity care provider options
Lynchburg has a long history of midwifery and is once again at the forefront of advocating for midwives who care for women during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Katie Page, a staff midwife at Centra Medical Group Women’s Center in Lynchburg, has been pushing for legislation to advance midwifery in Virginia and help the women for whom midwives provide care. Through her leadership role with the Virginia affiliate of the American College of Nurse-Midwives, Page was instrumental in the passage of a bill this year in the General Assembly that will bring greater equity in insurance reimbursement for all classifications of midwives.
Water regulators say Richmond’s system wasn’t set up to get accurate fluoride data
Virginia water regulators say they’ve found no evidence of public health impacts from a recent fluoride problem at Richmond’s water treatment plant. But the state is encouraging the city to issue a revised press release about the incident to make it clearer to the public that officials can’t say for certain how high the fluoride levels got.
Bowser cautions as council members look to renegotiate ‘delicate’ RFK Stadium site deal
The $1 billion in public funds attached to a new stadium at the RFK Stadium site worries detractors like D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson, as does the $1 per year rent payment that the Washington Commanders would pay. “My initial sense is that the deal is very, very, very favorable to the Commanders,” Mr. Mendelson said last week. “It’s nice to be supportive of the Commanders, but this is a taxpayer expense.” Without lawmakers like Mr. Mendelson on board, the fate of the NFL franchise’s move back to the District remains up in the air.
Plastic recycling company coming to Pittsylvania County, bringing 28 new jobs
A start-up plastic recycling company is coming to Pittsylvania County and bringing 28 new jobs, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced Tuesday morning. Green Recycle USA will invest $4.3 million to launch in an existing warehouse in Pittsylvania County, a news release reported. ... The company plans to collect industrial plastic waste and through a recycling process and convert it into raw material. That will be used to make new products to be sold to be used in things packaging materials for automotive parts, construction materials and consumer goods. “We are proud to welcome Green Recycle to the commonwealth,” Youngkin said.
Fall election will help determine the fate of constitutional amendments
Changing the Virginia Constitution is difficult by design. A proposed amendment must twice pass the General Assembly — doing so in consecutive terms — before voters decide if it will be enshrined in the commonwealth’s governing document. Lawmakers began that process in January by advancing three amendments mostly along party lines, with the Democratic majority approving measures that Republicans largely opposed. The fate of those proposals hinge on November’s election, lending greater weight to the decisions voters will make this fall.
223 Richmond taxpayers were sent inflated car tax bills
When Bill Gay received the personal property tax bill for his 2004 BMW convertible, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Last year, the 21-year-old car had been assessed at $2,350, Gay told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Monday evening. This year’s assessment? $43,793. . . . Gay is among multiple Richmond residents who own older vehicles and suddenly find themselves facing surging assessments. Some of those residents have contacted the city’s Department of Finance to have their bills adjusted. Others haven’t yet been able to get in touch with anyone who can help. But they all have one thing in common: nobody has explained to them what, exactly, led to the absurd hikes.