VaNews
November 11, 2020
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Top of the News


** Northam prefers carrot over stick in beating back rising COVID numbers in Southwest Virginia ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

As the coronavirus continues to pick up speed in Southwest Virginia, sending an increasing number of people to hospital beds or their graves, Gov. Ralph Northam said Tuesday he still prefers to persuade people to change their behavior. “Why are the numbers rising? They are rising right now because people are gathering and they are not wearing masks. And if you look where they are not wearing masks, you see the increased numbers,” Northam said during a news briefing.
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** Northam stresses Thanksgiving adjustments to prevent virus' spread ([link removed])
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By ELISHA SAUERS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

How about taking the feast outdoors? Supper with chairs spaced 6 feet apart in a well-ventilated space? A smaller gathering with just the people who live in your home — or wearing masks around people who don’t, even if they’re family? As Thanksgiving Day approaches, public health officials are asking Virginians to consider safer ways to celebrate the holiday amid the pandemic. Cases of the coronavirus are rising across the country, along with Virginia, pointing to a winter surge.
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** Virginia to increase testing as COVID-19 spread rises ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

With a growing number of reported coronavirus cases and a projected holiday surge, Virginia signed contracts with three companies to boost the state's testing capacity. The state is averaging roughly 20,000 diagnostic COVID-19 tests per day, and with the new contracts, health officials hope to boost that number to 27,000 by the end of the year.
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** From VPAP Blue waves, red wavelets ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

The partisan margin in all of Virginia's most populous localities -- even those carried by President Trump -- shifted in favor of Democrat Joe Biden compared to results in the 2016 presidential election. This Virginia map shows 'red waves' in more than three dozen rural counties, but their collective vote total was no match for the urban and suburban areas that trended blue. VPAP's analysis shows that Pittsylvania County (34,277 votes cast) was the largest locality where the partisan gap moved in Trump's favor.
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** Richmond judge Cavedo sues Gade for defamation; Senate candidate stands by comments ([link removed])
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By ANDREW CAIN, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley B. Cavedo has filed a defamation suit against Republican U.S. Senate candidate Daniel Gade, asserting that during an Oct. 3 debate at Norfolk State University Gade falsely accused him of being “a known segregationist” and a “racist judge.” The suit asserts: “Gade also stated that Cavedo had written that ‘Black people are parasites’ who would suck billions of dollars out of our economy.’ None of these statements are true.”
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** Portsmouth’s Mark Whitaker was vindicated by voters after a criminal case launched by a political foe ([link removed])
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By ANA LEY, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

The reelection of Mark Whitaker is a political comeback for a man who lost his Portsmouth City Council seat two years ago after an investigation and felony conviction he and other Black leaders have cast as motivated by racism. The probe that led to his ouster was undeniably led by a white political foe, then-sheriff Bill Watson.
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** New program will pair police officers with mental health counselors ([link removed])
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By DANIEL BERTI, Prince William Times

Gov. Ralph Northam has signed the Marcus-David Peters Act, a new law that aims to change the way that Virginia law enforcement and first responders react to people experiencing emergency mental health crises. It will require the creation of a statewide crisis response system, dubbed the mental health awareness response and community understanding services, or MARCUS Alert, that is staffed with mental health clinicians to work alongside local law enforcement when responding to mental health and substance abuse-related emergency calls.
The Full Report
51 articles, 29 publications
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** FROM VPAP
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** VPAP Visual Voter turnout set all-time Virginia mark ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Turnout for the November election -- 74.4% -- set a modern Virginia record for voter participation. In Virginia, new laws went into effect this year that allowed anyone to vote early without an excuse, and the pandemic encouraged more people to vote by mail. More than half the ballots were cast before Election Day. The Biden-Trump turnout edged out the previous record of 74.0% set when former President Obama won his first election in 2008.
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** From VPAP The electoral heft of Virginia's largest localities ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Six localities accounted for nearly half of the votes cast in Tuesday's presidential election. This "tree map" illustrates the collective clout of Fairfax County, Virginia Beach and the counties of Loudoun, Prince William, Henrico and Chesterfield -- all of which were carried by Democrat Joe Biden.
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** From VPAP Maps, Timeline of COVID-19 in Virginia ([link removed])
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The Virginia Public Access Project

Our COVID-19 dashboard makes it easy to track the latest available data for tests performed, infections, deaths and hospital capacity. There's a filter for each city and county, plus an exclusive per-capita ZIP Code map. Updated each morning around 10:30 a.m.


** EXECUTIVE BRANCH
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** Northam is stressing messaging — not mandates — to curb rising COVID-19 infections ([link removed])
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By KATE MASTERS, Virginia Mercury

Faced with the approaching holiday season and surging Virginia COVID-19 case numbers — the highest at any point during the pandemic so far — Gov. Ralph Northam reminded Virginians Tuesday about basic public health steps: hand-washing, masks and taking precautions with gatherings. “I’m not saying don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, but if you’re planning to gather with people outside of your household, think about ways to do it more safely,” he said during a news conference.
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** Northam stresses communication, adherence for Southwest Va. spike ([link removed])
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By DAVID MCGEE, Bristol Herald Courier (Metered Paywall - 15 articles a month)

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam expressed concern Tuesday that COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Southwest Virginia — a region that lacks the hospital and treatment capacity of larger cities. State and area health leaders plan to increase communication efforts to address escalating cases, Northam said during a COVID-19 media briefing with the state emergency support team.
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** Virginia is ‘ready’ to distribute COVID-19 vaccine, governor says ([link removed])
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By KATE ANDREWS, Va Business Magazine

Gov. Ralph Northam and State Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver said Tuesday that Virginia will be ready to launch a vaccination program as soon as a COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Oliver said that he is encouraged by Pfizer’s announcement this week that its COVID vaccine under testing now has a 90% effectiveness rate, and he expects either that vaccine or another being developed will be available by the end of the year.
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** Northam: Rising COVID-19 cases ‘concerning,’ but Va. ‘will be ready’ when vaccine is ([link removed])
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By RICK MASSIMO, WTOP

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday addressed a rise in COVID-19 cases across the commonwealth, encouraging signs for a vaccine and last week’s election. Northam said there were 1,435 new cases of the novel coronavirus detected Monday, continuing a daily trend upward that’s been going on for weeks.
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** Northam signs Virginia criminal justice reform bill to give defendants choice between judge or jurors for sentencing ([link removed])
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By PETER DUJARDIN, Daily Press (Metered Paywall - 1 article a month)

As legislation to reform Virginia’s jury sentencing system wended through the General Assembly in recent months, the bill’s sponsor would often say he was “guardedly optimistic” about its passage. But Sen. Joseph Morrissey, D-Richmond, always cautioned that he wouldn’t rest easy “until the ink is dry after the governor signs the bill.” He has now gotten his wish.


** GENERAL ASSEMBLY
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** Every criminal justice reform that passed in Virginia after George Floyd’s death ([link removed])
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By NED OLIVER, Virginia Mercury

Virginia lawmakers finalized a sprawling package of criminal justice reform bills this week as they gaveled out of a special legislative session that stretched nearly 12 weeks. Prompted by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis and the widespread outrage that followed, the hundreds of pages of legislation they adopted reflect years of pent-up demand for change among Democrats, who hold majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly for the first time in more than two decades.
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** State delegate, longtime lawyer Joe Lindsey appointed Norfolk judge ([link removed])
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By JONATHAN EDWARDS, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

A state lawmaker and lawyer has been appointed to be a Norfolk judge. Del. Joe Lindsey, D-Norfolk, was appointed Tuesday by Norfolk Circuit Court Chief Judge Mary Jane Hall to sit on Norfolk’s General District Court. He replaces Clark Daugherty, who retired earlier this year. Normally, delegates and state senators elect judges during the General Assembly regular session. But if a vacancy opens up on the lower district court when the General Assembly isn’t in session, judges on the higher circuit court can appoint someone to fill it.


** STATE ELECTIONS
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** Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, formally announces run for lieutenant governor ([link removed])
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By AMY FRIEDENBERGER, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Del. Sam Rasoul, D-Roanoke, formally launched his campaign for lieutenant governor Tuesday. “Virginia owes us a future that fulfills its Democratic promise, the promise for a better future for us and our children,” the Democrat says in a video announcement.
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** UVa doc to challenge Farriss in 59th ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORTS, Daily Progress (Metered Paywall - 25 articles a month)

Dr. Benjamin Moses, an anesthesiologist and critical care medicine physician at the University of Virginia, has announced his candidacy for the 59th district seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Moses, a Democrat, last week announced his campaign. Del. Matthew Fariss, R-Rustburg did not respond to emails asking if he was running in 2021.


** FEDERAL ELECTIONS
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** What caused the confusion with state election results and what comes next ([link removed])
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By MELISSA HIPOLIT, WTVR-TV

The head of Virginia's Board of Elections promised to improve the process of posting results to its website, after CBS6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth raised concerns about how the board posted results on its website. "I'm a political scientist, I want people to participate in the democratic process, I want them to have confidence in the democratic process," Holsworth said that night.
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** Chesterfield GOP files election complaint against county registrar ([link removed])
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By MARK BOWES, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Chesterfield County Republican Committee has alleged in a court complaint that Chesterfield Registrar Constance Hargrove failed to comply with statutorily mandated post-election procedures by excluding a representative of the Republican Party during a meeting Friday that considered the validity of provisional ballots. Carey Allen, vice chair of Chesterfield's GOP Committee, was present when the Provisional Ballot Meeting convened, "but was directed to leave during the consideration of provisional ballots in contravention of Va. Code 24.2-653.01," according to the complaint and motion filed Monday in Chesterfield Circuit Court that seeks the court's intervention.
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** County Republican committee and Circuit Court clerk say registrar violated state law ([link removed])
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By JIM MCCONNELL, Chesterfield Observer

Following last week’s contentious General Election that yielded Democratic wins in Chesterfield in both the presidential and congressional races, the Chesterfield County Republican Committee and the Circuit Court clerk have alleged wrongdoing on the part of the county registrar. So far, though, the only formal legal motion filed in the matter has been dismissed.
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** Gade says Trump's loss is not a conspiracy, but simply math ([link removed])
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By REGINA MOBLEY, WAVY-TV

Three hours after the polls closed in Virginia Republican Daniel Gade was feeling confident about his campaign to unseat incumbent Democrat U.S. Sen. Mark Warner. Gade was 200,000 votes ahead of Warner, who was seeking a third term. At 11:30 p.m., there was a sea change that was colored blue.
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** U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine criticizes Republicans' silence regarding Trump's post-election actions ([link removed])
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By PARKER COTTON, Danville Register & Bee

United States Sen. Tim Kaine on Tuesday called out the majority of his Republican colleagues for not doing enough to denounce President Donald Trump’s comments and actions in the days since the presidential race was called in favor of Trump’s Democratic challenger, Joe Biden, and his running mate Kamala Harris. Trump has pushed baseless claims of voter fraud since Saturday, and instead of conceding the election has planned on a series of legal procedures to try to have a portion of the vote in certain battleground states thrown out.
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** Local registrars address concerns; Williamsburg, James City, York election tallies released ([link removed])
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By ALEX PERRY, Virginia Gazette (Metered Paywall - 4 Articles per Month)

Election officials in Williamsburg, James City and York have addressed questions from voters concerned about the voting process, some of whom are seeking to make sure their votes went to the correct candidate. Dianna Moorman, director of elections for James City County, said her office has been “inundated” with calls from voters asking how they can use the Citizen Portal on the Virginia Department of Elections website to use the “My Ballot” link to see a reproduced copy of their submitted ballot for the November general election.
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** More provisional ballots submitted from Lynchburg area this election ([link removed])
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By RACHEL MAHONEY, News & Advance (Metered Paywall - 18 articles a month)

Area registrars saw a significant uptick in the number of provisional ballots submitted for the 2020 election compared to numbers from previous presidential elections. Between Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell and Nelson, a total of 123 provisional ballots were counted in the 2016 general election and 128 provisional ballots in the 2012 election. By comparison, 575 provisional ballots have been added to vote totals this year. As of Tuesday, provisional ballot totals for Campbell County didn't appear on the Virginia Department of Elections website.


** STATE GOVERNMENT
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** SCC approves fuel rate reduction in Appalachian Power bills ([link removed])
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By LAURENCE HAMMACK, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Customers of Appalachian Power Co. will soon see a slight decrease in their monthly bills. The State Corporation Commission approved a request last week from Appalachian to reduce a portion of the bill designated to pay for the fuel used to generate electricity. An average residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see a decrease of about $3.


** ECONOMY/BUSINESS
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** Owens & Minor moving out of Riverfront Plaza, adding to sublease market ([link removed])
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By JACK JACOBS, Richmond BizSense

Apparently content with its employees’ remote-work productivity, a local Fortune 500 company says it doesn’t have much use for its downtown office space anymore. Mechanicsville-based healthcare logistics firm Owens & Minor has pulled the plug on its call center at Riverfront Plaza and is now seeking tenants to sublease the space it moved into three years ago.
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** Salem VA hires 132 health care workers, looking for more ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Salem VA Health Care System on Tuesday said it has hired 132 employees since March to help care for veterans and non-veterans in Southwest Virginia. The positions include 79 nurses and nursing assistants, nine physicians and physicians assistants, and 11 psychologists.


** TRANSPORTATION
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** United adds hundreds of flights from hubs, including Dulles ([link removed])
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By JEFF CLABAUGH, WTOP

United Airlines is expecting a pickup in air travel and it is adding hundreds of new or expanded service from its hub city airports, including new or increased service from Dulles to destinations in the Caribbean, Latin America and Mexico. United expects the week of Nov. 23 to be its busiest since March because of Thanksgiving travel. It also expects many of those travelers to be last-minute bookers, with 50% of customers flying for Thanksgiving booking less than 30 days prior to departure, compared to 40% last year.


** HIGHER EDUCATION
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** U.Va. students prepare to travel home for Thanksgiving under COVID-19 guidelines ([link removed])
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By ERIN RAFFERTY, Cavalier Daily

The University is offering all students a COVID-19 test ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday this year, regardless of whether they live on- or off-Grounds. Additionally, students are asked to not return to Grounds after the break and to instead take finals at home, one of several changes the University made this year to discourage travel in the hopes of preventing the spread of COVID-19. In the latest Return to Grounds update Nov. 5, University Provost Liz Magill, Chief Operating Officer J.J. Davis and Medicine Department Chair Mitch Rosner detailed the University’s departure testing plans and other advice for students planning to return home.
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** Professors criticize Trump’s order for ‘patriotic’ education ([link removed])
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By SAGAL AHMED, Commonwealth Times

President Donald Trump’s administration is expected to come to a close in January following the election of former Vice President Joe Biden, but experts say one of the incumbent’s executive orders could leave a lasting impact on schools. The 1776 Commission, which aims to give students a “patriotic education,” went into effect on Nov. 2. The executive order states “polemics grounded in poor scholarship” have vilified the country’s founders in recent years and students are now taught anti-American history.


** CORONAVIRUS
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** Virginia COVID-19 cases rise by 1,435 from Monday ([link removed])
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By STAFF REPORT, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The Virginia Department of Health reported Tuesday that the statewide total for COVID-19 cases is 194,912 — an increase of 1,435 from the 193,477 reported Monday. The 194,912 cases consist of 178,432 confirmed cases and 16,480 probable cases. There are 3,726 COVID-19 deaths in Virginia — 3,460 confirmed and 266 probable. That’s an increase of 13 from the 3,713 reported Monday.
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** Three Va. labs selected for Initiative to expand COVID-19 testing capacity ([link removed])
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By SYDNEY LAKE, Va Business Magazine

The state Department of General Services and Virginia Department of Health awarded three Virginia laboratories contracts to participate in the state’s new OneLab Network, aimed to expand the commonwealth’s COVID-19 testing capacity, the departments announced Tuesday. The OneLab Network, established by DGS’ Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services (DCLS) and VDH, formalizes a coordinated COVID-19 laboratory testing system. Contracts have been awarded to Virginia Tech, University of Virginia Medical Center and Norfolk-based Sentara Healthcare.
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** Virginia continues to grapple with testing delays as public officials seek workarounds ([link removed])
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By MEL LEONOR, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Celeste Kelly says she had to wait 17 days to receive her COVID-19 test results, which were negative. As public activity steadily rises and the bustling fall season nears for schools and businesses, lengthy waits for COVID-19 testing continue to plague Virginia.
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** Young adults make up growing share of coronavirus cases in Virginia, but few are hospitalized ([link removed])
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By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Adults in their 20s and 30s represent a growing share of coronavirus cases in the Richmond region and the state, marking a shift in how the virus is infecting the population. At the start of October, the city of Richmond averaged four new cases a day among people ages 20 to 29. By Tuesday that number had more than tripled to 14. Henrico and Chesterfield counties have seen similar, less pronounced, trends.
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** Maryland governor adds coronavirus restrictions as cases surge across the Washington region ([link removed])
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By REBECCA TAN, ERIN COX AND PATRICIA SULLIVAN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

Maryland and its largest jurisdiction toughened pandemic-related restrictions Tuesday as the Washington region’s coronavirus caseloads set more record highs amid a national spike. Gov. Larry Hogan (R) reimposed restrictions for the first time since the start of the pandemic, saying health metrics show the state has “crossed over into the danger zone.”
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** Seven positive COVID-19 cases reported in Henrico County's elections and public works departments ([link removed])
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By JESS NOCERA, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

The day after Richmond reported positive COVID-19 cases in its elections office, Henrico County announced coronavirus outbreaks in its elections office and public works department late Tuesday afternoon. Eight employees have either tested positive for coronavirus or are experiencing symptoms within the county’s Voter Registration and Elections office and the Department of Public Works, according to a county news release. As of Tuesday, seven employees have confirmed positive tests and one is awaiting test results.
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** Three behavorial health group homes struck by virus ([link removed])
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South Boston News & Record

The novel coronavirus has made its way into three living facilities operated by Southside Behavioral Health — one in South Boston, and two in La Crosse — now that three residents and an untold number of staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Executive Director Beth Engelhorn informed county administrators in Halifax, Brunswick and Mecklenburg on Friday, Nov. 6 of the three outbreaks, which have forced the closure of Brandon House, a group home on Poplar Creek Street in South Boston.
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** VHSL pushing forward despite school divisions opting out of winter sports ([link removed])
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By GREG GIESEN, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Nothing is simple when it comes to the coronavirus. The Virginia High School League has known that since March, but there’s a new wrinkle as the league looks to restart high school sports in December. Richmond Public Schools and Arlington Public Schools announced they have decided to not play the winter sports season. However, according to the Arlington Public Schools website, the superintendent has revered his decision after receiving input from students and families and will allow all sports except wrestling and winter cheer.
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** Virginia sees more virus outbreaks in hospitals; local ER visits are rising ([link removed])
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By CATHY DYSON, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

Even though there’s finally positive news about a possible vaccine for COVID-19, reports from local and state health officials show some disturbing trends. Across Virginia, there were more virus outbreaks in hospitals during October than any other time in the eight months since the pandemic began, according to Dr. M. Norman Oliver, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health.


** VIRGINIA OTHER
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** Virginia attorney general asks court to let Northam remove Lee statue in Richmond ([link removed])
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By PATRICIA SULLIVAN, Washington Post (Metered Paywall - 3 articles a month)

A legal battle over the removal of the towering statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Richmond’s historic Monument Avenue continued Tuesday, as the Virginia attorney general asked the state’s Supreme Court to dissolve an injunction that is preventing the governor from taking down the statue. Attorney General Mark Herring (D) filed a motion seeking to vacate an injunction left in place by a circuit court judge last month.
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** Prosecutor decides to investigate Stoney monument removal contract ([link removed])
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By VERNON FREEMAN JR., WTVR-TV

Augusta County Commonwealth’s Attorney Timothy Martin has decided to investigate whether Richmond’s mayor broke any laws when his administration hired a company to remove the city’s Confederate monuments. Martin, who was appointed by a Richmond Circuit Court judge in September, will investigate a $1.8 million contract with the company NAH LLC for the removal of the Confederate monuments in July.
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** Spotsylvania School Board to gather input on whether to change name of Robert E. Lee Elementary ([link removed])
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By ADELE UPHAUS–CONNER, Free Lance-Star (Metered Paywall - 10 articles a month)

The Spotsylvania School Board will hold two events in December to gather input from the public on whether to change the name of the county’s Robert E. Lee Elementary School. The board on Monday approved holding a community forum on Dec. 2 and a public hearing on Dec. 16.
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** Arlington National Cemetery Slated To Expand By 70 Acres, With 60,000 New Burial Spaces ([link removed])
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By MATT BLITZ, DCist

Arlington National Cemetery is officially expanding — by about 50 football fields’ worth of space. On Nov. 5, the National Capital Planning Commission approved a years-old plan to expand the cemetery 70 acres to the south, an addition that will make room for more than 60,000 new burial spaces. The 639-acre cemetery will remain one contiguous piece of land, and the expansion will integrate the U.S. Air Force Memorial on Columbia Pike into the property. Without the expansion, the cemetery estimates that it would have run out of room for burials by 2043.


** LOCAL
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** Loudoun Schools Ready for Return to Classroom ([link removed])
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Loudoun Now

The Loudoun School Board on Tuesday night voted unanimously to fully implement its hybrid learning program with plans to return about half of the division’s 81,000 students to the classroom by Jan. 21. After weeks of debate and evolving staff plans, the board endorsed plans to allow about 8,300 students in grades 3-5 and seniors at the Academy of Science and the Academy of Engineering and Technology to begin hybrid classes—with two days of in-person instruction each week—starting Dec. 1.
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** Hybrid learning to begin for grades 3-5 Dec. 1, secondary students Jan. 21 ([link removed])
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By JOHN BATTISTON, Loudoun Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Loudoun County Public Schools students in grades 3 through 5 — as well as seniors at the Academies of Loudoun's Academy of Science and Academy of Engineering and Technology — will begin part-time in-person learning Dec. 1, while secondary students will enter a hybrid model Jan. 21, the Loudoun County School Board determined Tuesday night.
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** Lovejoy concedes to Tom Osina in Manassas City Council race ([link removed])
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By JILL PALERMO, Prince William Times

Incumbent Manassas City Councilman Ian Lovejoy said Tuesday he will not seek a recount of the Nov. 3 results in the city council race despite his coming just 127 votes shy of re-election to a third term. Lovejoy, a Republican, had left open the possibility of requesting a recount last week after a final count of provisional and absentee ballots on Friday showed the race eligible for a recount due to the narrow vote margin.
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** Two-thirds of Fauquier students return to in-person learning ([link removed])
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By COY FERRELL AND ROBIN EARL, Fauquier Times

Before the opening bell rang early Monday morning, students slowly trickled into Fauquier High School as their principal, Kraig Kelican, greeted them – often by name -- at the front door. “It’s gone very smoothly so far,” Kelican said between chats with students.   It looked mostly like the beginning of a “normal” school day, and in many ways it was. Buses dropped students off at the side entrance as other students arrived in ones and twos in their own cars; on their way inside they passed under a giant inflated falcon usually reserved for football games.
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** School system employees getting $1,000 bonuses ([link removed])
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By LAWRENCE EMERSON, Fauquier Now

All Fauquier County Public Schools employees will get $1,000 bonuses in December. The school board voted, 5-0, Monday night to approve the lump-sum payments for full- and part-time staff members.
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** Richmond City Council delays appointments to establish Civilian Review Board for police misconduct ([link removed])
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By ALI ROCKETT AND CHRIS SUAREZ, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Raising concerns about balance and the inclusion of a former police officer, the Richmond City Council declined to move forward with settling appointments to a new police accountability task force. As set out in an ordinance the council approved in July, the task force is intended to help establish a new civilian review board, a community panel that would be authorized to investigate allegations of police misconduct.
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** In Chesterfield, all K-12 students are back in school as teachers express disappointment ([link removed])
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By JESS NOCERA, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Several Chesterfield County teachers, parents and students gave impassioned speeches Tuesday night voicing frustration and disappointment with a school system that continues to return students to classrooms as COVID-19 cases rise. Teacher Todd Gasparello said he “felt embarrassed to consider myself an employee in our school system,” after watching the October School Board meetings where it was announced cohorts of students were going back to school.
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** With Richmond schools not playing, coaches fear players will transfer ([link removed])
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By ERIC KOLENICH, Richmond Times-Dispatch (Metered Paywall - 7 articles a month)

Some states chose to allow high school football this fall. Others, including Virginia, deemed the risk too great and opted against holding a fall season. That led three prominent football players from Hampton Roads to move to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., so they could play this fall. Across the country, students relocated from schools sitting and waiting to those resuming play.
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** Virginia Beach considering free parking for residents at the Oceanfront next summer ([link removed])
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By STACY PARKER, Virginian-Pilot (Metered Paywall - 2 articles a month)

Oceanfront business owners, shell-shocked from the economic hardship of a coronavirus summer, are cautiously expecting to rebound financially in the coming year. But it’s going to take some work — and maybe some concessions from the city.
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** Wireless internet expansion, COVID relief for Culpeper parents ([link removed])
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By ALLISON BROPHY CHAMPION, Culpeper Star Exponent (Metered Paywall - 20 articles a month)

Culpeper County appears to be taking tangible steps toward boosting internet service to thousands of unserved rural homes—within the next six to nine months. The Board of Supervisors is also refining a program to distribute one-time COVID-19 relief grants to the parents or guardians of public school students.
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** Franklin County schools look to bring students back 4 days a week ([link removed])
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By MIKE ALLEN, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

The Franklin County School Board intends for the parents who did not choose all-virtual learning to be able to send their children back to school four days a week starting Jan. 26, 2021, come COVID or high water. A lengthy, tense, passionate and at at times pointedly personal back-and-forth among the eight school board members during Monday’s board meeting culminated, after some prompting from outgoing schools Superintendent Mark Church, in a decision that passed unanimously.
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** Tazewell grants Carilion $363,000 to expand access for rural health care ([link removed])
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By LUANNE RIFE, Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

Tazewell County supervisors on Tuesday invested $363,000 in CARES Act funds to expand telemedicine and improve access to health care. Supervisors are giving the money to Carilion Clinic, which owns the hospital in the rural county in far Southwest Virginia, to use technology to bring more health care providers to their residents.


** OP-ED
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** Jones: Virginia's attorney general's office needs a civil rights division ([link removed])
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By JAY JONES, published in Roanoke Times (Metered Paywall - 5 articles a month)

As we close out a year of awakening of racial disparities that persist in our society, we must turn awareness into action. In February 2019, I spoke on the floor of the House of Delegates about the Black experience in Virginia. I identified what I call the “Two Virginias”—a Black Virginia and a White Virginia.

Jones is a member of the House of Delegates from Norfolk and a candidate for the Democratic nomination for attorney general.


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