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Emporia resident succumbs to injuries from motor vehicle crash.

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On January 23, 2024, state police investigated a single vehicle crash on Low Ground Road, south of Little Low Ground Road, Greensville County.

The crash investigation revealed that the driver of a 2005 Chevrolet Impala, 80 year-old Merle Marie Thorpe, was traveling southbound on Low Ground Road, when she crossed over into the northbound lanes of travel, and ran off the roadway. Once the vehicle ran off the road, it struck a tree stump and overturned, entrapping Thorpe.

Thorpe, the sole occupant of the vehicle, suffered serious life threatening injuries and was taken to Southern Virginia Regional Medical Center in Emporia. Thorpe was later flown to Chippenham Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.


Amy Taylor Dianis

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VisitationServices

Friday, January 26, 2024, 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

St. John Lutheran Church
1351 W. Atlantic St
Emporia, VA 23847

Friday, January 26, 2024, 11:00 AM

St. John Lutheran Church
1351 W. Atlantic St
Emporia, VA 23847


Amy Taylor Dianis
July 18, 1963 - January 22, 2024

Mrs. Amy Taylor Dianis, 60, of Emporia, passed away Monday, January 23, 2024 surrounded by her family after a short battle with bone marrow cancer. She was the daughter of the late Thomas Edward & Joan Smith Taylor. 

Amy is survived by her husband of 33 years, Walter Dianis; daughter, Morgan Dianis (John Wachsmann); son, Daniel Dianis; brother, Thomas E. “Tommy” Taylor, Jr. (Stacey), brothers in-law, George Dianis (Debbie) and Marty Dianis, and numerous beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. She loved her family more than anything in this world.

She worked at Boar’s Head Provisions in accounts payable for over 30 years where she was widely known by all she came in contact with as a great friend and friendly face. She loved making her yard beautiful and was constantly busy with a new outdoor project. She was an avid animal and horse lover, and also leaves behind her dogs Dixie and Molly and her granddogs Rudy and Loretta. She was also passionate about dog and horse rescue and was a volunteer at Village View. 

The family will receive friends Friday, January 26th at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1351 E. Atlantic St. Emporia, Virginia from 9:30-11:00 AM with a funeral service at 11:00. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. The family also welcomes friends for lunch following interment at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the VCU Massey Cancer Center: VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, Box 980214, Richmond, Virginia 23298-0214

 

 

Jackie Ray “Jack” McCaffity,

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VisitationServices

Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Owen Funeral Home
303 S. Halifax Rd
Jarratt, VA 23867

Wednesday, January 31, 2024, 2:00 PM

Owen Funeral Home
303 S. Halifax Rd
Jarratt, VA 23867


Jack McCaffity
February 16, 1954 - January 28, 2024

Mr. Jackie Ray “Jack” McCaffity, 69, of Jarratt, Virginia passed away Sunday, January 28, 2024. He was son of the late Clyde C. McCaffity and Oma B. McCaffity and he was also preceded in death by a son, James Ray “Jamie” Moore. 

Jack is survived by his wife, Kathy; sons, Joshua McCaffity (Jennifer), Justin McCaffity, Christopher Butler (Amy), Gene Butler (Amanda), Brandon Butler (Ashley) and daughter, Priscilla Butler; sister Oma “Boogie” Chamberlain (Phil); brothers, Willie E. McCaffity (Eiko) and Milton G.McCaffity (B) and (Johanna) and numerous grandchildren.

The funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, January 31 at Owen Funeral Home, 303 S. Halifax Rd in Jarratt where the family will receive friends prior to the service 12 – 2 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Jude Children” Research Hospital. 

 

 

 

 

Appreciation for Law Enforcement Officials

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By Quentin R. Johnson, Ph.D.

Communities across the country participated in National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day on January 9. Although the observance sets aside a specific day to express gratitude to law enforcement personnel, these public servants deserve recognition all year long. Law enforcement personnel are a crucial component of what is required to keep our neighborhoods safe. They are frequently a community's only full-time professional first responders. They safeguard the innocent and stand against criminal activity. They help keep the peace in times of crisis.

The impetus behind the observance arose when a controversial police shooting led to unrest in Ferguson, Missouri in 2014. In the wake of negative media attention concerning police actions, C.O.P.S. (Concerns of Police Survivors) and several other organizations dedicated to the support of law enforcement officials felt it necessary to promote positive stories. They advocated an observance dedicated to showing gratitude for police efforts and expressing an understanding of the difficulties that surround split-second decision-making processes under life-threatening stresses.

Since that time, other high-profile tragedies have exacerbated a negative stereotype of police officers in some minds. National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day serves to remind people that the nearly one million men and women serving as public safety officers in the United States routinely make personal sacrifices, exhibit courage, and take on risks in order to protect their communities.

As the need to focus on positive solutions became urgent, the Virginia Community College System asked that I chair a task force to review the law enforcement curricula offered across our community college system. Based on that work, courses have been modified to focus on the important relationships between law enforcement personnel and the communities they serve. Additionally, components have been incorporated to build students' understanding of cultural competency.

According to Dr. Alfonzo Seward, Lead Instructor in SVCC's Criminal Justice program, "The Criminal Justice program is built around core courses that provide practical knowledge, information about the causes of crime and delinquency, and an understanding of ethical issues. This combination of topics helps prepare future law enforcement members to face the challenges inherent in a career that may require them to put their lives on the line to protect others."

SVCC offers two distinct pathways for students seeking to embark on a career in law enforcement and related professions. The two-year Criminal Justice AAS program prepares students for careers in criminal justice agencies and can satisfy transfer requirements for students who plan to pursue a related four-year program.

For students seeking a shorter path to immediate employment, the Criminal Justice Certificate program can be completed in two semesters. It provides training for individuals who plan to work in settings such as police departments and correctional facilities.

Students in these programs may be eligible for tuition assistance through Virginia's G3 program, which serves residents who qualify for in-state tuition and meet low-income criteria. Approved programs fall into targeted, high-demand career areas such as public safety. More information about G3 funding can be obtained from SVCC's Student Services Department (student.services@southside.edu or 434-736-2022).

The brave men and women who choose careers in law enforcement stand on guard every day to protect our communities. The next time you see a police officer or other member of the justice community, remember to express your thanks for his or her commitment to public service.

Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.
 

Merle Marie Thorpe

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Graveside Service

Tuesday, January 30, 2024, 2:00 pm

Greensville Memorial Cemetery
1250 Skippers Road
Emporia, VA 23847


Merle Marie Thorpe
March 19, 1943 - January 23, 2024

Merle Thorpe, known as Patsy by everyone who knew her, passed away on January 23, 2024. Patsy was born on March 19, 1943, in Nash County, North Carolina, but lived in Emporia, Virginia. She was a loyal follower of Christ and loved being with her family and friends. Throughout her life she worked in the sewing and textile industry and later in security at Perdue Farms and Georgia Pacific before retiring. After retiring, she found joy attending to her flowers and her beloved pets, Princess and Montana.

Patsy is survived by her husband, Neuit H Thorpe, Jr. and her sons, Roy C Simms, Jr. (Lorie), John C Simms (Nancy), Joey L Simms (Dianna), and Neuit H Thorpe, III (Melody). She also, leaves behind her sister, Diane Ligon and her brother, Wayne W Ferguson (Sandra). Patsy will be dearly missed by her grandchildren; Dominique Nichols, Crystal Simms, Shayla Myers (Harley), Joshua Simms (Lacey Sky), Morgan Simms (Chard Phebe), Nicholas S Simms (Harley), Matthew Thorpe (MaKenzie) and Todd Thorpe (Jordan) and great-grandchildren, Jacqueline Nichols, Josline Nichols, Kinley Myers, Emerson Myers, Watson Todd Thorpe and Lillian Grace Thorpe. Patsy is also survived by her nephew, Benji Ligon and Niece Michelle Karen Mitchell (Craig) along with great niece, Georgianna Dowdy and great nephews, Tyler Ligon, Cole Ligon, and Chase Mitchell. Patsy was preceded in death by her father, Woodrow W Ferguson, her mother, Lillian Mable Slagle Ferguson Loftis, her brother, Steve R Ferguson and her sister’s husband, Lloyd “Butch” Ligon.`

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 at Greensville Memorial Cemetery starting at 2:00 PM with Pastor Troy Green officiating. Reception to follow at Calvary Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be made to www.echolsfuneralhome.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bills advance to protect state employees who access medical cannabis

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By Michael Chun, Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. -- State lawmakers have advanced bills that would allow public sector employees to use medical cannabis without losing their job. 

House Bill 149, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax, extends to state public employees rights that already exist in the private sector. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 78-20 vote.

Helmer sponsored HB 1862 three years ago, to protect patients approved for medical cannabis use. That bill "unintentionally did not protect public sector employees," Helmer said.

"The key was we left our brave first responders out of this," Helmer said. "That was never our intent and so this bill is meant to fix that."

 A cannabis product is anything from CBD up to 10 milligrams of THC per dose, the current state cap, as long as the product is produced, sold and tested through the medical cannabis program. 

 Public sector employees such as firefighters, police officers and teachers are among the groups that would be protected under Helmer's bill if they are approved to use cannabis products to treat conditions or diseases. 

Senate Bill 391, introduced by Sen. Stella Pekarsky, D-Fairfax, also offers protection to public sector employees, with the exception of law enforcement officers. The bill passed the Senate with a 30-10 vote.

Peksarsky's bill uses language that extends protection for use of cannabis oil.

Helmer's bill was amended from "cannabis oil" to "cannabis products," which he said is meant to "refer to a slew of medically recommended products that have cannabis as the basis."

Any increase in inquiries or modifications to existing policies would be absorbed within existing resources by the Department of Labor and Industry or Department of Human Resource Management, respectively, according to the bill's impact statement. 

Joe Mirabile, a representative of Virginia's Professional Firefighters, testified in support of Helmer's bill during its committee hearing.

"My members have reported that they're relying on alcohol far less, they're sleeping more at home and they're seeing other positive effects, such as reduction of joint and muscle pain without having to use opioid prescriptions," Mirabile said.

The only legal way that a person can purchase cannabis in the state is through the medical cannabis program. Approved state practitioners can issue a certification after an initial consultation. 

Dawn Adams, a nurse practitioner and former state delegate who represented the Richmond area, operates a medical cannabis practitioner clinic. Cannabis products are often used to help with PTSD, anxiety and sleep problems that are associated with the employee's role, according to Adams. 

Over-the-counter and prescription drugs, along with alcohol, can sometimes have lingering effects compared to an appropriate dose of short-acting cannabis medication, Adams said. But that has been the only option for many workers. 

"Many of these people have had to jump through a thousand hoops to even be considered to use medical cannabis," Adams said. "When in fact, it would be a pretty decent alternative to many of the health determinants that are associated with their life."

Employers would still be able to prohibit use of cannabis on the job and take action against any employee whose work is impaired because of cannabis use. The proposed bill does not make any changes to the current law in regards to federal workers.

There is no widely available rapid test to nail down the window of cannabis use to determine if an employee was impaired at work. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University are working on a THC breathalyzer to help law enforcement detect cannabis impairment, and distinguish between THC and CBD use. 

Chelsea Higgs Wise is the executive director of the advocacy group Marijuana Justice, which is focused on helping the state create an equitable recreational cannabis marketplace.

"State employees should be allowed to access cannabis in their off-work time," Higgs Wise said. 

The group supports Helmer's bill.

 "We understand the nuances that public employees are navigating and are excited to offer our support for this extension of wellness to our employees of the Commonwealth," Higgs Wise stated in the organization's letter of support to Helmer.

There are approximately 1,000 approved medical cannabis practitioners in Virginia. A total of 98,396 patients used their written certification in 2023 to receive medical cannabis through the state program, according to the managing agency Cannabis Control Authority. 

Both bills now advance to the other chamber. 

 Capital News Service is a program of Virginia Commonwealth University's Robertson School of Media and Culture. Students in the program provide state government coverage for a variety of media outlets in Virginia.

SBA Unveils Updated Equity Action Plan to Advance the Biden-Harris Administration's Commitment to Investing in Equity

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Updates Focus on Providing Access to Capital and Entrepreneurial Support Services, Creating Economic Opportunities, and Advancing our National Economy

WASHINGTON – Today,  Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden's Cabinet for America's more than 33 million small businesses and startups, announced the SBA's updated 2023 Equity Action Plan outlining actionable steps the agency will take to advance the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to investing in equity, including expanding access to capital and revenue growth opportunities; tailoring business counseling, training, and other services; and increasing access to disaster assistance for underserved communities.

"Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the face of entrepreneurship is changing as Americans from traditionally underserved and underrepresented communities start businesses at record rates," said Administrator Guzman. "The SBA's updated Equity Action Plan recognizes the tremendous value that diverse entrepreneurs bring to our economy in terms of job creation, innovation, and domestic and international competition. As America continues to enjoy an unprecedented Small Business Boom, the SBA remains determined in its efforts to boost entrepreneurship among people of color, women, veterans, and those from rural communities, and this updated Equity Action Plan is a testament to that commitment."

This Equity Action Plan aligns with the Executive Order that President Biden signed on his first day in office, requiring every federal agency to conduct comprehensive assessments of their programs, policies, and practices to ensure that they equitably serve all communities and individuals – especially those historically underserved.

The SBA identifies underserved communities as those populations and geographic communities systematically denied the opportunity to participate fully in aspects of economic, social, and civic life. Some SBA programs utilize a specific definition for underserved communities and/or disadvantaged small businesses as outlined in program statutes and regulations.

The 2023 Equity Action Plan outlines the following strategies:
 

  • Improve Access to Loan Capital by enrolling new lenders with a capacity to reach underserved markets, using SBA's simplified lending rules to increase existing lenders' participation, and proposing a new policy that encourages more lending to justice-involved entrepreneurs.
  • Improve Access to Federal Government Procurement and Contracting Opportunities by leveraging resources to support Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs) and working with federal agencies to advocate for and identify more contracting opportunities for SDBs.
  • Improve Access to Disaster Assistance by modernizing technology, streamlining the application process, and increasing support for underserved disaster survivors navigating the application process.
  • Improve Access to Business Counseling, Training, and Services by tailoring outreach, training, and educational resources to the specific needs of underserved communities.
  • Improve Access to Investment Capital by implementing new rules for the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) Program that increase diversity among participating fund managers, which can lead to more investment capital deployed to underserved entrepreneurs.

The SBA's regular engagement with the small business community and its stakeholders helped inform the Equity Action Plan. Through its nationwide network of field and program offices, the SBA communicates directly with entrepreneurs via activities such as training events, small business coaching sessions, office hour calls, and the regulation and policy notification process. SBA also gains insights from Resource Partners, small business trade associations, chambers of commerce, and other entities similarly focused on aiding small business growth.

In addition to this plan, the SBA also highlighted the updates and accomplishments of the first Equity Action Plan, which included:
 

  • Creating a new type of Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) called Community Advantage Small Business Lending Companies (CA SBLCs), which provided for the conversion of Community Advantage Pilot lenders to fully licensed CA SBLCs with permanent 7(a) lending authority.
    • From FY22 to FY23, Community Advantage lending to underserved borrowers increased by 11% by total loan count and 23% by total loan dollars.
  • Opening a new window for new applications for SBLC licenses until July 31, 2023. The new SBLCs will help target critical market gaps in SBA lending to underserved small businesses.
  • Creating the SBIC Growth and Diversification Rule, which encouraged expanded participation by a more diverse range of fund managers across the nation by establishing a new fund-of-funds license, aligning terms to fit with patient and growth strategies, enabling smaller-sized funds to receive support, and simplifying and streamlining licensing rules.
    • In FY22, SBA's efforts led to SBIC financing to women-owned, minority-owned, and veteran-owned small businesses increasing by 29%.
  • Negotiating contracting goals with all 24 Chief Financial Officers Act agencies to drive more federal dollars to SDB owners. These goals were set to meet the FY 2022 interim goal of 11% of contract awards to SDBs as a milestone toward 15% by FY25.
    • Dollars earned by SDBs increased from $62.4 billion in FY21 to a record $69.9 billion in FY22.
    • The number of federal government procurement and contracting opportunities reserved for small businesses increased from $89.5 billion in FY21 to $99.5 billion in FY22.
  • Launching the 8(a) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Pool, in partnership with the General Services Administration (GSA), to increase 8(a) Program participants' opportunities within the GSA's MAS Program.
  • Rolling out new electronic tools to identify qualified businesses and measure the health of the industrial base with the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB's) Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), including the Small Business Data HUB and GSA's Resources and Tools to Advance Equity in Procurement.
  • Enrolling more SDBs into SBA's business development and contracting programs.
    • The number of SDBs that received a government contract increased to 23,260 in FY22.
  • Maximizing application education and assistance for the 8(a) Business Development program.
    • In FY22, 542 new 8(a) firms were certified.
  • Completing the Disaster Loan Program Modifications Rule to increase the maximum allowable disaster loan amount to ensure the amount of disaster assistance is sufficient to help disaster victims complete a full recovery.
  • Implementing the Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act to increase the accessibility of disaster assistance for rural communities.
  • Leveraging the new "Whole-of-SBA Approach" to foster an extensive network of partnerships to conduct deliberate customer service campaigns earlier in the disaster response cycle and optimize recovery resource delivery.
  • Creating the SBA's new Portable Loan Outreach Center (PLOC) initiative to provide support to underserved disaster survivors who might not otherwise have access to SBA assistance.
    • In FY23, several rural areas were served by PLOCs. For example, in Mississippi, 352 business contacts had 72 successful loan applications; in Florida, 248 contacts led to 132 accepted applications.
  • Allocating nearly $45 million (32%) of funding to Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) is now associated with investments at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).
  • Selecting five new Women Business Centers (WBCs) in 2022 to be operated at established MSIs, while 60% of WBCs are located in rural communities.
  • Creating the Tribal College Small Business Achievement grant to support Native American economic development.
  • Expanding the Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC) Program by six centers (up to 28) and hosting a Military Spouse Entrepreneur Virtual Summit.
  • Hosting outreach events with various federal agencies, including the new Path to Prosperity series, that served over 3,300 attendees from mostly rural areas.
  • Signing Strategic Alliance Memorandums (SAM) with the American Jewish Committee to combat antisemitism. SAMs were also signed with the National Pan Hellenic Council to promote SBA programs and services to Black entrepreneurs and with Operation HOPE to provide financial literacy and resources for their efforts to create one million Black businesses.

Read the complete SBA Equity Action Plan here.  

Read the White House Fact Sheet on the government-wide Equity Action Plans here.

To learn more about government-wide equity efforts, click here

Virginia Legislative Black Caucus Releases Crossover Update on Criminal Justice Reform Agenda

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The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) remains in profound solidarity with the 122,500 Virginians who are actively trapped in our state's criminal justice system, nearly half of whom are Black. When slavery was abolished by the 13th Amendment, it was qualified with "except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." With that, mass incarceration was born and the criminal justice system absorbed the role of dehumanizing, abusing and punishing Black America.

Defeated Legislation:

The members of this organization are well positioned in both the House and Senate Courts of Justice Committees to block harsher penalties and punitive policies which would increase incarceration rates and sentencing lengths. The harmful, regressive policies we are pleased will not make it into state law include the reestablishment of the death penalty; increased larceny penalties including an automatic felony triggered by the third offense; expansions on the length of probation periods and the removal of limitations on the amount of jail time one can receive for probation violations; the elevation of certain drug offenses to the degree of felony homicide; and the restoration of an automatic denial of bail for certain offenses, denying those arrested the promised presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

While attempting to roll back the rights of anyone who has or will interact with the criminal justice system, our Republican counterparts are simultaneously working to strengthen the power of the Commonwealth over that of community members. Together, we defeated a list of unnecessary additional reasons for police traffic stops, which we know has historically led to the disproportionate profiling of Black drivers. Additionally, we have protected and affirmed the privacy of criminal history and juvenile justice records because no one deserves to be indefinitely punished for their worst mistake.

Repealing processes which are detrimental to Black communities in Virginia is only half of our task. As quickly as we work to dismantle the unjust criminal system, the VLBC is rebuilding it to be more efficient, empathetic and effective.

Increasing guidance and accountability for law enforcement interventions:

With a joint effort in the House and Senate to restrict the use of the widely condemned and barbaric policy of solitary confinement, SB 719, sponsored by Senator Bagby, and HB 1244, sponsored by Delegate Cole both passed in their respective chambers.

SB 546, sponsored by Senator Bagby, was unanimously passed in the Senate. The bill allows one's family member or legal guardian to be present during the process to determine whether they meet the criteria for a psychiatric temporary detention order. This act of dignity could have also been life-saving in cases such as that of 28 year old Irvo Otieno, who was killed in custody after being restrained in a Virginia Psychiatric Hospital in 2023.

SB 547, sponsored by Senator Bagby, was unanimously passed in the Senate. This requires law enforcement training for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

HB 611, sponsored by Delegate Price, passed with bipartisan support in the House. As we fight to prevent its use, we are championing this bill to increase the reporting on and transparency around deaths in custody. When any person dies under the supposed care of the Commonwealth, we are entitled to a complete investigation, analysis and active measures to prevent another death from occurring in the same way.

HB 1496, sponsored by Delegate Rasoul, passed with bipartisan support in the House. This targets and regulates law-enforcement agencies' use of surveillance, directing the Department of Criminal Justice Services to create and maintain a registry of surveillance technologies.

Expanding opportunities and pathways out of the criminal justice system:

HB 1269, sponsored by Delegate Price, passed with bipartisan support in the House and was referred to the Senate Committee on Rehabilitation and Social Services. It creates an exemption to certain "barrier crime" rules which block many in the recovery community from employment at an adult substance abuse or mental health treatment program.

SB 482, sponsored by Senator Aird, and HB 803, sponsored by Delegate Rasoul support additional record expungement of juvenile court records, for certain offenses which would be considered a felony, if committed by an adult. While the Senate version of the bill failed to pass out of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, its House counterpart passed and is on its way to the Senate.

HB 457, sponsored by Delegate Callsen, passed in the House. The bill establishes criteria for the mandatory reduction of probation periods including the defendant's participation in educational activities, maintaining employment, completing a mental health or substance abuse treatment program, and good conduct.

HB 1252, sponsored by Delegate McClure, passed in the House with some bipartisan support. Aligning with our priority of cutting back the recidivism rate and amount of people behind bars who pose no threat to public safety—the bill introduces parole revocation hearing guidelines, reviews of previous technical violations and limits on sentences after one's parole has been revoked.

In order to break down the wall between our dual justice systems—one which works for the rich and one which does not work, we are focused on eliminating the financial burden of the carceral system:

HB 824, sponsored by Delegate Cousins, passed in the House. The bill holds indigent Virginian's harmless for potential increases in court-appointed attorney fees. This will mitigate the burden of legal counsel fees for those among us who are the most financially vulnerable while promoting financial incentives for more attorneys to take court appointments, with better quality representation.

SB 514, sponsored by Senator Williams Graves, passed in the Senate. The bill reduces the fee collection period from a maximum of 60 years and minimum of 30, down to 10 years. This ensures that not every sentence is a life sentence.

SB 481, sponsored by Senator Aird, was passed in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee but failed to pass the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee. The bill would have abolished juvenile fines and fees related to the prosecution of criminal offenses.

HB 246, sponsored by Delegate Jones, passed in the House and has been referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. The bill makes the fines, penalties and other costs associated with criminal and traffic cases more transparent including updates on what the remaining balance is.

HB 614, sponsored by Delegate Price, passed in the House with some bipartisan support This proposed program to create community service work opportunities, which could be participated in during incarceration, in lieu of payment of fines and costs, is a step towards making criminal consequences more meaningful and restorative for both the incarcerated person and the Commonwealth.

Senator Williams Graves and Delegate Price, have introduced legislation in both chambers to create payment plans and deferred payment agreements for incarcerated people with fees related to their criminal case. SB 654 was passed in the Senate and HB 612 was passed in the House and has been referred to the Senate Courts of Justice Committee.

In the United States, we are leading in imprisonment with a higher rate of incarceration than all other democratic nations. In Virginia, our incarceration rate is even higher than the national average. This is a government failure. Our prisons have created a cycle of abuse, which we must end by reducing unnecessary incarceration:

SB 643, sponsored by Senator Aird, passed out of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee but failed to pass through the Senate. This legislation would create an exemption for willfully failing to appear in judicial proceedings while one is in the custody of law enforcement. Currently, the person in custody would be facing a Class 1 misdemeanor or Class 6 felony even though the ability to appear on time is widely out of their control. For deterrence laws to be effective, they must target those with the power to change the desired outcome.

HB 455, sponsored by Delegate Callsen, passed in the House. This will cut down on unnecessary prison time, due to legal technicalities, by reducing the offense for possession of an item containing less than one gram of a controlled substance from a Class 5 felony to a Class 1 misdemeanor.

HB 179, sponsored by Delegate Gardner, was passed in the House Appropriations Committee but failed to pass through the House. Through eliminating mandatory consecutive sentences of imprisonment, this bill would mitigate needlessly long sentences and allow the court's approach to any individual to be more holistic.

HB 452, sponsored by Delegate Callsen, passed unanimously in the House. The benefits of the first offender drug program have already been demonstrated in Virginia and we plan to expand them to anyone convicted of an offense related to misdemeanor possession of marijuana. This allows individuals to avoid a conviction or criminal record by satisfying certain probationary terms.

HB 834, sponsored by Delegate Cousins, failed to pass in the House Appropriations Committee. Even if they meet all other criteria, someone who has been transferred out of jail and into state prison cannot petition for the modification of their sentence. By creating a pathway for this, we will simply be elevating them to the same level of due process given to all other citizens.

SB 144, sponsored by Senator Carroll Foy, passed in the Senate. This bill would ensure that those charged with a felony have a right to preliminary hearing—which we are all entitled to under the law. However, prosecutors have exploited a loophole which has rendered this right meaningless on a technicality by dropping charges in District Courts and recharging individuals in Circuit Courts.


Bills to cap rent increases don't advance this session

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Delegate's third effort to stabilize state's rent problem continued to next year 

By Thailon Wilson, Capital News Service

RICHMOND, Va. -- State lawmakers did not advance legislation this session that aimed to slow rising rent prices, although affordable housing remains a big concern for constituents. 

Two proposed bills would have allowed localities to adopt anti-rent gouging provisions, prevent landlords from increasing rent without at least two-month notice, and set an annual allowance between 7-15% for rent increases. 

Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, introduced Senate Bill 366, which is dead after it was defeated in committee. 

Del. Nadarius Clark, D-Suffolk, introduced House Bill 721, which was continued to 2025. Committee members raised concerns over potential problems and wanted to see some research, possibly from the Virginia Housing Commission. One member suggested a possible pilot program.

This was the third year that Clark attempted to pass some type of rent stabilization bill. The others were tabled or passed by indefinitely. The fact that the bill was not struck down shows growing support, Clark said.

"It does show that the General Assembly is ready to have conversations," Clark said. "I'm happy that the chair of that committee and the members of that committee is willing to work with me throughout this year to bring stakeholders together, to bring work groups together."

Clark represents constituents in the Hampton Roads area where 53.5% of residents spend 30% or more of their income on rent, according to a Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report. In the Richmond and Charlottesville areas, 52% of renters spend 30% of their income on rent.

That is on par with, and in some cases greater, than major metropolitan areas around the country, according to the report. 

"This year, we're focused on rent gouging because we see throughout our commonwealth that rent has been going up in certain places 20, 30, 40, 50% and even higher in some places," Clark said. "We see that these are predatory tactics that some developers and landowners and leasing people are using." 

Clark's bill advanced from the Counties, Cities and Towns committee on a bipartisan vote. It was then referred to the Courts of Justice Civil subcommittee. 

There was testimony in support of and against the bill, which boiled down to renters versus property owners and managers. Virginia constituents have shared stories of how their rent jumped 33% and even higher in certain cases, according to Gustavo Espinosa with the Legal Aid Justice Center.

Espinosa translated for several speakers who offered testimony. One South Richmond renter asked lawmakers for help and to limit rent increases because "our salaries aren't going up so much." 

"The rent increase has been too much," said María Lopez, another renter. "We have families and our salary is not enough to pay for everything."

The rent-gouging protections need to pass and Lopez said it is unjust that landlords can raise rent so much.

People in opposition to the bill testified that it was well intentioned, but would ultimately be ineffective. The state already has a housing supply issue and the bill would exacerbate it, speakers said.

Marla Posey, a member of the Virginia Apartment Management Association, has worked in states with rent control and said the bill could decrease housing supply and quality. She thinks the legislation would harm people instead of help them. 

"Here in Virginia, we need policy to support adding new housing opportunities ... to be able to house more Virignians, not enacting policy that will halt housing development," Posey said. 

Rent-control also stymies other business development in locations, such as grocery stores, she said. 

The bill is not a rent-control measure, Clark said. Allowed rent increases would be evaluated annually. A locality could create a board to also hear arguments for higher increases. 

New properties would be exempt from this ordinance for the first 15 years of ownership, Clark said. The original proposal set the exemption at 10 years, but was amended.

If the current system was working, the state would not be short 200,000 affordable units and Richmond rents would not top New York City, Clark said. 

"We clearly have a problem and the formula that we're using now doesn't work," Clark said. "This will give localities the power and the option ... to enact this ordinance ... to help people improve their lives."

"Real estate" or "construction" groups held the No. 3 spot for campaign donations, when ranked by industry, according to a Virginia Public Access Project analysis. Donations from organizations that fall under that industry totaled $31.6 million from 2022-2023. 

Affordable housing was among the top three issues Democratic voters want to see the governor and lawmakers tackle, according to a recent survey from The Wason Center.

There are a number of other housing reform bills in the General Assembly, several with a focus on tenant rights. 

THINK YOU FOUND A BEAR DEN? PLEASE LEAVE IT ALONE!

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RICHMOND, VA - As temperatures fall and food sources become less abundant, many bears in Virginia will enter a winter den. Denning allows a bear to conserve energy when food resources are limited. Movements and denning behavior vary greatly across regions of the state depending on weather and available foods. With the lack of white oak acorns this fall, many bears likely went to a den earlier this winter as compared to the winter of 2023.

Black bears in Virginia will den in a variety of places including brush piles, trees (cavities within tree), rock outcroppings, ground nests, debris piles, and occasionally under porches or unsecured crawl spaces. Not all black bears den for the full winter season. Often, black bears that enter a winter den are females who will birth their cubs in the den or females with yearlings. Male black bears may den, but generally do not stay in a den for the entire winter due to the lack of extreme cold weather and snow across much of Virginia.

While many of us also slow down for the winter, there are still ample opportunities that take us afield in bear country. Whether enjoying a hike, cutting firewood, clearing brush, small game hunting, or doing other activities, you may inadvertently stumble upon a black bear den. A female black bear, particularly one who has cubs, will likely remain at the den unless they feel pressured to leave. Here are a few tips to avoid disturbing a bear den and what to do should a female leave her den.

TIPS TO AVOID A DEN

  • Avoid hiking in dense brushy thickets or young cutover timber stands. If you must work in these areas, be mindful of brush piles, gullies with debris piles, or storm damage areas with thickets of limbs/root balls.
  • Always maintain your dog on a leash to avoid a dog-bear encounter at a den site.
  • When burning a brush or debris pile on your property, look around the entire pile for signs of digging (fresh dirt, holes) or entry routes into the pile.
  • If you notice large, excavated holes or fresh trails into debris or brush piles listen closely for the sound of cubs from a distance of at least 30ft away. They often emit a high-pitched cry or "squall".
  • To prevent a bear from denning under an occupied dwelling, ensure that crawl spaces, mobile home underpinnings, and porches are closed and secured prior to December 1st each year.

 

TIPS IF YOU FIND A DEN

 

  • If you find a den on your property or while recreating, do not disturb it or approach the area. Leave the area, and if on public property, alert an employee of the location.
  • If you inadvertently flush a female bear from a den, DO NOT approach the den. Take a GPS point of the location (or mark a nearby area with flagging) and leave the area immediately. If you have a dog with you, leash it and keep it maintained on a leash as you leave the area. Contact the Wildlife Helpline (1-855-571-9003) to report the den location.
    • Most often when left alone the female will return to the den, although they may not return until night. Do not go back to the den area as additional disturbance may cause the bear to leave again and not return.




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