Across Virginia
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) _ A former University of Virginia student who filed a civil rights lawsuit after his 2015 arrest by alcohol-enforcement agents has received a $250,000 settlement. Martese Johnson sued Virginia’s Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and three of its agents after the arrest, which was captured on video. It showed ABC agents pinning Johnson to the ground while his head was bleeding. ABC agents said Johnson, who is black, was attempting to enter a bar with a fake ID. Johnson said his ID was valid. Records from federal court in Charlottesville show the case was settled Tuesday and dismissed. On Wednesday, the department confirmed the $249,950 settlement but declined comment beyond a joint statement that calls the settlement “a mutually agreeable compromise.” The settlement contains no admission of wrongdoing.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – Virginia election officials have recently reassigned nearly 500 voters to new congressional districts as the state works to resolve mapping errors that created confusion in several close General Assembly races last year. The Richmond-Times Dispatch reports 482 voters have been reassigned. State Department of Elections Commissioner Chris Piper says that in a review of district lines prior to last week’s primaries, the department identified nearly 1,200 addresses potentially assigned to the wrong district. Local registrars determined 903 of the addresses were in the correct district, and 269 residences that house 482 voters were mapped incorrectly. Piper told the State Board of Elections on Tuesday that an additional 21 were still under review. Piper says the problems mostly came from human data entry errors and boundaries that can be difficult to outline at the house-to-house level.
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam says he’s recalling members of the state’s National Guard from the U.S.-Mexico border because he disagrees with a federal policy of separating immigrant children from their families. Northam made the announcement Tuesday, saying he would not devote resources that could support an “inhumane policy.” The Democratic governor said he had ordered four crewmembers and a helicopter to return to Virginia from Arizona. The crew was assisting the Arizona National Guard in surveillance operations on the border as part of a 90-day mission. Maryland Republican Gov. Larry Hogan also announced Tuesday that he was recalling Natural Guard members stationed at the border. And Massachusetts Republican Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday reversed a decision to send a National Guard helicopter.
Photo: NY Dept of Enviromental Conservation
A Virginia Tech plant expert has confirmed the first known sighting in the state of an invasive plant that can produce really bad burns and blisters. Giant hogweed is so named for its huge flower and leaf clusters. The problem comes if you disturb it by, say, putting a weed wacker to it. That releases a sap that once on your skin, reacts to sunlight and creates serious and painful burns that can last for weeks. WFIR’s Evan Jones has more:
Click here for full giant hogweed information and more photos
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ The school board of Virginia’s capital city is set to consider changing the moniker of a school named after a Confederate general. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that officials might rename J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School after former President Barack Obama. Obama’s name is one of seven finalists for the school’s new name. Other possibilities include Oliver Hill, a late civil rights attorney, and Henry Marsh, the city’s first black mayor. More than 90 percent of the school’s student body is African American. The youngsters recently voted for their top three choices. The Richmond School Board says the top three finishers will be revealed at their Monday evening session. Richmond’s effort follows Petersburg’s February vote to rename three Confederate-named schools. Stuart was a slave owner and a prominent Confederate cavalry commander.
RADFORD, Va. (AP) A spokesperson for the Radford Army Ammunition Plant says one of the three victims in a June 11 fire at the plant has died. Andrew Goad, 42, was an employee at the plant. Goad died on Saturday, June 16, due to injuries sustained during a fire at Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) on Monday, June 11.
RFAAP Commander Lt. Col James “Jim” Scott said, “Andrew made the ultimate sacrifice. Producing munitions for our Warfighters is dangerous work, and we greatly appreciate and honor his sacrifice,” said Scott. BAE Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc., Vice President and General Manager, Brian Gathright, said at a press conference that, “we are deeply saddened at the loss of one of our colleagues. Our thoughts and prayers are with Andrew’s family and our employees and their families, especially those most deeply affected by our colleague’s passing.”
FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) – A Virginia school board has heard proposals to change the schools dress code to gender-neutral language and adopt a more inclusive sex education curriculum. WTTG-TV reports Fairfax County School Board members heard the proposals Thursday. A special panel appointed by the board and made up of teachers and administrators designed the proposed sex education curriculum. Supporters say it’s more inclusive of LGBTQ and transgender students. Critics say it would promote transgender issues and contraceptives instead of abstinence. Many critics sent emails to the board asking members to reject the changes as phrases such as “sex assigned at birth” are ideological. Board member Ryan McElveen proposed changing the dress code to prohibit clothing exposing “private areas” or excessive amounts skin. It currently calls for clothing that doesn’t expose cleavage.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) _ A Virginia man who wants to run for a U.S. House seat has challenged the district’s congressman to a wrestling match and debate. The Virginian-Pilot reported Wednesday that Aldo DiBelardino hopes to unseat Republican Scott Taylor in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. His filing to run as an independent is yet to be approved by the Board of Elections. DiBelardino said that politics is partly about entertainment and showmanship. He said a wrestling debate would be an opportunity to entertain voters while engaging them. The 49-year-old owns a firm that makes lightweight fire escape ladders. Asked for comment, a Taylor spokesman said he was “wrestling in Washington in an Appropriations Committee markup to support our troops.” DiBelardino added that he would also wrestle Democratic candidate Elaine Luria, if she wants.
ABINGDON, Va. (AP) _ Virginia State Police say a 15-year-old boy is dead after attempting a dangerous automobile stunt known as “hood surfing.” Authorities say the incident happened Wednesday afternoon in Washington County in southwest Virginia. Investigators say a 16-year-old girl was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Cavalier when the boy got out of the vehicle and crawled onto the hood with the intention of “hood surfing.” The term refers to riding on the outside of a moving vehicle, as sometimes seen in action movies. Authorities say the car was traveling below the posted speed limit of 35 mph when the boy slid off the hood. The driver was unable to brake in time and the boy was hit by the car. He died at the scene. The girl was cited for reckless driving.