Across Virginia

The University of Virginia has canceled its game against rival Virginia Tech scheduled for Saturday following the slaying of three football players on campus just over a week ago. The university made the announcement Monday, two days after a nearly two-hour memorial service to remember Lavel Davis Jr., Devin Chandler and D’Sean Perry. The three were fatally shot after a field trip to see a play in Washington. Two others were wounded. Former Virginia football player Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. faces three counts of second-degree murder and other charges. The Cavaliers also canceled their game slated for last weekend against No. 23 Coastal Carolina.

Lavel Davis Jr. (left), D’Sean Perry (center), Devin Chandler (right)

The University of Virginia Police Department says UVA received a threatening email today in advance of the planned 3:30 pm memorial service for the three students fatally shot earlier this week. The department says “We are taking all reasonable measures to ensure the safety our our patrons and the security of the facility.”

From UVA Police: Around mid-day the University received a threatening email related to today’s planned Memorial Service at JPJ Arena. We are taking all reasonable measures to ensure the safety of our patrons and the security of the facility. Please be advised that UVA has enhanced security measures in and near the Arena. At this time, the Memorial will continue as planned. If you see anything suspicious, please notify lawvenforcement or security professionals immediately.

A nationwide settlement between 43 states and Walmart will provide more than $60 million toward state efforts to battle the impacts of opioid and fentanyl addiction. The states alleged that Walmart contributed to the national opioid crisis by improperly managing the the drugs’ distribution at their stores. The settlement totals $3.1 billion in all, and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares says the commonwealth’s share goes to the state’s Opioid Abatement Authority, created to help people dealing with addiction. The authority distributes proceeds from this and other other opioid-related settlements, along with various grants and donations, to localities statewide. More from WFIR’s Evan Jones:

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – The Virginia athletics department announced today (Nov. 16) the Cavaliers’ home football game vs. Coastal Carolina scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 19 has been canceled. The decision was made following the shooting of five students on Grounds Sunday night. The incident resulted in the deaths of three members of the UVA team – Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry.

The game would have been Virginia’s final home game of the 2022 season.

A decision if Virginia will participate in its final game of the season, a Nov. 26 (Saturday) date against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, has not been made at this time.

Ticket refund information for the Coastal Carolina game will be issued at a later time.

 

U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine released the following statement regarding the shooting at the University of Virginia, which took three lives and injured two others on November 13, 2022:

 

“We are heartbroken to hear about the tragic shooting at UVA and are praying for those who were injured, the families who lost loved ones, and the entire UVA community. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and urge everyone to follow the directions of local law enforcement as they continue searching for the suspect.”

 

UVA has an Emergency Hotline (877-685-4836) for family and friends with questions.

 

On November 10, 2022 the Center for Digital Government announced the winners of the 2022 Digital Cities Survey, recognizing cities utilizing technology to strengthen cybersecurity, enhance transparency and digital equity, plan for the future of work, and more.The City of Roanoke placed 7th in the 75,000-124,999 population category, and has been recognized as a top 10 Digital City for more than 20 years. “Constituents expect more from modern governments. Our Digital Cities survey winners have worked hard to keep the focus on the needs of the communities they   serve while implementing technology to improve delivery and execution,” said CDG Vice President Brian Cohen. “We congratulate them for leading the way towards a smarter and more responsive government.” The top 10-ranking cities in each of five population categories will be honored during the Digital Cities Awards event at the National League of Cities “City Summit” on November 17th in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Virginia Department of Corrections is calling on one particular group to fill out their ranks. George Sisson, a spokesman for the department, says that with Virginia having one of the Nation’s largest veteran populations, he wants more to fill his organization’s ranks. WFIR’s Emma Thomas has that story: