Across Virginia

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No injunction against restaurant defying COVID restrictions

Published March 21, 2021 | By AP

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — A Virginia judge has refused to issue a preliminary injunction sought by state officials against a restaurant whose owner has defied Gov. Ralph Northam’s COVID-19 restrictions on businesses.

The judge on Friday denied the state’s request for an injunction that would have resulted in the immediate closure of Gourmeltz restaurant in Fredericksburg. The judge said the state had failed to show that it would suffer irreparable harm without an injunction or that an injunction was in the public interest.

The Free Lance-Star reports that Gourmeltz owner Matt Strickland has refused to stop serving food and alcohol despite having his licenses suspended by the Virginia Health Department.

State attorneys argued at a hearing last week that Strickland’s refusal to comply with mask and social distancing requirements justified the restaurant’s immediate closing. Strickland says the state’s mandates are unconstitutional.

State officials began investigating Gourmeltz after receiving complaints about employees not wearing masks, social distance protocols not being followed and required signs not being posted.

Virginia Senior Alert ACTIVATION: Missing Roanoke City Woman

Published March 20, 2021 | By Clark Palmer

THE VIRGINIA STATE POLICE HAS ISSUED A SENIOR ALERT ON BEHALF OF ROANOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT ON MARCH 20TH, 2021 AT 1400
HOURS.

THE ROANOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR HARRIET GUION HODGES, RACE: WHITE, SEX: FEMALE, AGE 81 YEARS OLD, HEIGHT 5’ 3”, WEIGHT 125 lbs., WITH BROWN EYES, AND GRAY/WHITE HAIR. SHE WAS LAST SEEN ON MARCH 19TH, 2021, AT 1530 HOURS LEAVING HER RESIDENCE IN THE 2200 BLOCK OF WINDSOR AVENUE SW, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA. SHE WAS LAST SEEN WEARING A PURPLE COAT, THAT WENT DOWN PAST HER WASTE, AND WHITE PANTS.

THE MISSING SENIOR SUFFERS FROM A COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT AND THE DISAPPEARANCE POSES A CREDIBLE THREAT TO HER HEALTH AND SAFETY AS DETERMINED BY THE INVESTIGATING AGENCY.

PLEASE CONTACT THE ROANOKE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT [24/7 DISPATCH] WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THEIR WHEREABOUTS AT 540-853-2212 OR YOU MAY FIND COMPLETE INFORMATION AT Twitter.com/VSPalerts

Gov. Northam signs more of this year’s bills into law

Published March 20, 2021 | By AP

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam has signed more bills into law, including a measure that aims to boost the sale of electric vehicles and another permitting the removal of a statue of segregationist Harry F. Byrd Sr., a former governor and U.S. senator, from Capitol Square.

Northam’s office announced Friday morning that he had acted on over a dozen more bills as he makes his way through this year’s legislative work. Also among them were measures intended to modernize public health funding, continue allowing to-go cocktails and give Virginians who rely on Medicaid up to a 12-month prescription of birth control.

“We are making tremendous progress on the issues that matter most to Virginians, from heath care and education to economic opportunity and our environment,” Northam said in a statement.

The bulk of the work of this year’s legislative session wrapped up in late February. Next month, the Democrat-controlled General Assembly will reconvene briefly to consider any amendments or vetoes Northam proposes.

Northam’s office announced two bills Friday he would seek to change.

One deals with the research and reporting requirements of the Virginia Parole Board. Northam wants part of the bill related to monthly reporting to kick in sooner than lawmakers envisioned. The measure was touted by Democrats as a way to increase transparency at the board, which has been facing criticism from GOP lawmakers, victims’ families and prosecutors for nearly a year. Republicans said the measure didn’t go nearly far enough.

Another proposed change to a bill sponsored by Del. Don Scott intends to clarify that so-called “ games of skill ” will be prohibited beginning July 1, 2021, Northam’s office said.

Lawmakers had been set to ban the machines, which have proliferated in restaurants, bars and convenience stores in recent years, last year. But they agreed to a reprieve of just one year with the intention of taxing the machines and using the revenue to fund a coronavirus-relief plan.

The Virginia Mercury reported earlier this week that confusion had spread about a bill from this year’s session and whether it could end up giving the industry the chance to operate into 2022.

As the governor continues his work evaluating bills, advocates of marijuana legalization are anxiously waiting to see what action he will take on a complicated measure that would would legalize marijuana for adult recreational use in 2024. Many organizations were deeply disappointed in the version that squeaked out of the legislature at the 11th hour and have asked the governor for changes, including moving up the legalization date.

The bill was a top priority for Democrats, who framed legalization as a necessary step to end the disparate treatment of people of color under current marijuana laws. But talks between Democrats in the House and Senate grew tense, and a compromise version of the massive bill that almost no one seemed completely satisfied with did not emerge until the final hours of the last work day.

Roanoke County announces new tenant at Tanglewood Mall

Published March 19, 2021 | By Web Staff

ROANOKE, VA – Birmingham, AL-based Blackwater Resources, LLC announces another new tenant to Tanglewood, the nearly 800,000 SF mixed use center that sits at what is known as the gateway to Roanoke County and the Electric Road/Route 419 corridor. BKT Uniforms and Mathis Nursing Uniforms will be located in 8,000 sq. ft. near the Belk first floor entrance to the Mall. Specializing in a diverse array of uniforms, BKT Uniforms and Mathis Nursing Uniforms offers hundreds of brands serving the medical, industrial, public safety and hospitality industries. The company provides services to over 450 agencies in three states, and provides over 30 years of experience in the uniform industry. John Abernathy, President of Blackwater Resources, explains, “BKT Uniforms is a well-established Roanoke business, and we’re excited to have them come to Tanglewood. Many of their customers travel a great distance to Roanoke to shop due to their large inventory and unique offerings. Its another great story in the ongoing redevelopment of Tanglewood.” “Securing another large retailer to backfill available space in the mall’s interior is more great news for Tanglewood, said Jill Loope, Director of Economic Development. We remain optimistic about future business opportunities and growth in the 419 corridor.” Additional announcements of more retailers and restaurants are expected in the coming months.

VDH releases the latest COVID-19 data in the Roanoke Valley

Published March 19, 2021 | By Web Staff

The VDH is reporting no new Covid-19 deaths but 3 new related hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Health officials also report 23 new coronavirus cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County. The department reports 3 new cases and 2 new hospitalizations in Roanoke City, 13 new cases in Roanoke County, 2 new cases in Salem, and 5 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Botetourt County.

VDH releases the latest coronavirus data from the Roanoke Valley

Published March 18, 2021 | By Web Staff

The VDH is reporting 1 new Covid-19 death and 1 new related hospitalization in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. Health officials also report 59 new coronavirus cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County.State health officials report 17 new cases in Roanoke City, 21 new cases in Roanoke County, 6 new cases and 1 new death in Salem, and 15 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Botetourt County.

Northam announces size limits on commencements and graduations

Published March 17, 2021 | By Web Staff

MGN

Governor Northam has released preliminary guidance to schools and colleges that impact spring commencement and graduation ceremonies. It would limit indoor events to 500 people or 30% of venue capacity. Outdoor ceremonies would also be limited to 30% capacity, but up to 5,000 people. Northam expects to make this an official part of his next executive order.

NEWS RELEASE: RICHMOND—Governor Ralph Northam today released preliminary guidance for how K-12 schools, as well as colleges and universities, may safely hold in-person graduation and commencement events this spring. These tentative plans have been reviewed with education officials and are expected to be included in an April 1 update to Third Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two.

Graduation events held outdoors will be capped at 5,000 people or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Graduation events held indoors may have up to 500 people, or 30 percent of the venue capacity, whichever is less. Attendees must wear masks and follow other guidelines and safety protocols to ensure proper distancing. Preliminary guidance for safely holding graduation and commencement events can be found here.
“I appreciate the work that our schools, students, and teachers have put in to get back into the classroom safely, and the efforts of public health officials and education leaders in developing guidelines for safe graduations and commencements this spring,” said Governor Northam. “We are releasing this guidance early to allow schools to begin planning for this year’s events. While graduation and commencement ceremonies will still be different than they were in the past, this is a tremendous step forward for all of our schools, our graduates, and their families.”
Virginia has currently administered more than 2.7 million total COVID vaccine doses, and 1.8 million Virginians—21.3 percent of the population—have received at least one dose, while more than one million are fully vaccinated. The statewide positivity rate is 5.4 percent. About 50,000 shots are being administered to Virginians each day, and the Commonwealth is on pace to have vaccine available to everyone who wants to get vaccinated by the beginning of May. The acceleration of the vaccine program and the decrease in new COVID-19 cases make it safer to ease restrictions on activities like in-person graduations.
Virginia’s schools are also meeting Governor Northam’s goal to expand opportunities for regular in-person instruction. In early February, Governor Northam directed Virginia’s 132 school divisions to submit plans by mid-March for returning students to their classrooms. At that time, 25 school divisions, representing more than a third of Virginia’s students, had no plans for in-person learning. All school divisions have now submitted plans to meet that goal, and a vast majority of divisions are now offering full time classroom instruction or hybrid schedules that allow students to learn in person at least part of the week. All divisions continue to provide fully remote instructional options for students who choose to learn from home.
Over the past two weeks, Governor Northam and state officials have visited schools at every grade level in 26 school divisions throughout the Commonwealth, highlighting innovative approaches to safe classroom instruction.
“We have met hundreds of students eager to learn and excited to be back in school with their peers and educators,” said Secretary of Education Atif Qarni. “We know that students learn best in their classrooms and will continue to work with divisions to ensure children across our Commonwealth have access to in-person learning options.”
Virginia prioritized vaccinating teachers and school staff early on, and more than two-thirds have received at least one dose of the vaccine.
“Given the rapid progress we are making with vaccinating teachers and staff, and what we now know about how schools can operate safely with proper mitigation measures, I believe in-person instruction will be the norm in every Virginia school division this fall,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane. “In fact, many of our school divisions—with guidance from the state—are already looking beyond the immediate issues related to returning students to their classrooms and are developing plans to make up the ground that has been lost over the past year.”
The American Rescue Plan Act, which was signed into law last week by President Biden, includes $122 billion to support K-12 school recovery efforts nationwide. Ninety percent of the funding will go directly to local school districts based on the formula for distributing federal Title I funds. Ten percent of the funding under the act will support state-level initiatives to help schools recover from the pandemic. According to estimates, Virginia will receive approximately $2.1 billion, with $1.9 billion going directly to school divisions, and approximately $200 million reserved to support state-level K-12 recovery initiatives.

Roanoke Valley sees slight increase in number of new coronavirus cases

Published March 16, 2021 | By Web Staff

The Virginia Department of Health reports 3 new Covid-19 deaths and 3 new related hospitalizations in the Roanoke Valley in the latest 24-hour reporting period. The health department reports 31 new Covid cases among Roanoke City, Roanoke County, Salem and Botetourt County. 11 new cases in Roanoke City, 11 new cases, 2 new hospitalizations and 2 new deaths in Roanoke County, 5 new cases and 1 new hospitalization in Salem, and 4 new cases and 1 new death  in Botetourt County.

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