Local Government, Civic Affairs and Education

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New COVID stimulus checks won’t wind up with debt collectors

Published December 30, 2020 | By Gene Marrano

As $600 economic support payments begin hitting Virginians’ bank accounts and mailboxes, Virginia Attorney Mark Herring advises that a new law will ensures that payments will not be swept up by debt collectors and creditors. A bill passed in this year’s special legislative session came after it was discovered that the initial round of $1,200 support payments issued by Congress as part of the CARES Act was left open to seizure or garnishment.

Release from Virginia AG office: RICHMOND (December 30, 2020)—As $600 economic support payments begin hitting Virginians’ bank accounts and mailboxes, a new law from Attorney General Mark R. Herring and Delegate Hala Ayala will ensure that the payments help Virginians support themselves and their families during the COVID crisis rather than getting swept up by debt collectors and creditors. The bill was passed in this year’s special legislative session after it was discovered that the initial round of $1,200 support payments issued by Congress as part of the CARES Act was left vulnerable to seizure or garnishment.

“After nine months of economic fallout from the COVID crisis, these payments are even more important than ever for thousands of Virginia families who are counting on this money to help them make ends meet for another few weeks,” said Attorney General Mark Herring. “Though the payments would have been much larger if not for Republican obstruction, they nevertheless offer some much needed support. I’m glad we were able to identify this problem and enact a solution that will keep this badly needed assistance, and other assistance that may come in the future, from getting scooped up by debt collectors and creditors. People should come first in this crisis, not debt collectors.”
“Attorney General Herring and I put forward this important protection for Virginians because we knew that thousands of Virginia families would struggle to support themselves during this economic crisis, and that every dollar of federal support would need to go directly to food, rent, medicine, and other necessities, not just to the bottom lines of debt collectors and creditors,” said Del. Ayala. “Working together, we were able to identify and solve a problem to support Virginia families and to give them a little more security and support during these incredibly difficult economic times.”
When it was discovered that CARES Act relief payments were not explicitly protected from garnishment, Attorney General Herring urged U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to take steps to ensure the payments would benefit struggling Americans rather than creditors and debt collectors. When the Trump Administration failed to act, he pursued a state-level solution to ensure these payments benefit Virginians who need help.
In the 2020 COVID and Criminal Justice Reform Special Session, the General Assembly passed HB5068 from Attorney General Herring and Del. Ayala with bipartisan support. The bill exempts state and federal emergency relief payments from garnishment, attachment, and other legal creditor process seizures. It included an emergency clause ensuring it went into effect immediately upon Gov. Northam’s signature.

Local high school student dies shortly after basketball practice yesterday

Published December 23, 2020 | By Gene Marrano
(from Roanoke Catholic Facebook last night) Please join us in praying for the family and friends of Kawuan Ray, a beloved former Roanoke Catholic student who unexpectedly passed away this evening from a medical emergency. As a Celtic, Kawuan led our football team to two state championships in 2017 and 2018 and our boys track team to a 2019 state championship. More importantly Kawuan was a light in our hallways and classrooms, and his absence will be deeply felt by all who had the privilege of teaching him, coaching him and calling him a friend.
(Note: Kuwuan Ray had transferred to Patrick Henry High School and died last night after a basketball practice; he was 18. The Roanoke Times reports that Ray had previous health issues which led him to transfer to PH where all-virtual learning was available)

Roanoke College delays semester start by 3 weeks

Published December 21, 2020 | By Gene Marrano

(Letter from School president Michael Maxey) I’m writing with important news about next semester. As we look toward spring, we have made the decision to shift the Spring 2021 academic calendar and extend the winter break. Spring semester classes are now scheduled to start on Feb. 8, 2021.

As you are probably aware, COVID-19 cases are increasing in the United States, including in Virginia, where Gov. Ralph Northam recently issued an executive order to slow the spread of the virus. The order remains in effect until Jan. 31, 2021. Additionally, it is anticipated that cases will only increase over the holiday season as people travel and gather indoors.

The delayed semester start also allows the College time to ensure that all network outages we are currently experiencing are resolved. As many of you are aware, Roanoke College experienced a cyber event which impacts our ability to access files. As we work to get operations restored, it is unclear how long the Roanoke College network may be unavailable. The College website is currently operational, but some areas are not working due to the need for user logins to access certain functions. Updates on restoration of the campus network can be found here.

We are announcing the Feb. 8, 2021 semester start date at this time, due to the combined effect of a predicted COVID-19 case increase and the need to restore the current campus network. Protecting the health and safety of our community, while providing students with the optimal educational environment, remains our priority. (see more details at roanoke.edu and on the school’s Facebook page)

City to Refund On-Street Parking Citations Issued in Error

Published December 18, 2020 | By Gene Marrano

(Roanoke City News Release)  On June 15, 2020, the City of Roanoke Auditing Report concerning On-Street Parking found a potential issue in which parking citations were issued in place of a warning in certain situations. In order to address the situation the City of Roanoke, in partnership with Lancor Parking who operates the PARK Roanoke program, has established a refund program.

Anyone who believes they may have incorrectly received a citation in place of a warning between Jan. 1, 2017, and March 25, 2020, can submit a claim to PARK Roanoke through September 1, 2021. If a claim is found to be eligible, a refund for the total amount of the citation, any fees associated with the citation and compounded interest, will be issued.

Individuals can request a refund by visiting www.parkroanoke.com and clicking on the banner that says: WARNING CITATION REFUND: CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT ELIGIBILITY

Goodwill in Roanoke receives significant donation

Published December 16, 2020 | By Gene Marrano

The ex-wife of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos – MacKenzie Scott – announced yesterday that she has given away more than 4 billion dollars to 384 organizations in just the last 4 months. Today Goodwill Industries of the Valleys based in Roanoke announced that 10 million dollars of that total is coming its way. Goodwill will use that money for its job training programs.

(Goodwill release) Roanoke, VA – Goodwill Industries of the Valleys announced a significant donation of $10 million from MacKenzie Scott today as part of a historic gift presented to Goodwill Industries International (GII) and 45 other local Goodwill organizations. This investment comes at a time when more than 10 million Americans are unemployed and urgently need help finding their next jobs. This gift will enable Goodwill Industries of the Valleys to expand its direct efforts and deliver its mission locally to equip individuals with the skills they need to get back to work and onto sustainable career paths.

Goodwill Industries of the Valleys responds to people’s most pressing needs in Central, Southwest and Southside Virginia, and is dedicated to closing the skills gap and eliminating the associated challenges created by inequities. Goodwill Industries of the Valleys will deploy these resources over a three year period to support mission, business, and human service needs with a focus on serving individuals with obstacles to employment and providing individuals with opportunities for greater independence.

“We are uniquely positioned to lead the way in ensuring that every individual, regardless of challenges and backgrounds, has access to the skills and services they need to face today’s economic situation,” said Bruce Phipps, President & CEO, Goodwill Industries of the Valleys. “We are humbled, grateful and overwhelmed by MacKenzie Scott’s transformative contribution, which will address the growing need for skills training for job seekers and help them move onto career paths, while building access to opportunity and equitable hiring nationwide as millions of community members continue to face historic hardships during this pandemic.”

Toys for Tots looking for lots of new bikes by this Friday

Published December 14, 2020 | By Gene Marrano

The US Marines “Toys for Tots” campaign that happens every Christmas season has a tall order in the Roanoke area – there are requests for 4100  new bicycles from kids of all ages. Captain Alexander Coffey is with the Marine recruitment center on Peters Creek Road; he says new bikes ONLY can be dropped off at the old Sears store at Valley View Mall through this Friday. Local families will pick them up on Saturday – Captain Coffey says its all about putting smiles on more faces this Holiday season. First Team Auto Mall will also accept donations through tomorrow.

 

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