News

Attorney general praises injunction blocking travel ban

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By Amelia Heymann Capital News Service RICHMOND – Attorney General Mark Herring praised a federal judge for issuing a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration’s temporary ban prohibiting people from seven mostly Muslim countries from entering the United States. Herring said the ruling suggests that he will win his lawsuit alleging that the ban violates the Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion. The injunction issued Monday by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema of Alexandria will last until the case goes to trial. Herring said people affected by the ban “can have a lot more confidence knowing that the commonwealth…

Assembly passes bill to prevent identity theft

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By Rodrigo Arriaza Capital News Service RICHMOND – A bill that seeks to protect Virginians from losing their income tax refunds to identity thieves won final approval Wednesday in the General Assembly. The bill’s sponsor, Del. Mark Keam, D-Vienna, said thieves can steal information from the payroll system of an employer or payroll service and use it to claim a state income tax refund before the real taxpayer files a legitimate return. “Incidents of cyber hacking and data breach are becoming way too common, and criminals are using every opportunity to prey on innocent Virginians,” Keam said. His legislation, HB…

Nonviolent felons could become gun owners

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By Tyler Woodall Capital News Service RICHMOND – Legislation moving through the General Assembly could restore some gun rights to nonviolent felons in Virginia. On a 94-4 vote Tuesday, the House of Delegates passed SB 1533, which would allow nonviolent felons to own “antique firearms.” The bill proposed by Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg, would let nonviolent felons own, transport and carry antique firearms and black powder in a quantity not exceeding five pounds. The firearms can be used solely for sporting, recreational or cultural purposes such as hunting or Civil War re-enactments. Antique firearms are those considered to be muzzle-loading…

WWI uniform finds new home at Fort Lee

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Fort Lee is celebrating their centennial this year and in keeping with the theme of military history is Chester’s own Bebe Alexander. The 94-year-old Chester resident donated her father’s WWI uniform (and letters he wrote to her mother) to Fort Lee’s PXtra, and it will be on display for a year. Alexander has previously donated her father’s letters to the Virginia Museum. Her family has a long military history: in addition to her father’s service in WWI, her grandfather fought in the Civil War, her husband in WWII, and her grandson in Operation Enduring Freedom. Alexander is a Gold Star…

That was then… Matoaca Mill

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Bessie Hicks, circa 1904, holds her son and daughter, possibly waiting for her husband to get home from a hard day’s work at the Matoaca Mill or getting ready to go to work at the sweat shop herself. The Matoaca Mill spun cotton into cloth using newly invented machines. The mill was built close to the Appomattox River because it needed a good supply of water to power its weaving machines with water-wheels. To encourage workers to work at a mill, some mill owners built houses for them. In this way, new villages and towns developed. Many became known as…

Fort Lee celebrating a century of support to our nation

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FORT LEE, Va. – Fort Lee commemorates its centennial in 2017 with a variety of activities that honor both its rich history and the lineage of troops, family members, and civilians who contributed to a century of support to the nation. Celebration plans in July include a community concert at the annual Fourth at the Fort celebration, a time capsule ceremony, the unveiling of a commemorative print, museum exhibit openings, and a documentary premiere. “For 100 years, Camp/Fort Lee has provided world-class training to the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams,…

County continues to celebrate black history

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A mural of Howard L. Baugh in the Chesterfield County Airport, painted by Maggie O’Leary, is a token of honor for this member of the Tuskegee Airman, those who served bravely and boldly in World War II. Baugh passed away Aug. 23, 2008, but his legacy lives on. The decorated soldier was born in Petersburg, graduated from Virginia State College (now VSU), and later in his life resided in Chesterfield. Baugh earned many honors during his dedicated career including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding…

House panel shelves bill addressing guardians

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By Amy Lee Capitol News Service They call them the “suitcase children,” youngsters who are shuttled back and forth between their parents’ homes amid messy divorce and custody battles. Regardless of which parent finally emerges victorious in court, the child loses time with friends, involvement in school activities, and a sense of stability at home. Two Chesterfield residents, with support from Del. Riley Ingram, R-Hopewell, have been fighting for a new law to protect these “suitcase children.” Roy Mastro and Stella Edwards drafted a bill that would amend the state code and hold guardians ad litem to greater accountability. Attorneys…

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