“…there isn’t anything left for me,”
Welcome to Wednesday! Here are the top news stories from around Virginia.
“…there isn’t anything left for me,” Martinsville looks to rebound - Virginia Scope
by Ben Walls
Driving on U.S. Route 220 in Martinsville, Virginia, the Jones family agrees their hometown is a shell of what it used to be.
“Yeah, there’s not much left here,” said Alyssa Jones, a Virginia Tech student who was born and raised in the area. “It was nice to grow up here, but now there isn’t anything left for me. I don’t see myself living here once I graduate (from Virginia Tech)–unless I become an attorney.”
The Joneses use “empty” to describe their hometown: homeowners and renters are leaving, home values are low compared to a state average and only few small businesses remain open because locals are unable to pay the independent and local prices, according to Alyssa.
Lieutenant Governor's staffer appears to be behind anonymous anti-McAuliffe Twitter account - Virginia Scope
An account titled “Fake Terry the Savior” on Twitter has been pushing back against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe in recent weeks. This is not uncommon at all on Twitter. However, what is uncommon is that it appears a staffer for another gubernatorial candidate is in control of the anonymous account.
Despite setbacks for new natural gas projects, companies push forward with plans - Virginia Mercury
by Sarah Vogelsong
When the State Corporation Commission on Dec. 1 rejected a proposal by Virginia Natural Gas to expand its pipeline infrastructure largely for a new power plant planned for Charles City County, opponents celebrated the decision as a critical blow to expansion of the fossil fuel in Virginia.
“The residents can rest easy for a while and celebrate that there will be no fracked gas piped into our community,” said Wanda Roberts of the grassroots group Concerned Citizens of Charles City County in a statement. Northern Virginia organizer Tiziana Bottino of the social and environmental justice group Mothers Out Front similarly wrote that “moms and concerned residents alike can breathe a sigh of relief,” while Jolene Mafnas of climate group Food and Water Action said the decision was “a big victory for climate justice.”
Peters' sister blasts legislators and Gov. Northam as he ceremonially signs ‘Marcus Alert' bill - Richmond Times-Dispatch
by Ali Rockett
At the ceremonial signing into law of the “Marcus Alert” establishing a framework for a statewide crisis response system named after Marcus-David Peters, who was fatally shot by a Richmond police officer in 2018 while experiencing a mental health crisis, Peters’ sister denounced the measure as “watered down and ineffective.”
Gov. Ralph Northam had approved the legislation, sponsored by Del. Jeff Bourne, D-Richmond, Sen. Jeremy McPike, D-Prince William, and Sen. Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, on Nov. 5. The signing that took place on Tuesday in front of the Executive Mansion was ceremonial. Northam called it a “solemn occasion” honoring the 24-year-old high school biology teacher who was killed during his very first mental crisis.
Roanoke School Board scales back third nine weeks reopening plan - Roanoke Times
by Claire Mitzel
All Roanoke students will have the option to return to the classroom in January, but they'll be in the classroom fewer days than initially expected.
The Roanoke School Board voted 4–3 during a special meeting Tuesday to scale back the school division's reopening plan. Students can opt to attend two days per week in the third nine weeks of the 2020-21 school year, which begins Jan. 25. Because of a smaller enrollment, pre-K students can attend four days per week, in addition to certain students who have already been attending four days.
EDITORIAL: Leaving Stafford voters in the lurch - Free lance-Star
WHEN Delegate Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-Woodbridge, announced in late May that she was throwing her hat in the 2021 gubernatorial ring, she was the first Democrat out of the gate, and if she wins, she would be the first Black female governor in Virginia history. “In order for there to be a trail, there has to be someone who’s willing to blaze it,” she said, explaining why she successfully ran for delegate in 2017 while pregnant with twins.
But now, after representing the 2nd District in the House of Delegates—which includes parts of North Stafford and Prince William counties—in the General Assembly since 2018, Carroll Foy is stepping away from her duties as a legislator, leaving the voters who reelected her in 2019 in the lurch. What happened to that can-do spirit?
Endorsements:
Hampton Roads-Area Mayors Kenny Alexander, McKinley Price, Donnie Tuck & Mayor-Elect Shannon Glover Endorse Terry McAuliffe for Governor.
“Cities across the Commonwealth have faced the brunt of this pandemic: our businesses have been reduced, our hospitals have been filled, and our workers have been laid off. We need a governor who will continue to oversee our recovery by thinking big and acting boldly, and that's why I am proudly endorsing Terry McAuliffe to be our next governor” said Mayor Kenny Alexander, the mayor of Norfolk. “I have worked alongside Terry to create a stronger and fairer Norfolk economy and I know he is the leader who will use this moment as an opportunity to help cities like Norfolk recover better than we were before.”
Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer endorsed Kirk Cox for Governor.
“We need leaders like Kirk, a proven leader to take over as Governor,” said Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer. “We can no longer tolerate a General Assembly that demeans the police and wants to defund them. We respect life and the right of every baby born to live. Kirk is the man of today and he is the man of tomorrow, I support him 150 percent.”