Governor Welcomes Walmart As Newest Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Certified Employer at Ceremony in Glen Allen 

Glen Allen, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin today officially welcomed Walmart as a Certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer at a special National Hire a Veteran Day ceremony and presentation at the Walmart Supercenter at 11400 West Broad Street in Glen Allen. 

The Governor was joined by Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw, Virginia Commissioner of Veterans Services Daniel Gade, and representatives of Walmart to announce the retailer’s commitment to hiring Virginia veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses as a V3 program partner.

“Our Commonwealth is home to more than 700,000 men and women who have served in our armed forces and more than 150,000 active duty, Reserve and National Guard members. This makes it vitally important to bring attention to the importance of National Hire a Veteran Day and to partners like Walmart and hundreds of other employers – large and small – to ensure this valuable pipeline of skilled and talented people stay in Virginia,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. "Walmart has shown its dedication to hiring these veterans at its 149 retail locations and six distribution centers throughout our state and today, strengthens its commitment by becoming a Certified Partner Employer in our Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program. My administration is reimagining the way we provide veteran benefits, we have relieved veterans of unnecessary taxing on their retirement pay, and we are focused on creating further employment opportunities. Hiring Virginia Veterans is not only the right thing to do – it is the smart thing to do."

“Since its creation in 2013, the Department of Veterans Services’ V3 Program has trained and certified more than 2,000 Virginia businesses and other employers on how to best recruit, hire and retain Virginia Veterans in their workforces. The program has resulted in over 96,000 veteran hires,” said Virginia Secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs Craig Crenshaw. “With more than 46,000 sales associates statewide and their own corporate “Find A Future” national program dedicated to hiring veterans and military spouses, we are exceptionally pleased to have Walmart partner with our V3 program.”

“Walmart is proud to partner with the Virginia Values Veterans (V3) program to provide opportunities for veterans and military spouses to learn and grow,” said Brynt Parmeter, Walmart’s Senior Director of Military Programs. “Our partnership will help advance the economic opportunity and well-being of our veterans, building on our focus to help them achieve their goals in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.”

The program also included introductions and remarks from Walmart Regional Senior People Director and veteran Kirsten Frey and Baron Dixon, a veteran and Asset Protection Operations Lead.

“Welcoming Walmart as a Certified Virginia Values Veterans (V3) employer is especially meaningful on this National Hire a Veteran Day,” said DVS Commissioner Daniel Gade. “One of our most important missions at DVS is to assure that our Virginia veterans, transitioning service members and military spouses find successful employment in our civilian workforce. This is one reason Virginia continues to be recognized nationally as the #1 state for military veterans and retirees. Virginia is for veterans.” 

(RICHMOND, Va.) — Virginians now have a fourth vaccine choice when they’re seeking a COVID-19 vaccine following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) giving its approval on July 19 for administration of the two-dose Novavax COVID-19 vaccine to adults aged 18 years and older. 

The federal government has purchased 3.2 million doses of the two-dose Novavax vaccine, which will be distributed to the states and territories for use; Virginia has been allocated 20,800 doses. VDH expects the vaccine to be available by the middle of August. The Novavax vaccine is not available at this time as a booster or third dose for immunocompromised persons.

In January 2022, the company submitted data to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for consideration in its Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) application process. In Phase 3 trials, the vaccine was 90% effective against lab-confirmed, symptomatic infection and 100% effective against moderate and severe disease. Though not tested when the Omicron variant was circulating, the company said the vaccine could generate an immune system response to it, but scientists are still studying that data.

The Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine is designed and manufactured differently than the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The Novavax vaccine contains a very small amount of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which elicits an immune response, in combination with an adjuvant, which boosts the immune system response to the vaccine. FDA-approved protein-based vaccines have been used widely for decades; examples of more recently approved vaccines that contain a purified protein combined with an adjuvant include vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and whooping cough (pertussis). The Novavax COVID-19 vaccine offers an option to individuals who may have an allergic reaction to mRNA vaccines or who have a personal preference for receiving a vaccine other than one based on the mRNA technology.

Side effects include those seen with other COVID-19 vaccines in use in the United States today: injection site tenderness, fatigue, headaches and muscle pain.

The following is a statement from Virginia’s State Vaccination Coordinator and Director of the Virginia Department of Health’s Division of Immunization Christy Gray, MPH:

“The CDC estimates that between 26 million and 37 million adults haven’t gotten a single dose of any COVID-19 vaccine. If you’re in that group and have been waiting for a vaccine based on a different technology than those available now, we urge you to consider the two-dose Novavax COVID-19 vaccine. Novavax is safe and effective and uses technology commonly used for decades in vaccines such as those against hepatitis B and whooping cough (pertussis). VDH will be making it available to Virginians as soon as we are able to obtain it from the federal government, which should be the middle of next month.”

Those who are unvaccinated and without a booster remain at the highest risk of severe illness and hospitalization due to COVID-19. This population remains VDH’s top priority. Everyone 6 months or older is eligible to be vaccinated. To find free vaccination opportunities near you, visit vaccinate.virginia.gov or call 877-VAX-IN-VA (877-829-4682, TTY users call 7-1-1). Assistance is available in English, Spanish, and more than 100 other languages. 

RICHMOND, VA - Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that Virginia ended the fiscal year 2022 with a $1.94 billion general fund revenue surplus. On a fiscal year-to-date basis, total revenue collections rose 16.3 percent, based on preliminary data.  

“While I am pleased that our additional revenue can be reinvested in Virginia, the Commonwealth’s general fund revenue surplus confirms that Virginians have been overtaxed for way too long,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “As inflation hits another 40-year high, I’m proud that our budget provides almost $4 billion in tax relief to Virginians, the largest tax relief in the Commonwealth’s history. We have a lot of work left to do to recover from the pandemic, but Virginia’s economy is demonstrating promising economic and company growth with major companies such as Boeing, Raytheon, and LEGO moving their headquarters to Virginia.”  

“Fiscal 2022 was an extraordinary year for revenues and finished strong. However, there are a number of critical economic issues that we will continue to watch very closely as we put our plan together for the future. We are encouraged by the continuing strength of payroll withholding and retail sales taxes, which increased by 9.5 percent, indicating that Virginia’s underlying economic foundation is strong,” said Secretary of Finance Stephen Cummings.  

Virginia’s strong labor market has produced 79,818 jobs since January, driving growth in payroll withholding. There were 124,878 more Virginians employed in May 2022 than there were in May 2021, an increase of 3.5 percent year-over-year. Although recent trends are encouraging, Virginia has yet to recover more than 133,000 jobs that were lost during the pandemic (now at 96.9 percent of pre-pandemic levels) while our key competitor states have all exceeded pre-pandemic employment levels. While the Commonwealth underperformed the nation in jobs recovered since the pandemic, ranking 47th overall, momentum is building and Virginia is now ranked 15th among the states in employment growth for the first four months of 2022.  

Analysis of Fiscal Year 2022 Revenues 

Based on Preliminary Data 

• Based on preliminary data, Fiscal Year 2022 ended with a $1.94 billion general fund revenue surplus. General fund revenues, excluding transfers, rose 16.3 percent for the year compared to fiscal year 2021, exceeding the forecast of 8.5 percent growth. 
• Payroll withholding and sales tax collections, 69 percent of total revenues, and the best indicator of current economic activity in the Commonwealth, finished $193.5 million or 1.0 percent ahead of the forecast.  
• Payroll withholding grew of 9.5 percent, exceeding the forecast of 9.0 percent growth.  
• Sales tax collections increased 9.4 percent as compared to the annual forecast of 6.5 percent. 
• Nonwithholding income tax collections finished the year ahead of expectations, up 30.5 percent. This was mainly due to a 40.9 percent increase in final tax payments to the Department of Taxation.  
• Individual income tax refunds were a positive to the forecast as the average check size decreased. Tax refunds were $280.2 million below expectations, a positive to the bottom line. 
• Corporate income tax collections increased 30.5 percent for the year, behind the annual forecast of 32.6 percent. 
• A complete accounting of all final revenue sources will be available after final year-end close and will be released on August 19 when the Governor speaks at the Joint Money Committee Meeting. 

Advisories and Warnings Issued this Week

(Richmond, VA) — This week, portions of the state have experienced excessive heat and humidity prompting advisories and warnings to be issued. Temperatures have reached the mid- to upper 90s, and are expected to be near 100 degrees this weekend. The heat index, describing how the temperature feels to the human body, may be in excess of 110 degrees. These conditions are dangerous to any person outdoors, and especially so for older adults, young children, and people with existing medical conditions, such as heart disease. Heat-related illnesses can also impact those with outdoor jobs or individuals participating in recreational activities, most notably during the hottest times of the day.

Heat-related illness occurs when body temperature rises faster than the body can cool itself. The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) advises the best way to avoid heat injury is prevention.

“Every year, more than 600 people in the U.S. die of heat-related illness, and many others experience hospitalization, so it is imperative to ensure that all Virginians take the necessary precautions to avoid heat injury,” said State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH. “With two more months of summer remaining, it is important the public understands the steps that can be taken to protect themselves and others. The first step is to look at the weather forecast and plan accordingly. For extreme heat, the best prevention is to remain indoors in an air-conditioned location. If you must be outdoors, avoid the afternoon hours, seek shade, and limit physical activity to a minimum. Drink water or sports drinks at least once an hour; don’t wait to be thirsty. Take frequent rest breaks in the shade and wear loose-fitting, light-colored, lightweight clothing.”

It is crucial to recognize the warning signs of heat illness.

• Heat Cramps: Heavy sweating and painful, involuntary muscle spasms.  Move to a cool area until symptoms resolve; consider ceasing outdoor activity for a period of time.
• Heat Exhaustion: Heavy sweating; pale, cool clammy skin; muscle cramps; fatigue; weakness; dizziness; headache; nausea or vomiting and fainting. Seek a cool area right away; cease outdoor activity for the day.
• Heat Stroke: A high body temperature (103 degrees or higher); warm and dry skin; fast pulse; headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion and unconsciousness. This is a medical emergency. Take measures to rapidly cool the person while dialing 911.

For more information, visit the Virginia Department of Health website at: https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/news/extreme-heat-and-heat-related-illnesses/. Additional resources are available for severe weather preparedness and safety information. In addition, the VDH Office of Epidemiology has a surveillance dashboard to monitor emergency department and urgent care visits for heat-related illness.

Beth Cook and Michael Elliott join the CMH board of directors.

Beth Cook of Bracey, Virginia, is the newest board member at VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital. With real estate licenses in Virginia and North Carolina, she has been servicing the Southside Virginia and Lake Gaston community since 1987 and is the co-owner of EXIT Town & Lake Realty. She is a native of Southside Virginia originally from nearby South Boston. Since 2011, Cook has also been serving on both the Roanoke Valley Lake Gaston Board of Realtors and MLS Board.   

“I’m looking forward to being an ear for the citizens of how VCU Health CMH can better serve our community,” Cook said.

She hopes to impact the hospital’s continued growth to expand services so residents don’t have to drive out of town for health care.

Michael Elliott, Pharm.D., is also joining the CMH board as a VCU Health representative. He is the inaugural chief operating officer of VCU Health System. Elliott earned his Master of Science in Health Administration and his Doctor of Pharmacy from Virginia Commonwealth University. He serves on several professional and community boards and committees including the American Hospital Association Community and Population Health Advisory Committee. He comes to VCU Health from Centra Health in Lynchburg, Virginia.

“I’m excited to advance health equity throughout the commonwealth,” Elliott said. “I served at other health systems in rural areas so I understand the issues our patients face.”

VCU Health CMH is governed by a 14-member volunteer board of directors. The members leaving the board this year are William E. Wells Jr., and David Chelmow, M.D.

The officers of the CMH board of directors for this year are: Jay Stafford representing Lunenburg, Virginia, chairman; and Don Bright representing Mecklenburg, Virginia, treasurer.

Other board members include: R. Clinton Clary Jr., Krysta McKenna Luzynski, Michael Rowe, Cecil Shell, Kendele Underwood and Ronald Thornhill, Ph.D.  Ralph “Ron” Clark, M.D., Catherine Palmer, M.D., and Tom Yackel, M.D., represent VCU Health. Kirk Hasenmueller, M.D., represents the CMH medical staff as chief of staff, and Will Woodall represents the CMH Auxiliary as auxiliary president.

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Board for Barbers and Cosmetology, a regulatory board under the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR), at its most recent meeting on July 11, 2022, voted to reduce the number of hours required to obtain a cosmetology license by 33%, from 1,500 to 1,000. The board assembled a panel of advisors representing businesses, public schools, private career and technical schools, and subject matter expertise in infection control to conduct a comprehensive review of the education and training Virginia mandates to obtain a cosmetologist license.

“Reducing regulatory obstacles that get in the way of both businesses and talented Virginians from entering the workforce has been a priority of mine since day one. Not only will this allow individuals to get to work sooner and help businesses find skilled workers, but it even reduces the amount of student loans a graduate will have to take on,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.

On average, the education required for cosmetology licensure costs more than $16,000 and takes nearly a year to complete. Virginia’s 1,500-hour training requirement was put in place in 1963. The change to 1,000 hours will undergo several regulatory steps which will include public comment, before becoming final. While the overall hours are being reduced, greater focus within the training program is placed on topics related to public protection—particularly infection control and chemical safety.

“We’re taking a hard look at the requirements to get and keep a license. The right to earn a living without unnecessary government obstruction is a fundamental right. This is just the first step in reforming occupational licensing in Virginia and ensuring the government works for all citizens of the Commonwealth,” said Governor Youngkin. "We are ensuring our licensing requirements are focused on protecting the public and provide opportunities for out-of-state skilled workers such as military spouses or dislocated workers, to get licensed in Virginia. These measures are common-sense solutions to strengthen our economy."

“Since day one we have been executing the Governor’s commitment to reduce 25% of Virginia’s regulatory burdens on the 40 plus occupations and professions regulated by DPOR boards,” said Secretary of Labor Bryan Slater. “We obviously still have a lot of work ahead of us—Virginia’s workforce and businesses will benefit substantially by the elimination of unnecessary regulatory obstacles to jobs and economic opportunities.”

DPOR is an executive branch agency under the Secretary of Labor, overseeing 18 regulatory boards comprised of practitioners and citizens appointed by the governor. Policy boards determine the minimum standards necessary to enter a profession and the standards of conduct for licensees. Governor Youngkin signed Executive Directive One on his first day in office, directing agencies to reduce regulatory burdens by at least 25%.

National transition to 988 offers once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to strengthen and expand the existing Lifeline.

RICHMOND, VA – The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) and Virginia Department of Health (VDH) today announced the successful transition of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to the three digit 988 number. In 2020, Congress designated the new 988 dialing code to operate through the existing National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s (1-800-273-8255) network of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers across the country.

“988 will give Virginians in crisis an easy way to quickly connect to trained support, no matter where you are,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This is a crucial step in transforming our crisis system so that all Virginians have someone to talk to, someone to respond, and don’t have to wonder about how to access help.”

988 is more than just an easy-to-remember number—it’s a direct connection to compassionate, accessible care and support for anyone experiencing mental health-related distress. Similar to dialing 911 in emergencies, anyone who needs mental health support can dial 988, whether they are experiencing thoughts of suicide, mental health or substance use crisis, or any other kind of emotional distress. People can also dial 988 if they are worried about a loved one who may need crisis support.

“Tragically, Virginia over 1,200 Virginians died by suicide in 2020, and the rate of suicide in Virginia has been on the rise for many years,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources John Littel. “Yet, suicide is often a preventable health crisis, especially if the person can get help quickly. 988 provides Virginians access to a life-saving service for anyone having thoughts of suicide or experiencing any kind of mental health distress. 988 will also be a tremendous resource for families worried about the mental health of a loved one.”

988 calls across the nation will go to regional call centers to provide local help for the caller. Thanks to state legislation and a focus on statewide comprehensive crisis efforts, Virginia has been ahead of the curve in preparing for the 988 rollout. Virginia has increased its ability to answer Lifeline calls in-state by 33 percent since January of 2021, in large part due to the enhanced assistance provided to call centers. During this same time, call centers in Virginia saw an increase in calls by 23 percent.

“988 is an incredibly important advancement by getting people quick access to mental health support,” said DBHDS Commissioner Nelson Smith.  “But a hotline is only part of improving crisis services for Virginians. We are building a range of crisis services to help more people with mental illness avoid homelessness, hospitalization, or incarceration and will connect them to the best community service to meet their needs.”

“The 988 emergency number provides a quick, easy-to-remember connection to help for a person in crisis, allowing the most timely intervention to prevent suicides. This innovation will save lives,” said State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene, MD, MPH.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and has been administered by Vibrant Emotional Health since it began in 2005. The Lifeline is a national network of over 200 local, independent crisis centers equipped to help people in mental health related distress or experiencing a suicidal crisis via call, chat, or text. The Lifeline provides free and confidential support to people in suicidal crisis or mental health-related distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the U.S.

For more information on the 988 Lifeline, visit https://988lifeline.org.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) voted in support of H.R. 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, to protect marriage equality for same-sex and interracial marriages.

“The Supreme Court’s recent departure from judicial precedent and Justice Thomas’s concurrence in Dobbs ­has left many families worried about their future,” said Rep. McEachin (VA-04). “This far-right Supreme Court threatens constitutional rights that millions of Americans currently enjoy. We saw it happen with reproductive health care, and now Justice Thomas has called into question access to contraception, marriage equality, and the legality of same-sex relations. We will not stand idly by why these rights are undermined.”

Rep. McEachin, a proud member of the LGBT Equality Caucus, is an original cosponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act. He has long advocated for equal protections for the LGBTQ+ community and continues those efforts with the Respect for Marriage Act, which will:

• Repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. Although this law was rendered inert by the Supreme Court’s marriage equality decisions, it remains on the books. Enacting the Respect for Marriage Act would finally erase the discriminatory law from the U.S. code.
• Protect marriage equality for federal purposes by ensuring that for federal law purposes people are considered married if the marriage was valid in the state where it was performed.
• Provide additional protections at the state level by prohibiting any person acting under color of state law from denying full faith and credit to an out of state marriage based on the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of the people in the marriage.

“I am proud to cosponsor and help pass the Respect for Marriage Act to codify marriage equality into federal law and defend the rights of the LGBTQ+ community,” continued Rep. McEachin (VA-04). “Today, we took an important step in defending the many families and children who rely on the constitutional right to marriage equality. I urge the Senate to move this legislation forward expeditiously to ensure it remains the law of the land.”

Read a summary of H.R. 8404 here.

Editor's Note: This bill, should it become law, would not just protect same sex marriage. According to the summary, H. R. 804 would also protect interracial marriages, as Loving v. Virginia would also likely be tested, "...although Justice Thomas did not mention the right to interracial marriage, that right relies on the same constitutional doctrines as the right to same-sex marriage and, therefore, could be vulnerable to a legal challenge."

By Quentin R. Johnson, Ph.D.

World Youth Skills Day falls on July 15th.  It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. The day provides an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of preparing young people for reasonable and adequate employment, either for others or as entrepreneurs. Some of the day’s activities focus on dialog among education and training institutions, businesses of various kinds and sizes, organizations that represent employers and workers, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

While the UN focuses on needs around the world, it is easy to overlook the fact that the same needs exist right here in our own country, in our own state, in our own counties, and in our own cities, towns, and neighborhoods. The imperative to offer education and training so that program completers attain the appropriate skills needed to stay current in an evolving employment environment has never been greater.

In the United States, community colleges are uniquely suited to serve this function. The nation’s first community colleges grew out of conditions prevalent more than 100 years ago when the ability to compete in the global economy required expanded opportunities for education and training. At first, high schools added upper divisions to train teachers or provide young people with vocational learning opportunities. Small private colleges emerged with an emphasis on moderating class size. These trends coalesced, and the first junior college was founded in 1901. By 1910, there were three.

Today, there are more than 1,000 community colleges across the country, and they serve more than 10 million students. Based on statistics for the 2019-2020 school year, they earned 865,504 Associate Degrees and 599,397 certificates.

In our Commonwealth, there are 23 institutions within the Virginia Community College System. Southside Virginia Community College is one of them. SVCC, which opened in 1970, serves a large population of students who are often underrepresented in institutions of higher learning. These include low-income students, students from ethnically and racially diverse backgrounds, incumbent workers, out-of-work adults, and students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Some students enroll in transfer programs that prepare them to continue their education elsewhere. Others pursue academic pathways in technological fields that prepare them to enter the workforce. Some focus on acquiring specific in-demand skills through short-term credentialing programs in areas such as HVAC, welding, power line work, and truck driving.

SVCC routinely offers opportunities for young people and adults to learn about career options and to explore various pathways for acquiring the necessary education and training in academic and technical fields. For example, this month, in partnership with the South Hill Police Department, Brunswick County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office, Virginia State Police, and others, we are offering a Criminal Justice Summer Academy. It will help young people in grades six through eight learn about careers in the criminal justice system.

In advocating World Youth Skills Day, the U.N. notes that education leads to increased productivity, higher wages, and the ability to overcome barriers to employment or self-employment. To produce these results, education must be equitable and inclusive, available to people without respect to gender, race, or ethnic background. When people have the knowledge and skills to participate in society, everyone reaps rewards in terms of safer and more cohesive communities.

Dr. Quentin R. Johnson is president of Southside Virginia Community College, an institution of higher learning that provides a wide variety of education opportunities to a diverse student population within a service area that spans ten counties and the City of Emporia. He can be reached via email at quentin.johnson@southside.edu.

The Federal Reserve System’s Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., on July 1, 2022, approved the application by Benchmark Community Bank to purchase the Emporia, Virginia branch of  First Community Bank. The application was previously announced on April 1, 2022. The purchase includes the branch real estate, certain personal property, and associated deposit accounts. Loan accounts are not included in the purchase transaction, and loans associated with the Emporia branch will continue to be held and serviced by First Community. 

The conversion date has been set for Friday, September 16, 2022. Beginning early August, 2022, customers of both banks will receive information related to the conversion and how their accounts will be affected by the associated changes.

The sole subsidiary of Benchmark Bankshares, Inc. (OTC Pink: BMBN), Benchmark Community Bank (“Benchmark”) is headquartered in Kenbridge, Virginia. First Community Bank (“First Community”), the banking subsidiary of First Community Bankshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCBC), is headquartered in Bluefield, Virginia.

RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin announced updated guidance on quarantine procedures following exposure to COVID-19 in school, child care and camp settings. This revised guidance outlines that quarantine is no longer routinely recommended after exposure to COVID-19 infected individuals in child care, K-12 schools, and camp settings.  

Earlier in the year, individuals were encouraged to consider their own risk tolerance and determine what precautions made sense for them and their families. Today, vaccines, tests and treatments continue to be readily available and, at the same time, hospitalization rates are low and the number of Virginians with natural immunity has increased. As such, it is again timely for individuals, families and employers to re-evaluate which precautions are appropriate to them.   

“From the first days of my administration, I have supported parents in making informed decisions for their own families, whom they love and know best,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “As Virginians continue to return to the office and social settings, the pandemic is disrupting workplaces and family life when entire child care facilities, camps and classrooms shutter in response to as few as two cases. Today marks a shift in my administration’s recommendations to optional quarantine for exposure to COVID-19 in child care and school settings as the severity of the disease decreases.”  

While our communities and Commonwealth are learning to live with the pandemic, we recognize that COVID-19 continues to impact many individuals. We are encouraged by our health systems’ continued advancement in both the understanding of, and treatment for, the virus. We will continue to be vigilant about surges or new variants and any impact to our healthcare system.  While maintaining that prudence, Virginia’s communities can, and should, continue on a path to normalcy. 

View the updated COVID-19 guidance here.

RICHMOND – Virginia’s official and only comprehensive report on local and statewide crime figures for 2021, titled Crime in Virginia, is now available online at the Virginia State Police website on the VSP CJIS Data Analysis & Reporting Team page. Crime in Virginia continues to provide precise rates and occurrences of crimes committed in towns, cities and counties across the Commonwealth. The report breaks down criminal offenses and arrests by reporting agency.

Violent crime includes the offenses of murder, forcible sex offenses (rape, sodomy and sexual assault with an object per the FBI’s updated rape definition), robbery and aggravated assault. Overall, the violent crime rate increased in 2021 to 194.4 (per 100,000 population) from 183.0 in 2020.  There were 16,823 violent crime offenses reported in 2021 compared to 15,713 violent crime offenses reported in 2020, representing a 7.1% increase.

The following 2021 crime figures in Virginia are presented in the report:

The report employs an Incident Based Reporting (IBR) method for calculating offenses, thus allowing for greater accuracy. IBR divides crimes into two categories: Group A for serious offenses including violent crimes (murder, forcible sex offenses, robbery and aggravated assault), property crimes and drug offenses, and Group B for what are considered less serious offenses such as trespassing, disorderly conduct, and liquor law violations where an arrest has occurred.

Per state mandate, the Department of Virginia State Police serves as the primary collector of crime data from participating Virginia state and local police departments and sheriff’s offices. The data are collected by the Virginia State Police Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Division via a secured internet system. This information is then compiled into Crime in Virginia, an annual report for use by law enforcement, elected officials, media and the general public. These data become the official crime statistics for the Commonwealth and are sent to the FBI for incorporation into their annual report, Crime in the United States.

VSU food researcher Dr. Yixiang Xu awarded $274,500 NIFA-AFRI Grant to explore a new way to process hemp protein as a food source

ETTRICK, Va.— Hemp protein is highly nutritious and digestible with 20 amino acids and up to 98 percent digestibility, which enables the body to use these building blocks to repair and maintain cells more effectively. It has nine essential fatty acids, which are diet dependent. The body cannot make them, despite their importance in physiological processes. Not only are they important in cell maintenance, and cardiovascular health, but also in regulating metabolic and inflammatory processes, as well as brain development and function.

With few exceptions, hemp protein supplies significantly more amino acids than soy and dairy proteins. Yet, to date, hemp has not responded well to processing methods for its production as a food source. Researchers hope to solve that problem with a new processing method called high-pressure processing (HPP).

To explore the effects of HPP on hemp protein for use in plant-based food, Dr. Yixiang Xu, a food scientist at Virginia State University’s Agricultural Research Station, was awarded a $274,500 grant by the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (NIFA-AFRI). Together with Dr. GuiBing Chen, a food engineer at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Xu will investigate how HPP affects the taste, nutrition and other key qualities of hemp protein.

With increasing demand for plant-based proteins, this research could prove invaluable with broad benefits for hemp growers, manufacturers, and other industries, and for consumers. The grant will support the project through 2023 and will provide students with research-based learning opportunities, as well.

Virginia Cooperative Extension is a partnership of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments. Its programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other basis protected by law.

Greensville County Public Schools is participating in the 2022 Summer Food Service Program.  Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability or age, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

Meals will be provided, on a first come, first serve basis at the sites and times as follows:

                        Location                                                          Days of Service

All sites will be closed July 4, 2022.

Meals do not have to be consumed on site and parent pick is also available.

For more information about Summer Meals, please contact MaRendia Garner at 434-634-2863.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   program.intake@usda.gov 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

RICHMOND, VA – Today, the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) Office of Drinking Water (ODW) announced the launch of a statewide voluntary Lead Testing in Drinking Water at Schools and Child Care Centers in Virginia program. This free program will test for lead in drinking water in select Virginia public schools and child care centers.

The purpose of this program, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is to help Virginia public schools and child care centers identify lead occurrences in their drinking water and reduce exposure.  Currently, the program has approximately $1.1 million in funding, which will be able to collect and analyze 40,000 samples.

Virginia public schools (K-12) and child care centers interested in participating in this program should enroll at leadinvawater.org.  Selected schools/child care centers will be notified by the VDH team.

Selection to the program is based on available funding with prioritization based upon the affordability criteria established by the state under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), to include schools with at least 50% of the children receiving free and reduced lunch and head start facilities. Priority will also be given to elementary schools and child care centers that primarily serve children 6 years and under and older facilities that are more likely to contain lead plumbing.

“This program is an amazing opportunity to partner with schools and child care centers to help identify and reduce lead exposure in drinking water in children,” said Dr. Tony Singh, deputy director of the Office of Drinking Water. “Every action we take to reduce lead exposures improves the health of our children.”

Protecting children from lead exposure is important for lifelong health, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the EPA.  Lead is especially harmful to the health of children because it can interfere with brain development.

Lead can enter drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. Lead pipes are more likely to be found in older cities and homes/buildings built before 1986 before the SDWA banned lead in plumbing fixtures.

To learn more about this program visit leadinvawater.org or email info@leadinvawater.org.

On July 6, 2022, at approximately 9:53AM, the state police were called to investigate a single vehicle crash in Brunswick County that had resulted in a fatality.

The driver and sole occupant of a 2009 Toyota Camry, 16 year old male, was traveling southbound on Tanner Town Road at a high rate of speed, when he lost control, ran off the roadway and overcorrected, striking an embankment. Upon striking the embankment, the vehicle began to overturn several times, ejecting the 16 year old driver. 

Alcohol was not a contributing factor in the crash. Family members have been identified and notification has been made.