A work group appointed by Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane to assess student needs and support Virginia schools this spring and summer as they offer or expand in-person instruction is seeking comment from parents and other members of the public. The Virginia LEARNS (Leading, Engaging, Assessing, Recovering, Nurturing and Succeeding) work group — which includes educators, school administrators, mental health professionals, parents and leaders of community organizations — conducted its first virtual meeting Feb. 17. “Ultimately, our goal is to provide a guidance document — or documents — to guide schools on how to recover and make sure...Article Link

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No one was injured during a major house fire near Wilder Middle School early Thursday morning. It happened just after 1:30 a.m. in the 7800 block of Point Hollow Drive, in the Sterling Forest community, just off Wilkinson Road. Henrico Fire units arrived to find heavy fire coming from the front and side of the home. All occupants were safely outside when fire units arrived, and firefighters used handlines and an aerial platform to control the fire initially. The home suffered extensive damage. The Henrico Fire Marshal’s Office is on scene to determine the origin and cause of the fire.Article Link

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The General Assembly is advancing legislation that allows Virginia consumers more protection with their online data, though opponents say the measure does not include the ability for people to file private lawsuits against companies that breach the proposed law. The measure is known as the Consumer Data Protection Act in both chambers of the state legislature. The Senate version, sponsored by Sen. David Marsden, D-Fairfax, passed the House 89-9 on Thursday. The House version, sponsored by Del. Cliff Hayes, D-Chesapeake, is awaiting a final vote but was passed by for the day Thursday. “The consumers should have the right to...Article Link

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6900 block of Holland Street – Police arrested and charged a citizen with murder at a single-family home Feb. 12 at 8 a.m. Mechanicsville Turnpike at Crump Street – Police arrested and charged a citizen with having an open container of alcohol in an automobile Feb. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Lakeside Avenue at Barclay Road – Police arrested and charged a citizen with driving under the influence and hit-and-run felony at a vehicle accident Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. 9500 block of Virginia Centerway Drive – Police arrested and charged a citizen with aggravated assault at an apartment complex Feb....Article Link

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Most respondents to this month’s Richmond Power Poll are glad that Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam is urging school systems to offer in-person learning by mid-March, but they are a bit more divided about the state’s COVID-19 vaccination process. Asked to describe their reaction to Northam’s directive to school systems that they provide in-person options by March 15, 41% said they thought it was great and about time, while another 41% said that it was good and important for those who want to return to have the option. Only 10% thought the decision was a bad one because it should have...Article Link

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Henrico County is now averaging 100 new cases of COVID-19 per day during the past seven days, matching the actual number of new cases reported in the county Thursday, according to the Virginia Department of Health. It’s a dramatic difference in just about one month’s time; the county was averaging 240 new daily cases as recently as Jan. 20. The last time it was averaging as few as 100 new cases per day was Dec. 6. Henrico also reported two new hospitalizations related to the virus, but for the sixth straight day reported no new virus-related deaths – the longest...Article Link

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A man was injured early Thursday when a shot fired into a residence struck him. It happened at about 12:30 a.m., Feb. 17, in the area near East Nine Mile Road and Garfield Avenue. The man was transported to a local hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, according to Henrico Police. Anyone with information about the shooting should call Detective Noah at (804) 501-5581 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. Tips also may be submitted anonymously at http://www.p3tips.com.Article Link

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A total of 283 Henrico citizens filed first-time unemployment claims during the week of Feb. 7-13, just 13 more who had done so the previous week, according to the Virginia Employment Commission. The county’s increase of initial filers (4.8%) nearly matched the statewide increase of 4.9%. Henrico, the seventh-largest locality in the state, had only the 11th highest number of first-time filers during the most recent week. Richmond led the state with 658. The number of people filing continuing claims in Henrico slipped below 2,000 for the first time since the early days of the pandemic, dropping to 1,968 from...Article Link

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Officials from Richmond Raceway and Toyota announced Thursday that they were renewing their partnership on the entitlement of the 2021 Toyota Spring Race Weekend, with the Toyota Owners 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday, April 18 and ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on Saturday, April 17. “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with Toyota as we have collaborated to provide one of the best race experiences for loyal NASCAR fans and Toyota owners in the sport,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “As we celebrate our 75th anniversary, we look forward to working closely with Toyota...Article Link

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Four Henrico players are among the 21 Virginia nominees for a spot on the 44th McDonald’s All American Games high school girls basketball team. They are: • Jada Walker, Henrico High School • Syndey Boone, Highland Springs High School; • Iyanna Rogers, Highland Springs High School; • Sherese Pittman, The Steward School; In total, more than 700 top girls and boys players from throughout the nation were named nominees for the final team roster of 48 players, which will be named later this month. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no games will be played this year, but each of those selected...Article Link

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