Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Good morning! On this day in 1865, Union Brig. Gen. David Gregg led his mounted cavalry division to the Boydton Plank Road near Dinwiddie Court House in an attempt to cut off Confederate supply lines. It was the first action in what would become the inconclusive three-day battle of Hatcher’s Run.

The Virginia Flyover is familiar with the Commonwealth’s postal problems, and now the USPS has delivered even more bad news. Be sure to scroll down to Around Virginia for that report.

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UVA Shooter’s Sentencing Is Delayed

The sentencing of confessed UVA shooter Christopher Darnell Jones Jr., which had been scheduled for this week, was postponed until November.

Jones pleaded guilty last year to three counts of first-degree murder and seven lesser charges in connection with the killing of three fellow students in 2022. Jones opened fire on a bus as it was returning to campus after a class trip.

“While frustrated, we acknowledge the criminal justice system can move very slowly,” a representative for two of the families said. “The families painfully anticipate the conclusion of this tragically dark chapter in their lives.”

The delay also means families will have to wait for the release of an official report from the Attorney General’s office about the attack.

Financial Help for Grieving Families

Several verified opportunities have emerged to help provide financial assistance to the families of the victims of last week’s collision over the Potomac.

The DCA Together Relief Fund is a consortium of Northern Virginia community foundations. Its goal is to provide direct financial assistance to families, resources for first responders, and support for nonprofits handling logistics for the families.

Multiple independent websites are also collecting money. GoFundMe is providing an updated list of verified pages that will support family members.

The Wichita Foundation’s ICT Together is a community aid fund named after the airport code where the American Airlines flight originated. It reports that “100% of contributions will go toward those affected” by the disaster.

Seven Great Commonwealth Downtowns

WorldAtlas scoured the Commonwealth to provide a list of the top seven downtowns in the state. Each offers a variety of attractions, from historic sites to shopping to great restaurants.

The picks include Luray, Front Royal, Petersburg, Fredericksburg, Winchester, Lexington, and Charlottesville.

“A visit to any of these seven downtowns is an excellent way to get to know the state of Virginia,” WorldAtlas noted.

Is there a downtown area you love and think should be added to the list? Hit reply and let us know!

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➤ Richmond: A Senate committee blocked three Republican-sponsored immigration measures. The proposals aimed to increase immigration status checks for detained juveniles, ensure that specific incarcerated individuals are handed over to federal authorities, and require that public assistance applicants be legal immigrants. (Details)

➤ Statewide: The CDC placed the Commonwealth in its “very high” category for flu rates. “We are seeing a rise in cases mostly because of decreased vaccination rates,” state health official Dr. Annie Williams said. (More)

➤ Leesburg: Hundreds of federal workers attended a town hall to tell Democratic Rep. Suhas Subramanyam that they were concerned about their jobs. “Everyone’s afraid every day the other shoe’s going to drop, and we’re going to get cut,” one employee said. (Details)

➤ Sandston: A USPS audit blamed a lack of leadership at Richmond’s Regional Processing and Distribution Center for the facility’s poor delivery record and worker dissatisfaction. The report said the problems cost the postal service as much as $2.3 million. (More)

➤ Charlottesville: UVA’s Class of 2029 began to take shape as it tendered acceptance offers to nearly 7,000 students. The university reviewed applications from more than 11,000 Virginians and 30,700 out-of-state students. (Details)

➤ Bristol: Firefighters extinguished three separate fires along a single stretch of road. Officials reported that the suspicious blazes will be investigated. (More)

➤ The Washington Commanders may have fallen short of making it to this week’s Super Bowl, but the Commonwealth will be well represented during Sunday’s game. (More)

➤ The Attorney General’s office announced it had reached an agreement with the NCAA that will protect student-athletes’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights during the recruiting process. Virginia and Tennessee jointly sued the NCAA over the issue last year. (More)

➤ Virginia Tech men’s basketball hosts SMU tonight. The Hokies are coming off a one-point win in their Commonwealth Clash game against UVA last weekend. (Preview)

➤ College sports are being contested on the courts and in the courts. Sign up for NIL Wire to get the latest on Name, Image, and Likeness policies in Virginia and nationwide.

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | Soccer

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➤ Business owners in Northern Virginia said they are optimistic about future economic growth but concerned about the cost of living in the region. (Details)

➤ STIHL Inc. announced it has produced its 100 millionth unit at its Virginia Beach facility. CEO Chris Keffer stated that this milestone reflects the company’s commitment to high-quality American manufacturing. (More)

➤ The Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce is set to relocate to new headquarters this spring. It is leaving downtown after almost three decades. (More)

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➤ Virginia State Parks has invited all residents to take part in the annual Great Backyard Bird Count from Feb. 14-17. Participants are asked to log the number of birds they see in a 15-minute period, which helps scientists predict migration patterns in an area. (Details)

➤ The Virginia Employment Commission has revamped its website to make it easier for residents to check their eligibility status and sign up for unemployment benefits. (More)

➤ Virginia Western Community College is offering an Introduction to Hydroponics course beginning on Feb. 19. (Details)

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