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Photos from 14.-16. October 2021 | Richmond Free Press

Faith Walker helps her 2-year-old niece Legacy and daughter Phoenix, 6, disinfect their hands at the Richmond Folk Festival on Brown’s Island last weekend. Thousands of people took part in the three-day cultural extravaganza that asked people to wear masks, use hand sanitizer, and maintain social distance to help curb the spread of COVID-19. At the weekend, festival visitors were provided with free COVID-19 vaccines and hand disinfection stations on the premises.

Music and dance came alive last weekend at the annual Richmond Folk Festival.  Thousands of people, including Candace Ross and their children Kiana Ross, Khalil Williams and Kasia Carrington, traveled to the riverside in Downtown and Brown's Island for the three-day event that showcased the talent and culture of more than 30 artists from across the nation the globe on several stages.

Music and dance came alive last weekend at the annual Richmond Folk Festival. Thousands of people, including Candace Ross and their children Kiana Ross, Khalil Williams and Kasia Carrington, traveled to the riverside in Downtown and Brown’s Island for the three-day event that showcased the talent and culture of more than 30 artists from across the nation the globe on several stages.

Tap dancer and singer Brinae Ali dances on Saturday afternoon on the Altria Stage to the music of the Baltimore jazz group Dizzy Spellz.

Tap dancer and singer Brinae Ali dances on Saturday afternoon on the Altria Stage to the music of the Baltimore jazz group Dizzy Spellz.

Thomas Woodson grooves while recording Rare Essence, a Washington go-go band known since the mid-1970s, during a Saturday night performance on the Dominion Stage.

Thomas Woodson grooves while recording Rare Essence, a Washington go-go band known since the mid-1970s, during a Saturday night performance on the Dominion Stage.

Rodolfo Zanetti plays the bandoneon, an instrument of the accordion family, with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Ensemble.

Rodolfo Zanetti plays the bandoneon, an instrument of the accordion family, with the Pedro Giraudo Tango Ensemble.

Leonardo Sardella and Mariana Parma dance an Argentine tango on the Community Foundation Stage in front of a grateful audience.

Leonardo Sardella and Mariana Parma dance an Argentine tango on the Community Foundation Stage in front of a grateful audience.

This four-panel exhibit tells the story of African Americans whose bodies were stolen from graves, used as teaching aids for medical students in Richmond prior to the Civil War, and then dumped in a nearby well.  Blackboard location: Outside the lecture hall of the Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St., on the Virginia Commonwealth University medical campus.  The stranger's bones were found in a long-lidded well when the building was being built in 1994.  The university and two VCU-appointed community committees have considered how the remains now in the care of the State Department of Historic Resources can be properly recognized.  Dr.  Peter Buckley, Dean of the VCU School of Medicine, described the exhibition as the school's latest attempt to recognize the humanity of those involved and “to honor and demonstrate our respect for the lives of these ancestors”.  The panels from left to right show a timeline of events with the remains from 1844 to 2019.

This four-panel exhibit tells the story of African Americans whose bodies were stolen from graves, used as teaching aids for medical students in Richmond prior to the Civil War, and then dumped in a nearby well. Blackboard location: Outside the lecture hall of the Hermes A. Kontos Medical Sciences Building, 1217 E. Marshall St., on the Virginia Commonwealth University medical campus. The stranger’s bones were found in a long-lidded well when the building was being built in 1994. The university and two VCU-appointed community committees have considered how the remains now in the care of the State Department of Historic Resources can be properly recognized. Dr. Peter Buckley, Dean of the VCU School of Medicine, described the exhibition as the school’s latest attempt to recognize the humanity of those involved and “to honor and demonstrate our respect for the lives of these ancestors”. The panels from left to right show a timeline of events with the remains from 1844 to 2019.

It's official: JE Lincoln Saunders is now the Chief Administrative Officer or Official No. 2 at City Hall after Mayor Levar M. Stoney.  Mr. Saunders, who owns his one-year-old daughter Story Hall-Saunders and is accompanied by his wife Ashley Hall, will be sworn in by City Secretary Candice D. Reid Tuesday after the city council unanimously approved Mayor Stoney's appointment on the microphone.  Mr Saunders was the incumbent CAO for almost 11 months after his predecessor Lenora Reid suffered a stroke last year.  In late August, Mayor Stoney announced Mr. Saunders would be chosen to fill the position permanently after Ms. Reid officially retired.  Mr. Saunders is said to receive nearly $ 200,000 a year.  Since taking over the top administrative post, which essentially corresponds to the city director, he has mostly received good grades.  He is the Mayor's most trusted confidante, having served as Mayor's Chief of Staff during Mayor Stoney's first four-year tenure.

It’s official: JE Lincoln Saunders is now the Chief Administrative Officer or Official No. 2 at City Hall after Mayor Levar M. Stoney. Mr. Saunders, who owns his one-year-old daughter Story Hall-Saunders and is accompanied by his wife Ashley Hall, will be sworn in by City Secretary Candice D. Reid Tuesday after the city council unanimously approved Mayor Stoney’s appointment on the microphone. Mr Saunders was the incumbent CAO for almost 11 months after his predecessor Lenora Reid suffered a stroke last year. In late August, Mayor Stoney announced Mr. Saunders would be chosen to fill the position permanently after Ms. Reid officially retired. Mr. Saunders is said to receive nearly $ 200,000 a year. Since taking over the top administrative post, which essentially corresponds to the city director, he has mostly received good grades. He is the Mayor’s most trusted confidante, having served as Mayor’s Chief of Staff during Mayor Stoney’s first four-year tenure.

Raindrops in north side

Raindrops in north side

Rain couldn't dampen the excitement of students, alumni and supporters who attended Virginia Union University's return home at Willie Lanier Field in Hovey Stadium on the Lombardy Street campus last Saturday.  Mr. and Miss VUU 2021-22 Kirk Jones and Eboné Giles wave to the crowd during their halftime performance.

Rain couldn’t dampen the excitement of students, alumni and supporters who attended Virginia Union University’s return home at Willie Lanier Field in Hovey Stadium on the Lombardy Street campus last Saturday. Mr. and Miss VUU 2021-22 Kirk Jones and Eboné Giles wave to the crowd during their halftime performance.

Mr. Lanier, a professional football hall of fame who grew up at Hovey Field as a student of Maggie L. Walker High School, was recognized for leading efforts to renovate the field and stadium.

Mr. Lanier, a professional football hall of fame who grew up at Hovey Field as a student of Maggie L. Walker High School, was recognized for leading efforts to renovate the field and stadium.

VUU Divine Elegance members perform to the sounds of the VUU Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band.

VUU Divine Elegance members perform to the sounds of the VUU Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band.

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Richmond

The Richmond Observer – Sports Report: Boys Soccer Games Postponed; Baseball fundraiser in progress

ROCKINGHAM – The Richmond Senior High School football team has postponed two of its three games it missed this week.

According to the COVID-19 logs as a team that started last Monday, the Raiders had to postpone their games against Sandhills Athletic Conference opponents Union Pines and Lee County.

The team had to cancel its non-conference game against Butler.

Head coach Chris Larsen said the Raiders will be able to catch up on the two SAC games and end the regular season next week.

The Raiders (4-11, 2-7 SAC) begin their originally scheduled home game against rivals Scotland High School (2-14, 0-10 SAC) on Wednesday October 20th.

Union Pines (4-11-2, 3-6 SAC), a team that defeated Richmond earlier this season, will visit the Raiders on Thursday October 21st. Both the Scotland and Union Pines games start at 7pm

Richmond will then end its regular season in Lee County on Saturday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m.

Raider Baseball Launches Annual Fundraiser

The Richmond baseball program has been running fall workouts for the past few weeks, and with it comes its annual fruit sales fundraiser.

Head coach Rob Ransom said anyone interested can purchase a selection of packages online, but there will be additional shipping costs for home delivery.

If you want to take part, you can also buy from a raider baseball player. The fundraiser is now open and will run until November 9th.

Click here to view the online fundraiser.

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Richmond

Richmond Police Department: Lamb Avenue investigation into death

Richmond Police Press Release:

Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Yesterday at about 9:16 pm, Richmond Police
responded to the 1700 block of Lamb Avenue for reporting on a shootout.
The officers arrived and found a grown man who had obviously been shot
Wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Find out what’s happening in Richmond with free real-time updates from patch.

A second adult male suffering from a gunshot wound became
nearby and was transported to a local hospital where he died
his injuries. The medical examiner determines the cause and the nature of the
Death. Detectives believe these shootings are and are related
investigate it as an incident. Anyone with information on this death investigation is
asked to call Major Crimes Detective G. Russell at (804) 646-7715 or
Contact Crime stopper at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips Crime Stoppers App
can also be used for smartphones. All methods for reporting crime stoppers are
anonymous.

This news release was produced by the Richmond Police Department. The views expressed here are your own.

Find out what’s happening in Richmond with free real-time updates from patch.

To request the removal of your name from an arrest report, please send these required items to Arrestreports@patch.com.

Richmond Police Department: Lamb Avenue investigation into death

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Richmond Cattle Baron’s Ball: pat toes, pat knees good time

RICHMOND – Who is ready to dress in the best western clothing for a good cause? Saddle up in person or virtually for the Richmond Cattle Baron’s Ball taking place this Saturday at Keystone Acres, Chesterfield.

The American Cancer Society’s largest fundraiser in Virginia is the most enjoyable event this side of the Rio Grande and promises to give our community a good time tapping our toes and knees.

The Lonestar sponsors Keith and Joy Jones donate the use of their riding arena, which is being converted into a western town. The entertainment program includes a cocktail reception, live and silent auctions, live music, games and more.

Headliner: “Love and Theft”

The band Love and Theft, made up of Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, will take the stage for some fun. The duo from Tennessee became known with their No. 1 country smash hit “Angel Eyes” and the top 10 hit “Runaway”. They opened up for Taylor Swift’s 2008 tour.

The opening band is Crawford & Power. This duo, Jake Crawford and Ethan Power, have musical roots in country, americana and southern rock. They released their debut EP “Play a Hank Jr. Song” in June 2018 and opened for acts like Charlie Daniels Band, The Marshall Tucker Band, Willie Nelson and more.

One lucky buckaroo will win a brand new car at the end of the night! The winners will be drawn by the presenting sponsor Haley Automotive Group.

The American Cancer Society's 2019 Richmond Cattle Baron's Ball at Keystone Acres in Chesterfield, Virginia.

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“Joy and I are excited to host the Cattle Baron’s Ball in Keystone Acres. I’m a two-time cancer survivor myself, so we know firsthand the importance of the American Cancer Society’s mission to cancer survivors,” said Keith Jones. “We hope to raise $ 1 million at the ball this Saturday to help ACS fund more life-saving research and ultimately save more lives from cancer.”

Society needs the help of the ACS now more than ever. During the pandemic, people postponed or canceled cancer screenings. Many are diagnosed with late-stage cancer that is more difficult to treat.

The American Cancer Society's 2019 Richmond Cattle Baron's Ball at Keystone Acres in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Auctioneer Russell Seneff will moderate the auction and mission trip for the event. The collected donations are used to finance cancer research in children. ‘Tip of the Hat’ to Fitzgerald Financial Group – Northwestern Mutual Private Client Group, which presented a $ 30,000 Matching Gift Challenge during the mission trip.

If you are unable to attend the in-person event, the community will be able to watch a 30-minute live broadcast of Hoedown at Home on NBC12 from 7:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

Regardless of participation, anyone can register and take part in the event’s most important silent auction. In 2019, 300 silent auction packages were available for bidding.

The American Cancer Society's 2019 Richmond Cattle Baron's Ball at Keystone Acres in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Visit Tangier Island before it’s too late:Virginia’s Tangier: Travel back in time and explore the quaint, unspoiled fishing village

Evening tour “Owl sneaks”:Petersburg National Battlefield is an ‘owlish’ good time

COVID-19 has affected the American Cancer Society and those fighting cancer in many ways since the pandemic began. From preventing treatment for cancer patients to reducing the number of screenings, the pandemic continues to affect our lives.

Even during this ongoing crisis, ACS continues to save lives, celebrate lives and fight for a cancer-free world. Recently, the ACS announced grants to both the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the UVA Cancer Center to assist cancer patients with transportation to their treatment.

“Cancer is not going to stop during this difficult time, and neither are we,” said Jim Fitzgerald, co-chair of Cattle Baron, who chairs with his wife Kappie. “We’re excited to host everyone at Keystone Acres again, but also to offer a virtual option thanks to NBC12.”

The Fitzgeralds support the ACS’s fight against cancer by saying, “Everyone has cancer in some way and we hope the Richmond community stands together with us.”

The American Cancer Society's 2019 Richmond Cattle Baron's Ball at Keystone Acres in Chesterfield, Virginia.

Mission to rid the world of cancer

The ACS serves as the nation’s leading nonprofit private research fundraiser and currently funds nearly $ 6.9 million in research grants in Virginia alone. The ACS provides 24/7 information and assistance and works to ensure that individuals in every community have access to cancer prevention, detection and treatment. For further information, click here.

To attend the event in person or to give virtual help to people suffering from cancer, click here.

Grab your posse and step up in your country-chic attire for the 6th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball from 4pm to 9pm on October 16 at Keystone Acres on 12830 River Road in Chesterfield.

– Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Do you have a news tip about local trends or companies? Contact Kristi (she, she) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter, and subscribe to us at progress-index.com.

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Baseball Scrimmage vs. Vanderbilt: What You Should Know

Story links

RICHMOND, Virginia – The University of Richmond baseball team will battle the eternal national might, Vanderbilt, in a scrimmage this Saturday. The two teams will meet at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, North Carolina, with the first field scheduled for 10 a.m.

Important points to remember when fans travel to Cary this weekend, there is a $ 10 entrance fee at the gate, which is only paid in cash. There will be no livestream for the event on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to follow @SpiderBaseball on Twitter and Instagram for in-scrimmage updates and a round-up on RichmondSpiders.com.

– UR –

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Richmond

The Richmond Observer – OH DEER: The Deputy Richmond County discovered deer in downtown Rockingham

ROCKINGHAM – Captain Jeff Starling was sitting in his patrol car doing paperwork on Thursday when he noticed an unusual pedestrian: a white-tailed buck.

Starling, a civil assistant at the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, said he had just left the prison around 12:30 p.m. and got into his car in the parking lot between the prison and the district court.

He said he saw something out of the corner of his eye, looked up, and saw what looks like a three-point head.

“It drove into that fence at full speed and that’s when I picked up my cell phone,” said Starling. “I wanted to try filming it, but it happened so quickly.”

After hitting the fence, Starling said the deer jumped over a short wall: “It looked like it was going to land on the hood!”

The deer then crossed the parking lot and another deputy tried to follow him towards the intersection of US 1 and US 74 Business to make sure it didn’t cause a wreck – but he lost it, according to Starling.

“I’ve never seen wildlife downtown in 26 years,” said Starling.

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Richmond

The Richmond Observer – utility company

Republicans Condemn Task Force …

RALEIGH – NC Task Force for Safer Schools completes a statement reprimanding parents for being vocal and sometimes disrupting recent school committee meetings. Continue reading

Afghanistan: Republican Law …

WASHINGTON – Republicans in Congress, including North Carolina officials, are demanding detailed responses from the Biden administration to the United States’ catastrophic exit from Afghanistan. Continue reading

New law changes power compensation …

RALEIGH – Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 951, which will change the way energy companies, namely Duke Energy, produce energy and how they can charge customers. The … Read more

OPINION: Schools are closing …

Closing school buildings for many months over the past year – and offering poorly planned and executed virtual schools as inadequate replacements – turned out to be a disaster for North … Read more

Gulledge presents 3 Richmond C…

ROCKINGHAM – On Thursday October 14, 2021, Sheriff Mark Gulledge presented Lt. Clyde Smith received his Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and pin. Lt. Smith received this certificate from the … Read more

New license and theft inspection …

ROCKY MOUNT – The NC Division of Motor Vehicles’ License and Theft Bureau held graduation ceremonies for their 27th Basic Inspector Class at DMV headquarters in Rocky Mount on Wednesday. Continue reading

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Morrison sworn in as new President of Richmond Heights Kiwanis; Club is looking for members who want to help young people

RICHMOND HEIGHTS, Ohio – William L. Morrison, Jr. was sworn in as the new President of the Richmond Heights Kiwanis Club on October 7th with a mission to increase membership and continue to work to serve young people and local organizations who help others .

Morrison was a Newburgh Heights police officer from 1990 to 2007 and it took some persuasion to become a Kiwanian. After serving with the NHPD, he served for the next eight years as the chief security bailiff of the Garfield Heights Municipal Court. While working for the court, Morrison received a good-natured nudge to become a Kiwanian. “Judge Deborah J. Nicastro followed me for three years to come to Kiwanis,” he said. “So I joined the Independence (one of the communities the court serves) Kiwanis.”

When Morison and his wife Benita – parents of four children and grandparents of seven – were looking for a ranch-style home in 2017, they moved from Cleveland to Richmond Heights. Morrison, who enjoys his work with the Independence Kiwanis, decided to join the Richmond Heights Kiwanis Club in 2018 while continuing to remain a member of the Independence Club. In retrospect, Morrison is happy to have followed the judge’s advice.

“The organization is amazing,” he said of Kiwanis. “What I like most about it is our ‘one child at a time’ motto, which means that we strive to serve children.”

Although Kiwanis is an international organization that operates in more than 80 countries, each club has local projects. The Richmond Heights Kiwanis Club hosts fundraising drives to raise funds for scholarships for young people and to donate to organizations such as the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, and two dozen others. In 2020, Richmond Heights Kiwanis awarded four scholarships to students who lived in the city.

As the club’s new president, Morrison plans to meet soon with students from Brush High School who have signed up for the school’s Key Club, a type of junior Kiwanis club. Richmond Heights Kiwanis Club members educate Key Club students about business, support students with fundraising projects, and show them how to make a positive contribution to society. Morrison also hopes to meet with Richmond Heights High School staff soon to revive the Key Club that once existed at the school.

“My main concern,” he said of the immediate future, “is membership.” The Richmond Heights Club currently has 23 contributing members (at $ 120 per year), of whom 12 are active members. The club meets on Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm at Kiwanis Lodge, 27285 Highland Road, in Richmond Heights Community Park.

“Anyone who wants to become a member can just show up for a meeting every Thursday at 6:30 pm,” he said. “Our expectations (from members) are only to have ideas to help young people.” Members do not have to live in Richmond Heights.

The Richmond Heights Kiwanis Club has a long history in the city. It was founded in 1962 and built the lodge that is now owned by the city and serves as the main venue / venue for Richmond Heights. It recently reopened after an extensive renovation.

Current members of the club include Mayor David Roche and District Councilor 2 Frank Lentine. Lentine introduced 71-year-old Morrison as the club’s new president during the Richmond Heights City Council meeting on October 12th.

“Kiwanis has played a large, active role in the city of Richmond Heights for several years,” Lentine told his fellow councilors, “and we are not going to give in with our activities now. (Morrison) has some great ideas for our leadership.

“He will be a great guy for us and we look forward to his leadership.”

The next day, Morrison said, “We work well with the City of Richmond Heights and they have helped us a lot. Without them there would be no (local) Kiwanis per se. “

When asked what he experienced as a Kiwanian and what new members might feel, Morrison said, “Fellowship and a good feeling that I have helped the community.”

You can find more news about Sun Messenger here.

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“For many of us, Mayor Butt represents politics as always”: Richmond reacts to Butt’s decision to leave public life

There was a time when most Richmond voters would have been disappointed with Mayor Tom Butt’s decision to make this term his last. That was before they voted on a list of progressives whose majority on the city council drowned out many of Butt’s opinions and initiatives.

“For many of us, Mayor Butt represents politics as usual: connected to the big companies, protection of big developers and from progressive taxation and social policy,” said Benjamin Mertz. “Richmond is a majority minority city. We are diverse and work great. This older, powerful, long-established white man no longer represents the city. I never had the feeling that he understood those of us who walk these streets. “

In an interview with Richmond Confidential last month, Butt, 77, announced that he will no longer run for public office after his term ends in early 2023. This ended a 27-year political career that included two terms as mayor. Some see Butt as a pillar rather than a fixture in the community and hoped that he would stay in office for many years to come.

“Tom shouldn’t be wasting his talent in Richmond,” said Richard Katz, Butt’s neighbor in Point Richmond, a week before Butt broke the news. “I want him to run for higher office. I want him to run for governor of the state of California. “

Councilor Gayle McLaughlin won’t be sad if Butt leaves the council. His most valuable political legacy is the stance he took at the beginning of his public life, especially against the influence exerted by the city’s largest employer, the Chevron Refinery, she said.

“Unfortunately, Tom soon – especially after becoming mayor – gave up this stance and many promises, joined the business as usual camp and increasingly faced a growing progressive movement determined to reduce pollution and chevron and making others pay their fair share of taxes. “Our city,” added McLaughlin, a former Richmond mayor who co-founded the Richmond Progressive Alliance.

Reimagine Richmond, who is allied with the RPA, was more direct after hearing that Butt was not running for another office: “Good because we have work,” the organization wrote on Instagram

In recent years the RPA has been bitterly against Butt, and after the last elections its members occupied the majority of the council seats, so that Butt has lost many votes. From the mayor’s point of view, the RPA is “obsessed” with derailing its agenda.

“In a way, they’re either not interested in it, or they’re against everything else that has to do with a successful city,” he said. “They don’t like business. They don’t like corporations. They don’t like someone who has money. You are against living. Many of the things that are crucial to a city just stand opposite them. “

In 2018, Butt was re-elected after a controversial campaign by defeating RPA-backed challenger Melvin Willis. He also had a particularly strained and hostile relationship with Claudia Jimenez, a member of the RPA steering committee, which was among the candidates to sweep the city council in 2020.

Jimenez did not respond to Richmond Confidential’s request to comment on Butt’s impending departure.

In recent months, Butt has been cornered even more after his unsuccessful attempt to get rid of City Manager Laura Snideman and City Attorney Teresa Stricker. He accused them of using unauthorized tax dollars to investigate whether he directed the city business to his architectural firm – a claim that was not made public and that Butt denies.

The only person on the city council who is often on Butt’s side is Nat Bates – who ran for mayor’s office in 2014 and lost to Butt. Chevron had backed Bates and spent about $ 3 million getting him and other candidates to run. Butt walked a comparable fine line, a David to Bates’ Goliath.

“Tom worked hard. He did a lot for the city [that] a lot of people don’t know or honestly appreciate it, ”said Bates. “He worked hard to make Richmond a better city.”

Richmond Confidential reached all city council members through their official emails. Only Bates and McLaughlin answered.

Butt, an architect by profession, kept trying to build new housing units in Richmond, a city that is experiencing an acute housing crisis similar to the rest of the Bay Area. While his willingness to ignore environmental concerns has been criticized, his image as a proponent of housing has also earned him admirers.

Joe L. Fisher, a broker and president of the Coronado Neighborhood Council, said Butt had served with integrity and transparency and was missing.

“His entire family has shown nothing but true love for the city of Richmond,” said Fisher.

Butt’s son Andrew, who is also an architect, previously served on Richmond commissions and boards, as did Butt’s wife, Shirley. His son Daniel is a local lawyer. Tom and Shirley Butt moved to Richmond in 1973 after Butt graduated with an architecture degree and served in Vietnam. He continues to work at Interactive Resources, the company he founded in Richmond nearly 50 years ago.

Over the years, Butt has become more associated with politics than its craft. And he’s been an elected official for more than a quarter of a century.

Even so, some residents like Mertz found him out of reach. Marco Lemus, an official at the purely voluntary Richmond farm Urban Tilth, shares a similar opinion.

“I just wish he would get together with other volunteers and get their hands dirty more often without a camera,” he said.

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Richmond

In the locker room: How JMU feels on the way to Richmond | Sports

Former JMU football player Jimmy Moreland stood in the Dukes’ end zone, eyeing the Spiders to keep Richmond in front of a field goal – JMU were 14-3 ahead in the second quarter of 2018.

Former Richmond quarterback Kevin Johnson took the snapshot, threw a pass, and Moreland intercepted it and took it 100 yards to the house – the longest interception to return to touchdown in JMU football history – with Dukes’ fans playing in the Robin’s Stadium screamed.

That game was one of many in a 63-10 win for JMU the last time it was on the road in Richmond. The win was the Dukes’ biggest road win in program history, and they amassed a total of 543 yards of attack.

It’s Richmond Week and the JMU is back in Virginia’s capital for the first time since that dominating performance. The Dukes come out of a defeat, set off for two weeks and lead the historic series with the Spiders 20-18. This should be a show.

From the office: what Cignetti says

“This is soccer.”

This is the mindset of JMU head coach Curt Cignetti, who is going into the matchup against Richmond on Saturday. As he said after the game after JMU’s defeat by Villanova: “Nobody died today.” That’s what he said to the team after the Villanova defeat and it’s the focus for this weekend.

“It happens; you don’t like it, but you have to learn from defeat,” said Cignetti. “[A] Team always has two options: You can move up and get stronger or you can go to the tank, and I firmly believe that we have the lead and the right stuff on his team. “

Regarding Villanova, Cignetti said the JMU played well in the spurts. He was happy with the offensive and defensive production in the second quarter and that the team won the sales battle he stressed that it is something that the JMU must continue to do.

Cignetti attributes two of Villanova’s first-half touchdowns to missed appearances in the Dukes’ defense. The head coach said it was important to stay in position to beat Richmond and not allow sloppy games.

“This week, top down, it’s really important that we pay attention to details,” said Cignetti. “The details of the schedule and everything we do ensure that our standards are high.”

Despite the failures and the home game, Cignetti said the dukes are focused and doing hard work in training this week. He was happy with the JMU’s focus on Monday, but said the harder working days come on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“I look at our attitude, our energy and our focus in general,” said Cignetti. “It has to be good every day.”

For Cignetti it is a weekly process and cannot be “just talking” Action must go with it. It’s about “the grind”, the level of exertion, the dedication to getting better and putting words into action, said Cignetti.

“We have some [players] Play at a high level or improve weekly to reach a high level and we’ve achieved quite a bit [players] that needs to be reinforced, ”said Cignetti. “You have to move on, learn the lessons and come out stronger.”

Cignetti also emphasized how the JMU must win individual fights.

Some of that has to do with Redshirt newbie wide receiver Antwane Wells Jr. Cignetti said Wells Jr. sprained his ankle against Weber State and has not felt 100% since then. The Richmond, Virginia native hit 1,000 yards over the weekend despite the injury, but the No. 1 receiver on the left is all about getting him back to where he was.

“Every week, [Wells Jr. is] to achieve almost 100% again, ”said Cignetti. “Depending on what style of defense you will see, the possibilities that are relevant to that open up [defense] You play. “

Cignetti said he liked the dukes’ pace on Saturday. He cited the fourth quarter’s third and fourth down conversions and the early offensive outbursts because of the pace. He added that the JMUs used more displacements and movements as the same staff was kept in the field.

“Our pace has traditionally always been good here,” said Cigentti. “I like speed, I like to play fast; In addition, you sometimes see things in the field. “

Cignetti has trained in rivalry games and knows what they entail. He gives Richmond great praise and knows that he will face a tough Spiders team on Saturday.

“This is a rivalry game,” said Cignetti. “We can’t fall into the trap we got into last spring … I don’t think that’s going to be a problem because this is such a rivalry game.”

On the field: the perspective of the players

The connections between the JMU players run deep in Richmond and the Dukes-Spiders rivalry takes the game to another level.

There are 13 players on the JMU Football roster who are from Richmond or the Greater Richmond Area. Cignetti said many are key players and it is important for them to come home to play in front of the family. Redshirt senior defensive lineman Mike Greene is one of those players, and he said he’s excited about the opportunity to play in front of the family on his final season.

“[I] a lot of family is coming out this week; [we] need about 12 tickets, “said Greene. “It feels good to be coming back to Richmond.”

While it is exciting to return home to face the spiders, the dukes know the task ahead the most important game is the next. Greene, Redshirt senior running back Percy Agyei-Obese and Cignetti all emphasized how hungry Richmond will be and how the Dukes will have to watch out for the chores on Saturday.

“[Richmond] will give it our all every time we play them, ”said Greene. “You won’t want to lose in front of your home crowd … It’s just going to be another great week for us.”

Greene and Agyei-Obese said it was all about focus. They said that focusing on the next game, making the moves required, and adjusting are the keys to a possible win against the Spiders.

“Everyone just makes sure they’re doing their job,” Greene said. “It’s another week of just playing soccer … It’s a huge week and you just have to prepare like any other week.”

Agyei-Obese attended the 2018 Richmond Road Game and remembers the atmosphere. He said he remembered the spiders’ line of defense and run defense – and how much they have improved since that match.

“Your first seven that [defensive] Lineman and their linebackers [are] Veterans, and they are very stocky, ”said Agyei-Obese. “We know we are playing against an experienced group.”

One thing to note: Injured Dukes will return to the game. With an undisclosed injury to Redshirt newbie running back Kaelon Black, the running back depth was injured with Agyei-Obese, but now that he’s back this is another area where the JMU has improved the Redshirt senior scored two touchdowns last Saturday.

“Just to have everyone back, it really just straightens the line in our group,” said Agyei-Obese. “That gives us some consolation … [We’re] I am happy to have the whole group back. “

It’s a weekend rivalry for the Dukes, and while it’s exciting to visit their CAA enemies, it’s still another important game – every win counts in the CAA. It’s halftime and the playoff push is here it starts with the spiders.

“Coach Cignetti emphasizes the rivalry,” said Agyei-Obese. “When you come to JMU, you know the rivalry is deep. There must be a fire under us. “

Contact Savannah Reger at Breezesports@gmail.com. For more soccer coverage, follow the sports desk on Twitter @TheBreezeSports.