http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php en tlappas@henricocitizen.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-18T21:01:23+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/officials_varina_hs_student_responsible_for_noose_0518 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/officials_varina_hs_student_responsible_for_noose_0518#When:21:01:23Z Henrico County Public Schools officials late today announced that they had identified the person who hung a noose from a tree on the campus of Varina High School earlier this week. The culprit – a student at the school – will not be publicly identified but faces "very serious school disciplinary action up to a recommendation for expulsion," according to HCPS spokesman Mychael Dickerson. "We would like to commend the Varina High students, staff and Henrico police department for the cooperation and investigation used to bring this offensive incident to a close." 2012-05-18T21:01:23+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/william_sophia_top_most_popular_baby_names_in_va_0518 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/william_sophia_top_most_popular_baby_names_in_va_0518#When:17:56:35Z If you're invited to a wedding in Virginia in a few decades, don't be surprised if the groom is named William and the bride Sophia. Those two names top the list of the most popular names for babies born in Virginia in 2011, the Social Security Administration announced today. Overall, the top five boys names (in order) were William, Jacob, Mason, Noah and Ethan. For girls, the most popular names were Sophia, Emma, Olivia, Isabella and Abigail. Features, 2012-05-18T17:56:35+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/hermitage_student_earns_civitan_scholarship0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/hermitage_student_earns_civitan_scholarship0517#When:01:56:44Z Hermitage High School senior Samuel Richardson, who will graduate next month, plans to help pay his way through his four years at University of Virginia. The Greater Richmond Civitan Club helped him get off to a good start, awarding Richardson its $4,000 scholarship Wednesday night at the Civitan Honor Key Awards Banquet at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Richmond. Richardson was one of 31 local high school students honored at the banquet but was the only one awarded with the scholarship. Those who chose the scholarship winner had been impressed with Richardson pledging to put $10,000 of his own money each year to help pay for his tuition, said Pat Robson, secretary of the Greater Richmond Civitan Club and master of ceremonies for the banquet. Education, High Schools, Hermitage High School, 2012-05-18T01:56:44+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/keep_virginia_beautiful_awards_grant_to_chamberlayne_e.s0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/keep_virginia_beautiful_awards_grant_to_chamberlayne_e.s0517#When:01:53:08Z Chamberlayne Elementary School recently was awarded a $750 grant as part of the Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB) “30 Grants In 30 Days” program. The Green Team at Chamberlayne started a school-wide recycling program two years ago and would like to add plastic bag recycling to the program. The team will use this KVB grant to make this a reality. Their goals include installation of permanent plastic bag collection sites, reusable shopping bags to distribute to families, additional outdoor recycling containers to be used throughout campus, as well as a field trip to a local recycling facility for members of the Green Team. Education, 2012-05-18T01:53:08+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/highland_springs_h.s._wins_tsa_state_competition0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/highland_springs_h.s._wins_tsa_state_competition0517#When:01:52:30Z Highland Springs High School’s Technology Student Association (TSA) recently had an outstanding showing at Technosphere, the Virginia TSA State Leadership Conference. Out of 39 participants, 34 students were top-ten finalists. They finished first, second and third in Flight Endurance with students Andrew Compton, Thomas Schill and David Duke leading the way. The team swept Dragster Design with Andrew Compton in first, Paul Kirchoff in second and Austin Armstrong in third. Joseph Keegan and Calyssa Baig were second in Debating Technological Issues and Andrew Compton took top honors on the Technology Bowl written test. Education, High Schools, Highland Springs High School, 2012-05-18T01:52:30+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/business_in_brief0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/business_in_brief0517#When:01:37:23Z Henrico-based Gavin Law Offices, PLC recently received national recognition in the 2011-12 “Best Law Firms” rankings by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers®. The firm achieved a Metropolitan/Richmond Tier 2 ranking in two legal practice areas: copyright law and trademark law. Nearly 10,000 U.S. law firms were ranked. Business, Business in Brief, 2012-05-18T01:37:23+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/new_law_prohibits_pointing_lasers_at_aircraft0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/new_law_prohibits_pointing_lasers_at_aircraft0517#When:00:18:57Z When a police helicopter was flying overhead searching for a criminal suspect in Virginia Beach, Christopher Willingham did something he now acknowledges was “stupid”: He pointed a green laser at the helicopter – temporarily blinding the pilot and halting the search. That stunt was not only stupid – it was illegal: Willingham was charged with a felony under a federal law that prohibits pointing a laser at an aircraft. In January, Willingham pleaded guilty to interfering with the authorized operation of an aircraft and is scheduled for sentencing this week. Willingham was prosecuted under federal law because there was no applicable state law. That will change on July 1, when a new Virginia law kicks in. General Assembly, General Assembly 2012, 2012-05-18T00:18:57+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/ccc_honors_local_volunteers0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/ccc_honors_local_volunteers0517#When:00:15:12Z Geline B. Williams (in yellow jacket), who with her husband founded the Virginia Society for Human Life (VSHL), was among the honorees at the annual Commonwealth Catholic Charities Community Service Awards, held May 3 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Joining Williams, who won the Individual Award, were friends and well-wishers as well as fellow members of VSHL. A mother of five, Williams volunteered for various organizations while raising her family, including the United Way, Instructive Visiting Nurse Association (IVNA), Commonwealth Catholic Charities, and Christian Children’s Fund, working on behalf of the health and welfare of the unborn, families, and the elderly. After she and her husband, Alex, founded VSHL in 1967, the VSHL established the Alex and Geline Williams Oratory Contest for high school juniors and seniors. Features, 2012-05-18T00:15:12+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/teppanyaki_grill_opens_in_west_end0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/teppanyaki_grill_opens_in_west_end0517#When:00:08:08Z Teppanyaki Grill officially opened its newest location May 9 with a ribbon-cutting, performed by Tim Grimes of the Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce, and the traditional "lion dance" to bring good luck. The restaurant is located at 9043 West Broad St. at Tuckernuck Drive in the Sassafras Square Shopping Center. Business, 2012-05-18T00:08:08+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/high_his_at_twin_hickory_e.s0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/high_his_at_twin_hickory_e.s0517#When:23:59:07Z To reward students for Twin Hickory Elementary School's 100 percent PTA membership (meaning at least one parent of every student joined), Principal Mike Dussault spent the entire day of May 8 on the school roof. Throughout the day, each class in the school had the chance to go outside, greet the principal, and send up messages and gifts – including food and drinks, playing cards, paper airplanes, and the hat and sunglasses Dussault is wearing in the photo – using a bucket and rope. Education, 2012-05-17T23:59:07+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/schools_reflect_student_diversity0517 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/schools_reflect_student_diversity0517#When:16:25:13Z Look in a mirror. You'll see your reflection. Then look out a window. You will see part of the world. Jonathan Zur, president of the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities (VCIC) often uses a mirror-window activity to help teach Henrico County educators how to be more inclusive across race, gender and class. The activity helps educators analyze how students see themselves, how students see the world, and how those two worlds intersect in their schools. Some students see their images reflected in history books in school, on bulletin boards and in student leadership roles. Others see themselves reflected only in token ways. In the latter cases, VCIC trainers show teachers ways to address the disparities. Education, 2012-05-17T16:25:13+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/in_the_garden0514 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/in_the_garden0514#When:23:44:08Z Now that lawns are greening up, it’s time to consider best practices for mowing your grass. “How you mow is important,” advises Henrico Extension Agent Karen Carter. “One of the best ways to prevent weeds in your lawn is to mow correctly.” Start by checking the blade on your mower. It needs to be sharp so that you don’t chew off or shred your grass, which makes it vulnerable to disease and attacks by insects. The blade needs to be set high enough to leave grass at least 3 inches high. “This is probably the most important thing,” said Carter. “Mowing high improves root growth and helps shade out weed seedlings. You’ll still have some weeds, but the number will be greatly reduced.” Home and Garden, In the Garden, 2012-05-15T23:44:08+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/student_completes_naval_academy_050312 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/student_completes_naval_academy_050312#When:19:36:28Z Henrico County resident Jack James, a graduate of Woodberry Forest School, will be graduating from the Naval Academy this month and will enter the Harvard Kennedy School as an explosive ordnance disposal officer in the U.S. Navy. Education, 2012-05-15T19:36:28+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/milestones051215 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/milestones051215#When:18:08:20Z Jane Geaney, associate professor of religious studies at the University of Richmond, recently received a $6,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Summer Stipend Program. Geaney will use the grant to work on her book, “A Chinese Grammatology,” which documents and interprets the development of ideas about language in early China (c. 500 B.C.E. – 220 C.E.). Her research will show how non-alphabetic scripts can shape a culture’s ideas about the nature of language. Geaney has taught at Richmond since 1997. She holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago and a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross. Milestones, 2012-05-15T18:08:20+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/fit4kids_offers_grant_funds_for_schools http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/fit4kids_offers_grant_funds_for_schools#When:18:02:04Z Greater Richmond Fit4Kids will award as much as $1,000 in grant funding through its 2012 Healthy Kids Grant program to schools to improve the health and wellness of students through increased physical activity and better nutrition. Public and private schools in Henrico, Chesterfield, Hanover and Richmond are eligible to apply for funding to support programs and activities that take place before, during and after school. Education, 2012-05-15T18:02:04+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/moody_music_department_wins_top_honors_at_festival0514 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/moody_music_department_wins_top_honors_at_festival0514#When:17:16:35Z The Moody Middle School Music department recently attended the Musicale Music Festival at Busch Gardens and earned top honors. This festival is a competition for middle and high school music ensembles. Mixed Choir placed first and was Grand Champion in their division, and Treble Choir took first place as well. Sixth and Seventh Grade Orchestra earned first place, Eighth Grade Orchestra took first place, and Chamber Orchestra took first place and was Grand Champion in their division. Education, Middle Schools, Moody Middle School, 2012-05-15T17:16:35+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/celebrate_nascar_day_with_free_pace_car_rides0514 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/celebrate_nascar_day_with_free_pace_car_rides0514#When:17:09:06Z Richmond International Raceway, 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, will celebrate the ninth annual NASCAR Day on Friday by giving fans extra incentive to share their passion for the sport and make a difference in the lives of children this year. Fans who purchase a NASCAR Day 2012 lapel pin at the track from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 18 will receive a complimentary Pace Car ride. Guests must enter at the Service Gate, which is located on Meadowbridge Road, one gate down from the Main Gate. To continue raising awareness, fans can visit the NASCAR Foundation’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NASCARFoundation between now and NASCAR Day to “Pin It Forward” with their $20 donation for a pair of commemorative pins – one for yourself, and one for a friend. Features, 2012-05-15T17:09:06+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/state_to_publish_college_grads_employment_rates0514 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/state_to_publish_college_grads_employment_rates0514#When:22:29:07Z Amanda Neely, a 22-year-old nursing student, graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University on Saturday. She is anxious about finding a job. “There are so many students graduating from the same nursing program that I am, and such a disproportionately small number of positions available. People assume that because I chose this field, I’m protected from unemployment, but I’m not convinced,” Neely said. She has reasons for concern: Half of young college graduates are unemployed or underemployed, stuck in jobs that don’t use their skills and knowledge, according to recent research by the Center for Labor Market Studies at Northeastern University. Education, 2012-05-14T22:29:07+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/new_law_requires_anti_bullying_training0510 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/new_law_requires_anti_bullying_training0510#When:00:26:00Z Thousands of students in schools across the country are subjected to bullying by their peers on a daily basis. Now Virginia is doing something about the problem. During its 2012 session, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring teachers and other school personnel to receive training on anti-bullying tactics. Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed the legislation into law; it will take effect in July. Lawmakers approved two identical measures – Senate Bill 271 and House Bill 504. They will require the Virginia Center for School Safety to provide employees in Virginia schools with training on how to stop bullying. State officials say such training has become necessary as bullying has become more common. General Assembly, General Assembly 2012, 2012-05-11T00:26:00+00:00 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/program_helps_deserving_children_celebrate_mothers_day0510 http://www.henricocitizen.com/index.php/news/article/program_helps_deserving_children_celebrate_mothers_day0510#When:00:23:07Z A group of children, staff members and volunteers from the Henrico Police Athletic League (PAL) will visit dressbarn at The Shops at Willow Lawn today to shop for a special Mother’s Day gift. dressbarn’s “To Mom, With Love” program helps deserving children across the country purchase a new dress, skirt or pair of shoes for their mother. Each child will receive a $50 gift card. “This Mother’s Day, we’re working to make it possible for kids who otherwise may not be able to afford a gift, to recognize the hard work, sacrifice and unique contributions that every mom makes to a home,” said Vivian Behrens, senior vice president, chief marketing officer at dressbarn. “It’s a great program that helps honor someone who too often goes overlooked.” Business, 2012-05-11T00:23:07+00:00