Youngkin signs 'Lucia's Law' after shooting death of Henrico teen; VA lawmakers expand public school curricula
Happy Friday! Gov. Youngkin signed a bill that would hold parents accountable for allowing children to access firearms, but vetoed several others on gun control. State lawmakers have expanded public school curricula to include more education on mental health, drug prevention, and hazing.
Congrats to the new members of the Citizen Advisory Board! The board has three members for each magisterial district and aims to help expand our coverage and outreach by including more diverse perspectives from the community.
Gun safety bill becomes law
Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin handed down several vetoes, amendments and signatures on a number of gun and public safety bills the Democratic-controlled legislature pushed for this session.
Among the measures Youngkin signed into law are ones that would create a felony charge for parents or guardians who allow a child under 18 to access a firearm despite knowing the child has a history of violent or threatening behavior.
The legislation came from Del. Rodney Willet, D-Henrico, and Sen. Schuyler T. VanValkenburg, D-Richmond, who introduced the bills after 13-year-old Lucia Bremer of Henrico County was shot to death on her walk home allegedly by a fellow student who had access to his guardian’s firearm.
Hazing, opioid prevention added
The Virginia General Assembly introduced several proposals to update public school curricula, including education around food allergies, mental health, hazing and overdose prevention.
Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News, introduced House Bill 603, which adds a mental health curriculum to be taught in physical or health education class.
The instruction will include topics such as social and emotional learning, signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges, healthy coping mechanisms and the connection between mental health and substance use disorders.
Nominate a teacher by March 31
In May, the Henrico Citizen will publish its 12th Henrico's Top Teachers issue, profiling 20 of the top teachers in Henrico County, from the preschool through high school levels. We encourage you to nominate one, or several, of the current teachers who have made a difference in your life, or in the lives of your children, friends, brothers or sisters. Public and private school teachers are eligible to be nominated. To nominate a teacher (or teachers), please click here.
URichmond campus mourns student
A University of Richmond student died unexpectedly on Thursday, university president Kevin Hallock wrote in an email to the UR community.
The university identified the deceased as Christopher Elvin, a sophomore from Newark, New Jersey.
The email did not indicate the cause and manner of death, however, emergency crews were called to campus Thursday evening for a water rescue at Westhampton Lake.
Richmond Police are leading an investigation into Elvin's death, but they say it was an accidental drowning, and no foul play is suspected.
Solar eclipse coming soon…
Because a total solar eclipse will occur in parts of the United States on April 8, including Virginia, Henrico County Public Schools will delay afternoon dismissal for all middle schools by 10 minutes.
The delay is designed to help ensure that students are not out during the peak of the eclipse at about 3:19 p.m., when looking directly at the sun can be dangerous and result in permanent eye damage. Elementary school and high school students will be dismissed at their normal times.
“Regular sunglasses, swimming goggles and most camera filters are NOT safe for looking directly at the sun,” the district said in a news release.
Photos of the week
Students at the HCPS Life Ready Learning Exhibition (photo creds to @henricocountyschools)
MORE IN HENRICO
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Kindergarten registration process in Henrico begins
Henrico Police investigating double homicide in Highland Springs
MORE IN VA
Virginia is one of the top states in the nation for book bans
Virginia Board of Education changes school rating system
Bible remains in Hanover County school libraries despite challenge
NATIONAL NEWS
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