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“Trump Train” at Marcus-David Peters Circle Results in Chaos

Trump Train derails at Marcus-David Peters Circle.

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RPD Statement:

A mobile political rally, which dubbed itself as a “Trump Train” originated in Henrico County, entered the city of Richmond this afternoon. The mobile rally drove to the Lee Monument circle at Monument and Allen avenues and confrontations with individuals at the circle ensued. Some of the vehicles left the roadway and crossed grassy medians near the area.

At approximately 4:18 p.m. an adult female who was at the circle reported she was pepper sprayed by an unknown individual from a vehicle. A few minutes earlier, officers responded to the 1800 block of Monument Avenue (near the Lee circle) to investigate a report of an unoccupied vehicle struck once by gunfire. No other injuries were reported to the Richmond Police Department. Officers responded to clear the area and investigate the assault.

Anyone who has information about injuries, or has video or photos of individuals and vehicles involved in any assault are asked to call Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

The intersection at Monument Ave and Meadow St, Monument Ave. and Lombardy St., Park Ave and Allen Ave, West Grace St. and Allen Ave are closed to traffic. Once normal traffic conditions resume the community will be notified. Local traffic and emergency vehicles will be able to travel through the area. Officers will maintain a presence and monitoring conditions in the area throughout the night.

The rolling rally was organized by Mike Dickinson who is running for City Council against Andreas Addison in the 1st District. Dickinson was quoted in the RTD as saying, “If anybody was hit, it was their own fault”.

Counter demonstrator attempting to block vehicles part of a Trump caravan is struck by a vehicle in Richmond, Virginia. from r/PublicFreakout

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Richard Hayes is the co-founder of RVAHub. When he isn't rounding up neighborhood news, he's likely watching soccer or chasing down the latest and greatest board game.

Community

Kickers to Host Guatemalan Giants Comunicaciones FC For July 18 International Friendly

The Kickers are set to host an international team at City Stadium for the first time since 2018.

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The Richmond Kickers are excited to announce they will host an international friendly at City Stadium for the first time since 2018 on Tuesday, July 18th when they face off against Guatemalan giants and 31-times national champions, Comunicaciones FC from Guatemala City.

Tickets for the match are on sale now for Kickers+ and Season Ticket members who have first rights to tickets as a benefit of being a member. Fans can head to richmondkickers.com/kickersplus to purchase a membership and unlock early access while saving up to 50% off of their tickets. All ticket sales for the match will be held online and tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday, June 8th at noon. Suite, hospitality, and group packages can also be secured by calling (804) 644-5425.

“We’re excited to welcome Comunicaciones FC to our home at City Stadium, and we are especially thrilled to bring back an international soccer friendly to Richmond after a five-year hiatus,” Kickers’ President and Chief Operating Officer Camp Peery said. “Our intention is to make this celebration of the global game a staple event for our fans and our community every year moving forward.”

The arrival of Comunicaciones next month to the River City marks a renewed commitment by the Kickers to host international sides annually after the COVID-19 pandemic complicated the possibility in recent seasons.

Richmond last hosted an international side on July 26, 2018, when RCD Espanyol of Spain’s La Liga came to town. Previously, the club has also hosted Premier League sides like Crystal Palace FC (2014), West Bromwich Albion (2015), and Swansea City AFC (2016 and 2017).

Founded in 1949, Comunicaciones is one of the most successful clubs in Guatemala with a massive following. The club is famous for its cream-colored home kits and is affectionately nicknamed Los Cremas (The Creams). They are also known as El Hexacampeón in honor of winning six-straight championships – the only club in the country to do so.

Fans will be familiar with Comunicaciones after the club’s qualification in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. The club defeated Colorado Rapids FC of the MLS 1-1 on aggregate (4-3 penalties) in the round of 16 before facing New York City FC of the MLS in the quarterfinals. The epic two legs that finished 5-5 on aggregate against NYCFC saw the MLS side win 3-1 in Hartford, Conn. before Comunicaciones earned a come-from-behind 4-2 victory in Guatemala City. However, NYCFC would advance on away goals.

Comunicaciones won the 2021 CONCACAF League – a second-tier continental league underneath the CONCACAF Champions League – which earned qualification for the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. During their trophy-winning run in 2021, the club won seven matches while only dropping one during the tournament while finishing with a plus-7 goal differential and six players on the team of the tournament.

Fresh off of a finish at the top of the cumulative table in Liga Nacional de Guatemala, Comunicaciones made it to the semifinals of the Clausura tournament just last month.

For just a yearly subscription of $35, fans unlock up to 50% off their tickets, 15% savings on Kickers’ swag, and more with a Kickers+ Membership! This steal of a deal pays for itself after your first four (4) purchased tickets. Become a member and start saving today! Additional information can be found at richmondkickers.com/kickersplus.

Stay up to date with all of the Kickers news at RichmondKickers.com and on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Download the Richmond Kickers’ official team app for news, contests, and more!

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Lane Closures – Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills and Dorchester

They’ve started work on the intersection of Westover Hills Boulevard and Forest Hill Avenue. Expect some minor inconveniences in the coming months.

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From DPU

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities (https://twitter.com/DPUStreetNews)

WHAT:  Lane closures for a water replacement project

WHEN:  Work has started and is scheduled to be complete by October 2023

WHERE: Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills Boulevard and Dorchester Road

PROJECT SCOPE:  Water mains will be replaced in both east and westbound lanes of Forest Hill. Traffic will be reduced to one lane as needed for the duration of this project.

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We need your help. RVAHub is a small, independent publication, and we depend on our readers to help us provide a vital community service. If you enjoy our content, would you consider a donation as small as $5? We would be immensely grateful! Interested in advertising your business, organization, or event? Get the details here.

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RPS Cancels Last Two Days of School and Statement by Superintendent Kamaras

Most Graduation ceremonies will restart next week, with Open High’s ceremony this Friday.

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Dear #RPSStrong Family,

As you have likely heard by now, the two individuals killed in yesterday’s tragedy were Shawn Smith, a Huguenot HS senior, and his step-father, Lorenzo Smith. Please join me in expressing our deepest condolences to Ms. Smith; yesterday, she lost her son and her husband. As superintendent – and as a father, husband, and son – I grieve today with Ms. Smith and her entire family.

I did not know Shawn, but I shook his hand and wished him congratulations about 20 minutes before he died. Those who did know him, like Kevin Olds, a former assistant principal at Huguenot and now the principal at Wythe HS, described him as “bubbly” and “the life of the party.” Mr. Olds shared the following reflection with me.

When Shawn started ninth grade, he struggled a bit with the structure of high school. As a result, he often found his way to my office. I’m grateful for that because, over time, we formed a strong bond.

Shawn had a joyous and infectious smile. His sense of humor made him full of life, laughter, and all things fun. He was also a very bright young man who could master any textbook.

At times, Shawn wanted to give up, and he considered dropping out of school. But the safety net of the village would not allow that. In addition to his loving parents, a whole team at Huguenot supported him – especially Ms. Harris and Mr. Christmas, school counselors, and Ms. Wilson, school social worker. Because of their efforts and Shawn’s diligence, he graduated yesterday. I am utterly heartbroken that his life ended just minutes later.

If you wish to financially support the Smith family in this very difficult time, please consider donating to the RPS Trauma Healing Response Fund. Established by the RPS Education Foundation, this fund will manage donations to aid RPS victims of gun violence and their families.

Additionally, if you have any information about the shooting, please contact the Richmond Police Department at (804) 780-6461 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000

School Closure – In light of yesterday’s tragedy, and out of an abundance of caution, I am closing school for students for our last day and a half (Thursday, June 8, and Friday, June 9). All school events, including moving on ceremonies and end of year celebrations, are also canceled.

I recognize this will be very upsetting to many students, families, and staff. However, given how on edge our community is right now, and given that three more RPS students were shot last night, I felt this step was necessary to safeguard the RPS family. Thank you for your grace and understanding.
To process yesterday’s events as a community and to complete close-out tasks, all RPS staff are to report to work tomorrow according to their normal schedule. Pease contact your supervisor if you have any questions.

Though we won’t have school for students tomorrow, families and students can still come by to drop of technologypick up grab-and-go breakfast and lunch, and retrieve medications and other student items. Be on the lookout for school-specific instructions from your principal. If any family needs help getting to their child’s school, please call our Family Support Line at (804) 780-6195.

Remaining High School Graduation Ceremonies – Class of 2023 commencement ceremonies will take place next week inside our schools. See below for the schedule. Details about tickets and livestreaming will be provided tomorrow. Please note the following additional security measures:

  • No bags of any kind will be permitted inside the school (no exceptions).
  • No flowers, balloons, or amplified devices of any kind will be permitted inside the school.
  • Everyone will be subject to searches.
Revised 2023 Graduation Schedule
  • Open High School – Friday, June 9, 9 am, at Richmond Community High School
  • Franklin Military Academy – Monday, June 12, 9 am, at Franklin Military Academy
  • Armstrong High School – Monday, June 12, 11:30 am, at Armstrong High School
  • Thomas Jefferson High School – Monday, June 12, 2 pm, at Thomas Jefferson High School
  • John Marshall High School – Tuesday, June 13, 9 am, at John Marshall High School
  • George Wythe High School – Tuesday, June 13, 12 pm, at John Marshall High School

Mental Health Resources – If you or someone you know needs mental health support, please access the resources below. There is absolutely no shame in doing so. I have accessed them, and I urge you to do the same.

  • The RPS Crisis Team will be providing virtual support to students and families from 11 am – 4 pm and 5 pm – 7 pm. You can access the support through Google Meet.
  • Students who need emergency mental health support should call the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority at (804) 819-4100 or the ChildSavers Immediate Response line at (804) 305-2420 (or send a text to 741741).
  • An additional counseling resource available to students and families is Challenge Discovery Projects. Their counselors can be reached by calling (804) 643-0002.
  • The Latinos in Virginia Empowerment Center will be open all day for any Latino/Hispanic individuals affected by the shooting. Their 24/7 hotline number is (804) 728-0048.
  • The Trauma Healing Response Network is a coalition of grassroots, community-based organizations and mental health partners that provide support services to families and communities impacted by gun violence. The network can also facilitate the distribution of emergency relief funds to help those in crisis. For more information, email [email protected].
  • RPS employees in need of emergency support should contact the Cigna 24/7 crisis line at (833) ME-CIGNA (833-632-4462). Additional counseling and support services are also available through the Cigna Employee Assistance (EAP) program by calling (800) 544-6931.
  • If you are looking for resources to help you talk to your children about this latest tragedy, please see this document from the National Council on Family Relations.

With great appreciation and love,

Jason

Will you help support independent, local journalism?

We need your help. RVAHub is a small, independent publication, and we depend on our readers to help us provide a vital community service. If you enjoy our content, would you consider a donation as small as $5? We would be immensely grateful! Interested in advertising your business, organization, or event? Get the details here.

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