Community
Police Seek Leads in Motor Vehicle Theft
On May 20, 2022, the owner of a 2009 gray Honda Accord reported that their vehicle was stolen from the 900 block of West Broad Street (Virginia license VYB-3548).
VCU Police detectives reviewed VCU’s security camera footage and saw the individual below walking in the Broad Street corridor, near the intersection of Bowe and Broad Streets, prior to the theft.
Footage shows an unknown male stealing the vehicle at 12:36 p.m. that same day. At the time it was stolen, the vehicle was still running and unlocked, with the keys in the ignition. Police are still working to recover the vehicle.
Detectives are releasing photos of the individual in an attempt to identify them. Anonymous tips will be accepted.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident can contact the VCU Police Department 24/7. For emergencies, call (804) 828-1234. For non-emergency tips, call (804) 828-1196. Students, faculty, staff and Richmond residents can download the free LiveSafe mobile safety app on a smartphone to submit tips, screenshots, photos and videos directly to VCU Police; tips are monitored 24/7. Tips can also be submitted to Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or on the P3 Tips mobile app.
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.
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/
“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/
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!
Community
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.
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.
Community
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.
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.
Though we won’t have school for students tomorrow, families and students can still come by to drop of technology, pick 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.
- 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,
Kickers to Host Guatemalan Giants Comunicaciones FC For July 18 International Friendly
Lane Closures – Forest Hill Avenue between Westover Hills and Dorchester
RPS Cancels Last Two Days of School and Statement by Superintendent Kamaras
Photo of the Day: Bryan Park Races
Friends of Fonticello Park Awarded Virginia Outdoor Foundation Get Outdoors Grant for Native Meadow Project
Virginia’s medical cannabis program has ‘improved’ but more needed to meet expectations
Richmond Needs This: Surfing
Author Sadeqa Johnson discusses The House of Eve on June 8 as part of the Library of Virginia’s 2023 Carole Weinstein Author Series
Science Museum of Virginia offering special $10 admission days on 10 separate dates this year
