Down In Richmond | LocalKicks.com

For Virginia's Ex-Cons, Re-entering Society is Daunting

Wed, 8 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The man was released from prison at age 56 after serving 30 years of a life sentence. To him, living outside the gates seemed scarier than being behind bars. “I had a life sentence,” the man told Barbara Slayden, executive director of Offender Aid and Restoration, a nonprofit group in Richmond

Twenty-Seven Motorcycle Gang Members Indicted

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

The US Attorney’s Office reports that the National President and 26 other members of the American Outlaw Association (Outlaws) motorcycle gang have been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen Dies Unexpectedly

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Virginia Tax Commissioner Janie Bowen died unexpectedly Tuesday morning. Bowen steadily worked her way up through the ranks, from taking phone calls for the Department to eventually leading one of the largest revenue departments in the country. During her term as Tax Commissioner,

Autism Insurance Advocates Look to 2011

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Parents of autistic children must wait until next year to see if Virginia will require health insurers to cover treatment for their youngsters. During the legislative session that ended last month, the General Assembly considered three bills requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder.

Virginia Legislators Concerned About Shaken Baby Syndrome

Wed, 2 Jun 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Babies are more fragile than a lot of people think – and shaking them, in anger or even playfully, can cause brain damage. Medical experts call the injury "shaken baby syndrome." Thanks to a new state law, Virginia soon will launch a campaign to inform parents and caretakers about shaken baby syndrome,

Those Twittering Virginia Legislators

Tue, 25 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

In an era of ever-changing technology, politicians are reaching out to their constituents through social networking sites like Facebook, and more recently, Twitter. Twitter is a service similar to a blog – except that posts, called “tweets,” are limited to 140 characters. Users can update their status online,

America’s Longest-Serving State Legislator

Tue, 18 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

State Delegate Lacey Putney is in no rush. It’s not that he isn’t busy, because as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in a recession, you bet he is. It’s not that he doesn’t have people waiting for him, because representatives from the Virginia Department of Education have been cooling their heels outside his office for more than half an hour.

Virginia Moves to Protect Kids From Online Sexual Predators

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

It soon will be a bit safer for children in Virginia to surf the web. The state’s fight against online sexual predators will get a boost when a new law takes effect July 1. The law will assess an additional $10 fee on each felony and misdemeanor conviction.

Virginia Schools to Use NRA Program for Gun Education

Mon, 17 May 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Starting next school year, a new law allows local school boards to offer gun safety education in elementary schools, based on a program from the National Rifle Association. The law requires that the program use guidelines based on “the rules of the National Rifle Association’s Eddie Eagle Gunsafe Program.”

McDonnell Extends ‘Pothole Blitz’

Tue, 6 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EDT

Virginia’s “pothole blitz” has been so successful that Gov. Bob McDonnell has extended the initiative until April 15. The pothole blitz originally was scheduled only for the month of March. Since March 1, the Virginia Department of Transportation has patched