Seventy Become Citizens At Monticello
More than 70 people are now US citizens following an annual naturalization ceremony at Monticello.
Charles Fishburne
Charles Fishburne is a correspondent for WCVE Public Radio. He brings over 40 years experience as a broadcast journalist and news executive in Richmond, Washington D.C. and New York. Charles was also a long-time television news anchor and news director in Richmond.
Articles by Charles Fishburne
Study Finds We're Uncomfortable With Our Thoughts
A University of Virginia professor has just concluded 11 studies involving 800 people, most of whom did not like sitting alone with their thoughts. Yoga recommends it, the Grocery story blood pressure machine demands it, but UVA Psychologist Timothy Wilson says most people are not comfortable alone with their thoughts.
But he said he didn’t believe it was cellphones or the pace of modern life.
The studies involved mostly college students, but he added older people too, and the results were pretty much the same.
Unemployment Rises With Summer Job Seekers
Unemployment was up in the region in May, as graduates and school students began looking for jobs. Virginia numbers were up, and Richmond region numbers were up. Ann Lang, Senior Economist at the Virginia Employment Commission, says the rise in unemployment was expected with more people starting to seek jobs.
The Richmond metro area was ranked 20th among the nations 48 largest metropolitan areas terms of lowest unemployment.
Dominion Warns Customers Of Criminals Posing As Company Employees To Gain Access
Dominion Virginia power is warning its customers that some criminals posing as Dominion employees are knocking of people’s doors and posing as utility workers to gain access. So far, it has happened mostly in Northern Virginia, but Dominion has issued this warning, just in case it happens to you.
Daisey Pridgen from Dominion Virginia Power says if you feel threatened, call 911 immediately. If you want to verify that the employee is legitimate you can call the company at 1-866-DOM-HELP.
Summer Food Program Feeds 54,000 Children A Day
Every year, half-a-million children at risk of not having enough food participate in the Virginia Department of Health’s Summer Food Program for Kids. The Department of Health estimates one out of every seven children in Virginia could go hungry.
Lightning: Dangers and Precautions
Jeff Orrock of the National Weather Service in Wakefield, Virginia talks with 88.9 WCVE’s Charles Fishburne about the dangers of lightning and precautions to take.
Former Hanover Minister Sentenced In Embezzlement
A former Hanover County youth minister, caught up in a sexual blackmail scheme, has been sentenced to five years in prison. Fifty-one year old Chris Allen Phillips was sentenced to five years, with four and a half suspended, and ordered to repay more than 87 thousand dollars he embezzled from the Mechanicsville Advent Christian Church where he was youth minister.
Richmond Board Modifies Zero Tolerance Drug Policies
Richmond school students will no longer be automatically expelled for first-time drug offenses. The school board voted 7-1 yesterday for a new code of conduct that gives principals and other administrators some discretion in dealing with students caught with drugs. It reflects a change in the Code of Virginia that goes into effect today, that modifies the state’s zero-tolerance policy. Until now, expulsion was recommended no matter what the circumstances. School districts now have the option of lesser penalties.
New Moped Law Goes Into Effect Tomorrow
Mopeds will have to be titled and registered beginning tomorrow. The new law that goes into effect tomorrow will require a $20.25 registration fee and another 10 dollars for a title. Owners will get one plate to put on the back of the back. It stemmed from a 2012 DMV study that noted growing safety concerns from the public, law enforcement and lawmakers as mo-ped use rose with gas prices. Last year, there were more than 600 reported crashes and 12 fatalities involving mopeds.
Highest Gasoline Prices In Six Years
Triple A says gasoline prices are the highest in six years. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. The prices were supposed to drop. But instead the national price of a gallon rose to 3.68, highest price for early summer in six years. Virginia is 3.48, Richmond is 3.45. Triple A says it probably won’t affect the number of motorists on the highway this holiday weekend, but it will cost them more. The average price at the pump had increased for 12 consecutive days through last Monday, and Friday’s average was 15 cents more than a year ago.