Wednesday, May 6WATCHFUL EYE

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Threats lead to evacuation of Alexandria, VA elementary school
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Threats lead to evacuation of Alexandria, VA elementary school

Wednesday, an Alexandria, VA elementary school was evacuated amid a series of “false threats” that are now being investigated as swatting incidents, according to the police department. After receiving a call “of someone going to the school with guns” APD said it responded to Charles Barrett Elementary at 12:04 p.m. with officers, K9s, and SWAT and began searching the school. In a letter to families, the Charles Barrett principal, Loren Brody, said the school first went into “secure the building” status. But by 12:20, it was determined students and staff would be evacuated “due to additional information received regarding a bomb threat that was in the vicinity of the school.” APD said school administrators made the decision to evacuate and move students to Cora Kelly School on Comm...
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VA bill proposes Civilian Cyber Corps priced at $550k a year
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VA bill proposes Civilian Cyber Corps priced at $550k a year

A Virginia House bill to create and oversee a corps of cyber security experts who would help public and private entities tackle cyber security threats moved forward this week. HB 651, patroned by Delegate Micheal Feggans, creates an advisory board within the Virginia Information Technologies Agency (VITA) that will establish the roles and duties of a Civilian Cyber Corps. That corps would consist of vetted, volunteer cyber experts "who would expand the state’s ability to assist public and private entities and defend and recover their systems," said Feggans. The bill, which is modeled after a similar initiative in Michigan, provides the framework for VITA to outline the responsibilities for the Corps and procedures on background checks as well as the granting of immunity to certain...
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Virginia bill to allowing concealed carry with protective order killed by House subcommittee
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Virginia bill to allowing concealed carry with protective order killed by House subcommittee

The House of Delegates’ Firearms Subcommittee shut down HB 390, a bill that offered concealed carry rights to individuals with a valid projective order. The bill, introduced by Delegate Tim Griffin of Bedford County, would have allowed anyone who was 21 years or older, who could legally have a gun, and who had an unexpired protective order to carry a concealed handgun for 45 days after the protective order was issued. If a person applied for a concealed carry permit during that initial 45 days, that person would be allowed to carry concealed for 45 more days. During that second 45-day period, the person would have carry and produce the concealed carry application if law enforcement requested it. Otherwise, there would be a $25 civil penalty. Public weighs in During public te...
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Public comment & vote on renaming Confederate streets in Alexandria this weekend
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Public comment & vote on renaming Confederate streets in Alexandria this weekend

This article contains a link that will provide financial benefits for the Watchful Eye if a purchase is made. This Saturday, January 20, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., the public will get to have a say on the renaming of streets in Alexandria that are named after Confederate figures. A vote is also scheduled for that meeting. The proposals under consideration are: Renaming North Breckinridge Place in honor of Harriet Jacobs This street is currently named after John Cabell Breckinridge who was elected Vice President of the U.S. in 1856 and later served as Brigadier General, CSA. Renaming Forrest Street as Forest Street This street is named for the Confederate General Nathan Bedford or for French Forrest, Confederate navy commander and builder of the Confederate warship the CSS Vi...
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Atlantic Union Bank ordered to pay $6.2 million for deception & illegal overdraft fees
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Biz & Life

Atlantic Union Bank ordered to pay $6.2 million for deception & illegal overdraft fees

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has ordered Atlantic Union Bank to make at least $5 million in customer refunds for illegal overdraft fees. This order, announced Thursday, came after a CFPB investigation found Atlantic Union violated federal regulations related to enrolling customers in its Opt-In Overdraft Protection program. In the findings, the CFPB explained that regulations require a bank to provide customers with disclosures about such as service in writing before they sign up. Doing so is required for the bank to have legal “affirmative consent.” But from 2017 through most of 2020, the CFPB said when customers opened checking accounts in a branch, employees presented the overdraft service orally, entered customers’ oral consent into the computer system, then...
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CHKD agrees to $68k civil penalty for claims, including missing fentanyl syringes
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CHKD agrees to $68k civil penalty for claims, including missing fentanyl syringes

Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, commonly called CHKD, agreed to pay $68,400 to settle civil penalty claims accusing the hospital of violating the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) announced. The federal government alleged that “CHKD failed to comply with various recordkeeping requirements” mandated for DEA registrants who handle controlled substances. Providing some specifics, EDVA said the government accused the Norfolk-based hospital of having prescription drugs deliveries coming to a warehouse that wasn’t registered with the DEA between late March 2021 and December 2021. In addition, the EDVA alleged that those deliveries included a shipment of 200 one-milliliter fentanyl syringes, and CHKD ...
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VA breaks ground on I-64 Gap Widening between Richmond & Hampton
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VA breaks ground on I-64 Gap Widening between Richmond & Hampton

Monday, November 13, marked the groundbreaking for the $756 million I-64 Gap Widening Project. The project’s goal is to improve travel between Richmond to Hampton Roads. To do so, the plan is to expand each side of the highway from two lanes to three lanes from mile marker 204.9 in New Kent County to mile marker 233.3 in James City County. Also, 10-foot-wide paved shoulders will be added in each direction. Adjoining parts of I-64 are already have six or more lane, and that’s why this area is referred to as “the gap,” notes VDOT. There is a lot of braking in the gap and the notorious congestion is growing, “disrupting one of Virginia’s most important thoroughfares,” the department adds. Ultimately, the widening project aims to increase capacity and mobility, alleviate congestion...
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Canceled wind project cancels promise for hundreds of Portsmouth jobs
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Canceled wind project cancels promise for hundreds of Portsmouth jobs

Another glorified wind energy project has made its way to the chopping block. Siemens Gamesa canceled its plan to build “the first offshore wind turbine blade facility in the United States” in Portsmouth. In October 2021, amid the launch ceremony for the project, the European turbine maker announced it had signed a long-term lease with the Virginia Port Authority for over 80 acres at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal. According to the company, a $200 million project lie ahead that included over $80 million in investment for buildings and equipment at the Terminal. The company was so bullish and confident that it said, “Siemens Gamesa will look to potentially expand the facility if awarded future projects in the region, creating additional jobs in the future.” The jobs the Portsmou...
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