In Virginia today, #ThisIsRichmond launches, two giraffes are dead after a zoo fire, and a state-wide job fair is happening this afternoon.
Daily Number
75 – That’s the highest number in degrees that the temperature is forecast to reach today in Virginia. Spring has finally come and after a long and isolating winter, it’s a welcome change!
University of Virginia Association Asks for Donations
Do you have a few minutes and a couple dollars to make a difference?
The Undergraduate Black Law Students Association (UBLSA) at the University of Virginia are holding a donation drive to benefit Black women served by Shelter for Help in Emergency (SHE).
SHE is a Charlottesville-based organization that provides comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence. Money they raise through UBLSA will go towards putting together care packages specifically for Black women, who disproportionately feel the impact of both domestic violence and COVID-19.
You can contribute to this fundraiser by sending money to Venmo username UBLSAuva.
How Did The Pandemic Affect Virginia’s Domestic Workers?
Virginia Enacts Burn Ban
The Virginia Department of Forestry has enacted a burn ban in the Commonwealth. That ban, which prohibits people from open air burning between midnight and 4 p.m., will be in effect until April 30.
According to the department, they use burn bans to reduce the number of wild fires that occur every Spring. Since 1925, the Commonwealth has experienced an average of 1,449 fires over 8,338 acres every year.
After 4 p.m., winds usually calm down and relative humidity levels increase. Both of these conditions reduce the likelihood that an open air fire will escape the control of the people who built them. That’s why, while the ban is in effect, Virginians can still have open air fires between 4 p.m. and midnight, as long as they closely monitor them.
But, this ban only applies to fires located within 300 feet of the woods or dry grass. However, people caught violating it could face a Class 3 misdemeanor charge.
Two Giraffes Dead After Fire At Vienna Zoo
Two giraffes were found dead Monday night following a fire at a zoo in Vienna.
One of the giraffes, six-year-old Waffles, was popular among guests of the zoo, according to NBC News. The other giraffe, a companion for Waffles, was new to the zoo. It did not yet have a name.
Members of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department extinguished the blaze. Now, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Until further notice, the zoo has closed.
“Zoofari owner, Vanessa Roer, received the call at 5:30 PM from Fairfax County dispatch that the barn where the giraffes was housed in caught fire. Staff and the zoo’s veterinarian arrived within minutes to help rescue and care for approximately 20 other animals housed in the same area. We are grateful that no staff members or other Zoofari animals were injured or lost,” said a statement by the zoo on Facebook.
Goochland Police Serve Xzavier Hill Protesters Warrants
Members of the Goochland Sheriff’s Office served protesters demonstrating for justice in the case of Xzavier Hill with warrants Monday.
Xzavier Hill was an 18-year-old Black man who members of Virginia State Police killed on January 9. His death was recently ruled a justified homicide, but protests sparked by his death show no sign of subsiding.
RELATED: Xzavier Hill Decision Comes Down. What Evidence Did Grand Jury See?
Hill’s mother, Latoya Benton, was among the protesters Goochland Sheriffs officers gave warrants to on Monday. According to Benton, who was on Facebook Live at the time, she is facing a misdemeanor charge for trespassing.
“They have a warrant for our arrest,” said Benton. “We need support and we’re not going anywhere.”
At the time that officers servce them warrants, protesters were demonstrating outside the Goochland Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. But, police did not arrest any protesters.
Dogwood Launches #ThisIs Richmond Series
Virginia Job Fair Planned for Today and Tomorrow
Do you need a job in Virginia? Are you free today or tomorrow between 1- 5 p.m.? If so, you’re in luck!
The Virginia Employment Commission is holding a virtual job fair today and tomorrow between 1 – 5 p.m. The job fair, which began yesterday, includes opportunities for about 9,500 jobs around the Commonwealth.
These fairs are divided by the location of the jobs available. Yesterday, the Commonwealth held its job fair targeting employers in the Shenandoah Valley and Northern Virginia. Southwest and Central Virginia’s regional job fair is today. Tomorrow, employers in the Greater Richmond and Hampton Roads are meeting virtually with attendants of the virtual fair.
Here’s a list of all the businesses participating in the fair. You can register to participate at http://tinyurl.com/LLWVA2021j.
Trivia Answer: The #1 Cause of Power Outages in Virginia
Today’s trivia answer is nuts if you ask me! Squirrels, those bushy tailed, busy little rodents, are among the top causes of power outages in the U.S. Turns out, the peak times of the year for squirrel attacks are from May to June and October to November.
