O'Regan out due to positive COVID-19 test

Dukes dominate second half in win over Northeastern

East Rock wins thriller over EMHS

RICHMOND, Va. (WHSV) — The Virginia Department of Health and the Department of General Services Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services announced Monday the first case of the SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7 has been identified in a sample from a resident of Northern Virginia. The variant, which first emerged in the United Kingdom in 2020, is associated with increased person-to-person transmission of COVID-19, the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) says. “Viruses change all the time, and we expect to see new strains as disease spreads,” said State Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver in a press release from VDH. “We know this variant strain spreads more quickly between people than other strains currently circulating in our communities, but we still have more to learn about whether it causes more severe illness. As our state public health officials closely monitor the emergence of the B.1.1.7 variant in our Commonwealth, it is important that all Virginians continue following mitigation measures.” VDH says nearly 200 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant have been detected in 23 states throughout the country as of January 22, 2021. VDH also says early data suggests currently authorized vaccines are effective against the new variant. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been notified of the case. “As a virus spreads from one person to another, it makes copies of itself and sometimes makes small genetic changes called mutations. Because of these mutations, new variants of a virus are expected to occur over time. According to the CDC, multiple variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 have been documented in the United States and around the world. The B.1.1.7 variant contains an unusually large number of mutations,” the press release from the Virginia Department of Health says. For more information about COVID-19 variants, you can visit the Virginia Department of Health’s website or the CDC’s website.

HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) - The Rockingham Regional Jail is reporting 9 positive COVID-19 cases as of Jan. 25. Rockingham Co. Sheriff Bryan Hutcheson told WHSV said the jail has been working closely with its jail physician and medical staff throughout the pandemic and continue to provide medical care. All inmates have mild symptoms and the jail continues isolating, quarantining and sanitizing diligently, according to Sheriff Hutcheson. But family members of jail inmates are not happy with the care their loved ones are receiving. Jacquelyn Boxley’s husband is an inmate at the jail, and she said she has been advocating for inmates since the pandemic began and thinks the jail should reconsider the sentencing of some offenders. “These inmates cannot be overlooked just because they’re inmates, especially the ones that are in here on non-violent crimes and petty stuff,” Boxley said. “They seem to keep locking up people. The jail is overcrowded.” A group of family members of inmates plan to hold a vigil every Monday evening at 6 p.m. outside the jail until they see change and safe conditions.

WAYNESBORO, Va. (WVIR) - Monday night, Waynesboro City Council reinstated the city’s ability to cut off utilities for residents who haven’t paid their bills, but only as a last resort. The vote was unanimous, but the City insists it wants to work with its citizens who’ve experienced hardship due to the pandemic. In November, Governor Northam enacted a bill to temporarily postpone utility disconnections for residents during the COVID-19 emergency. “We would do everything that we could to prevent cutting somebody off if their household is suffering some kind of financial hardship due to the virus,” stated Deputy City Manager for the City of Waynesboro Jim Shaw. “That’s what this was about -- this was saying, hey we shouldn’t be cutting people off in the midst of a pandemic if they cannot pay a bill because of that situation,” stated Waynesboro City Councilman Dr. Sam Hostetter. But, right now, customers owe more than $400,000 for water and sewer. That’s 4% of the annual budget. City Council can seek relief from the Governor’s moratorium if the amount owed is over 1%. “Running the utility disconnections is certainly, it’s time-consuming for the city. It’s stressful for both our city staff and certainly for our customers. It’s not something that we want to do,” stated Shaw. He adds that so much money owed could undermine the city’s financial stability. “And as well can create a utility bill for a customer that is growing larger and larger.” “We need to be able to have the tools to help other people get back on target with paying their bills as well,” said Hostetter. The City has several resources to help households that are struggling during the pandemic, plus a repayment plan option to avoid cut-offs. “If you get a late notice, you’re also getting information about these programs,” said Shaw. City staff are expected to report back to see if this initiative helps get people caught up.