Briefs

LOCAL & VCU

Drug-related slayings on the rise in Richmond, authorities say

Drugs have played a significant role in about 67 percent of this year’s homicides, with would-be customers carrying hundreds of dollars and getting killed for the money, authorities say.

“It’s the No. 1 factor,” said Richmond Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Learned Barry. “You go buy drugs, you’ve got a good chance of getting killed.”

Buying drugs has always carried some risk, but authorities started to notice a trend in the last three months of 2008, when four out of eight killings in Richmond were either drug robberies or otherwise drug-related.

So far in 2009, the city has seen fewer homicides overall than during the same period last year, but at least 10 of this year’s 15 killings – or about 67 percent – appear to be drug-related, Barry said.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Va. Museum of Fine Arts says new wing will open May 2010

The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts announced Friday its new 165,000-square-foot wing will open May 1, 2010.

Museum officials also announced that existing galleries will be closed for more than 10 months during the final stages of construction and the re-installation of thousands of works of art. Safety and accessibility issues are the reason, officials said. The galleries will begin closing this month, and all will be closed by the end of June.

The museum itself will not close during that period, and programs such as 3rd Thursdays and Art After Hours will continue as will the VMFA Studio School. Its extensive statewide programs and exhibitions also will not be interrupted.

“No full-time state employees or VMFA Foundation jobs will be affected,” said museum director Alex Nyerges.

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Summit ending on hopeful note for President Obama

President Barack Obama wrapped up a summit with other leaders in the Western Hemisphere on Sunday the same way he began it; pledging to reshape the image of the United States as an equal partner in addressing problems throughout the region.

“I look forward to hearing more about how the United States can be an effective partner,” Obama said before discussing the economic crisis, trade, security and immigration with leaders from Central American nations.

At the Summit of the Americas on the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, the president was hopeful that he’d boosted the image of the United States among its allies in the region – and perhaps even made some new ones.

Among those seemingly charmed by the president’s promise of a new partnership was Venezuela’s Hugo Chavez, the fiery leftist who famously likened former President George W. Bush to the devil.

“I think President Obama is an intelligent man, compared to the previous U.S. president,” Chavez told reporters during the summit of 34 nations.

Brief by The Associated Press

Kaine heading to Morocco, Israel, Dubai

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is on the road to Morocco-with stops in Israel and Dubai along the way.

The governor is traveling with Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Labor Patrick O. Gottschalk and Rick Richardson of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Kaine’s wife, first lady Anne Holton, will also accompany him on the eight-day trip.

The Middle East mission is Kaine’s fifth trip abroad as governor. Officials said the purpose of the mission is to promote Virginia to foreign business and government leaders.

“With the Port of Hampton Roads and Dulles (Airport), we have two assets that give us an enormous credibility in the global marketplace,” Kaine said.

“There will be a bit of diplomacy and governmental discussion while I’m there, but the primary effort is to find new economic opportunities.”

Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Couple, their 3 kids found dead in Maryland home

A Maryland man who killed his wife and three children before fatally shooting himself left behind five notes, including an apology to family members and hints that he suffered from psychiatric problems, authorities said.

The local sheriff said there were also signs that the family had financial problems.

“We’re all in shock and trying to come to terms,” said Kevin Farmer, the pastor of Holy Family Catholic Community Church.

Christopher Alan Wood killed his wife and children, then himself, in their northwest Maryland home, leaving a gruesome scene that authorities said was found Saturday by the children’s grandfather.

Brief by The Associated Press

Oklahoma City bombing anniversary commemorated

The names of 168 people killed in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building have been read in a solemn ceremony on the 14th anniversary of the nation’s worst domestic terrorist attack.

More than 300 people gathered Sunday in cold, windy weather at the Oklahoma City National Memorial to observe the anniversary of the April 19, 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Survivors of the bombing and families of some of the 168 people killed read the names at the memorial where the building once stood.

Brief by The Associated Press