NEWS NEAR YOU

Richmond The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, with the help of a grant from Capital One and the City Lights Partnership, is offering a chance to buy a house on Leigh Street with up to $80,000 in grants and forgivable loans funded by Capital One. A forgivable loan means homebuyers do not have to pay back the loan if they remain as the owner-occupant for at least 10 years. Up to $25,000 in grants is also available on other homes in Jackson Ward.

New Kent Authorities are investigating the disappearance of a New Kent County man who last contacted a family member Jan. 26 after arriving at the Greyhound bus station in Richmond. William Grady Mintz III, a 37-year-old truck driver who had recently lost his job, was traveling back from South Carolina, Lt. Chris Hamlet said. Mintz called his sister, who lives in New Kent, and said he had been picked up at the station by a friend named Bubba Myers and that he would see her the next day. He had been living at the sister's home during breaks from work, Hamlet said. Authorities do not suspect foul play, but they want to talk to Mintz's friend to find out whether he knows Mintz's whereabouts. Anyone with related information is asked to call the New Kent Sheriff's Office at (804) 966-9500.

Chesterfield The Defense Supply Center Richmond's chapter of

Blacks in Government will hold its eighth annual Juneteenth celebration today at 1:30 p.m. at the center, 8000 Jefferson Davis Highway. Kemba Smith, founder of the Kemba Smith Foundation, will be the keynote speaker at the event, which will honor state Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, with a Freedom Award for his contributions to civil rights and dedication to public service.

Henrico Mac Beaton, Brad Beasley and Bruce Watson of the Henrico County school system received a top state award last week from the Virginia Department of Education for "Wheeling in the Careers: A Mobile, Technology-Equipped Classroom with Resources and Projects for Students of All Grade Levels."

Hopewell The John Randolph Foundation has awarded $526,200 in grants to 23 nonprofit organizations in Hopewell and surrounding areas. Among those was a $185,000 grant awarded to the Hopewell-Prince George Community Health Center, the largest grant in the foundation's history. The money will be used to expand the center's facilities.

AROUND THE STATE

Williamsburg A reservist was accidentally shot and killed during weapons training Saturday, the Navy said. The Navy identified the victim as Petty Officer 1st Class Ronald D. Spivey, 53, of Franklin. The 24-year reservist suffered a gunshot wound to the chest during a weapons qualification exercise involving 9 mm handguns at the annex to Yorktown Naval Weapons Station. Spivey served with the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group.

Charlottesville Police are looking for a missing 13-year-old Charlottesville girl and a man accused of abducting her. Eleno M. Garcia of

Charlottesville is charged with abduction and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Police Sgt. Randy Higgins said the girl, whose identity has not been released, was last seen Friday night on the Downtown Mall. Higgins said police believe Garcia and the girl may have left Virginia. Officer Kyle Boyton said the girl and Garcia are distant relatives. -- From Staff and Wire Reports