From the Democratic Party of Virginia:

Team Biden-Harris and Virginia Democrats Energize Voters on July 4th Across the Commonwealth

On July 4th, the Biden-Harris campaign and the Democratic Party of Virginia came together to celebrate Independence Day and reach voters during parades and festivals in each of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts.

Nearly 300 organizers, elected officials, candidates, and supporters participated in the festivities, sparking energy and excitement to elect President Biden and Vice President Harris and Democrats up-and-down the ballot this November.

Senator Tim Kaine, state Senator Suhas Subramanyam, Eugene Vindman, and countless Democratic candidates marched alongside their supporters and emphasized to voters President Biden and Vice President Harris’ record of delivering results for Virginia and the threat Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans pose to Virginians’ freedoms, economic future, and our democracy.

On NBC 4 Washington:

Vice President of Fairfax Young Democrats: “I love Joe and I love Kamala especially. I’m a big supporter of the Biden-Harris administration, especially when it comes to reproductive rights. That’s really important to me.”

Reporter: “This voter there to watch the parade — also still solidly backing the president.”

Supporter: “[…] I’m for, going, sticking with the guy that I came to the party with. As a result, I’m holding fast.”

Reporter: “Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, also taking part in the parade. His take, that President Biden is a patriotic American who will put the country first as he decides how to move forward.”

Sen. Tim Kaine: “If Joe Biden looks in the mirror and says, I’m up for this — I’m with him. If he looks in the mirror and decides he’s not able to do it, he’s going to tell the nation that. We can trust Joe Biden to make the patriotic decision.”

In Blacksburg:

In the Blacksburg Fourth of July Parade, the Montgomery County Dems, Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign organizing team and supporters spread spirit along the route. Hand-drawn signs were placed on the side of the truck riding alongside supporters as they celebrated festivities and echoed support for Democrats on the ballot.

In South Norfolk:

Chesapeake Democrats led a march of supporters for the annual South Norfolk 4th of July parade and picnic.

In Chesterfield:

The Coordinated Campaign organizing team and the Chesterfield Dems walked in unity in the Hampton Park 4th of July parade. A Jeep was decked out with Democratic support as it rolled alongside Chesterfield Dems and the coordinated campaign.

In Cape Charles:

The organizing teams and Democrats from across the Eastern Shore marched in Cape Charles’ annual parade.

In Fairfax:

The City of Fairfax Democratic Committee marched in the Fairfax City Independence Day Parade alongside Sen. Tim Kaine, the Biden-Harris campaign, the Virginia Democratic Coordinated Campaign, Fairfax Young Democrats, and countless supporters, pushing for Democrats up and down the ballot.

Democrats from across Northern Virginia gathered together ahead of the parade and came to show support of Democrats up and down the ballot, from the City of Fairfax Dem Committee and their Young Dems, to Korean American Democrats, to VA Victory Coordinated Campaign to the Biden-Harris for President campaign.

In Purcellville:

The Purcellville Dems and Coordinated Campaign Organizers united to walk in the Purcellville July 4th parade. Democratic nominee for the 10th Congressional District Suhas Subramanyam marched alongside supporters and organizers, and Loudoun County organizer Jared Aguilera stopped to greet cheerful kids along the route.

In PWC:

The Prince William County Democrats, Coordinated Campaign organizers, and local supporters walked in unity at the 2024 Dale City Civic Association Fourth of July Parade. A large presence of support was shown for Latinos con Biden-Harris, as they took the parade route in an eye-catching trailer. This diverse parade echoed the diversity in the Democratic party, as supporters from across Prince William County came to celebrate with the county’s Dems.

In Scottsville:

VA Victory and Albemarle Dems walked together in the Scottsville Independence Day Parade to show support for Democrats up and down the ticket.

In Staunton:

The Staunton Democrats & Coordinated Campaign team marched for the 4th of July alongside Ken Mitchell, congressional candidate for the 6th district.

In York:

The Historic Triangle Dems led supporters alongside the Coordinated Campaign to march and cheer for the 4th of July in Yorktown. The Historic Triangle Dems from Williamsburg, James City, York and Poquoson joined the Coordinated Campaign to spread hope in electing Democrats up and down the ballot this fall.

In other areas:

Democratic leaders and volunteers also joined celebrations in Frederick County, Greene, and Leesburg.

• Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a Fourth of July gathering with family and friends 
• He was found in distress in a lake and when friends jumped in they got shocked 
• Hamric was pulled out of the water but eventually died at a local hospital 

By Stephen M. Lepore For Dailymail.Com

Published: 07:02 BST, 6 July 2024 | Updated: 07:07 BST, 6 July 2024

A Colorado teenager was killed after he jumped into what may have been an electrified lake in Virginia and drowned. 

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Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a Fourth of July gathering with family and friends at Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston at a private home with a dock. 

Two of Hamric’s friends could see him in trouble in the lake and tried to jump in, only to feel an electric shock. 

Eventually, they were able to pull Hamric out of the water and perform CPR but he died at a local hospital later Thursday. 

Hamric and the two friends were all believed to have been electrocuted, according to local police. Water can become electric when faulty wiring on boats or docks releases energy into the lake. 

Jesse Hamric, 18, was at a Fourth of July gathering with family and friends at Smith Mountain Lake in Huddleston at a private home with a dock. Two of Hamric’s friends could see him in trouble in the lake and tried to jump in, only to feel an electric shock

Eventually, they were able to pull Hamric out of the water and perform CPR but he died at a local hospital later Thursday

Medical Examiners are still performing an autopsy and a boat lift was near the scene of the accident, which could have malfunctioned and caused Hamric’s death as well.

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However, the water was tested and electricity was found, leading investigators to believe stray voltage from a privately owned dock was the cause, WWVA reported.

Hamric was an athlete at Steamboat Springs High School in Colorado, where Hamric’s father, Jay, is the principal, according to the Steamboat Pilot. His mother is also an elementary school teacher in town. 

Friends are saddened and already missing a beloved member of their community. 

‘Ever since I first met that kid, I mean, he’s like one of a kind,’ friend Alex Schwab told KDVR. 

‘You see him and you just, like, he always has a smile on his face.’ 

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Hamric had just graduated from the school a month ago, where he was a varsity athlete in baseball and football.

Steamboat Springs held a prayer vigil for Hamric on Friday at the local Catholic church. 

Hamric and the two friends were all believed to have been electrocuted, according to local police. Water can become electric when faulty wiring on boats or docks releases energy into the lake

Medical Examiners are still performing an autopsy and a boat lift was near the scene of the accident, which could have malfunctioned and caused Hamric’s death as well

‘Still can’t even like process it. I’m so upset by it,’ Schwab added.

The school posted a statement on its website to send out condolences in the wake of Hamric’s death. 

‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of a recent Steamboat Springs High School graduate,’ they write.

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They added that mental health counselors and crisis response professionals will be offered to the community. 

‘Please take a moment to care for yourself, lean into those around you for support, and care for each other. Our thoughts are with all of you.’

The two friends who attempted to rescue Hamric were treated for their injuries at the scene and released. 

The last five-star women’s basketball recruit to commit to Virginia Tech was Elizabeth Kitley. Could first-year coach Megan Duffy be on the path to landing the next one?

Friday, five-star Divine Bourrage from Davenport, Iowa, narrowed her list of schools to six with the Hokies making the cut ahead of her official visits this fall. Joining the Hokies in her top six are South Carolina, Baylor, Illinois, Arizona, and LSU.

According to 247Sports, she has already set up some official visits for the fall. She has scheduled visits to Arizona on Sept. 7, California on Sept. 14, Virginia Tech on Sept. 21, and LSU on Oct. 12. California is a noticeable visit that is not in ther final six and it remains to be seen if she’ll keep that visit scheduled.

Duffy is going to have her work cut out for her in recruiting Bourrage as some powerhouse programs such as South Carolina and LSU are also in the mix. Dawn Staley and Kim Mulkey generally have a ton of success recruiting, but Duffy has had some midwest recruiting success from her time at Marquette, which could come into play in recruiting Bourrage, who recently told 247Sports last month,

“I Like Virginia Tech because every time I talk to their coaches they always have great energy — especially for them to be a new staff. I like them.”

– Divine Bourrage

Duffy has already put together an impressive Class of 2025 with a pair of four stars who have already given her a commitment. Guard Katie Sears of North Carolina and Amani Jenkins from Iowa are the first two recruits for the Hokies’ new coach and Bourrage, who is the No. 5 overall player in the class according to ESPN and No. 7 according to On3, would make it a huge class with a commitment to Blacksburg.