The Richmonder

March 6 Newsletter: Code refresh rage

At charged meeting, Trammell calls for citizen commission to rethink code refresh Several city councilors in attendance said they were still considering the idea. 

At charged meeting, Trammell calls for citizen commission to rethink code refresh

'We are not digital': Chesterfield bookstore celebrates 40 years of not keeping up with the times They don’t have books digitally inventoried or available to purchase online.

'We are not digital': Chesterfield bookstore celebrates 40 years of not keeping up with the times

Avula announces $8.2 million proposed increase to RPS budget, short of $12 million ask The decision puts the survival of Richmond Virtual Academy in danger.

Avula announces $8.2 million proposed increase to RPS budget, short of $12 million ask

These roads will close Saturday morning for the half marathon No parking zones go into effect at 4 a.m., and will last until the race has moved through that area, with the last roads reopening at noon.

These roads will close Saturday morning for the half marathon
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City launches ‘pothole blitz’ on roads savaged by winter weather At the same time, the department will restripe faded crosswalks to make sure they remain visible. 

City launches ‘pothole blitz’ on roads savaged by winter weather

RPS Roundup: School Board asks Mayor to add funding for virtual academy as budget decisions loom The initial budget asked for the city to add $5 million to its funding commitments from last year. The new budget asks for $19.8 million extra.

RPS Roundup: School Board asks Mayor to add funding for virtual academy as budget decisions loom

Varina boys advance to state semis with win “Once we get warmed up and get going down the court, we can run anybody out of the gym.”

Varina boys advance to state semis with win

What to make of VCU's tourney chances? There's no bad, but also not much good Friday night they'll head to Dayton for another challenge before the Atlantic 10 tournament next week in Pittsburgh.

What to make of VCU's tourney chances? There's no bad, but also not much good

After $22M estimate, city revises last year's surplus down to $12.6M The FY25 audit likely won’t become public until the city is so far into FY26 that Avula is proposing a budget for FY27.

After $22M estimate, city revises last year's surplus down to $12.6M

‘Unprecedented’ local funding moves 60-unit deeply affordable housing project in Northside forward Most residents will have incomes of less than $40,000 annually. 

‘Unprecedented’ local funding moves 60-unit deeply affordable housing project in Northside forward

With $47.6 million in delinquent bills, DPU launches repayment campaign “We can’t continue to operate like this.”

With $47.6 million in delinquent bills, DPU launches repayment campaign

Judge rips city for ‘reckless failure’ to preserve phone in ex-FOIA officer’s lawsuit Monday’s ruling from the judge was a flashpoint in the two-year-old case about transparency in city government.

Judge rips city for ‘reckless failure’ to preserve phone in ex-FOIA officer’s lawsuit

Larry Starr's second act reminded him of the joy of coaching The former Monacan coach went from a standout program to one that needed building. Now he's moving again.

Larry Starr's second act reminded him of the joy of coaching

IRS alleges it paid $728k in fraudulent tax ‘refunds’ to former School Board candidate A former candidate for the Richmond School Board is facing two counts of federal tax evasion charges.

IRS alleges it paid $728k in fraudulent tax ‘refunds’ to former School Board candidate

‘A love-hate relationship:’ Managing Rosedale’s aging trees is a tricky balance for Northside residents The city removed 20 of the trees last year after a comprehensive evaluation.

‘A love-hate relationship:’ Managing Rosedale’s aging trees is a tricky balance for Northside residents

Steward falls in VISAA title game They weren’t supposed to win. After all, Virginia Academy, Steward’s opponent in the VISAA, Division II basketball tournament championship game Saturday afternoon, had won five consecutive state titles and had every intention of claiming number six. The Spartans had other plans, however. They knew, of course, that the odds were stacked tall against them. They knew that the Patriots had been ultra-successful over the years playing a national schedule. They knew that this Walter Hamilton-coache

Steward falls in VISAA title game

No. 5 Henrico knocks off No. 2 Hanover for second consecutive region title The teams split their regular-season meetings.

No. 5 Henrico knocks off No. 2 Hanover for second consecutive region title

What is Sports Backers Stadium and why is it holding up Diamond District development? While the stadium is named for Sports Backers, a local nonprofit that promotes active living, it is not owned by the group.

What is Sports Backers Stadium and why is it holding up Diamond District development?

In Brookland Park, is a mural a pro-Palestinian message or a revival of old racist symbols? “What we are facing here is also a generational issue.” 

In Brookland Park, is a mural a pro-Palestinian message or a revival of old racist symbols?

Avula says he’s ‘not concerned’ about future of new baseball stadium Handshake deals only work if everyone agrees on what the agreement was.

Avula says he’s ‘not concerned’ about future of new baseball stadium

‘The Lord loves the aliens:’ Richmond Christian leaders call for compassion and reform amid aggressive federal immigration enforcement "We believe it is really important for us who are able to speak publicly to speak to the broader Richmond community in this moment."

‘The Lord loves the aliens:’ Richmond Christian leaders call for compassion and reform amid aggressive federal immigration enforcement

Ahead of March budget plans, Avula outlines $23 million in proposed housing investments “We want to build more homes for more people, and we want to find more ways for people to stay.”

Ahead of March budget plans, Avula outlines $23 million in proposed housing investments

TJ tops Armstrong in winner-take-all boys basketball game Maurice Jefferson scored 40 points for the Vikings.

TJ tops Armstrong in winner-take-all boys basketball game

For some neighborhoods, it’s covenants — not zoning — that decides what gets built "Private land-use restrictions can lawfully impose standards that are, in some cases, more stringent than zoning code."

For some neighborhoods, it’s covenants — not zoning — that decides what gets built

Richmond to add three more ‘harm reduction’ vending machines, doubling anti-overdose arsenal Richmond is doubling its fleet of free vending machines that offer medication to reverse opioid overdoses, drug testing strips and first aid supplies. 

Richmond to add three more ‘harm reduction’ vending machines, doubling anti-overdose arsenal

Children’s Hospital of Richmond opens ‘milk depot’ to help bring donated breast milk to babies in need Previously, families interested in donating had to travel all the way to Hampton Roads or ship their milk.

Children’s Hospital of Richmond opens ‘milk depot’ to help bring donated breast milk to babies in need

New all-electronic tolling system goes live on Richmond routes this weekend Drivers without an E-ZPass will pay substantially more.

New all-electronic tolling system goes live on Richmond routes this weekend

Q&A: Richmond's first master parks plan since the 1970s is nearing its final stage The document, dubbed Richmond INSPIRE, identifies potential improvements to city greenspaces and recreational facilities over the next 10 years.

Q&A: Richmond's first master parks plan since the 1970s is nearing its final stage

Varina gets tested, prevails in playoff clash with Monacan A tie game in the third was broken open by the Blue Devils shortly after.

Varina gets tested, prevails in playoff clash with Monacan