Sean Jones

Richmond-based CoStar Group lays off staffers, announces new hiring Its is unclear how many people were let go. A number of staffers who worked for the Homes.com marketplace lost their jobs, several people familiar with the situation said.

Its is unclear how many people were let go. A number of staffers who worked for the Homes.com marketplace lost their jobs, several people familiar with the situation said.

Officials: DPU director was fired, and did not resign Mayor Danny Avula previously said Bingham had resigned, and called the separation both voluntary and “amicable.”

Former DPU Director April Bingham was fired from her post, and did not resign.

Mayor Avula had said her departure was voluntary and "amicable." But today, a city spokesperson said Bingham rescinded her resignation and was then issued a termination letter.
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Hanover Supervisors appeared to favor a board that shares information, like reports about the plant’s condition, rather than an authority to take over day-to-day operations. They also considered stronger ties with Henrico as a source for water.

Henrico may end reliance on Richmond water if regional solution isn't found “If they can’t get their act together and we can’t get a deal (for a regional solution) … then we’re willing to protect our citizens without the city of Richmond’s

Henrico talked up the possibility of becoming the region’s main water provider, and creating an authority for day-to-day operations. Several other options appeared to be under consideration, including one where the county disconnects entirely from the city.

Henrico and Hanover are reacting to last month’s water crisis with calls for more oversight of Richmond’s water treatment plant. Both counties endorsed the idea of a regional group that could put their own staff inside the plant.

Chesterfield (1st), Henrico (4th) among fastest growing Va. localities since 2020 More people have moved to Chesterfield than any locality in Virginia since 2020. Newcomers from higher-priced markets are also impacting the price of housing in the region.

The region's growth has coincided with a sharp rise in housing costs. Despite Chesterfield and Henrico outpacing the likes of Loudoun County in construction, experts say more homes are needed.

Henrico hires firms to investigate water response, agreements The scope of the reports will evaluate the county's water infrastructure and look at making the east end's water more "resilient."

Henrico residents have been asking the county how to make its water system less reliant on Richmond's. Officials said a solution will take time and millions of dollars.

'Secret police' case heard by Virginia appeals court The Virginia Court of Appeals hears arguments in a case regarding transparency in police departments, involving public records requests and undercover operations.

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Hanover issues boil water advisory east of Interstate 95 County Manager John Budesky said all addresses east of Interstate 95 should conserve water if it is available to them. A boil water advisory is in effect for those residences.

A boil water advisory is also in effect for large portions of Hanover, including Atlee and Mechanicsville.

Update: Henrico to declare local emergency amid water pressure issues County Manager John Vithoulkas: "I want to personally apologize, because I am the county manager, and the mantra is that accountability stops with leadership."

All Henrico water is coming from a treatment plant near the Goochland border. County leaders said it will take time to get water to eastern parts of the county.

Hanover High baseball must complete hazing prevention training to get back on the field Documents obtained from a public records request by the Richmond Times-Dispatch show HCPS administrators and a third-party vendor proposed a "Hazing Prevention" course for Dec. 19.

Documents obtained from a public records request by the Richmond Times-Dispatch show HCPS administrators and a third-party vendor proposed a "Hazing Prevention" course for Dec. 19.

$5 million Movieland revamp positions venue for a strong future With the film industry continuing to rebound post-Covid, Bow Tie Cinemas is hoping the Movieland upgrades will bring a well-rounded and luxurious experience to moviegoers.

With the film industry continuing to rebound post-Covid, Bow Tie Cinemas is hoping the Movieland upgrades will bring a well-rounded and luxurious experience to moviegoers.

Richmond won't choose Coliseum developer until after Stoney departs Mayor-elect Danny Avula will oversee the selection of a developer, but he said he has confidence the current team of city staff will get the job done.

The city of Richmond does not expect to choose a developer for the Coliseum project until after Mayor Levar Stoney leaves office, missing the administration's goal.

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Small in stature, 'he became a giant': Henrico's longest-serving employee dies His 73-year-long career started in 1946 when he was just 18 years old. After working almost every job imaginable he retired as a supervisor in 2019.

Elvin Cosby, 96, worked just about every job imaginable in the department of public works. He is remembered for his humility, work ethic, and love for other people.

Hanover supervisors reject Iron Horse data center technology park The Town of Ashland had already approved its portion of the project straddling the Ashland-Hanover line. The county's denial leaves the future of Iron Horse uncertain.

Hanover's denial leaves only about 60% of the technology park on the Ashland side approved. The future of the site is uncertain.

Virginia K-12 enrollment plateaus at 1.3M, still down 3% since pandemic Public school enrollment ticked up slightly over the last year in Chesterfield and Henrico counties and the city of Richmond, while dipping slightly in Hanover County.

Virginia's K-12 enrollment has plateaued again with 624 fewer students this year and is still about 37K students down compared with pre-pandemic figures, a 3% decrease. The federal government predicted that the state will continue to lose students.

VanValkenburg asks attorney general to weigh in on Henrico Rosie's The senator is asking Miyares for an advisory opinion to clarify whether or not the legislative history around historic horse racing should cover machines in Henrico County.

A favorable opinion from the AG would help fight against the incoming Rosie's, which the county says it doesn't want.

Lawmakers enlist residents to fight incoming Rosie's gambling site A Rosie's Gaming Emporium at Staples Mill Shopping Center has already been approved for building permits. Elected officials asked residents to create pressure against the developer.

At this point Henrico's hands are tied legally. But lawmakers are still hoping to create pressure that might fend off the planned Rosie's at Staples Mill Shopping Center.

Meadow Farm Museum throws birthday bash for 4 piglets Not only were the piglets somewhat of a surprise, they can be tricky to care for in the early months of their life. On top of that, there was a

Piggies

City watchdog: Richmond elections office wasted money on high-end sofas, gun and bodyguards A report from Richmond's Office of the Inspector General said swivel chairs, leather sofas, and oak filing cabinets bought from LaDiff were a waste of taxpayer dollars.

In June, Deputy Registrar Jerry Richardson flatly denied that she and Registrar Keith Balmer used p-cards to buy alcohol: "we'd be fools to think we could do that," she told me.

But in his report, Richmond's inspector general says that's exactly what they did.
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Hanover-Ashland data center campus headed for final approvals The business park was initially approved for retail, warehouses and office space. It is now moving toward approval as a data center campus. Hanover's approval is the final legislative hurdle.

Ashland has already approved the portion of the project on its side of the border. Hanover has to approve the remaining 40%

568 acres in New Kent permanently protected from development The land’s native species, soils, and history are part of a farm property once owned by the family of Martha Washington, the wife of first President George Washington.

The protected farmland includes prime soils and River frontage with six species of endangered fish.

Richmond Public Schools prepares for potential effects of Trump administration Superintendent Jason Kamras said his administration is preparing for what he sees as the two most immediate potential changes from a Trump administration: mass deportations and the end of federally

As school leaders across the U.S. prepare for the incoming Trump administration's potential impact on education, the superintendent of Virginia’s capital city is getting ready for what he sees as the 2 most immediate potential changes: mass deportations and the end of federally funded school lunches

White Oak's history as a WWII decoy base turned data center hub The 2,400-acre "Elko tract" was transformed into a dummy Air Force base to trick possible incoming bomber pilots into thinking it was a real target.

2. What is now home to several data centers for Meta was once a fake airfield in WWII to trick any would-be invaders

Sandston's inception owed to a World War I munitions factory “No community is trapped in amber, but when you go to Sandston … there haven’t been a lot of tear downs.”

A couple of history stories from last week's mobile newsroom in Sandston:
1. The community was almost entirely born to support a WW1 munitions factory

Henrico takes over 14.8 billion gallon Cobbs Creek Reservoir Officials said that the reservoir would secure safe drinking water for decades to come, possibly more than a century, as the region continues its growth with new residents.

Henrico took over the operation of a reservior in Cumberland, securing safe drinking water for decades.

Henrico says Broad Street vandalism spree linked to Sandston incident The weekend vandalism that left several businesses with broken windows has been tied to an incident in Sandston, where at least 34 homes were hit by an airsoft or BB

Richmond and Henrico are searching for the suspect/s that hit dozens of homes and businesses. They're asking people to share Ring camera footage.