April 8 Newsletter: 1 down, 2,069 to go
Weather: A high of 58 might mark the coolest weather until fall arrives.
On this date in 1980, cab drivers block the entrance to Richmond International Airport to protest prime pickup spots being given to drivers from Groome Transportation.
Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: As a top 50 public research institution, Virginia Commonwealth University has an unparalleled drive to discover, innovate and create. VCU impacts the human experience and tackles the problems of tomorrow. It's a university unlike any you’ve ever seen.
Richmonders warm to new baseball stadium on frigid opening night
Early hiccups are to be expected at a new venue, and at CarMax Park on Tuesday night that showed when parking ran out and concession lines grew increasingly long.
- But fans who have waited years for this moment shrugged it off and cheered on the Flying Squirrels to a 3-2 opening-game victory.
The sellout crowd was listed at 9,585 people, which is about equivalent to The Diamond's capacity in its final years.
Johnny Cashew won the stadium’s first “mixed nut race,” while a new videoboard in the outfield allowed for additional entertainment options. See more photos from opening night here.
Man charged after break-in at Richmond courthouse, officials plan funding boost for security
Richmond’s John Marshall Courts Building was broken into on March 3rd.
- The suspect said he worked for the CIA, and told police he went into the building with a knife because he had seen another figure inside that looked like him and was trying to find that person.
No extensive damage was discovered, but it illustrated the concerns judges and others have about the aging facility.
At a budget work session on Monday, CAO Odie Donald II characterized the city's upcoming $15.6 million boost as a way to modernize the courthouse as officials continue to work on a long-term solution. Read more here.
Richmond begins refilling west tank of Byrd Park Reservoir after two years of repairs
After a more than two-year closure for a roof replacement, water is again running into the Byrd Park Reservoir’s west tank.
Richmond's 2025 water crisis was accelerated because the tank was out of service, though its use would not have prevented the crisis entirely.
Up next is work on the east tank, which will get the same transformation and will be completed in about two years. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
‘It just has to stop’: Why VCU is accelerating pedestrian safety action
Pedestrian safety remains a critical issue in Richmond. Building on three years of collaboration and confronting recent tragedies, VCU and the city of Richmond are working together to improve safety through infrastructure projects, outreach and education, and increased enforcement. Read more.
In other news
- How One Virginia County Turned Data Center Money into Affordable Housing (Time)
- Inmate charged in brutal beating of sheriff’s deputy at Richmond city jail (Times-Dispatch)
- Chesterfield accused of destroying records at center of public information lawsuit (CBS 6)
- Midlothian continues title defense with resounding softball victory
The editor's desk
Congrats to the winners of Richmonder merch from our reader survey: Bert D., Amanda G., Glynis C., Lindsay Y. and Kevin B.
And for everybody else, stay tuned tomorrow to learn how you can get your own Richmonder hat or mug!
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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