Aug. 14 Newsletter: Westwood
Weather: Stray showers all weekend along with heat in the lower 90s.
On this date in 1992, Gov. Douglas Wilder appears on 12 On Your Side for an hour, taking phone calls about his proposed deal to move Washington’s NFL team to a stadium in Alexandria.
Richmond’s historic Westwood neighborhood has beaten the odds for years. Can it survive rezoning?
The historically Black community traces its founding to formerly enslaved men and women who put down roots in the 1870. But even in an old city where almost every neighborhood is historic, Westwood stands out.
- In 1942, the city attempted to bulldoze it to make room for a park, refusing to extend water and sewer lines to residents.
- “We have survived post-Reconstruction, Jim Crow and redlining to produce doctors, lawyers, politicians, educators, entrepreneurs and civil rights warriors to get here today,” said one resident.
New development, including ADUs popping up on existing properties, has residents nervous over how much more change the neighborhood can take.
The code refresh would largely leave building rights the same, but some residents worry that won't be enough to protect their neighborhood. Read more here.
Lewis Ginter employees reject final contract offer, will vote on striking
Unionized workers at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden rejected the nonprofit's final contract offer on Wednesday night, and said they will vote on whether to go on strike.
Lewis Ginter's CEO said that the garden is losing "tens of thousands of dollars in revenue" as a result of calls for a boycott by the union. Read more here.
Highland Springs student who became NASCAR's first Black female driver returns home
Dystany Spurlock (pronounced Destiny) made a triumphant homecoming on Thursday to Highland Springs High, after making national headlines earlier this year as NASCAR's first Black female driver.
"To see how many new fans are going to come to see NASCAR because of me is everything," she said. "We need more of that." Read more here.
ALSO IN SPORTS: Chesterfield's Denny Hamlin has turned from NASCAR heel to hero as his historic career enters its third decade
The Richmonder 25: Shuttle driver Sean Hackney makes visits memorable
Repairing an air stewardess’ boot. Installing a new battery in a guest’s dead engine. Preparing a congratulatory certificate for a couple who visited their last state capital.
These are just a few of the many interactions Sean Hackney has had with guests at the Omni Richmond.
Hackney has been deemed the hotel's “ambassador” and sometimes is mistaken as its owner. He knows many of the 125 employees by name, and is lauded for going above and beyond in his role. Read more here.
In other news
- Judge dismisses Henrico challenge to Roseshire gambling parlor (Times-Dispatch)
- The ruling sidestepped the legal question at hand, whether a 1992 referendum authorized the gaming machines, and instead dismissed the case for a lack of standing.
- Skip the Chains! A VCU Student Guide to Cheap-ish Local Eats (RVA Mag)
- There are about 4,500 new students and 1,500 transfer students moving in this weekend.
- RPS teacher vacancies fall to 1% as contract talks continue (VPM)
- With the new school year just two weeks away, Richmond Public Schools officials said they’ve filled most of the district's vacant teaching positions.
The editor's desk
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