> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.richmonder.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Aug. 24 Newsletter: Football is back - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/aug-24-newsletter-football-is-back/ - Published: 2026-08-24T10:00:29.000Z - Updated: 2026-08-24T10:00:28.000Z - Description: What do all the audit requests mean at RPS? Plus, a back-to-school event has given out more than 120,000 pairs of new shoes, and the latest edition of The Richmonder 25 series. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** A gorgeous August day, with a high of 84 and the humidity dropping. **On this date** in 2004, Americans Misty May and Kerri Walsh win a gold medal in beach volleyball at the Athens Olympics. **Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU Health** [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/VCU_FY27_Brand-USNWR_The-Richmonder_Leaderboard-Ad_2184x270.jpg)](https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/us-news-world-report-names-vcu-medical-center-no-1-hospital-in-virginia/?utm%5Fsource=richmonder&utm%5Fmedium=sponsored-content&utm%5Fcampaign=USNWR&utm%5Fcontent=VCU%5FFY27%5FBrand-USNWR%5Frichmonder%5Fstaticdisplay%5F728x90) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-30.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/back-to-school-shoe-event-celebrates-20-years-with-more-than-120-000-pairs-given-out/) ### Back-to-school shoe event celebrates 20 years, with more than 120,000 pairs given out At 4 a.m. on Saturday, Rita Willis arrived at Third Street Bethel AME to set up for the event she spends all year preparing for, the “New Shoes for Back to School Ministry.” Students who participate receive a new pair of shoes for the upcoming school year. 👢 Willis was a Black student in segregated Dinwiddie County and had to walk several miles to school, which inspired the project. “I know it's only one pair of shoes, but to a child, one pair of shoes on the first day of school is what makes them happy, because it made me happy,” she said. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/back-to-school-shoe-event-celebrates-20-years-with-more-than-120-000-pairs-given-out/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/Richmonder_Finance_Texture_040825-3--1-.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/know-your-audits-why-some-rps-watchers-want-more-than-the-district-is-currently-providing/) ### Know your audits: Why some RPS watchers want more than the district is currently providing Between January and July, public commenters told the School Board that the budget needed a forensic audit nearly 20 times. In response to those demands, school officials have said the division’s audits can be found online, showing that the schools are in good fiscal standing. But not all audits are created equal. [**Learn more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/know-your-audits-why-some-rps-watchers-want-more-than-the-district-is-currently-providing/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-31.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/entering-his-80s-dickie-foster-is-still-officiating-high-school-games-across-the-region/) ### Entering his 80s, Dickie Foster is still officiating high school games across the region Foster is a 1964 graduate of Douglas Freeman, where he starred in football and baseball. Money isn’t his motivation. Nor is ego. That isn’t Foster’s way. He’s perfectly happy when the games flow smoothly and he isn’t noticed. His motivation is the challenge. He officiates for the love of the game, any game, and for the opportunity to indulge his passion, support athletics at the grassroots level, and mentor younger officials. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/entering-his-80s-dickie-foster-is-still-officiating-high-school-games-across-the-region/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-32.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/after-a-wild-offseason-its-kickoff-week-for-area-high-school-football-teams/) ### After a wild offseason, it's kickoff week for area high school football teams Varina debuts at No. 1 in **Rob Witham's** Super 12 high school football poll, and the Blue Devils will test themselves with a challenging slate early. 🏈 There are new coaches at Mills Godwin, Deep Run, Glen Allen, Matoaca, Meadowbrook and James River as the season kicks off. In the private school division, it’s Benedictine versus the field as they seek a fourth consecutive state championship. Ralphie Pucinelli returns to the Cadets after a stint at Glen Allen at quarterback. [**Read a full season preview here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/after-a-wild-offseason-its-kickoff-week-for-area-high-school-football-teams/) --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/07/Richmonder-25-standard-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-meet-the-2026-honorees/) An annual series celebrating the people who make us proud to be Richmonders. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/image-29.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-sarah-matalavage-drives-to-improve-literary-access-in-the-enchanting-bookmobile/) ### Sarah Matalavage drives to improve literary access in the Enchanting Bookmobile Matalavage is a full-time therapist, but in her spare time she takes the Enchanting Bookmobile to underserved communities and various literacy events. Her primary motivation for the project was to improve access to literature, especially for those who face barriers in getting to libraries and purchasing books. [**Read more here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-sarah-matalavage-drives-to-improve-literary-access-in-the-enchanting-bookmobile/) 🥳 Save the date! We're throwing a party for our Richmonder 25 honorees on Friday, Sept. 25 at The Hippodrome. [****Ticket info is here**](https://www.richmonder.org/the-richmonder-25-event-and-ticket-info/); our donors get $30 off! --- ### Today's sponsor [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2026/08/VCU_FY27_Brand-USNWR_The-Richmonder_Image.jpg)](https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/us-news-world-report-names-vcu-medical-center-no-1-hospital-in-virginia/?utm%5Fsource=richmonder&utm%5Fmedium=sponsored-content&utm%5Fcampaign=USNWR&utm%5Fcontent=VCU%5FFY27%5FBrand-USNWR%5Frichmonder%5Fstaticdisplay%5F728x90) ### U.S. News & World Report names VCU Medical Center No. 1 hospital in Virginia Virginia's best, and among the nation’s best. VCU Medical Center has been ranked the No. 1 hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-2027. U.S. News also recognized the medical center among the Top 50 in the nation for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery at No. 29, and orthopedics at No. 44\. The publication also ranked VCU Medical Center No. 1 in the Richmond metro area for the 16th consecutive year. [**Read more here.**](https://www.vcuhealth.org/news/us-news-world-report-names-vcu-medical-center-no-1-hospital-in-virginia/?utm%5Fsource=richmonder&utm%5Fmedium=sponsored-content&utm%5Fcampaign=USNWR&utm%5Fcontent=VCU%5FFY27%5FBrand-USNWR%5Frichmonder%5Fstaticdisplay%5F728x90) --- ### In other news - [**A look at the recent changes taking place in Richmond’s theater scene**](https://www.styleweekly.com/a-new-stage-4/) (Style Weekly) - Swift Creek Mill Theatre's board will meet today to discuss a potential business plan for reopening. - [**VCU police search for person of interest in assault investigation**](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/richmond/vcu-police-search-for-person-of-interest-in-assault-investigation) (CBS 6) - According to VCU police, at around 8:50 p.m. on Thursday, a large group of bicyclists was illegally blocking traffic at the intersection of West Cary Street and North Morris Street. - [**HVAC issues persist as Henrico students set to return**](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/08/21/hvac-issues-persist-hcps-students-set-return-monday/) (12 On Your Side) - The county’s Friday estimate shows more than half of the 74 schools in the county are currently dealing with HVAC issues of some kind. --- ### Last week's most read stories - [**Avula administration drops duplex proposal in third draft of code refresh**](https://www.richmonder.org/avula-administration-drops-duplex-proposal-in-third-draft-of-code-refresh/) - [**Ellwood Thompson's parent company acquired by data center owner**](https://www.richmonder.org/ellwood-thompsons-parent-company-acquired-by-data-center-owner-as-stock-drops-below-2-cents-a-share/) - [**Data: Housing is more out of reach and homeownershp is down for younger Richmonders**](https://www.richmonder.org/data-housing-is-more-out-of-reach-and-homeownership-is-down-for-younger-richmonders/) - [**Richmond agreed to pay a tax refund after being sued. The city's own lawyer struggled to get the money sent**](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-agreed-to-pay-a-tax-refund-after-being-sued-the-citys-own-lawyer-struggled-to-get-the-money-sent/) - [**VUU seeking city permission to develop Richmond Community Hospital property**](https://www.richmonder.org/vuu-seeking-city-permission-to-develop-richmond-community-hospital-property/) --- ### The editor's desk Had to explain to one of our young writers what America Online was. If anybody needs me I'll be with my collection of CD-ROMs that get me 500 free hours. *Michael Phillips, founder* *mphillips@richmonder.org* --- Sent this by a friend? [**Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/sign-up-for-the-richmonders-free-newsletter/) Do you enjoy The Richmonder? [**Join us as a donor**](https://www.richmonder.org/contribute-to-the-richmonder/) and we'll send you a hat or mug!