Aug. 31 Newsletter: Water windfall

Weather: The heat is on this week. Lower 90s today but we could touch 100 by Thursday.

On this date in 1982, an Amtrak train car bound for Florida jumps the tracks while passing through Richmond. No injuries are reported.

Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU Health

State could give Richmond $32.8M for water upgrades, higher than $20M minimum

The potentially higher funding number was revealed Friday morning at the first meeting of the Richmond Regional Water Workgroup, the state and local panel set up to decide how the funding should be spent to best prevent a repeat of the 2025 water crisis. 

The region's utility directors supported the work, though the meeting wasn't entirely free of tension. Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas said he felt he was being asked to “rubber stamp” a completed plan without an opportunity to dig into the details. Read more here.

Newly-formed 'Virginia Crusade' draws rebuke from 'Richmond Crusade' leaders

The Richmond Crusade for Voters held a press conference to denounce a new group that it says is drafting off of its decades-long legacy.

The new group, named the Virginia Crusade for Voters, was formed in part by Jesse Frierson, a member of the Richmond Crusade. Read more here.

Ahead of Run Richmond weekend, officials cite progress in telling the city's unvarnished past

Richmond Mayor Danny Avula said one of the reasons he chose to stay in the city after getting his medical degree was because of the city’s willingness to reckon with the hardest parts of its history.

Avula ticked off a list of initiatives the city has undertaken, including opening the Shockoe Institute at Main Street Station, The JXN Project’s opening of the Skipwith-Roper Cottage and the future plans surrounding the Lumpkin Slave Jail Pavilion. Read more here.

6th District School Board debate set for Sept. 17, to be co-moderated by The Richmonder and VPM

The two candidates running for the 6th District seat on the Richmond School Board, Anne Holton and Jackie McDonnough, have agreed to participate in a debate on Sept. 17.

The event, which will be open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. and last for one hour. It will take place at the Ann Hardy Community Center in Richmond's Northside. Read more here.

• Benedictine kicks off title defense with emphatic win
  • The final score was 46-0, and from the time Isaac Cuevas returned the opening kickoff 57 yards, the visitors never had a chance.
• 50 years ago, Tuckahoe reached the Little League World Series
  • That squad from Henrico's West End has been gathering this summer to reminisce about their journey. 
• High school football: Week 2 features a loaded slate across the region
  • Plus, the top performers from the opening weekend and more.

Retirement won't stop Dr. Joann Henry's passion for education

When Dr. Joann Henry started Dream Academy in 2010, it was the continuation of a promise she had made to herself many years prior. 

She recalled a conversation years ago with a student who had been in the hall for the majority of the school day, who expressed dislike for school. When she asked him what he dreamed of being one day, he told her, “‘I don’t got a dream.’”

“I said, ‘When I retire, I’m gonna open up a school,’” she said. “So, I called it Dream Academy.” Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

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.

In other news

• City adds final intersection to pilot safety program (News release)
  • 10 of the 13 schools with speed cameras have seen speeds decrease since the cameras were put in place.
• Driver charged after police chase from Henrico ends with James River jump near Rocketts Landing (CBS 6)
  • After sideswiping multiple cars, the suspect jumped into the James River to flee officers, but was caught and arrested.
• As Ellwood Thompson’s parent company prepares for a merger, local purveyors say they aren’t getting paid (Richmond magazine)
  • “We have not received a single payment since February,” said Nicole Broder, co-founder of Shine Farms in Mechanicsville.

The editor's desk

Put my fantasy football team together yesterday, but we haven't yet added a loser punishment to the league – which honestly seems more fun than a prize for winning.

Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org

Sent this by a friend? Sign up for our free thrice-weekly newsletter here.

Do you enjoy The Richmonder? Join us as a donor and we'll send you a hat or mug!