Aug. 5 Newsletter: Dumping waste
Weather: The rain leaves but the heat stays. High of 88.
On this date in 1993, three California men are charged with purchasing $2,500 in clothes from area malls with stolen credit cards, part of a nationwide buying spree.
🗳️ Notable primary election results: Incumbent LeQuan Hylton wins Chesterfield Board of Supervisors seat, Shannon Taylor will face Rob Wittman in 1st House District
Three years ago, mysterious waste barrels appeared across the Richmond area. Two men have now pled guilty to dumping them
In the spring of 2023, dozens of 55-gallon barrels oozing unidentified red and white substances turned up in neighborhoods around Richmond and Henrico County.
“I’ve never seen nor am I aware of another case of this magnitude,” said the Henrico Fire official who ended up leading the investigation into what happened.
Two men pled guilty and have been ordered to pay more than $100,000 in restitution, while the ringleader is facing two years in jail. Read more here.
Holton raises nearly $79K, setting School Board early fundraising record
Anne Holton, who is running for the 6th District seat on the Richmond School Board, has raised $78,710 for her campaign so far in this election cycle, putting her on track to run the most expensive campaign in Richmond School Board history.
Jackie McDonnough, her competitor for the seat, has raised $17,486 as of July 23. Read more here.
After Avula proposes ‘modest’ real estate tax relief, 3 Council members push for more
The city’s real estate tax rate — $1.20 per $100 of assessed property value — hasn’t been lowered since 2008. But three City Council members think the city can do more than a one-cent reduction recently proposed by Mayor Danny Avula.
The tax relief ordinance would set a $1.16 rate for the 2028 tax year, which means it would effectively lock in a lower rate heading into next spring’s budget cycle and require Avula to balance city spending accordingly.
For a typical home valued at $400,000, a one-cent reduction in the tax rate would save the homeowner $40, while a four-cent reduction would save $160. Read more here.
Third draft of code refresh to be released in two weeks
The third draft will likely be the final proposal of the code refresh that is sent to the Planning Commission and City Council for their verdict, although Mayor Danny Avula’s administration has said it is open to further revisions as needed.
Among the key decisions the draft will resolve are how many housing units will be allowed on a single residential lot, how places of worship should be zoned and how many unrelated people can make up a household. Read more here.
‘Silly Genius’ is creating a city where everyone can be a creator
Taron Sparks, a hopelessly creative kid, grew up without a single art museum in reach.
Now, one mural at a time, he’s turning the streets, the road signs and even the GRTC buses of Richmond into the grassroots gallery he’s always dreamed of.
“That’s when I was like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna just do it myself,’” he said. His All City Art Club now has its own home, on Grace Street downtown. Read more here.
In other news
- Phish announces Two-Night Richmond run at Allianz Amphitheater (RVA Mag)
- A ticket lottery is open until next Monday.
- Voluntary water restrictions lifted for several localities (12 On Your Side)
- Chesterfield County previously reported that there was no drop in usage during the voluntary restriction period.
- Richmond celebrates 804 Day as the 686 era begins (Axios)
- With phone numbers running out in the 804 area code, Richmonders are now being assigned 686 area codes as well.
The editor's desk
We're back at the St. Stephen's farmer's market this Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, with Richmonder tote bags and mugs!
Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org
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