Dec. 5 Newsletter: Snow day!
🚨 Weather: Snow will continue until about lunchtime, but low temperatures mean it will melt slowly. Public schools are closed across the area, and performances at tonight's RVA Illuminates have been canceled.
On this date in 1984, a state task force says that fears of stunting economic growth have made the state slow to respond to environmental concerns.
At budget retreat, Richmond officials talk lots of ideas but few numbers
Richmond policymakers are trying to do government budgeting differently, but it wasn’t the smoothest start Thursday as Mayor Danny Avula’s administration convened a joint meeting with the City Council to discuss spending priorities for the coming year.
The three-hour session in a hotel meeting room downtown began with a lengthy back-and-forth about the meeting’s purpose, with differing views exchanged on what a budget retreat should be. Read more here.
We Were There: The 50th Bizarre Bazaar opens at Richmond Raceway
There are many holiday markets, but the biggest, baddest one by a landslide is Richmond’s Bizarre Bazaar. With an annual attendance of 25,000-30,000 who come to buy from 500+ vendors, this wild — and a little wacky — event is a big thing. Read more here.
Southsiders will vote in 'firehouse primary' on Sunday for Hashmi's Senate seat
Richmond-area Democrats will hold a firehouse primary Sunday, an impromptu one-day event to choose their nominee for a special election.
Two Richmond-area state lawmakers — Dels. Mike Jones and Debra Gardner — are running truncated campaigns, and have gathered endorsements from state leaders. Read more here.
Randolph could get a new public park near South Harrison St. gateway
The properties would be transferred from RRHA to the city if approved Monday evening by City Councnil.
They were initially promised to the city in 2023 as part of the Creighton Court redevelopment.
In an early document, the city declared them "unsuitable for affordable housing," but on Thursday night clarified that a park "is the best use of the properties." Read more here.
A big week for animal news
The Purrfect Bean, Richmond's cat cafe, will be closed for the rest of the year after a "series of freak accidents" caused the restaurant to flood.
Meanwhile, Hanover animal control will sell 'drunk raccoon' t-shirts after a story from an Ashland ABC store went viral.
High school football report: Highland Springs, Varina remain in contention
Plus, a look at local players who signed with colleges this week on National Signing Day. Read more here.
In other news
- Longtime public media CEO Charles Sydnor Jr. dies at 82 (VPM)
- JetBlue announces nonstop route to San Juan from RIC (Richmond airport)
- Richmond-area medical marijuana dispensaries to be sold in $110M deal to new operator (Richmond BizSense)
The editor's desk
Ashland was the center of the universe this week, as news stations across the globe weighed in on the drunk raccoon:
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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