Jan. 2 Newsletter: Catching up
Weather: Highs in the upper 40s; rain showers possible tomorrow.
On this date in 1957, City Council discusses reducing the city’s police officers from a six-day workweek to a five-day, 40-hour workweek.
Catching up: With consulting work and a new house, Levar Stoney says he’s staying out of politics for now
After more than a decade in public service, the former Mayor says he’s perfectly content to have a chance to relax and spend more time with his wife and young daughter.
“I’m in a season of loving and being loved in return,” Stoney said in a recent interview with The Richmonder.
Stoney said he’s taken on some private-sector consulting work, much of it focused on making government more efficient and user-friendly. Read more here.
Catching up: The Fall Line Trail is finding its way through Richmond
In the next few months, about 20 miles of the 43-mile trail, which will connect Ashland to Petersburg, will be under construction or under contract.
After initial disagreement over how the trail should move through Bryan Park, a route has been set, and that segment should be completed this summer. Read more here.
Catching up: GRTC isn't out of money, but it is fundraising
Twice this year, GRTC's financial future was described in dire terms, including a board retreat document that used the term "financial cliff."
For now, it's business as usual. Richmond's bus company hasn't charged a fare since the pandemic, but it needs to raise $6.8 million a year to continue that policy into 2027.
The company has started a nonprofit arm, Transit Access Partnership, and hopes to fundraise $2 million a year towards keeping fares free. Read more here.
Catching up: The Hartshorn Community Council showed up on hundreds of incorrectly issued rebate checks
The city’s finance department erroneously made out thousands of tax rebate checks issued earlier this year to a homeowners association.
Albert Ruffin, the group's treasurer, said he ended up receiving about 75 to 80 forwarded checks in the mail.
“It was a weird few days for the homeowners’ association,” he said.
Ironically, the Hartshorn Community Council wasn't even eligible for the rebate. Read more here.
Catching up: Is Cosmic Baseball the next Banana Ball?
A Colonial Heights amateur baseball team, the Tri-City Chili Peppers, took the sports world by storm in 2025 with "cosmic baseball." Its unique glow-in-the-dark version of the game was made possible thanks to powerful black lights.
The amateur team, which was made up of college players, has been replaced by two professional cosmic teams, the Cosmic Chili Peppers and the Glowmojis. They'll take the game to 30 cities across the country, as well as a hometown stop at Shepherd Stadium at the end of May.
The team is looking to amp up the entertainment factor with confetti cannons, laser light shows, and other innovations that take advantage of the new portable, battery-powered black lights that will be installed at each stadium. Read more here.
In other news
- Carytown Cone Parade heralds new year with 'beautiful positivity and fun' (CBS 6)
- Richmond marks 20th anniversary of Harvey family murders (12 On Your Side)
- Odie Donald II joins the RVA's Got Issues podcast (VPM)
The editor's desk
The mayor got the point yesterday in Carytown, wearing a cone designed for him at the annual Cone Parade.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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