> ## 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. # Jan. 6 Newsletter: Losing school board candidate sues for defamation - URL: https://www.richmonder.org/jan-6-newsletter-losing-school-board-candidate-sues-for-defamation/ - Published: 2025-01-06T11:00:17.000Z - Updated: 2025-01-06T11:00:16.000Z - Description: A losing school board candidate has sued his opponent for defamation. Plus, a judge won't give an injunction to stop the VMFA's new warehouse. - Author: Michael Phillips - Tags: Newsletter **Weather:** It's snowing! Full forecast below. **On this date** in 1989, the M.V. Reefer Jambu, a Bahamian freight ship delivering tobacco, is impounded at Richmond’s Deepwater Terminal after the ship’s owners were accused of illegally hiring and underpaying crewmen. The lawsuit was settled a few weeks later. **Note:** Schools and government buildings [are closed today](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-schools-closed-monday-mayor-declares-state-of-emergency/) due to weather. --- ## [More cold in store, with another big snow chance this weekend](https://www.richmonder.org/more-cold-in-store-with-another-big-snow-chance-this-weekend/) Great news for snow lovers — we're likely not done yet. Meteorologist **Sean Sublette** is already monitoring the potential for accumulating snow on Friday night in the Richmond area. As for this week, frigid temperatures don't necessarily mean we'll be stuck inside, he says. - Black pavement with a sunny sky will absorb energy from the sun, regardless of air temperature, helping melt the ice and dry off roads. - But shaded areas and light-colored surfaces — like outdoor steps and ramps — will likely be damp or icy most of the week. Simply walking on sidewalks may be challenging for a few days. [**Read more, including why wearing layers is the best way to stay warm, here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/more-cold-in-store-with-another-big-snow-chance-this-weekend/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/01/8thdistrictcandidates--1--1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/unsuccessful-8th-district-school-board-candidate-sues-winner-for-defamation-over-october-facebook-post/) ### [**Unsuccessful 8th District School Board candidate sues winner for defamation over October Facebook post**](https://www.richmonder.org/unsuccessful-8th-district-school-board-candidate-sues-winner-for-defamation-over-october-facebook-post/) Unsuccessful Richmond School Board candidate P.H. “Cruz” Sherman is suing victor E.J. “Emmett Jay” Jafari for defamation. 💻 Jafari posted comments on Facebook during his campaign that portrayed Sherman as a “One-Man Crimewave” with an extensive criminal background. Courts have an extremely high bar to award defamation damages during political campaigns, but it's not unprecedented: In 2018, [a Virginia Beach City Council candidate](https://www.generalcounsellaw.com/virginia-beach-city-council-candidate-is-awarded-5-million-in-defamation-case-over-facebook-posts/) was awarded $5 million. [**Read more from Sarah Vogelsong here.**](https://www.richmonder.org/unsuccessful-8th-district-school-board-candidate-sues-winner-for-defamation-over-october-facebook-post/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-03-at-1.15.36-PM-1.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/neighbors-sue-over-vmfa-warehouse-plan-but-judge-declines-to-order-emergency-stop/) ### [Neighbors sue over VMFA warehouse plan, but judge declines to order emergency stop](https://www.richmonder.org/neighbors-sue-over-vmfa-warehouse-plan-but-judge-declines-to-order-emergency-stop/) A group of Museum District residents fighting the construction of an art storage warehouse near their homes has filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts seeking to block the project. - But a local judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order that would’ve blocked the plan before construction could begin. In a legal filing Thursday, VMFA attorneys said a court-imposed delay could drive its costs higher and said the proposed warehouse is critical to the upcoming expansion. [Read more from Graham Moomaw here.](https://www.richmonder.org/neighbors-sue-over-vmfa-warehouse-plan-but-judge-declines-to-order-emergency-stop/) --- ### In other news - [**A cardiac arrest. A guardian angel. A Richmond Marathon miracle on Broad Street.**](https://richmond.com/sports/richmond-marathon-miracle-broad-street-christopher-david-tiffany-johnson-sports-backers-vcu-health/article%5F42d65564-c562-11ef-b2d1-ff0b7bf035f7.html#tracking-source=home-top-story) (Times-Dispatch) - [**An oral history of Carytown's short-lived New Year's celebration**](https://rvamag.com/culture/downtownrva/20000-strong-the-night-carytown-lit-up-the-richmond-sky.html) (RVA Mag) - [**Style's "Richmonder of the Year" is The Valentine's Bill Martin**](https://www.styleweekly.com/richmonder-of-the-year-2024/) (Style Weekly) --- ### The editor's desk Snow used to feel like a given, but in recent years it has become a special treat. If you need me, I'll be sledding in Forest Hill Park. Michael Phillips, founding editor mphillips@richmonder.org --- Sent this by a friend? 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