July 29 Newsletter: Deploying drones to emergencies

Weather: Standard summer fare. High of 87.

On this date in in 1977, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce, which launched Richmond Magazine, sells it to a private company.

Chesterfield now using drones to assist emergency response; emphasizes privacy measures are in place

The Chesterfield County Police Department is adding drones to its first responders lineup, which officials say will allow them to assess emergency situations quicker.

The department said these drones won’t conduct random surveillance or patrol (and, no, there aren’t firearms attached to them). They’ll primarily be deployed in scenarios where responder safety is at risk. 

“This is something that’s happening all over the country,” Police Chief Edward Carpenter Jr. said. Read more here.

City says tax exemption program has led to creation or preservation of 300 housing units

Richmond officials said a program that reduces real estate tax bills for homeowners who rehabilitate their properties to add affordable housing has produced just under 300 affordable and market-rate units over the past five years. 

“It’s not as many units as we would like to have, but it’s better than zero,” a city official said.

An earlier, much more extensive tax abatement program was discontinued by the city in 2019 after a report found that it was largely being used in higher-income neighborhoods like those in the West End. Read more here.

Chesterfield schools employee fired for Charlie Kirk comments sues, claiming her First Amendment rights were violated

A former Chesterfield County employee and her lawyer are claiming she was unlawfully fired for condemning Charlie Kirk on social media after his death. Now, she’s suing the school system for violating her First Amendment rights, asking for damages totaling more than $15 million.

Past court cases have hinged on whether the teacher’s speech causes a “disruption” to school operations, which can include complaints from parents or negative media attention. Read more here.

ALSO: Subcontractor on Lego’s Chesterfield plant sued by workers who said they didn’t receive overtime pay

Richmond voters will decide on 1% sales tax for schools after Council OKs referendum

Monday night, the Council voted 8-0 to send the issue to the voters, making Richmond one of many Virginia localities seeking to use a newly expanded power to raise sales taxes to better fund schools.

Though Council members seemed to agree on pursuing the new revenue, some stressed the need for clear communication to residents about why the tax increase is necessary and where the funds will go.

“This is not a slam dunk,” one said. Read more here.

Keys Pattie is the glue holding Richmond's ultimate frisbee scene together

Ask anyone in the region's ultimate frisbee scene who keeps it running, and they'll give you the same one-word answer: Keys.

Pattie said it’s not just the game itself that hooked him but the culture. Ultimate is almost entirely self-officiated. There are no referees at most levels of play. Instead, the sport runs on something players call "the spirit of the game": an expectation that competitors play hard, call their own fouls honestly, and treat each other with respect. Read more here.

In other news

• The curious case of Church Hill People's News' undead Facebook page (Church Hill Lookout)
  • After 24 months with zero posts, the page has made 15 posts this year. The founder says he doesn't know who it is.
• 'Somebody is going to get killed': Residents say pedestrian safety concerns go unanswered (Times-Dispatch)
  • A fence was recently put up in front of the former Sauer Brands' on Broad Street blocking pedestrian access. It has since been adjusted.
• Baltik’s Bagel owner buys former Alamo BBQ spot in Church Hill for potential second shop (Richmond BizSense)
  • "It’s possible that it could be a second Baltik’s, it’s also very possible it could not be."
• New VHS store Monster Video opens on 3rd Street (CBS 6)
  • The store also sells VCRs and DVD players for those who may be missing a key piece of equipment.

The editor's desk

If you visit the VHS store, please be kind and rewind.

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!