June 15 Newsletter: Bringing back the batteau
Weather: A high of 85 brings a little relief from record-setting heat.
On this date in 1999, the Little Oil Company, which spilled 20,000 gallons of oil into the James River, donates a portion of its Southside land to the James River Park Fund as part of a settlement.
Today’s email is sponsored by Richmond Region Tourism, celebrating the 19.1 million visitors our region welcomed in 2025. Richmonders can get involved by taking an I Am Tourism class.
Richmond's Flag, Part 3: Modern day boatmen recreate the freedom of the batteaux era
When the James Center was built in 1983, workers dug up the first nearly-intact recreation of a batteau boat, which was used to ferry goods up and down the river in the late 1700s and is now featured on Richmond's flag.
The festival is a moving recreation of history. As the sun passes over replica batteaux, the boats are propelled downstream by crew members pushing on wooden poles as they walk the length of the boat.
Throughout the days, crews play music, cook on the boats, fish, or simply admire river grasses passing below. At night, some crew members sleep aboard the boats, another practice of the early boatmen. Read more, and meet Richmonders who built their own batteau, here.
Also catch up on Part 1 and Part 2 of the series.
Four local teams win state titles on spring jubilee weekend
In a highly-anticipated battle of star pitchers, Matoaca was trailing with two outs left in the game, but rallied to win the school's first state softball title. Read more here.
- King William uses run-rule victory to claim state softball title
- Atlee soccer and New Kent baseball were also winners (stories from CBS 6)
- Hanover, Freeman fall in girls lacrosse finals
Lavender Hill owner sues city, City Council over SUP denial
In a June 9 complaint filed in Richmond Circuit Court, Nadia Anderson argued that the denial was “arbitrary, capricious, not fairly debatable, and contrary to the applicable provisions of the City of Richmond Charter and Code.”
The Lavender Hill permit has been one of the most controversial special use permits to come before the City Council over the past year, attracting large turnouts of both opponents and supporters to public hearings. Read more here.
Judge dismisses defamation suit over professorial drama at VCU’s Wilder School
A Richmond judge has thrown out a defamation lawsuit involving a former VCU instructor and the replacement scholar who took over his public administration course after he was abruptly fired.
Questioning his own firing by the Wilder School, Bill Leighty’s court filings said, was protected speech on “a matter of public concern.”
Leighty said he was fired after refusing to ask Mayor Danny Avula a hard-hitting question about the city’s relationship with VCU, a question Leighty believed former Gov. Doug Wilder was pushing to have asked. Read more here.
During America's 200th birthday, a Richmond racer took on the grueling 'Le Mans' French endurance test with his team
It was 1976. America was celebrating its bicentennial, and “Big Bill” France, NASCAR’s founding father, wanted to parade his American-car series on a new stage.
He picked Junie Donlavey, the legendary Richmond race car owner.
When the drivers cranked up the engines of the NASCAR-style entries, they filled the air with a deep guttural sound, unmistakable among the high-pitched whines of the road-course specialist machines. Read more here.
Today's sponsor:
Tourism is a force for good
Tourism strengthens our economy, supports the places that make living here special and builds community pride. Last year, the region welcomed 19.1 million visitors – that’s 800,000 more people than in 2024. The latest visitor numbers included 7.3 million overnight trips as well, a 5.5% year-over-year increase. Richmond Region Tourism offers free I Am Tourism classes throughout the year to help residents learn about all the things to do in their own backyard.
In other news
- Merger expert: Virginia regulators need more time for NextEra–Dominion (VPM)
- Once a merger application is filed to the SCC, a statutory 180-day clock begins.
- Richmond Flying Squirrels clinch first-half division title (CBS 6)
- In minor league baseball, the team in first place halfway through the season is guaranteed a playoff spot.
- Goochland to weigh 900-megawatt data center campus under new tech zone (Times-Dispatch)
- The 900-megawatt, 872-acre campus would rank among the largest energy-intensive developments in Virginia.
The editor's desk
A Richmond first for me: Until this weekend, I had never seen a GWAR concert. There was...so much fake blood.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
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!
