June 19 Newsletter: DPU's billing glitch
City and county offices are closed today in observance of Juneteenth.
Weather: Showers set the tone for a steamy weekend. High of 86.
On this date in 1995, Richmond’s Planning Commission decides to place a monument to Arthur Ashe on Roseneath Road, bringing it closer to the other monuments than initially planned.
City: DPU billing glitch impacted about 15,000 customers
Richmond's Department of Public Utilities said Wednesday that about 15,000 accounts were impacted by an issue that caused customers to be told their utility payments did not arrive.
Many customers who have signed up for online autopay services received "past due" bills over the last few weeks. The city says it will fix those accounts automatically and waive all late fees. Read more here.
Thalhimer denies allegations in defamation suit filed by Flying Squirrels owner
In a new legal filing, Diamond District developer Jason Guillot says he was threatened by Richmond Flying Squirrels owner Lou DiBella, but didn’t report what had happened as a death threat.
Thalhimer’s response also pushes back against DiBella’s claim the development team was trying to undercut ballpark concessions by building a sports bar on the disputed 0.8-acre parcel. Read more here.
Richmond’s chief judge orders city officials to beef up courthouse security
The chief judge of the Richmond Circuit Court has ordered the city to provide more sheriff’s deputies for courtroom security, saying there’s been growing disorder at the John Marshall Courts Building.
“Over the last several months, there has been fighting in the public corridors, an overnight break in, an escape from custody by a defendant and an attack by a defendant on court personnel,” a Circuit Court clerk said in a press release. Read more here.
City Council again delays action on financial transparency measures
Council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee voted to put off a request to investigate the city’s failure to publish a payment register for another month. In May, the same committee chose to put off the matter until June.
Mayor Danny Avula has proposed changing the law to allow the city to resume publishing a slimmed-down version of the payment register.
The Council seems to prefer to take up both proposals at the same time. Read more here.
Juneteenth events around Richmond
Saturday evening brings major events at Henrico's Dorey Park and Richmond's Midtown Green, while this morning's events include a parade, picnic and speakers in Church Hill. See a full list of events here.
In other news
- ‘Devastating’: Mother of 9-year-old pulled unresponsive from SwimRVA pool says he was there to learn to swim (8News)
- Henrico Police and SwimRVA have been careful not to call the incident a drowning, as the medical examiner will determine cause and manner of death.
- Emails: Squirrels owners offered $1.75M for disputed parcel beside CarMax Park; Thalhimer wanted $3M (Richmond BizSense)
- “The Mayor and city officials are aware of this offer and are supportive,” a Squirrels representative wrote to Thalhimer.
- Richmond has taxed 2.8 million plastic bags — but who's paying? (Axios)
- A Virginia Tax spokesperson said the agency has received 517 sales and use tax returns containing plastic bag tax data since January, but can't share more detailed info.
The editor's desk
Wrapping up a great week at the nonprofit news conference in Pittsburgh, where we were named the nation's best startup!
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!
