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May 15 Newsletter: Unbearable conditions

Weather: Today is sunny and pleasant, with a high of 74, but the weekend will be a scorcher.

On this date in 1975, Busch Gardens theme park holds a pre-opening event in Williamsburg, two weeks after Kings Dominion opens its doors.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Manchester Spotlight: River views and rooftop pools are just the start of what the Manchester neighborhood has to offer!

‘Chill’ bear tranquilized after journey into Oregon Hill

A team of VCU police, state wildlife officials and city animal control officers spent most of Thursday morning containing a bear on Pine Street while waiting for a state animal biologist to arrive with tranquilizers. 

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Each spring, young male bears get kicked out of their dens by their mothers and go looking for their own territory.

After a health check-up, the bear was found to be in "good health" and released at an undisclosed Wildlife Management Area nearby, close enough that he won’t feel too far from home. Read more, and hear from the indie band living in the house the bear climbed on.

Citing disruption, Richmond School Board will consider no longer allowing voting at schools

Frustration over another lost day of school has Richmond’s School Board considering unlisting its facilities as potential polling places.

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The Office of Elections said in a statement that "relocating polling places is not a simple process and can have significant impacts on voter awareness, turnout, accessibility, and election administration overall."

A survey will be sent out to RPS parents before any further steps are taken. The registrar requires two years notice to delist as a polling place. Read more here.

River access, hammocks and a lot more plants: Richmond unveils first long-term plan for Dock Street Park

The 4-acre parcel is being fast-tracked for a makeover that could offer residents a new access point to the river and restore a site that was once a concrete plant to a thriving natural environment. 

The plan would largely preserve the series of curving paths laid down in the interim Dock Street Park while adding gathering spaces including a “hammock grove” and picnic area, extensive native plantings and discovery gardens for children. Read more here.

Richmond added 800k new tourists in 2025, visitors bureau says

The Richmond area welcomed 19.1 million visitors last year, an increase of about 800,000 over 2024, according to data released Thursday by the region’s tourism bureau.

Hotel occupancy also outperformed state and national rates in 11 out of the 12 months.

Organizers said there were many factors, including a new 2% tax on hotel stays that is used to market the area to out-of-towners. Read more here.

Hardywood unveils an IPA beer with less than 100 calories

As the summer arrives, Hardywood is releasing a new beer and committing a portion of the sales to the James River Foundation's efforts.

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"River On!" is a low-calorie IPA, a segment growing in popularity. In brewery terminology, it is a "session" beer, referring to a beer that can be consumed in multiples without a heavy feeling.

River On! has 96 calories, four carbs and is 3.9% alcohol by volume. Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

Make Manchester your new home

Manchester is an energized neighborhood just south of the James River in Downtown Richmond, known for its riverfront views and ever-growing lineup of things to do. With easy access to Belle Isle, Brown’s Island, and Downtown, plus a mix of local restaurants, breweries, shops, and arts spaces, it’s a go-to spot for exploring year-round. Read more here.

In other news

The editor's desk

I need to make sure the code refresh zones me into a bear-free neighborhood.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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