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May 4 Newsletter: Vet shortage

Weather: A warm week arrives gradually, with a high of 75.

On this date in 1977, an overflow crowd of city workers protested at City Council, saying a proposed 6% raise for workers was less than inflation.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity, celebrating 40 years of building homes, communities, and hope. Help us celebrate at richmondhabitat.org/40.

National vet shortage impacting Richmond facilities

A nationwide shortage of veterinarians is having impacts locally, as practitioners are exiting the field or retiring in large numbers at a time when pet ownership is on the rise.

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“We've seen over the course of many months, it has become a bit of a challenge to hire veterinarians,” said an SPCA official.

One vet cited burnout, in part because of the increasing consolidation of facilities by large corporations and private equity firms. Read more here.

Renderings show high-speed bus lanes inset along Midlothian Turnpike, with road narrowed to two lanes

Planning work continues for a planned second rapid-transit bus route that would connect Richmond’s Northside and Southside.

GRTC officials briefed a City Council committee on progress last week, with the long-term project currently projected to begin operation in 2032.

Along Leigh Street downtown, the bus lane would operate as bus-only during rush hours only, and be available to all traffic at other times. See the renderings here.

Richmond charter school opens its top floor after 15 years of being inoperable

For the last 15 years, the Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts functioned without full use of its entire building. 

The nearly 100-year-old building had been impacted by Hurricane Ernesto in 2006, leaving the building in need of multiple repairs, which have been taken on gradually.

The opening of the school’s top floor will increase enrollment from 310 to 340 during the next school year. Read more here.

Richmond expands no-parking rules for bike lanes to include buffer zones

Drivers parking near Richmond’s bike lanes will have to give cyclists a little more room.

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For parking enforcement purposes, City Council voted to broaden the city’s definition of a bike lane to include buffer zones that help set bike lanes apart from the main road. Under the new policy, vehicles in the buffer area can receive a ticket even if their wheels aren’t in the bike lane itself.

May is Bike Month, with a number of activities scheduled across the city, including a Bike to Work Day on May 21. Read more on the rule change here.

Today's sponsor:

Over the last 40 years, Richmond Habitat has worked with the community to build 400 homes for individuals and families in our region. You can help us continue to provide affordable housing! Be one of 400 volunteers working to make a difference during Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity's Week of Building Hope, May 11 through 16. Learn more at richmondhabitat.org/40.

In other news

The editor's desk:

Kudos to the "Banana Ball" team for putting on a show that was as good as advertised. Easy to see why it's taking the world by storm.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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