Holiday reading: Catch up on stories you may have missed

As our reporting crew takes some much-needed time off, revisit some of our most-read stories from the past few months.

Photos and features

One of Richmond’s original environmentalists left behind a wealth of information on wildflowers near the James River

Born in 1920, the Richmond native was a luxury boat builder who eventually became one of the city’s staunchest environmentalists.

The RichmonderRachel Kester

Photos: Richmond’s ‘Nickel Bridge’ marks 100th birthday, but the original toll was actually 10 cents

In 1957, the State Corporation Commission, in response to citizen complaints, ruled that the bridge was too profitable.

The RichmonderMichael Phillips

Photo retrospective: The Diamond’s final season

Photographer Ryan M. Kelly was on hand for the 40th and final season of baseball at The Diamond in Richmond, Virginia. A new stadium is being built in The Diamond’s parking lot, and will open next summer when the Richmond Flying Squirrels return.

The RichmonderRyan M. Kelly

Take a look inside VPM’s new Broad Street headquarters

The building is tentatively scheduled to open in May, following an extensive and elaborate moving process.

The RichmonderMichael Phillips

Exactly 100 years ago, the Church Hill Train Tunnel collapsed as men worked inside. The true death toll will never be known.

Despite the cost of constructing the tunnel in both lives and money — it only operated for about 25 years before its closure in 1902.

The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong

Politics and news

Richmond has at least 87 vape shops. Police say most are selling marijuana.

“We have more vape shops than probably any other store in our city.”

The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong

‘Turning vision into action’: Avula rolls out new strategic plan for Richmond

“Real progress happens when we’re clear about what we’re trying to achieve and how we’ll know if we’re getting there.”

The RichmonderGraham Moomaw

Richmond food pantries strain to meet demand as SNAP funding halts

“This week we didn’t get a lot. And it may be the beginning.”

The RichmonderVictoria A. Ifatusin

Second draft of zoning overhaul draws cautious hope from neighborhood groups but some concern from housing advocates

“I really felt like our team did a good job of hearing what residents and other stakeholders were raising.”

The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong

A lawyer for the city said he didn’t ask for the sealing of a court document. Emails tell a different story.

Circuit Court Judge Claire G. Cardwell pressed Robinson on the discrepancy in a public court hearing Tuesday.

The RichmonderGraham Moomaw

Local organizations

In Jackson Ward, a new Ronald McDonald House will offer respite and care to far more families

“It allows families to not worry about anything except focusing on the recovery of their child.”

The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong

As Richmond’s $265 million Shockoe Project continues to take shape, see renderings of a future memorial

The campus in Shockoe Bottom will memorialize the city’s role in the slave trade.

The RichmonderMichael Phillips

‘It’s a place that people want to be’: Panelists discuss how the James River parks will evolve

Crowds are likely to grow as major projects take shape on Brown’s Island, Belle Isle and Mayo Island in the coming years.

The RichmonderMichael Phillips

In Virginia, happy hour must end at 9 p.m. Some Richmond restaurants want to change that.

“You see folks who want to dine later, or you see folks who are getting out of work at a late hour and would still like to have a drink affordably.”

The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong

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The editor's desk

Thankful for the nachos at Little Nickel. The best restaurant dish in town.

(Also family, friends, health and all the other stuff.)

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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