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Nov. 3 Newsletter: Behind-the-scenes at the Halloween parade

Weather: Early rain moves out at lunchtime. High of 64.

On this date In 1955, Chesterfield residents protest after the county’s Board of Supervisors declines to set up a Water Authority. The Appommatox River Water Authority is ultimately established, and completes the Chesdin Reservoir in 1967.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU: A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.

Behind-the-scenes: Oregon Hill Halloween parade marks its 20th anniversary

Started in 2006 by All The Saints Theatre Company founder, Lil Lamberta, the grassroots parade has continuously grown, from a march of 60-or-so friends in its first year to an event that draws thousands, many who declare it their favorite event in the city. 

The tradition of ‘cheap art,’ an anti-capitalist practice born in resistance to art as a thing of expensive materials and museum collections, is a driving force behind All The Saints use of handmade puppets. Read more, and see photos from this year's parade, here.

Avula re-ups Vision Zero pledge for safer Richmond streets

Mayor Danny Avula has now put his signature on Richmond’s Vision Zero pledge to end traffic-related deaths and serious injuries on local streets, while acknowledging the city is still “a long way from zero.”

Since former Mayor Levar Stoney first adopted the Vision Zero concept in 2017 as it took off as an international city planning trend, there has not been a sharp or steady decline in deaths on Richmond’s streets. Read more here.

State studies moving auto fleet from Scott’s Addition site, which would free it up for development

Roughly 20% of the 3,200 state vehicles overseen by the Virginia Department of General Services are being serviced in the Richmond area. A new report suggests moving them from Leigh Street to an alternate location, potentially alongside the state police fleet on Midlothian Turnpike.

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The Leigh Street site is too small for modern vehicles. The report says that "from 2013 to 2023, vehicles’ lengths increased by a remarkable 12%, adding nearly two feet [to] each vehicle."

A move could be beneficial to the city if it resulted in the land being owned by a private developer, who would have to pay property tax. Read more here.

VCU basketball returns tonight with an almost entirely new cast. Here’s what you need to know.

Fans at the Siegel Center tonight might be wise to grab a program on their way in.

Of the five players who started in VCU’s last men’s basketball game, during March’s NCAA tournament, none remain on the team. There will also be a new head coach, Phil Martelli Jr. Read more here.

RPS celebrates successes, charts journey ahead at 'State of the Schools' event

Superintendent Jason Kamras said the district will continue pushing a five pillar plan that he said was developed after 190 meetings with stakeholders.

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“Passion for reading, passion for learning, and passion for teaching. Passion for reading is our moonshot effort to ensure 100% of our students learn to read proficiently and joyfully by the end of third grade,” he said.

He also laid out a plan for the district's high schools to each focus on a different theme. Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

For the last 105 years, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU has been providing the families of Virginia and the world with expert pediatric care. Considered a top 50 children's hospital by U.S. News and World Report in 8 of 11 ranked subspecialities, as well as a top 10 children’s hospital in the Mid-Atlantic region, CHoR is dedicated to providing unstoppable care for kids in every possible way.

A stronger future starts with healthier kids. Together, we can ensure that Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU is ready to meet the challenges of today, and tomorrow. Donate Today and help give kids the unstoppable care they deserve.

In other news

The editor's desk

Hopefully you saw the announcement over the weekend that three national groups are matching donations to The Richmonder between now and the end of the year. There is excitement around what we are building, and funders are studying how our model can restore local news in other cities as well.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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