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Oct. 1 Newsletter: Invoices disappear in FOIA case

Weather: Pleasant, high of 72.

On this date in 2003, Beltway Sniper suspects John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo appear in court a year after shooting 10 people.

Today's newsletter sponsored by Virginia Commonwealth University: As a top 20% global university, Virginia Commonwealth University is an unparalleled powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. VCU attacks challenges as opportunities. It's truly a university unlike any you’ve ever seen.

In Richmond transparency lawsuit, bills from private law firm stopped months ago

The firm representing the city in a high-profile lawsuit about government transparency has gone roughly four months without filing a new invoice, making it impossible for outsiders to use those documents to monitor how the costs to the city are adding up. 

As of May 31, the city has spent $234,711.35 on the case. But that doesn’t cover extensive legal work over the summer for the trial, which has since been postponed to next year.

The law firm said it hasn't sent the invoices because of a billing issue it is working to fix. Read more here.

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

When complete, the new Ronald McDonald House will be able to serve more than five times the number of families it can currently put up at its aging house in the Fan, at a time when demand is rising.

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Last year VCU saw a 40% increase in acute pediatric care, a 25% increase in pediatric surgeries and a 20% increase in pediatric emergency room visits, thanks to its new Children’s Tower.

The original Richmond location was the 16th Ronald McDonald House in the world when it opened in 1980. Read more here.

RPS pays former auditor $30,790, remains quiet about his departure

The payment was dated May 13, around the time that Douglass Graeff left his position. Graeff’s departure went unannounced, and he remained listed as the auditor on the school’s website until a September article in The Richmonder disclosed he had left the post.

The Richmonder made requests under the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the separation agreement, but RPS has denied those requests, stating they are exempted from disclosure because they were created to avoid litigation. Read more here.

Times-Dispatch opinion editor gone after latest round of layoffs

Longtime local journalist Scott Bass was let go in layoffs last week at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, leaving the paper without a dedicated opinion editor as its editorial staff continues to shrink. Read more here.

Today's sponsor:

Tiny Virginia Commonwealth University invention could put a wrap on one of surgery’s painstaking challenges

In developing Nerve Tape, VCU Health surgeon-researcher Jonathan Isaacs created a simple, suture-free solution for repairing severed nerves. When faced with repairing severed peripheral nerves even the most skilled surgeons could only promise a 50-50 chance at full recovery. “Fifty percent. That’s been the reality for decades,” Isaacs said. “That wasn’t good enough.” With VCU’s support, Isaacs was able to work with a medical device partner, moving his idea into production. Nerve Tape has now been used in more than 2,500 surgeries. Read more.

In other news

The editor's desk

Efforts to bring back Francine the Lowe's cat have been unsuccessful so far. Employees will return this morning to the North Carolina distribution center they believe she is at. Stay tuned.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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