Oct. 28 Newsletter: 'The boys will be boys'
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On this date in 1994, the RMTA announces it will begin electronic collection of tolls.
Join us next Wednesday night at Independence Golf Club! We'll be on site from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the clubhouse, chatting local news and giving out Richmonder mugs.
‘The boys will be boys’: Former students at Trinity Episcopal detail what they describe as a culture of sexual misconduct dating back years
Sitting in class one day, a boy grabbed Isabel’s phone from her hand. He took an explicit photo of his hand holding his crotch, then gave the phone back.
Isabel was 14 years old at the time.
Former students painted a picture of the South Richmond private school as an institution that cultivated an environment where young boys, especially athletes, harmed young girls without facing serious consequences. The Richmonder reviewed photos, texts and other documents that corroborated their stories.
“In other private schools, the boys still have some respect for their female classmates,” one former student said. “At Trinity, it just feels more as though the girls are seen as objects.” Read more here.
‘Compromise’ Mayo Bridge proposal calls for mountable barriers between bikes and cars
The latest plans call for a 3-inch “mountable barrier” and rumble strip between bike and vehicle lanes. The idea, said engineers, is the structures would deter ordinary motorists from crossing the boundaries while also allowing fire trucks and ambulances to cross them in case of emergency.
Mayor Danny Avula said he believes the design “represents a pretty good compromise of all the different factors we have to consider.” Read more here.
Ex-Richmond staffer disclosed work with solar company, but city says higher-ups didn’t review the form
A former part-time staffer in the city of Richmond’s Office of Sustainability filled out a form explaining he also worked for a private company that partnered with that office on a project to put solar panels on dozens of city buildings.
But the form was never reviewed or signed by any supervisor, according to Mayor Danny Avula’s administration.
At the same time, emails show that City Attorney Laura Drewry refused to let the Avula administration introduce the legislation at the Council’s Sept. 14 meeting. She said she needed written confirmation that the city’s insurance carrier would insure the solar panels as the contract promised, an issue the mayor's office believed had already been resolved. Read more here.
After hesitation, Planning Commission green-lights redevelopment of apartments to townhomes at Libbie and Grove
A month after members balked at a plan to redevelop affordable apartments in the swanky Libbie and Grove neighborhood into high-end townhouses, the Planning Commission last week recommended approval of the project on a 7-1 vote.
Many commissioners appeared to have been persuaded by financial numbers presented by the developer, Center Creek Homes, and the insistence of the property owners that they intend to sell the building. Read more here.
High school football: Panthers, Mustangs ponder victories that got away
The playoff picture is coming into focus, and in Class 6, Thomas Dale would have home-field advantage if the Knights win out. However, they'll have to get past undefeated Petersburg first, on Friday night.
Petersburg’s Crimson Wave defense has allowed just 32 total points this season. Read more here.
In other news
- RPS creates alternate network to restore access to school platforms
- Teachers will receive a Chromebook this week allowing them to access RPS platforms, along with an HDMI cable that will enable staff to connect the laptops to Smartboards used in class.
- Settlement reached in Flying Squirrels’ owner’s developer defamation lawsuit (Richmond BizSense)
- Terms of the settlement were not immediately disclosed.
- Dimon Kendrick-Holmes named Richmond Times-Dispatch executive editor (Times-Dispatch)
- Kendrick-Holmes succeeds Encarnacion Pyle, who is no longer with the company. Kendrick-Holmes also will serve as Virginia editor, and direct newsroom operations in Fredericksburg, Lynchburg, Charlottesville, Roanoke and other communities.
The editor's desk
Today's lead story deals with allegations of sexual misconduct at Trinity Episcopal School. As a rule, we don't like to use anonymous sources. We only allow it when the story is of urgent importance to the public, and there is no other way to get the information.
We believe that was the case in this story, and reaffirm our commitment to fair, thorough reporting in the Richmond community. Your feedback is always welcome – just hit reply and it will come straight to me.
Michael Phillips, founder
mphillips@richmonder.org
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