Sept. 29 Newsletter: Waiting for Francine
Weather: Fall arrives as the heat departs, possibly for good. High of 72 with scattered showers.
On this date in 1977, Virginia’s attorney general opines that Chesterfield cannot force apartment owners to install smoke detectors in existing facilities, only in new construction.
Francine the Lowe's cat, one of Richmond's most famous residents, has gone missing
As of Sunday evening, it is believed that Francine boarded a truck bound for a Lowe's distribution facility in Garysburg, North Carolina. The search effort is likely Richmond's largest since Bagel the beagle went missing in 2016. Read more here.
Exclusive: After initially embracing unions, RPS is proposing a more restrictive collective bargaining process for future deals
Richmond Public Schools officials are proposing major changes to the collective bargaining process with the unions who represent RPS employees, according to documents obtained by The Richmonder. Union leaders are unhappy those changes are being pushed through with limited input, just days before a new round of bargaining meetings is set to begin. Read more here.
Video shows Richmond sheriff’s deputy pepper spraying fan at Turnstile concert on Brown’s Island
A video taken at a hardcore band’s recent concert in Richmond shows a man in a city sheriff’s office uniform deploying pepper spray directly into the face of a young fan attempting to climb onto the stage.
Turnstile frontman Brendan Yates invited fans onstage during “Birds,” the song that was playing during the pepper spray incident in Richmond. Just before the pepper spray was used, band members were helping other concert-goers climb onto the stage.
It’s not clear why law enforcement personnel were positioned between the crowd and the stage where Turnstile was performing, or why one deputy felt the need to use force. Richmond Sheriff Antionette Irving did not respond to multiple requests for comment from The Richmonder. Read more, and see video of the incident, here.
At least five Richmond-area vape shops raided as industry comes under scrutiny nationally
At least five Richmond vape shops were raided last week in operations involving police from the city as well as Henrico and Chesterfield counties.
The local operations come amid a wider national crackdown on vape stores that has focused on both illegal vaping products and other illegal activities being carried out behind closed doors at the shops. Read more here.
In other news
- Help shape the future of the North–South Pulse at public meetings this week (GRTC)
- ‘This is insurance:’ Henrico leaders approve $303 million plan to add larger pipelines after January water crisis (12 On Your Side)
- Hidden in plain sight: Richmond International Airport is ICE deportation flight hub, according to human rights organization (Henrico Citizen)
The editor's desk
Not sure I've ever seen a full football stadium of fans empty onto the field as quickly as UVA's did on Friday night after a big upset win. It's amazing none of the players were injured in the process.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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