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# The best of The Richmonder (so far)
- URL: https://www.richmonder.org/the-best-of-the-richmonder-so-far/
- Published: 2024-12-24T21:29:03.000Z
- Updated: 2024-12-24T21:29:02.000Z
- Description: Catch up on the stories and features you might have missed during our first three-and-a-half months.
- Author: Richmonder Staff
- Tags: Features

As The Richmonder crew takes a breather during the holiday season, we invite you to catch up on some of our favorite and most memorable stories that we've run since launching on Sept. 9.

If you're a donor you'll also have access to our recent [Q&A](https://www.richmonder.org/donor-q-a-2/) with reporters, as well as [past editions](https://www.richmonder.org/member-q-a-answers-to-your-questions-from-the-richmonders-reporters/). If you're not a donor, now's a [great time to become one](https://www.richmonder.org/#/portal/signup) and support quality local journalism!

### **Features**

[I bought an island on the James River. Then I learned its history...The archives are telling, and not just a little haunting.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-13.png)The RichmonderAndy Thompson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2704--1--1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/i-bought-an-island-on-the-james-river-then-i-learned-its-history/)

[Richmond put $65 million toward new and improved community centers. They’re almost done.It’s been almost 25 years since Richmond built any new community centers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-44.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/LucksField1-1.JPG)](https://www.richmonder.org/richmond-put-65-million-toward-new-and-improved-community-centers-theyre-almost-done/)

[Sacred Heart’s new organ compares to European cathedralsIt took 40,000 man-hours and 15 tons of steel to make the instrument.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-16.png)The RichmonderBrooke Landers![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/ORGAN.5.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/sacred-hearts-new-organ-compares-to-european-cathedrals/)

[Richmond history: Before the Fall Line Trail, there was the Ashland Electric RailwayPart of the path will run alongside a long-vanished trolley railway, one that used to carry passengers from Broad Street to downtown Ashland every hour.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-19.png)The RichmonderDaniel Payne![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2261.jpg)](https://richmonder.org/richmond-history-before-the-fall-line-trail-there-was-the-ashland-electric-railway/)

[With COVID-era support waning, Richmond’s independent bookstores are finding new ways to reach readersMany of the city’s bookstores are expanding their offerings and doubling down as hubs of local community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-11.png)The RichmonderBrandon Haffner![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2391.jpeg)](https://www.richmonder.org/with-covid-era-support-waning-richmonds-independent-bookstores-are-finding-new-ways-to-reach-readers/)

[Granite Community Festival aims to revive the memory of a Black neighborhood“They had zero, but they had so much. They had family, love and community. They had each other, and they made sure they were all taken care of.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-14.png)The RichmonderMichael Phillips![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Granite-School-1890s.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/granite-community-festival-reviving-memory-black-neighborhood/)

[A TikTok cooking star became a Richmonder this spring. She’s a fan.Her boyfriend, Ryan Shellow, signed with the Richmond Kickers this year.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-18.png)The RichmonderSarah Huffman![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/unnamed-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/a-tiktok-cooking-star-became-a-richmonder-this-spring-shes-a-fan/)

### **News**

[How early TV ads helped Avula brush off attacks and become Richmond’s next mayorAvula said the breadth of districts he won shows his message “really resonated with different kinds of Richmonders.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-23.png)The RichmonderGraham Moomaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Avula-ElexNight1-2.JPG)](https://www.richmonder.org/how-early-tv-ads-helped-avula-brush-off-attacks-and-become-richmonds-next-mayor/)

[At Mayo Bridge meeting, citizens call for two-lane design, protected bike lanesA VDOT official says the two biggest asks among attendees at a public meeting on the future of the Mayo Bridge were a two-lane bridge and a protected bike lane.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-21.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_1069.JPG)](https://www.richmonder.org/at-mayo-bridge-meeting-citizens-call-for-two-lane-design-protected-bike-lanes/)

[‘Dysfunctional’ reputation on the ballot as some School Board candidates and donors pitch better governance“I really want to see a board that is committed to building more bridges, that is committed to good governance.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-26.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Richmonder_Education_Final_102924.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/dysfunctional-reputation-on-the-ballot-as-some-school-board-candidates-and-donors-pitch-better-governance/)

[$126 million segment of Fall Line Trail could rewire Southside’s transportationOne of the Fall Line Trail’s most significant benefits could be its expansion of bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Richmond’s Southside, which has long lagged other parts of the city in options to get around without a car.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-25.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Commerce-Rd-1.JPG)](https://www.richmonder.org/126-million-segment-of-fall-line-trail-could-rewire-southsides-transportation/)

[Speed cameras at two Richmond schools have produced over 14,000 citations since November“These cameras are not operating the entirety of the school day. So imagine what people are doing outside of those times.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-20.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7709-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/speed-cameras-at-two-richmond-schools-have-produced-over-14-000-citations-since-november/)

[With five new female officers, VCU continues push to diversify police ranks“It’s not just about bringing females into law enforcement. … It’s about changing the culture of your organization to be more accommodating and welcoming of females in law enforcement.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-45.png)The RichmonderSarah Vogelsong![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/_MG_0249.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/with-five-new-female-officers-vcu-continues-push-to-diversify-police-ranks/)

[Pulse bus continues to beat rider projections as future growth is discussedPlans to create a second Pulse route, running north to south, are in the works.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-22.png)The RichmonderCharlotte Matherly![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/pulse.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/pulse-bus-continues-to-beat-rider-projections-as-future-growth-is-discussed/)

### **Data**

[Data: Where are the most lottery tickets sold in Richmond?We mapped 190 lottery retailers in the city based on their sales during the past fiscal year.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-24.png)The RichmonderRichmonder Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/E29JXH-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/data-where-are-the-most-lottery-tickets-sold-in-richmond/)

[Is Richmond giving out too many honorary street names? City Council debates cutting back.Some officials want to limit the street designations, which require the city to make special signs at $700 a pop.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-46.png)The RichmonderGraham Moomaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/DSCF8284.JPG)](https://www.richmonder.org/is-richmond-giving-out-too-many-honorary-street-names-city-council-debates-cutting-back/)

[Maps: Richmond city’s growth, through the yearsRichmond has added to its land size several times, but is currently banned from doing so by state law.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)The RichmonderRichmonder Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-08-at-3.01.23-PM.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/maps-richmond-citys-growth-through-the-years/)

[Map: Visualizing Richmond’s changing demographicsA change in Richmond’s racial makeup could have a big impact on this year’s mayoral election.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-17.png)The RichmonderRichmonder Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-09-26-190416-1.png)](https://www.richmonder.org/map-visualizing-richmonds-changing-demographics/)

[What was behind Richmond’s low voter turnout?Just 62% of eligible Richmond voters cast a ballot, the worst presidential cycle turnout in recent history, and well below the state average of 68%.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/icon/apple-touch-icon-1-12.png)The RichmonderMichael Phillips![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/99/06/99067822-fdfd-42b1-ab19-555c33eefb89/content/images/thumbnail/MainStStation-poll-1-1.jpg)](https://www.richmonder.org/what-was-behind-richmonds-low-voter-turnout/)