Feb. 26 Newsletter: Rerouting 911 calls
Weather: High of 66, with a consistent cloud layer that will keep things cool.
On this date in in 1949, Trailways begins its first transcontinental bus service, with Richmond one of the stops between New York and San Francisco. Trailways was purchased by Holiday Inn in 1968, then Greyhound in 1987.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
Richmond Ambulance Authority wants to talk to 911 callers again
The Richmond Ambulance Authority is pushing to get back more control over 911 calls it responds to after a change was made last summer to have the city’s Department of Emergency Communications be the primary office that speaks directly with callers.
- The shift is one of “several things that we need to unwind” from Mayor Levar Stoney’s administration concerning the authority, RAA head Chip Decker told City Council’s Public Safety Committee Tuesday.
Councilmembers asked for more data before making the decision, but noted resident complaints about wait times when calling 911. Read more here.
Council recap: Northside housing project approved; Avula says $5 million has already been spent on water plant
The Richmond City Council voted Monday to approve a 352-unit apartment complex in Northside, overruling a planning staff recommendation that warned against converting 23 acres of industrial land for housing purposes.
- The commission warned that turning industrial land into housing would disrupt attempts to diversify revenue sources.
Mayor Danny Avula attended the meeting, and said that the city has already spent around $5 million on equipment at the city’s water treatment plant. Officials said that number reflects the cost of repairs and steps taken to implement recommendations from an initial report.
Read more on the meeting, including an objection to two board appointments, here.
DPU seeking new actor for its water mascot, JR
Richmond's Department of Public Utilities is looking for an actor to inhabit its water-drop mascot costume.
James River, or "JR," is a drop of water that wears a bowtie and is an ambassador for the DPU.
Applicants must be at least 5-foot-8, and comfortable around children. If hired, the job pays $25 an hour at appearances. Get more info here.
Donor Q&A: Water bills, speed cameras and how FOIA works
Richmonder donors participated in a Q&A session with our staff this month. Reporter Sarah Vogelsong was asked about state funding, and dropped this interesting tidbit about how Richmond's street-maintenance teams are disadvantaged relative to suburban areas with more highways:
State payments are based on “moving-lane-miles” — the parts of the street that are available to vehicles during “peak-hour traffic.” Cities get no payments for turning lanes, ramps or dedicated parking lanes, meaning the local government has to chip in for the cost of maintaining those portions of the roads. Richmond’s Department of Public Works told City Council this December that while the city has about 2,540 miles of pavement, it only gets state funding for 1,830 moving-lane-miles.
The full Q&A is available to our monthly donors here. Thank you for supporting high-quality journalism in our community.
Today's sponsor:
Rao details how VCU is creating the ‘next generation of great thinkers, inventors, innovators and problem-solvers’
During the State of the University, the VCU president highlights the university’s efforts to drive change that benefits people and the broader society – and explains how VCU is embracing AI. Rao said, “VCU is adapting to changes — and even creating the changes we see in our society and our technology.”
Rao pointed to three major areas of impact during his address:
- How VCU’s research drives innovation.
- How students get professional experiences that help prepare them for their careers.
- And how VCU is preparing students for a world driven by emerging technologies.
In other news
- Proposed Henrico budget would cut key tax rates, raise data center tax, provide 6% pay raise for employees (Henrico Citizen)
- VCU Health resumes some gender-affirming care for existing youth patients (Axios)
- Three suspects arrested in fatal stabbing at Richmond restaurant (CBS 6)
The editor's desk
One question from last night's Donor Q&A asked what the oldest restaurant in Richmond is. It's a tough question to answer, because it depends how you keep score. The Jefferson has served food continually since 1895, but restaurant names and concepts have changed, while Sally Bell’s Kitchen has been making boxed lunches since 1924. Helen’s probably has the most legitimate claim to being the oldest "restaurant," though, dating back to 1927.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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