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Jan. 13 Newsletter: What's next at water plant?

Weather: 45 and sunny. This is as good as it'll get this week.

On this date in 1946, Richmond deals with fears of a rabies epidemic after six animals test positive for the disease. The health department blamed it on too many stray dogs roaming the city.

Here's what happens next in Richmond's water crisis

Monday morning begins with the city's water service back to normal, but the fallout from last week's outages will continue for some time.

  • Bypass pumps disconnected: Five of the plant's eight pumps are currently working, which is more than enough to supply all customers. The city has disconnected two bypass pumps that were brought in to assist, but they remain on site.
  • Grace period issued: The city has added five business days to the due date on all bills the city issued that were due in January.

Mayor Danny Avula said discussions are underway on how to help those who were impacted by the crisis, including businesses that had to shut down and workers who went unpaid during those days.

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Avula said he wants to pick the outside group that will perform an investigation into what happened sometime this week. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has also promised an investigation at the state level.

Read more, including a 2022 EPA report that flagged problems across the system, here.

As Fox Elementary’s reconstruction draws to an end, its ‘iconic’ cupola returns to the roof

Just shy of three years after a fire devastated Fox Elementary, its cupola was placed back on the building Friday to cheers from residents.

The cupola, a small dome on top of the roof that has helped make it a Fan District landmark for 111 years, is one of the final touches as the school prepares to reopen this summer.

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“A lot of what you’re going to see eventually when you come back into the building is a lot of the original finishes," said Superintendent Jason Kamras.

That meant many of the original components of the building that could be saved from the fire, including the windows, have been restored and reinstalled in the school.

Read more from the ceremony here.

Tavares Floyd controversy inspires General Assembly push to tighten campaign finance system

Richmond City Council candidate Tavares Floyd gained local infamy in the fall after allegations that he fabricated hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions.

In the immediate aftermath, it wasn't clear which government body was tasked with enforcing campaign finance laws, which make it a felony to lie on official paperwork.

As the General Assembly begins in earnest today, Richmond Del. Mike Jones has introduced a proposal to clear up the process.

“I just think it’s a farce,” said Jones, a former member of the Richmond City Council. “Someone can come in and make a mockery of the entire electoral process and get away unscathed.”

Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin, who has broad power to enforce laws in the city, confirmed last week that an investigation is underway in the Floyd case.

Read more on Jones' proposal here.

In other news

The editor's desk

Today is the Monday we were supposed to have last Monday — the kids are back in school, the General Assembly is convening, the water's clean and the roads are largely clear. Let's hit reboot and try 2025 again.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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