Jan. 6 Newsletter: Losing school board candidate sues for defamation
Weather: It's snowing! Full forecast below.
On this date in 1989, the M.V. Reefer Jambu, a Bahamian freight ship delivering tobacco, is impounded at Richmond’s Deepwater Terminal after the ship’s owners were accused of illegally hiring and underpaying crewmen. The lawsuit was settled a few weeks later.
Note: Schools and government buildings are closed today due to weather.
More cold in store, with another big snow chance this weekend
Great news for snow lovers — we're likely not done yet. Meteorologist Sean Sublette is already monitoring the potential for accumulating snow on Friday night in the Richmond area.
As for this week, frigid temperatures don't necessarily mean we'll be stuck inside, he says.
- Black pavement with a sunny sky will absorb energy from the sun, regardless of air temperature, helping melt the ice and dry off roads.
- But shaded areas and light-colored surfaces — like outdoor steps and ramps — will likely be damp or icy most of the week. Simply walking on sidewalks may be challenging for a few days.
Read more, including why wearing layers is the best way to stay warm, here.
Unsuccessful 8th District School Board candidate sues winner for defamation over October Facebook post
Unsuccessful Richmond School Board candidate P.H. “Cruz” Sherman is suing victor E.J. “Emmett Jay” Jafari for defamation.
Courts have an extremely high bar to award defamation damages during political campaigns, but it's not unprecedented: In 2018, a Virginia Beach City Council candidate was awarded $5 million.
Read more from Sarah Vogelsong here.
Neighbors sue over VMFA warehouse plan, but judge declines to order emergency stop
A group of Museum District residents fighting the construction of an art storage warehouse near their homes has filed a lawsuit against the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts seeking to block the project.
- But a local judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order that would’ve blocked the plan before construction could begin.
In a legal filing Thursday, VMFA attorneys said a court-imposed delay could drive its costs higher and said the proposed warehouse is critical to the upcoming expansion.
Read more from Graham Moomaw here.
In other news
- A cardiac arrest. A guardian angel. A Richmond Marathon miracle on Broad Street. (Times-Dispatch)
- An oral history of Carytown's short-lived New Year's celebration (RVA Mag)
- Style's "Richmonder of the Year" is The Valentine's Bill Martin (Style Weekly)
The editor's desk
Snow used to feel like a given, but in recent years it has become a special treat. If you need me, I'll be sledding in Forest Hill Park.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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And remember to get your tickets for our first live event, a breakfast on Jan. 16 diving into The (Real) State of the City.
