Jan. 8 Newsletter: Water crisis enters Day 3
Weather: Temperatures continue to hover near freezing. Look for a full update on potential weekend snowstorms tomorrow morning.
On this date in 1898, post office employee William T. Crowder of Petersburg appealed a $2 fine imposed on him for using profane language ($68 in today’s money). The court upheld the fine.
Cancellations: Richmond schools remain out today, a combination of icy conditions and their reliance on boilers to heat several buildings. City offices are closed.
Today's newsletter sponsored by VCU. Virginia Commonwealth University is a powerhouse of innovation and creative problem solving. We attack challenges as opportunities to do what others can’t or won’t. VCU is truly unlike any university you’ve ever seen.
'Snow and prayers': Richmond begins new year by coping with a water crisis
Richmonder reporters canvassed the city yesterday, capturing the mood as residents came to grips with the knowledge that the water crisis wasn't headed for a speedy resolution.
In our lead story today, Graham Moomaw expertly takes the pulse of the town, checking in with residents, business owners, and others who are finding ways to adjust.
- Jer’Mykeal McCoy, a 34-year-old Southside resident, picked up water for himself and his elderly neighbors. “A lot of people are scared,” he said. “It’s cold outside. This is very new.”
- Jim Walters was trying to get water to the senior apartment complex he manages. "I've got 186 senior citizens without water and I can't find anybody to help,” he said.
- Patrick Stamper, the owner of En Su Boca and Beauvine Burger Concept, is paying his employees as he waits for normal operations to resume. He doubts a small snowstorm could be the only reason for such a “catastrophic” failure.
Another day, another delay as Richmond waits for water to return
A day of intensive work to bring water service back involved steps forward but also backwards, as well as an increased realization, said those close to the situation, that full restoration of the city’s main water plant is becoming an increasingly complex and involved operation.
Read the latest on the around-the-clock effort to restore service here.
Also today...
Richmonder Staff
Graham Moomaw
Today's sponsor:
VCU supports military waivers, state funding push
Virginia Commonwealth University supports the state program connecting military families to higher education and state efforts to enact funding changes to allow it to continue.
VCU support accounts for about 18% of all state waivers. However, the cost has increased by more than $14.8 million. Read more.
In other news
- Water crisis resources (Southside ReLeaf)
- Updates on the outages in Eastern Henrico (Henrico Citizen)
- Spanish-language resources for the water crisis (VPM)
The editor's desk
Awaiting word on the water crisis Monday, another reporter and I took a detour to Carytown for some food, only to find it eerily vacant. The city is always beautiful in the snow, but knowing the reason for the emptiness created a sense of foreboding.
I'm incredibly proud of our Richmonder team, which has worked not just to provide the most accurate, up-to-date information, but to tell the stories of the community and lift up voices across the city. This is important work, and we're honored to do it.
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.
