March 26 Newsletter: Tax rebate check snafu

Weather: Sunny, high of 58.

On this date in 1975, a Hopewell grand jury convenes in the probe of a theft ring that was accused of stealing thousands of pounds of lobster tails from a food warehouse, then reselling them for $2 a pound.

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Thousands of tax rebate checks sent out with incorrect names

The city said several thousand property tax rebate checks were mailed out this week with incorrect name information. The checks will be canceled, and correct ones will be issued.

Ambulance authority, city department battle over who will field Richmond 911 calls

A City Council committee heard a tense debate between the Richmond Ambulance Authority and the Department of Emergency Communications over who should field 911 calls for medical emergencies.

The previous administration moved the calls to the Department of Emergency Communications, which offered stats showing an improvement in call times, but the RAA offered its own stats suggesting cases are not being properly coded as often as when it handled the calls.

Youngkin OKs Rosie’s gambling revenue change that benefits Richmond, nixes voter referendum in Henrico

Richmond stands to gain several million dollars a year under a budget change that will allow it to keep revenue from the local Rosie's facility instead of sending half to New Kent.

But the governor vetoed a proposal that would have given Henrico County voters a chance to weigh in on whether they want a Rosie’s facility in their community, clearing a path for it to open.

VCU will tab a coach with a familiar last name to replace Ryan Odom

Phil Martelli Jr., the coach at Bryant University, is expected to become VCU's next men's basketball coach. His father was a legendary coach at Saint Joseph's, and will reportedly join his son's staff. Martelli Jr.’s brother previously worked at VCU under Mike Rhoades.

Judge says Richmond City Council had the right to withdraw previously awarded trash contract

In a follow-up to an October story where the city accidentally awarded its trash contract to the incorrect company, then reversed its decision, a judge ruled that the city was within its rights. However, he cautioned that future bidders now "assume the very real risk that the City Council may 'pull out the rug' from the franchisee."

Also today in The Richmonder

Ken Burns reflects on his FOMO after watching Patrick Henry speech reenactment

Ken Burns has made a career telling America’s foundational stories from less-than-obvious points of view.

The RichmonderAndy Thompson

Council recap: Pickleball, free rides to work and more housing

The council’s workload will start to ramp up later this week.

The RichmonderGraham Moomaw

Jerry Lindquist: Ryan Odom hire at UVA brings back memories of his dad’s tenure

Monday marked the return of the memory man, as Ryan Odom was introduced as UVA’s new basketball coach.

The RichmonderJerry Lindquist

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In other news

• GRTC updates conceptual design for North-South Pulse route (GRTC)
• Indoor farming startup Plenty files for bankruptcy amid multiple lawsuits in Chesterfield (BizSense)
• Downtown Richmond tower to bring condos, hotel, market and skydeck (Axios)

The editor's desk

Kudos to Graham Moomaw for sticking with the story about Rosie's revenues since he first reported on it last October. The city of Richmond now stands to bring in an estimated $3 million in additional tax revenue next year that would have gone to New Kent instead.

Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org

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