Less Shootings, A Governor's Debate, and New Restaurants
Cheers RVA!
Today will be sunny with a high of 68 and a low of 48.
the juice:
Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards announced a decrease in non-fatal shootings during operation safe summer at a news conference on Wednesday.
There was a 16% reduction during the summer as compared to last year, although the year-to-date number of non-fatal shootings are identical at 129.
There have been 48 homicides so far this year, as compared to 49 at this point last year.
Edwards cited an increase in gun seizures as a factor that contributed to less shootings. He noted the number of shootings is a key metric for analyzing crime since the intent is to kill, and whether the victim survives or not is often based on the angle and skill of the surgeon.
The chief also reiterated his proposal for a gun-free zone in Shockoe Bottom.
the pulp:
Mayor Avula has requested $80 million in state funding to help the city avoid future water outages as it upgrades its aging water system, via the Richmonder. The proposal calls for $40 million per year over the next two budget cycles as part of its ten-year $1.4 billion plan for the water system.
The Richmond Sheriff’s Office is withholding information regarding a pepper spray incident that occurred two weeks ago at a concert on Brown’s Island, according to Tyler Layne at WTVR. CBS 6 has filed FOIA requests but the responses are allegedly incomplete.
The Federal Government is seeking lease proposals for “Administrative Office Space in support of Law Enforcement Operations” in Richmond as well as in 17 other cities, via WRIC. The desired lease period is between 5 and 10 years.
Democrat Abigail Spanberger and Republican Winsome Earle-Sears will debate tonight at Norfolk State University beginning at 7:00 pm. The debate will air on WRIC (channel 8).
A weapons scanner detected a loaded gun at Highland Springs High School on Wednesday evening, from WWBT. An adult woman was attending an event in the evening when the incident occurred.
RICToday has compiled a list of new restaurants opening this month.
the dive:
Peter McElhinney for styleweekly dives into the local Richmond bands performing this weekend at the Richmond Folk Festival, which begins this Friday at 6:30 pm and continues until Sunday:
This year, all the regional acts play only once on one of two stages: The Center for Cultural Vibrancy Stage at the new Allianz Amphitheater, and the Family Stage tucked by the Crafts Marketplace and the CarMax Stage. Both the CarMax and Allianz stages are on the mostly vertical side of the crooked L layout of the festival stages. (The Altria stage is at the angle, and the CoStar Stage and Dance Pavilion the horizontal bottom leg paralleling the river.) It is three quarter of a mile uphill walk from the end of Brown’s Island up to the CarMax location. Bouncing between the two – one of the charms of the festival – is both a timing and cardio challenge for some.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have a bright day RVA!
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