The Sheriff's Race, a Bridge Enhancement, and Tiny Porch Concerts
Cheers RVA!
Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 88 and a low of 66 in the evening.
the juice:
A community meeting to review project plans for the Arthur Ashe Boulevard Bridge Project will be held tonight from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia.
The project will replace the existing bridge structure over the CSX Railroad between Broad Street and Interstate I-64/I-95.
Currently the bridge provides two lanes of traffic in both directions with sidewalks, but no dedicated lane for cyclists.
The $38 million project plans to not only replace structural deficient infrastructure, but to enhance multimodal connectivity and safety as well.
The bridge is expected to remain open during construction, which is expected to be completed in 2028.
the pulp:
A man and woman were found dead in a home in South Richmond after an apparent murder-suicide, via WTVR.
The Hanover County School board voted to double their salaries from $8k to $17.5k on Tuesday, from WRIC. The Richmond Public School board made a similar move this past January, increasing salaries from $10k to $20k. School board members in Henrico and Chesterfield currently receive salaries of around $24k and $28k, respectively.
The third season of the ‘Tiny Porch Concerts’ in Woodland Heights kicks off this Sunday, via RICToday.
the dive:
Victoria Ifatusin from the Richmonder dives into the Sheriff’s race for the Democratic primary on June 17.
Similar to the race for Commonwealth’s Attorney, the winner of the Democratic primary is expected to win the overall election in the city of Richmond.
Former Richmond Police Sgt. William Burnett is running against current Sheriff Antoinette Irving for the second time, previously winning 45% of the vote in 2021.
Ifatusin notes the role deaths in the city jail are factoring into the contest:
According to The Times-Dispatch, the Richmond jail has witnessed a total of nine deaths since Irving took office. The jail is currently on a compliance plan with the state as a result of a sequence of jail deaths from 2022 to 2023. One of the deaths was Steven Carey, who died from a fentanyl overdose in January 2023. VPM News reported this year that Irving settled with Carey's family. The details of the settlement were not disclosed.
Irving acknowledged the deaths both in her interview with The Richmonder and at the debate. But she emphasized that her predecessors have also experienced inmate deaths, at higher rates than her jail. She said that the previous administration under Woody had 17 deaths, three of which died within a span of two days. Before Woody, Irving said the administration under former Sheriff Michelle Mitchell had 15 deaths.
Read the full article here.
the vibe:
Have a considerate day RVA!
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