🌱 Patch AM: How a Richmond campaign insider ended up facing federal child porn charges

Coffee in hand, Richmond? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Richmond campaign insider ended up facing federal child porn charges
• How Richmond’s vape shop crackdown could permanently close neighborhood stores
• See how West Richmond Rotary is brightening local families’ holidays

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: Last night I had a dream. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high of 50 and low of 36 degrees.
• Sunday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 58, low: 24.
• Monday: Brilliant sunshine and cooler, with a high of 44 and low of 31 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Virginia Democratic operative arrested on child pornography charges (wtvr.com) — A political operative who worked on recent Richmond City Council campaigns has been arrested on a federal child pornography distribution charge, drawing sharp condemnation from local leaders. Officials including Vice President Katherine Jordan and Councilmember Andrew Breton say they’re shocked and emphasize the case should be fully prosecuted. The investigation is ongoing as federal agents review dozens of seized files.
   

2. City of Richmond cracks down on vape shops: 'Protect public health' (foxrichmond.com) — Richmond officials have shut down 18 vape shops after a citywide inspection blitz uncovered 274 code violations, including safety, zoning, and health issues, plus illegal drugs and firearms. The crackdown, focused on shops near schools and businesses, means some stores may never reopen under stricter ordinances, while others can return once they fix violations and secure proper certificates.
   

3. WEST RICHMOND ROTARY donates over $11,000.00 to the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund (richmond.com) — West Richmond Rotary has donated more than $11,000 to support the Richmond Christmas Mother Fund, continuing a half-century tradition of local generosity. Longtime Rotarian Ken Perry and fellow members were praised for helping brighten holidays for Richmond families through both financial support and hands-on cheerleading.
   

4. VCU safety ambassador saves kitten trapped in vehicle on cold night (wric.com) — A VCU Police safety ambassador in Richmond rescued a kitten trapped under a car hood on a cold night near Harrison Street, then brought it to the Richmond SPCA to find a home. Police are using the incident to remind Richmond drivers to check around and under their vehicles and tap the hood or honk before starting up in freezing weather, when animals seek warmth in engines.
   

5. Over $2.5 million in illegal drugs seized by Virginia State Police in just one week (wric.com) — From a Richmond-based operation, Virginia State Police and partner agencies seized more than $2.5 million in illegal drugs and nearly $434,000 in cash during just one week of crime suppression work. Troopers also recovered 29 firearms, as authorities say they’re intensifying efforts to disrupt criminal enterprises and support statewide violent crime initiatives.
   

📸 Around Richmond

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Richmond

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Tuesday December 23

• FREE WEBINAR | “A Renaissance Christmas - Remix”
  Online,
  11:30 am

Saturday December 20

• The KOS Band Concert
  The Tin Pan, 8982 Quioccasin Rd, Richmond
  8:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Friday December 19

• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  John Marshall Ballrooms , 101 N 5th St , Richmond
  8:45 pm

Saturday December 20

• Handmade Holiday: Simmer Pot Jars
  Goochland Branch Library , 3075 River Rd W , Goochland
  1:00 pm
• The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
  12042 W Broad St , Richmond
  6:00 pm
• Dale Jones
  Richmond Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant , 11800 W Broad St , Richmond
  7:00 pm
• Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
  The Robins Family Forum Theater at Virginia Museum of History & Culture 428 N Arthur Ashe Blvd Richmond, Virginia 23220
  8:45 pm

Sunday December 21

• World Meditation Day
  Heartfulness Meditation Center , 2230 E Parham Rd , Richmond
  9:15 am

Monday December 22

• Mornings at the Museum: Celebrating Christmas in the Civil War
  The American Civil War Museum Richmond, VA 23219
  10:00 am

Tuesday December 23

• Book Babies
  North Avenue Meeting Room
  10:30 am

Friday December 26

• Burlesque Bingo
  Basic City Beer Co. Southside RVA , 212 W 6th St , Richmond
  7:30 pm

Sunday December 28

• Winter Camp
  Camp Hanover 3163 Parsleys Mill Road Mechanicsville, Virginia 23111
  10:00 am

📣 Richmond Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Richmond PatchAM possible:

• Daniel Yoon - eXp Realty — (804) 896-2694
  Latest Updates on New Construction Communities & Incentives
• Simple Solutions Psychiatry, LLC — (434) 259-8085
  Now Accepting Aetna & Humana Clients for MHSS Support

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• My 5 month old kitten got out Sunday night and hasn’t come home.
  Please keep an eye out for him. He is tuxedo with a white chin chest and belly. His paws all have white on them too, his name is Roger. He was bottle… (Nextdoor Seminary)
• i found this dog on the corner of franconia road and parham near the north park library.
  sweet dog and called non-energency. posting in case someone is looking for her. (Nextdoor Chamberlayne Farms)

• Weinstein Properties posted a job opening for Porter in Richmond. Apply here.
• Firebirds Wood Fired Grill posted a job opening for Front of House Team Member in Richmond. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Richmond here.

Ok Richmond! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I dreamed I was swimming in a pool of orange soda, but it was just a Fanta-sea.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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