Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Richmond’s new Inspector General will watchdog City Hall

Make time for Cactus Tate on the Richmond Patch calendar

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Tuesday January 13th Patch AM
Tuesday January 13th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Hello again Richmond! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Richmond’s new Inspector General will watchdog City Hall
  • How will Richmond’s new ordinances change safety, housing, and recovery services?
  • Why Richmond’s West End neighbors are split over one event space

Also on today's calendar: Basic Estate Planning & Things You Should Know and 9 more events.

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My dog used to chase people on a bike a lot. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Richmondfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Brilliant sunshine, with a high of 57 and low of 36 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 54, low: 33.
  • Thursday: A bit of snow and rain, with a high of 41 and low of 20 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Richmond appoints Foster Curtiss as Inspector General (wtvr.com) — Richmond City Council has officially named Foster Curtiss as the city’s Inspector General, putting him in charge of investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in local government. After serving as interim IG since May and bringing more than 20 years of NCIS oversight experience, Curtiss will now permanently lead Richmond’s Office of the Inspector General.
   

2. New ordinances aim to improve public safety, address housing instability in Richmond (wric.com) — Richmond City Council just approved several measures aimed at boosting public safety, stabilizing housing, and expanding support for residents struggling with substance use. New city-backed programs will fund domestic and sexual violence prevention, youth mentorship, opioid harm reduction, and a comprehensive review of anti-displacement and housing stability efforts, while adding penalties for demolishing or relocating historic landmarks in Richmond.
   

3. Richmond City Council delays vote on West End outdoor event space (nbc12.com) — Richmond City Council has delayed a decision on expanding outdoor events at Lavender Hill in Sauer Gardens, a proposal that’s pitting nearby homeowners against supporters of the small business. Neighbors cite disruptive noise, while the owner argues she’s made repeated compromises during a 20‑month review that could shape how Richmond handles similar small-business growth requests.
   

4. Richmond leaders try to secure funding for affordable housing after learning previous efforts failed (wric.com) — Richmond leaders are pushing an ordinance to dedicate 2.5% of the city’s annual real estate tax collections to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, aiming to create a stable funding stream for local housing needs. After learning earlier funding mechanisms were unpredictable and underused, councilmembers say this change could reduce displacement and help cost-burdened renters across Richmond.
   

5. Richmond addiction recovery organization fears losing city funding under new grant system (wtvr.com) — Richmond’s planned overhaul of its grant system has a major local recovery nonprofit worried about losing city funding that currently supports housing, food, and counseling for people in addiction treatment. McShin Foundation leaders and participants are urging City Council and future third-party grant managers to recognize how reduced support could affect overdoses, homelessness, and recovery options for Richmond residents.
   

📸 Around Richmond

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Richmond

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

    Thursday January 15
  • Cactus Tate
    Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant, 11800 W Broad St #1090, Richmond
    7:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Richmond Shout Outs!

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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:

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Ziggy, a dog who went missing in Tuckahoe, VA, has been safely reunited with their family after 12 hours, 53 minutes. Message from Owner: "He is a… (Nextdoor Fort Hill)
  • Lucy is a sweet 1-2 yr.
    old petite, gray foster cat who would love to be part of a family. She was rescued from an outdoor life where she raised her 4 kittens. All the… (Nextdoor Huguenot)
  • Bowlero Corporation posted a job opening for Requisition Porter in Richmond. Apply here.
  • Government Jobs posted a job opening for Seasonal Parks & Recreation Worker Summer Camp Staff 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 took its bike away.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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