🌱 Patch AM: Why did a Richmond mom’s $900 state check suddenly vanish?

Hi Richmond! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Why did a Richmond mom’s $900 state check suddenly vanish?
• What we know so far about the deadly East End shooting
• How a Richmond ministry is sending 75,000 gifts behind bars

Also on today's calendar: Noon Year's Eve and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 45 and low of 34 degrees.
• Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, temps: high: 38, low: 22.
• Friday: Partly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 49 and low of 26 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. ‘Why would they do that?': Richmond mother left $900 in the hole after Department of Social Services takes back check (wric.com) — A Richmond mother says a surprise $900 state assistance check deposited in her account was suddenly reversed a week later, leaving her overdrawn just after the holidays. She’s struggled to get answers from Virginia’s Department of Social Services, which now says its Citizens Services Unit is reviewing the situation and will work with her directly.
   

2. 20-year-old shot and killed while walking in Richmond (wtvr.com) — A 20-year-old man was shot and killed while walking to a convenience store in Richmond’s East End on December 22, leaving his family grieving during the holidays. Police say Dameon Felix was gunned down in an alley off Spotsylvania Street, and no arrests or motive have been announced yet. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the newsroom or authorities.
   

3. 75,000 Hope Packs are being delivered to inmates across US including the DMV (wjla.com) — A Richmond-based ministry called Good News Global is sending tens of thousands of “Hope Packs” from here to incarcerated people and correctional staff across Virginia, Maryland, and beyond this holiday season. Started in Chicago and launched locally in 2021, the program now delivers personalized cards, devotionals, and small gifts to 170 facilities worldwide, including several in our region where many inmates rarely receive anything from family.
   

4. Virginia apartment resident watches burglary unfold through live surveillance camera (wtvr.com) — A Colonial Heights resident on vacation watched a live camera feed as two men burglarized his apartment, helping police quickly arrest both suspects and recover stolen items, including three firearms. One gun was reported stolen out of Richmond, tying the case back to our city as investigators continue to look for additional evidence and possible suspects.
   

5. Republicans have ‘giant hill to climb' after Reeves drops out of U.S. Senate race (wavy.com) — From Richmond, political analyst Larry Sabato says Virginia Republicans face an uphill battle in the 2026 U.S. Senate race after State Sen. Bryce Reeves dropped out. With only lesser-known GOP contenders left and Democrat Mark Warner running as an incumbent, Sabato argues the political climate and Trump-era backlash make a Republican win extremely unlikely.
   

📸 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!

Wednesday December 31

• Noon Year's Eve
  Goochland Branch Library , 3075 River Rd W , Goochland
  11:00 am
• New Years Eve at Dave & Buster's - Richmond
  4001 Brownstone Blvd , Glen Allen
  4:00 pm
• NYE! with Antoine Scott
  Funny Bone Comedy Club & Restaurant , 11800 W Broad St , Richmond
  7:00 pm

Friday January 2

• KIDZ BOP LIVE: The Concert Movie - Richmond
  Movieland At Boulevard Square , 1301 N Arthur Ashe Blvd , Richmond
  10:50 am
• Burlesque Bingo
  Blue Bee Cider , 4811 Bethlehem Rd , Richmond
  8:00 pm

Monday January 5

• PE Games w/Robinson Staff 3rd-5th
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  3:45 pm
• Contemporary Modern Dance w/Allisen 3rd-5th grade
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  3:45 pm
• Zumba w/Sam 15-Adult
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  5:30 pm

Tuesday January 6

• PiYo (Yoga infused Pilates) w/Toi 15-Adult
  Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
  6:15 am
• Tomorrow, the War with Max Watman
  Fountain Bookstore Inc , 1307 E Cary St , Richmond
  6:00 pm

Thursday January 8

• Zarna Garg: Million Dollar Excuses
  Funny Bone Comedy Club 11800 West Broad Street Suite 1090 Richmond, VA 23233
  7:00 pm

Friday January 9

• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer
  John Marshall Ballrooms , 101 N 5th St , Richmond
  6:30 pm

📣 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
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Retire Your Worries at Avery Point —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch

• Update: Pet Reunited
  Tofu, a cat who went missing in Richmond, VA, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 hours, 10 minutes. Message from Owner: "Our cat… (Nextdoor Jefferson Terrace Community)
• We found this sweet boy on 106 near Servpro tonight about 8:00pm.
  We brought him home to keep him safe since he was running in the middle of the road. If he is yours please reach out to me. We did also give him… (Nextdoor Charles Henrico)

• Traffic Alert: All NB I-95 lanes closed near NC at MM in #GreensvilleCounty due to a multi-vehicle crash. Traffic is being detoured in NC at exit... (X: VaDOTRVA)
• Holiday Reminder | All city offices will be closed January 1 & there will be no trash/bulk & brush or recycling collections. All collections will be... (X: DPW_RichmondVA)

• CRH plc posted a job opening for Forklift Operator in Richmond. Apply here.
• Costco Wholesale Corporation posted a job opening for Stocker 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook