Category Archives: community

Oregon Hill Real Estate Market Watch

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Neighbor and real estate agent Wes Fertig put out this recent Oregon Hill Market Watch report for those that have been interested in selling their home here or moving in. Two other things to mention: Wes Fertig participates in a program that gives real estate rebates and discounts for any employee of Richmond area police department, fire department, sheriff’s office, 911 center, or EMS agency when buying or selling a home with him as the realtor. Secondly, he is OregonHill.net’s newest advertiser!



To see more of the report, click here.

Angel Needs A New Home

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From a neighbor Summer Shultz’s post (shared with permission):

Sweet Angel needs a home! She is a purebred husky, 12 years old and in excellent health. Her owner is dealing with a crisis and is no longer able to keep her. Look at this face! Do you have room in your heart for Angel, as either an emergency foster while her owner picks up the pieces, or as a forever home? Angel’s owner wants her safe and happy and is willing to give her up.

If you are able to supply such respite, please contact Summer via email- summrlyn(at)aol.com

OHNA Meeting Tomorrow Night

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From announcement:

Hey everyone! Please don’t forget that our next Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association meeting will be Tuesday, February 26th at 7pm inside St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. Below is the agenda sent by OHNA President Todd Woodson. Hope to see you all there!!!

“First, for those of you that have cats or small dogs that go outside, there is a grave danger to them existing within and adjacent to the neighborhood. 16 months ago, I was “adopted” by two mated feral cats. The male I could eventually pet while the female always ran at the sight of humans. They were not coming inside so I built an insulated house on my porch with an outdoor heating pad and fed and watered them. They went under the house during bitter cold. The female went missing 1 1/2 weeks ago, then yesterday at 5am, my indoor cat woke me up screaming but not wanting to go out. I checked the porch and my other outdoor cat was gone. A night watchman at Hollywood Cemetery confirmed last night that there are at least 7 coyotes in the cemetery that they have seen and are aware of. Right now is mating/gestation season so there will be even more coyotes coming. There was a confirmed sighting some months ago a couple alleys east of me of a coyote with a cat in its mouth. Coyotes will establish a “prey profile” of the easiest, most available food source available which they will seek with keen senses of sight, sound and smell. After research on the internet, I determined loss of cats to coyotes as well as attacks on small dogs is at an epidemic rate in the city and being near the river and an open space like Hollywood compounds the problem. Coyotes are classified as nuisance animals by the Va Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and can be killed at any time (with the exception being with a weapon on Sundays). They are not native to Virginia but populations have exploded since they have moved here. PLEASE take all measures available to safeguard your pets! I am shocked and saddened by my horrible loss and don’t want to see it spread.
Our meeting will start at 7pm with the usual updates from Police and VCU. I will then introduce Dr. Ghazala Hamshi who will speak regarding her candidacy for Virginia Senate in our district, a position currently held by Senator Glen Sturtevant. Dr. Hamshi is a lifelong democrat and she has worked as a college professor and administrator as her career calling.
I would then like to discuss the 2000 Riverfront apartment building’s Special Use Permit Application for an illuminated “2000” sign on their building. This is the apartments next to the river directly across the Lee Bridge from us. Concerns have been noted in the past on light pollution, especially near the river, and the need for such illuminated signage.
We will also have updates from Councilperson Agelasto’s office.
Take care and I look forward to seeing you Tuesday.”

Oregon Hill Blitz Cleanup

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From RVA Clean Sweep:

Arbor Earth is partnering with RVA Clean Sweep and Keep Virginia Beautiful (KVB)! They will be hosting an Oregon Hill Cleanup on the same day as Shiver in the River.

More information about Arbor Earth: https://www.arborearth.org/

Please join them on the corner of Idlewood & Laurel (at 10 am) for however long you can. All supplies will be provided.

Ray Williams

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Style has a story on the passing of Ray Williams, City homicide detective.

Excerpt:

Retired Richmond police Detective W. Ray Williams died Feb. 1 at 68 following a long battle with heart disease, tragically dying on the same day as his younger brother Tommy, a retired American Filtrona factory worker who had long suffered from Alzheimer’s.

The gravel-voiced Richmond native had a tough upbringing in the city’s Oregon Hill neighborhood.

“You had to fight to exist in Oregon Hill,” said Ray Williams, who at age 12 witnessed a neighbor get shot through the neck. Ray was the third of six children, all of whom were placed in foster care as young children for four years. His two youngest siblings would be adopted by another family. Their father, a second-generation bootleg whiskey-maker who once sold his wares to the same undercover policeman twice in a single night, was in and out of the nearby state penitentiary and prison road camps during their early years. Years later, as a young homicide detective, Ray would be called to an abandoned house in Oregon Hill, where his father was found dead on a mattress in the kitchen.

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A memorial service for Ray Williams will be held Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. at the Richmond Police Academy, 1202 W. Graham Road. His family has asked that donations be made in his name to the Richmond Police Foundation, richmondpolicefoundation.org, or Apple Dog Daycare, appledogdaycare.com.

RVA Environmental Film Festival Approaches (And It’s FREE!)

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The RVA Environmental Film Festival (RVA EFF) raises awareness of environmental issues relative to all residents of our planet and central Virginians in particular. Beginning February 4th and running through February 16th, the Ninth Annual RVA EFF is a 10-day event that celebrates a commitment to independent, Virginia filmmaking. Film screenings are FREE but some of the events require advance tickets.

For details, please visit www.rvaeff.org.

Street Cleaning This Week – Move Those Cars!

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It looks like the City is doing street cleaning in the neighborhood this week. According to the signs, they will be starting with the west side of S. Laurel Street tomorrow. Don’t forget to move cars the night before.

Cherry Street neighbor Jimmy Blackford is organizing some sidewalk cleaning to go along with the street cleaning.

Oregon Hill Street Cleaning/Leaf Collection Finally Happens Next Week. (Mon. 1/28-Thurs 1/31). Who can join me on Mon. and/or Tues. Morning to get our pretty brick sidewalks extra free of leaves? I’ll start the raking at 10am on Monday morning. (Maybe earlier depending on how much sleep I get the night before). I’ll concentrate on the intersections and heavily leaf-strewn areas of the sidewalks. Pushbrooms, especially extra wide ones, are a huge help. I only have 2 rakes, so…

OHNA Meeting Set For Tuesday Evening

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From OHNA President Todd Woodson:

Dear Neighbors and Friends

Will will resume our monthly neighborhood association meeting this coming Tuesday at 7pm in St Andrews church, Laurel and Idlewood. Here are the agenda items:

Updates from RPD, VCUPD and VCU and Councilman Agelasto’s office

I am very sad to report that our friend and representative from VCU Police, Officer Greg Felton will be leaving VCU in February. He has made an incredible impact on our quality of life in Oregon Hill. Greg- come back anytime because you are family! Come wish him well!

VCU Student Government Association representative will make a presentation on their Big Event.

We should have updated visual proposed plans for the Dog Run in Parsons Linear Park. This would be located in 400 block of the park.

Michael Brown, a neighbor from Randolph has asked to address the meeting on Councilman Agelasto’s residency issue. Mr. Brown was campaign manager for Parker but has now filed a lawsuit with others including Chuck Richardson to address the residency issue.

I have a meeting scheduled tomorrow with City Officials to discuss remedial efforts to stabilize our Holly Street playground. Built on a ravine later turned landfill, our park is showing clear signs of erosion and needs attention. This will be the fourth meeting on the subject. I will update you accordingly.

See you Tuesday at 7pm!

Todd.