Stolen Stereo and Car Chase

From Richmond Police:

4th Precinct
THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE
11/20/12 10:30 a.m. – 1:20 p.m.
100 block of South Laurel Street
An unknown person(s) stole a stereo from a vehicle.

Also, in a different incident, from the Times Dispatch:

A man appeared to escape injury early today when he flipped his car multiple times down a steep hill near the James River in downtown Richmond several minutes after police had terminated a brief pursuit.

Richmond police Capt. Angela Greene said the man, whose identity was not immediately released, was taken to VCU Medical Center for observation but was not complaining of any pain and did not appear to be injured following the incident.

Greene said the incident began at 2:09 a.m. when a Richmond police officer at Oliver Hill Way and Hospital Street observed the man driving the wrong way at a high speed down a one-way street. Greene said the officer activated his blue lights and siren and tried to follow the man but terminated the pursuit after 26 seconds when it became apparent the man was not going to stop.
Roughly three minutes later, Greene said, the vehicle was found, wrecked, in a large field along Second Street that serves as a main performing stage for the Richmond Folk Festival.

Assault and Death Investigation

From latest Richmond Police crime report:

4th Precinct
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT
11/15/12 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
300 block of South Pine Street
A male reported he was assaulted by a known male. Warrants were obtained on the male.

4th Precinct
DEATH INVESTIGATION
11/17/12 10:30 p.m.
100 block of Tredegar Street
A male fell from the Lee Bridge. He was transported to VCU Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. He was pronounced dead an hour later.

Pre-Holiday Renegade Market Today

From email announcement:

Greetings All!
For your last-minute pre-holiday farmers-market shopping-pleasure
this week’s Renegade Market vendors will offer…

Fresh, seasonally delicious foods:
Apples, Cider, Jams, Jellies, Honey…
Salad mix, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Radicchio, Escarole…
Grass-fed Beef, Pork, Free-ranging Chicken – in roasts, parts, ground, sausages…
Eggs, Cheese and Noodles…
Artisan Breads, Rolls, Biscuits, Pies, Tarts and other desserts…
Raw food Dog and Cat foods and treats…
information about CSAs and Herd Shares
See you at the Market: 3pm to 6pm Tuesdays, November through April

byrdhousemarket.blogspot.com

Visit wbch.org for more doings at William Byrd Community House

_____________________

Ana Edwards, Manager
Byrd House Market & Library Programs
Grace Arents Library & Education Center
William Byrd Community House
www.wbch.org / 804.643.2717 ext.306

Speech to Council

This is a speech that neighbor Todd Woodson gave to City Council this past Monday night:

Hi- I’m Todd Woodson and I’m here to speak for the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association. I have served as treasurer for the last 11 years. We have serious concerns on an sup proposal pending on the Victory Rug Building on S Cherry St. We feel there have been serious flaws committed and don’t think that fair or due process has been served to our residents.

some background info on sup:

The Victory Rug current parcel assessment of 270K has risen 236% in last 10 years. We believe this assessment is correct and fair for a building in this condition.

The parcel was bought at auction for 660,000 by developer.

a message was sent to developer from OHNA before closing on the property outlining inherent problems in developing the building.

Consequently, hardship cannot be used to justify the aggressive density requested with off street parking limited to only 8 questionable spaces. The proposal is for 29 bedrooms which would require somewhere between 30 and 45 parking spaces. Parking is already a hardship due to our proximity to VCU. This development is 2 1/2 blocks from the mammoth VCU recreation center.

The City has received 114 letters of opposition- no letters in favor—

A main concern is that in early October, neighborhood reps met with Mr. Jewell, the developer and Mark Baker of Baker Development Resources who is representing the developer on this sup. No concessions were made and the meeting was a disappointment. On Oct 22, the SUP ordinance was introduced. Sometime between then and Oct 30, Councilman Jewell solicited help in securing campaign funds from Mr Baker and an email was sent to other developers as well as to a networking group maintained by Baker. I mean no disrespect to Mr Jewell and am not an attorney so I cant say if this is illegal. I will say that the hundreds of residents facing hardship from this sup find the appearance of impropriety of major concern.
I have included the solicitation in your package.
————————————————————————-

we feel it to be prudent and reasonable for the Council hearing on this SUP be postponed until after our concerns are fully resolved and the new council is seated.

We are anxious for a quality reasonable development at the Victory Rug Building and hope for an enterprise that has the best interest of the community at heart.

City Council’s GRTC Task Force Meets Wednesday

From City press release:

Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force to hold meeting (NOTE New location and date)

All residents are invited and encouraged to attend

WHAT The Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force will hold a meeting. (NOTE: The location and date schedule of this meeting are different from previously held meetings.) The purpose of the Task Force is to make recommendations to Richmond City Council with regard to enhancing mass transit in the Metro-Richmond area and the efficiency and effectiveness of the GRTC Transit System. The meeting is free and open to the public and all residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
WHEN Wednesday, November 14, 2012
4:00-6:00 p.m.
WHERE Richmond Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau Offices
401 North 3rd Street, 2nd floor – Richmond, Virginia 23219
Located inside the Greater Richmond Convention Center at the Corner of 3rd & Marshall Streets on the 2nd floor.
Parking is available in the Greater Richmond Convention Center parking garage located at 3rd & Marshall Streets. Once you have parked, exit the garage and cross Marshall Street. Enter the Exhibit Hall building at the corner of 3rd & Marshall Streets. Take elevator to the 2nd floor. The RMCVB’s offices are to the right.
WHO Members of the Richmond City Council GRTC and Transit Study Task Force
CONTACT For more information, please contact Marianne Pitts, at 804.646.5935;
or marianne.pitts@richmondgov.com.

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