Billy Shields

Richmond

Multimedia Journalist at VPM

Multimedia journalist for VPM News. As a newspaper reporter, reported in Mexico, the Caribbean and Miami. RTs are not endorsements.

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Articles

Avula budget presentation, Richmond combined sewer update and Henrico real estate tax rates

2 weeks ago | vpm.org | Dean Mirshahi |Lyndon German |Billy Shields

Below are details on upcoming public meetings in Richmond, and Chesterfield, Hanover and Henrico counties. City Council1 p.m. MondayCouncil chambers, 2nd floor, Richmond City Hall301 N. 9th St.The council is set to hold a budget work session to review Mayor Danny Avula’s proposed $3 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2026, which begins in July and ends June 30, 2026. Organizational Development Standing Committee4 p.m. MondayCouncil chambers, 2nd floor, Richmond City Hall301 N.
Curious Commonwealth asks: What happened to the school German School Road is named for?

3 weeks ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

For more than 100 years, German School Road has been a Southside curiosity, running from north to south between Jahnke Road and Midlothian Turnpike in a part of Richmond annexed from Chesterfield County in 1970. Kristen Donovan, who works in the area, contacted VPM News with a simple question: “I wanted to know where the German school was that German School Road was named for.”“Every time I drive by German School Road, I wonder, ‘Where is it?’” Donovan said.
Chesterfield unveils 'austere' $2.4B budget proposal

1 month ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Chesterfield County could be getting another water treatment plant as part of its proposed $2.4 billion budget for fiscal 2026. The $426 million plant, which would be located in the Appomattox Tidal Basin, could become the county’s fourth water source by 2033 if approved.
Racing to return to Chesterfield’s Southside Speedway

1 month ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Chesterfield County officials announced an agreement Tuesday to refurbish the aging Southside Speedway in an effort to bring racing back to the southside Richmond area for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic. “It was definitely a hidden gem in this county,” said Lin O’Neill from the racetrack oval. He’s the head of racetrack operations at Competitive Racing Investments, the company planning to operate the track.
Questions remain around data centers in Chesterfield County

1 month ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Chesterfield County officials unveiled two sites recently slated to house data centers, but residents' questions persist: What will those centers look like, what resources will they require — and what company will even operate them? “This is in no way a done deal,” Midlothian District Supervisor Mark Miller told residents in late February.
Local law enforcement’s plans for cooperating with ICE vary

1 month ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Thursday executive order directing state public safety agencies to cooperate with federal immigration officials begins by linking specific crimes — including two outside of Virginia — to people in the country illegally. But few details as to what that cooperation will look like have been made available.
Chesterfield County acquires 30 acres for Appomattox River park

1 month ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Chesterfield County recently unveiled plans to turn 30 acres of land along the Appomattox River into a riverfront park complete with picnic shelter, walking trails and boat launch. “Acquiring this property will provide opportunities for our growing, active community to enjoy the water, accommodate the park we’ve planned there and preserve both the beauty and historical significance of an important gateway area,” Matoaca Supervisor Kevin Carroll said in a prepared statement.
Goochland craft shop hangs it up after years of lasting impressions

2 months ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

After about 25 years of creativity, Mitra Palmer is stepping away from an artistic rubber stamp business that she started from scratch while teaching high school in Williamsburg. “I founded this business in a super naive way,” she said. During the late ’90s, “there was no direct-to-consumer sales on the internet.”Using a rubber-setting machine called a “vulcanizer,” Palmer began creating rubber stamps needed for crafting projects — like homemade greeting cards, posters and invitations.
VDOE investigating Chesterfield schools’ transportation accommodations

2 months ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

The Virginia Department of Education has launched an investigation into whether Chesterfield County Public Schools’ transportation division is violating federal and state rules regarding accommodations for students with special needs, a VDOE spokesperson confirmed Wednesday. In a Jan.
Chesterfield County looking to fill $200M school budget shortfall

2 months ago | vpm.org | Billy Shields

Chesterfield County Public School officials are hosting a series of town hall meetings to make the case to community members that the system needs more money in its budget next school year. According to Superintendent John Murray, the school system can realistically expect an increase of about $26 million in the budget for fiscal year 2026 (which would run from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026).