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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
From a distance, change can often appear almost stationary, but, viewed with the perspective of time and wisdom, the transformation can appear more dramatic. And that view from 35,000 feet mistakenly offers a timeline that, for some, would indicate that the progress made equates to a job completed. That’s almost never the case.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
As I watched the statue of Stonewall Jackson unceremoniously removed as a crowd cheered, I wondered just how deep is Richmond’s relationship with the Lost Cause, and how engrained that legacy of defeat is woven in our heritage. How many streets, buildings, parks, plaques and other landmarks in the city are associated with the Confederacy?
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
ASHLAND -- While some school districts across the Commonwealth are opting for virtual-only school openings in the fall and others announcing in-school openings, Hanover County officials have prepared an either/or reopening plan that offers parents and students both options.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
As we rode down Arthur Ashe Boulevard, it was hard not to notice the obvious contrast presented by this year’s Fourth of July opposed to others. The usually busy avenue was nearly deserted, and the normal hustle and bustle surrounding the Diamond was hauntingly missing. As crews prepared to present a remote fashion of what has become a Richmond tradition, Fourth of July fireworks at the Diamond, the ticket booths were deserted and the large parking lot adjacent sat empty.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
Lee-Davis and Stonewall Jackson being renamed with committee in leadASHLAND -- The Hanover County School Board approved a recommendation to change the names and mascots of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle Schools. On Tuesday, July 14, Sterling Daniel moved to approve the change, and Ola Hawkins seconded the motion. Kelly Evko and Robert Hundley joined Daniel and Hawkins in approving the changes. George Sutton, John Axselle and Norman Sulser voted not to change the names.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
As I watched another rerun of a previously played college football game, a familiar tune filtered its way through the crowd noise and grabbed my attention. The rebroadcast was a holiday-themed bowl game, and that provided my first hint as to what the song could be. It was a catchy tune, but not one that evoked immediate familiarity ... but I knew I’d heard that song somewhere before. “It’s Melvin Dummar. It’s Melvin Dummar!” I shouted in the direction of my children.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
HANOVER — More than 40 speakers urged the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to deny the issuance of a Wetlands permit for a 217-acre site that recently was approved for a Wegmans’ Distribution Center. The Hanover County Board of Supervisors approved the project in May, but the project still requires a DEQ permit to proceed. Jaime Robb, permit manager for DEQ’s Piedmont Division, said the agency rarely denies applications although some require adjustments during the process.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
County attorney: BOS doesn’t have authority to have names overturnedHANOVER— A recent Hanover County School Board decision changing the names of Lee-Davis High School and Stonewall Jackson Middle School drew comments from a large contingent of citizens and several supervisors at last week’s meeting. The decision and subsequent removal of placards and signs containing the names two days after the action by school officials was described as insensitive by one board member.
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1 month ago | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
ASHLAND -- A plan passed earlier this month by the Hanover County School Board that returns the majority of students to the classroom this fall is receiving a myriad of reactions from parents and teachers. A procession of more than 80 cars recently paraded past the Hanover County Public Schools Central Office, honking horns and displaying signs that expressed their opposition to the proposed in-classroom opening.
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Aug 12, 2024 | 
richmond.com | Jim Ridolphi
When the Ashland Town Council considered a request for Calley Commons, a cottage home subdivision, earlier this year, Vice Mayor John Hodges noted at that time the submitted plan could not be approved because the subdivision ordinance required each lot have frontage on a public road. Last month, Planning Director Nora Amos submitted a plan that would allow for exceptions in the RIN, M-1 and M-2 zoning areas allowing cottage homes with a number of conditions.
