Newbille’s New Seat

Rachel DePompa – bio | email
There’s no denying who the residents in the 7th district wanted to represent them. Cynthia Newbille won with 52% of the vote. Despite six candidate, she had a decisive victory and she takes the reigns of her new job on Monday. The City Council meeting will begin with her swearing-in ceremony.
Newbille was swamped [...]

7th District Seat Council Race

Rachel DePompa – bio | email
Was there ever any doubt at what I would be covering election day? You know i’ll be chasing down the 7th district council race. There are six candidates vying for the seat originally vacated by Delores McQuinn earlier this year. Tomorrow is a special election to fill the remainder of the term.  [...]

Bank Prepares for Possible Ukrop’s Sale

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
UPDATE: (Posted September 10th, 4:30pm)
Harris Teeter has been granted another extension in King George County where its planning to build a 101 million dollar distribution center. This is the grocer’s fifth extension. It’s notable because Harris Teeter was reportedly outbid for Ukrop’s last month by another grocer. It’s long been [...]

Ukrops update #9999

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
I’ve been a little under the weather this week and didn’t spend too much time in the office. But there’s been a lot going on. And I’ve received quite a few emails lately on one topic in particular so here goes….
Ukrop’s Update: Lowes Foods is now the front runner. (Well, [...]

Back in Business

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
Sorry for the long delay, but my birthday and a week long vacation were calling! But I’m back and ready to dive into the all the affairs of the city. Today I ran across an interesting story about the number of vacant properties in the city.
Vacancies (properties and lots) are [...]

Ukrop’s in Negotiations With Potential Buyer

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
*Update Wednesday 12:01pm: Thanks to everyone who is sending me tips on this story. They are helpful. Several of you have given me the names of businesses that may be in negotiations with Ukrop’s. I’m checking on them now and I’ll update you as soon as I get any information. [...]

#Ukropalypse

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
Update: August 6th 11:30am:  It’s NOT Wegmans. The Rochester based grocery chain says it is NOT buying Ukrops. I recieved several emails yesterday suggesting Wegmans was the buyer. Wegmans’ spokesperson Jo Natale says “it is not true. It’s a false rumor.”  Wegmans has 73 stores including in five states including one store in [...]

Richmond Police Trial: Lessons Learned

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
Three Richmond Police officers were fighting for their careers this week. They were accused of obstructing justice. And a jury of Richmonders found them NOT GUILTY. The officer’s attorneys had one question today… “was it worth it to bring these charges?”
I will say, it’s a tricky question. There were [...]

Virginia Tech: Two and a half years later?!?!

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
You mean to tell me, the former director of Virginia Tech’s mental health facility just happened to have Seung Hui Cho’s medical records in his house for 2 1/2 years!!!!  You’ve got to be kidding me?!?! How could those records never have surfaced during the state’s investigation into the massacre? [...]

Wilder’s Legacy: Defining the Balance of Power

Rachel DePompa – bio | email 
After 4 years of doing battle, the City Charter may finally get an overhaul. And I believe we have Former Mayor Doug Wilder to thank. (In fact, it may be his legacy from his time at City Hall) For better or worse, Wilder constantly pushed the boundaries of his authority. You could say,  [...]