Just a little reminder, the Neighborhood Resource Center will be closed Friday, July 3rd in observance of the July 4th holiday. Have a safe and happy fourth of July weekend!

New state laws go into effect today! So make sure you are aware of the biggest ones that can effect your wallet and your social life.

• Smoking is prohibited in most restaurants and bars in Virginia. The law goes into effect today but won’t be implemented until December 1, to allow businesses to prepare for it. So enjoy that cigarette with your beer now because come December it will be a thing of the past.
• $1.4 billion in stimulus money went to balance the budget because of the massive shortage.
• Put those cell phones and PDAs away. Texting and emailing while driving is banned. It can carry up to a $50 dollar fine. The good news is you can only be ticketed for it if you’re being pulled over for something else. “No officer it wasn’t the texting that made me swerve while speeding, you can check my last outgoing message time (which I just deleted as you were walking to my car.)”

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According to the U.S. Geological Survey we had an earthquake in central Virginia last night around 12 AM. The magnitude was 2.3 with the epicenter located only 2 miles from Short Pump and 12 miles from Richmond. Earthquakes have been recorded in central Virginia as early as 1774, with the largest damaging earthquake (magnitude 4.8)

The Richmond Police Department has charged a woman with murder in connection with the death of her son in May. Investigators obtained an indictment and subsequently arrested Ashley C. Williams, 24, of the 1900 block of Newman Road, last night. Williams is charged with murder in connection with the death of D

Are you ready for the biggest extravaganza ever? CHAT is hosting its first ever Mega Yard Sale in the backyard and sidewalk of the Lighthouse (601 N 31st

For weeks since late May lawnmowers have been stolen from homes in the East End. Thefts have occurred in Church Hill, Fulton, Oakwood and Union Hill. Lawnmowers have been stolen during the day as well as at night, taken out of people’s yards and even off of a porch. Police are urging people to protect themselves by locking up their lawnmowers with a chain to a permanent structure in the yard.

For the full story go to NBC12.com

Richmond

As reported by NBC12

A man is in custody, in the case of a Henrico County shootout that had threatened to run cold.

It began as a home invasion on the 2300 block of National Street, in the East End. 3:30am on Monday, August 18th. Two men with guns ran up, and barged in. Inside, a grandmother was asleep. The robbers yelled for money, and when she said there was none, they went to her grandson’s room instead.

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First Precinct – Sector 111
Community Report
June 2009
Lieutenant James J. Laino
Click here to download a printable version (Word .doc)

During the month of June the Sector experienced a 3% decrease in Major Crime; a 100% increase in violent crime (4 incidents reported in 2008 compared to 8 in 2009) and an 11% decrease in property crime (56 incidents reported in 2008 compared to 50 in 2009). The 8 violent crimes reported included; 2 Aggravated Assaults (Domestic related), 4 Aggravated Assault and 2 robberies. Of the 8 violent incidents reported 6 of them have been cleared by arrest, there are warrants pending for one and detectives are still investigating one. The current trend in Property Crime continues to be thefts related to motor vehicles, which include theft of motor vehicles, and all other larceny which includes everything from bicycles to packages left on the front porch.

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Books on Wheels at the Neighborhood Resource Center for National Night Out!

Books on Wheels will be providing free books and free bicycle repair at the NRC for National Night Out on August 4th from 5-8. Free and Open to the public.

August 4, 2009
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
The Neighborhood Resource Center
1519 Williamsburg Rd.
Richmond, VA
23231