Local and VCU
Nearly 100 evacuated in Richmond retirement community fire
A three-alarm fire Tuesday night forced the evacuation of nearly 100 people from Chesterfield Square, a retirement community apartment complex in South Richmond.
Two people were treated at CJW Medical Center (Chippenham) for what authorities described as minor injuries. Neither was admitted.
The fire, reported at 8:55 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 1, was declared under control shortly before midnight, but not before it severely damaged two of the three wings of the brick-and-tan-siding complex at 1017 Hioaks Road.
This morning, fire investigators began entering the damaged areas of the complex, Richmond fire Lt. Shawn L. Jones said. No cause for the fire was immediately apparent, he said.
Numerous vehicles, ranging from a GRTC Transit System bus to a security van, were used to transport the 96 evacuees to CJW Medical Center.
Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond tries centralized anti-robbery effort
An investigative robbery unit in Richmond is identifying patterns quickly and making stronger cases using a more centralized citywide approach, according to officials involved in the effort.
The three-month initiative, a partnership between several law-enforcement entities, has involved about 60 cases since its inception Sept. 22 and has resulted in more than 50 arrests for robberies and other offenses, including firearm and drug violations.
The initiative is focused on commercial robberies in Richmond, robberies of homes involving drugs, and street robberies that appear to be connected or part of a pattern.
Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch
McDonnell asks for detailed reports from state agencies
Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell is pressing state agencies for an inventory of projects, possible cost savings and potential problems facing his administration.
McDonnell has asked agencies to provide specific information on 15 items, among them a summary of the agency’s mission or service; a description of the top five issues facing the agency; items requiring McDonnell’s “immediate attention” after inauguration; and recent or ongoing strategic-planning initiatives.
The requests were outlined in a memo Monday from Wayne Turnage, chief of staff to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.
The request also asks about any personnel issues-retirements, hiring and grievances-as well as legal issues involving the Attorney General’s Office; any “current major media inquiries” and planned responses; agency initiated legislation for the upcoming General Assembly session; and opportunities for cost savings and public-private partnerships.
Brief by the Richmond Times-Dispatch
National and International
New York state lawmakers reject gay marriage bill
New York lawmakers rejected a bill Dec. 2 that would have made their state the sixth to allow gay marriage, stunning advocates who weathered a similar decision by Maine voters just last month.
The New York measure needed 32 votes to pass and failed by a wider-than-expected margin, falling eight votes short in a 24-38 decision by the state Senate. The Assembly had earlier approved the bill, and Gov. David Paterson, perhaps the bill’s strongest advocate, had pledged to sign it.
New York also does not allow civil unions, but has several laws, executive orders and court decisions that grant many of the rights to gays long enjoyed by married couples.
Brief by The Associated Press
More charges filed in
Washington police killing
A man accused of driving Maurice Clemmons away from the Seattle area coffee shop where he killed four police officers made his first court appearance Dec. 2.
Darcus Allen is a convicted murderer who did time with Clemmons in an Arkansas prison. He was charged in Tacoma, Wash., with rendering criminal assistance, pleaded not guilty and was held without bail.
Two women alleged to have given Clemmons fist aid and rides after the shooting at a Parkland coffee shop early Nov. 29 also appeared in Pierce County Superior Court. Each was ordered held for 72 hours on $500,000 bail.
In all, six people have appeared in court after being arrested for investigation of helping Clemmons avoid police during a frantic two-day manhunt.
A lone patrol officer shot Clemmons Dec. 1.
Brief by The Associated Press
NATO chief: Allies will provide 5,000 more troops
European and other U.S. allies will contribute more than 5,000 new troops to the international force in Afghanistan, NATO’s chief said Dec. 2, declaring that the war is not America’s alone.
Aside from Poland, the pledges came in small numbers from small nations. European powers like France and Germany praised President Barack Obama’s speech on his new strategy for Afghanistan but were silent on the offer of new troops.
A Polish official said the government will likely send 600 combat-ready reinforcements to beef up its existing 2,000-strong contingent.
Albania pledged to increase its 250-member unit by 85 troops, army trainers and medical workers, Prime Minister Sali Berisha said.
Spain’s El Pais daily said the defense ministry was considering adding 200 soldiers to its 1,000 contingent. Italy declared it would do its part and Finland confirmed that it had been asked to consider sending more troops and would do so next week.
The largest contributors-Britain, France and Germany – held off on pledges of new troops, waiting for an Afghanistan conference in London planned for late January.
Brief by The Associated Press