Headlines

Headlines Week of December 20th

Richmond based grocer, Ukrop's, was purchased for $140 million on December 17^th by the Dutch firm Royal Ahold, according to The Richmond Times-Dispatch. A division of that company, Giant-Carlisle, will gain control of the Ukrop's supermarket chain. The company's sources say that the sale of alcohol and Sunday hours could very well be in the future.

Governor-elect, Bob McDonnell stated December 16th that his budget plan may affect state employee's jobs, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. As revenues of the state continue to decrease, cuts will have to continue to be made according to McDonnell.

Record breaking snowfall hit Central Virginia Friday night dumping 17 inches of snow. State police assisted at least 6,100 vehicles who had crashed or were disabled since snow began on Friday. According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch four died in weather related deaths on Virginia roads. On Saturday, 100 flights were cancelled, according to flyrichmond.com. But, Sunday, things were back on track with 30 cancellations.

No snowfall is forecasted for the week but the highs are in the mid-30s to low-40s. Rain is expected on Thursday, December 24^th.

December 18^th marks the conviction of Antonio Lamont “Tony” Allison for sexual battery and object sexual penetration of a jogger on Belle Isle on July 9, 2008 according to the December 19^th Richmond Times-Dispatch Article. The jury recommended 40 years in prison, 15 more years than the minimum. Allison’s sentence hearing will take place on February 24^th. The victim and her family are satisfied with recommendation and conviction.

Don’t head to Carytown to see the ball drop this New Years. According to Style Weekly, the Carytown Merchants Association lost $54,000 with the event last year. Since October 20^th Mayor Dwight C. Jones was in talks with the Carytown Merchants Association to get the event back. But last stitch efforts proved unfruitful. The city hasn’t agreed to help foot the bill for a similar event, but is considering relocating.

Three local rappers busted on coke charges on December 9^th. The rap group “Get Money Green Brothers” have been sentenced in Federal Court for distributing more than 110 pounds of cocaine. Christopher “Big Get It” Woolridge, Natasha “P Get It” Payne, and Terry “Little Get It” Battle used their proceeds from their drug trafficking ring to continue their music ventures. They were also found guilty of dangerous weapons. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, three local police departments, the Virginia State Police and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.