The City’s Emergency Operations Center has begun to demobilize and is now operating with partial activation. The City of Richmond’s two emergency shelters have been placed on stand-by status. The shelters may be re-activated if City officials determine that a need arises this evening. City crews are beginning to work on neighborhood streets and will continue throughout the day. City crews will return to work on Priority One and Priority Two roads if additional snow accumulation occurs. City government will open at the regularly scheduled time on Friday, February 14, 2014.

The City of Richmond Government Offices will be closed today, February 13. Essential personnel are to report to work at their regularly scheduled time. Employees should contact their immediate supervisor if they have questions regarding the time they are to report to work.  Offices will open at regular business hours on Friday, February 14. For up-to-date information and additional instructions from the City of Richmond during this weather event, please visit www.Richmondgov.com , follow the City on Twitter @CityRichmondVA , and stay tuned to local radio and television stations.

The City of Richmond has opened two emergency shelters to assist City residents in the event power outages occur as a result of the winter storm. Residents who reside in areas where power outages are frequent during storms are advised to seek shelter now before traveling conditions deteriorate. The City’s Emergency Shelter locations are: Linwood Holton Elementary School 1600 West Laburnum Avenue James Blackwell Elementary School 1600 Everett Street Residents should bring any medication, personal items and supplies that they may need. The City will provide meals and snacks to shelter attendees. Residents may also charge their medical equipment batteries and cell phones at the City shelter in the event they lose power at home. Weapons are not allowed in the City shelters. Pets are not allowed within the City shelter with the exception of service animals. Richmond Animal Care and Control (RAC&C) will staff both City shelters to accept the pets of residents attending the shelter. RAC&a

The City’s Department of Planning and Development Review invites the public to attend the rescheduled Richmond Riverfront Plan public forum on Tuesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. at the Virginia War Memorial, 621 South Belvidere. The meeting will detail two of the Richmond Riverfront Plan projects: Brown’s Island Dam Walk and Chapel Island Trail. This meeting was originally scheduled for January 21, but it was postponed due to inclement weather. The Brown’s Island Dam Walk will re-purpose an existing historical dam structure into a pedestrian and bicycle route that will connect Brown’s Island on the north bank to the Floodwall and Manchester neighborhood on the south bank. The Chapel Island Trail will build a universally accessible route along the north bank of the river from 14th Street to Great Shiplock Park. What:         Richmond Riverfront Plan Projects Public Forum When:       Tuesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. Where:      Virginia War Memorial                  621 South Belvidere

Mayor Dwight C. Jones discussed how the City of Richmond is preparing for the anticipated major snow storm event that is expected to impact the city beginning Wednesday afternoon. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the city of Richmond from 1 p.m. February 12 until 7 p.m. February 13. City officials have urged residents to prepare for the weather, and city government is also preparing for this storm. City Government held a Winter Weather Briefing on Tuesday at City Hall involving all agencies of City Government, Richmond Public Schools, Richmond City Sheriff’s office, Richmond Ambulance Authority, Richmond Redevelopment Housing Authority, Richmond City Health District and GRTC. “It is routine for us to hold such a preparatory meeting when a major event is anticipated,” stated Mayor Jones. “By bringing all the agencies and related authorities together well in advance, we can better lay out our plans for resident notification efforts, storm response tactics, as well as efforts to d

A Winter Storm Watch is in effect for the city of Richmond from noon February 12 until 6 p.m. February 13, as local forecasts have indicated that the city will be impacted by winter weather during this timeframe. As a result, the City of Richmond encourages residents to take precautions now in preparation for any winter precipitation. Residents are encouraged to make an emergency supply kit to include essential supplies that will last at least three days. Supply kits should include a hand-cranked or battery-powered radio and extra batteries, non-perishable food and water, toiletries, flashlights, a first aid kit and medications. Also, include items needed for infants, seniors, and pets. You may want to keep a second kit in your car in the event you must travel during inclement weather. The City asks that residents remain home during this weather event and offers the following safety recommendations: •    If you must drive, drive cautiously and decrease speed; •    Have a full tank of

Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement regarding the leadership of the Richmond Department of Social Services and the operations of the Child Protective Services unit: “I’m here today to provide a status report on the operations of the City’s Department of Social Services, and in particular, to address on-going concerns regarding the Child Protective Services unit. “It’s been just over one year since we began making major changes in the Department’s functioning:      • Personnel changes were made from top to bottom.      • We named an interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Human Services.      • We called for an internal audit of the City’s Child Welfare Practices.      • We called for external reviews of the agency by the Virginia Department of Social            Services and the Child Welfare League of America.      • On-site reviews of case files were done.      • Matters of compliance were heavily reviewed.      • Staff interviews and stakeholder interviews