Our network

Car fire in downtown Richmond parking deck

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – Three cars, burned up today in a downtown Richmond parking garage, and it was a traffic nightmare for drivers in the area. Investigators are still looking into how the fire started just after 1:00 p.m. Thursday at 12th and Marshall near VCU's Critical Care Center. Several streets are now re-opened after police re-routed traffic for more than an hour. 

This afternoon, riding on four-wheels only slowed you down. A fire in a parking garage forced driver Pete Megariotis and his daughter to circle the hospital for an hour. 

"If you can believe it or not, I told her to walk. She's going to go faster," he said. (What was it like, did the streets look like this?) Oh no. It was packed. Nobody can go through anywhere." 

Police shut down streets surrounding the Critical Care Center which neighbors the parking garage. Inside, on Level 3, a car caught fire. Firefighters say flames jumped onto two other cars. 

Man arrested at Belle Isle after allegedly stealing EMS bike

Man arrested at Belle Isle after allegedly stealing EMS bike

From the Richmond Police department:

At approximately 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 30, a member of the Richmond Fire Department was on patrol with a Police Department officer when a bicycle assigned to the Fire official was stolen and then recovered.

The police officer attempted to arrest a suspect. While attempting to arrest the suspect a large group gathered. The suspect resisted arrest and due to the large crowd the officer called for additional units. The units arrived and the suspect was arrested.

Arrested was Jordan J. Wiles, 29, of the 2700 block of West Main Street. Wiles has been charged with grand larceny and assault and battery.

 

Food and Music Festivals in 12 About Town

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - This week 12 About Town is all about food, music and festivals. We have four great events you don't want to miss.

Start the weekend off with the 35th Annual Richmond Greek Festival!

This Thursday through Sunday the best in Greek food, music and arts will be showcased at Saints Constantine and Helen's Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Enjoy your favorite Greek dishes and wines along with authentic music and performances.

For a full menu and schedule of events go to www.greekfestival.com.

We've got even more food and music for you this Saturday with lots of barbeque and soul food!

The Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival will be held at Richmond International Raceway from 12 to 6 p.m.

This event boasts unlimited beer and bourbon with BBQ galore!

SAT score controversy in Richmond schools

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - There's an SAT controversy in Richmond. A local delegate is accusing the City school system of manipulating the numbers by using test scores from a school that's not actually in its district.

A spokesperson for the school system says it has nothing to hide and has done nothing wrong. but Delegate Joe Morrissey held a press conference this morning, he says to point out to parents that Richmond SAT scores are not as high as they look.

It's all in the numbers when it comes to SATs. Students have to take the test to get into college and school systems use it as a benchmark.

On the Richmond Public Schools website there's a list of its students average SAT scores.

"They've use a total score of 954. that's not accurate, it's not true, it's misleading. it's disingenuous," said Delegate Joe Morrissey. 

Community Sponsors

Inmate found unresponsive in cell

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - An inmate was found dead at the Richmond City Jail Sunday night.

A deputy found 54 year old Caris Whitehurst unresponsive in his cell.

An autopsy revealed he died of natural causes, and there are no signs of foul play.

The Sheriff's Office and Richmond P-D are still conducting a joint investigation.

Whitehurst was being held on three counts of failing to register as a sex offender in the late 90's.

Copyright 2011 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

Hospitals treat dozens of injured bus passengers

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Richmond area hospitals sprung into mass casualty mode early this morning, as dozens of passengers needed emergency care following the bus crash in Caroline County near Doswell.

On one hand, about half of the 54 injured people have already been released from a variety of Richmond area hospitals. But there are others who remain in critical condition.

Downtown, at the area's only level one trauma center, the ambulance teams arrived so frequently. It was fair to ask if there would be enough space? But that question was already answered.

From the accident, 54 people were hurt, and they were scattered across 10 hospitals, from Fredericksburg, to Richmond, and the Tri-Cities.

Some were listed in critical condition with head and spine injuries. Others had just minor bumps and bruises.

At VCU Medical Center, doctors treated 12 passengers, ranging in age from 77, to the very young.  

Male City Jail inmate dies Sunday

Press release from Richmond City Sheriff's Office

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Sheriff C.T. Woody, Jr. reported the death of Caris Whitehurst, 54, an inmate at the Richmond City Jail. 

Whitehurst was being held in Richmond on three counts of failing to register as a sex offender in Virginia for charges which occurred in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s.

On Sunday at 9:35 p.m., during a routine security check, a sheriff's deputy found Whitehurst unresponsive in his cell. Additional jail and nursing staff responded, and EMS was called. Richmond Ambulance Authority (RAA) arrived on the scene at 9:41 p.m., but found no signs of life, and contacted the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.