Jill Scott, Michael McDonald, Wailers headline Richmond Jazz Fest

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 1:40pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Jill Scott, Michael McDonald, and The Wailers are among several big names coming to the 4th annual Richmond Jazz Festival, organizers announced Tuesday.

The festival has quickly grown to become one of the largest on the East Coast, bringing world-renowned artists alongside local and regional talent. This year's edition will be held August 10 and 11, once again at Maymont with wine tastings, a bistro area, vendors and an artist meet and greet area. A Homegrown at the Hipp event will kick off the festival on August 9 at the Hippodrome Theater.

Click here for the latest Richmond Jazz Festival updates and ticket information

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, with Saturday and Sunday passes selling for $60 each through August 1. Weekend passes are $110 prior to August 1.

Here's the line-up for August 10 and 11:

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State calls for "corrective actions" at juvenile correction centers

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Tuesday, May 7th, 2013, 12:11am

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Your tax dollars are being misused. That was the accusation from a Department of Juvenile Justice whistle blower. She is talking about the way the it treats special needs children.

We got our hands on the results of a state and federal review prompted by that former DJJ employee who spoke out on NBC 12.

Click here to see the DJJ Administrative Review

"I can always get another job," said Kandise Lucas. "These children's lives are dependent on the people who are in these jobs doing what they claim they are going to do."

A wide-ranging review of special education at DJJ includes a full page of 8 recommendations and several pages highlighting areas of non-compliance. Corrective action is demanded.

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12 INVESTIGATES: Stolen cars in Richmond

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Monday, May 6th, 2013, 5:13pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- It's the worst feeling. You walk outside your home and your driveway is empty. Your car? Gone. Thieves sped away with more than 550 vehicles in the city of Richmond last year.

The Honda Accord was the most stolen car in the city last year. The Chevy Impala came in second - a shock to Impala owner Laqwesha Cox.

"I just hope my car don't be stolen," said Cox. "That's all I can say."

Cox lives in Richmond's Fan district, a neighborhood targeted more than any other in the city. 23 cars were stolen in the Fan last year. A Toyota Rav 4 was stolen in the 2400 block of West Main Street, along with six other cars in just a four block radius.

The Blackwell community comes in at number 2. Ginter Park is the third most popular place with thieves. 16 cars were taken, including a Mercedes, a Lexus, Ford Explorer, and a Thunderbird.

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Shockoe Bottom hoping for a safe Cinco de Mayo festival weekend

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 11:05pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Less than two months after a major brawl during Richmond's Shamrock the Block, Shockoe Bottom is gearing up for another big event - the Cinco De Mayo festival this weekend.

People who work and live around here are a bit nervous. The Cinco De Mayo festival is sure to bring in a lot of business and they don't want any trouble.

The brawl happened right in front of Mars Bar in Shockoe Bottom.

"It was kind of frightening," said Mars Bar manager, Justin Novak.

Novak said, this kind of trouble is bad for business:

"We don't want to be viewed our bar, Mars Bar, we don't ever want to be viewed as a place where that kind of thing happens," said Novak

Thousands of people descended in and around the 17th Street Farmer's Market in March and the same is expected on Sunday.

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VCU says it relies on students wasting meal plans

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 11:00pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- According to VCU officials, thousands of meal plans aren't used in their entirety each year. That generates about one-million dollars for the university.

VCU says it actually relies on students not spending their entire meal plan, a plan that's actually required for students who live in dorms, because that money helps pay for the dining program.

Over 9,000 students buy into VCU's dining program. 3,000 of those students live in the dorms and are required to buy one of the university's several meal plans. The other 6,000 are voluntary.

University officials say, there are about 150,000 unused swipes left over at the end of the year.

"All the revenues generated for dining services have to be generated by the meals and meal plan," said Dan McDonald, VCU's Assistant Director for Business Services.

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Police see increase in laser-to-plane incidents

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 6:15pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Police pilots say they're at risk because more and more people are shooting lasers at their planes. Authorities are taking the crime seriously, even pressing federal charges.

Being a police officer you take on a certain amount of risk but the Metro Aviation Unit takes on even more, protecting you from the skies. It has pilots from Richmond, Henrico and Chesterfield. They help with surveillance, pursuits, prisoner transports and traffic control.

But now, the jobs of pilots are being made even more dangerous by the people they're trying to help.

"You're flying along," Officer Shaun McCarthy described. "You're looking at your instruments. On the law enforcement side you're looking out the window, taking pictures, helping the ground units, then all of the sudden our vision is gone. We can't see anything. We're seeing spots."

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VCU student makes new, low-cost, device to repel geese

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff

Friday, May 3rd, 2013, 6:03pm

HENRICO, VA (WWBT)- Neighbors in one Henrico community are one step closer to getting rid of some pesky geese. They've been a problem for years, but now a team from VCU has come up with a new and cheaper way to give neighbors some relief.

VCU student Tarun Sinha developed a device known as the "Goose Unit" back in 2011. The original design cost up to $400, and placed speakers underground to create a sound that would repel geese - but a new version unveiled Friday is less complicated, and less expensive.

In the latest design, a wire vibrates at a frequency known to annoy geese. The device is now being tested at Canterbury Lake, where resident Rebecca Floyd let VCU turn her property into a test lab.

"We love the geese here," Floyd said in an interview Friday. "I don't want them killed or gassed just because people are annoyed with them. This is much more humane."

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