The VPM Daily Newscast contains all your Central Virginia news in just 5 to 10 minutes. Episodes are recorded the night before.
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Here’s a recap of the top stories on the morning of May 22, 2023:
Lineworkers find camaraderie, competition at Gaff-n-Go in Doswell
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
The 19th annual Gaff-n-Go Lineworkers’ Rodeo was held at Meadow Event Park in Doswell this past weekend. Lineworkers from cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and military utilities around the country gathered to show off their skills and compete for spots in the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas.
“Safety is always first out here, first and foremost,” said John Lee, CEO of Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative. “But secondly, camaraderie and competition.”
The Virginia Maryland Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives organized the events and represents many of the co-ops that participated, including Mecklenburg. VMDAEC also used the event to gather donations from companies and individuals for its Education Scholarship Foundation.
Virginia State Police allowed to investigate itself through agreement with watchdog agency
Reported by The Associated Press
Late last year, with the Virginia State Police under scrutiny after authorities said a former trooper kidnapped a 15-year-old California girl and killed three members of her family, Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced he had requested a full investigation by the state’s watchdog agency, the Office of the State Inspector General.
But due — at least in part — to a previously existing mutual agreement between state police and the agency, state police appear to have simply investigated the matter themselves.
A memorandum of understanding between state police and OSIG said that in nearly all cases, VSP retains responsibility for “the oversight and conduct of internal investigations of its personnel.”
In other news:
- Brown Grove now listed as a national historic landmark, protecting it from development (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
- With federal inmates gone, Piedmont Regional Jail weighs options (The Farmville Herald)
- Police officer from Virginia charged with lying about leaks to Proud Boys leader (The Virginian-Pilot)
In case you missed it:
- How good are Virginia bridges? Stay calm and keep driving. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)