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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VDH continues investigation of Orange County water contamination
Reported by VPM News’ Patrick Larsen
The Virginia Department of Health’s Office of Drinking Water believes it has identified the chemicals that caused residents of eastern Orange County residents to notice an oil-like smell in drinking water late last month — but is still investigating how the chemicals entered the water supply.
The likely cause of the odor, according to ODW director Dwayne Roadcap, is isovanillin, a compound used in pharmaceutical production and food products. Isovanillin is also used in WD-40, which matches anecdotal descriptions of the odor.
Roadcap said officials are attempting to trace isovanillin and two other chemicals identified in laboratory samples to potential contamination points upstream of the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant.
Chesterfield launches meeting series for native Spanish speakers
Reported by VPM News’ Billy Shields
Staff from more than 15 Chesterfield County departments gathered at the Beulah Recreation Center last week to hear from the county’s native Spanish speakers.
The program, “Café con la Comunidad,” was designed to give Chesterfield’s Hispanic residents a chance to interact with county leaders — including Board of Supervisors chair Jim Holland and County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey — in their primary language.
“[Chesterfield is] home to almost half the Latinos in the Greater Richmond region,” said Dalila Medrano, one of the event’s organizers and the multicultural community engagement coordinator for the county. “We feel proud that we’ve been a safe home, and we want to make sure our residents feel connected to the government.”
In other news:
- After bitter GOP primary in this deep-red Virginia district, more anger (The Washington Post)*
- Richmond Ballet is moving performances to the VMFA (Richmond Times-Dispatch)*
In case you missed it:
- Virginia’s top elections official warns of possible delays in mail-in voting this year (Virginia Mercury)
- A century after its last residents moved away, Craig County poor farm gets state recognition (Cardinal News)
- Charlottesville City Attorney Jacob Stroman has retired, exonerated from claims that led to his leave (Charlottesville Tomorrow)
*This outlet utilizes a paywall.
