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A/C units break at Arthur Ashe Center
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Bonuses for state workers appear more likely

Local companies to offer resources for veterans

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Wednesday, May 16th, 2012, 5:25pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Richmond is going all out to honor vets returning from the Iraq War. A welcome home parade now has a sponsor and several local employers are jumping on board.

One veteran is trying to help others get jobs. Robin Beres retired from the Navy after 24 years back in 2004. She said the transition to civilian life wasn't always easy.

"There's worry about a job," Beres said. "For 24 years basically I had a job. I had job security."

She had to look for a job for the first time in nearly a quarter of a century. But she's one of the lucky ones. She found a job quickly.

"It was easy enough for us," she said. "But it's a whole 'nother story nowadays."

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VCU officially announces move to Atlantic-10 Conference

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 10:34pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Richmond, VA (WWBT)- VCU will join the Atlantic 10 Conference in all sports effective July 1, 2012, VCU President Michael Rao announced Tuesday.

NBC12 sources confirmed the move Monday. Rao officially announced the decision at an afternoon press conference at the Siegel Center Tuesday.

"VCU believes the A-10 represents the best opportunity to meet our long-term aspirations for national academic and athletic achievement," said Rao. "As a Division I, nationally competitive athletics program, it is critical that VCU seizes the opportunity to further elevate its athletics as it raises its overall academic profile as a national research university."

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A/C units break at Arthur Ashe Center

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 5:39pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Some local groups planing events at the Arthur Ashe Center may have to find someplace else to go.

Heading into the summer, the facility is down three to four air conditioners, and the money to fix them just isn't there.

The Ashe Center is under the jurisdiction of the Richmond School System, which is already fighting a budget shortfall. $800,000 for air conditioners isn't on the list.

One school spokesperson, Steven Bolton, responded in an e-mail, "with our current budget restraints, we cannot give a time frame with regard to replacing the units."

Goochland High School planned to hold its graduation here in two weeks. It just found out about the problem Friday. Now, it's moving to the Landmark Theatre. Other events, including a CPR training session, and a public schools health fair must find a new venue.

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Bonuses for state workers appear more likely

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Tuesday, May 15th, 2012, 9:22am

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- It appears that state employees are more likely to get their 3% bonus.

A budget amendment that would've made the bonus more difficult for state workers to get went down in the strongest way possible — a unanimous vote that effectively kills it.

The final vote left no doubt about it. At 95 to 0, the amendment barely stood a chance.

Del. Jennifer McClellan had been hearing the complaints.

"State employees sort of felt like they were smacked in the face," said McClellan (D-Richmond).

The idea — authored by Governor Bob McDonnell — was to tie a one-time 3% bonus exclusively to state savings instead of state revenues. But in order to qualify for the bonus, state agencies would've had to find millions in savings by the end of June.

Not enough time, said the unusually unified House of Delegates.

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City spends taxpayer dollars to replace bike symbols

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 5:33pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The city's mistake means thousands of taxpayer dollars will go towards replacing bike symbols along one stretch of road.

Back in December, crews installed the bike signs along Meadow Street between Broad and Main streets, but they did part of the job wrong. Now, it's costing your money to fix the problem.

The city said some of the bike symbols are too close to the curb, in the door zone. That means, if someone rides through on a bike, a car door could easily open and hit that person. Neighbors said it's dangerous riding a bike along Meadow street. 

"Oh yeah, sometimes you have people going what seems like 40 miles per hour," said Andy Katt.

Cyclists said they're glad the city put these signs out here to warn drivers of all the people riding their bikes. Max Waldron said he doesn't like the idea of the city spending $4,000 to fix the problem.

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Sources: VCU leaving CAA for Atlantic-10

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Monday, May 14th, 2012, 3:14pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- VCU will leave the Colonial Athletic Association and join the Atlantic-10 conference, sources confirm to NBC12.

An official announcement could come as early as tomorrow. The university is still working out the logistics about what year the change in conferences will go into effect.

VCU becomes the second CAA school to leave this year, joining Georgia State, who left for the Sun Belt conference. Old Dominion University is rumored to be considering leaving for Conference-USA.

Butler recently announced it will also join the A-10, leaving the Horizon League.

George Mason University announced it was staying in the CAA Friday. The A-10 lost Temple to the Big East and Charlotte to Conference USA. 

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

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VCU hikes tuition and fees nearly 4%

Submitted by NBC12 News Staff
Friday, May 11th, 2012, 7:06pm

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Prepare to pay more! The cost of tuition just went up at VCU.

The Board of Visitors unanimously approved a $920 million budget for 2012-2013.

It includes a tuition hike.

For the upcoming school year in-state undergraduate students will shell out an extra $368 a year.  

The increase is the smallest at VCU in more than decade.

Despite what's being called a modest increase some students are not happy their education will cost more.

"I hate to hear that tuition is going up," said student Christine Dillion.

Jonathan Walker is a rising senior -- with check in hand he's headed to pay for a summer class.

"Summer tuition is $1,169. It's a little much for one class in my opinion.  My family will pay it but it's a real burden on them," said Walker.

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