Parking illegally in Richmond could soon get more expensive. The City Council is set to vote tomorrow on proposals that would increase the rates that towing companies can charge to remove vehicles from private property, as well as the city’s fines for unauthorized parking in handicap zones. The maximum towing fee would be raised to $125 from $65 to match the price allowed under state code. The state rate applies only if localities don’t cap their own rates.

Cynthia I. Newbille easily won a special election for the 7th District seat on Richmond’s City Council. Newbille, a one-time city administration official, was endorsed by Mayor Dwight C. Jones,

Cynthia I. Newbille appeared poised to win yesterday’s special election for the 7th District seat on Richmond City Council. With five of seven precincts reporting, Newbille, a one-time city administration official who was endorsed by Mayor Dwight C. Jones, had 1,162 votes to lead five other candidates vying to represent the city’s East End, according to unofficial totals.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones is jumping in to try to sway next Tuesday’s special election for the open 7th District seat on the City Council. After weeks of speculation, Jones is endorsing Cynthia I. Newbille in the six-candidate race to represent the East End. In a recorded phone message that went to district households Tuesday, Jones encourages people to vote for Newbille. Another round of calls is expected next week.

Bond Kenney Lewis Newbille Powell Robinson The political shuffling that began when Dwight C. Jones was elected Richmond mayor last year will end Nov. 3 with a special election for the 7th District seat on the City Council. Six candidates are vying to represent the East End: Ronald L. Bond, Clarence Kenney, Deanna Lewis, Cynthia I. Newbille, Garry F. Powell and Robin D. Robinson.

The Richmond Slave Trail Commission yesterday released its vision to develop a $100 million to $150 million heritage site in Shockoe Bottom, including a slavery museum, an African-American genealogical center and a glass-enclosed Lumpkin’s Jail archeological site. Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, chairwoman of the commission, emphasized that plans for a 4.5-acre site between Main Street Station and Interstate 95 are preliminary but said she has begun to court prospective directors of a nonprofit to oversee the project. She cited Mayor Dwight C. Jones as a supporter and said someone of national or international prominence would be recruited to lead the project.

A candidate for Richmond City Council says he was fired from his job with the city last week because he’s running for election. Clarence Kenney doesn’t dispute the city code section that prohibits him from being a candidate and employee at the same time—he just wants to know why his job wasn’t an issue when he ran for council last year.

Six candidates met yesterday’s filing deadline to qualify for a special election to fill the 7th District seat on Richmond City Council. Ronald L. Bond, Clarence Kenney, Deanna Lewis, Cynthia I. Newbille, Garry F. Powell and Robin D. Robinson submitted papers with the city registrar’s office to be listed on the Nov. 3 ballot. The 7th District seat was vacated early this year when longtime Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn resigned after winning a special election for the 70th District seat in the House of Delegates. The House seat opened after Dwight C. Jones was elected mayor last fall.

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones has declared himself intrigued by the idea of a Shockoe Bottom with high-speed rail, a bus-transfer center, black heritage sites and a ballpark surrounded by restaurants, residences and other development. But first, he wants to see if it all can fit on several blocks east of Interstate 95. At Jones’ urging, representatives of the proposed Shockoe Center ballpark development and the proposed bus-transfer center at Main Street Station said they’re working to resolve conflicts between their plans.

The Richmond Slave Trail Commission has lined up against a proposed bus transfer center for Main Street Station in Shockoe Bottom. A majority of commission members agreed last week to oppose the $70 million project on the grounds that the related traffic would undermine efforts to commemorate the area’s role in the slave trade, said chairwoman Delores L. McQuinn, a state delegate from Richmond.

If former Richmond Mayor L. Douglas Wilder’s slavery museum is being abandoned in Fredericksburg, some Richmond officials say it’s time to talk about the project—or something like it—for Shockoe Bottom.

Richmond officials aren’t ready to go to bat for a ballpark in Shockoe Bottom, but they are supporting state legislation that could help get it built. With a show of hands, a majority of the Richmond City Council signaled yesterday its support for bills introduced by Del. G. Manoli Loupassi, R-Richmond, and Sen. A. Donald McEachin, D-Henrico.

Twelve candidates are vying for appointment to the open 7th District seat on the Richmond City Council. Those who met yesterday’s filing deadline to represent the city’s East End are Sharon C. Burton, Matthew A. Conrad, Jennie Dotts, John L. Gerner, Clarence Kenney, Cynthia I. Newbille, Samuel Patterson III, Garry Powell, Robin D. Robinson, Betty Squire, B. Keith West and Carletta Wilson.

Delores L. McQuinn moves from the Richmond City Council to the Virginia House of Delegates. The Richmond City Council has only started accepting résumés for its vacant 7th District seat, but one candidate’s recent move into the district and her work there are generating significant attention. Comments posted on the Web site Church Hill People’s News have taken aim at Cynthia Newbille, who is former 7th District Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn’s recommended successor.

Richmond City Councilwoman Delores L. McQuinn concluded her tenure in City Hall last night before she crosses East Broad Street to work in the General Assembly. “I hope that I’ve been instrumental in helping to change the city of Richmond and my district,“ the longtime 7th District councilwoman said. McQuinn is resigning today so she can be sworn in tomorrow to serve the 70th District in the House of Delegates. She won a special election this month to fill the seat vacated when Dwight C. Jones was elected mayor.