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I-95 traffic troubles

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- There were more traffic headaches on Interstate 95 overnight Wednesday. Traffic was down to one lane in each direction near the Boulevard exit after a crane accident Tuesday night.

Utility crews spent Wednesday night cleaning up the mess.  They worked to repair a power line that was hit. Contractors were only doing prep work.  VDOT won't allow them to go back to full-on bridge repair just yet.

It caused a traffic nightmare for drivers and someone is now being held responsible.  The Virginia Department of Transportation told NBC12 a subcontractor moving a crane on a truck backed into an overhead power line.  The crane wasn't operational at the time and no one was hurt, but it clearly wasn't supposed to go like this.

"The fact that a piece of equipment is pretty scary enough," spokeswoman Dawn Eischen said.

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Bonuses for state workers appear more likely

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.

Abandoned senior home causing more problems in Richmond neighborhood

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- People who live in one Richmond neighborhood say an abandoned senior home is causing major problems.  This isn't the first time complaints have been made and now the city is stepping in.

People who live around the former Manor at Woodland Heights have had enough.

"It's very dangerous," says Julia Pfaff, a neighbor.

The grass has gone months without any upkeep and now neighbors say thieves are stealing the air conditioner units making it easy to break in.

"I've seen people sort of hanging around, sort of looking sketchy," says Pfaff. "Sort of waiting until we close our curtains so they can sneak in and something like that."

Her neighbor Buz Bireline says he's filed complaints with the city and is constantly talking to Richmond Police.

"Police have said that they've caught people in there and have made some arrests," he said.

Man shot near Richmond motel following argument

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A man was shot Saturday morning near the Rainbow Motel on Jefferson Davis Highway around 3:30 a.m.

Police said two men were arguing when one man pulled out a gun and shot the other.

The victim is expected to be okay.  The shooter is still on the loose.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Copyright 2012 WWBT NBC12.  All rights reserved.

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City to eliminate trash collection on Fridays

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- Something you do every week could change. Richmond is changing trash pick up days, which could affect tens of thousands of people

City officials say the project has been in the works for two years. It's just one way to cut costs without affecting garbage pick-up for people in the city.

City leaders are shortening the trash collection week. Crews will work four 10-hour days instead of five eight hour days each week. 

The goal is to cut down on overtime and maintenance costs. The city says it could save roughly $200,000. Daniel Black lives in the southside of town.

"I'm glad they're trying to save money," said Black. "They need to as much as possible."

He's always had trash pick-up on Fridays, but he doesn't mind the change. Public Works Spokesperson, Sharon North, says the switch will impact about 25,000 people.

Fired city employee claims project is costing taxpayers millions

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- A former city worker claims a failing city project could cost millions of your tax dollars.  And it's a program meant to save time and money. Now, several City Council members are calling for an audit.

The employee said he was fired for pointing out the problems and asked us to hide his identity.

It's an $18 million project meant to upgrade the city's computer systems. We're told it would help track and monitor the city's money and spending. It would also streamline services and make it more transparent.

In the State of the City, Mayor Dwight Jones called the computer project a "top priority". It also said it will, "streamline financial and administrative function and result in cost reductions." 

The man we interviewed was supposed to help put it in place.

RPD tracks down suspects in April violence

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- After a violent April, Richmond Police announced multiple indictments and arrests which the department says will clear nearly all of the homicides and shootings in the city last month.

Three suspects were arrested and indicted on 53 total charges in connection with a murder and two robbery-related shootings.

Shayleisha Shenelle Winston, Corey James Walters, and Stephen Emanuel Mangrum were rounded up by Richmond Police with the help of several other law enforcement agencies. They're all accused in the murder of Khalfaanii Hasaan Sultaan in the 1700 block of Chicago Ave. on April 9, as well as the shooting and robbery of a man in the 1800 block of North 22nd Street on April 6.

Walters and Mangrum also are charged with shooting and robbing a man and woman in the 700 block of Porter St. on April 16.