Good morning, RVA: Drizzlier than normal

Warmer, drizzlier, with even better days on the way.

March 19, 2014; 7:04 AM • by Ross Catrow

Good morning, RVA! It’s 37 °F at the moment with today’s highs expected in the 50s–which is a heckuva lot warmer than yesterday’s icy disaster of a forecast. This afternoon there’s a good chance of an extended drizzle, so plan accordingly with coats or umbrellas or however you roll. Later this week things start to look surprisingly spring-like.

The kids are, blessedly, all going to school today.

Water cooler

Richmond City’s Planning Commission approved Venture Richmond’s updated and slightly smaller plan for an outdoor amphitheater to host one of the larger Folk Festival stages. The new plan eliminates any use of city-owned property on or north of the remains of the Kanawha Canal.

VCU Health System’s Authority Board of Directors voted yesterday to begin “formal discussions with interested parties that could lead to an independent, free-standing children’s hospital in Richmond.” This is an update to their previous position that any free-standing children’s hospital would need to be affiliated with VCU.

VCU Athletics announced that sharpshooter Melvin Johnson, the Atlantic 10’s Sixth Man of the Year, has a sprained knee and is doubtful for Friday’s game against Stephen F. Austin. No torn ACL = fantastic news!

The NCAA Tournament began last night with the first two of the four “play-in” games. Mount St. Mary’s, coached by former VCU assistant Jamion Christian, fell to Albany; and Xavier fell to NC State. Brackets lock on Thursday, so you’ve got one more day to agonize over all your picks and just how far VCU will go.