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Richmond council approves grants to help damaged businesses

RICHMOND, Va. — The Richmond City Council has approved a $500,000 initiative to help businesses, nonprofits and other commercial properties that were damaged during recent protests.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the council green-lit the Businesses Recovery Grant Program Monday with a 7-2 vote.

A city official says the money comes from repaid loans and interest, and unspent funds from a city program.

The grants will be given to approved applicants to cover repair costs for buildings damaged during the demonstrations against police brutality and racism.

The funds are capped at $10,000. Applications will open on Thursday.

Fairfax County firefighters come home after assisting Colombia earthquake victims

Ten Fairfax County firefighters who are part of Virginia Task Force 1 returned late Thursday from helping coordinate a rescue effort after the devastating earthquake in Colombia. Family members greeted the team as they arrived in Chantilly Thursday night. A young girl held a sign that read "Welcome Home Daddy." For Andy Kassavetis, this was his first mission with Task Force 1, and seeing the devastation in Colombia put some things into perspective for him. He said he saw firsthand "how impactful an event can be on a community. It makes you think about, you know, really when you come home sharing the love with the people around you and letting them know you’re there with them, because things can change really quickly.”
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