City Council enters new year eyeing new leadership
Fourth District City Councilwoman Kristen M. Nye is anticipated to be the new president of Richmond’s governing body. Next Tuesday, Jan. 2, City Council will hold its organizational meeting to vote on new officers following the departure of Dr. Michael J. Jones.
New Year closing schedule
In observance of New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, please note the following:
Sharon Baptist Church hosts New Year’s Emancipation Day Service
One Jan. 1, 1863, as the Civil War raged, President Abraham Lincoln took the momentous step of abolishing slavery in Virginia and other Southern states that were fighting to break away from the United States. That watershed moment in American history once again will be celebrated in Richmond on New Year’s Day at a service sponsored by the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity at a new location.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Prayers, encouragement at City Jail
The 7th Annual Day of Grace, Faith & Hope will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, at the Richmond City Justice Center, 1701 Fairfield Way, it has been announced.
AMC Theatres issues apology, talks with Barber, will meet next week in Greenville after he was forced to leave over chair
AMC Theatres has issued a statement of apology and will meet with Bishop William J. Barber II after he was escorted out of its Greenville theater when he was not allowed to use his own chair to watch a movie, according to WNCT 9 television in Greenville, N.C.
A Year in Photos
Communities are defined as a unified body of individuals, people with common interests living in a particular area, a body of persons of common and professional interests scattered through a larger society, or a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic and political interest. Throughout the year, Richmond Free Press photojournalists’ diligently pursue and capture such images that are reflective of our communities.
Virginia Tech’s Brooks is halfway to 1,000 wins
Coach and women’s team think like champions, play like champions
Kenny Brooks has lifted Virginia Tech women’s basketball to new heights, and he’s far from finished.
CFP has a Southern drawl
Officially, it’s the College Football Playoff. Unofficially it’s been the “Southern Showdown.”
Despite defendants’ inability to pay court fees, many still incur costs
“Anyone charged with a crime that can result in jail or prison time is entitled to legal representation. In the familiar line from the Miranda warning, “You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you.”
On probation
VUU has a year to meet financial accreditation standards
Virginia Union University remains optimistic of lifting the dark cloud that hangs over its accreditation – a key requirement for its students to access federal student loans – despite record enrollment, a strengthened academic program and increased donations.
Homeless people who died on U.S. streets are increasingly remembered at winter solstice gatherings
With his gap-tooth smile, hip-hop routines and volunteer work for a food charity, Roosevelt White III was well known in the downtown Phoenix tent city known as “The Zone.”
Personality: Wonnease Rhone
Spotlight on 5 Loaves founder and executive director
For as long as she remembers, Wonnease Rhone has provided food — particularly hot soup and sandwiches — to people in need.
Black American solidarity with Palestinians is rising and testing long-standing ties to Jewish allies
Cydney Wallace, a Black Jewish community activist, never felt compelled to travel to Israel, though “next year in Jerusalem” was a constant refrain at her Chicago synagogue.
Retired educator Eva W. Hicks remembered
Eva Mae Wilkins Hicks, whose career as a teacher and guidance counselor for Richmond Public Schools spanned nearly 45 years, has died.
Miller and son are dynamic duo at VSU
Toddler steals hearts of basketball team and fans
Amesha Miller is more than just a student-athlete at Virginia State University. She’s that rare student-athlete and mother.
Capital City Kwanzaa Festival is Dec. 30
The Elegba Folklore Society is bringing Black-centered holiday cheer, with the return of the annual Capital City Kwanzaa Festival on Saturday, Dec. 30, in Exhibit Hall B of the Greater Richmond Convention Center from 1 to 7 p.m.
Richmond church gains $1.25M mental health program grant
A historic East End church has been awarded $1.25 million from the Lilly Endowment to promote mental health and hire psychologists and other professionals to serve congregants and the community.
GRTC to upgrade service on Jan. 14 on four routes
GRTC will ring in the new year with service improvements on four routes, including the Pulse rapid-transit line.
