Personality: Alycia Wright
Spotlight on Cultural Roots Homeschool Cooperative’s director, founder
Alycia and Steven Wright began homeschooling their children about a decade ago. While their two eldest daughters attended Richmond Montessori School — Alexandra until the fourth grade and Jordan for kindergarten — their younger daughters, Kennedy and Stevie, have always been homeschooled. Mrs. Wright says because there is no separation between learning and education, the family is able to be “life learners with no limits.”
Shattered wings
City cuts bird-safe glass from new community centers
As plans for three new community centers in Richmond took shape, an internal City Hall review committee recommended that the windows and glazing on the buildings be designed in a way that would reduce the risk of birds being killed by smashing into them. However, without any explanation, Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration rejected the modest change that the Urban Design Committee (UDC) sought.
Control of the state legislature, a casino in Richmond top ballots in coming elections
Abortion, clean energy, public education funding and state tax policy will all be on the ballot in the upcoming election for the General Assembly.
Filmmaker finds his passion while fighting for his life
Nile Price uncovered his passion for film from a hospital bed.
National audiences watch VUU crush Morehouse 45-13
Virginia Union University’s Panthers weren’t blinded by the bright lights. Playing in front of national TV (NFL Network) and radio (Westwood One) audiences, the squad was up for the challenge – and then some.
Tenants rally against poor maintenance
‘Housing is a human right! That is why we stand and fight’
Patrick Saddon is supposed to have central air conditioning in his Chamberlayne Avenue apartment. But for the past two years, Mr. Saddon said his air conditioning unit hasn’t worked. He said that he has received visits from maintenance staff, but nothing changes.
Heads up for a head start?
$19M from projected Casino revenue proposed for child care needs
An already short supply of child care operations could soon grow worse in Richmond and across the country, experts say. But the good news is City Hall has a solution, even though it could take three years to fully come to fruition.
McConnell tries to reassure colleagues about his health, vows to serve out term as Senate GOP leader
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell declared again Wednesday that he plans to finish his term as leader despite freezing up at two news conferences over the summer, brushing off questions about his health as he sought to reassure colleagues he’s still up to the job.
Coming full faith circle
New pastor at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist
The Rev. Donté McCutchen has taken the pulpit at Greater Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, adding to an already busy schedule.
Personality: Angela Kelly-Wiecek
Spotlight on board chair of Richmond Region Tourism
It’s easy to tell Angela Kelly- Wiecek loves the Richmond region. The Hanover County resident was born in Petersburg and lived for a time in Chesterfield as a teen. She also has served as the Chickahominy District Representative on the Hanover County Board of Supervisors since 2011. Those combined experiences, including her current role as board chair for Richmond Region Tourism, have provided what Ms. Kelly-Wiecek describes as a “regional perspective.”
City’s new homeless services plan includes opening North Side shelter, working with Salvation Army
City Hall has rolled out a revamped plan for helping people who have no shelter. The plan includes opening a housing resource center to better connect the homeless with housing options, expanding year-round shelter beds and providing a temporary space for people to sleep during winter, summer and heavy rains.
A congressman’s cookout
When 3rd District Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) hosted his first Labor Day cookout in 1977, about 50 people showed up. This year the popular annual gathering in Newport News at Rep. Scott’s family home drew more than 1,100 people.
City Council weighs employee pension proposal
City Hall is proposing that new employees be enrolled in the state’s pension system effective Jan. 1, according to a lengthy report City Council received Tuesday.
No, Donald, you’re not being persecuted like the Scottsboro Boys, by Amy Goodman and Denis Moynihan
The Scottsboro Boys were victims of racism; Donald Trump, conversely, has long been known for his racism
“War Is Peace, Freedom Is Slavery, Ignorance Is Strength.” So wrote George Orwell in 1984, his famous dystopian novel about authoritarian- ism. The book gave us the term “Orwellian,” describing situations where facts are ignored, truth is turned on its head, and 2+2=5. Now, almost 75 years after its publication, the United States is confronting its own brush with authoritarianism, by prosecuting former President Trump for his attempt to seize power after losing the 2020 election.
Help for elderly homeowners who are delinquent in paying taxes
City Hall has come up with a new way to help elderly homeowners who have fallen far behind in paying real estate taxes that have overwhelmed their fixed- income budgets.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Middle Peninsula genealogy group to host virtual talk ‘Tracing Our Ancestors’
Historian and genealogist Karice Luck-Brimmer will discuss “Tracing Our Ancestors’ Footprints” and how Black people can reclaim their heritage during a virtual meeting of the Middle Peninsula African- American Genealogical and Historical Society on Saturday at 11 a.m.
UR presents African Film Weekend
Mati Diop was initially disappointed when she, by reading a news article, discovered that she was the first Black female filmmaker in the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious competi- tion in its 72-year history.
Regional transportation alliance elects new leadership
Chesterfield County Supervisor Christopher M. Winslow and Hanover County Supervisor W. Canova Peterson will lead the Richmond Regional Transportation Planning Organization for the 2024 fiscal year.
Opening set for GRTC’s new $2.2M transfer station
GRTC will officially cut the ribbon to open its new $2.2 million Downtown transfer station at 8th and Clay streets on Monday, Sept. 11.
