Review: A different kind of underdog story in ‘Air’
The new movie “Air” is technically about a shoe. There is nothing especially extraordinary about this shoe. As the Q-like Nike designer Peter Moore (Matthew Maher) explains, the last significant change to footwear was made some 600 years ago when the decision was made to differentiate the right and left feet. The Air Jordan is, at the end of the day, just another shoe.
City police officer convicted for vehicle fatalities
Richmond Police Officer Richard Johnson was responding to a burglary call on April 7, 2022, when he ran a red light and slammed into a car advancing on the green light at Bells and Castlewood roads in South Side. The crash resulted in the deaths of the two teenage occupants, Jeremiah Ruffin, 18, and Tracey Williams, 19, and left the officer with a traumatic brain injury. Now Officer Johnson is facing prison time as a result of those deaths.
Harry Belafonte, activist and entertainer, dies at 96
Harry Belafonte, the civil rights and entertainment gi- ant who began as a groundbreaking actor and singer and became an activist, humanitarian and conscience of the world, has died. He was 96.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Wilson breaks college record
Former Richmond-area athlete Britton Wilson has raced to the top in the NCAA track and field record book.
City builds Confederate shrine for sole citizen’s use
A resident asked for it. That’s why the Richmond Department of Public Utilities spent upward of $16,000 to create a shrine to Confederate soldiers on the grounds of a utility substation located in the 2400 block of Wise Street in South Side, according to City Hall’s No. 2 official.
VSHF’s first regional version will debut in 2024, highlight local inductees
A regional version of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame is coming to Henrico County in the spring of 2024.
Chief sounds off on noise ordinance
The noise ordinance that Richmond City Council passed five months ago replaces criminal charges with significant fines for people who disturb their neighbors with loud parties and audible disruption. It may sound like good intentions, but the new rule is tone deaf on enforcement, according to Acting Police Chief Richard “Rick” Edwards.
Council says ‘no’ to ‘warehouse creep’ proposal
City Council on Monday night rejected a nonprofit housing group’s plan to build a warehouse in South Side to assemble affordable modular replacements for worn-out mobile homes that mostly Latino residents occupy in the city.
E-Cycle Day on the way
If you were inspired by Earth Day to start disposing of your old electronics and unwanted items correctly, here’s your chance to follow through on that idea. On Saturday, May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Richmond residents dispose of electronic and hazardous household waste at the Broad Rock Sports Complex, on 4825 Old Warwick Road.
VSU alumnus to deliver commencement address
Virginia State University announced this year’s spring com- mencement speaker will be Stockton, Calif., city manager and former City of Richmond official Harry Black. Mr. Black, a VCU alumnus, served in several executive postings, including as chief financial officer for the City of Richmond from 2005 to 2008. He has published and presented in subjects such
Fort Lee to be renamed in honor of two Black officers
Fort Lee, named for Confederate leader Robert E. Lee, will take on a new name that honors two Black Army trailblazers. The Prince George county fort will honor Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams, the U.S. Army said in a statement on Tuesday. \
Bench warmers
When statues of traitorous Confederate leaders were removed by concerned volunteers from the public and the remainder by city officials in 2021-2022, it was a good look for the city.
Attacks on Black people cause lasting trauma, by Julianne Malveaux
All Ralph Yarl was trying to do was pick up his siblings in Kansas City. He went to a home on 1100 NE 115th Street instead of 1100 NE 115th Terrace, an understandable mistake that could have been easily rectified had the homeowner, who opened the door with a gun instead, said “wrong address” and provided directions to the right one. Instead, the rabid white man shot the 16-year-old in the head and the arm.
Clarence Thomas does not belong on Supreme Court, by Svante Myrick
It’s been over 30 years since Justice Clarence Thomas was confirmed to the Supreme Court seat once held by the great Thurgood Marshall, and it’s safe to say that his reputation for unethical behavior – which was poor to start with – has only gotten worse.
The Kamala Harris I saw in Africa, by Errin Haines
In many ways, Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Africa in late March and early April was not unlike her stops in cities across the United States: She made a pitch to communities, touted an administration policy backed with funding, and reaffirmed the White House’s commitment to an issue while acknowledging the work left undone. But in every way, it was totally different.
Second grand jury to probe fatal police shooting in Virginia
A prosecutor has requested a special grand jury to investigate the fatal police shooting of an unarmed shoplifting suspect outside a Northern Virginia shopping mall after an earlier grand jury refused to issue an indictment.
Black QBs in hot demand
It looks like a Black quarterback will be selected first in this year’s NFL draft. The question is which Black QB?
Williams brings HBCU talent to Squirrels
HBCU alumni are rare in professional baseball, but the Richmond Flying Squirrels have one.
