Collegiate’s Krystian Williams is breaking records
Krystian Williams runs and jumps like he has rockets in his sneakers and coils in his knees.
Funeral traditions changed – maybe permanently – by COVID-19
John E. Thomasson was a hero in his hometown. As a member of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors, he was the first African-American elected to public office in the county. Across 98 years, he built a successful realty company, helped to save mortgages, paid for college scholarships and owned the local funeral home for 53 years, where he oversaw the burials of thousands of Virginians. When he died of an age-related illness on July 22, there was hardly anyone in Louisa County who had not been touched by his life. Other than his wife of more than 65 years, the Rev. Christine Thomasson, there is likely no one who knows his impact better than his successor, D.D. Watson Jr., who was handpicked by Mr. Thomasson to purchase and take over his funeral home business in 2004. And yet upon the death of Mr. Thomasson—a businessman, philanthropist, politician and public servant whose life and work was recognized this year in a proclamation from the Virginia Senate—the largest single gathering in his honor held barely 12 people. That’s because of government-imposed safety restrictions on public gatherings because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shirley Rasberry, local seamstress, dies at 80
Shirley Mae Rasberry was a popular Richmond seamstress, her family said.
Personality: Navi Johnson
Spotlight on founder of RVA Black Farmers Market
For many, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to difficult times. For Navi Johnson, it was the impetus for a new public space for African-Americans.
Rejected casino group threats legal challenge to city selection process
Dennis Cotto has spent much of his adult life fighting legal battles.
President Biden promotes education spending at Virginia stops
President Joe Biden traveled Monday to Yorktown and Portsmouth to promote his plans to increase spending on education and children, part of his $1.8 trillion families proposal announced last week.
On the battlefield:
City schools, agencies and government work to find strategies to combat gun violence
South Richmond residents are preparing to bury a mother and her infant daughter, two of the latest victims of a spate of indiscriminate violence that has left families devastated and in tears over the unnecessary loss life.
Free Press wins big at VPA awards
The Richmond Free Press received top honors in the 2020 Virginia Press Association News and Advertising Contest, capturing Best in Show awards for both writing and photography among all non-daily newspapers across the state for coverage of the social justice demonstrations that swept the city last summer and the resulting removal of Confederate statues.
Jackpot?
Councilman Michael Jones defends $5,000 campaign contribution from potential casino operator
A key figure in the competition to develop a Richmond casino was an early contributor to 9th District City Councilman Michael J. Jones’ now ended campaign for the House of Delegates.
Holding police officers accountable, by Dr. Ronald Fraser
Since 1871, the Civil Rights Act has held state and local officials, including police officers, legally liable for damages if their actions violated a citizen’s constitutional rights.
Transforming police must come from bottom up, by Ben Jealous
Hearing the words “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty.” in Derek Chauvin’s murder trial brought millions of Americans a feeling of relief. But that relief was incomplete.
GOP postures as party of working people, by Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
The debate over President Biden’s $2 trillion American Infrastructure Plan is heating up — and getting more and more unhinged. Republicans are railing against the president for asking for too much. They promise a filibuster against the bill unless there is a bipartisan agreement on their terms.
Denying our humanity
It has been more than 400 years since the first Black people arrived in Virginia on the shores of what would become the United States of America. And more than 400 years later, we are still fighting for recognition of our humanity.
’Breathing Places’ exhibit opens May 5 at The Valentine
Did you know that Capitol Square, the popular green space that surrounds the State Capitol building, was developed by the City of Richmond in 1804 as its first park?
Rookie Yermin Mercedes sets major league record
It took Yermin Mercedes 11 years to work his way up to the big leagues. And when the green light finally arrived, he hit the gas and sped into the spotlight.
NSU wants new football coach to bring Southern U. magic
Norfolk State University hopes Coach Dawson Odums can do for the Spartans what he did for the Southern University Jaguars.
1st Black player drafted by NFL in 1949
With the 129th pick of the 1949 NFL draft, the Chicago Bears made history by selecting George Taliaferro from Indiana University.
Clarence Wall, administrator at Central State Hospital, dies at 86
Clarence Edward Limas Wall, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and former director of hospital programs at Central State Hospital, has died. The Richmond native died Sunday, April 18, 2021. He was 86.
