Harry and Meghan have a royal baby
And his name is Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex whose fairytale wedding last year garnered international headlines, gave birth to a 7 pound 3 ounce boy at 5:26 a.m. Monday.
Prayers for peace
Imam Irfan Ali Shah of the Islamic Center of Henrico offers prayers in remembrance of the victims of the Easter Sunday bombings at three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka that claimed the lives of more than 250 people and wounded 500 others.
Homes for the homeless
The expanded New Clay House, seen here, is one of the largest residential developments in the city for people experiencing homelessness. Originally opened 27 years ago with 47 tiny rooms, Virginia Supportive Housing, which owns the complex, has spent the past year overhauling the interior of the units at Clay and Harrison streets. The New Clay House now has 80 studio apartments, including 67 units for the formerly homeless and 13 affordable apartments for low-income people. Cost: $19 million.
Real estate tax hike proposal and duplicity
Some public officials with admirable objectives are being less than straight with this town as it relates to the proposed real estate tax increase. They are pretending that if residents agree to this tax increase, we are in the clear.
‘Here’s to you, Mr. Robinson’
Letters to the Editor
Kudos to Rodney A. Robinson, the teacher at Virgie Binford Education Center located inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, for being named the 2019 National Teacher of the Year. He is the first Richmond Public Schools teacher to obtain this honor.
Wisdom from ancestral warriors
In 1619, 400 years ago, the first African captives were brought to what is now Virginia. Since that time, many of our courageous ancestral warriors — men and women — have fought against the physical and psychological terrorism inflicted by the proponents of white supremacy and racism.
Eliminate demeanment
Black women in Houston and across the nation began preparing to use our political power during a recent event held at Texas Southern University. Presidential candidates attended to begin a conversation with black women regarding what’s important to us and what we’re looking for from candidates in 2020.
The ‘next big thing’
We congratulate singer-songwriter Pharrell Williams, whose creative genius, perseverance and open spirit led to the successful “Something in the Water” festival last weekend in Virginia Beach.
City budget, the high road
We are anxious to read the details of Richmond City Council’s proposed $746 million budget plan for 2019-2020, which is up for a final vote on Monday, May 13.
2019 commencement speakers announced
It’s graduation season for Virginia’s colleges and universities. This is a time for inspiring commencement speeches, proud parents and cheering graduates. Politicians, celebrities and outstanding students are scheduled as speakers to motivate the Class of 2019.
HU Marching Force invited to 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Forget the floats and the cartoon character balloons. The Hampton University Marching Force will perform in the 2020 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The surprise announcement was made Monday to an excited group of student band members on the waterfront campus.
Local designer ties down sneaker line
Sneakers have gone from the basketball court to the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Forget paying $75 to $130 for a pair bearing Michael Jordan’s name. Think, instead, of shelling out $500 to $1,200 for a pair of sneakers from Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Versace or other renowned fashion houses.
America’s ‘national pastime’ forges bonds, records between fathers and sons
Baseball has been said to be a “daddy’s game.” Find a talented player and, more often than not, you’ll find a father or strong father figure closely linked to the youngster’s success.
Toronto Raptors ready to claw victory from the 76ers
With the slogan “We the North,” the Toronto Raptors threaten to change the NBA’s initials to the IBA — International Basketball Association. The league’s lone Canadian franchise had the NBA’s second best regular season record this season (58-24), behind the Milwaukee Bucs, and is tops overall over the last two seasons (117-47).
Kenny Easley among 10 to be inducted into Virginia High School Hall of Fame
Kenny Easley, considered among the greatest athletes in state history, is among five athletes named to the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
VSU Coach Lonnie Blow wins Clarence ‘Big House’ Gaines Coach of the Year Award
Coach Lonnie Blow’s success at Virginia State University has drawn national acclaim. The Trojans basketball coach has received the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Coach of the Year Award by the National Sports Media Association. The award is presented to the most outstanding men’s basketball coach in NCAA Division II.
‘Something in the Water’
“Something in the Water,” the weekend music festival in Virginia Beach pioneered by that city’s own nationally known singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams, drew more than 50,000 happy people to the oceanfront for the first-of-its-kind event in Hampton Roads.
Richmonder Ferrell raids No. 4 spot in NFL draft, headed to Oakland
Burdened with the NFL’s most anemic pass rush, the Oakland Raiders have turned to a Richmonder for first aid. The Raiders drafted former Benedictine College Preparatory school and Clemson University defensive end Clelin Ferrell in the first round as the fourth overall pick during the NFL draft last week in Nashville.
Volunteer cleanup Saturday at Evergreen Cemetery
Members of Richmond Masonic Lodge #65, F&AM, will host a public day of cleanup at historic Evergreen Cemetery in the city’s East End, it has been announced.
RISC receives federal grant to assist with community effort
A coalition of 20 Richmond area Christian and Jewish congregations that focuses on social justice has been awarded a $144,000 federal grant ahead of its annual meeting where the faith-based coalition will press for changes in eviction policy and for proven reading and trauma response programs in schools.
