
Justin Tillman leads Rams to overtime win over Dayton
Virginia Commonwealth University basketball Coach Mike Rhoades says the Rams’ motto this season is “it takes what it takes.”

African dance company eyeing former Jackson Ward church building
Could the vacant former Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward become a performing arts center for an African dance company and other arts groups?

Dr. Grace E. Harris, whose leadership helped transform VCU, dies at 84
Grace Edmondson Harris was rejected when she first sought admission to what is now Virginia Commonwealth University because she was African-American.

Battinto L. Batts Sr., former director of cooperative education at VSU, dies at 70
Battinto Leroy “Tunky” Batts Sr. helped hundreds of Virginia State University students graduate and find their career paths.

Flags at half-staff in memory, honor of Dr. Walker
Virginia’s state flag will be flown at half-staff over the Capitol and throughout the commonwealth in honor of the late civil rights icon Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker.

Personality: Rashad J. Seaborne
Spotlight on ‘Strong Men & Strong Women’ student essay winner
African-American teens are avid learners, like to learn and are America’s future. We all just have to be good human beings and know how to respect and treat others

New superintendent works to engage, build trust with school community
Superintendent Jason Kamras finished his first full week as the new head of Richmond Public Schools fielding a round of tough questions from about 50 teachers, staff and administrators at Broad Rock Elementary School.

Dialysis transfer up in the air for Ora Lomax
Ora M. Lomax expects to be transferred to another dialysis clinic, but it won’t be DaVita Dialysis Henrico in the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center as she first expected.

Petersburg votes to rename Confederate schools
The Confederate names on three Petersburg public schools are coming down. The Petersburg School Board voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to rename the schools following a series of public meetings, a public hearing and survey of Petersburg teachers, students, families, school employees and the public.

Salsa classes may offer wider lessons
Is salsa coming to Richmond Public Schools? Attorney Brent A. Jackson is pushing to make it happen.

Virginia closer to legalizing marijuana for all medical uses
Virginia inched closer to greatly expanding medical marijuana use last week after legislation passed the state Senate with unanimous support — three days after its companion bill was approved by the House of Delegates. SB 726, which passed the Senate 38-0 on Feb. 5, would let doctors issue certifications for patients to use cannabis oil to treat the symptoms of diagnosed conditions or diseases. The measure is now before the House Courts of Justice Committee.

Presidents’ Day schedule
In observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 19, please note the following: Government

Symbolism fills official portraits of Obamas
They have been called “stunning,” “compelling,” “powerful” and “unexpected.” And now, the official portraits of former President Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, will be on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

Feeding schools’ budget
City Council approves 1.5% meals tax hike for schools construction
On July 1, people dining out in Richmond will pay an extra 1.5 percent in tax on their prepared meals. The projected extra $9 million in annual tax revenue will be used to repay $150 million the city plans to borrow to build up to four new schools in Church Hill and South Side to replace aging and decaying buildings.

Richmond native’s business has all eyes on Oprah
Oprah Winfrey has taken her look to the next level, thanks to Yolanda James, a Richmond native and eyewear boutique owner in downtown Washington.

Richmonder takes tech talent for transportation across country
Transportation planning used to involve a lot of educated guesswork on how, when and where people drive in cities and the countryside.

From home, Virginians can keep an eye on legislators
It may not offer the drama of “House of Cards,” but an initiative at the Virginia Capitol is lifting the curtain on the workings of the General Assembly.

Crusade for Voters to hold forum Feb. 20 on proposed meals tax hike
The Richmond Crusade for Voters on Wednesday urged Richmond City Council to delay for two weeks a vote on raising the meals tax to allow the organization hold a community forum on the proposal.

Former owner of WCLM radio settles, withdraws lawsuit
Preston T. Brown is ending his legal fight with his partners who bought the former WCLM-1450 AM radio station he co-owned and operated for 21 years.