Jackie Robinson fêted for football too
When football fans file into the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on New Year’s Day, they’ll be greeted by an exciting addition — a 7-foot-tall bronze statue of Jackie Robinson.
Black family gets apology 40 years later from KKK member turned priest
A former Ku Klux Klan member who burned a cross on a black couple’s lawn 40 years ago, before becoming a Roman Catholic priest, has finally written his victims an apology.
Hanukkah continues through Dec. 20
Public menorah lightings for the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah are planned around the world in locations ranging from ski towns and Caribbean islands to famous landmarks and sports arenas.
Rev. Curtis W. Harris, civil rights activist, 1st black Hopewell mayor, dies at 93
The Rev. Curtis W. Harris Sr. devoted his life to battling the racism and bigotry that oppressed African-Americans in Hopewell and across Virginia.
Simeon Booker, ‘dean of black journalists,’ succumbs at 99
Simeon S. Booker Jr. never lived in Richmond during his nearly 100 years on Earth. Still, at the height of his career, it seemed he was always in town somewhere.
Personality: Vinara L. Mosby
Spotlight on organizer of RVA Entrepreneurs
Endless possibilities and a spirit of giving drive the RVA Entrepreneurs. The organization was created in June by a handful of people in a variety of fields who are eager to share knowledge gleaned from a combined 100 years-plus of experience.
City Council OKs money for raises, Church Hill North project
Most city employees will receive fatter paychecks this Friday, Dec. 15, while construction of the first 105 apartments will be able to move ahead on the site of the former Armstrong High School off Nine Mile Road in the East End.
ACA health insurance deadline is Friday
Open enrollment for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, ends this week. Enrollment Virginia, a nonprofit that helps people sign up, noted that applications must be filed by midnight Friday, Dec. 15. This is less time than last year because of President Trump’s action to reduce the sign-up period.
Revamped bulk trash collection to begin Dec.18
A new program that aims to create a cleaner Richmond will launch Monday, Dec. 18. Under the program, the city’s Department of Public Works staff and trucks will begin collecting every two weeks brush, small tree limbs and many other items that do not fit into a Supercan, according to Bobby Vincent, director of Public Works.
CHIP remains on danger list
A state agency began sending out notices this week to thousands of families about the impending loss of health insurance for their children. The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services began issuing the notices Tuesday amid waning hopes that the Republican-controlled Congress will extend funding beyond the end of December for the Children’s Health Insurance Program, or CHIP, before leaving Washington for the holiday recess.
Gov. McAuliffe, end new Jim Crow voter suppression tactic
Imagine a wonderful parting gift from Gov. Terry McAuliffe. Imagine if Gov. McAuliffe put an end to Virginia’s strange and inexplicable participation in a GOP voter suppression trick that reeks of Jim Crow. Since 2013, this stealth voter purge program has cost tens of thousands of Virginians of color their right to vote. It’s called Interstate Crosscheck.
REAL LIFE Community Center extends jail program into the city
Amid his preparations to leave office, Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. opened a new nonprofit center in Downtown this week aimed at helping people address addiction, anger and other challenges to enable them to stay out of jail.
Possible security breach prompts RRHA to suspend convenience store payment sites
For the past few years, Lillie Estes has gone to a Richmond convenience store to pay the rent on her Gilpin Court apartment. But Monday, she found that her landlord, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, had ended that convenience. “RRHA is supposed to give us 30 days notice. They didn’t do that. Instead, they just shut down the service,” said Ms. Estes, one of thousands of affected tenants.
Former Highland Park supermarket appears slated for a Family Dollar
A former supermarket in Highland Park appears to be on track to become the next Family Dollar location. S&K Supermarket has been closed since late summer. The property where it was located, 1404 E. Brookland Park Blvd., now has a new owner, Twin Rivers Capital of Charleston, S.C., that seeks property for Family Dollar and other national companies.
Interest mounts in Coliseum replacement
City Hall is finding significant interest as its seeks developers to replace the Richmond Coliseum and undertake other developments in Downtown.
Why is Hampton leaving MEAC?
Re “HU exits MEAC for Big South Conference,” Free Press Nov. 22-25 edition:
Footprint of Main Street Station, planned slave memorial
Re “Opponents fear Main Street Station plans will run over slave memorial,” Free Press Nov. 30-Dec. 2 edition:
Don’t sleep on judgeships
Two people reported to work at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Nov. 27, both expecting to lead the bureau. Leandra English, who had been chief of staff to former Director Richard Cordray (he resigned before Thanksgiving to return to Ohio to run for governor), was appointed to the director position by her old boss.
Observing World AIDS Day
“Let us also continue to ensure that our nation responds aggressively and humanely to the needs of people living with HIV and AIDS. Throughout this epidemic, community organizations have taken the lead in the struggle against the disease and in efforts to provide compassionate care to those in need. Across this country and around the globe, generous people perform miracles every day — holding a hand, cooling a fever, listening and understanding. Let us further support their efforts to build a better world by strengthening the partnership between communities and government in the work to stop AIDS.” – President Clinton in 1995 in recognition of World AIDS Day
