City Hall cracking down on false burglar, fire alarms
City Hall is about to crack down on false alarms at homes and businesses, including halting police responses to locations that have multiple false alarms. After years of balking, Richmond City Council has given Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration the green light to overhaul the city’s program for dealing with false alarms — with surprising little notice to the public. Among the big changes effective July 1, private property owners with burglar and/or fire alarms will be required to obtain a permit to operate their alarms.
Inmates to mow 4 public parks
City Hall is getting some help to mow down the high grass in its parks, street medians and an array of other public property.
City budget deficit pegged at $4.1M
The City of Richmond is facing a $4.1 million deficit and likely will have to dip into savings to avoid being in the red when the books close June 30 on the current 2015-16 fiscal year. That’s according to Lenora Reid, the city’s chief financial officer.
Va. Supreme Court to hear voting rights restoration challenge July 19
The Virginia Supreme Court will not rush to hear a Republican challenge to Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s April 22 order restoring voting rights to 206,000 felons. In an order issued Wednesday, the seven-member court announced it would sit in special session on Tuesday, July 19, to hear arguments in the case aimed at deciding the governor’s authority to issue a blanket restoration of rights rather than acting on a case-by-case basis.
Va.’s fastest sprinter, Noah Lyles, running in Newport News this weekend
Track fans have one last chance to see in person the fastest sprinter in Virginia High School League history. Noah Lyles, a 5-foot-9 senior at Alexandria’s T.C. Williams High School, is the favorite to win 100-meter dash at this weekend’s state Division 6A meet at Todd Stadium in Newport News.
GOP ‘needs to cease their tireless efforts to deny and restrict folks’ from voting
I must take umbrage with the Republican majority of the General Assembly and its leadership. Once again, this partisan body of legislators has shown that it is more concerned with wasting taxpayers’ dollars in a frivolous lawsuit against Gov. Terry McAuliffe over restoration of voting rights for more than 200,000 individuals rather than providing for the medical care of 400,000 families in the Commonwealth.
Death penalty too good for Roof
Dylann Roof, the unrepentant racist who killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., is — no question — a monster. He prayed with people before reciting racist cants and annihilating people. After his heinous acts, it was discovered that he was a rabid racist who had wrapped himself in the Confederate flag. Does he deserve the death penalty? No.
Recommit to rid nuclear weapons
On May 27, President Obama became the first sitting president to visit Hiroshima, Japan, where, at the end of World War II, the United States became the first and only country to drop an atomic bomb. The president used the occasion to revive attention on the need to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
Lesson from ‘Roots’
The bond of family runs deep in the African-American community. Forty years and a remake have not depreciated that lesson from “Roots,” the television miniseries now playing on cable’s A&E, History and Lifetime channels.
7th Annual Richmond Jazz Festival set for Aug. 11-14
An eclectic mix of Grammy Award winners, world-class singers and musicians and local talent will highlight this year’s Richmond Jazz Festival, sceduled for Aug. 11 through 14.
New ‘Roots’ relevant to new generation
In the history of American television, there has never been anything like the original version of “Roots.” Broadcast in 1977, the miniseries based on Alex Haley’s account of tracing his enslaved ancestor Kunta Kinte back to Africa was watched by 100 million people and triggered a cultural explosion.
Mobile Justice Tour in Richmond June 7
Two local grassroots organizations are sponsoring the 5th Annual Mobile Justice Tour from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, at the East End Public Library, 1200 N. 25th St.
60th Annual Festival of Arts starts Friday at Dogwood Dell
Some of the area’s best musical groups will be featured this summer at the 60th Annual Festival of Arts at Dogwood Dell. The festival, sponsored by the City of Richmond, gets underway this weekend and will feature free dance, music and theater performances and festivals.
Local area softball stars gearing up for championships
The Cooke’s-Allen softball team, long known as Cooke’s Lawn Service, has been mowing down its softball competitors for decades.
Donations allow Armstrong High to ‘play ball’
The enthusiastic words “Play ball!” were heard on Armstrong High School’s campus this spring for the first time in many baseball seasons.
Fayetteville State names new basketball coach
Ken Spencer is the new basketball coach at Fayetteville State University. Coach Spencer succeeds Alphonza Kee, who posted an overall 91-107 record in seven seasons at the CIAA Southern Division university.
Cavaliers coach seeking title, record
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Tyronn Lue is seeking to become just the sixth African-American coach to win an NBA title. The Cavaliers commence their best-of-seven championship battle Thursday, June 2, against the defending champs, the Golden State Warriors. Game 1 of the finals will be played in Oakland, Ca.
Dr. Roscoe D. Cooper Jr. celebrates his 70th birthday, 50 years in ministry, 24 years as South Side church founder
Growing up in North Philadelphia, church was both family and community for Dr. Roscoe D. Cooper Jr. Life, love, community and support are interchangeable and reflective not only within the walls of a church but in the hearts of the congregation, expressed in the way they value and treat each other.
Organization of ministers’ wives, widows hosts conference
The Virginia Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows will host a conference to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the organization’s international association.
Church fashion show to benefit victims of domestic violence
The Saved Anointed and God Appointed (SAGA) Ministry of Worship and Praise Deliverance Church will host Slay 4 A Purpose Fashion, a fashion show to highlight the issue of domestic violence.
