Norcom’s legend lives on
Great feats by I.C. Norcom High School basketball players have come to be expected. If it’s not too late, former Greyhound Johnny Morris, who still lives in Portsmouth, may even deserve a page in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not.”
‘Let Freedom Ring’ initiative extended at historic Williamsburg church
The First Baptist Church of Williamsburg will continue letting freedom ring through the month of May. In February, the historic church started by enslaved and free African-Americans commemorated its 240th anniversary with the kick off of the initiative “Let Freedom Ring: A Call to Healing a Nation.” People were invited to come to the church at 727 Scotland St., or go via social media, to ring the newly restored church bell as a symbolic call for racial healing, peace and justice nationwide.
Dr. Bedden to speak March 26 at church forum
Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden is to head a panel discussing the challenges, progress and future of public schools in the city.
National clergy group outraged over attempts to block court appointment
Black clergy from across the country are expressing outrage about the Republican-led U.S. Senate’s vow to block any nominee President Obama picks to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court, saying it reflects racism and disrespect.
Priest attacked over aid to refugees
Two members of the conservative Christian Democratic Union political party of German Chancellor Angela Merkel were linked to a spate of verbal racist attacks against an African priest who ministered to refugees fleeing oppressive African regimes.
Personality: Dan Fellows
Spotlight on Richmond Ambulance Authority innovator and award winner
Dan Fellows, fleet manager for the Richmond Ambulance Authority will go as far as the sun to ensure the highest quality of service for the residents of Richmond.
Malveaux moves to Va. Court of Appeals
Henrico County Judge Mary Bennett Malveaux is a beneficiary of the judgeship fight between the governor and the Republican-dominated General Assembly. She is headed to the state’s 11-member Court of Appeals where she will make history as the court’s first African-American female member. She is officially to begin on April 16.
Sweeping changes to impact high school learning, training
High school is headed for an overhaul in Virginia. Under reforms approved by the General Assembly, students who take courses to become computer technicians, mechanics, nurses and plumbers or enter other career and technical fields are to be placed on an equal footing with students seeking to go to college.
Byrd Middle School to get name change
Jordan Chapman wore a broad smile. Her mother, Amy, wiped away tears of joy. And the people around them applauded. Their happy reaction came after the Henrico School Board voted 5-0 to change the name of Harry F. Byrd Sr. Middle School at its March 10 work session at the New Bridge Learning Center.
School officials make push for more money
Audience members applauded repeatedly as students from Richmond Public Schools delivered stirring remarks, creative musical performances, inspiring spoken word renditions and precision marching exercises at the 2016 State of the Schools Address.
2016 General Assembly ends with bipartisan consensus on budget, other measures
The 2016 General Assembly session is over — ending last Friday, a day early, on a high note of accomplishment. The hectic 59 days produced a landmark compromise on gun laws and a new state budget providing a dramatic boost in spending on public education and offering pay hikes for state workers and lawmakers.
Obama picks D.C. jurist
President nominates Judge Merrick Garland for U.S. Supreme Court amid GOP pushback
President Obama nominated veteran appellate court Judge Merrick Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday, setting up a potentially ferocious political showdown with Senate Republicans who have vowed to block any Obama nominee.
Grand jury OKs probe of city connection to mayor’s church
A grand jury Wednesday granted the Virginia State Police permission to investigate whether Mayor Dwight C. Jones blurred his roles as the city’s chief executive and senior pastor of First Baptist Church of South Richmond. Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring called it a “procedural step” that allows the State Police to probe whether the mayor improperly used his city position to benefit the church or any of its members.
Sheriff Woody answers federal ADA lawsuit
Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. plans to vigorously defend his office against a federal lawsuit accusing him of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to find a civilian position for a deputy suffering from a disabling heart condition. Tony Pham, the in-house lawyer for the Sheriff’s Office, stated that the sheriff followed the law and “vehemently denies that the former employee was discriminated against under the ADA” as the U.S. Justice Department alleged in its suit filed March 3 in federal district court in Richmond.
Congressional races shaping up
Largely overshadowed by presidential politics, the races for Virginia’s 11 congressional seats are beginning to take shape. In the 4th Congressional District that now includes Richmond, candidates are starting to make plans to run in the June 14 primary contests that have been called by the district’s Democratic and Republican committees.
VSU working on improvements after state auditor’s findings
That’s the verdict of the state auditor of public accounts after completing Virginia State University’s financial audit for fiscal year 2015 that ended June 30.
The U.S. Supreme Court and the elephant in the room
Race remains the unspoken elephant in the room amid the growing controversy over who should replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mexico neighbor not enemy
Presidential campaigns often turn raw. Politicians reach for sound bites that bite. Often they gain by playing on fears, winning by division, not by addition. In 2016, insult has become the coin of the campaign, particularly in the Republican primaries. And too often the enemy singled out has been Mexico and Mexicans.
The wall
For those who are watching the presidential nominating contest like a horse race, here are the latest results since Super Tuesday and Virginia’s participation:
Creativity runs in the family
Father-son artists share gifts with the community
Jerome W. Jones Jr. and his son, Jeromyah, share a deep passion for painting. Their works, many featuring portraits of noted people, provides uplift, education and motivation to untold thousands who have viewed them at exhibits and online.
