Jehovah’s Witnesses district conventions start July 3 at Coliseum
The annual district conventions of Jehovah’s Witnesses are coming to Richmond beginning this weekend, officials have announced.
New Episcopal Church leader has Richmond link
The first African-American to be elected as the U.S. Episcopal Church’s presiding bishop has ties to Richmond. The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, 62, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, was elected the church’s 27th presiding bishop last Saturday at the denomination’s general conference in Salt Lake City.
Personality: Suzanne D. Hall
Spotlight on Thomas Jefferson Award winner from PRSA Richmond Chapter
Suzanne D. Hall proudly calls it a “pinnacle moment” — winning the Thomas Jefferson Award in Public Relations from the Richmond Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.
9 inducted into Petersburg High Sports Hall of Fame
Petersburg High School has inducted its first Sports Hall of Fame class. The inaugural induction ceremony was held at a reception and banquet in mid-June at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg.
VSU football team includes area freshmen
Departed Virginia State University football Coach Latrell Scott, who is now at Norfolk State University, has left his successor with a tough act to follow.
Williams sisters advance at Wimbledon
LONDON Superstar sisters Serena and Venus Williams are one win away from facing off against each other in the Wimbledon tennis tournament in London.
De Grasse racing toward ‘world’s fastest man’ title
When the throne for “world’s fastest man” eventually has a vacancy, Andre De Grasse seems primed to fill the seat. Since 2008, the “world’s fastest” title has been held by Usaian Bolt of Jamaica, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in 100- and 200-meter races.
BET Awards brings out top stars
Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs took a tumble, Janet Jackson made an emotional appearance and the BET TV network paid tribute Sunday to campaigners across the United States demanding better police accountability after a troubled year. Combs fell through a hole in the stage at the BET Awards show during a 20th anniversary celebration of his Bad Boy record label that reunited hip-hop artists including Lil’ Kim, Faith Evans and 112 in a celebration joined by Pharrell Williams. Diddy quickly got up and carried on with the performance, appearing unhurt.
New Virginia laws effective July 1
Hundreds of new laws took effect Wednesday in Virginia. Here are a few highlights: Social media: Employers cannot ask employees or prospective employees for the username and passwords of their social media accounts.
Regional computer programming school proposed
Ten school districts, including Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico, are embarking on a bold educational experiment aimed at overhauling career training for area high school students, particularly those struggling in traditional classes. The first step: Creation of a regional school that would give students the skills to become computer programmers and open doors to careers in engineering, computer science and other technology fields, according to a grant application the alliance of schools submitted to the state Department of Education.
‘Future Centers’ to help students with life after high school
Students in at least three of the city’s five comprehensive high schools will have new centers in their buildings this fall designed to help connect them to college and career opportunities.
Scott co-leader of bipartisan effort to curb federal prison spending
From Virginia to California, states are pushing change to cut their ballooning prison costs that collectively approach $60 billion. Instead of automatically locking up people, 32 states have put in place reforms during the past five years that have reduced the numbers of people imprisoned without increasing crime rates. The efforts have saved at least $4 billion. That includes reserving prison cells for the most serous offenders and doing more to divert lower-level offenders to supervised support programs outside prison.
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‘I don’t think God wants us to stop’ at removing the Confederate flag, President Obama tells mourners at Rev. Pinckney’s funeral in S.C.
‘I don’t think God wants us to stop’ at removing the Confederate flag, President Obama tells mourners at Rev. Pinckney’s funeral in S.C.
Dr. Reavis to retire as seminary president
Fifteen years ago, Dr. Ralph Reavis Sr. went to Lynchburg to save his alma mater, Virginia University of Lynchburg. Now the former Richmond pastor is preparing to step down as president of the historically black Baptist college and seminary that he believes has been restored to full health — with more than 10 times the enrollment than when he started. “When I got here, there were only 32 students on campus,” Dr. Reavis said. Today, more than 400 students are taking courses on the campus, online or in a satellite program on the Northern Neck in Eastern Virginia.
Dr. David Wilkes named dean of U.Va. medical school
Dr. David S. Wilkes has been named the dean of the University of Virginia School of Medicine. He is the first African-American to be appointed to the post.
Dr. Marsha Rappley to head VCU health operations
Dr. Marsha D. Rappley will be the new medical leader for Virginia Commonwealth University, a major health center in the state.
VCU Health System may move into Jackson Ward office building
A Jackson Ward office building soon may provide expansion space for the VCU Health System.
VSU working on accreditation issues
Virginia State University is hustling to correct the issues that led the school to be placed on warning by its accrediting agency, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.
City names North Side park for the late Walter Gaines Jr.
Walter Gaines Jr. was the unofficial “mayor” of the Providence Park community on North Side for nearly 45 years. A gregarious man known for his positive attitude, Mr. Gaines worked to improve public safety and promote neighborliness. Among other things, he helped bring a Boys & Girls Club to the community to improve resources for young people as president of the Providence Park Civic Association. He helped start the association in the late 1960s and led it until his death.
