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New development, residents behind city’s housing value jump
The value of property is climbing in Richmond, most notably in areas such as Church Hill, Blackwell and Highland Park that were once stigmatized as less desirable because they were predominantly African-American and low income.
New city courthouse policy puts phones on hold
James Williams said he forgot he was carrying his cell phone last week when he went to the Marsh General District Court in South Side to check court records for a friend.
City resident awaits word on trash fees
That has been City Hall’s response to Free Press reports about its failure to relieve qualifying Richmond residents of the $23.79 a month cost for trash collection and recycling service.
Deadline May 11 to apply for lead water line replacement grants
Richmond homeowners could receive a $2,500 grant to replace lead water lines from the city’s meter into their homes, the city Department of Public Utilities has announced.
City tax relief applications due April 2
Applications are due Monday, April 2, for the city’s Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled Program. Qualifying elderly and disabled Richmond residents can have their annual real estate tax bill reduced, depending on their household income.
City apparently losing money on vehicle registration fees
Last year, the City of Richmond charged city vehicle owners a $33 annual registration fee for each of their cars, a $38 fee for each pickup or heavy-duty truck and $18 for each motorcycle.
State auditor concludes city doesn’t need state intervention
Richmond can handle its financial problems without the state needing to hold its hand. That’s the conclusion the state auditor of public accounts reached after reviewing the city’s information on its financial operations and holding discussions with the city’s finance officials.
Expect higher natural gas bills
Get ready to pay more to heat your home and cook your food. The price of natural gas is going up for Richmond customers, effective with the February bills. The city Department of Public Utilities now is paying more to buy the fuel and is planning to pass on the higher cost to customers.
Thanksgiving holiday schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 23, please note the following:
3 to be honored for development of 1936 credit union
Three women who helped develop a credit union that was launched to serve African-American teachers in Richmond will be honored this week.
Slave Trail unblocks applications to fill spots
A new City Council policy is opening the door for new appointments to the Richmond Slave Trail Commission. After blocking applications for more than a year, the council’s Land Use, Housing and Transportation Committee is now accepting applications from Richmond residents for the 16 vacancies.
13th Annual Imagine Festival kicks off Saturday
Music, food and soccer will highlight Richmond’s 13th Annual Imagine Festival this weekend, it has been announced. Free and open to the public, the family-friendly event will be from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, at the Broad Rock Sports Complex, 4802 Warwick Road.
City denies owing overtime pay to former mayor’s security detail
That is City Hall’s response to a lawsuit that four members of former Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ executive protection detail have filed alleging they were denied overtime pay when they worked more than 40 hours a week. The legal tussle over pay is now underway in federal court in Richmond and pits Richmond Police Officers Charles Battle, Errol Fernandez, Anthony Franklin and Eric Godfrey against the city.
Emergency training Sept. 23 at Byrd Park
Want to be better prepared for tropical storms and other potential disasters? Richmond City Hall is hosting an event this weekend to educate and prepare residents.
Tall grass can net fine in Richmond
Richmond City Hall is imposing a $50 fine on any property owner who lets his or her grass reach 12 inches or taller. The fines can reach a hefty $200 for those who let it happen again, and ultimately could lead to court action for those who fail to break out the mower.
RPS opens with shortage of 54 teachers
Richmond Public Schools started the new school year short 54 full-time teachers, including 23 special education teachers, according to interim Superintendent Thomas E. “Tommy” Kranz.
Survey open on creating city Human Rights Commission
A four-member city task force is forging ahead on a study on creating a Human Rights Commission for Richmond. The chair, Riqia E. Taylor, announced Tuesday that the task force has set up an online survey through which city residents can provide their views on the proposal.
Back-to-school events during Labor Day holiday
Thousands of Richmond children will fitted be for new shoes for free on Labor Day before heading to class next Tuesday, Sept. 5.
City starts tax amnesty program
Have you failed to pay city taxes? Good news. The city is now offering a two-month amnesty program to allow residents and businesses to pay what they owe without the interest and penalties that boost the expense.
City hiring precinct workers for Nov. 7 election
Wanted: 200 people to work the polls on Election Day. Richmond Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter announced Monday that she is recruiting precinct officers for the next election on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Senior fair May 23 at Hotchkiss Community Center
Yes, there is a free lunch, according to Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson.
City Council continues to wrestle over budget
More than 60 people trooped to the microphone Monday to plead with Richmond City Council not to cut programs they need.
City Council besieged with requests for more money
As it wades into the details of city spending, Richmond City Council, as usual, is finding itself besieged with pleas for additional funding from departments that feel shortchanged by Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s spartan budget proposal.
Performance review team to examine city operations
Mayor Levar M. Stoney came into office promising to undertake a comprehensive performance review of City Hall departments with the goal of improving accountability, efficiency and the delivery of services.
Writers to speak at Downtown library event
Several African-American writers will speak and lead writing workshops at a Literacy Showcase for Black Authors 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., in Downtown. The event is part of the library’s Black Male Emergent Readers literacy program, or BMER, and is the program’s second annual Black History Month event.
City Council approves CARITAS treatment center
In its first meeting of the new term, Richmond City Council cleared the way for faith-based CARITAS to develop a headquarters in South Side that is to include a treatment center for women addicted to drugs and alcohol. The decision came during a speedy 1 hour, 7 minute meeting Monday night when the council, with four new members, hit the pause button on a series of proposals so members could have a fresh review in committee.
Stoney gets high marks on first on-the-job task
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney appears to have passed the first big test for his new administration — clearing away the 8 inches of snow that fell on the city by last Saturday afternoon.
Christmas tree recycling moved to Jan. 14
Residents have a second chance to get rid of their live Christmas trees in an environmentally friendly manner. As a result of the snowy weather, the city’s annual “Bring One for the Chipper” Christmas tree recycling event has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at 1710 Robin Hood Road, across from the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, it has been announced.
New Year’s holiday schedule
In observance of the New Year’s Day 2017 holiday, please note the following: City and county public schools: Winter break began Monday, Dec. 19. Schools reopen Monday, Jan 2, 2017.
City bonuses may cause future budget problems
Just days before leaving office, Mayor Dwight C. Jones quietly awarded nearly $2 million in bonuses to most of the city’s 4,000 employees in seeking to brighten their holidays and thank them for their “dedication and commitment” during his tenure.
Bon Secours deal with city crumbles on Westhampton school building
Outgoing Mayor Dwight C. Jones has long complained that he never received proper credit for the deal he crafted with the Bon Secours hospital system that brought the Washington pro football team’s training camp to Richmond.
Holiday schedule In observance of Christmas, please note the following:
City and county public schools: Winter break began Monday, Dec. 19. Schools reopen Monday, Jan.2.
Council approves $1.7M for new police hires
During the next eight months, Richmond expects to add 75 new police officers to beef up its declining force. That includes two classes of recruits at the Training Academy and two additional classes of recruits to begin the six to seven months of training within two months, according to Police Chief Alfred Durham.
City expects big savings on utility bonds
Good news for Richmond utility customers who worry about rising costs for city water, sewer and gas service: The city expects to save $4.17 million a year on the cost of repaying money it borrowed for utility projects. With the savings extending for the next 24 years, the amount saved would total $100 million.
Richmond Parks and Rec hosts football championships
Southside Community Center was a double winner last Saturday as the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities held its annual Youth Football Championships at City Stadium.
Public hearing on city bike trail plan Nov. 22
The city’s Department of Public Works will host a public forum from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, to seek public feedback on the city’s Bicycle Master Plan.
City audit report completed for 2014-15
It came in nearly a year late, but Richmond finally has completed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, or CAFR, for fiscal year 2015 — and gained good news to boot.
Groundbreaking Oct. 31 on East End community transformation
The former Armstrong High School is about to be cleared away to make room on the 22-acre site for a new mixed-income community to include up to 250 apartments and 50 single-family homes, according to approved plans.
Creighton Court area transformation continues despite $30M federal loss
Richmond already is signaling it is ready to move ahead with the planned transformation of the Creighton Court public housing community, despite losing out on a $30 million federal grant.
Richmond hosts 9/11 memorial Friday
Richmond will host a memorial program and a day of service Friday, Sept. 9, to mark the 15th anniversary of the terrorists attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, better known as 9/11, it has been announced. Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones will lead the commemoration 8:30 a.m. at Marshall Plaza, 900 E. Marshall St., with the ringing of bells and a moment of silence.
Work to start Sept. 6 on Belmont Road roundabout
Work is to begin Tuesday, Sept. 6, on a new $700,000 traffic
Electoral Board seeking legal decision on candidate qualification
Richmond has put a hold on printing ballots for the Nov. 8 general election while the city’s Electoral Board tries to figure out whether two candidates’ names should be listed.
East End Community Field Day slated for Aug.18
Music, Zumba, healthy snacks and beverages and child- friendly games, activities and entertainment will be featured during the 4th Annual East End Community Field Day and Healthy Kids Day.
City electoral board recruiting 200 new election officers
In anticipation of the November elections, the Richmond Electoral Board is recruiting 200 people to increase the number of sworn officers of election at city polls.
Latin Jazz Festival at Dogwood Dell Aug. 20
The rhythms of Latin music will fill Dogwood Dell next month at the 9th Annual Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival.
Mayoral candidate town hall July 26
Fourth Baptist Church will host a public town hall meeting for Richmond’s mayoral candidates 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 26, at the church, 2800 P St., in the East End.
Property values up in city
For the third year in a row, rising property values in Richmond will put Richmond City Council on the spot when it comes to collecting property taxes from owners of real estate.
