Story
Story
Herring: Training key to curb police bias, killings in the state
Better training. That’s the way to begin improving relationships between police officers and the residents they serve, particularly people of color, according to Attorney General Mark R. Herring. At a time when officer actions resulting in African-American deaths and injuries regularly make headlines, Mr. Herring announced he is taking action to upgrade training to head off such incidents in Virginia.
Story
Leaf collection scaled back for residents
Soon after taking office in 2009, Mayor Dwight C. Jones reversed the action of his predecessor, L. Douglas Wilder, who reduced the vacuuming of leaves to once a year to save $300,000. Mayor Jones restored the traditional two cycle collection of leaves in city neighborhoods.
Story
City hands keys to port to state authority
Jobs, jobs, jobs — that’s the vision being conjured up as Richmond hands the keys to its 120-acre port to the state of Virginia for 40 years. On Monday, the same night as Richmond City Council gave a thumbs up to a proposal for a freestanding children’s hospital on the Boulevard, the nine-member governing body also unanimously approved the award of a four-decade lease of the shipping facility to the state. The hope: That the VPA will do for Richmond what it has done for another inland port in Front Royal — spark major job growth by attracting new businesses seeking port services.
Story
General Assembly refusal to adjourn blocks governor
For at least the sixth time in the past 34 years, the House of Delegates is refusing to adjourn a special session. And that decision by the Republican-dominated body appears to throw a constitutional monkey wrench into Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to keep Justice Jane Marum Roush on the Virginia Supreme Court.
Story
A mountain of problems uncovered in city finance division
Unpaid bills piled up and bank statements went unreconciled for months, creating uncertainty in the cash flow. Then after half the staff left, temporary workers had to be hired to try to clear the backlog of unpaid invoices from vendors who begged to be paid.
Story
Story
VSU hit in state auditor’s draft report
Virginia State University is facing unexpected financial challenges as a result of sloppy management during the tenure of former President Keith T. Miller, according to a draft of a state audit of the school’s spending during the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2014.
Story
4th time the charm?
New city finance chief #4 under mayor’s tenure
As the former Suffolk city manager, Selena Cuffee-Glenn went through five people before she found the right person to serve as chief financial officer.
Story
Officer acquitted in shooting
Henrico Police Officer Joel D. Greenway did nothing wrong when he shot up a car he was trying to stop from leaving a gas station’s parking lot on Nine Mile Road, gravely wounding a female passenger in unleashing seven bullets at the unarmed occupants.
Story
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.
Story
Bank branch to close in Highland Park
The last Bank of America branch located in a majority African-American neighborhood of Richmond is scheduled to close in two months, according to the bank’s website.
Story
North Side sees signs of growth, renewal
A new wave of investment is beginning to pour into Richmond’s North Side. During the next two years, private and nonprofit developers are gearing up to invest more than $50 million in new houses and apartments, mostly along 1st and 2nd avenues in Highland Park.
Story
4 new faces to join 5 incumbents on Richmond City Council
The five veterans on Richmond City Council will have four new colleagues in dealing with the plans and initiatives of the new mayor.
Story
Unused equipment symbolizes waste to Public Works employees
Expensive equipment sits unused at the Richmond Department of Public Works’ compound on Hopkins Road. Meanwhile, some vehicles and equipment have developed major rust spots that could reduce their useful life or lead to early breakdowns.
Story
Charles City native produces new citrus-infused whiskey
Walter A. Crawley is tapping his roots in Charles City County in seeking to create a better whiskey. The 53-year-old food industry veteran believes the harsh taste of corn-based alcohol can turn people off, particularly people who are trying their first drink.
Story
Money moved to restore alley blitz
The alley blitz is back on track. Bobby Vincent, director of the Richmond Department of Public Works, received the $700,000 his department needs to begin hiring up to 20 temporary workers and to rent front loaders and rollers.
Story
Rep. McEachin calls for speedy HUD intervention at Essex Village after woman’s fall
During heavy weekend rains, odorous and toxic raw sewage once again flowed freely over the lawn in Essex Village, ranked as Henrico County’s worst apartment complex.
Story
Initiative to get schools on Nov. ballot collects 6,619 signatures in one day
During the June 13 primary election, more than 6,600 Richmond voters signed petitions to put the issue of Richmond’s deteriorating schools on the city ballot in November, the Free Press has learned.
Story
Blind George Wythe H.S. student transferred after bullying claims
Already under a federal investigation for allegedly engaging in heavy-handed and disparate student discipline, Richmond Public Schools is facing new allegations of ignoring bullying of students with physical and mental disabilities.
