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Groundbreaking Oct. 14 on initial Fay Towers replacement
The pace is finally picking up on efforts to replace the 200-unit Fay Towers in Gilpin Court and move current residents to new apartments.
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Troubles escalate for NAACP official
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is facing more legal trouble. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr. was sent to jail Tuesday based on a finding he was in violation of the terms of his release on a previous charge of driving while intoxicated.
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Rollout for unlimited bus passes slated for Nov. 15
Tens of thousands of people came to the world bike races last week, but only a few appear to have purchased a $35 pass for unlimited rides on GRTC buses. The Greater Richmond Transit Co. could not provide sales numbers this week, but reported that passes were used 1,500 times between Sept. 19 and Sept. 28 when the races were underway.
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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.
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Graduation rate in city inches up
Richmond awarded diplomas to 1,156 students in June, or 81.4 percent of the 1,421 students in the Class of 2015, new data from the Virginia Department of Education shows. The good news: That is Richmond’s best showing since the state began reporting systematic graduation results for each class in 2008.
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Turmoil, charges rock Chesterfield NAACP
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is facing a charge of assault in the wake of a bizarre incident in which he sought to block a critic from attending a branch meeting, which usually is open to the public. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr. was arrested Saturday on a misdemeanor charge and released on his own recognizance in the case that has embarrassed both the branch and the state NAACP, Virginia’s oldest and largest civil rights group.
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VEC ruling sets precedent
Richmond Public Schools and other employers who fail to follow their agency’s own drug policy cannot prevent alleged violators from collecting unemployment benefits, the Virginia Employment Commission has ruled.
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Richmond Christian Center bankruptcy issue being resolved
The Richmond Christian Center has had to put off celebrating its emergence from bankruptcy after nearly two years under court supervision. The 300-member South Side church has been told some issues still need to be resolved before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court can approve RCC’s reorganization plan and allow it to leave bankruptcy court protection.
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Morrissey fails to withdraw officially
Two weeks ago, attorney Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey told the Free Press and other news outlets he was ending his campaign for the state Senate because of a health issue.
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New city high-rise built with commitment to diversity
Gerald “Junior” Burr Jr. likely swells with pride every time he crosses the Manchester Bridge and sees the newest addition to the city’s skyline — the 19-story Gateway Plaza building that formally opened this week His company, Canterbury Enterprises Inc., played an important part in the two-year development of the glass-faced, high-rise structure that sits in the block bounded by 8th, 9th, Cary and Canal streets — the new home of the McGuireWoods law firm, its consulting arm and several other companies.
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House blocked for female felons
City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson has been a champion of affordable housing during her 11 years on City Council. The 6th District representative, who previously led a nonprofit housing group in the Highland Park area, has been a staunch advocate for creation of lower-cost homes and apartments for working people and others.
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Gov. reappoints Justice Roush in latest battle over high court
Can Justice Jane Marum Roush legally serve? That question now hangs over the latest addition to the Virginia Supreme Court. Yes, says Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who just extended Justice Roush’s term on the state’s highest court until at least mid-February.
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VSU enrollment figures down
In an update, Virginia State University has released its fall enrollment figures. On Sept. 10, officials stated 4,632 validated undergraduate and graduate students, or students who had fully paid their bills, are enrolled.
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Relocate police statue? Richmonders can vote
The public is being asked to vote on where to move a Richmond statue paying tribute to city police officers killed in the line of duty. For 28 years, the statue of an officer carrying a child has stood in a landscaped area on North 7th Street near the Richmond Coliseum.
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Special needs advocate gets new hearing
Special needs advocate gets new hearing Kandise Lucas, a veteran advocate for special needs children, is going to be able to fight her arrest on trespassing at a Chesterfield County school.
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Richmond contractor on Congressional Black Caucus re-entry panel
A Richmond contractor is headed to Washington to talk up his plan for helping released convicts rebuild their lives by getting involved in the building trades. Kenneth Williams, 66, has been invited to talk about the Adult Alternative Program that he is developing to train ex-convicts to renovate houses and qualify for Class C contractor licenses.
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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.
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Alicia Rasin suffers relapse
Alicia Rasin, Richmond’s “ambassador of compassion” who had been inactive in recent months because of health problems, planned to return to her volunteer mission of helping relatives of homicide victims.
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Aspire Academy hopes to inspire student interest
They’re lost in the classroom and repeatedly act out — leading to repeated suspensions, expulsion and, sometimes, criminal charges.
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City more bike-friendly with new lanes, racks
Richmond is well on its way to becoming a bicycle-friendly town, according to Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
