Story
Local charity to open shelter for deadly cold spell
Commonwealth Catholic Charities was to open an additional 30-bed temporary shelter in Richmond on Thursday, Dec. 22, to keep homeless adults from freezing to death in the Arctic air blast expected to hit Richmond two days before Christmas.
Story
Housing authority buys Grace Place
The city’s housing authority has purchased a failing 11-story apartment building in Downtown in a bid to keep it as an income-restricted property offering lower than market rents.
Story
New charter commission established
It took nearly a year, but a nine-member commission to review the City Charter, the city’s state-approved constitution, is finally set up and starting work.
Story
Council honors six with honorary street signs
Virginia’s first full-time Black judge and a coach who has been a mentor to Richmond youths for decades are among the latest group of people City Council has approved for recognition with honorary street signs.
Story
GRTC continues free bus rides through June 2024
GRTC will retain zero fares for at least 18 more months – saving regular riders $1,000 or more in yearly transportation costs.
Story
City’s last Confederate statue removed
A statue commemorating the death of Confederate Gen. Ambrose Powell (A.P.) Hill was removed on Monday, from Hermitage Road and West Laburnum Avenue where it had stood for 120 years.
Story
The Race Is On
Candidates for Rep. McEachin’s seat in Congress rush to meet filing deadline
Five Democrats are preparing to run in a “firehouse” primary Tuesday, Dec. 20, to choose the party’s candidate to replace 4th District U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who died Nov. 28.
Story
Alphonso H. ‘Al’ Bowers Jr., who fought for construction diversity, dies
Alphonso Hugo “Al” Bowers Jr., a veteran Richmond contractor who was outspoken in promoting Black inclusion in government building projects and promoted construction trades training program for unemployed adults, has died.
Story
Richmond jail staffing shortage blamed for rise in injured deputies, inmates
In the past four weeks at the Richmond City Justice Center, one deputy had his shoulder dislocated after he was thrown to the ground while trying to stop two prisoners from assaulting another inmate. Another deputy was head-butted by an inmate after refusing to provide the inmate with another prisoner’s food tray, according to information provided to the Free Press. In addition, the Free Press has learned another inmate was stabbed during this period, apparently the fourth this year. And early Monday, the jail reported to Richmond Police the third death of an inmate this year, though the identification was not released. For the second time since late October, an inmate who was transported to the John Marshall Courts Building was found to be carrying a concealed blade, according to information provided to the newspaper.
Story
RPS employee acquitted
The former director of an after-school program at Fox Elementary School has been acquitted of assault and battery of an unruly second-grader in the program.
Story
City Council votes for tax rebate, other spending
Richmond property owners will receive a 4.2 percent rebate on the real estate taxes they paid earlier this year, equal to $50 for each $100,000 of property value.
Story
After winning 2 court cases, Henrico tenant may face a third
‘I pay my rent like clockwork every month. I don’t know why they won’t let me alone.’
Donald J. Garrett is a rare figure among the sea of Richmond-area residents being hauled into court for eviction proceedings.
Story
Woman seeks to visit deceased son’s daughter as holidays near
All that 69-year-old Richmonder Yolanda D. Fox wants for Christmas is to see her granddaughter, Mariah.
Story
RPS lists 5.5 percent fewer students since 2019
Enrollment in Richmond Public Schools continues to decline amid population growth in the larger community.
Story
Jennifer McClellan and Lamont Bagby likely contenders for vacant U.S. House seat
Two Richmond-area Democratic members of the General Assembly are preparing to run for the vacant 4th Congressional District seat, the Free Press has learned.
Story
Lawrence Hugh ‘Larry’ Everette, social worker and popular singer, dies at 74
Lawrence Hugh “Larry” Everette was passionate about helping people and singing.
Story
Richmond area toy drives and distribution
Christmas drives are underway to try to ensure that children in struggling families receive gifts.
Story
Sheriff’s authority is ‘completely separate from mine as commonwealth’s attorney’
As a longtime reader and supporter of the Free Press, it is disheartening to see the author of this article (Nov. 23-26 edition), Mr. Jeremy Lazarus, so flagrantly violate the journalistic ethics that the Free Press exemplified under the leadership of its founder, the late Raymond Boone.
Story
City council members Jones, Lambert eye House seats
Two members of City Council will be seeking Richmond seats in the House of Delegates in the upcoming 2023 election cycle in which the 100 seats in the lower chamber as well as the 40 seats in the state Senate will be in play.
Story
RPS employee faces firing for incident she, others deny
Robin Spears previously had a spotless record during her 14 years as a teacher and social worker with Richmond Public Schools.
