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‘We’re not giving up’
Urban One leadership acknowledges casino vote delay
Forget about a second vote on a casino-resort in November.
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Richmond Police chief says he will no longer discuss alleged July 4 mass shooting
Richmond Police Chief Gerald M. Smith, suffering from a credibility gap, has shut down any further comment on the alleged terrorist plot to shoot up the Dogwood Dell amphitheater during the Independence Day celebration last month that led to two arrests.
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Hearing set for A.P. Hill statue’s new home
The fate of the statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill that still stands in North Side could be decided on Tuesday, Aug. 30.
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Developers want to convert old school into apartments
A $55 million apartment complex is being proposed to transform the long vacant Oak Grove Elementary School in South Side – but that plan is facing competition as well as pushback from the neighborhood civic association.
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Local groups announce back-to-school giveaways
Are you or someone you know struggling to buy school supplies for your children?
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Historic credit union will offer home mortgages
It took 86 years, but South Side-based Richmond Heritage Federal Credit Union is finally able to offer home loans.
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Dr. Taleshia L. Chandler, educator and first lady of Cedar Street Baptist Church, dies
Cedar Street Baptist Church of God is mourning the loss of its first lady, educator, author and inspiring church singer, Taleshia Lenshell “Lady C” Chandler.
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City housing director, church leaders discuss shelter options
$3M on the table for homeless
Ninth District City Councilman Michael J. Jones hopes a network of churches can be developed to provide shelter for the homeless during inclement weather, particularly during winter cold.
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Big mistake
Tear gas released on Lee statue protesters was in error
Twenty-five minutes before an 8 p.m. curfew was to go into effect, Richmond Police officers began firing tear gas and other noxious chemical agents to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who had gathered around the now removed Robert E. Lee statue in the city’s West End.
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James William Cheagle, who fought discrimination in law enforcement, dies at 79
Retired Richmond Police Capt. James William Cheagle, who was a leader in fighting racial bigotry within the department, has died.
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City jail inmate charged for attacking deputy
It took three weeks, but a Richmond City Justice Center inmate with a long rap sheet has been charged with the malicious wounding July 7 of a female deputy whose jaw was shattered and who suffered other serious facial injuries in a brutal attack.
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City to exchange gift cards for rifles, handguns, broken weapons
Richmond’s first gun buyback program — largely regarded by experts as a publicity stunt — is set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Liberation Church, 5501 Midlothian Turnpike, Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Tuesday.
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Judge, after slow process, tosses lawsuit seeking new Virginia elections
Members of the Virginia House of Delegates can continue to represent unconstitutional districts that the state Supreme Court abolished in December.
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Property owners given more time to apply for tax exemptions
Elderly and totally disabled property owners in Richmond will have the whole year to apply for exemptions from real estate taxes, beginning in January 2023.
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Who’s manning Richmond City Jail?
For several weeks the Richmond Free Press has reported ongoing violence at Richmond’s City Jail.
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How many homeless people will be sheltered this winter remains unclear
Finding adequate space also an issue, city officials say
City Hall is moving forward in trying to find nonprofits or churches and other faith-based groups with available space to house homeless people, at least during the winter.
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Moving forward
Some hope collective bargaining agreement will define Richmond as a ‘workplace of choice’
Waves of applause resounded in the City Council chambers Monday night after, one by one, the nine members of the governing body voted, as anticipated, to allow city workers to organize unions and negotiate contracts on wages, benefits and working conditions.
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Helping customers with utility bills during pandemic proves costly for city
More than 6,300 homes and businesses in Richmond — 10 percent of the customer base — are facing disconnection of their utilities for nonpayment of water, sewer and gas bills.
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Referendum idea to give voters a say in casino dollars and schools dropped
Not happening. City Council has declined to consider putting an advisory referendum on the November ballot that would allow city voters to decide if tax revenues from a casino should go to modernizing Richmond’s school buildings.
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Training facility for people formerly incarcerated won’t reopen
City Hall has ruled out allowing a nonprofit construction training program for people released from jails and prisons to return to a former North Side school building that it had occupied for five years.
