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Petersburg cousins joined by blood, love of football
When the next Prosise family reunion rolls around, football is likely to be the hot topic. Burly Prosise athletes figure heavily into the college gridiron reports as nearby as Ettrick and as far away as South Bend, Ind. Ray Prosise Jr. is a powerful, 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive lineman and electrical engineering major at Virginia State University.
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Eloquence and arrogance
On the same day that President Obama gave a stirring and historically grounded commemoration regarding the 150th anniversary of the passage of the 13th Amendment that “abolished” slavery, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia chose to disregard tenets of equality and opportunity from the bench during the Fisher v. University of Texas hearing when he suggested that African-American students would benefit more if they went to “lesser track” schools. His verbatim comments:
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Community turns out to mourn Alicia Rasin
God chose Alicia Rasin to serve the city’s poor, forgotten and downtrodden. That was the message the Rev. Leonidas Young II passionately delivered to hundreds of people who attended the funeral service Saturday for Ms. Rasin at Saint Paul’s Baptist Church in Henrico County.
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Despite setback, sibling catering business expanding
Their food was too popular. That’s why the owners of GFC Catering contend they no longer deliver their trademark $5.55 Friday lunch deal to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ headquarters.
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Process that boots judges under review
Justice Cleo E. Powell of Va. Supreme Court to head panel
Justice Cleo E. Powell of Va. Supreme Court to head panel
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First steps
From the horrific massacre last week in a South Carolina church, the nation is witnessing a historic sea change in attitude regarding the chief symbol of racial hatred that has helped divide this country for so long — the Confederate flag. The flag was used on Civil War battlefields during the bloody four-year fight to keep black people enslaved.
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Area events to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Richmond community has more than a week’s worth of activities to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this year.
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New City Council president challenges colleagues to address poverty, racism
Chris A. Hilbert challenged his Richmond City Council colleagues to do more to tackle poverty and racism in Richmond after he was elected the new council president on Tuesday.
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New state highway markers to honor 4
Upset that African-American students had to walk miles to their segregated schools in Hanover County, Lucian Hunter took action.
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Jackson stumps here for Clinton
Millennials don’t understand the privilege of voting because they weren’t alive during the struggle of the 1950s and 1960s to secure the right to vote, according to the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr.
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Debate over treatment of autistic student to be battled out in court
Stephanie Priddy, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, was taken out of the West End school in police handcuffs. Her crime: Going to class.
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‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Fences’ win big at SAG Awards
Free Press wire reports HOLLYWOOD, Calif. The cast of “Hidden Figures” rocketed to the Screen Actors Guild top award at a fiery, protest-laden ceremony last Sunday that was dominated by words of defiance and dismay about President Trump’s sweeping immigration ban.
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Banking on Bobb
Petersburg City Council votes to hire former Richmond city manager to help correct a raft of troubles
Here he comes to save the day. At least that’s the big hope in Petersburg after Robert C. Bobb, a former Richmond city manager, was called in to help the beleaguered city correct its finances and deal with a stream of public and private creditors badgering the city for payment.
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Winning ways
Levar Stoney’s path to Mayor’s Office started on the gridiron
Long before Levar Stoney threw his hat into Richmond’s political ring, he was tossing footballs for York County’s Tabb High School. He was as on target then — wearing jersey No. 14 as Tabb quarterback — as he became in the city’s mayoral competition. Richmond’s mayor-elect was a three-year starting quarterback for Tabb and ranked among the Bay River District’s leading passers, while also serving as a runner.
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Obstacles, inspiration detailed in new book about Maggie Ingram by her granddaughter
Joy Harris doesn’t remember a time when gospel music didn’t play an important role in the lives of her family. She grew up hearing her grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles sing some of the most familiar songs in traditional gospel music — “Jesus Cares,” “Without God I Could Do Nothing” and “Don’t Give Up.”
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Trump’s budget plan raises hackles, skepticism with deep cuts to social programs
Angry Democrats and skeptical Republicans are fighting back against attempts by administrative officials to defend President Trump’s proposed $4.1 trillion budget that slashes safety net programs for the poor, targeting food stamps, Medicaid and student loan forgiveness, while relying on rosy projections about the nation’s economic growth to balance the budget within 10 years.
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‘Know who you are rolling with,’ VSU graduates are told
Virginia State University graduates were told in no uncertain terms during commencement last Saturday to “Get Out.” These words came from a fired up Jeff Johnson, a media and messaging strategist who delivered the keynote address at the ceremony held in the university’s Multi-Purpose Center.
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Personality: Elizabeth Lee ‘Bee’ Wright
Spotlight on Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden top volunteer
When Elizabeth Lee “Bee” Wright started volunteering at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Lakeside more than 25 years ago, she did not have her sights set on receiving an award.
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Buffoonery
We shudder thinking about the buffoonery of the Virginia unit leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
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Free Press wins big
The Richmond Free Press continues its 24-year tradition of award-winning excellence. The newspaper was recognized with 10 awards — including five first-place awards and runner-up for the Journalistic Integrity and Community Service Award — at the annual Virginia Press Association competition in writing, photography, news presentation and advertising.
