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Richmond favorites to return for 2024
Riverfront Canal Cruises will kick off their 24th season on Friday, April 5, offering historically narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Traveling along Downtown Richmond’s historic Canal Walk, passengers will learn about Richmond’s history and see sights such as the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line gardens and James River wildlife. Tours depart on the hour from the canal’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia St. and will operate between April and November. Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis at the Turning Basin’s ticket kiosk, and online up to 18 hours in advance. Private charters also are available. Venture Richmond Events also has announced save the dates for two popular fall festivals. The Richmond Folk Festival, in partnership with the National Council for the Traditional Arts and the City of Richmond, will happen along Downtown Richmond’s riverfront a little early this year. By celebrating its 20th anniversary Sep. 27-29, the festival will avoid falling on the Jewish High Holiday of Yom Kippur. It will return to its annual October weekend next year. This year, the 2nd Street Festival, in partnership with the City of Richmond, will mark its 36th year. The free annual festival celebrating the rich culture of Downtown Richmond’s historic Jackson Ward neighborhood, once known as “the Harlem of the South,” will take place Oct. 5-6. The two-day event features three stages of live music and entertainment, a kids area, food vendors, shopping and the Richmond Metropolitan Antique Car Club. Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group Arrested Development will headline the festival on Saturday, Oct. 5, and Richmond vocalist and festival veteran Desiree Roots will close out the festival as the headliner on Sunday, Oct. 6.
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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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School supplies, show giveaways start for ‘back to school’
As Richmond area students prepare for virtual learning this semester, they still will need school supplies and other items as online classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 8.
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33rd Annual 2nd Street Festival returns Oct. 2 and 3 in Jackson Ward
The annual 2nd Street Festival, Richmond’s free fall music and cultural festival celebrating Jackson Ward, returns this weekend after going virtual last year because of COVID-19.
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Resistance is power
Since taking office two weeks ago, President Donald Trump has proven day in and day out why he is unfit to hold office. Since Jan. 20, he has thrown America into a state of chaos with half-baked executive orders and other actions that: • Trapped permanent U.S. residents, including students, researchers and workers, in airports across the nation, denying them entry into the United States, and barring people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — all largely Muslim nations — for 90 days;
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Bishop Tutu’s daughter quits priesthood after gay marriage
The daughter of Nobel laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu of South Africa has given up her clergy credentials after marrying a Dutch woman. Mpho Tutu told South African media that because her church did not recognize her wedding, she could no longer serve in the country.
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GRTC provides more protective gear to drivers
It took nearly two months, but GRTC is ramping up virus protection for drivers who have kept the public transit system rolling during the pandemic.
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New state funding for RPS school construction
Millions of dollars are heading to Richmond Public Schools to support school construction projects, including the rebuild of burned-out Fox Elementary School in The Fan, and the development of a new career and technical education high school in South Side, according to information provided to the Richmond School Board.
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Duncan and his own advice
We are not surprised that Damon E. Duncan, chief executive officer of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, decided to pack it in and resign after less than a year on the job.
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McEachin launches new program to help people clear police record
Richmond residents have a new cost-free way to clear their police records of charges that resulted in acquittals or dismissals or were not prosecuted, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin has announced.
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City Council weighs employee pension proposal
City Hall is proposing that new employees be enrolled in the state’s pension system effective Jan. 1, according to a lengthy report City Council received Tuesday.
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City finishes with money loss on UCI bike race
Remember the world bike races that dominated Richmond for nine days in September? To Mayor Dwight C. Jones and other officials, the races were an unparalleled success, creating an economic boost for the region and putting the area in the world cycling spotlight.
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Natural gas price to rise in Richmond
Cook or heat with natural gas? Beginning with the February bill, Richmond customers will pay a bit extra for the fuel. Richmond Gas Works, the city’s gas utility, has announced customers will be charged an extra penny for every 10 cubic feet of natural gas used. Ten cubic feet is the equivalent of 75 gallons of gasoline.
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Woody Foundation, Military Retirees at odds over admissions tax
For at least 10 years, Christopher J. Woody Sr. raised money for his charity, The Woody Foundation, by throwing at least 17 parties and events a year at the Military Retirees Club of Richmond in North Side, a large private space that permits alcohol.
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‘In the Heights’ opens to low numbers
NEW YORK Just when a party was poised to break out in movie theaters, the below-expectation debut of “In the Heights” last weekend dampened Hollywood’s hopes of a swift or smooth recovery at the summer box office.
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Huguenot senior hurdles to state champion
Huguenot High School senior Shaunté Harris has a passion for fashion. But if there’s one thing she relishes more than a sporty, chic look, it’s running the high hurdles — an event famous for its thrills — and also its spills. Therefore, don’t be surprised to see Harris wearing distressed denims to school, rather than a trendy shirtdress. “My legs aren’t the nicest,” she says with a wide smile. “I’ve taken plenty of spills, lots of hard falls. My legs have cuts and scratches. It kind of never stops.”
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RVA Night League for Safer Streets builds life skills, relationships along with basketball
RVA Night League for Safer Streets is set to start its second season of night basketball with more jumps shots and lifestyle workshops.
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Stanton slugging it all the way to the bank
Giancarlo Stanton is Major League Baseball’s top slugger. He also claims No. 1 status going to the bank. The Miami Marlins’ mountainous right fielder had 57 home runs through Saturday, Sept. 23, and was bidding to be just the sixth man in history to enter the exclusive club of players with 60 or more home runs in a single season.
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City Council postpones budget adoption
Despite calls to increase funding for Richmond Public Schools and address capital improvement issues, Richmond City Council delayed adopting its proposed $2.9 billion 2025 budget until May 6.
