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Va. Republicans announce plans to roll back welfare benefits
Virginia Republicans will seek to make the government program known as Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or TANF, even more temporary in the upcoming General Assembly session — potentially impacting tens of thousands of poor families in Richmond and other localities across the state.
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Children crack CodeVA
A diverse group of 281 youngsters ages 6 to 14 will spend part of their summer vacation learning the basics of computer science in a Downtown storefront.
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City receives grants for lead paint abatement, workforce development
Richmond has been awarded grants totaling $4.6 million that will enable the city Health District to do more to reduce lead poisoning of children and to beef up the city’s workforce programs that seek to reduce poverty. The biggest grant, $2.7 million, is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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2 national conferences coming to Richmond
Richmond is becoming common ground for liberals and conservatives. This weekend, hundreds of anti-war activists are expected to flood into Downtown to push their agenda of bringing the troops home and silencing war drums in the administration.
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City Council approves CARITAS treatment center
In its first meeting of the new term, Richmond City Council cleared the way for faith-based CARITAS to develop a headquarters in South Side that is to include a treatment center for women addicted to drugs and alcohol. The decision came during a speedy 1 hour, 7 minute meeting Monday night when the council, with four new members, hit the pause button on a series of proposals so members could have a fresh review in committee.
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More help requested at Evergreen, East End cemeteries
More help, please. That’s the plea from Marvin Harris, founder and president of the nonprofit Evergreen Restoration Foundation that is dedicated to improving the historic 60-acre Evergreen Cemetery on the border between Richmond and Henrico County in the East End.
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Plan for former Highland Park Catholic school building stalls
The plan to replace a vacant Catholic school on North Side with 80 affordable apartments is on hold as the nonprofit developer seeks to overcome opposition from neighborhood St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and nearby residents. The Free Press reported on the plan in early February, but the proposal has been stalled since an ordinance to support the work was sent to Richmond City Council for approval.
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Volunteers to help fix up homes for elderly during Affordable Housing Awareness Week
April is here and that means hundreds of Richmond area volunteers soon will pour into neighborhoods to make home improvements for elderly and low-income residents who cannot afford them.
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Attorney General’s decision clears way for Mosby, Starlings to remain on ballot
An opinion from Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring appears to clear the way for Richmond City Council President Michelle R. Mosby to remain a candidate for mayor and for businessman Kevin A. Starlings to challenge incumbent School Board member Jeffrey M. Bourne for the 3rd District seat. The Richmond Electoral Board, which is to meet Thursday, Sept. 1, is expected to embrace Mr. Herring’s legal advice and keep both candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot, the Free Press has been told in advance of the meeting.
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Gravely resigns NAACP post
After three weeks of mulling the decision, Jack Gravely is stepping down as interim executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP. He delivered his resignation Monday via email to state NAACP President Linda Thomas and other members of the executive board.
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Despite efforts, bank branch in Highland Park to close March 21
Bank of America is not backing down on its decision to close its Highland Park branch on Tuesday, March 21, according to Richmond City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson.
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City Hall cracking down on false burglar, fire alarms
City Hall is about to crack down on false alarms at homes and businesses, including halting police responses to locations that have multiple false alarms. After years of balking, Richmond City Council has given Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration the green light to overhaul the city’s program for dealing with false alarms — with surprising little notice to the public. Among the big changes effective July 1, private property owners with burglar and/or fire alarms will be required to obtain a permit to operate their alarms.
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Hundreds to benefit from payday loan settlement
Hundreds of low-income Richmond area residents will benefit from the settlement of a lawsuit challenging the lending practices of Advance ‘Til Payday, a company that charges up to 960 percent interest on loans of $100 to $300. The settlement will result in the dismissal of at least 50 garnishment actions and 800 judgments that Advance ‘Til Payday had obtained in court against borrowers who defaulted on the loans, according to Jay Speer of the Virginia Poverty Law Center, which brought the suit.
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City rent and mortgage assistance program to get additional $8M in federal funds
City Hall will pump an additional $8 million into a rent and mortgage assistance program in a bid to help hundreds of strug- gling Richmond families avoid eviction.
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Richmond Free Press founders win prestigious George Mason Award
The founders of the Richmond Free Press are being honored with one of Virginia journalism’s top awards.
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State high court criticizes Judge Cavedo in throwing out Confederate statue injunction
Complaints that Richmond Circuit Court Judge Bradley B. Cavedo made up the law in a bid to halt Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s removal of racist Confederate statues just gained support from the Virginia Supreme Court.
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Police reform legislation having tough time in General Assembly special session
Police reforms and other legislation are hardly sailing through the Democratic-controlled General Assembly.
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Rep. McEachin handily wins Democratic primary contest
Richmond voters joined others in the 4th Congressional District in supporting Rep. A. Donald McEachin for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
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City Council starts process to rename Lee Bridge and other Confederate memorials
Legal tangles continue to block removal of state-owned statues honoring Confederate Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue and in the State Capitol.
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VSU outlines cuts to absorb $26M deficit
Financially troubled Virginia State University appears to be on track to fill a $26 million hole in the 2020-21 budget, although at least half of the solution appears to be temporary patches that will last only one year.
