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Carlos Hopkins, right, state secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, puts his hand over his heart as bugler John Blair of Chesterfield County plays “Taps” and Specialist Neil Miller of Suffolk salutes during the state’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony honoring Virginia’s war dead. The ceremony, held Monday at the Virginia War Memorial on South Belvidere Street in Downtown, was closed to the public this year because of the coronavirus. However, the half-hour ceremony was broadcast on television and livestreamed on the Facebook pages of the Virginia War Memorial and Virginia Veterans Services. The grounds of the memorial and the shrine listing the names of the men and women from Virginia who have died in service to the nation were open to visitors.

Carlos Hopkins, right, state secretary of Veterans and Defense Affairs, puts his hand over his heart as bugler John Blair of Chesterfield County plays “Taps” …

Published on May 28, 2020

Landscaping work that started in early June by YME Landscape continues on the former site of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled Sept 2., 2021 that the state could remove the enormous statue that towered over Monument Avenue in the state’s capital for more than a century and had, for many, become a symbol of racial injustice. Calls to remove the statue and others like it that were and remain scattered throughout the United States increased following the death of George Floyd at the hands of the Detroit police on Memorial Day 2020. The defeated war general’s final fate came on Sept. 8, 2021, with the removal of a 21-foot high bronze sculpture in his image and his horse, Traveller, on a granite pedestal nearly twice that tall.

Landscaping work that started in early June by YME Landscape continues on the former site of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee. The …

Published on July 6, 2023

Renowned hip-hop artist in city // Hip-hop artist KRS-One, aka “Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody,” stops by Virginia Union University’s bookstore Wednesday. He’s in Richmond for several speaking and performance engagements. Once dubbed “the conscience of hip-hop,” KRS-One gained fame in the mid-1980s with Boogie Down Productions. With 20 albums to his credit, he is considered one of hip-hop’s top emcees. He also is the author of three books on the musical genre and in 1989 established the “Stop the Violence” movement. In Richmond, he was a featured panelist Wednesday afternoon at “Unapologetically Black: Hip Hop’s Effect on Black Liberation” at Virginia Commonwealth University. He is performing 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, at The National, 708 E. Broad St., in Downtown.

Renowned hip-hop artist in city // Hip-hop artist KRS-One, aka “Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everybody,” stops by Virginia Union University’s bookstore Wednesday. He’s in …

Published on January 29, 2016

Links to history // Dr. Jill Bussey Harris, second from right, president of the Richmond Chapter of The Links Inc., presents a $100,000 check to officials from the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia. Accepting the donation, to be made by the women’s service organization over five years, are, from left, museum director Tasha Chambers; Dr. Monroe Harris, chairman of the museum’s campaign fund and husband of Dr. Bussey Harris; and Marilyn H. West, chair of the museum’s board. The presentation took place June 9 at the museum, where the chapter held its year-end celebration hosting a dinner for 15 girls at Franklin Military Academy involved in the chapter’s Focused Motivated Achievers program. In its third year, the program seeks to follow the eighth-graders through high school.

Links to history // Dr. Jill Bussey Harris, second from right, president of the Richmond Chapter of The Links Inc., presents a $100,000 check to …

Published on June 17, 2016

Historical marker dedicated // A marker noting the historical significance of Anderson Cemetery in Henrico County now stands at Portsmouth Street and New York Avenue in Glen Allen at the cemetery’s entrance. The marker was dedicated Tuesday in a ceremony held by the Friends of Anderson Cemetery, a group working to clean up and maintain the burial grounds that date to the mid-1800s. The 2-acre site served as one of the earliest cemeteries for African-Americans in the Yellow Tavern area. From obituary notices, roughly 200 people were buried in the cemetery over the course of a century, with one of the earliest graves dating back to 1881, organizers said. Many were members of Mount Olive Baptist Church, St. Peter Baptist Church and other churches in the area. A new nonprofit, Anderson Cemetery League, is working toward permanent stewardship of the cemetery.

Historical marker dedicated // A marker noting the historical significance of Anderson Cemetery in Henrico County now stands at Portsmouth Street and New York Avenue …

Published on October 27, 2017

Joseph F. Thekkekara is sworn in as Richmond’s new postmaster Wednesday in the Old House Chamber at the State Capitol. Previously a postmaster in Texas, Illinois and New York communities, he is the 34th person to hold the title in Richmond since the beginning of the postal service around 1778. He is surrounded by family, from left, son Jason, wife Annie and son Justin as the oath of office is administered by Linda Malone, U.S. Postal Service vice president for the Capital Metro area, which stretches from Baltimore to Atlanta. Mr. Thekkekara started his career as a mail carrier in 1988. He succeeds Harold G. O’Connor, who was postmaster for 11 years before being removed in 2016 and retiring earlier this year in the wake of a scandal over management efforts to reduce carrier overtime pay by changing time cards.

Joseph F. Thekkekara is sworn in as Richmond’s new postmaster Wednesday in the Old House Chamber at the State Capitol. Previously a postmaster in Texas, …

Published on December 1, 2017

Hometown celebration: Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., right, spends time with his dad, Jackie Bradley Sr. of Richmond, during a celebration held for the pair on Dec. 28 by the older Mr. Bradley’s co-workers at GRTC. In late October, the younger Mr. Bradley helped the Red Sox clinch a World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. A Richmond area native, he played ball for Prince George High School and the University of South Carolina before joining the Red Sox, where he has been the starting centerfielder since 2014. His dad is a veteran bus driver for GRTC. The festive celebration was held at Southern Kitchen restaurant in Shockoe Bottom. (James Haskins/Richmond Free Press)

Hometown celebration: Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jackie Bradley Jr., right, spends time with his dad, Jackie Bradley Sr. of Richmond, during a celebration held for …

Published on January 4, 2019

Call it protest art Christmas-style. This new artwork now stands at the base the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. The Black figure tops a fir tree, a traditional Christmas symbol, and adds a holiday dimension to the protest slogans and colorful artwork that have transformed the pedestal that holds the Confederate statue that the state is still battling in court to take down. The pedestal, which gained its new look during the late spring and summer protests over racial injustice and police brutality, has become a significant attraction for residents and visitors. The pedestal’s changed appearance also has garnered national attention, with the New York Times naming it No. 1 on its list of protest art and National Geographic featuring it on the cover of its special issue, “2020: The year in Pictures.”

Call it protest art Christmas-style. This new artwork now stands at the base the Robert E. Lee statue on Monument Avenue. The Black figure tops …

Published on December 17, 2020

Cityscape:Slices of life and scenes in Richmond/This elegant Richmond railroad bridge over the James River has stood the test of time. Woodrow Wilson was still president, the prohibition of liquor begins and the raging pandemic “Spanish flu” was killing millions of people when the Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac and CSX-predecessor Atlantic Coastline railroads built the structure in 1919. Location: Between the Boulevard and Powhite Parkway bridges. Legendary engineer John E. Greiner designed the iconic arched bridge that was among the first rail bridges to be made of poured concrete. Dubbed the “million-dollar bridge,” the double-track bridge allowed trains to move through Richmond more quickly and to cross east-west rail lines that ran along both sides of the river. Considered an engineering marvel, the bridge continues to draw admirers.

Cityscape:Slices of life and scenes in Richmond/This elegant Richmond railroad bridge over the James River has stood the test of time. Woodrow Wilson was still …

Published on September 2, 2021

The first pedestrians stream across the newly opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge over the James River. Mayor Dwight C. Jones led the ribbon-cutting for the lighted bridge during the Grand Illumination on Friday. Richmond poured $11.3 million in state and city funds into the span open only to pedestrians and bikes. The new river crossing sits above a 1901 dam and links Brown’s Island on the North Side to an overlook on the South Side near the entry to the Manchester Bridge. Another $200,000 was spent on eight, 17-foot-tall metal rings that Denver artist Joshua Wiener created to adorn the South Side path to the 1,600-foot bridge. The bridge is named for a senior city planner who advocated for the bridge before his death in 2014. Construction began in October 2015 on the only current city structure named for a city employee.

The first pedestrians stream across the newly opened T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge over the James River. Mayor Dwight C. Jones led the ribbon-cutting for …

Published on December 10, 2016

This map shows the 80 block section of Downtown to be included in a proposed Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, District. Increased earnings from real estate taxes within the district would be used to pay off $350 million in borrowing for a new Coliseum and other public projects, including elevating the portion of Leigh Street around the Coliseum and reopening 6th Street to traffic. The proposed boundaries for the TIF district are the Downtown Expressway, 1st Street, 10th Street and Interstate 64/95. Projections are for the area to generate $1.1 billion in additional real estate taxes, as well as $600 million in increased sales, lodging and other city taxes, over 30 years. The TIF district is eight times larger than originally proposed. The blue-color blocks represent sites where the new Coliseum, a new convention hotel, restaurants, office buildings and about 3,000 apartments would be erected.

This map shows the 80 block section of Downtown to be included in a proposed Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, District. Increased earnings from real …

Published on November 11, 2018

Colette W. McEachin is sworn in as Richmond’s new commonwealth’s attorney Tuesday morning by Judge Joi Jeter Taylor, chief judge of the Richmond Circuit Court, as Mrs. McEachin’s proud mother, Gladys Wallace, holds the Bible. Mrs. McEachin’s husband, Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Richmond, Richmond Circuit Court Clerk Edward F. Jewett and several of Mrs. McEachin’s deputy commonwealth’s attorneys also attended the ceremony at the John Marshall Courts Building in Downtown. Mrs. McEachin, who has more than 20 years of experience as a city prosecutor, took over the top job after veteran Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring left July 1 to become a partner in the McGuireWoods law firm. Mr. Herring, who recommended Mrs. McEachin for the top post, is backing her in the Nov. 5 special election when voters will formally choose his successor.

Colette W. McEachin is sworn in as Richmond’s new commonwealth’s attorney Tuesday morning by Judge Joi Jeter Taylor, chief judge of the Richmond Circuit Court, …

Published on July 4, 2019

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder stands and waves to the crowd from his seat on the platform with other dignitaries after being acknowledged by Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin during his inaugural address. Gov. Wilder, who served as an honorary co-chair and adviser to the gubernatorial transition team, was among eight former governors attending last Saturday’s official event. Also attending were former Govs. Chuck Robb; Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, who both currently serve in the U.S. Senate; George Allen; Jim Gilmore; and Bob McDonnell. Outgoing Gov. Ralph S. Northam ceremonially turned over the keys to the Executive Mansion and posed for a photo with the auspicious group of former leaders before the swearing in, and left the ceremony after the oath of office was administered. Former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who lost November’s election to Gov. Youngkin, did not attend.

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder stands and waves to the crowd from his seat on the platform with other dignitaries after being acknowledged by Gov. …

Published on January 20, 2022

Honoring hometown champions // Virginia Union University basketball standout Ashley Smith, center, reacts to laudatory comments made by Richmond City Council President Chris A. Hilbert during Monday night’s City Council meeting. Ms. Smith, her teammates with the Lady Panthers and Coach AnnMarie Gilbert, left, were recognized by Mayor Levar M. Stoney and City Council for their championship showing in this year’s NCAA Division II Tournament. The Elite Eight team lost in the tournament final to Ashland University of Ohio. During the tournament, Dominion Energy lighted up its Downtown building with a message of support for the Lady Panthers. Mr. Hilbert said Monday the team lighted up the hearts of all Richmonders with its championship skill, poise and spirit. Ms. Smith scored 28 points in the team’s semifinal victory over California Baptist University, a feat Mr. Hilbert said he could never achieve, evoking laughter from the team.

Honoring hometown champions // Virginia Union University basketball standout Ashley Smith, center, reacts to laudatory comments made by Richmond City Council President Chris A. Hilbert …

Published on April 13, 2017

Rep. A. Donald McEachin of Richmond, left, is congratulated by Howard L. Baugh of Portsmouth after the con- gressman was made an honorary Tuskegee Airman during a ceremony last Saturday by the Howard Baugh Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. in Petersburg. Mr. Baugh is the oldest son of the late Lt. Col. Howard Baugh of Petersburg who was one of the famed airmen of the 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group that escorted bombers on combat missions over Europe during World War II. Lt. Col. Baugh was honored during his lifetime with numerous commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the U.S. Air Force Commendation Medal, along with the French Legion of Honor Award bestowed by the French government. The ceremony was held at the Richmond Executive Airport in Chesterfield County. The Petersburg group is one of 56 Tuskegee Airmen chapters in the United States dedicated to honoring the accomplishments and preserving the legacy of the airmen who trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.

Rep. A. Donald McEachin of Richmond, left, is congratulated by Howard L. Baugh of Portsmouth after the con- gressman was made an honorary Tuskegee Airman …

Published on January 24, 2020

The big Stone Brewery beer production center is heading toward completion in the East End. Location: Williamsburg Avenue and Stony Run Road. The California-based company selected Richmond for its East Coast brewery last October. To help get the plant up and running quickly, the city has borrowed $23 million to build the factory, which the company is to repay in monthly installments over 25 years. The company is directly investing $51 million in the equipment, land and other costs. Brewing is expected to begin early next year, possibly in January. Production could top 120,000 barrels a year and could grow to 500,000 barrels a year. Up to 100 people could be employed there. Separately, the city is beginning to make plans for creating an $8 million restaurant and beer garden for Stone Brewery at the now vacant Intermediate Terminal on the riverfront. The company also would repay the city for that investment. As yet, there has been no indication on when construction of that restaurant and entertainment development might begin. Initially, work on that portion of the project was expected to begin at least two years after the brewery opening.

The big Stone Brewery beer production center is heading toward completion in the East End. Location: Williamsburg Avenue and Stony Run Road. The California-based company …

Published on December 5, 2015

On a clear or cloudy day, several Richmond schools are generating energy to help power their facility. Here, solar panels on the roof of Lucille M. Brown Middle School on Jahnke Road in South Side are the latest effort by Richmond Public Schools to “Go Green” and cut energy costs. Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Jason Kamras, Gov. Ralph S. Northam and other officials held a news conference last Friday at the school to announce that the last of 10 city schools now have solar panels. The panels will produce enough electricity to cover about 24 percent of the schools’ electrical needs. The $2.9 million project, which also includes an energy monitoring system, was completed during the summer and was paid for by a grant from RVA Solar Fund, part of the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond, and were developed by Secure Futures Solar, a clean energy company. The panels will save RPS approximately $2 million in utility costs over the next 20 years, or about $100,000 annually, officials said. Officials said it is the largest solar energy system at a K-12 school division in Virginia to date. The other city schools with solar panels are Huguenot High School, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School and Oak Grove, Miles J. Jones, Linwood Holton, Blackwell, Fisher, Broad Rock and G.H. Reid elementary schools.

On a clear or cloudy day, several Richmond schools are generating energy to help power their facility. Here, solar panels on the roof of Lucille …

Published on February 28, 2020

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