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It’s a family affair: When the string didn’t work on Sunday to unveil the honorary North Side street sign for the late Clarence L. Townes Jr., Townes family members and friends lifted Mr. Townes’ great-grandson, 8-year-old Ryland Willis, to remove the sign’s covering. A crowd turned out for the honor to the late Richmond business and civic leader who also was chairman of the Richmond School Board for four years. He died in January 2017. Below, the Townes family stands by the sign located at the intersection of Ladies Mile Road and the 3100 block of Hawthorne Avenue. (Ava Reaves)

It’s a family affair: When the string didn’t work on Sunday to unveil the honorary North Side street sign for the late Clarence L. Townes …

Published on February 8, 2019

The building boom in Richmond continues, with the Manchester area in South Side being one of the hottest areas for apartment construction. These photos show the construction of the Riverview Apartments by Alabama-based LIV Development on 7 acres at Semmes and Cowardin avenues just east of the Lee Bridge. When complete next year, the $50 million development is to offer 269 units in seven buildings. Begun in 2019, the development is just the latest in the area. Across the street on the site of a former car dealership, development is underway on another 180 units. A host of other apartments are in planning or under construction to the east, such as River’s Edge II, The Current and South Falls.

The building boom in Richmond continues, with the Manchester area in South Side being one of the hottest areas for apartment construction. These photos show …

Published on November 25, 2020

Flooded streets like this one on North Side have been commonplace in Richmond as a result of repeated December downpours. Location: Lombardy Street and Overbrook Road. This photograph was taken Thursday, Dec. 17, when an inch of rain fell. Nearly 4 inches of rain have fallen on the city since then. Through Wednesday, Richmond had recorded 5.87 inches of rain since Dec. 1. That is 2.7 inches above normal for the month. The arrival of January, though, will shut off the taps. Beginning with Friday, Jan. 1, the weather is forecast to be dry through Thursday, Jan. 7. High temperatures are forecast to be in the 40s and 50s, with lows in the 20s and 30s during the period.

Flooded streets like this one on North Side have been commonplace in Richmond as a result of repeated December downpours. Location: Lombardy Street and Overbrook …

Published on January 1, 2016

Getting his wheels // Anthony Bullock, 12, works on his balance and gets comfortable riding a bicycle during a practice session last week at Great Shiplock Park. The student at Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School in the East End was with Jim Cramer, a retired pilot who has been Anthony’s mentor for three years. The pair met when Anthony was a student at Richmond’s Woodville Elementary School through the public school’s relationship with the Micah Ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

Getting his wheels // Anthony Bullock, 12, works on his balance and gets comfortable riding a bicycle during a practice session last week at Great …

Published on April 28, 2017

Nellie Crump Thomas prays at the New Year’s Day program at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. The audience included leaders of Richmond City Council and the School Board, incoming Richmond state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and other area elected officials. The Baptist Min- isters’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, led by the Dr. Emanuel C. Harris, hosts the event to remember the day when President Abraham Lincoln issued his Civil War proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing slaves in the South. The Rev. Ricardo Brown, co-pastor of Fifth Baptist Church, served as chair of the program that also raises money for area NAACP branches.

Nellie Crump Thomas prays at the New Year’s Day program at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. The audience included leaders of Richmond City …

Published on January 10, 2020

Improvements to Abner Clay Park continue to take shape. New trees have been planted and old concrete has been replaced in the park at Leigh Street and Brook Road in Jackson Ward. Richmond is investing $1.27 million in renovating the park. Centennial Contractor Enterprises began the work in October, with completion expected within 60 to 90 days, including installation of a multipurpose field for football and other sports. An anonymous donation of $200,000 enabled installation of a new children’s playground, according to a city official. The only question is whether the pandemic will have cleared up so children and families can start using the park when the work is finished.

Improvements to Abner Clay Park continue to take shape. New trees have been planted and old concrete has been replaced in the park at Leigh …

Published on April 2, 2020

When the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures disrupted plans to sell Girl Scout cookies from booths throughout Central Virginia, that didn’t stop the resourceful Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The organization, with 17,400 scouts in the region, has donated 1,000 cases of Girl Scout cookies to Feed More, the area’s largest food bank. That’s 12,000 boxes of Thin Mints, S’mores, Trefoils and Lemonades and other popular cookie flavors that will be distributed to families and individuals in need during this critical time. Here, employees of Dunmar Moving Systems deliver the Girl Scout cookies on Wednesday to the Feed More warehouse in Richmond’s North Side.

When the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures disrupted plans to sell Girl Scout cookies from booths throughout Central Virginia, that didn’t stop the resourceful …

Published on May 7, 2020

“Each year on Oct. 10, the Sacred Ground Project hosts a community gathering at the African Burial Ground to mark the date in 1800 when the great slave rebellion leader Gabriel was executed at the town gallows,” said Ana Edwards, founder and chair of the project. “We gather to honor Gabriel and all those who gave their lives in the cause of freedom, to celebrate more than 20 years of learning the history of this sacred ground and to rededicate ourselves to reclaiming and properly memorializing Shockoe Bottom once the epicenter of the U.S. domestic slave trade. This year we also are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Virginia Defenders for Freedom, Justice & Equality!”

“Each year on Oct. 10, the Sacred Ground Project hosts a community gathering at the African Burial Ground to mark the date in 1800 when …

Published on October 13, 2022

Hailing from New Orleans, the 79rs Gang brought its revolutionary sounds and riveting performance to the Richmond Folk Festival. On Mardi Gras Day in New Orleans, the city’s Black Masking Carnival gangs enact ritualistic musical battles in the streets, decked out in impossibly colorful, intricate costumery. Rivalries were put aside when Jermaine Bossier, Big Chief of the 7th Ward Creole Hunters, and Romeo Bougere, Big Chief of the 9th Ward Hunters, teamed up to form the musical powerhouse 79rs Gang. Folk Festival attendees enjoyed the 79rs and several other musical acts during this year’s festival. Hurry back!

Hailing from New Orleans, the 79rs Gang brought its revolutionary sounds and riveting performance to the Richmond Folk Festival. On Mardi Gras Day in New …

Published on October 13, 2022

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, center, cuts the ribbon to reopen Monroe Park on Sept. 27. He is flanked by VCU President Michael Rao and Alice M. Massie, president of the park’s new governing body, the Monroe Park Conservancy, and other dignitaries. The nearly 8-acre space was Richmond’s first public park when the city acquired the land in 1851. The reopening will allow churches and other groups to resume serving meals to the homeless on weekends. The Monroe Park Conservancy has a 30-year lease with the city to operate and manage the park in cooperation with the city’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Mayor Levar M. Stoney, center, cuts the ribbon to reopen Monroe Park on Sept. 27. He is flanked by VCU President Michael Rao and Alice …

Published on October 4, 2018

A sign posted in Richmond’s Byrd Park offers motorists a friendly reminder: “Love It? Then Lock It! Or Lose It!” Despite the reminder for drivers to lock their cars to keep themselves and their belongings safe, more than 1,390 thefts from motor vehicles have been reported to Richmond Police so far this year. And 561 cars have been reported stolen in the city through Aug. 11. Both figures are down from the same period last year, when 741 cars were reported stolen and there were 1,526 reports of theft from vehicles. The campaign is neither new nor unique to Richmond. Police departments across the nation use the same slogan to remind residents.

A sign posted in Richmond’s Byrd Park offers motorists a friendly reminder: “Love It? Then Lock It! Or Lose It!” Despite the reminder for drivers …

Published on August 16, 2019

Celebrating ‘the Black Cyclone’- this new mural in Jackson Ward pays homage to forgotten American cycling superstar — Marshall Walter “Major” taylor. Richmond artist sir James thornhill created the colorful mural featuring the two-wheel racing phenom. Location: 1st and Marshall streets. Dubbed “the Black Cyclone,” Mr. taylor broke the color barrier in the sport in the 1890s when bike racing was a big deal in this country and Europe. Despite bigoted competitors attempts to injure him, he ranked as the fastest cyclist in the world into the early 1900s. the cycling Hall of Famer set seven world records and won 117 of his 168 races, while placing second in the rest. He reportedly earned $30,000 a year in his prime, an immense sum for the period.

Celebrating ‘the Black Cyclone’- this new mural in Jackson Ward pays homage to forgotten American cycling superstar — Marshall Walter “Major” taylor. Richmond artist sir …

Published on August 28, 2015

Pitching in for Flint // Faith and civic groups, businesses and people across the Richmond region are pitching in to help the residents of Flint, Mich., whose public water has been poisoned with high levels of lead. Joining the effort, Fourth Baptist Church Pastor Emory Berry Jr., above left, and Hermon Jones load bottled water onto a truck Wednesday at the East End church to be trucked and distributed to Flint residents. Similar volunteer efforts are being conducted at several churches. Flint’s water crisis began when Michigan officials decided to temporarily switch Flint’s water source from Lake Huron to the Flint River in 2014 as a cost-saving measure. Since then, children and adults have been sickened by the water, with reports of rashes, hair loss and other illnesses.

Pitching in for Flint // Faith and civic groups, businesses and people across the Richmond region are pitching in to help the residents of Flint, …

Published on March 31, 2016

U.S. Postal Service employee Louis Hatcher directs traffic at the Main Post Office on Brook Road as last-minute filers arrive Monday to drop off their federal income tax documents before the deadline. The goal: To have their letters and envelopes postmarked April 18 to avoid penalties for late filing. The deadline is usually April 15, but it was extended this year because of Washington’s annual D.C. Emancipation Day holiday commemorating President Abraham Lincoln’s signing of a law on April 16, 1862, abolishing slavery in the nation’s capital. Although the holiday is recognized only in the District of Columbia, the IRS recognizes the day as a legal holiday and extends tax filing until the next business day when it falls on a Friday or during a weekend.

U.S. Postal Service employee Louis Hatcher directs traffic at the Main Post Office on Brook Road as last-minute filers arrive Monday to drop off their …

Published on April 22, 2016

A swollen James River flows by the railroad bridge near Brown’s Island. Fueled by recent heavy rains upstream, the river rose above flood stage running through Richmond. Data show the river crested at 15.4 feet Monday at the Westham gauge, or about 3 feet above flood stage. A kayaker who got stuck Monday in the rapids nearly drowned before he was rescued by city emergency personnel. On Tuesday, when this photo was taken, the river was still running above 11 feet at the City Locks near Shockoe Bottom, also 3 feet above flood stage. The river fell below flood stage Wednesday. The U.S. Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey are forecasting that the river will drop to a less treacherous 7 feet by Friday.

A swollen James River flows by the railroad bridge near Brown’s Island. Fueled by recent heavy rains upstream, the river rose above flood stage running …

Published on February 17, 2018

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at the Manchester Dock. The three-day event, organized by the Elegba Folklore Society and its founder, Janine Y. Bell, marks the date on June 19, 1865, when enslaved people in Texas learned of their freedom after the defeat of the Confederates and Union forces took control of that state. Richmond’s celebration included educational sessions for people of all ages to learn about Africans brought to this nation 400 years ago and their struggles and contributions. At Saturday’s events, called “Independence Day Our Way,” Imani Bell, left, teaches youngsters African dances with the accompaniment of drummers. (Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press)

Celebrating Juneteenth/ Hundreds of people enjoy activities last Saturday at “Juneteenth: A Freedom Celebration” on the waterfront of the James River in South Side at …

Published on June 21, 2019

Jasmin McDougle, 23, of Virginia Beach brings attention to justice for Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old massage therapist who died after a police encounter in Aurora, Colo., on Aug. 24, 2019. He was walking home from a convenience store when he was stopped by police and put in a chokehold. Paramedics called to the scene administered ketamine to sedate him. He died seven days later after being removed from life support. Three officers involved were put on administrative leave at the time and have since been re-assigned. A main demand of protesters, including this peaceful sit-in last Friday at the Lee statue by the 381 Movement, is to stop the police killing of African-Americans and people of color.

Jasmin McDougle, 23, of Virginia Beach brings attention to justice for Elijah McClain, the 23-year-old massage therapist who died after a police encounter in Aurora, …

Published on July 16, 2020

Tamra Collins and her 6-year-old son, Isaiah, happily sled down a hill at Shrader Road and Eunice Drive last Sunday in Henrico County. When 3 inches of snow hit the metro area last weekend, people took to the outdoors to enjoy the wintry landscape. People were sledding, had snowball fights and built snowmen. While this was Metro Richmond’s first big snowfall of the winter season, the area escaped the 1 to 3 feet of snow the same storm dropped on the Northeast. Much of the snow has melted already, with more wet weather on the way. Rain is expected Friday, Feb. 5, with the possibility of rain and/or snow showers on Sunday, Feb. 7. Nightly temperatures are forecast to remain at or below freezing through next week.

Tamra Collins and her 6-year-old son, Isaiah, happily sled down a hill at Shrader Road and Eunice Drive last Sunday in Henrico County. When 3 …

Published on February 4, 2021

Pittsburgh NCAA college football defensive back Damar Hamlin poses for a photo with Bryce Williams, 3, of Mckees Rocks, Pa., after the youngster picked out a toy during Hamlin’s Chasing M’s Foundation community toy drive at kelly and Nina’s Daycare Center, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020, in Mckees Rocks, Pa. Hamlin wanted to raise $2,500 online to buy toys for needy kids. It took about two years. Then came Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, when the Buffalo Bills safety was critically injured during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He instantly became one of the biggest stories in sports, and thousands of people found his GoFundMe page. The result: Roughly $3.7 million donated in the first 12 hours.

Pittsburgh NCAA college football defensive back Damar Hamlin poses for a photo with Bryce Williams, 3, of Mckees Rocks, Pa., after the youngster picked out …

Published on January 5, 2023

Cityscape // This new public sculpture, titled “Estuary,” now stands behind Fire Station No. 17 at 2211 Semmes Ave. Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones led the July 21 unveiling of the 10-foot-tall, stainless steel piece. The sculptor is Ross Caudill of Brooklyn, N.Y., who earned his master’s in fine arts at Virginia Commonwealth University. When the station was built in 2012, 1 percent of the $4.6 million construction cost was set aside to pay for public art to go with it. Mr. Caudill was paid $34,103, and another $5,000 was spent to install his work. However, his sculpture is largely invisible to people and traffic passing the station on Semmes. It is actually located outside the station property in adjacent Canoe Run Park, where it overlooks people playing and exercising. The city park is at 20th Street and Riverside Drive.

Cityscape // This new public sculpture, titled “Estuary,” now stands behind Fire Station No. 17 at 2211 Semmes Ave. Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones led …

Published on August 5, 2016