All results / Stories / Jeremy M. Lazarus
State watchdog report finds significant flaws in state’s special education efforts
Every year, more than 2,300 special education students — 20 percent — are awarded essentially worthless diplomas when they graduate.
Annie Giles Center to have grand reopening ceremony July 31
It has been a soup kitchen and a shelter for the homeless during the winter.
Heating repairs still needed on 104 public housing units
Heat has been restored to more than 300 public housing units, but work still needs to be completed in more than 100 other units.
Waiver of penalties and interest on late real estate and vehicle taxes in works
Richmonders are being promised some relief as they face a Friday, June 5, deadline for paying city taxes on real estate and vehicles.
27,952 registered in 2 days
Voters flood state online registration system during deadline extension
Tens of thousands of Virginians registered to vote last week after a federal judge ordered the state to reopen the voter rolls for two extra days.
Legislators told to ‘buckle up’ for fast-paced session
Abortion, gun control and voting rights among top issues
A sharply divided General Assembly was gaveled back into session Wednesday for a potentially contentious 46 days.
Audit report dings Finance Department
More than a quarter of registered vehicle owners wrongly assessed penalties, late fees
The Richmond Finance Department wrongly hit owners of 66,057 vehicles with late payment fees and interest in 2022 even though the owners paid by the deadline, a new audit has found.
Federal judge finds no ADA violation in Sheriff’s Office hiring decision
A federal judge has found that Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. did not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act when he declined to reassign a disabled deputy to a vacant payroll position and instead hired someone else to fill the job.
Regional computer programming school proposed
Ten school districts, including Richmond, Chesterfield and Henrico, are embarking on a bold educational experiment aimed at overhauling career training for area high school students, particularly those struggling in traditional classes. The first step: Creation of a regional school that would give students the skills to become computer programmers and open doors to careers in engineering, computer science and other technology fields, according to a grant application the alliance of schools submitted to the state Department of Education.
City Council slated to vote April 9 on remote meetings
City Council is to take its final step Thursday, April 9, to enable online meetings that would include a method to allow the public to submit comments.
VSU, NSU still facing cutbacks
Cutbacks. That’s what Norfolk State and Virginia State universities are facing because of surprisingly steep enrollment drops. Enrollment at both of the state-funded, historically black institutions peaked in 2012 and then began a sharp decline. Based on current projections, both schools expect to enroll at least 25 percent fewer students in the fall than in 2012. That means less income and more need to reduce spending on staff and programs.
Council finalizing City budget
Ambulance trip costs rise, City Hall offices primed for upgrades
Richmond Public Schools must live with the $21 million increase from city taxpayers, and retired city employees, for now, will not get an anticipated 5 percent bonus. Also, there will be no new funding to aid the city in battling climate change. However, the Richmond Ambulance Author-
VSU rejects critical state audit
Virginia State University has politely, but firmly rejected many of the findings in a scathing state audit and ignored others in stoutly defending its financial practices.
City Council committee again closes door on private ambulance service
Richmond City Council’s Public Safety Committee voted to kill legislation that would give Fire Chief Melvin Carter greater decision-making authority over permits for the operation of private ambulance service within the city.
Richmond Public Library ends fines for overdue materials
Forget being hit with a fine for the late return of a book, recording or other item borrowed from the Richmond Public Library.
Property values up in city
For the third year in a row, rising property values in Richmond will put Richmond City Council on the spot when it comes to collecting property taxes from owners of real estate.
VCU to turn over its bus service to GRTC
Students, faculty and employees of Virginia Commonwealth University will continue to ride free on GRTC buses, including Pulse, local and express service for at least three more years.
Congressional district change may cost city $60,000-plus
Call it an unexpected expense. Richmond might have to cough up between $60,000 and $80,000 to notify city voters that they have been moved from the 3rd Congressional District to the 4th Congressional District.
Woman seeks to visit deceased son’s daughter as holidays near
All that 69-year-old Richmonder Yolanda D. Fox wants for Christmas is to see her granddaughter, Mariah.
