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City Charter changes approved
Among the first bills that Dr. Michael J. Jones could patron as a new member of the House of Delegates is one that would usher in changes to the City Charter, or constitution. Now the president of City Council, a post he will give up Dec. 31, he was among six members who agreed Monday to support a package of charter changes and send the package to the Virginia legislature for approval.
Shattered wings
City cuts bird-safe glass from new community centers
As plans for three new community centers in Richmond took shape, an internal City Hall review committee recommended that the windows and glazing on the buildings be designed in a way that would reduce the risk of birds being killed by smashing into them. However, without any explanation, Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration rejected the modest change that the Urban Design Committee (UDC) sought.
Planning Commission rejects fire training facility
A controversial proposal to install a training facility for Richmond firefighters on a major section of lawn at the Hickory Hill Community Center again has been rejected.
Petersburg council to revisit jail closure plan
Will the Petersburg City Jail close as Mayor W. Howard Myers has announced? Stay tuned. Mayor Myers is facing a Petersburg City Council revolt over his announcement last week that the jail closing is a done deal and that arrestees would be housed outside the city at Riverside Regional Jail beginning March 1.
Communion wine ban in prisons rejected
Can prisons ban inmates from drinking communion wine at religious services behind bars? The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals says no.
Plans call for using smartphones to boost health in city
Smartphones could change the delivery of health information in Richmond — particularly to low-income residents. Mobile phones are now seen as a key to helping people set up and get reminders about appointments with doctors, navigate the health care system and learn about preventive care options now available through the Affordable Care Act or Obamacare.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Warning: Smoking may cause eviction
New smoke-free policy takes effect Aug.1 for all RRHA properties, including 4,000 public housing units in city
Residents of public housing in Richmond are facing a ban on smoking in three months.
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.
Signs of 2019 shutdown for Coliseum
The 47-year-old Richmond Coliseum could go dark next year even in the face of continuing uncertainty about a private group’s proposal to tear it down and replace it with a new $220 million arena.
Goldman to pursue new City Charter change
Should Richmond’s top priority be modernizing obsolete public school buildings or replacing the 47-year-old Richmond Coliseum? Veteran political strategist Paul Goldman wants to give city voters the opportunity to weigh in on that issue.
Budget blowup splits mayor, City Council
Relations between Mayor Levar M. Stoney and City Council disintegrated Wednesday as council poised to make a modest cut in departmental spending and reject his proposed 9-cent increase in the property tax rate.
City election officials called on the carpet
The Virginia Department of Elections has a software upgrade that could have prevented voters in precincts split into two or more election districts from receiving the wrong ballots, the Free Press has learned. The finding comes at the same time the state Board of Elections, which oversees the department, has asked City of Richmond election officials to appear Jan. 8 before the state board to explain a series of problems that cropped up during the Nov. 3 election.
Opponents fear Main Street Station plans will run over slave memorial
Hopes of creating a memorial park in Shockoe Bottom recalling Richmond’s role as a center of the slave trade appear to conflict with efforts to make Main Street Station a more significant passenger rail stop.
History marker going up for Shockoe Hill African Burying Ground; mixed results on Confederate markers
A new state history marker to a long forgotten Black cemetery in Richmond is on the way, while two highway markers to the city’s Confederate past have been removed.
‘We’re not giving up’
Urban One leadership acknowledges casino vote delay
Forget about a second vote on a casino-resort in November.
