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Key Awareness publisher Robert W. Evans Sr. dies at 77
Robert Wright Evans Sr. described life as “a never-ending journey” that is best done with the aim of using God-given gifts and talents “as uplifting blessings with the many souls and spirits encountered along the way.”
Helen Harris, a leading voice for Henrico County’s Black residents, remembered
‘Her leadership and tireless advocacy made the county a more inclusive and equitable place’
Thanks to Helen Virginia Epps Harris, Henrico County annually celebrates the holiday in honor of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and also has dramatically increased its hiring of Black employees. Her impact on public policy is just part of the influence she wielded during a life that her family said was devoted to service to others and fueled by a desire to see Black people advance and thrive. Mrs. Harris’ multiple contributions to community betterment are being remembered following her death on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at age 83.
Preschool transportation plan may be more extensive, expensive than RPS planned
The free bus service Richmond Public Schools will offer to get more low-income parents to enroll their 4-year-olds in a state- supported preschool program is likely to have to be more extensive and potentially more expensive than originally envisioned.
It’s complicated
Beleaguered foundation’s last member determined to maintain Black cemeteries, despite ongoing obstacles
The last board member of the collapsed Enrichmond Foundation is working to turn over to City Hall control of two historic Black cemeteries as well as other properties and assets still in the foundation’s name.
Absence marks Emancipation Proclamation Day service
Jan. 1 marks one of the greatest days in American history — the day when President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation to abolish slavery amid the raging Civil War.
Washington NFL team drops its $500,000 annual fee to train in Richmond
It is still up in the air whether the Washington NFL football team will hold its annual summer training camp in Richmond or whether there will even be a football season, given the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Durham reflects on his tenure in Richmond
Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham is done. He wrapped up Dec. 20 by issuing promotions to 12 officers, including naming three deputy chiefs and tapping one, William C. Smith, to serve as acting chief.
Elkhardt school to close for good
Elkhardt Middle School may be converted to apartments or offices one day. But the building is finished providing classroom space for public school students. The end came Feb. 12 when the final bell sounded dismissal. With help from 50 volunteers, teachers packed up the next day, beginning the move of students to Clark Springs Elementary School to finish the year. Clark Springs will open as the new Elkhardt as soon as the snow emergency passes. Leaky steam pipes have allowed health-threatening mold to infest the Elkhardt building. But the cost of making the building usable again is too great,space use.
18 out of 44
That’s how many city public schools are fully accredited
The good news: 18 of Richmond’s 44 public schools — 41 percent — are fully accredited based on relatively high student pass rates on state Standards of Learning tests. That’s an increase from last year’s 17 accredited schools, according to the Virginia Department of Education. The bad news: Richmond has 19 schools that have been denied accreditation because of low student pass rates on SOL tests.
Changing the trajectory
RRHA ushering in new initiatives for jobs, health and safety
Steven B. Nesmith promised to transform the operation of Richmond’s public housing and the opportunities for residents when he assumed leadership of the authority last fall.
Housing authority suspends evictions for now
The board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has temporarily halted its administration from filing eviction lawsuits before its next scheduled meeting Feb. 16.
VCU silent on questions about 'Jabo' Wilkins' retired jersey and number
Silence. That’s the response from Virginia Commonwealth University to several Free Press inquiries on what happened to the formal recognition for one of its greatest basketball players, the late Charles “Jabo” Wilkins.
Rally-goers call for reinstatement of parole in Virginia
“He was incarcerated when I was young, and I can’t remember a day with him not behind bars.”
Gold tapped to launch new grocery in Church Hill
Steve and Kathie Markel refused to be deterred when they could not find anyone interested in opening a supermarket in the $30 million Church Hill North retail-commercial-apartment complex they are developing at 25th Street, Fairmount Avenue and Nine Mile Road.
Coliseum review panel stalled after attempt to add VUU president
New twists occurred this week in the ongoing saga of the Navy Hill District Corp. proposal to replace the Richmond Coliseum.
City jail deputy shortages continue
“This feels like an emergency situation. It feels like we are in a crisis.”
Virginia House-Senate disagreement threatens proposed minimum wage hike
One of the biggest fights in the waning days of the General Assembly involves raising the minimum wage from the current federal $7.25 an hour.
$6.8M: Richmond’s share from opioid manufacturers’ national settlement
Richmond is poised to gain at least a $6.8 million share of a national settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors for the harm caused and the expense dealing with the addiction epidemic they unleashed.
Coliseum referendum appears doubtful for Nov. 5 ballot
A nonbinding referendum on the $1.5 billion Coliseum replacement plan more than likely will not be on the Nov. 5 ballot despite claims that the city’s voter registrar wrongly disqualified the signatures of hundreds of registered Richmond voters who signed petitions seeking to allow the vote.
New legal effort launched to remove Agelasto from office
Parker C. Agelasto is facing a new legal attack seeking to remove him from his 5th District City Council seat since he moved his residence outside the district. Just two months after former City Councilman Henry W. “Chuck” Richardson filed a lawsuit in Richmond Circuit Court seeking Mr. Agelasto’s ouster, another former City Council member, Sa’ad El-Amin, is seeking a separate removal action in the same court.
