All results / Stories / Jeremy M. Lazarus
General Assembly completes work on budget, criminal justice reform
Fairer sentencing for people convicted of crimes and a Marcus crisis alert system to improve the response to mental health emergencies are among the criminal justice reforms that have emerged from the General Assembly’s special session.
William Hugo Van Jackson Jr., musician and music educator, dies at 86
William Hugo Van Jackson Jr., a jazz performer who spread his love of music to thousands of Richmond students through his music teaching and directing of high school bands, has died. Mr. Jackson, who was living in Ellicott City, Md., died on Sunday, April 3, 2022. He was 86.
RRHA will meet with groups opposed to evictions
So help us. That is Stacey Daniels-Fayson’s response to critics of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s resumption of the eviction process for hundreds of public housing residents who have fallen behind in rent payments.
All Souls Presbyterian shares its North Side sanctuary with new nondenominational ministry
Sharing space with other ministries. That is the formula that 68-year-old All Souls Presbyterian Church in North Side is using to keep its doors open.
Planned Fire Training Center clears final hurdle
The Richmond Fire Department can proceed with building a new training center on a 2-acre section of lawn at Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side, despite the property being zoned as residential.
City Council approves 1% pension hike for retirees starting Jan. 1
As anticipated, Richmond City Council unanimously approved a 1 percent pension increase for retired city employees, beginning Jan. 1, during a special meeting on Monday.
Rejected casino group threats legal challenge to city selection process
Dennis Cotto has spent much of his adult life fighting legal battles.
RRHA residents in ‘buy or move’ spot
Charlene C. Harris hoped to live out her years at 1600 Colorado Ave., the single-family brick cottage that she and her family have called home for 47 years. But now the retired 68-year-old state employee is being told she must either purchase the two-bedroom home from her landlord, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, or face moving. “It’s a terrible situation,” she said. “RRHA has told me I have to put up $500 to begin the process and to get a mortgage by December. Otherwise, I would have to accept relocation.”
Supplies surprise: $200 shopping spree helps teachers get ready for school
Wednesday was a big day for about 200 teachers from the three city public schools that sit along Forest Hill Avenue in the 4th Council District.
Center ordered to sell Cowardin Avenue parcel
Pastor Stephen A. Parson has spent more than 16 months fending off a lender’s attempt to foreclose on the current South Side home of the Richmond Christian Center he founded more than 30 years ago.
ACLU calls for prohibition of ‘marijuana smell’ warrantless searches
Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring is aware that police officers are using the claim of “I smell marijuana” to justify pat-downs of people and car searches, particularly “in poor communities of color.”
79th House District candidates cite school funding, gun legislation and criminal justice reform as key issues
Three candidates have been knocking on thousands of doors and sending out mailers in pitching to represent the House of Delegates 7th District. Next Tuesday, June 20, voters will choose from Rae Cousins, Ann-Frances Lambert and Richard W. Walker as the Democratic nominee and the odds-on favorite to win in the November general election.
RPS whistleblower to be moved to another school
A Spanish teacher who blew the whistle on student grade-changing by officials at Lucille Brown Middle School in Richmond will not be fired.
Former President Obama, First Lady Jill Biden, other big-name Dems to stump for McAuliffe
Former President Obama and other prominent Democrats are headed to Virginia in a bid to rally voters for the party’s candidate for governor, Terry McAuliffe.
City Council votes to move $9M from fund to help cover budget shortfall
Three months ago, City Hall was happily stuffing $12 million into savings accounts while enthusing about how the city’s economy in the 2019-20 fiscal year had proven more robust and resilient than anticipated during the pandemic.
City alleys now to receive maintenance on regular schedule
The roar of heavy equipment over a backyard fence signals the start of work on another alley. Suddenly, with little publicity, city alleys are starting to get regular attention and care.
New studies boost claims that nasal flushing may help protect against COVID-19
New studies support a Richmond man’s claims that flushing your nose daily can protect against COVID-19 and other diseases that develop in the nose and sinuses.
GRTC workers strike deal on new contract
GRTC bus drivers and mechanics have approved a new contract that will boost their pay $1.10 an hour over the three-year life of the agreement, or an average of 2.2 percent. Both the transit company’s management and the union representing about 285 hourly workers are hailing the agreement that followed 10 months of quiet, but tough negotiations.
Making moves
Legal battle to remove Parker Agelasto from City Council ramps up
The legal fight to remove 5th District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto from office as the result of his move to the 1st District last year is gaining new energy.
Wilder sues VCU president, dean of school named for him
He may be 86, but former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is showing Virginia Commonwealth University he is not to be trifled with.
