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Forums deliver security tips to church leaders
Richmond area faith leaders and congregation members are on heightened alert following the mass killing of nine worshippers at a historic Charleston, S.C., church last week and a frightening incident that followed at a church in South Richmond.
Bike races hit bumps on the way to big start
The city’s grand plan to showcase itself to the world for the 2015 UCI Road World Championships is hitting some speed bumps.
Former ROC property to become residential school for adults
The North Side building and property that once served as home to the Richmond Outreach Center’s School of Urban Ministry has a new owner.
State hospital group lays groundwork for more money
Virginians face the possibility of losing access to health care as some hospitals and health care providers face cuts or closure due to financial strains. And health care workers are worried they may lose their jobs if health care and medical facilities are forced to cut back on services or close.
‘Let Freedom Ring’ initiative aimed at healing America
Descendants of Thomas Jefferson, the nation’s third president, and Sally Hemings, the African-American woman he enslaved and fathered six children with, are scheduled to gather at historic First Baptist Church of Williamsburg at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 1.
GRTC’s Secret Santa speads joy to riders
GRTC bus riders were pleasantly surprised last week when Santa Claus took time away from his busy holiday preparations and greeted them at the transfer plaza in Downtown.
Superintendent says $26.5 M increase needed for city schools
Pay now or pay later in negative repercussions that would largely impact the city’s most vulnerable residents. That was the urgent plea Richmond schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden issued Dec. 14 as he unveiled an estimate of needs for the district for fiscal year 2017. He requested about $26.5 million more than the current budget contains and that would raise the total schools budget to $298 million.
Harriet’s Place tea ministry opens in Washington Park
More than 100 colorful teapots of all shapes and sizes fill the idyllic home in the historic Washington Park community on North Side. They will serve as the centerpiece for Scripture Tea Fellowship Ministries, whose mission is to “provide spiritual, social, educational and economic empowerment in a safe place of refuge and relaxation over a cup of tea and the word of God,” according to the Rev. Jeanette Brown, the ministry’s founder.
McDonnell makes history
History will surely remember Bob McDonnell. Just not the way he had envisioned.
Faith leaders, elected officials call for calm, respect for Muslims
Imam Ammar Amonette said he and the 2,000 members of his congregation at the Islamic Center of Virginia in Bon Air have seen the ugly face of hate in the wake of the recent terror attacks by Muslim extremists in San Bernadino, Calif., and Paris.
Schools chief calls for $ to change students’ futures
In his first “State of the Schools” address, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden told an audience of about 300 people Tuesday night that education was “my ticket out of poverty.” “Part of my childhood was spent growing up in the low-income housing of Jordan Park in St. Petersburg, Florida,” he said in an address delivered at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the Virginia Union University campus.
Shooting survivor carries own message of forgiveness
A Henrico County man who survived being shot eight times in 2004 — and later forgave the shooter — said he was moved to tears as family members of the nine victims of the Charleston, S.C., church massacre appeared last Friday in a Charleston courtroom and told Dylann Roof, the racist gunman, they forgave him.
Jack Gravely new NAACP interim executive director
Jack Gravely last led the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP as executive director more than three decades ago. This week, Mr. Gravely began a second stint with the organization, this time as interim executive director. “I know this is a different era, but we still face some of the same issues along with some new ones, and I have the same passion to lead this organization to address them,” Mr. Gravely said Wednesday. He takes over from King Salim Khalfani, who was pushed out by the board in early 2014 after serving in the post for 15 years.
He’s helping released jail inmates get services
Devon Simmons said he gets deep satisfaction from helping inmates leaving local jails gain a new lease on life. “Instead of warehousing them, we need to provide them with more services to give them a better chance to succeed after they are released,” he said.
Highland Park women offer children ‘safe haven’
The sounds of happy children fill the air behind the two-story home of Lena Robinson and Loretta Wallace in Highland Park. Sixteen neighborhood children — ages 6 to 10 — alternately are playing board games and basketball and reading in the backyard of the home at 2000 Fourth Ave.
Stained by dishonor
Henrico student launches growing effort to remove segregationist’s name from school
Jordan Chapman said her jaw dropped in incredulous disbelief the day she learned in her Hermitage High School history class about the late Harry F. Byrd Sr., the former Virginia governor, U.S. senator and avowed white separatist for whom H.F. Byrd Middle School in Henrico County is named.
Journey for Justice’ makes stop in Richmond
“The struggles (for civil rights) that our parents and grandparents fought still continue. Those who would take away hard-earned rights take note: A new generation has taken up the challenge. As we march on this America’s ‘Journey for Justice,’ we say to everyone, ‘We will not turn around!’ ”
Faith helped police sergeant through childhood trauma
Richmond Police Sgt. Carol Adams says not a day goes by that she doesn’t have flashbacks of her father viciously beating her mother.
Smithsonian’s new African-American museum focus of forum
Throngs of visitors are expected to view exhibits chronicling the enslavement and emancipation of hundreds of thousands of Africans and African-Americans in the United States when the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture opens this fall on the National Mall in Washington. And they will see displays about President Obama’s historic election and leadership as the nation’s first African-American president.
Heartwarming return for Albert Hill coach
Coach Michele Drayton walked into the Albert H. Hill Middle School gym for the first time since suffering a stroke last month. The players on her girls’ basketball team excitedly ran over, showering her with hugs.
