Officials confirm new regional discussions to address homelessness using federal money
Richmond and its two biggest neighbors, Chesterfield and Henrico counties, have begun talks on a regional approach to the needs of the hundreds of people who are homeless in the area, including the potential for creating a year-round emergency shelter with support services.
Primary victories put several Black candidates in position to win
Black influence in Virginia politics appears to be growing.
Safe bets
More than 488,000 voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s Democratic primary, choosing former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Delegate Hala S. Ayala and Attorney General Mark R. Herring to carry the banner in November
After casting her ballot Tuesday at a North Side precinct, Justine Farmer said she felt she had to go with a familiar Democrat who could win in the fall. That’s why the Richmond office worker said she voted for former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, the happy warrior of Virginia politics who appears to draw energy from being on the campaign trail.
Bethlehem Baptist Church leaving East End for the suburbs
Bethlehem Baptist Church, which bills itself as “The church in the heart of the city with the city in our hearts,” is moving from Fairmount Avenue in the East End to the suburbs, according to Carolyn Demery, chair of the church’s Deacon Board.
Virginia Supreme Court hears arguments in Lee statue cases
Can a group of landowners block the governor and the legislature from removing a giant symbol of white supremacy?
Judge blocks meeting called by Fourth Baptist pastor
A Richmond judge on Tuesday blocked the pastor and the deacon board of a divided Fourth Baptist Church from holding a special congregational meeting on Saturday, June 5, to take a second vote on removing trustees, the church treasurer and the chair of the finance committee.
Richmond native rapper Brax lives on in mural to be unveiled
A new mural will be unveiled this weekend in North Side celebrating Braxton Trenae Baker, a Richmond-born rapper who performed as Brax and made a major splash on social media before her death last year at age 21.
Painting contractor still waiting for payment on work at River City Middle School
Months after Richmond’s new River City Middle School was completed and turned over to Richmond Public Schools, William Bullock is still waiting to get paid nearly $200,000.
Stay or go?
The Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments next Tuesday on whether Gov. Ralp S. Northam has the authority to remove the Monument Avenue statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee
The fate of the giant statue of slavery-defending Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee that has loomed over Monument Avenue for more than 130 years now rests with the seven justices of the Virginia Supreme Court.
Church members to return to court June 1 in Fourth Baptist conflict
A Richmond judge again is being asked to step into the fight for control of a divided Fourth Baptist Church and stop the pastor and its deacons from trying anew to oust their opponents — six trustees, the chair of the Finance Committee and the church treasurer.
Veteran, challenger talk reform in Democratic primary for commonwealth’s attorney
Criminal justice reform is the common theme of the two Democrats competing to be Richmond’s chief prosecutor, or commonwealth’s attorney.
City Council approves $772.8M budget for 2021-22
Richmond City Council passed a $772.8 million general fund budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year Monday night that in large part aims to increase the attraction of working for City Hall.
Gold rush
Urban One wins nod to operate a casino-resort in South Richmond with a contract based on high expectations and promises of payouts
As the Virginia General Assembly considered legislation in winter 2020 to authorize casino gambling in Richmond and four other cities, Alfred C. Liggins III spent time buttonholing House and Senate members.
Plans move forward to remove Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill monument and tomb
The statue of Confederate Gen. A.P. Hill appears to be on its way to removal, along with his gravesite over which the statue towers at Laburnum Avenue and Hermitage Road in North Side.
Dr. Victor L. Davis Sr., who led Bethlehem Baptist Church for more than 3 decades, dies at 69
Dr. Victor Lee Davis Sr. had twin careers as a teacher in Richmond Public Schools and as the pastor for nearly 32 years of Bethlehem Baptist Church in the city’s East End.
Mayor, City Council step up effort to help families in trauma
For the past eight years, City Hall has left it to volunteers to organize vigils and comfort grieving families after the slaying of a relative, an all-too-common occurrence in Richmond.
Linwood D. Ross, scoutmaster and deacon, dies at 91
Linwood Dixon Ross taught hundreds of Richmond boys to be prepared while building their confidence and helping to shaping their character.
Street conditions improving with paving, pothole repair
The condition of city streets is improving as more paving is done and the number of reported potholes has fallen sharply.
City Council works on plan for distributing American Rescue Plan funds
Richmond City Council is taking its first swing at divvying up the massive infusion of nearly $155 million that is to flow into city coffers from the federal American Rescue Plan.
Bessie E. Hundley, salon owner, travel agent and day care operator, dies at 99
Frustrated by low wages, Bessie Mercell Eddleton Hund- ley went into business for herself.
City doesn’t own Confederate monument at South Richmond courthouse
The City of Richmond has never owned the massive Confederate stone monument that sits outside the South Side courthouse named for Richmond’s first Black mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr.
Richmond sheriff’s race heats up
Sheriff Antionette V. Irving wants voters to re-elect her to a second four-year term based on her track record operating the Richmond City Justice Center and handling other duties of the office.
Aretha Ann Washington, who provided a mother’s love to dozens of children, dies at 74
Aretha Ann Washington’s home always overflowed with children.
Broader vision called for in building new Wythe H.S.
How many new high school seats does Richmond need now and how many will it need in 20 years?
City Council to vote on new $772M budget plan May 10
The first ever city pay supplement for public defenders who represent most Richmond residents charged with crimes.
Former Judge Pamela O’Berry joins attorney general’s staff
Just a month after she was forced off the bench in Chesterfield County, former General District Court Judge Pamela O’Berry has landed softly in the office of state Attorney General Mark R. Herring.
Rejected casino group threats legal challenge to city selection process
Dennis Cotto has spent much of his adult life fighting legal battles.
Shirley Rasberry, local seamstress, dies at 80
Shirley Mae Rasberry was a popular Richmond seamstress, her family said.
New city voter registrar brings experience, passion to the job
Keith Balmer will make history Monday, May 10, when he is sworn into a four-year term as Richmond’s new voter registrar amid the surge of work for the June 8 Democratic primary.
Overlooked:
Confederate marker at South Richmond courthouse
Even as City Council starts to move ahead on disposing of most of the city’s collection of Confederate statues, another Confederate monument remains undisturbed at the South Richmond courthouse.
’Breathing Places’ exhibit opens May 5 at The Valentine
Did you know that Capitol Square, the popular green space that surrounds the State Capitol building, was developed by the City of Richmond in 1804 as its first park?
Clarence Wall, administrator at Central State Hospital, dies at 86
Clarence Edward Limas Wall, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve and former director of hospital programs at Central State Hospital, has died. The Richmond native died Sunday, April 18, 2021. He was 86.
Jackpot?
Councilman Michael Jones defends $5,000 campaign contribution from potential casino operator
A key figure in the competition to develop a Richmond casino was an early contributor to 9th District City Councilman Michael J. Jones’ now ended campaign for the House of Delegates.
Price of new Wythe High School skyrockets to $140M
The price tag to replace aging George Wythe High School has jumped to $140 million, a 40 percent hike from the previous estimate of $100 million.
Adele C. Johnson, Black History Museum executive director, succumbs at 70
Adele C. Johnson pushed to ensure the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia lived up to its name during her four-year tenure as executive director.
City Council recommends big pay raises for city employees
Coming this year: A major pay increase for city employees.
Richmond to get millions under federal American Rescue Plan package
The American Rescue Plan, which provided a $1,400 check to almost every adult in the country, is about to rain even more money on City Hall.
Va. Supreme Court upholds $250,000 damage award for racial slurs
Persistent use of racial slurs can be costly, as the owner of a Loudoun County remodeling firm has learned.
Historic site review slows rail lines planned over historic Black cemetery
Could a long-hidden Black cemetery impact plans to improve rail service between Richmond’s Main Street Station and Union Station in Washington, D.C.?
City Electoral Board issues referred to commonwealth’s attorney
The Virginia Board of Elections punted Tuesday on trying to decide whether any wrongdoing occurred with the Richmond Electoral Board’s count of ballots in last November’s election.
Judge suspends incorporation efforts at Fourth Baptist Church
A Richmond judge has temporarily blocked historic Fourth Baptist Church from taking any further steps to incorporate and reversed other actions approved during the pandemic.
Va. minimum wage goes to $9.50 on May 1
Saturday, May 1, will usher in a major jump in pay for tens of thousands of hourly workers across Virginia.
Casino contenders now down to 2; Bally’s out
Just two contenders are left in the competition to build a casino-resort in Richmond, and one already has corralled the support of a majority of City Council.
Timeline outlined for disposal of city-owned Confederate statues
Richmond City Council could vote to dispose of the city’s collection of Confederate statues at the Monday, June 14, meeting, according to a tentative plan for action.
Land conservancy to acquire 5.2 acres on riverfront for parkland
Instead of private condos or offices, a major piece of Dock Street property that nestles the James River is on its way to becoming parkland everyone can use.
City police, firefighters seek $8.9M for simpler, more competitive pay plan
The Richmond Fire Department is so short of trained manpower that it plans to impose mandatory overtime later this month to ensure adequate coverage for fires and medical emergencies, firefighters told Richmond City Council on Monday night.
Confederate chair found in New Orleans; alleged bandits nabbed
The stolen chair dedicated to Confederate President Jefferson Davis has been recovered in New Orleans, and the owners of a tattoo parlor in the “Big Easy” have been arrested on related felony charges, though their attorneys are calling their arrests “a mistake.”
UR faculty votes for rector’s removal as board outlines new plan
The University of Richmond Board of Trustees this week took a first step to organizing a commission that would “establish principles on renaming” buildings at the private, 4,000-student school.
Andrea Peyton Sharpe, bookkeeper, dies at 73
Brothers Jerry F. “Jay” Sharpe Jr. and Devron N. Sharpe run very different businesses in the Richmond area. But the one person each trusted to keep their books was their mother, Andrea Peyton Sharpe.
School Board taking control of new building construction
The Richmond School Board is taking back control of the design, development and construction of new schools, potentially blocking a City Hall plan to fast-track design and development of a replacement building for worn-out George Wythe High School.
