Foundation poised with cash to purchase Woodland Cemetery
The Evergreen Restoration Foundation has raised the $50,000 needed to purchase Woodland Cemetery, a historic African-American cemetery in Henrico County that is the burial ground of Arthur Ashe Jr., the Richmond-born tennis great and humanitarian.
Under fire
Calls grow for Interim Chief Blackwell to resign after word of his fatal 2002 officer-involved shooting
Interim Richmond Police Chief William V. “Jody” Blackwell is supposed to be the right person to focus on “necessary public safety reform, healing and trust building within the community.”
Home health workers often overlooked in state COVID-19 protection efforts
Ever since the COVID-19 emergency was declared in March, the state has pushed a well-publicized effort to get masks, gowns and other protective gear for doctors, nurses and other health care workers in hospitals and nursing homes.
Sen. Jennifer McClellan announces her candidacy for governor
After 15 years in the General Assembly, Sen. Jennifer L. Mc- Clellan wants to play a bigger role in shaping state policy.
City sets up $6M eviction assistance plan to aid during COVID-19
Janice Lacy had a job she loved transporting elderly and disabled people. But then COVID-19 hit and she was laid off in mid-March after the state of emergency was declared.
Rep. McEachin handily wins Democratic primary contest
Richmond voters joined others in the 4th Congressional District in supporting Rep. A. Donald McEachin for a third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
City attorney cautions officials against any emergency order to remove Confederate statues
Calls for City Hall to remove the last three city-owned Confederate statues on Monument Avenue before people are injured or killed trying to pull them down appeared to die this week after Interim City Attorney Haskell C. Brown III cautioned that city officials and any contractors hired to do the work could face felony charges.
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.
Music educator and band director John H. Scott Jr. dies at 59
As a young man, John Henry Scott Jr. loved playing the trumpet in marching bands in high school and college.
40 candidates throwing hat in ring for City Council, School Board seats
Contests are shaping up in Richmond for seven City Council seats and six School Board seats.
SCC bans most utility cutoffs until Aug. 31
Virginians who have fallen far behind in paying their electric bills have gained a two-month reprieve from disconnections.
City voter registrar to host June 22 ‘Drive Up, Drop Off!’
Early voting in Richmond is jumping in popularity ahead of the Tuesday, June 23, party primary, and city Voter Registrar Kirk Showalter is taking an extra step to ensure mail-in ballots get counted.
GRTC to offer free rides through June 2021
GRTC, which eliminated fares in March, will continue free rides on the Pulse bus rapid transit system, regular buses and CARE vans through at least June 30, 2021. For now, riders still will be required to wear face coverings.
Court hearing Thursday on Confederate statue removal
Can Gov. Ralph S. Northam use his authority to remove the huge, state-owned statue of traitorous and slavery-defending Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Monument Avenue?
VSU facing possible $26M deficit, enrollment drop
Virginia State University has become a prime example of the financial hits historically black colleges and universities are taking because of the coronavirus.
Washington NFL team to skip training in Richmond
Following a decision from the National Football League, the Washington pro football team will not be traveling to Richmond to train in late July and early August.
Booted out
After days of protests and videos of police tear-gassing and pepper-spraying peaceful crowds, Richmond Police Chief Will Smith was asked to resign Tuesday by Mayor Levar M. Stoney
A year ago, new Richmond Police Chief Will Smith was extolled as the best thing since sliced bread when it came to leading 754 sworn officers in the fight against crime.
Internet radio stations flourish locally from the comfort of home
Homes in South Richmond have quietly been turned into radio stations that broadcast music and other offerings to thousands of listeners.
Plans shape up for developments in Gilpin Court area
The Stallings family is preparing to go even bigger on developing its property in Gilpin Court, which lies north of Interstate 95 in Downtown and is best known for the public housing community.
City Hall has started parking enforcement again, more than two months after shutting it down, it has been announced.
City Hall has started parking enforcement again, more than two months after shutting it down, it has been announced.
City launches aid efforts to help businesses damaged in protests
Recovery help is on the way for Richmond businesses damaged by vandals during the local protests over a white Minneapolis police officer’s killing of George Floyd.
State Supreme Court halts evictions through June 29
At least 1,349 households in Richmond and hundreds more around the state have a three-week reprieve from eviction proceedings as the state prepares to roll out a rent relief program.
City Charter language may stymie efforts to remove Confederate statues
As demonstrations in Richmond for racial justice and against police brutality continued for the 12th day on Wednesday, all nine members of City Council already are on board for one monumental change — removal of the statues of Confederate traitors that litter Monument Avenue and other parts of the city.
Police Chief Will Smith orders policy review after tear-gassing of protesters
Restraint. That appears to the watchword for the Richmond Police Department that is still smarting from a June 1 incident in which officers fired tear gas and pepper-sprayed a crowd of hundreds protesting police brutality and racial injustice about 30 minutes before a city-imposed 8 p.m. curfew.
City erupts
Death of George Floyd in Minneapolis prompts plans for reform by Mayor Stoney and Gov. Northam, including removal of Confederate statues on Monument Avenue
The statues of Confederate traitors are headed for removal from Monument Avenue — ending their long reign as white supremacist icons of Richmond that extends back to 1890.
Thousands of protesters hit the streets
A white Minneapolis police officer’s killing of 46-year-old George Floyd by kneeling on his neck for nearly 9 minutes was the final straw.
Black Lives Matter not welcome on billboards?
Is Lamar Advertising, which owns a major share of the nation’s highway billboards, preventing clients from posting signs using the phrase “Black Lives Matter”?
Richmond native Dr. Elizabeth Bouey-Yates, educator and philanthropist, dies in S.C.
Resource-starved schools in South Africa are benefiting from the work of Richmond native Dr. Elizabeth “Bettye” Bouey-Yates.
GRTC passengers must wear face masks beginning Friday
The rides will still be free, but GRTC will require passengers to wear face masks, or nose and mouth coverings, as of Friday, May 29, to board its regular buses, vans and Pulse rapid transit.
Campaign mounts to purchase Woodland Cemetery
Neglected Woodland Cemetery — the final resting place of Richmond-born tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe Jr. and thousands of other African-Americans — soon could have new ownership if money can be raised.
City to open Friday at a ‘slow and steady pace’
Even with the coronavirus still causing sickness and death, Richmond is finally set to reopen, though gingerly and in a limited fashion, under what the state terms Phase One. It will be far from business as usual.
City Council looks to ease zoning for homeless shelter locations
City Council this week took the first step toward lifting zoning restrictions that have largely limited homeless shelters to Downtown and low-income sections of the city.
Dr. Clinton V. Turner Sr., former Virginia commissioner of agriculture and consumer services, dies at 76
Dr. Clinton Vassett Turner Sr., the first African-American to serve as Virginia commissioner of agriculture, has died.
Richmond-Petersburg to become central to U.S. critical drug manufacturing and stockpile
Richmond has just become the national headquarters for a government effort to resolve a long-festering problem — American dependence on overseas supplies of life-saving medications.
Judge rules that fewer signatures needed for mayoral candidates to get on Nov. ballot
Mayoral candidates in Richmond will need far fewer valid petition signatures to qualify for the ballot, thanks to a lawsuit one candidate filed challenging the current 500-signature requirement.
City tax bills go out without amnesty details
Richmond residents have until Friday, Aug. 14, to pay city taxes on their real estate and vehicles without being hit with a penalty and interest for late payment under a recently approved ordinance.
New type of renter’s insurance covers security deposit
When it comes to renting an apartment, one problem people face is the big outlay.
COVID-19 info or campaigning?
Did 9th District Councilman Michael J. Jones misinform City Council in seeking permission to use city funds to send a direct mail card to his constituents?
Public housing residents sheltered, temporarily, from eviction
Will there be a flood of eviction cases next month?
City may be facing deficit in current 2019-20 budget
Three months ago, with the city’s economy booming, Richmond’s government projected an $8.5 million surplus when the current fiscal year ends June 30. But today, the city appears to be facing a $6.2 million deficit, according to the latest data for the 2019-20 fiscal year, after the coronavirus sent the local economy — and that of the state, the
City employee dies of the coronavirus
A veteran social worker is the first City of Richmond employee to succumb to the coronavirus. Twelve others among the city’s 4,000 employees have tested positive for the virus.
GRTC provides more protective gear to drivers
It took nearly two months, but GRTC is ramping up virus protection for drivers who have kept the public transit system rolling during the pandemic.
City Council waives tax penalties
Richmond residents and businesses will have until Friday, Aug. 14, to pay their 2020 city tax bills on real estate and on vehicles and other personal property without incurring an additional penalty or interest charge.
Hopewell man still waiting for Islamic center's collection to benefit his injured wife
After his wife was shot and nearly killed in their Hopewell home, Iftikhar H. Saiyed was grateful when the Tri Cities Islamic Center in Chester took up a collection from worshippers to benefit the family during her recovery. But nearly four years later, Mr. Saiyed said he is still waiting to receive the money that members raised.
Judge approves settlement dropping witness requirement in June 23 primary
As anticipated, a federal judge has approved a settlement that will allow voters to cast mail-in ballots without a witness signature for the June 23 primary elections. The ruling doesn’t apply to local elections taking place on Tuesday, May 19.
City Council clears way for $38.5M cut to 2020-21 budget
City Council is backing Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to cut $38.5 million from his initial budget plan for the 2020-21 fiscal year that begins July 1, even as some members aren’t sure it’s enough.
Nothing stops 80-year-old from taking her birthday bridge walk
When her 80th birthday arrived, Corrine V. “Coco” Mc- Claine was bound and determined not to let the coronavirus stop her from capping the celebration with her traditional practice — a walk across the Lee Bridge in Downtown.
Daily Planet, CAHN and CrossOver clinics provide COVID-19 testing
As the coronavirus arrived in Richmond, the nonprofit Daily Planet Health Services in Downtown was among the quickest to set up a testing operation for its mostly low-income and homeless patients.
State education official disputes findings of state inspector general
Virginia Inspector General Michael C. Westfall has reported that a top official in the state Department of Education set up a private consulting business that used resources developed through her state job and tweeted an announcement after setting up two websites to advertise her business.
Revival linked to COVID-19
Deaths of 6 Metro Revival attendees may be connected to the coronavirus
A three-night revival in early March that brought more than 1,200 people from across the Richmond area to Cedar Street Baptist Church of God in Church Hill each evening appears to have helped spread the coronavirus in the African-American community.
