Federal unemployment checks ease money worries for newly laid off during pandemic
Just a few weeks ago, journalist-turned-bartender and server Lyndon German was feeling desperate. In the past year, the 26-year-old Mechanicsville native has seen his reporter jobs in Hopewell and Petersburg end as a result of newsroom cutbacks, and now his restaurant job in a popular local café has disappeared as a result of COVID-19.
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.
Plasma from recovered patients may hold cure for others
If you have recovered from COVID-19, the antibodies you developed could help save someone who is struggling to survive.
Overall crime down in Richmond during pandemic
One silver lining during this pandemic is a reduction in crime, according to Richmond Police Chief Will Smith.
City to step up housing aid with $4.3M in federal funding
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Tuesday that Richmond will use an infusion of federal cash and city funds to pour $5.8 million into emergency housing for homeless people, the creation of more housing and services to those at risk of eviction when courts resume action on cases, possibly on Monday, May 18.
Waiver of penalties and interest on late real estate and vehicle taxes in works
Richmonders are being promised some relief as they face a Friday, June 5, deadline for paying city taxes on real estate and vehicles.
Richmond Convention Center not needed for auxiliary pandemic hospital
The plan to convert the Greater Richmond Convention Center into an emergency hospital for COVID-19 patients has been sidelined for now, according to Dr. Danny Avula, director of the Richmond City and Henrico County Health districts.
Noted reggae musician Drummie Zeb returns to his Richmond roots
Inspired by the vibrations from the marching bands at the Richmond Christmas Parade, 10-year-old Ernest Myron Williams begged his mother for a set of drums. She scrimped and saved to provide one.
Rev. Frank Lomax Jr., minister of stewardship at Quioccasin Baptist Church, dies at 89
The Rev. Frank Lomax Jr. spent his working life as an auditor for the Internal Revenue Service. But after retiring, he found his way into the ministry.
City voter registrar’s office may be moving to North Side
The headquarters for voting in Richmond soon could move out of City Hall.
Telehealth grows during pandemic as safe way to confer with health professionals
Richmonder Melissa Hanson survived a vicious assault, but she still lives with the physical damage, mental scars and post-traumatic stress disorder. Like many people needing mental health therapy, Ms. Hanson found the pandemic disrupted her ability to meet with her caseworker three times a week and to get help with errands such as grocery shopping.
GRTC subsidy in question
Instead of a route number, GRTC is now sending a message on its bus displays urging people to avoid riding unless the trip is necessary to get to work, a grocery store or to health care. The purpose: To help prevent the spread of coronavirus by reducing the number of people joy riding on buses now that fares have been eliminated.
A bishop till the end
New Deliverance’s Gerald O. Glenn dies of COVID-19
Bishop Gerald Otis Glenn vowed to keep his Chesterfield County church open during the coronavirus pandemic “un- less I am in jail or in the hospital.” Just three weeks later, the respected leader of New Deliverance Evangelistic Church joined the list of people who died from the coronavirus.
City budget amendments reflect reduced revenue anticipated from pandemic impact
Richmond residents would not see any hikes in utility rates that would have added $5.56 a month to the average bill beginning July 1.
COVID-19 testing to begin in high-risk areas of city
The Richmond City Health District plans to ramp up testing for coronavirus in neighborhoods that appear to be the most at risk — low-income areas of the city that are home to many African-Americans.
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.
City Council raises percentage of vehicle taxes residents must pay
As people struggle to pay their bills amid the pandemic, City Council has quietly approved a 1 percent increase in the tax that owners of vehicles garaged in Richmond must pay by Friday, June 5.
Allergies or the coronavirus?
What the symptoms tell you
Is it allergies or the coronavirus? That’s a major question in Richmond, the nation’s capital for allergies based on pollen counts, number of allergy specialists and purchases of allergy medicine, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation.
Robert W. “Bob” Peay, longtime social work educator, dies at 75
Robert W. “Bob” Peay helped train two generations of social workers in the Richmond area and beyond during his 27 years as a faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Social Work.
City Council readies for lower revenue projections
Ninth District Councilman Michael J. Jones, chair of City Council’s Finance and Economic Development Committee, esti- mates that projected Richmond revenues in the new fiscal year that will begin July 1 could shrink by $75 million to $100 million as a result of the coronavirus.
City Council slated to vote April 9 on remote meetings
City Council is to take its final step Thursday, April 9, to enable online meetings that would include a method to allow the public to submit comments.
City offers help to families, businesses impacted by coronavirus
City Hall is providing $500 stipends to struggling families with children who can’t wait for federal assistance and is offering loans up to $20,000 to aid smaller businesses to meet payroll.
City social services department finds itself stressed with a shortage of workers
As the coronavirus stalks the city, more people are turning to the Richmond Department of Social Services for help.
Social distancing has mixed practice around Richmond
Walk into any retail store, and it’s clear that the messages about social distancing and personal protection have penetrated only so far.
Richmond family dealing with death of loved one from coronavirus
Richmonder Paul Amos Wright had a job he loved. And it killed him. Mr. Wright, 78, is among Virginia’s latest victims of COVID-19.
Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club becomes temporary shelter for homeless
The Salvation Army this week turned its recently renovated Boys and Girls Club in Church Hill into a temporary 75-bed shelter for homeless people.
VCU researcher asks: Could AR-12 help combat COVID-19?
Dr. Paul Dent is frustrated that a virus-killing compound he spent years investigating is not being used as a treatment in the current coronavirus pandemic.
Starting as a pastor in the midst of a pandemic
“I never imagined I would start my ministry in the midst of a pandemic,” Dr. Joshua L. Mitchell said.
City Council setting up procedures for public meetings online
The Richmond City Council is moving to set up processes and procedures for holding online public meetings, including ways to gain resident comments on legislation, it was announced Tuesday.
GRTC officials seek to limit ridership to essential trips
Teens and younger children might have a harder time taking advantage of free rides on GRTC. On Tuesday, the bus company announced that unaccompanied minors no longer can ride the public transit buses unless they are dressed in work uniforms or can show proof of employment, such as a badge.
Candidates emerge in Richmond mayor’s race and other city contests
The initial candidates are starting to emerge in the race for Richmond offices despite the unprecedented disruptions from coronavirus that are impacting every aspect — from collecting signatures to get on the ballot to fundraising and knocking on doors to meet voters.
Preddy D. Ray Sr., longtime affordable housing advocate who sought to keep people in their neighborhoods, dies at 69
In 1971, Preddy Drew Ray Sr. was among a group of nine Richmond college students who packed their bags and went to a Cincinnati conference on af- fordable housing and the role community groups could play.
Cathy’s Camp razed, but people keep coming during pandemic
Homeless people keep coming despite the destruction last week of Cathy’s Camp, the tent community in Shockoe Valley, and the relocation of its residents to area motels and hotels.
Faces of leadership: Virginia Health Commissioner M. Norman Oliver is on front line of fight
“The health of our residents and the community is our top priority.”
GRTC eliminates fares; asks riders to take only essential trips
GRTC is no longer charging to ride. In a bid to protect its drivers and other employees from the spread of coronavirus, the transit company announced that it will stop collecting fares from passengers using Pulse, regular and express buses and CARE van service, effective Thursday, March 19.
City voter registrar gets green light to move to bigger office
By the time November’s presidential election arrives, Richmond is projected to have about 170,000 registered voters on its rolls.
Work underway on $12M Baker School apartment project
The long-awaited $12 million effort to transform the old Baker Elementary School building in Gilpin Court into 51 apartments is finally underway.
38-year-old scientist crosses into the realm of preserving historic African-American cemetery
Woodland Cemetery, the burial place of humanitarian and tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr. and thousands of other African-Americans, is looking spiffier, thanks to the dogged persistence of one man, John William Joseph Slavin.
Robins Foundation grant aimed at helping homeless students
Every year, between 1,300 and 1,500 students attending Richmond Public Schools are listed as homeless.
John Merchant, who broke barriers at U.Va. law school and in golf, dies at 87
John F. Merchant broke racial barriers in the legal profession and in the game of golf.
Mayor Stoney unveils a $1.92 billion budget plan for 2020-21
Mayor Levar M. Stoney wants to increase total city spending an additional $135 million — or nearly $600 per resident — to beef up investments in street paving, public education, city worker pay, affordable housing and other priorities.
Cooking up skills, dollars for RPS culinary program
Call it an eye-opening experience for Nicholas Pollard, Jaquan Wash- ington, TéAnna Warren and six other high school seniors in Richmond Public Schools’ culinary program at the Richmond Technical Center.
General Assembly wraps up with extraordinary changes
Tens of thousands of the lowest paid workers in Virginia are headed for a raise of at least $2.25 an hour next year — their first in 12 years.
Cathy’s Camp to be shut down by March 31, displacing homeless
Complete closure and removal. That’s what’s ahead for Cathy’s Camp, the tent community that sprang up in recent months adjacent to the city’s winter overflow shelter and across the street from the Richmond Justice Center.
General Assembly green-lights preference for Pamunkey tribe in local casino
The General Assembly, eager for a flood of green from casino gambling, gave a Virginia Indian tribe with a well-documented history and continuing practice of racial bigotry, a leg up in two cities — Richmond and Norfolk.
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.
Chesterfield to remain in CVWMA recycling program
A regional curbside recycling program that serves Richmond, Henrico County and seven other localities is no longer in danger of collapsing.
Enrichmond unveils $18.6M master plan for Evergreen Cemetery
Historic Evergreen Cemetery would be transformed into an outdoor college of African- American history and culture if the nonprofit that now owns the burial ground in the city’s East End can pull it off.
Richmond Public Library ends fines for overdue materials
Forget being hit with a fine for the late return of a book, recording or other item borrowed from the Richmond Public Library.
