Ashe mural to be unveiled at Battery Park on July 12
It’s unveiling time for a new mural tribute to the late Arthur Ashe, the Richmond-born tennis star and humanitarian.
Prospect of home ownership escapes 70-year-old Randolph resident
Charlene C. Harris hoped to buy the home in Randolph that she and her family have rented for nearly 50 years from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
‘Tear those statues down’
Richmonders decry mayor’s plan to put Confederate statues ‘in context’
Ora Lomax is still fuming over Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s plans for dealing with the stone and bronze figures that have been defining symbols of Richmond for generations — the statues of Confederate defenders of slavery that punctuate Monument Avenue.
City Council seeks to allocate surplus
Just in case the city ends up with another big surplus when the 2017 fiscal year closes on June 30, Richmond City Council is trying to limit the mayor’s ability to put the extra money into a “rainy day” fund, or unassigned account, to make it off limits.
Study finds info on students’ emotional and physical disabilities left off referrals to cops, courts
Richmond area school divisions appear to be flouting federal and state regulations by withholding critical information when they refer special education students to law enforcement departments and the courts for serious misconduct, according to a new study.
Groundbreaking for Capitol Square’s new Native American monument June 24
Virginia’s Native Americans are moving closer to gaining their own monument in Capitol Square.
VFH receives grant to more fully tell story of Va. slavery
Students, scholars and others who want to know more about the African-American experience in Virginia soon may be able to take virtual reality tours of various sites in the state.
Former Prince Hall Shriners top official dies at 88
Earl Haddon Gray, a former national leader of the Prince Hall Shriners, has died. Family and friends paid their final tributes to Mr. Gray on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel in North Side.
RRHA to sell 26 homes to highest bidders
A major opportunity to create affordable homes for families with below average incomes in Richmond is going by the wayside.
Initiative to get schools on Nov. ballot collects 6,619 signatures in one day
During the June 13 primary election, more than 6,600 Richmond voters signed petitions to put the issue of Richmond’s deteriorating schools on the city ballot in November, the Free Press has learned.
Activist claims no signs banning interstate hitchhiking invalidates his arrest
The Virginia Department of Transportation appears to be flouting a state law. That law, section 46.2-808 of the state code, requires the agency to post signs on entryways to the interstates stating that pedestrians, horseback riders, farm tractors, cyclists and mopeds are banned from using high-speed, controlled-access highways.
Councilwoman Gray crafting new plan on severance pay
Remember the $166,000 in severance packages former Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones awarded to four members of his staff as his term ended last December and the $77,000 City Council awarded to three outgoing employees? Remember the vows of incoming council members to reform the way the city handles severance and end-of-service pay for departing employees?
18-story apartment tower planned for Belvidere, Grace streets
Richmond is losing another gas station on the edge of Downtown, but is set to gain a $100 million apartment tower in exchange.
Overby-Sheppard Elementary School set for 6-month overhaul
A North Side elementary school is about to get a $4 million overhaul — complementing the housing developments that have begun reshaping the Highland Park community.
A.V. Norrell to stay open
The A.V. Norrell Elementary School building in North Side, which was slated for closure, likely is going to fill up again with more school employees.
Irving beats longtime Richmond sheriff in major upset
By every measure, Antionette V. Irving seemed to have no shot of winning her third attempt to unseat Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr.
McQuinn wins primary, clearing way for 5th term in House
Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn is on her way to a fifth term in the House of Delegates.
2 national conferences coming to Richmond
Richmond is becoming common ground for liberals and conservatives. This weekend, hundreds of anti-war activists are expected to flood into Downtown to push their agenda of bringing the troops home and silencing war drums in the administration.
Mayor hires new fire chief; fires interim chief
Melvin D. “Hank” Carter has reached the summit of the city’s Fire Department. The 53-year-old Richmond native has been named the 21st chief of the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Primed for November
Primary winners Northam, Gillespie will carry Dem and GOP banners into gov. election
Virginia’s next governor will either be Democrat Ralph S. Northam or Republican Edward W. “Ed” Gillespie. The choice of the competitors was made by 900,000 voters who trooped to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the primary elections for both political parties.
What really happened?
New details change initial police report of Mosby Court events surrounding special agent’s death
Travis A. Ball initially was portrayed as a depraved killer who fatally shot Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter in the head without provocation.
Battery Park art project on tennis great Arthur Ashe to educate, elevate
Sir James Thornhill has spent the past 11 years enlivening buildings, mostly in Jackson Ward, with murals depicting often forgotten African-American heroes.
Children ages 10, 11 charged in RPS employee shooting at Norrell Annex
Richmond Police reported Wednesday the arrest of three children who allegedly were involved in the May 1 shooting of a Richmond Public Schools employee during a break-in at the now-closed Norrell Annex, 201 W. Graham Road in North Side.
Several Democrats seeking party nod in area House of Delegates races
Can Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn fend off her first Democratic primary challenger since she won the 70th House District seat eight years ago?
Primary contests for city sheriff and treasurer
Races for Richmond sheriff and city treasurer essentially will be decided next Tuesday, June 13. With no Republican competition, the winners of the Democratic primaries for the two offices are virtually guaranteed to win in November in this majority Democratic city.
James Madison’s home, Montpelier, to open exhibit on slavery June 5
A big change is coming to Montpelier, the historic home of James Madison, a former U.S. president and a key figure in the development of the U.S. Constitution.
Evergreen Cemetery sold to Enrichmond Foundation
Unkempt, but historic Evergreen Cemetery has a new owner eager to preserve and protect the burial ground for banker Maggie L. Walker, crusading journalist John Mitchell Jr. and as many as 50,000 other African-Americans. After months of talks, Enrichmond Foundation, the nonprofit support arm for city parks and recreation, completed the purchase of the 60-acre cemetery from a private family corporation.
What’s all the Hoopla?
Richmond Public Library doubles its digital offerings
The Richmond Public Library just doubled its offerings of books, music, movies, TV shows, video games and other items, and it didn’t have to buy anything.
Mayor seeks to lease part of park to Chesterfield for county drinking water
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney apparently is seeking to overturn a 16-year-old ban on development in a public park in South Side.
Rep. McEachin calls for speedy HUD intervention at Essex Village after woman’s fall
During heavy weekend rains, odorous and toxic raw sewage once again flowed freely over the lawn in Essex Village, ranked as Henrico County’s worst apartment complex.
Six Points Innovation Center to hold grand opening June 6
An empty storefront on Meadowbridge Road in Highland Park is about to open as a creative space where young people can learn advocacy, develop leadership skills and explore career opportunities.
‘When is enough enough?’
Slaying of Va. State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter grips Mosby Court
At an April community meeting, residents of Mosby Court pleaded with Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham for a crackdown to end the violence in the section of the public housing community located off Accommodation Street in the East End.
Money moved to restore alley blitz
The alley blitz is back on track. Bobby Vincent, director of the Richmond Department of Public Works, received the $700,000 his department needs to begin hiring up to 20 temporary workers and to rent front loaders and rollers.
City quietly pumps $833,569 more into Monroe Park renovation
The renovation of Monroe Park is a prime example of why Richmond City Council is becoming more aggressive in overseeing city spending.
Mother-son youth outreach expands with plans for summer camp
William Duron Carter has a passion for assisting young people.
Blind George Wythe H.S. student transferred after bullying claims
Already under a federal investigation for allegedly engaging in heavy-handed and disparate student discipline, Richmond Public Schools is facing new allegations of ignoring bullying of students with physical and mental disabilities.
Gardens sprouting from the work of area churches
At Second Baptist Church in South Side, volunteer gardeners are preparing to produce a cornucopia of vegetables and herbs on a quarter-acre garden plot next to the sanctuary on Broad Rock Boulevard.
Hilbert to mayor: Don’t veto City Council budget
Money allocated to fix potholes or plow streets cannot be used for picking up trash unless Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney secures approval to shift the funds from Richmond City Council.
Changes at 2 North Side funeral homes
They may deal with death, but two venerable, African-American-owned funeral homes in North Side are getting new life. The former W.S. Watkins & Son Funeral Home at 2700 North Ave. has new owners who vow to rebuild the 84-year-old business.
Support builds for more fiscal controls over Mayor Stoney
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney is doing all he can to avoid the fiscal handcuffs that City Council is poised to slap on him.
REAL House to help former inmates on road to recovery
Michael J. “Mike” Tillem is helping to solve one of the most vexing problems facing addicts who are released from prison — a place to stay where they can continue their recovery.
Trump to Comey: ‘You’re fired’
President Trump, who previously was full of praise for FBI Director James Comey, fired him on Tuesday, stunning Washington and the nation.
Finally — City Council ready to vote on new budget May 15
Veteran Richmond police officers and firefighters are in line for major raises after July 1 in a bid to slow their departure to surrounding localities that pay more.
New program to create jobs, new homes and opportunity
Buy vacant lots in depressed sections of Richmond. Then have small, black-owned construction firms fill the lots with modern, affordable homes that can sell quickly while creating jobs for nearby residents.
More help requested at Evergreen, East End cemeteries
More help, please. That’s the plea from Marvin Harris, founder and president of the nonprofit Evergreen Restoration Foundation that is dedicated to improving the historic 60-acre Evergreen Cemetery on the border between Richmond and Henrico County in the East End.
Honeymoon over?
Plans afoot to limit mayor’s spending decisions
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s honeymoon with Richmond City Council appears to be coming to an end. Asserting that the council needs greater control over spending, two of the newest members, Kim B. Gray, 2nd District, and Kristen N. Larson, 4th District, are planning to introduce legislation that would slap fiscal handcuffs on the mayor and his administration.
Bank business turns ugly for local man
Every two weeks like clockwork, Jeffrey Perry has deposited his paycheck at the Wells Fargo bank branch in Mechanicsville located a few blocks from his workplace.
RPS employee shot in building slated for closure
Delays in closing the A.V. Norrell school buildings in North Side may have helped put Richmond Public Schools staff who work there in harm’s way Monday.
Alley blitz underway to fill potholes
Some of the worst alleys in the city are about to get a facelift. The Richmond Department of Public Works this week unleashed a new alley blitz to redo 1,300 alleys from Church Hill to Walmsley Boulevard in South Side and Highland Park in North Side to the Museum District in the West End.
