City continues to catch up on paying old bills
Richmond City Hall is doing a far better job of paying its bills by its self-imposed 30-day deadline, according to a new report to Richmond City Council.
NAACP aids education advocate in Henrico trespass case
With help from the Henrico Branch NAACP, education advocate Kandise Lucas no longer is facing a charge of trespassing at Glen Allen High School. She also can go to other Henrico County schools without fear of arrest after a ban on entering school property was lifted.
North Side church to be razed for community garden
A community garden soon will replace a once treasured, but now vacant, century-old church building in North Side that is about to be demolished.
Petersburg’s interim city manager back on her transit job
Robert C. Bobb took control of the Petersburg city government Tuesday after being handed an opportunity to turn around the municipality that is drowning in unpaid bills.
New firm, CoStar, to bring 732 jobs to Downtown
Most people in Richmond probably never heard of CoStar Group Inc. before this week. Soon the 30-year-old company that is the No. 1 provider of information on commercial real estate will be a local household name.
27,952 registered in 2 days
Voters flood state online registration system during deadline extension
Tens of thousands of Virginians registered to vote last week after a federal judge ordered the state to reopen the voter rolls for two extra days.
First African Baptist group adopts half-acre to maintain at historic cemetery
The Men’s Ministry at First African Baptist Church wants to do its part to help restore the neglected, but historic Evergreen Cemetery, while also challenging other churches to get involved.
New ballpark for city? Squirrels, VCU hope so
Will Richmond be getting a new $55 million baseball stadium? Don’t bet on it.
Bobb caught in seesaw hiring decision
He was in, he was out and now Robert C. Bobb apparently is in again in Petersburg.
Henrico officer’s trial starts Monday for motorist shooting
Beautician Kimberly McNeil is still recovering from the four gunshots she suffered nearly a year ago. Next week, the man who nearly killed her, Henrico Police Officer Joel D. Greenway, will go on trial in one of the rare instances of a local law enforcement officer facing charges for shooting someone.
Drug court graduation Oct. 21
The Richmond Adult Drug Court will celebrate 11 new graduates 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21, at a public ceremony at the Richmond Police Training Academy, 1202 Graham Road, it has been announced.
‘Prescription Drug Take-Back Day’ Oct. 22
Do you have unused or expired prescriptions in your medicine cabinet? Want to get rid of them safely?
Police Memorial to be rededicated at ceremony on Saturday
The Richmond Police Memorial will be rededicated at a public ceremony 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at its new site, Blanton Avenue and Tafford Road in Byrd Park, it has been announced.
More time?
Civil rights group files lawsuit seeking extension of Va. voter registration deadline due to statewide computer crash
Virginia could become the latest state under federal court order to extend voter registration because of a disaster. The disaster in Virginia, however, is no hurricane, but a computer system.
Ta-Nehisi Coates: Election shows ‘centrality of racism’ in America
From his post as a national correspondent for The Atlantic magazine, Ta-Nehisi P. Coates casts a jaundiced eye at the current presidential race.
Ben Wallace removes jersey, photo from VUU over dispute
Pro basketball great Ben Wallace has removed his jersey from its place of honor at Barco-Stevens Hall at Virginia Union University where he was a star, the Free Press has learned.
Unused equipment symbolizes waste to Public Works employees
Expensive equipment sits unused at the Richmond Department of Public Works’ compound on Hopkins Road. Meanwhile, some vehicles and equipment have developed major rust spots that could reduce their useful life or lead to early breakdowns.
Several candidates support larger park plan
The small Lumpkin’s Jail site could be expanded into a larger memorial park remembering Richmond’s role in slavery after Mayor Dwight C. Jones leaves office, according to advocates for the expanded site.
Morrissey supports new ‘sin’ tax on cigarettes if elected
If Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham thought Mayor Dwight C. Jones was going to rush to Richmond City Council to seek approval for a plan to hire 70 more police officers over the next year to beef up his department, he was mistaken.
Police hiring not on fast track
If Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham thought Mayor Dwight C. Jones was going to rush to Richmond City Council to seek approval for a plan to hire 70 more police officers over the next year to beef up his department, he was mistaken.
Banking on Bobb
Petersburg City Council votes to hire former Richmond city manager to help correct a raft of troubles
Here he comes to save the day. At least that’s the big hope in Petersburg after Robert C. Bobb, a former Richmond city manager, was called in to help the beleaguered city correct its finances and deal with a stream of public and private creditors badgering the city for payment.
Creighton Court area transformation continues despite $30M federal loss
Richmond already is signaling it is ready to move ahead with the planned transformation of the Creighton Court public housing community, despite losing out on a $30 million federal grant.
Wilder, Sullivan to speak at VUU
Two high-achieving men who have left their mark on the country will headline a public forum 5 to 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10, at Virginia Union University.
Announcement expected Monday on new Shockoe Bottom slavery museum
Richmond is preparing to take its first big step toward developing a museum on slavery just north of Main Street Station in Shockoe Bottom.
Court rules that Christian-only prayers at government meetings are OK
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that governments do not violate the church-state barrier when elected community leaders exclusively deliver Christian prayers to begin meetings.
Carver Elementary recognized, while more Richmond schools lose accreditation
Richmond’s George Washington Carver Elementary School is winning national recognition for its success in student learning at the same time the number of failing schools in the city has increased.
Tyler drops out of mayor’s race; new poll shows Morrissey leading
A candidate for Richmond mayor dropped out Tuesday in a bid to help derail the acknowledged frontrunner, former Delegate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey.
End of an era
Harvey’s Progressive Barber Shop to close Downtown
For hundreds of Richmonders, Harvey’s Progressive Barber Shop in Downtown has been their go-to place for a haircut. No more.
Natural gas price rising for Richmond customers
The cost of natural gas — the fuel most Richmond residents cook and heat with and that many businesses use — is going up for the first time in more than two years.
Petersburg pays bond bill ahead of deadline
Dironna Moore Belton appears to be getting a handle on struggling Petersburg’s finances — although she has yet to find a way to secure the short-term loan she has called essential to keeping the city’s government afloat.
Second chances
‘Ban the box’ has opened door for city employment
Richmond City Council’s decision to “ban the box” has helped hundreds of people with criminal records gain a second chance at employment in city jobs during the past four years.
Monroe Park to get a $6M renovation
Monroe Park is about to get a $6 million facelift. The nonprofit Monroe Park Conservancy raised the $3 million in private funds to contribute to the renovation of the 165-year-old park, clearing the way for work to begin in early November, it was announced Wednesday.
Richmond Ambulance Authority marks 25 years of service
For thousands of Richmond residents, the Richmond Ambulance Authority has been a lifesaver. On Wednesday, the ambulance service marked its 25th year of providing emergency medical services.
Va. Supreme Court rejects contempt charge for governor
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is now free to keep restoring the voting rights of felons who have served their time — a relief to more than 18,000 people whose rights he has restored since Aug. 22. The Virginia Supreme Court refused to wade further into this increasingly partisan battle and threw out another Republican attempt to restrict the governor’s constitutional authority to restore voting rights.
Richmond Crusade for Voters endorses Morrissey
Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey picked up his first significant endorsement this week in the race for Richmond’s mayor, winning the backing of the Richmond Crusade for Voters.
Trouble doubles
Petersburg’s creditors lining up, suing to get paid
Dironna Moore Belton is counting on a flood of money pouring into Petersburg’s treasury in coming days from residents paying their first quarter property tax bills.
Gov. McAuliffe’s lawyers take aim at GOP contempt claim
Attorneys for Gov. Terry McAuliffe are urging the state Supreme Court to throw out a Republican request that he be held in contempt for his new effort to restore the voting rights of felons. Led by Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring, the legal team argues that the unprecedented contempt request from Republican House Speaker William J. Howell and Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment is “baseless.”
Free physical therapy clinic to help those who cannot afford service
A free physical therapy clinic run by students will open at Virginia Commonwealth University on Wednesday, Sept. 21, it has been announced.
Richmond native, fashion designer returns for Fashion Design and Art Week
Raymona Thomas has created the career in fashion that she dreamed about growing up in Church Hill. Now known as JustRaymona, she has explored every inch of the fashion world as a seamstress, a model, a clothing merchandiser, a designer for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes and Lady Gaga and as a star on fashion reality shows such as Lifetime’s “24 Hour Catwalk.”
‘Checkered past’ tanks Petersburg’s top pick
Petersburg Mayor W. Howard Myers expected to introduce Rochelle Small-Toney as the new city manager Wednesday evening
New Church Hill grocery gets green light
Richmond City Council cleared the way Monday for a variety of new developments, including a new grocery store in Church Hill, after listening to activists lobby for expanding a slavery memorial site in Shockoe Bottom.
Richmond Democratic Committee and REA endorse Stoney
Richmond mayoral candidate Levar Stoney has picked up two significant, but not unexpected endorsements.
Tree at Walker site to be removed this weekend
The live oak tree that has dominated a gateway to Jackson Ward for nearly 30 years will be coming down this weekend to make way for a new statue and plaza honoring Richmond business leader Maggie L. Walker.
FAMIS program reaches 15th anniversary with more than 1 million youngsters covered
More than 1.6 million low-income Virginia children have benefited from government health insurance programs during the past 15 years.
8 scholarship winners announced by Richmond Better Housing Coalition
The Richmond Better Housing Coalition has named eight adult residents as winners of its first college scholarships.
GOP ups ante to block felons’ rights restoration
Gov. Terry McAuliffe is facing a new challenge from the Republican-dominated Virginia General Assembly to his authority to restore the rights of felons who have served their time — even on a case-by-case basis.
Petersburg City Council raises taxes, cuts funding to keep city afloat
Smokers will pay an extra 80 cents in tax for each pack of cigarettes they buy inside the city limits of Petersburg beginning Oct. 1 — a move the city officials hope will generate $900,000 a year in much needed revenue.
Attorney General’s decision clears way for Mosby, Starlings to remain on ballot
An opinion from Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring appears to clear the way for Richmond City Council President Michelle R. Mosby to remain a candidate for mayor and for businessman Kevin A. Starlings to challenge incumbent School Board member Jeffrey M. Bourne for the 3rd District seat. The Richmond Electoral Board, which is to meet Thursday, Sept. 1, is expected to embrace Mr. Herring’s legal advice and keep both candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot, the Free Press has been told in advance of the meeting.
Disabled student advocate arrested again
More trouble has hit Kandise Lucas, a Henrico resident and advocate for parents of schoolchildren with special needs. On Monday, she was arraigned on a charge of trespassing at Glen Allen High School in Henrico County.
VSU enrolls 1,000 students in freshman class
Virginia State University is reporting that nearly 1,000 freshmen enrolled for the fall semester, a rebound from 2015 when
