From gridiron to president
Willard Bailey shaping minds at new college
Willard Bailey, the CIAA legendary college football coach, has a new role in higher education. He has jumped from the gridiron to college president.
RRHA eyes Jackson Place for Fay Towers residents
The city’s housing authority is promising a fresh attempt to redevelop a chunk of Jackson Ward that was cleared for urban renewal nearly 25 years ago, but continues to be vacant.
Challenge to House districts dismissed
A three-judge federal court panel has dismissed a constitutional challenge to 12 majority-black districts in the Virginia House of Delegates.
City is canvas for Arts in the Alley
Chris and Jeanine Guidry are changing the face of Richmond’s alleys and streets one mural at a time. During the past two weekends, the husband-and-wife team completed their 100th project through Arts in the Alley, a nonprofit Ms. Guidry co-founded eight years ago to clean and decorate neglected alleys as a way to better the city. Aided by a dozen volunteers, they added three colorful murals to building walls in the retail corridor of Barton Heights at North Avenue and Brookland Park Boulevard. The largest, a mural about hope, now fills a wall outside Dream Academy, a nonprofit high school at 2 E. Brookland Park Blvd.
Election Tuesday
Candidates in final swing
Now it’s time for the voters to speak. Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day.
Crusade co-founder to be honored Nov. 1
The Richmond Crusade for Voters is teaming up with two other groups to host a celebration of Dr. William Ferguson Reid, one of the area’s legendary political activists.
Former Richmond city manager being considered for VSU interim president
Robert C. Bobb, a Washington-based consultant who once ran Richmond’s government as city manager, is being considered for a new post — interim president of Virginia State University. Mr. Bobb, 70, is the choice of Harry Black, rector of the VSU Board of Visitors, to replace Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, who will step down as interim president at the end of December.
Better, but still bad
Only 17 of 45 city schools get full accreditation
Only 17 of 45 city schools get full accreditation
NSU scores with SACS, state audit
Norfolk State University is finally getting some good news. Interim President Eddie N. Moore Jr. this week indicated that NSU is on its way to having its accrediting agency remove the school from probation and restore it to unqualified accreditation.
Marsh courthouse dedication on hold
Nine months ago, Mayor Dwight C. Jones won City Council approval to officially rename the Manchester Courthouse for Richmond’s first African-American mayor, Henry L. Marsh III, and his late brother, Harold M. Marsh Sr. However, a date for the ceremony to officially rename the building has yet to be announced.
City Council approves zoning change to spur North Side development
Richmond is rolling out the welcome mat for developers, investors and businesses willing to consider projects in centerpiece commercial districts in majority African-American areas of North Side.
Gov. uses powers for gun control
Gun-toting Virginians, except for law enforcement and military personnel, are to be banned from state office buildings — even if they have concealed weapons permits. Separately, judges are to be encouraged to force people involved in domestic violence to surrender guns they own if they are subject to protective orders.
Chesterfield NAACP president acquitted; Lucas arrested for stalking
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP has been found not guilty of assaulting an NAACP member and advocate for special needs children. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr., who also serves as secretary of the state NAACP, was acquitted last week at a hearing in Chesterfield General District Court.
Armstrong High music teacher fired
Willie D. “Will” Griffin has won plaudits during his eight years as a music teacher at Armstrong High School. Best known for his work with the school’s choir, Mr. Griffin was named Armstrong’s Teacher of the Year in 2013 — the same year he took eight choir members to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall, a first for the school system.
Hammond to VSU: Bye
Interim president out of consideration for top job
Virginia State University soon may have a new president, but it won’t be Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, VSU’s interim president. Dr. Hammond unexpectedly has pulled her name from consideration for the university’s top job — notifying the head of VSU’s board of visitors that she no longer is interested and would be leaving when her current contract expires Dec. 31. In a four-page letter to VSU Rector Harry Black dated Oct. 14, Dr. Hammond provided the required 60-day notice that she did not want the board to “renew my current contract” and was “formally withdrawing my name for further consideration as a candidate for the presidency.”
Buyer beware
Consumers may flip wig over falsely labeled hair
Unsuspecting women are being ripped off when it comes to buying wigs. They are being induced to pay higher prices for cheaper wigs that are falsely labeled as being a more expensive product. So says Mary J. Harris, a retired Richmond factory worker.
Historic Eggleston Hotel site to get new life
Development soon could be underway on 31-unit apartment project in Jackson Ward. The proposed Eggleston Plaza, which has been planned for five years, is at the site of the former Eggleston Hotel at 2nd and Leigh streets.
State NAACP annual convention to start Oct. 30 in Richmond
National NAACP President and CEO Cornell W. Brooks, Gov. Terry McAuliffe, and celebrated political commentator Roland S. Martin will address civil rights activists from around Virginia at the 80th Annual Convention of the Virginia State Conference NAACP in Richmond.
Leaf collection scaled back for residents
Soon after taking office in 2009, Mayor Dwight C. Jones reversed the action of his predecessor, L. Douglas Wilder, who reduced the vacuuming of leaves to once a year to save $300,000. Mayor Jones restored the traditional two cycle collection of leaves in city neighborhoods.
RRHA residents in ‘buy or move’ spot
Charlene C. Harris hoped to live out her years at 1600 Colorado Ave., the single-family brick cottage that she and her family have called home for 47 years. But now the retired 68-year-old state employee is being told she must either purchase the two-bedroom home from her landlord, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, or face moving. “It’s a terrible situation,” she said. “RRHA has told me I have to put up $500 to begin the process and to get a mortgage by December. Otherwise, I would have to accept relocation.”
Crusade for Voters hosts candidates forum Oct. 18
Need to know more about the people who want to represent you in the General Assembly? The Richmond Crusade for Voters wants to help you be better prepared for the Nov. 3 election.
City selects sculptor for Maggie Walker statue
More than 16 years after it was first proposed, a bronze statue is to be created of a Richmond great, Maggie L. Walker, the first African-American woman in the nation to found and operate a bank.
New park named for city police lieutenant
A new city park is being named for the late Richmond Police Lt. Ozell Johnson, a pioneer in community policing in the city. City Council voted unanimously Sept. 28 to designate city-owned property at 241 E. Ladies Mile Road in the Providence Park neighborhood in North Side as a park and name it for Lt. Johnson. “As a lifelong city resident, I’m very excited about this honor being bestowed on my late father,” said Richmond Police Maj. Odetta Johnson.
Public supports police statue move to The Carillon
The votes are in: The public wants a 28-year-old tribute statue to fallen Richmond police officers moved to The Carillon area of Byrd Park.
Councilman takes new job
Fifth District City Councilman Parker C. Agelasto has a new day job. He is now the executive director of the Capital Region Land Conservancy, a 10-year-old nonprofit that seeks to protect natural and historic resources in Metropolitan Richmond.
Savings vs. service
City’s 2014 audit shows millions sent to rainy day fund despite critical needs
Is Mayor Dwight C. Jones saving too much money while starving City Hall of the monetary resources needed to provide services to Richmond residents?
Groundbreaking Oct. 14 on initial Fay Towers replacement
The pace is finally picking up on efforts to replace the 200-unit Fay Towers in Gilpin Court and move current residents to new apartments.
Troubles escalate for NAACP official
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is facing more legal trouble. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr. was sent to jail Tuesday based on a finding he was in violation of the terms of his release on a previous charge of driving while intoxicated.
Rollout for unlimited bus passes slated for Nov. 15
Tens of thousands of people came to the world bike races last week, but only a few appear to have purchased a $35 pass for unlimited rides on GRTC buses. The Greater Richmond Transit Co. could not provide sales numbers this week, but reported that passes were used 1,500 times between Sept. 19 and Sept. 28 when the races were underway.
Herring: Training key to curb police bias, killings in the state
Better training. That’s the way to begin improving relationships between police officers and the residents they serve, particularly people of color, according to Attorney General Mark R. Herring. At a time when officer actions resulting in African-American deaths and injuries regularly make headlines, Mr. Herring announced he is taking action to upgrade training to head off such incidents in Virginia.
Graduation rate in city inches up
Richmond awarded diplomas to 1,156 students in June, or 81.4 percent of the 1,421 students in the Class of 2015, new data from the Virginia Department of Education shows. The good news: That is Richmond’s best showing since the state began reporting systematic graduation results for each class in 2008.
Turmoil, charges rock Chesterfield NAACP
The president of the Chesterfield County Branch NAACP is facing a charge of assault in the wake of a bizarre incident in which he sought to block a critic from attending a branch meeting, which usually is open to the public. LaSalle J. McCoy Jr. was arrested Saturday on a misdemeanor charge and released on his own recognizance in the case that has embarrassed both the branch and the state NAACP, Virginia’s oldest and largest civil rights group.
VEC ruling sets precedent
Richmond Public Schools and other employers who fail to follow their agency’s own drug policy cannot prevent alleged violators from collecting unemployment benefits, the Virginia Employment Commission has ruled.
Richmond Christian Center bankruptcy issue being resolved
The Richmond Christian Center has had to put off celebrating its emergence from bankruptcy after nearly two years under court supervision. The 300-member South Side church has been told some issues still need to be resolved before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court can approve RCC’s reorganization plan and allow it to leave bankruptcy court protection.
Morrissey fails to withdraw officially
Two weeks ago, attorney Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey told the Free Press and other news outlets he was ending his campaign for the state Senate because of a health issue.
New city high-rise built with commitment to diversity
Gerald “Junior” Burr Jr. likely swells with pride every time he crosses the Manchester Bridge and sees the newest addition to the city’s skyline — the 19-story Gateway Plaza building that formally opened this week His company, Canterbury Enterprises Inc., played an important part in the two-year development of the glass-faced, high-rise structure that sits in the block bounded by 8th, 9th, Cary and Canal streets — the new home of the McGuireWoods law firm, its consulting arm and several other companies.
House blocked for female felons
City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson has been a champion of affordable housing during her 11 years on City Council. The 6th District representative, who previously led a nonprofit housing group in the Highland Park area, has been a staunch advocate for creation of lower-cost homes and apartments for working people and others.
Gov. reappoints Justice Roush in latest battle over high court
Can Justice Jane Marum Roush legally serve? That question now hangs over the latest addition to the Virginia Supreme Court. Yes, says Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe, who just extended Justice Roush’s term on the state’s highest court until at least mid-February.
VSU enrollment figures down
In an update, Virginia State University has released its fall enrollment figures. On Sept. 10, officials stated 4,632 validated undergraduate and graduate students, or students who had fully paid their bills, are enrolled.
Relocate police statue? Richmonders can vote
The public is being asked to vote on where to move a Richmond statue paying tribute to city police officers killed in the line of duty. For 28 years, the statue of an officer carrying a child has stood in a landscaped area on North 7th Street near the Richmond Coliseum.
Richmond contractor on Congressional Black Caucus re-entry panel
A Richmond contractor is headed to Washington to talk up his plan for helping released convicts rebuild their lives by getting involved in the building trades. Kenneth Williams, 66, has been invited to talk about the Adult Alternative Program that he is developing to train ex-convicts to renovate houses and qualify for Class C contractor licenses.
City hands keys to port to state authority
Jobs, jobs, jobs — that’s the vision being conjured up as Richmond hands the keys to its 120-acre port to the state of Virginia for 40 years. On Monday, the same night as Richmond City Council gave a thumbs up to a proposal for a freestanding children’s hospital on the Boulevard, the nine-member governing body also unanimously approved the award of a four-decade lease of the shipping facility to the state. The hope: That the VPA will do for Richmond what it has done for another inland port in Front Royal — spark major job growth by attracting new businesses seeking port services.
Alicia Rasin suffers relapse
Alicia Rasin, Richmond’s “ambassador of compassion” who had been inactive in recent months because of health problems, planned to return to her volunteer mission of helping relatives of homicide victims.
Aspire Academy hopes to inspire student interest
They’re lost in the classroom and repeatedly act out — leading to repeated suspensions, expulsion and, sometimes, criminal charges.
City more bike-friendly with new lanes, racks
Richmond is well on its way to becoming a bicycle-friendly town, according to Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
A mountain of problems uncovered in city finance division
Unpaid bills piled up and bank statements went unreconciled for months, creating uncertainty in the cash flow. Then after half the staff left, temporary workers had to be hired to try to clear the backlog of unpaid invoices from vendors who begged to be paid.
Despite setback, sibling catering business expanding
Their food was too popular. That’s why the owners of GFC Catering contend they no longer deliver their trademark $5.55 Friday lunch deal to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles’ headquarters.
Morrissey pulls out of Senate race
Petersburg state Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance may have an easier road to victory on Election Day in November in her bid to win her first full four-year term representing the 16th Senate District, which includes most of Richmond’s East End. Her only opponent, independent candidate Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey, ended his campaign this week due to a medical issue, a paralyzed left diaphragm, which interferes with his breathing.
VSU, NSU have smallest freshman classes in years
Enrollment is continuing to retreat at Virginia’s two historically black public universities, Norfolk State and Virginia State. Both institutions apparently have admitted their smallest freshman classes in at least a decade, and total enrollment has declined to levels not seen in at least 15 years or longer.
General Assembly refusal to adjourn blocks governor
For at least the sixth time in the past 34 years, the House of Delegates is refusing to adjourn a special session. And that decision by the Republican-dominated body appears to throw a constitutional monkey wrench into Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s plan to keep Justice Jane Marum Roush on the Virginia Supreme Court.
