Decision delayed in Essex Point project
The Essex County Board of Supervisors recently denied a rezoning request for the Essex Point at Mt. Clement development project during its Oct. 19 meeting. However, the board then voted and passed a second motion to defer rendering a decision until its meeting scheduled for Dec. 12.
Virginia statehouse candidates face questions about residency requirements
Virginia state lawmakers are required to live in the district they represent, as well as in any district they might be seeking to represent. If they move out of their district, the state constitution states they are out of office. Those requirements, combined with political maps that took effect this year, have created a headache for some candidates.
$5M payday?
Tentative agreement said to be reached in Arthur Ashe controversy
City Hall and the Richmond School Board appear to be on the verge of settling a 17-month dispute over control of the aging Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, a basketball arena and convocation center that the school system managed since it opened in 1982. As the Free Press previously reported, both sides claimed ownership of the 4.1-acre property that occupies a key corner of the planned 67-acre, $2.44 billion Diamond District redevelopment initiative — and until now, an ugly and embarrassing court battle appeared to be looming to settle which entity holds title to the building.
Coaching legend Lou Anderson dies at age 87
Louis “Lou” Anderson Jr., who spent most of his adult life coaching football and, more importantly to him, influencing the lives of young men, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Mr. Anderson was 87 and had been in an assisted living facility for several years.
Late-bloomer Sidibe kicks it into gear
Virginia Union University enjoys a most resilient offense. Whenever the Panthers prematurely lose one All-CIAA receiver, another pops up. This season Said Sidibe has become a “go to” man, says VUU Coach Alvin Parker.
Biden didn’t make Israeli-Palestinian talks a priority; Arab leaders say region now paying the price
From its first months in office, the Biden administration made a distinctive decision on its Middle East policy: It would de-prioritize a half-century of high-profile efforts by past U.S. presidents, particularly Democratic ones, to broker a broad and lasting peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians.
After homecoming win, VSU eyes championship prizes
Boldly, VirginiaStateUniversity’s football schedule includes games on Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 that aren’t guaranteed. That would be the CIAA Championship Game Nov. 11 and NCAA Division II Playoffs Nov. 18. And while Trojans fans may want to hold off a bit in making travel plans, those games are looking more and more like a reality.
‘If These Walls Could Talk’
Shirley Hawkins’ book details Jackson Ward home that served as training center for blind and visually-impaired workers
When Shirley Hawkins met preservationist Zarina Fazaldin in 2016, it was to share what she remembered about her former workplace, the Richmond Workshop for the Blind, once located inside 508 St. James St. in Historic Jackson Ward. Writing a book about it was the last thing on Mrs. Hawkins’ mind.
Florida faith leader: Black history toolkit gains interest outside the state
When the Rev. Rhonda Thomas decided to create a toolkit to help teach Black history outside the public school system — after Florida legislators approved revisions to its required instruction — she expected Black churches like her own would be the ones to use it.
Concerns about RPS mold, safety issues continue to spread
Complaints about mold in several Richmond Public Schools have persisted since the beginning of the current school year.
Department of Defense awards $9M to create research institute at VCU
A new research institute is coming to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Engineering through a $9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to create and improve technologies for security, health and various other benefits.
Brotherly love
TJ’s Stovall plays in slain sibling’s honor
Whenever Dashawn Stovall steps onto a football field, he is fueled by flesh, bone and a full tank of emotion. He carries the pigskin and makes tackles for Thomas Jefferson High School, but also for his slain brother, Davonte, who was murdered in 2019 in a shooting on Selden Street.
Personality: W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D.
Spotlight on CultureWorks board chair
Jazz pianist and retired educator W. Weldon Hill, Ph.D., believes in freedom of expression through art.
Thompson Hospitality to donate $1M to Virginia State University
Thompson Hospitality, the nation’s largest black-owned and privately held hospitality company, will donate $1 million to Virginia State University. The donation, made by Warren Thompson, is a tribute to his parents, Fred and Ruby Thompson. It marks the second $1 million contribution to VSU from the Thompson Family, following an initial pledge in 2011.
America’s ticking fiscal time clock, by Charlene Crowell
For the second time this year, Congress’ inability to reach consensus on essential fiscal legislation has devolved into largely partisan bickering and literal, last-minute temporary financial Band-Aids. On Sept. 30, the last day of the 2022-2023 federal fiscal year, a continuing resolution (CR) provided a 45-day reprieve, just in time to meet a midnight deadline that would have resulted in a federal government shutdown.
Henrico’s 1st phase of Ashland-to-Petersburg trail will be built in Lakeside
Henrico County is set to begin construction of its portion of the 43-mile Fall Line trail, following a ceremonial groundbreaking today in Lakeside for the trail’s 0.26-mile Park Street Phase.
Pulse North-South route endorsed
Five years after installing the East-West Pulse bus rapid-transit line, GRTC has embraced a vision of a adding a North-South line – though it is at least seven years and $100 million or so away from development.
Could Youngkin be on presidential campaign trail?
Most say it’s a ‘no’ for Virginia’s governor
Glenn Youngkin was waving off talk about running for the White House back in 2021, before he’d even made it to the Virginia governor’s mansion.
New General Assembly building opens
The elevators go up and down all 15 levels in a jiffy. There’s light and windows everywhere. The committee rooms can seat hundreds. The upsized cafeteria has ample seating and a pizza oven. And there’s new technology throughout designed to help the people of Virginia see and influence what their elected representatives are doing in Richmond. A week before the official ribbon was cut on the new Virginia General Assembly Building on Oct. 11, state officials who had overseen the nearly $300 million project for the last six years were proudly preparing to reveal the almost-finished product.
Yes or no?
The announcement that former Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn will not run for governor in 2025 comes amid continuing rumors that Virginia’s current governor may make a late entry into the 2024 presidential race.
