Richmond jail staffing shortage blamed for rise in injured deputies, inmates
In the past four weeks at the Richmond City Justice Center, one deputy had his shoulder dislocated after he was thrown to the ground while trying to stop two prisoners from assaulting another inmate. Another deputy was head-butted by an inmate after refusing to provide the inmate with another prisoner’s food tray, according to information provided to the Free Press. In addition, the Free Press has learned another inmate was stabbed during this period, apparently the fourth this year. And early Monday, the jail reported to Richmond Police the third death of an inmate this year, though the identification was not released. For the second time since late October, an inmate who was transported to the John Marshall Courts Building was found to be carrying a concealed blade, according to information provided to the newspaper.
Alphonso H. ‘Al’ Bowers Jr., who fought for construction diversity, dies
Alphonso Hugo “Al” Bowers Jr., a veteran Richmond contractor who was outspoken in promoting Black inclusion in government building projects and promoted construction trades training program for unemployed adults, has died.
Interracial marriages to get added protection under new law
One day in the 1970s, Paul Fleisher and his wife were walking through a department store parking lot when they noticed a group of people looking at them. Mr. Fleisher, who is white, and his wife, who is Black, were used to “the look.” But this time it was more intense.
City’s last Confederate statue removed
A statue commemorating the death of Confederate Gen. Ambrose Powell (A.P.) Hill was removed on Monday, from Hermitage Road and West Laburnum Avenue where it had stood for 120 years.
The Race Is On
Candidates for Rep. McEachin’s seat in Congress rush to meet filing deadline
Five Democrats are preparing to run in a “firehouse” primary Tuesday, Dec. 20, to choose the party’s candidate to replace 4th District U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin, who died Nov. 28.
Griner’s home, but WNBA players still competing overseas
Brittney Griner is back in the United States after an arduous 10-month saga in Russia. Yet nearly half of her WNBA peers opted to compete abroad this winter to supplement their incomes.
RPS employee acquitted
The former director of an after-school program at Fox Elementary School has been acquitted of assault and battery of an unruly second-grader in the program.
City Council votes for tax rebate, other spending
Richmond property owners will receive a 4.2 percent rebate on the real estate taxes they paid earlier this year, equal to $50 for each $100,000 of property value.
ROUNDUP
Virginia’s public health operations will receive a boost across the next five years, courtesy of a $67.5 million grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
‘Your truth, your passion’
Rabia Kamara, a Virginia Commonwealth University alumna, was the university’s commencement speaker Saturday, Dec. 10, at VCU’s Stuart C. Siegel Center.
Honoring our heroes
Headstones and grave markers for 80 Black military service members were cleaned, installed and recognized by 300 volunteers at Woodland Cemetery, Saturday, Dec. 10.
Students turn to TikTok to fill gaps in school lessons
Mecca Patterson-Guridy wants to learn, but for some subjects, she isn’t always comfortable asking her teachers. So she has been turning to TikTok.
Distortion
Just a few weeks ago, Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin and Jillian Balow, superintendent of public instruction, were publicly scolded for allegedly trying to distort the history to be taught to public school students.
No endorsements and no Joe
The United States Congress will soon have a new elected representative from Virginia’s 4th Congressional District that has, according to the U.S. Census, 789,815 residents, 51.4 percent female, 48.6 percent male.
Sen. Warnock’s victory a win for America, by Ben Jealous
If you haven’t watched Sen. Raphael Warnock’s speech on the night of his re-election in Georgia on Dec. 6, stop everything you’re doing, and watch it now. Then tell your kids to watch it. And your neighbors.
Justice for Donovon Lynch
The members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus want to reaffirm that justice must be done for Donovon Lynch — who should still be alive today. Donovon was tragically shot and killed by a Virginia Beach police officer nearly two years ago.
A personal memory speaks to the character of A. Donald McEachin
In the fall of 1996, I, along with LaWanda Lochart, Ermajean Booker and Sara Arthur, were facilitators of the “Law Related Education” program of the Richmond Juvenile Court, an eight-session course for at-risk youths, the successfull attendance of which helped them mitigate any court issues they faced. I found my notes, and I was moderator of session six titled “Constitutional Rights” on Nov. 5, for which I solicited A. Donald McEachin to be “discussion leader” since his law firm had represented youth who were accused of stealing the shirts they were wearing and made to leave the store shirtless, the shirt or shirts only returned grudgingly upon proof of prior purchase as reported in the local press. I thought, what a great advocate for how the court can be your friend.
LA racism scandal prompts new round of City Council protests
The City Council was disrupted Tuesday by another round of boisterous, foul-mouthed protests after a councilman facing widespread calls to resign for his involvement in a racism scandal defiantly returned to the chamber and took his seat.
Oregon governor commutes all 17 of state’s death sentences
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced Tuesday that she is commuting the sentences of all of the state’s 17 inmates awaiting execution, saying their death sentences will be changed to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
