Helping customers with utility bills during pandemic proves costly for city
More than 6,300 homes and businesses in Richmond — 10 percent of the customer base — are facing disconnection of their utilities for nonpayment of water, sewer and gas bills.
Richmond sheriff blames staffing challenges for city jail’s violence
“We are doing everything we can to create an atmosphere that is positive” inside the Richmond City Justice Center and prevent attacks on deputies and inmates, according to Sheriff Antionette V. Irving.
Cityscape
Slices of life and scenes in Richmond
“Slow your roll,” is likely what Bill “Bojangles” Robinson would caution the driver of a vehicle that collided into the statue of the famous Richmond-born actor, dancer and singer.
Referendum idea to give voters a say in casino dollars and schools dropped
Not happening. City Council has declined to consider putting an advisory referendum on the November ballot that would allow city voters to decide if tax revenues from a casino should go to modernizing Richmond’s school buildings.
Training facility for people formerly incarcerated won’t reopen
City Hall has ruled out allowing a nonprofit construction training program for people released from jails and prisons to return to a former North Side school building that it had occupied for five years.
Monkey pox vaccines, now available in Richmond area
In response to the spread of the monkeypox virus, the Richmond and Henrico health districts are vaccinating people who may be at higher risk of exposure but haven’t had contact with known positive cases.
VCU’s Heartbeats program races for better maternal health outcomes
For the last several months, a new program at Virginia Commonwealth University has been working to prevent sometimes fatal complications such as domestic violence, racial inequality and medical bias that come with pregnancy.
Pregnancy assistance program adding new location, doulas
Richmond-based Birth in Color is expanding again to help even more pregnant Black women avoid complications during and after the birthing process.
City officials debate how to investigate defunct nonprofit
A criminal probe of the collapsed Enrichmond Foundation is on the way, according to 5th District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch.
Posthumous honor
John Jordan “Buck” O’Neil Jr., the first Black coach in MLB history, was inducted posthumously Sunday into the same Nationak Baseball Hall of Fame class as another Black baseball pioneer, Bud Fowler, and former Negro league All-Star, Minnie Miñoso.
New North Side farmers’ market faces challenge
A new farmers’ market has opened on the grounds of Richmond Community High School, but City Hall’s removal of electricity has limited the operation, organizers said.
NextUp RVA promotes positive youth development
Recent graduates excited about their future
Shiya Brown was a Richmond Public Schools student at Lucille Brown Middle School in 2015. When she became part of NextUp RVA’s second cohort, she explored several after-school programs that helped her grow academically and creatively.
VUU fills leadership roles
Virginia Union University recently announced several new administrative roles.
Jackson Ward organizations launch community business academy
The founders of the Jackson Ward Collective and the JWC Foundation are launching The Community Business Academy (CBA), a 12-week business fundamentals course for new and established business owners.
Officer, once beaten by colleagues, to lead Boston Police
A former Boston Police officer who was beaten more than 25 years ago by colleagues who mistook him for a shooting suspect will be the new leader of the city’s police department, Mayor Michelle Wu announced Wednesday.
In Canada, Pope Francis apologizes to Indigenous peoples, says it’s only ‘first step’
Pope Francis issued his first apology to the Indigenous peoples in Canada for the Catholic Church’s role in administering residential schools, which robbed many of their families and culture.
In rare contact, U.S. offers Russia deal for Griner, Whelan
The U.S. has offered a deal to Russia aimed at bringing home WNBA star Brittney Griner and another jailed American, Paul Whelan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday. In a sharp reversal of previous policy, Blinken also said he expects to speak with his Kremlin counterpart for the first time since before Russia invaded Ukraine.
Golfing group honors VCU Coach Andy Walker
To use a golfing term, Andy Walker has “aced” the test in his first season as VCU’s coach.
