Toxicology report rules out drugs in Marcus-David Peters’ death, family says
A local activist coalition and a victim’s family continue to question the details of the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Marcus-David Peters by a Richmond Police officer in May. Mr. Peters’ sister, Princess Blanding, and the Justice and Reform for Marcus Peters Coalition challenged the accuracy and transparency of the Richmond Police Department’s report on the fatal shooting by Officer Michael Nyantakyi at Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s Third District community meeting July 31.
City alleys now to receive maintenance on regular schedule
The roar of heavy equipment over a backyard fence signals the start of work on another alley. Suddenly, with little publicity, city alleys are starting to get regular attention and care.
New mobile health van to provide food pantry, HIV testing
A new mobile health van will carry food and provide HIV testing to people in low-income communities in Richmond and the surrounding counties.
Meeting Aug.15 on Brook Road bike lane plans
Civic leaders in North Side will get their first look at an updated City Hall plan to install bike lanes on Brook Road and reduce space for traffic to one lane in each direction.
City Council member raises host of questions on homeless plan
City Councilwoman Ellen F. Robertson feels caught between a rock and a hard place when it comes to a proposal to create a housing services center for the homeless in a church building in South Side.
GRTC CEO leaving
GRTC is looking for a new leader. The search is about to begin following the sudden resignation of David Green, GRTC’s chief executive officer, less than two months after launching the new Pulse bus rapid transit system ushering in a controversial overhaul of all other GRTC bus routes.
‘Smell of marijuana’ new police tactic?
A new police tactic is opening the door to warrantless searches of individuals, vehicles and homes. To generate the “reasonable suspicion” that courts require for police to conduct such a search, officers are claiming to smell marijuana, possession of which is still illegal in Virginia, according to defense attorneys and area residents.
Personality: Terrence L. Graves
Spotlight on president of the Richmond Bar Association
The Richmond Bar Association is always striving to increase the diversity of its membership, says Terrence L. Graves. The 54-year-old attorney with Sands Anderson PC can make sure that happens now that he’s in charge.
Joseph L. Hayes Sr., former director of VEC’s Administrative Law Division, dies at 85
Joseph Lewis Hayes Jr. initially set out to become a pharmacist. Along the way, he switched to legal studies and eventually became one of the leading experts on the laws regarding unemployment benefits.
Alabama minister, wife purchase Rosa Parks letter
A letter written by civil rights activist Rosa Parks describing the 1957 bombing of her neighbors’ home has been purchased at auction by the couple targeted in the attack.
Bishop Curry has prostate surgery
The American clergyman who preached about the power of love at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle has undergone surgery for prostate cancer. An Episcopal Church spokeswoman said the surgery was performed July 31 on the Presiding Bishop Michael Bruce Curry.
Some Muslim candidates face backlash on campaign trail
Two months ago, Fardousa Jama did something no other Muslim woman in South-Central Minnesota has done: She filed to run for a City Council seat in Mankato, Minn.
Washington fans looking for Doctson to break out
When Washington selected Josh Doctson in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft, fans hoped his career would take off like a jackrabbit. Instead, his progress has been more akin to a tortoise.
Coalition seeks sainthood for 5 African-Americans
The founders of two religious orders and an African-American priest who had to train in Rome because no U.S. seminary would accept him are among five candidates being supported for sainthood by a new coalition of black Catholic organizations.
Richmonder Maurice ‘Mo’ Carter looking for more international hoop time
Richmond native Maurice “Mo” Carter didn’t have to join the Navy to see the world. He has been globetrotting for years. The traveling man has earned basketball paychecks in France, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Macedonia, Libya, Canada, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico, as well as from the NBA “G” League.
Ray Lewis III living outside his father’s shadow at VUU
He has the name and he has the game. When you spot the name Ray Lewis on the Virginia Union University football roster, you take notice.
NFL Hall of Fame ceremony gets emotional
One of the greatest leaders football has seen, Ray Lewis, used his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech last Saturday to call for more enlightened leadership in the United States.
Summer heat and wellness checks
We were a bit amused at first when a story hit our inbox recently with the title, “How to Build a DIY Air Conditioner in Minutes for Less Than $10.” The article and accompanying video showed how to turn a Styrofoam ice chest filled with ice, two vent pipes typically used for clothes dryers and a small electric or battery-operated fan into a makeshift air conditioner.
Mr. Ashe
There’s no question that Richmond native and tennis great Arthur Ashe Jr. deserves greater recognition in his hometown. His laudatory actions both on and off the court merit a salute that will be visible not only now, but for future generations. His quiet activism and humanitarian efforts brought results in the areas of human rights, education and student mentorship, and greater awareness about and funding to combat HIV and AIDS.
Shine the light of racial reconciliation
A light shines in Prince Edward County atop the courthouse where a decision was made 59 years ago to shut down public schools rather than integrate. Classrooms were locked for five years in Massive Resistance to the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision. Wounds in the African-American community were cavernous.
