Shaka Smart’s coaching lessons bearing fruit
The fruit never falls far from the tree. Evidence of Coach Shaka Smart’s powerful tenure as the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth University continues sprouting.
Pujols joins baseball elite hit-home run club
Albert Pujols has slugged his way onto the short list of baseball’s all-time hitters. The Los Angeles Angels first baseman/designated hitter joins legends Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez as the only players with at least 3,000 hits and 600 home runs.
Priest caught in political fire reinstated as House chaplain
Speaker of the House Rep. Paul Ryan has announced he will reinstate the Rev. Patrick Conroy as chaplain for the House of Representatives after the controversial Jesuit priest challenged the stated rationale for removing him.
Helen Peyton Wallace, among first teachers to integrate Westhampton Elementary, dies at 90
Helen Winfree Peyton Wallace had a passion for helping Richmond children master reading. An avid reader, Mrs. Wallace was best known for her work as a Title I remedial teacher who helped untold numbers of city elementary students overcome reading problems.
Maxine L. Black, longtime school counselor and civic leader, succumbs at 77
Maxine Lewis Black wore multiple hats as an educator and in leadership roles with women’s organizations. Mrs. Black was a foreign language teacher and late served as a guidance counselor with Richmond Public Schools in a career that spanned nearly 50 years.
Personality: Joseph P. Costello
Spotlight on founder of the nonprofit Friends of Pump House
Joseph P. Costello first discovered the Pump House in Byrd Park in the summer of 2013. He was with friends when he visited the Gothic Revival structure situated just north of the James River and Kanawha Canal off Pump House Drive. It was constructed of local granite in 1883, with annex buildings added in 1905. “I was blown away by the beauty of the building,” Mr. Costello says.
Need protection?
Replicas of Terracotta Warriors up for auction
They were life-size terracotta depictions of soldiers protecting Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of China, and buried with him in Xi’an in 210 BCE to protect him in the afterlife.
Virginia Premier to offer health plans on ACA exchange this fall
Virginia Premier, the insurance arm of VCU Health, will start selling individual plans beginning this fall to Richmond area residents who buy coverage through the health insurance exchanges of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, it was announced Monday.
Bus stop creates problems before it starts
A new bus stop that will serve 60 to 70 buses a day near the Boulevard is creating an uproar even before it goes into operation in late June as part of GRTC’s overhaul of its transit network.
City resident awaits word on trash fees
That has been City Hall’s response to Free Press reports about its failure to relieve qualifying Richmond residents of the $23.79 a month cost for trash collection and recycling service.
The late Oliver Singleton to be honored with street sign
The 2700 block of East Grace Street will be named to honor the late Oliver R.H. Singleton, who worked to boost opportunities for and the profiles of black-owned businesses before his death in 2016.
Area postal carriers hosting food drive
Mail carriers hope to pick up food donations from homes across the Richmond area when they deliver letters, magazines and other items Saturday, May 12.
City Council poised to scrap residency requirement for top officials
For nearly three decades, City Hall executives have been required to move into the city within a year of being hired.
Meet-and-greet for congressional candidates May 15
The Urban League of Greater Richmond Young Professionals will host a free meet-and-greet with candidates running in the June primary elections for the 4th and 7th congressional districts.
Graduating while black
Graduation celebration goes awry at University of Florida
It was supposed to be celebration time.
Room to grow
Anna Julia Cooper Episcopal School seeks to expand with help from city
A private Episcopal school in the East End that currently offers a tuition-free education to l08 children mostly from low-income families living in public housing is working with the city to buy an acre of land for its first big expansion.
Franklin Street travel lanes being revamped for bikes, ‘floating parking’
Congestion warning: Franklin Street in Downtown is about to shrink to one lane of traffic except during the morning rush hour from 6 to 9 a.m., when two travel lanes will be open.
Richmond residents frustrated by police stops
About 30 residents of the city’s Blackwell neighborhood voiced their frustration last Saturday over what some see as discriminatory police stops and other interactions with Richmond Police.
New teen career, college center planned by Boys & Girls Clubs
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond is moving forward to develop a new $5 million teen center in the East End with a focus on providing career and college guidance for 15- to 18-year-olds.
Calvin Farr named new director of city Department of Public Utilities
Calvin D. Farr Jr., 43, will be the next director of the Richmond Department of Public Utilities. Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced the appointment of Mr. Farr last week. Mr. Farr currently is assistant commissioner for watershed management in Atlanta.
