New superintendent works to engage, build trust with school community
Superintendent Jason Kamras finished his first full week as the new head of Richmond Public Schools fielding a round of tough questions from about 50 teachers, staff and administrators at Broad Rock Elementary School.
Dialysis transfer up in the air for Ora Lomax
Ora M. Lomax expects to be transferred to another dialysis clinic, but it won’t be DaVita Dialysis Henrico in the Brookhill Azalea Shopping Center as she first expected.
Petersburg votes to rename Confederate schools
The Confederate names on three Petersburg public schools are coming down. The Petersburg School Board voted unanimously on Feb. 7 to rename the schools following a series of public meetings, a public hearing and survey of Petersburg teachers, students, families, school employees and the public.
Salsa classes may offer wider lessons
Is salsa coming to Richmond Public Schools? Attorney Brent A. Jackson is pushing to make it happen.
Virginia closer to legalizing marijuana for all medical uses
Virginia inched closer to greatly expanding medical marijuana use last week after legislation passed the state Senate with unanimous support — three days after its companion bill was approved by the House of Delegates. SB 726, which passed the Senate 38-0 on Feb. 5, would let doctors issue certifications for patients to use cannabis oil to treat the symptoms of diagnosed conditions or diseases. The measure is now before the House Courts of Justice Committee.
Presidents’ Day schedule
In observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday, Feb. 19, please note the following: Government
Symbolism fills official portraits of Obamas
They have been called “stunning,” “compelling,” “powerful” and “unexpected.” And now, the official portraits of former President Obama and his wife, former First Lady Michelle Obama, will be on view at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.
Feeding schools’ budget
City Council approves 1.5% meals tax hike for schools construction
On July 1, people dining out in Richmond will pay an extra 1.5 percent in tax on their prepared meals. The projected extra $9 million in annual tax revenue will be used to repay $150 million the city plans to borrow to build up to four new schools in Church Hill and South Side to replace aging and decaying buildings.
Richmond native’s business has all eyes on Oprah
Oprah Winfrey has taken her look to the next level, thanks to Yolanda James, a Richmond native and eyewear boutique owner in downtown Washington.
Richmonder takes tech talent for transportation across country
Transportation planning used to involve a lot of educated guesswork on how, when and where people drive in cities and the countryside.
From home, Virginians can keep an eye on legislators
It may not offer the drama of “House of Cards,” but an initiative at the Virginia Capitol is lifting the curtain on the workings of the General Assembly.
Crusade for Voters to hold forum Feb. 20 on proposed meals tax hike
The Richmond Crusade for Voters on Wednesday urged Richmond City Council to delay for two weeks a vote on raising the meals tax to allow the organization hold a community forum on the proposal.
Former owner of WCLM radio settles, withdraws lawsuit
Preston T. Brown is ending his legal fight with his partners who bought the former WCLM-1450 AM radio station he co-owned and operated for 21 years.
State auditor concludes city doesn’t need state intervention
Richmond can handle its financial problems without the state needing to hold its hand. That’s the conclusion the state auditor of public accounts reached after reviewing the city’s information on its financial operations and holding discussions with the city’s finance officials.
Punxsutawney Phil needs to be retired
As time passes, traditions that are no longer in sync with enlightened attitudes must evolve. It’s time to retire Punxsutawney, Pa.,’s annual groundhog spectacle.
Confederate on Virginia Women’s Monument ‘will diminish’ it
Once again, the state of Virginia has allowed some to dishonor, or fail to acknowledge, the vast accomplishments and the very existence of a marginalized people or population as it proceeds toward the erection of another Confederate statue, that of Confederate Capt. Sally Tompkins on the Virginia Women’s Monument.
West End Dialysis Center responds
Re “ ‘I was handed a death sentence’: Advocates help NAACP stalwart Ora Lomax receive life-saving dialysis after a Henrico center moves to terminate her treatment,” Free Press Feb. 1-3 edition:
Unemployment and wage gap
President Trump keeps boasting about the low black unemployment rate, although African-Americans still suffer nearly twice the unemployment rate as white people do. What the president never mentions is the growing racial wealth gap — the economic disparity between white people and people of color that plagues this country.
Meals tax increase is ‘a critical start’
I am a single man with no children. I strongly support Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s proposal to add a cent and a half increase to Richmond’s meals tax to fund the construction of new schools for our city’s children.
