Tall men help John Marshall open season with wins
Surprisingly, the Richmond area’s tallest basketball team might represent a high school rather than a college. John Marshall High School’s front line just may have an inch or two over the likes of Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Richmond and Virginia Union University.
Aron Stewart’s retired number not really retired at UR
Insisting “I’ve been discriminated against for 42 years,” Aron Stewart remains bitter toward his alma mater, the University of Richmond.
Delta House property returned to church
The dreams have evaporated for turning a former Church Hill church sanctuary into the home of the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Church collecting basic necessities for incarcerated people
A Church Hill congregation is seeking to dramatically expand its efforts to provide care packages of toiletries and underwear to people who are incarcerated, it has been announced.
As president of the Old Dominion Medical Society, Dr. Sonja Johns is looking to use the organization’s lobbying power to ensure that all Virginians have access to quality health care.
First Shiloh Baptist Church’s music and arts ministries are hosting “It’s All About the Baby,” a Christmas worship celebration, 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at the church, 8150 Walnut Grove Road in Mechanicsville.
Personality: Dr. Sonja Johns
Spotlight on president of the Old Dominion Medical Society
As president of the Old Dominion Medical Society, Dr. Sonja Johns is looking to use the organization’s lobbying power to ensure that all Virginians have access to quality health care.
Council approves $1.7M for new police hires
During the next eight months, Richmond expects to add 75 new police officers to beef up its declining force. That includes two classes of recruits at the Training Academy and two additional classes of recruits to begin the six to seven months of training within two months, according to Police Chief Alfred Durham.
Petersburg meltdown averted with short-term loan
Petersburg’s once bleak financial situation is starting to brighten. Banking giant Wells Fargo provided a $6.5 million, short-term loan to the city last week that has eased the city’s financial crunch, enabled it to meet payroll through the end of the budget year on June 30 and ensured payment of current bills.
Richmond Kickers given 40-year lease to operate City Stadium
Wrapping up its four-year term, Richmond City Council rushed Monday to give the Richmond Kickers, the area’s professional soccer team, control of the 20,000-seat City Stadium in the West End.
Trump blows off intelligence briefings, reports of Russian hacking
Former CIA director Leon Panetta said Wednesday that President-elect Donald Trump risks being blamed after any potential attack on the United States if he refuses to receive more regular intelligence briefings. U.S. officials told Reuters that Mr. Trump is receiving an average of one presidential intelligence briefing a week — far fewer than most of his recent predecessors. However, officials said Vice President-elect Mike Pence gets briefings around six days a week.
Painful testimony from 72-year-old survivor of S.C. church massacre
A 72-year-old retired nurse recounted for jurors on Wednesday how she cowered under a table while Dylann Roof killed nine of her fellow worshippers at a historic black church but spared her so she could tell the story of what he had done.
Attorney general: Hate crimes tear at the fabric of our communities
Hate crimes tear at the fabric of American communities and represent a stain on the country’s soul, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch said at a mosque and Muslim community center on Monday.
Angie’s wings
Purple angel wings worn on helmet by Highland Springs player to honor his late mother guide team to second championship
The Highland Springs High School football team may have had help from above last Saturday in clinching its second straight Division 5 state football championship.
Pop-Tarts removed from RPS after student claims to find bugs inside
A parent of a Richmond Public Schools student claims that her son’s cafeteria- issued Pop-Tart was contaminated with insects and has demanded an investigation.
Chesterfield case dismissed against education advocate
Kandise N. Lucas no longer has to fear spending 15 days in jail for advocating for a disabled student in Chesterfield County. During a hearing Monday in Chesterfield Circuit Court, the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office dropped a trespassing charge against Ms. Lucas stemming from last June at Ecoff Elementary School in Chester.
City expects big savings on utility bonds
Good news for Richmond utility customers who worry about rising costs for city water, sewer and gas service: The city expects to save $4.17 million a year on the cost of repaying money it borrowed for utility projects. With the savings extending for the next 24 years, the amount saved would total $100 million.
Remain vigilant during the holidays
With crimes and homicides spiking this year, one must be aware of their surroundings at all times. With the holiday season in full force, more criminals are now on the prowl. We must be the eyes and ears of the community and inform police when a crime is observed.
Return on investment?
Having read some of the post-election statements by our top black organizations, and after watching some of their leaders on TV news shows commenting and lamenting the loss by the Democrats, I thought about the effectiveness of our champions for civil rights, economic empowerment and political empowerment. How effective have they been in terms of gains for the collective of black people, their primary constituents?
An appeal to Donald Trump
On Sunday, a man armed with an assault weapon marched into a popular pizza place — Comet Ping Pong — in Washington. He said he had come to “self-investigate” false stories spread by hate sites that the restaurant was the center of a Hillary Clinton ring trafficking in children. He reportedly fired his rifle one or more times and was arrested. Luckily, no one was injured.
