Simone Manuel swims into history, Olympic record
It has taken 31 Olympiads and 120 years, but finally an African-American woman has won an individual gold medal in swimming.
Usain Bolt dashes off with medal
Jamaica, homeland of the incomparable Usain Bolt, ranks 139th in the world in population but it’s No. 1 in terms of speed. The Caribbean island of some 2.95 million people deserves the title “World’s Fastest Country” based on its domination in 100-meter dash Olympic competition.
Biles ties record with 4 golds
Simone Biles showed off her sassy moves and explosive tumbles on the floor exercise to win a record-equaling fourth gold at the Olympics on Tuesday.
Michelle Carter uses ‘diva’ touch in shot put
With crimson lipstick, eyeliner, mascara and a beaming smile, Michelle Carter won a stunning Olympic shot put gold last Friday to sprinkle a little glitz on an event often cruelly ridiculed for the shape of its women athletes.
VIA Heritage Association meeting Aug. 20
The Virginia Interscholastic Association Heritage Association will hold its next meeting 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at Azurest South Alumni House at Virginia State University.
Fight for $15
Low-wage workers bring message, movement
Laura Clark is a home care worker, yet she has no income. The 53-year-old Caroline County resident cares for her 83-year-old mother, who suffers from dementia and COPD, but doesn’t qualify to receive pay as a family caregiver because her mother has life insurance. She said her daily struggle to keep things going in her own household makes her understand the plight of others working for minimum wage — $7.25 an hour.
Rev. Gregory King named pastor of South Side church
Richmond has long been home to ministers and religious leaders who combine their roles in the church with civic and social action.
Ryland Roane, 58, AIDS educator and HIV hotline supervisor dies
Ryland Restee Roane Jr. was a pioneer in HIV/AIDS education in Central Virginia. After being diagnosed with HIV in 1987, the Richmond native devoted his life to providing information and assisting others through his work for the Richmond and state health departments. A graduate of Wake Forest University, his contributions during his 28-year career are being remembered after his death Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016. He was 58.
Personality: Luis Hidalgo
Spotlight on founder of Richmond’s Latin Jazz and Salsa Festival
Luis “Sweet Lou” Hidalgo dismisses what he says are pop-driven sounds of Latin music often heard on radio and television.
Romance in Rio
Richmond’s Queen Harrison says ‘yes’ to silver medalist at Olympics
Queen Harrison of Richmond didn’t qualify for the 100-meter hurdles in the Olympics, but she’s bringing back bling from Rio — an engagement ring.
SOL test scores decline in 4 of 5 core subjects
One big reason was cited when the Richmond School Board hired Dr. Dana T. Bedden as superintendent in December 2013 — his track record for increasing academic performance among students in the school systems he had led in Georgia and Texas.
City’s projected deficit now reported as expected surplus
City Hall has wiped out the red ink. Instead of a deficit, Richmond is projected to finish its most recent fiscal year with a $4.5 million surplus, according to the administration of Mayor Dwight C. Jones.
Petersburg facing service cutoffs from unpaid vendors
Despite paying a monthly fee, Petersburg residents might not get their trash collected or their recycling materials picked up.
City school administration draws fire for reopening of Summer Hill Elementary
The failure of Richmond Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden and his administration to provide advance notice to the Richmond School Board and parents about plans to re-open Summer Hill Elementary School drew strong criticism during Monday’s board meeting.
Richmond NAACP to host forums for city candidates
The Richmond Branch NAACP will host the first of two public forums for candidates for Richmond City Council and the Richmond School Board 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 23, at Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church, 614 N. 3rd St. The first forum will feature candidates in Districts 1 through 5, according to Lynetta Thompson, branch president. The second forum, to be held Tuesday, Sept. 27, will be for candidates in Districts 6 through 9, she said. The time and place of that forum will be announced later. Details: Ms. Thompson, (804) 982-8072.
NYC reaches $4.1M settlement in fatal police shooting
New York City reached a settlement of more than $4 million with the family of an unarmed man fatally shot by a police officer in a darkened stairwell nearly two years ago, the attorney for the family said Tuesday.
Va. loses a freedom fighter
Jack W. Gravely, who led the fight for civil rights as head of the Va. NAACP, dies at 72
Jack W. Gravely was the definition of outspoken. He never hesitated to speak his mind about issues affecting the African-American community. The son of a coal miner, he led the charge for civil rights during two separate stints as executive director of the Virginia State Conference of the NAACP, most recently in the past year.
Advocate’s troubles end with Chesterfield schools
Kandise Lucas apparently will be able to enter public schools in Chesterfield County without facing arrest for trespassing. The advocate for disabled students said she has been notified that she prevailed in a federal complaint challenging the school system’s ban against her that had been in place since 2011.
Construction to start Aug.16 on GRTC Pulse
Alert: Construction is about to begin on GRTC’s Pulse, the $65 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system linking Rocketts Landing to The Shops at Willow Lawn.
