Personality: Coach Maurice Tyler
Spotlight on founding director of Coaches Against Violence Everywhere
Maurice Tyler says he was driven to establish Coaches Against Violence Everywhere after 12-year-old Amiyah Moses was killed Dec. 19 during a gun battle between two 20-year-old men on North Side as she and her friends played nearby. “Her mom will not get to talk to her about boys. She doesn’t have the chance to watch her child grow up and be successful,” Coach Tyler says of Amiyah’s grief-stricken mother, Kele Wright. “It was all taken from her.
Worker fired for doing mayor’s church work on the job
The Richmond Ambulance Authority quietly has terminated a high-ranking employee who was doing volunteer work for Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ church during business hours, the Free Press has learned. Pamela J. Branch, the authority’s chief human resources and legal officer for several years, was fired Feb. 24 after officials determined she spent time at the RAA doing work as clerk of First Baptist Church of South Richmond, where the mayor is senior pastor.
Henrico cop indicted
Kimberly McNeil made that plea to a Henrico County police officer who was firing into a car in which she was a passenger. Her plea went unanswered, a cousin recounted, as Officer Joel D. Greenway, continued shooting at her as her fiancé, Robert Davis, tried to drive away from the Exxon station where they had just purchased gas Dec. 15.
Telfair: I was never consulted on Petersburg water contract
Two years ago, cash-strapped Petersburg jumped at a deal that Johnson Controls Inc. was offering. As it has done across the country, the energy and industrial giant offered to pay for installing automated water meters to replace Petersburg’s 11,500 old and outdated meters. The new meters would transmit water usage data to a passing truck and eliminate the need to send staff to physically check meters every two months.
Pro-Confederate legislators make run to save symbols
Veto that bill, governor. That’s the cry from members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus after the Republican-dominated General Assembly approved a bill that would bar localities from removing Confederate hate symbols from public property. “I voted against it, but now we can only hope that that the governor will use his veto pen,” said Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan.
Speakers support race video and name change for Byrd Middle School
Henrico County Public Schools has not banned the video on racism that upset some parents and their children at Glen Allen High School and created wider community turmoil when the Henrico County School Board chairwoman and superintendent apologized for it being shown. In an interview Tuesday, Andy Jenks, spokesperson for Henrico County schools, told the Free Press, “No,” when asked if the video has been banned.
Local Democrats jubilant over Clinton win
Two groups of Democratic supporters gathered Tuesday night at separate viewing parties two blocks apart at restaurants in Shockoe Bottom. Shortly after the polls closed at 7 p.m., both venues quickly transformed into jubilant celebrations of Hillary Clinton’s resounding win over U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in Virginia’s presidential primary. When it was all said and done, Mrs. Clinton easily trounced Sen. Sanders in the state, winning 64.3 percent of the vote to his 35.2 percent.
Clinton, Trump win Super Tuesday
Super Tuesday proved super for Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. The two front-runners each won seven of the 11 state primary contests this week, including Virginia — putting each on course to win their party’s presidential nomination and face each other in a general election showdown.
VUU’s Chaz McKenzie named MVP of CIAA field events
Chazton McKenzie is the master of multitasking at Virginia Union University. The recent CIAA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Winston-Salem, N.C., served as a showcase for his versatility. “Chaz isn’t some average athlete. He’s a great athlete,” said VUU track Coach Wilbert Johnson. McKenzie’s academic major, business management, is apropos. He meticulously took care of business Feb. 14-15 at Winston-Salem’s JDL Fast Track.
VSU signs area high schoolers for Trojans football
C.J. Bynum was an All-State foot- ball offensive lineman this past fall for Highland Springs High School in Henrico County. Now he hopes to become an All-CIAA performer for Virginia State University. Bynum’s powerful blocking helped Highland Springs to the State Group 5A football championship. His postseason honors included All Conference 12, All- Region 5A South and 5A All-State.
Tell someone about ‘our amazing heritage’
This month is Black History Month, the shortest month of the year. But no matter how brief, we still can illuminate ourselves concerning our splendid and marvelous contributions to the world. So, take some time to read about the struggles and tribulations of our people.
Email issue will follow Clinton if she wins nomination
The big picture is the very real likelihood that Donald Trump will be the Republican nominee for president and should not be underestimated about getting into the White House.
What role has Bernie Sanders played to help President Obama?
From his first day in office, President Obama has faced blistering attacks and unceasing obstruction from the Republicans in Congress. It continues today, as we witness their latest tactic to block anyone the president nominates to replace the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Their constant refusal to accord to our first African-American president the same respect and authority given all of his predecessors is a disgrace and a stain upon the character of this country.
Hillary Clinton has ‘best plans to tackle the challenges’
Last week, I was proud to join the majority of members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to express my support for Hillary Clinton.
Voting: Powerful, transformative
The 2016 election is historic, not only because we could elect the first woman president, but because for the first time in more than 50 years, this nation will vote without the protection of the Voting Rights Act, which kept discriminatory voting changes from becoming law. Under the guise of preserving election integrity, more than 37 states around the country, including Virginia, have implemented new voter ID laws designed to suppress the votes of certain citizens.
Afflicting the comfortable
In American society, we claim to support freedom of speech as a cornerstone of our democracy. Yet when it comes to certain kinds of information — particularly ideas that threaten the basis for white supremacy — censorship suddenly becomes justifiable. A teaching tool created by the African American Policy Forum recently was subject to this form of censorship in Henrico County.
2016 Virginia presidential primaries
Tuesday, March 1, is a red-letter day in Virginia. It is the day that voters across the Commonwealth can go to the polls and select their preference for a Democratic or Republican nominee for president.
85-year-old barber takes shears from 2nd Street to South Side
Jackson Ward is losing another longtime fixture — barber William Lomax. For more than 62 years, Mr. Lomax cut hair in shops on 2nd Street, the Jackson Ward community’s main commercial corridor.
Hattitude to honor 5
Free Press President/Publisher Jean Patterson Boone and four other women will be honored by the Cavalier Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association during its “Hats Off to Women” awards luncheon, Hattitude 2016.
Blood drive Monday to raise sickle cell awareness
Virginia Blood Services will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at The Shops at White Oak Village, 4500 S. Laburnum Ave., in Henrico County to raise awareness of sickle cell anemia.
