Real ‘Woman of the Year’
Jannie Ligons is an Oklahoma City grandmother who left a friend’s house to drive home. She collided with Daniel Holtzclaw, the rogue police officer who seemed to think it was part of his duty to sexually abuse black women. He raped them because he could. They did not accuse him because they feared they could not. Some of the women had criminal records — they had been involved with drugs or had other skirmishes with the law. They felt both vulnerable and violated, and they thought nobody would believe them.
Personal stories, songs inspire ‘Motown:The Musical’
Motown’s music, magic and legends had the world dancing in the streets in the 1960s and 1970s. Audience members will want to dance again when “Motown: The Musical” comes to Richmond Tuesday, Jan. 5, through Sunday, Jan. 10, at the Altria Theater.
RVA New Year’s Eve party at Siegel Center
Will Richmonders pay ticket prices ranging from $20 to $30 for general admission and $50 for VIP seats to attend the community New Year’s Eve celebration at its new location at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center? We’ll know soon enough.
Downtown ice rink to extend hours during final weekend
There’s good news for ice skating enthusiasts in the Richmond area. The city’s RVA on Ice is extending its hours of operation on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
War veterans wanted for writing project
The Mighty Pen Project teaches military veterans how to best write the stories of their wartime experiences. The class “is open to all Virginia veterans and civilians alike at no cost, and will focus on furthering the craft of writing about the experiences of war, the warrior’s life, the home front and the military family,” according to organizers.
$5.5M gift gives Dominion naming rights to CenterStage
Utility giant Dominion Resources soon will plant its flag on the downtown performing arts complex now known as Richmond CenterStage. With a $5.5 million gift from its charity arm, the Dominion Foundation, the company is to gain naming rights to the complex that includes the Carpenter Theatre, the Libby S. Gottwald Playhouse and other arts operations.
Sign’s messages inspire passers-by
Motorists slow down and often do double takes as they drive by Chicago Avenue Baptist Church on South Side. The reason: The church at 2331 Broad Rock Blvd., led by Dr. Marlon Haskell, features lots of creative, eye-catching messages on its sign display.
Historic church in Alexandria pledges $1M to Smithsonian
Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, one of the nation’s oldest historically African-American churches in the nation, has pledged $1 million to the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Muslims must relearn faith to counter Islam’s critics, imam says
In the bustling conservative Fatih district, Imam Fadel Solimon looks at the floor and nods as a young woman asks him for advice on how to respond to criticism of Islam on Twitter.
‘Meadowlark’ Lemon
Harlem Globetrotters star dies at 83
In winter 1960, an advertisement appeared in the Waynesboro News-Virginian announcing the Harlem Globetrotters were coming to town.
Sister of Seattle’s star has star power of her own
It’s no surprise Anna Wilson is having a sensational senior year in high school playing basketball. The surprise is that she’s playing on America’s West Coast instead of in Richmond’s West End.
Hall of Fame to consider Allen Iverson
Allen Iverson has moved ahead of schedule for his likely arrival in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Rules require an individual to have been officially retired four years prior to induction.
Jackie Robinson statue to grace Dodger Stadium
When fans arrive at Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium in 2016, they will be treated to a new sight — a statue of baseball icon Jackie Robinson. With the theme “Leveling the Playing Field,” the Dodgers have contracted sculptor Branly Cadet for the assignment. The statue is expected to be between 9 and 10 feet tall.
Personality: Bruce S. Richardson Sr.
Spotlight on winner of VHDA’s Service to Virginia Award
“Equal access is paramount,” declares Richmond Realtor Bruce S. Richardson Sr. of providing access to homeownership to all people.
Bill Cosby posts $1M bond after sex crime arrest
Bill Cosby was charged Wednesday in Pennsylvania with sexually assaulting a woman in 2004 after plying her with drugs and alcohol. The arrest marks the only criminal case against the once-beloved performer whose father-figure persona has been damaged by dozens of misconduct accusations.
Cleveland police officer not indicted in fatal shooting of Tamir Rice
National civil rights leaders are expressing disappointment and calling for new policies after a Cleveland grand jury on Monday refused to indict the police officer who shot and killed 12-year-old Tamir Rice only seconds after encountering him with a toy gun.
Toasting the new year
Staying clean, sober can be daunting during the holidays for those in recovery
Foremost wishes for 2016
With the start of 2016, the Free Press invited select state and city officials to share their foremost wishes for the new year. Here are their responses.
This past year has been one of great accomplishments for our city. We successfully hosted the World Championships of cycling and showcased our city around the world like never before. We completed a deal that makes us the new East Coast home of Stone Brewing Co., the ninth-largest craft brewery in the country, bringing development and jobs to a long-neglected part of town. We are moving forward with establishing an expanded public transportation system with Bus Rapid Transit and we’ve secured Richmond’s place as an inland branch of the Port of Hampton Roads, to name a few achievements.
New Fulton housing development on drawing board
Richmond’s apartment boom is heading east into the Fulton community. The former Robert Fulton Elementary School, long a haven for artists, is proposed to be a centerpiece of a 266-unit, $38 million apartment complex to be called Studio Row.
