Superintendent says $26.5 M increase needed for city schools
Pay now or pay later in negative repercussions that would largely impact the city’s most vulnerable residents. That was the urgent plea Richmond schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden issued Dec. 14 as he unveiled an estimate of needs for the district for fiscal year 2017. He requested about $26.5 million more than the current budget contains and that would raise the total schools budget to $298 million.
CAO scraps plan to use energy savings for upgrades
Mayor Dwight C. Jones’ administration has killed a plan to use energy savings to finance critical improvements to more than 30 aging city buildings, the Free Press has learned. The city’s chief administrative officer, Selena Cuffee-Glenn, quietly made the decision in the past few weeks. She did so after Siemens, the company the city hired to provide a detailed proposal, offered to undertake $13 million in improvements to city buildings that would be repaid over time from savings the city achieved from cutbacks in electricity and natural gas use.
Longtime Broad St. business to close
For 70 years, Moore’s Auto Body and Paint Shop Inc. has been a fixture at 401 W. Broad St. But that is about to change as one of the city’s oldest African-American-owned businesses prepares to close. Owner Jesse Moore, 71, disclosed Monday that he has sold the nearly quarter-acre property and will shut down the auto body operation there at the end of the month.
Concealed weapons permits from 25 states not valid in Va.
Concealed handgun permits held by residents of 25 states no longer will be valid in Virginia, the state’s attorney general said Tuesday, drawing swift criticism from GOP lawmakers. Attorney General Mark Herring, a Democrat, said the state will revoke its reciprocity agreement with the states because their concealed weapon laws don’t meet Virginia’s standards. Those states hand out permits to fugitives, convicted stalkers and drug dealers, which undermines Virginia’s law and puts residents at risk, he said.
Energy industry vital to climate change, economic opportunities
Under the leadership of President Obama, the United States has taken unprecedented action to begin addressing climate change one of the biggest issues facing our time. Through advancements in new technologies, environmental initiatives and cleaner energy resources, our country already has greatly reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Pray for haters and their victims
At this time of year and throughout the year to come, I ask that before opening Christmas presents, all people take a few minutes to pray for the following:
Maggie Walker’s honor would be impaired by tree
I write to support that the City of Richmond provide a cleared palette at the corner of Broad and Adams streets on which a stately statue can stand in full honor and glory to the iconic image of Maggie Lena Walker.
Energy industry vital to climate change, economic opportunities
Under the leadership of President Obama, the United States has taken unprecedented action to begin addressing climate change — one of the biggest issues facing our time. Through advancements in new technologies, environmental initiatives and cleaner energy resources, our country already has greatly reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
Vision, not division
Leaders provide vision. They help people understand where they are, how they got there and what they must do to go forward. They help calm nerves and strengthen courage. They are steady in times of trouble, inspiring in times of demoralization.
Church must boot Parson to clear bankruptcy
The future of an embattled South Side church may hinge on whether it can completely cut ties with its founding pastor. As part of a financial plan clearing the way for the once giant Richmond Christian Center to emerge from bankruptcy, the church had to agree to one stipulation — that Pastor Steven A. Parson Sr. “have no contact” with the worship center he founded in his living room more than 32 years ago.
Emancipation Day service Jan. 1 at Fifth Baptist Church
The Rev. Elmore E. Warren Jr., a Richmond native and pastor of Whitestone Baptist Church in Baltimore, is scheduled to preach at the annual community service in Richmond to mark the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The commemoration that also features spirited singing and dramatic presentations will be held 11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, at Fifth Baptist Church, 1415 W. Cary St., in the West End.
Temple of Judah to hold service at jail Dec. 25
Men and women at the Richmond Justice Center once again will benefit from the work of the Temple of Judah. Bishop Melvin Williams Jr. and the temple’s congregation are continuing a long tradition of providing Christmas cheer to those spending the holidays behind bars at the facility.
Benefit gospel concert Jan. 10 at Va. Union
Capital City Lodge #107 of the 26th Masonic District is presenting its annual gospel concert 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, in Coburn Hall at Virginia Union University.
Seminary president lends voice to national letter
Count Union Presbyterian Seminary President Brian K. Blount is among those calling for an end to anti-Islamic rhetoric and religious intolerance toward the Muslim community.
VSU Coach Lonnie Blow scores 100th CIAA victory
Basketball Coach Lonnie Blow Jr. arrived at Virginia State University with a reputation for success, and he hasn’t disappointed. The veteran coach picked up his 100th CIAA victory Dec. 15 when the Trojans defeated his former school, St. Augustine’s University, 86-63, in Raleigh, N.C.
Aggies win Celebration Bowl in Atlanta
There is plenty to celebrate, starting with the feats of North Carolina A&T State University’s Tarik Cohen, following last Saturday’s inaugural Air Force Reserve Celebration Bowl. The Aggies’ explosive 5-foot-6 junior ran and ran and didn’t slow down until the Aggies had a 41-34 victory over Alcorn State University at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Petersburg cousins joined by blood, love of football
When the next Prosise family reunion rolls around, football is likely to be the hot topic. Burly Prosise athletes figure heavily into the college gridiron reports as nearby as Ettrick and as far away as South Bend, Ind. Ray Prosise Jr. is a powerful, 6-foot, 280-pound junior defensive lineman and electrical engineering major at Virginia State University.
Faulkner wins top pro bowl prize
Gary Faulkner Jr. is the winner of the Professional Bowlers Association’s World Championship. Faulkner, 25, of Memphis, Tenn., won the tournament Thursday, Dec. 17, to become just the second African-American to win a title in the PBA’s 57-year history.
Cherished Holiday Memories
Christmas. It’s a time for family, sharing good food, holiday fun and heartfelt blessings. From the smell of dinner cooking for a family feast, to the glow of lights on a decorated Christmas tree, the season is rich with ingredients for wonderful memories that linger long after the holiday is gone. Six area residents shared with the Free Press their cherished memories of Christmases past. We hope their reflections will bring special joy and happy recollections of your own during this season.
Harvey to host again despite big blunder
The Miss Universe pageant was going great until the host, popular comedian Steve Harvey, made a big mistake. He already had announced Miss Colombia as the winner last Sunday, and she already was wearing the crown. And then he reread his cue card and had to return to the stage to announce on live television that Miss Philippines actually was the winner.
