Sheriff Woody answers federal ADA lawsuit
Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. plans to vigorously defend his office against a federal lawsuit accusing him of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to find a civilian position for a deputy suffering from a disabling heart condition. Tony Pham, the in-house lawyer for the Sheriff’s Office, stated that the sheriff followed the law and “vehemently denies that the former employee was discriminated against under the ADA” as the U.S. Justice Department alleged in its suit filed March 3 in federal district court in Richmond.
Congressional races shaping up
Largely overshadowed by presidential politics, the races for Virginia’s 11 congressional seats are beginning to take shape. In the 4th Congressional District that now includes Richmond, candidates are starting to make plans to run in the June 14 primary contests that have been called by the district’s Democratic and Republican committees.
VSU working on improvements after state auditor’s findings
That’s the verdict of the state auditor of public accounts after completing Virginia State University’s financial audit for fiscal year 2015 that ended June 30.
The U.S. Supreme Court and the elephant in the room
Race remains the unspoken elephant in the room amid the growing controversy over who should replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mexico neighbor not enemy
Presidential campaigns often turn raw. Politicians reach for sound bites that bite. Often they gain by playing on fears, winning by division, not by addition. In 2016, insult has become the coin of the campaign, particularly in the Republican primaries. And too often the enemy singled out has been Mexico and Mexicans.
The wall
For those who are watching the presidential nominating contest like a horse race, here are the latest results since Super Tuesday and Virginia’s participation:
Creativity runs in the family
Father-son artists share gifts with the community
Jerome W. Jones Jr. and his son, Jeromyah, share a deep passion for painting. Their works, many featuring portraits of noted people, provides uplift, education and motivation to untold thousands who have viewed them at exhibits and online.
Virginia Supreme Court drama
The partisan turmoil that has paralyzed Washington for the last few years apparently is contagious. And like a plague, it spread to Virginia, where the General Assembly was stricken with an illness threatening the progress of the Commonwealth.
Trojans play first game Saturday
Famed UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden traveled cross country long ago to tiny Franklinton, N.C., population 2,023, to sign Henry Bibby.
Lady Panthers play at Barco-Stevens Frida
You can make a powerful case for Virginia Union University’s Kiana Johnson being the best basketball player in the NCAA Division II.
Justices take on I.C. Norcom Friday in state tournament
John Marshall High School is among the smallest schools in the Virginia High School League’s 3A classification. It also ranks with the state’s 3A elite, at least basketball-wise. Relying on multitasking athletes such as Xavier Trent and Isaiah Anderson, Coach Ty White’s Justices are hopeful of a second state basketball title in three years.
A look back
Spirit of Maggie Walker’s 1967-68 Green Dragons lives on
One state with two state champions. That’s the way it was in Virginia.
VCU Rams looking for A-10 tourney win
Virginia Commonwealth University is trekking to Brooklyn, N.Y., this weekend with mostly fond memories of the sprawling New York City borough. The vast Barclays Center, site of the Atlantic 10 Conference basketball tournament, has been like Siegel Center North for the Rams and their fanatical fans.
Hampton U. Pirates favored to win MEAC Tournament
Hampton University has the MEAC’s best basketball record, and arguably the conference’s two best players. Its archrival, Norfolk State University, however, has the last regular season laugh, as well as hometown advantage, heading into this week’s MEAC Tournament at the Norfolk Scope.
Hanover golfer making big mark at 14
Christian Dyer would rather follow a golf ball, and the exciting places it might lead him, than follow the crowd. At 6-feet, 210 pounds, the young athlete would seem well suited for basketball or football. Instead the 14-year-old has been all-in for golf since receiving a set of clubs from his grandparents for Christmas when he was 3.
SisterFund giving circle seeks community change
Twenty philanthropically minded women have come together to have a greater impact on giving in the Richmond community.
VCU Children’s Pavilion opens
It’s being described as the biggest development in child health care in Central Virginia. After more than five years of planning and construction, the new $200 million Children’s Pavilion outpatient treatment center was celebrated with fanfare Wednesday, just days before its planned opening to patients and families on Monday, March 21.
Co-founders of Black Lives Matter movement to speak in Richmond
Two founders of the Black Lives Matter movement, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, will be speaking in Richmond this month. Ms. Garza is to deliver a lecture 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at the University of Richmond’s Tyler Haynes Commons. Ms. Tometi is scheduled to speak 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center, 1200 W. Broad St., on the topic “#BlackLivesMatter: Hashtag in Action.” Both events are open to the public without charge.
Miss Thompson marries Dr. Haskell
As the featured “Personality” in the Free Press edition published July 18-20, 2013, Dr. Marlon A. Haskell, pastor of Chicago Avenue Baptist Church, said his next goal was “to marry again, and fulfill God’s assignment for our lives.” Well …
Pine Camp hosts performance art exhibit March 18
The Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities will host a performance art exhibit in honor of Women’s History Month featuring area artists at the Pine Camp Cultural Arts and Community Center, 4901 Old Brook Road.
