Confidentiality breach: Teacher’s file contains personal info on others
If you teach or have taught for Richmond Public Schools, your colleagues may have access to your personal information. The disclosure that the RPS Human Resources Department is failing to guard confidential records came from a former teacher who found her personnel file contained information it should not have, including Social Security numbers of other teachers.
Plans moving ahead for Church Hill North
Richmond is moving ahead with plans to raze the former Armstrong High School building and fill the 22-acre site in the East End with 300 apartments and new homes.
Former governor appeals conviction to full 4th Circuit
Former Gov. Bob McDonnell remains free on bond after filing a request for the entire 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond to review and throw out his conviction. At least eight of the court’s 15 judges must agree to hear his case. Such a review by the full court is considered rare.
National Night Out slated for Aug. 4
Residents of Richmond and surrounding counties will gather Tuesday, Aug. 4, with their neighbors and members of law enforcement to cook out, dance, socialize, host activities for youngsters and hold anti-crime rallies.
Richmond native, renowned conductor Paul Douglas Freeman dead at 79
Paul Douglas Freeman left segregated Richmond in 1953 to pursue his musical dreams. Now in his death more than six decades later, the trailblazer is recognized as one of the world’s preeminent conductors. During his career, the amazing maestro with the engaging persona conducted more than 100 orchestras in 30 countries. With more than 200 recordings to his credit, he also won numerous awards for his unique interpretations of the classical, romantic and modern repertoire.
Congratulations to students
Congratulations to all of the students with perfect attendance, high grade point averages and scholarships. Congratulations to the parents as well.
Question about mass shootings
Have you noticed that mass killings occur in churches, schools and gun-free military areas, but not at gun shows or police stations?
A lesson to learn
Re “Democrats suppressed, mistreated black people,” letter to the editor, July 23-25 edition: Mr. Urchie B. Ellis sorely needs a crash course in American history or he could simply borrow a fifth-grader’s history book. Mr. Ellis is being disingenuous and condescending to Free Press readers with, as he puts it, “Your readers …”
Time to remove ‘N’ word from vocabulary
I don’t believe we are being honest about the true meaning of the “N” word. Webster defines the “N” word as: A negro; in a vulgar derision or depreciation.
Working for change
In light of the conversations about police abuse, unwarranted stops and arrests and homicide cases involving black people and police officers, many black people get angry, maybe have a march and then go home to await the next incident. Amos Wilson said, “Until our behavior changes, the behavior of those who oppress and abuse us will not change.” In other words, the onus for change is on us.
Africa and Obama ‘On the Move’
President Obama continues to be strategic about how he represents his race, genealogy and his commitment to promote and sustain African freedom and empowerment. The president’s historic trip to Kenya and to Ethiopia is indicative of his distinctive characteristic of taking strategic moves that go far beyond the traditional limitations of American politics and global outreach. This was his fourth trip to Africa. As the first sitting American president to visit Kenya and Ethiopia, his timing could not have come at a better time.
Dodging a bullet
If you need evidence that voting is important, consider this: Ken Cuccinelli, Virginia’s former attorney general and the Republican loser of the 2013 gubernatorial election in the Commonwealth, appeared on CNN’s Sunday show, “State of the Union,” and explained during a panel discussion the resentment felt by many white Americans to the rallying cry “Black Lives Matter.”
Parker on par for record books
Golfer Addie Parker is adept at making pars, birdies, eagles and, yes, history. The 15-year-old daughter of Flotilla and Tracy Parker of Chesterfield County has blazed her name into the Richmond Golf Association (RGA) record books.
NFL team chaplain to speak Aug. 4
The Rev. Brett Fuller, chaplain of the Washington professional football team, is to speak Tuesday, Aug. 4, at a luncheon for Richmond area faith leaders during the team’s training camp in Richmond.
Officer charged in killing motorist
“He purposely killed him.” That’s how an Ohio prosecutor described a white police officer’s gruesome actions in gunning down an unarmed African-American motorist he pulled over for not having a front license plate.
Redemption through food: Renowned chef changed life cooking behind bars
At 19, Jeff Henderson was running a $35,000 a week cocaine operation in San Diego. Now 51, he has become a New York Times best-selling author and stars in a nationally syndicated television cooking show. He credits 10 years in prison as his “blessing in disguise.” That’s where he learned to cook and appreciate that he had a lot to offer in the outside world.
Joe Jackson suffers stroke
Joe Jackson, patriarch of the Jackson family of musical performers, suffered a stroke in Brazil on Sunday and is being treated in a Sao Paulo hospital.
Benefit golf tournament set for Monday
Fore! Golfers will tee off Monday, Aug. 3, in a tournament at Brickshire Golf Club in New Kent County in honor of the late Benjamin J. Lambert III, a former state senator and Richmond optometrist.
Former VSU sports info director dies at 68
Wallace Dooley Jr., who served as sports information director at Virginia State University and a number of historically black colleges, died Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at a hospice in Nashville, Tenn.
After 13-year hiatus, Coach Hopkins returns to Shaw
Coach Joel Hopkins led Shaw University to basketball glory once before. Now the CIAA school in Raleigh, N.C., is hopeful he can do it again.
