City Council green lights projects for 2nd Street, North Side, East End
New apartments finally could rise on the site of the former Eggleston Hotel at 2nd and Leigh streets in Jackson Ward. City Council gave a thumbs up Monday by voting 9-0 to allow the long-stalled project to receive a grant of $250,544 over seven years through the city’s Economic Development Authority. Developer Kelvin Hanson, who initially proposed Eggleston Plaza five years ago, said he hopes to have the $5.8 million project underway this summer.
Lawyer contends no justification for U.Va. student’s arrest
State ABC agents charged University of Virginia honor student Martese Johnson with public intoxication even though the agents did not believe he was drunk, according to their statements. Instead, they believed he might be using a false ID.
Schools chief calls for $ to change students’ futures
In his first “State of the Schools” address, Richmond Public Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden told an audience of about 300 people Tuesday night that education was “my ticket out of poverty.” “Part of my childhood was spent growing up in the low-income housing of Jordan Park in St. Petersburg, Florida,” he said in an address delivered at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the Virginia Union University campus.
Crusade for Voters to hold candidates forum Sunday
The Richmond Crusade for Voters is hosting a public forum for candidates vying for the Democratic Party nomination in four area state House and Senate districts. The forum will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Hobson Lodge, 801 Prince Hall Drive.
VUU names Gilbert Lady Panthers coach
Throughout her married life, AnnMarie Gilbert has heard stories about basketball success at Virginia Union University. Now she is in position to create fond VUU memories of her own — as VUU’s eighth women’s basketball coach. Coach Gilbert succeeds Barvenia Wooten-Cherry, who resigned following a 48-85 record over five seasons.
Richmonder Aleem rising up national boxing ranks
Immanuwel Aleem may have been barely old enough to play a hand of poker — his favorite card game — at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in suburban Philadelphia on Saturday night. But the 21-year-old boxer’s fists had enough experience to floor his opponent in an eight-round bout by King’s Promotions.
Grace Street changing to two-way in Downtown
Traffic alert: Expect disruption on East Grace Street from 4th Street to 9th Street in Downtown for two months. The reason: Five blocks of Grace Street are being transformed from a one-way street to two-way, the Department of Public Works announced this week.
City registrar to seek $1.2M for new voting machines
Richmond is close to resolving its voting machine problem. Less than two weeks after the state banned the touch-screen machines Richmond and 29 other localities have used for 10 years, the city’s Electoral Board has selected replacement equipment.
Outrage over Dems Party rejection
Re “Morrissey strikes out in court,” April 16-18 edition: I am a single, African-American mother who never has been actively engaged in Democratic politics — until now. I also am an avid reader of the Richmond Free Press and give kudos to Jeremy Lazarus for his well-written story regarding the Democratic Party rejecting Joseph D. “Joe” Morrissey’s petitions and not allowing him on the ballot for the June 9 primary. I am highly offended that the Democratic Party that champions inclusivity and expanding voters’ rights would reject Mr. Morrissey’s petitions to get on the ballot.
Indifference, injustice and neglect harm mental health services for children
Since 2011, we carefully have analyzed and documented the abuse of Medicaid-funded mental health services for poor children in Richmond Public Schools.
Nation of Islam moves mosque to Downtown
The Nation of Islam has quietly settled its Richmond mosque into a new home in Downtown. Forced to give up its large, steepled space on South Side, Muhammad Mosque No. 24 currently is operating out of leased space at 408 E. Main St.
NASCAR’s big bucks stop at raceway
Twice a year, Melvin Crawley Jr., owner of Crawley’s Funeral Home on Meadowbridge Road on North Side, opens his business parking lot and an adjoining property to NASCAR fans, where they park their vehicles for race weekends at Richmond International Raceway.
Help from high court
News this week of the traumatic death of 25-year-old Freddie Gray of Baltimore at the hands of police is both dismal and emotionally bruising. Mr. Gray, whose biggest crime in life was perhaps being a “joker,” as close friends reported, was nabbed by police after he looked them in the eye and ran. Sometime between being wrestled to the sidewalk, handcuffed and dragged into a police van and being taken unconscious by ambulance to a hospital 30 minutes later, his spinal column was nearly severed and his larynx crushed.
Fourth Baptist to host special Mother’s Day service
A guest minister will keynote Fourth Baptist Church’s annual Mother’s Day program Sunday, May 10, the church has announced.
NAACP branches to host forums at area churches
Concerned about the ever widening racial divide? Troubled about discrimination or other problems of social equity? Here’s your opportunity to sound off.
From R&B to gospel, Barky’s has changed with the times
When Barksdale “Barky” Haggins opened Barky’s Record Shop in 1956 in Downtown, some people were determined to see he didn’t stay in business for long. “White record distributors in Richmond wouldn’t sell me records to stock the store,” the affable entrepreneur recalls. Undeterred, Mr. Haggins traveled by car to Washington or New York City once a month with about $400 and purchased as many records as possible to sell in his store, located at the time at 407 N. 1st St. “Records cost about 59 cents back then and albums ranged from $1.98 to $3.98 for the most popular ones,” Mr. Haggins said.
Personality: Monica Brinkley Davis
Spotlight on first African-American president of Junior League of Richmond
Monica Brinkley Davis does not take lightly her role as a trailblazing officer of the Junior League of Richmond. The Henrico County resident is the first African-American president of the 89-year-old organization, whose mission is to train strong female leaders through community service and to strengthen communities.
Free Press wins 21 awards
The Richmond Free Press continues its 23-year tradition of award-winning excellence. The newspaper was recognized with 21 awards — including seven first place awards and a Best in Show Award — at the annual Virginia Press Association competition in writing, photography, news presentation and advertising.
VCU adjusting after Shaka Smart exit
Virginia Commonwealth University has a new basketball coaching staff and, so far, the roster of returning Rams has remained intact, albeit a scare. Here’s what has transpired since Coach Shaka Smart left VCU to become coach at the University of Texas, and Coach Will Wade, a former Smart assistant, was named his successor. Promising 6-foot-8 freshman Justin Tillman asked to be released for the purpose of transferring to another university, but has since changed his mind and remains a Ram. All three of Coach Smart’s high school recruits to VCU have asked for and been granted releases by VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin.
Lynch pawn in GOP game
Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell said that a vote will finally come April 23 on Attorney General-nominee Loretta Lynch. It probably will happen this time.
