
Personality: Courtland Lambert Jr.
Spotlight on Richmond's Firefighter of the Year
Courtland A. Lambert Jr. faces danger each time he suits up in firefighter gear, climbs aboard a truck at Richmond Fire Station No. 1 in Church Hill and responds to a call.

Calhoun Cougars win city rec league championship
The Calhoun Cougars are the champions of tackle football in Richmond’s Recreation Center League for the first time in at least 20 years.

A steal for the Squirrels?
Baseball team gets sweet deal with city’s five-year lease at The Diamond
Virtually free rent. That’s what the minor league baseball team, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, got in their new five-year lease deal on The Diamond.

Update: Khloe ‘Texas Tornado’ Pointer wins state cross-country title
In cross-country romps over hill and dale, the 15-year-old Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School sophomore, Khloe Pointer, combines a tireless stride with a fierce competitive spirit that belies her petite 5-foot-4, 102 pounds.

Foundation eyeing former Catholic school for apartments
An abandoned Catholic school on North Side is being targeted for a projected $10 million transformation into 92 affordable apartments for the elderly and disabled.

VUU receives $50,000 from Florida couple
Mr. Nathaniel Green, who grew up in Richmond’s Fulton neighborhood, said the new fund carries the Fulton name to recognize neighborhood residents who attended VUU, as well as the VUU graduates who taught him in city schools that served Fulton.

Hampton alumna’s spicy taste buds win $1M
Meneko Spigner McBeth's award-winning Lay’s Kettle Cooked Wasabi Ginger potato chips soon will line the aisles.

Petersburg man lost dream, but made $45,000 profit
Montague D. Phipps had big dreams three years ago when he bought a derelict duplex from the City of Petersburg for the rock-bottom price of $5,000.

Dr. E.D. McCreary Jr., 95, mourned
Dr. E.D. — for Edward Daniel — McCreary Jr. was known as a “pastor’s pastor.” During a long career in the ministry, he influenced thousands of Richmonders. He also helped mold new generations of ministers as a professor at Virginia Union University’s seminary.

Heartwarming return for Albert Hill coach
Coach Michele Drayton walked into the Albert H. Hill Middle School gym for the first time since suffering a stroke last month. The players on her girls’ basketball team excitedly ran over, showering her with hugs.

Quarterback sacked by DUI charge
Virginia State University is heading into its biggest game of the season minus a key component — quarterback Tarian Ayres.

3 area churches up for sale, auction block
The prominent Richmond Christian Center at 214 Cowardin Ave. is one of several sanctuaries that are on the market, including the former home of Second Baptist Church of South Richmond a few blocks away and Sharon Baptist Church in Jackson Ward.

Afrikana film festival in Richmond
The Afrikana Independent Film Festival is presenting the award-winning documentary “Finding Fela” next weekend at the Byrd Theatre in Carytown.

Personality: Jordan R. Pearson
Spotlight on young playwright who helps others
True or false: You have to be a grown-up to make a difference. That’s false, says 14-year-old Jordan Randolph Pearson. This poised youth with an easy smile and big personality is out to demonstrate how much a young person can do.

New boss at VSU
Hampton provost to take reins
Pamela V. Hammond is on track to become the first woman to lead Virginia State University in the school’s 132-year history, the Free Press has learned.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw brings depth to ‘Beyond The Lights’
Honored this past October with the “Emerging Icon” award from Elle Magazine at the celebration for their 21st annual “Women in Hollywood” issue, Gugu Mbatha-Raw is an actress on the rise.

Serena claims another title in Singapore
When Serena Williams is healthy, she is still far and away the world’s top tennis player.

Faith helped police sergeant through childhood trauma
Richmond Police Sgt. Carol Adams says not a day goes by that she doesn’t have flashbacks of her father viciously beating her mother.

Henrietta A. Morris, retired educator, succumbs at 86
Henrietta A. Morris was known for her faith, a warm smile, a deep passion for helping others and a dogged determination.

Altria Theater lights up with new acoustics, amenities
Revamped acoustics — including a new sound system and sound-absorbing materials — are among the biggest changes in the grand venue once known as The Mosque and Richmond’s Landmark Theater.