Family of fans // Katrina Cheatham and her children, Camryn, 3, and Patrick, 5, enjoy the Freedom Classic basketball game last Sunday that pit Virginia Union University against rival Virginia State University at the Richmond Coliseum.

High spirit at Freedom Classic // When it comes to the long-standing rivalry between Virginia Union University and Virginia State University, the fans of both teams always have fun. Sunday was no exception during the Freedom Classic Festival, where the teams met on the basketball court at the Richmond Coliseum after fan activities including a drumline competition, college fair and gospel showcase. At left, VUU players huddle to continue the rally in the final minutes of the game.

High spirit at Freedom Classic // VUU’s Danny McElroy goes high to block a shot by VSU’s Elijah Moore. Fans for both teams enthusiastically cheered the action

High spirit at Freedom Classic//Trojans fan Charles Garnett gives his 4-year-old great-grandson Jeremiah Marte a lift as the VSU mascot rallies the fans.

High spirit at Freedom Classic // The Panthers ultimately beat the VSU Trojans 70-68.

High School. Officials held a ribbon-cutting Jan. 14 at the new facility. Richmond built the new $1.18 million facility with a grant from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office following the settlement of a national Medicaid fraud case. Boy Scouts previously rebuilt the outdoor exercise and training area that is used by police K9 units from Richmond, across the state and elsewhere.

Frozen waterfall in Bryan Park

Kappa Alpha Psi pride // Photo by Cleve Packer Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County, standing center, joins his brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the organization’s 8th Annual Virginia Legislative Day at the State Capitol. Fraternity members came from locales across the state, including Richmond, Petersburg and Charlottesville, to attend the event Monday hosted by Sen. McEachin. Brian J. Moran, state secretary of public safety and homeland security, spoke to the men about issues such as civil rights, criminal justice reform and background checks at gun shows.

Honoring Virginia A.M.E. churches // Faith leaders from Virginia African Methodist Episcopal churches, below, stand as members of the House of Delegates applaud them Tuesday at the Virginia General Assembly. Bishop William P. DeVeaux, presiding prelate of the A.M.E. Church’s Second Episcopal District that includes Virginia, North Carolina, Washington and Maryland, left, also was recognized by the legislature. Lawmakers presented him with a resolution honoring more than 120 A.M.E. churches in Virginia for more than 175 years of “ministry and service to the nation and to the people of the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Honoring Virginia A.M.E. churches // The resolution was sponsored by Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan of Richmond and Sen. A. Donald McEachin of Henrico County.