Story
Councilwoman hopes proposed changes to City Charter find support
Under proposed changes to the City Charter or constitution, City Council would gain new authority over housing subsidies and real estate tax relief to residents with low to moderate incomes, in addition to setting its own compensation and modi- fying zoning. Fifth District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch hopes to gain unanimous support from her eight colleagues at the Monday, Dec. 11, council meeting for the changes she has negotiated with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration. If passed by the council, the package would be sent to the General Assembly for approval in the upcoming 2024 session. Many of the changes follow recommenda- tions that a council-created Richmond City Charter Review Commission submitted Aug. 2 after a year of study. As the most significant package of charter changes proposed since the 2004 creation of a mayor elected citywide, the amend- ments do not address the current relationship between the council and the mayor ahead of the 2024 elections for the governing body and chief executive. The biggest proposed change could well be the tax and housing initiatives that the charter review commission did not address. The proposed Section 2.09 amendment would allow the city to defer property taxes and tax increases for qualifying low or moderate income property owners, using the definition of such individuals established by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, now known as Virginia Housing. Such a program could allow the taxes to accumulate over time to be paid off from proceeds after the property is sold. In addition, the proposed charter change would authorize the city to create a program that could help such qualifying individu- als buy a home or receive rental subsidies. The city also could use state or federal funds to advance such initiatives. The charter amendment also would declare the creation of programs that could provide funds directly to individuals for housing to be “in the furtherance of a public interest” to get
Story
Painful testimony from 72-year-old survivor of S.C. church massacre
A 72-year-old retired nurse recounted for jurors on Wednesday how she cowered under a table while Dylann Roof killed nine of her fellow worshippers at a historic black church but spared her so she could tell the story of what he had done.
Story
Petersburg City Council raises taxes, cuts funding to keep city afloat
Smokers will pay an extra 80 cents in tax for each pack of cigarettes they buy inside the city limits of Petersburg beginning Oct. 1 — a move the city officials hope will generate $900,000 a year in much needed revenue.
Story
New firm, CoStar, to bring 732 jobs to Downtown
Most people in Richmond probably never heard of CoStar Group Inc. before this week. Soon the 30-year-old company that is the No. 1 provider of information on commercial real estate will be a local household name.
Story
Trump lays out tough agenda in address before Congress
Heralding a “new chapter of American greatness,” President Trump issued a broad call for America first, investing in the nation’s infrastructure, slashing taxes and revamping health insurance in his first address to Congress.
Story
Preddy D. Ray Sr., longtime affordable housing advocate who sought to keep people in their neighborhoods, dies at 69
In 1971, Preddy Drew Ray Sr. was among a group of nine Richmond college students who packed their bags and went to a Cincinnati conference on af- fordable housing and the role community groups could play.
Story
Foundations buy Ebony and JET photo archives for preservation at Smithsonian
The sale of the photo archive of Ebony and JET magazines chronicling African-American history is generating relief among some who worried the historic images may be lost.
Story
Holy Rosary celebrates 50th year for Knights of Columbus 6457
Holy Rosary Catholic Church, the oldest African-American Catholic congregation in Richmond, will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Father Charles G. O’Leary Knights of Columbus Council 6457 on Saturday, April 29, beginning at 4 p.m. with a meet and greet, followed by a dinner and program.
Story
Full-time lawmakers?
Is it time for Virginia to drop the pretense that a part-time legislature can keep up with the pace of change?
Story
Public hearing Aug. 31 on banning firearms in state executive branch offices
The state Department of General Services will hold a public hearing next week on its proposed permanent regulation banning concealed firearms in the state’s executive branch offices. The hearing will be 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Aug. 31, in the auditorium of the Pocahontas Building, 900 E. Main St. in Richmond.
Story
Website launched to help people without attorneys
Thinking of representing yourself in court? The Supreme Court of Virginia wants to help.
Story
‘Put education first’
During the past weeks, I’ve attended community meetings, rallies and a mayoral forum — all of which were dominated by citizens’ concerns about our public schools.
Story
Navy Hill project nothing to celebrate
Letter to the editor
Why should black folks be excited about the Navy Hill development project?
Story
Prince Hall Origin Masons in city this weekend
Nearly 200 Masons are expected in Richmond for the 124th Annual Grand Communication of The Most Worshipful Saint John’s Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient Yorkrite Masons, Prince Hall Origin-National Compact. The five-day state convention opened Wednesday, Aug. 9, at a hotel on Midlothian Turnpike, with a welcome by officials from the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County.
Story
Flags at half-staff in memory, honor of Dr. Walker
Virginia’s state flag will be flown at half-staff over the Capitol and throughout the commonwealth in honor of the late civil rights icon Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker.
Story
City Council and street names
One Richmond group is calling on City Council to change the names of streets and bridges that are named for slaveholders and those who fought to keep African-Americans enslaved.
Story
City Hall to remain closed until April 13
Richmond City Hall, which has been shuttered to the public since mid-March, will remain closed to non-essential employees until at least Monday, April 13, it has been announced.
Story
New coalition to host monthly town hall meetings
A new coalition that includes the Virginia State Conference NAACP and four Richmond area NAACP branches will launch the first of a monthly series of town hall meetings Thursday, Oct. 4.
Story
Main pool at Randolph closed, awaiting repair
Randolph Pool in the near West End, one of seven outdoor pools the city operates, has been out of commission for nearly three weeks, leaving swimmers frustrated, including neighborhood children seeking to cool off.
