All results / Stories / Jeremy M. Lazarus
New city protocol irritates City Council members
The days of council members speaking directly to department directors and other City Hall staff to resolve a problem are over.
Housing units’ new CEO
Steven Bernard Nesmith, former HUD official, has known poverty and prosperity, but considers RRHA role his dream job
Steven Bernard Nesmith is returning to public housing more than 40 years after leaving the Philadelphia projects where he grew up.
Richmond plans to hold a second casino vote in November, despite state budget’s language
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin refused to intervene to help Richmond gain a second chance to secure a casino-resort, which aids those seeking to have the casino go to Petersburg and leaves advocates for a Richmond casino fuming.
Environmental Film Festival multiple showings, venues
The RVA Environmental Festival will feature 21 feature films during its upcoming two-week run, with all films free and open to the public.
VSU spring enrollment brings optimism
Enrollment at Virginia State University has dropped less than initially projected — good news for the school and a relief to Dr. Pamela V. Hammond, the interim president. The latest figures indicate nearly 4,500 students are en- rolled and validated as meet- ing their financial obligations. That’s about 130 students fewer than projected for the spring semester in the university’s budget. Earlier this month, Dr. Hammond and VSU’s board of visitors were advised that fewer than 4,250 students might be enrolled this semester. Dr. Hammond told the Free Press last week the higher enrollment means she will not have to consider additional personnel actions to balance the budget. After taking office Jan. 1, she ordered a freeze on hiring and other spending to stabilize finances and those freezes are still in place. She said the freezes should keep spending in line with revenue through the rest of the fiscal year.
Attorney General’s decision clears way for Mosby, Starlings to remain on ballot
An opinion from Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring appears to clear the way for Richmond City Council President Michelle R. Mosby to remain a candidate for mayor and for businessman Kevin A. Starlings to challenge incumbent School Board member Jeffrey M. Bourne for the 3rd District seat. The Richmond Electoral Board, which is to meet Thursday, Sept. 1, is expected to embrace Mr. Herring’s legal advice and keep both candidates on the Nov. 8 ballot, the Free Press has been told in advance of the meeting.
Federal panel selects redistricting plan for House of Delegates
A federal three-judge panel announced Tuesday it has selected a redistricting plan to end illegal packing of African-American voters into 11 Virginia House of Delegate districts.
Green light shines on Diamond District
The huge plan to redevelop 67 acres of publicly owned land around The Diamond baseball stadium has a green light — despite questions about the soundness of its financial structure.
Petersburg jail closing April 1
The Petersburg City Jail will be closing April 1. A final attempt by City Council foes to reverse the decision failed on a 4-3 vote Tuesday night.
Judge rules against Sa’ad El-Amin entering Lee statue lawsuit
“Black lives still don’t matter,” former Richmond City Councilman Sa’ad El-Amin said as he left a Richmond courtroom last Friday.
GRTC to pilot on-demand service for elderly, disabled
Taxicab, Uber and Lyft drivers soon could be taking elderly and disabled people shopping, to the doctor and to other places in Richmond and Henrico County.
Jamie Nolan wins city Democratic Committee leadership post
The rising political influence of women is being felt in Richmond. In an unprecedented move, the reorganized Richmond City Democratic Committee elected five women to the top six leadership positions Saturday in undergoing a major shakeup.
Richmond Christian Center decision to be made Nov. 20
The future of the Richmond Christian Center’s 5-acre property in South Side is to be determined on Monday, Nov. 20. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Keith L. Phillips set the new date Tuesday after an attorney for RCC’s court appointed trustee, Bruce H. Matson, said the trustee needed just a day or two more to decide between two potential buyers.
Federal lawsuit filed over tear-gassing of inmates at Richmond Justice Center
In late August, during an outbreak of the coronavirus at the Richmond City Justice Center, deputies under the command of Sheriff Antionette V. Irving tear-gassed inmates who raised concerns about safety practices. Dozens of others in the same area also were impacted.
Council approves Highland Park housing units, ban on wild animals, and more honorary street signs
Rushing to get to their August recess, City Council spent less than 90 minutes passing more than 40 pieces of mostly routine legislation that largely involved approvals of special use permits for development and authorizations for future transportation projects.
Land conservancy to acquire 5.2 acres on riverfront for parkland
Instead of private condos or offices, a major piece of Dock Street property that nestles the James River is on its way to becoming parkland everyone can use.
HumanKind’s direct cash funds may soon dry up
Concern is growing over the dwindling money in a family crisis fund that Richmond created to provide direct cash payments.
Richmond Christian Center to search for new pastor
The Richmond Christian Center is moving to replace its founding pastor, Steve Parson. Two months after emerging from bankruptcy, the fundamentalist South Side church announced Tuesday that it has begun a search for a new full-time pastor to be in place by July.
Mayor seeks to change definition of emerging small business
For more than 15 years, City Hall has sought to use its purchasing power to boost start-up and fledgling companies, often with minority ownership, that generally bring in less than $500,000 a year in revenue and have 10 or fewer employees.
City Council looks to ease zoning for homeless shelter locations
City Council this week took the first step toward lifting zoning restrictions that have largely limited homeless shelters to Downtown and low-income sections of the city.
