All results / Stories / Jeremy M. Lazarus
Strategist suggests Richmond voters will support casino funds earmarked for schools
Political strategist Paul Goldman sees a path for Richmond to recover from the stinging political defeat it has suffered at the General Assembly after a bipartisan coalition rejected the state capital city’s plans for a second vote to bring a $565 million casino-resort to South Side.
Trailblazer
Bettie Elizabeth Boyers Cooper’s actions spurred City’s full school desegregation
Bettie Elizabeth Boyers Cooper, who helped end Richmond and Virginia’s determined efforts in the 1950s to maintain racially segregated public schools, has died.
Goldman prepares to sue over casino
In mid-June, Richmond City Council voted 8-1 to select RVA Entertainment Holdings LLC as its preferred choice to operate a resort casino in the city — setting the stage for a second attempt to win city voter support for a gambling operation that was defeated two years ago. However, political strategist Paul Goldman believes the no-bid award to the company could violate a provision of the state constitution as well as the Virginia Public Procurement Act. He said he is preparing a lawsuit to test whether the city was required to go through a bidding process before making what amounts to a perpetual right for that company to operate the casino.
City Council receives bids from 22 who want Confederate statues
To donate or not to donate? That is the question Richmond City Council may face when it comes to disposing of most of the city-owned Confederate statues.
Power, resistance and spiritual beliefs all told in Richmond cemeteries
To Dr. Ryan K. Smith, cemeteries are ideal places to learn about the past and present of a community.
Capitol Square offices to be named for Dr. William Ferguson ‘Fergie’ Reid
Dr. William Ferguson “Fergie” Reid, a Richmond surgeon and activist for voting rights, made history in 1967 when he won election to the House of Delegates. He was the first Black person to break through the legislature’s whites-only ranks in more than 76 years.
From gridiron to president
Willard Bailey shaping minds at new college
Willard Bailey, the CIAA legendary college football coach, has a new role in higher education. He has jumped from the gridiron to college president.
Officer acquitted in shooting
Henrico Police Officer Joel D. Greenway did nothing wrong when he shot up a car he was trying to stop from leaving a gas station’s parking lot on Nine Mile Road, gravely wounding a female passenger in unleashing seven bullets at the unarmed occupants.
Charles City native produces new citrus-infused whiskey
Walter A. Crawley is tapping his roots in Charles City County in seeking to create a better whiskey. The 53-year-old food industry veteran believes the harsh taste of corn-based alcohol can turn people off, particularly people who are trying their first drink.
Initiative to get schools on Nov. ballot collects 6,619 signatures in one day
During the June 13 primary election, more than 6,600 Richmond voters signed petitions to put the issue of Richmond’s deteriorating schools on the city ballot in November, the Free Press has learned.
Former Highland Park church to become affordable housing
A derelict church building on North Side is headed for conversion into 76 apartments. The new apartments would replace the long vacant former Mizpah Presbyterian Church in the 1200 block of East Brookland Park Boulevard near the Six Points intersection in Highland Park.
Council committee blocks entry of medical transport company into Richmond market
A City Council committee has rebuffed Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s attempt to end the Richmond Ambulance Authority’s 28-year monopoly on emergency and non-emergency medical transports.
4th Circuit renders decision in battle over Md. cross
For 92 years, a four-story-tall cross has stood at a major intersection in Prince George’s County, Md., paying silent tribute to members of the American military who died fighting in World War I. Now, in the latest church-state battle over public memorials, a three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond has ruled that the massive memorial violates the U.S. Constitution’s ban on the government imposition of a religious faith.
Class action suit filed against BB&T for stop payment request violation
When Ronnie and Christine Gilliam told BB&T bank they were revoking the right of a payday lender to take electronic payments from their checking account, they allege the bank ignored the request.
Recount expected in 3 House of Delegates races
Democrats remain two seats short of taking control of the 100-member Virginia House of Delegates based on official local counts completed Tuesday.
Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon L. Taylor faces challenge by C. Owen Inge Conway
One of the standout local races is the contest for Henrico commonwealth’s attorney, where the winner is certain to be a woman.
VLBC outlines legislative priorities for new General Assembly session
Buoyed by two legislative sessions last year that ushered in huge reforms in voting and criminal justice, the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus is vowing to keep pressing for more change.
Hilbert to mayor: Don’t veto City Council budget
Money allocated to fix potholes or plow streets cannot be used for picking up trash unless Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney secures approval to shift the funds from Richmond City Council.
Federal judges deny bid for House elections, but a new suit may change that
There is still a slim prospect that elections for the Virginia House of Delegates could be held this year.
Bring it down
Judge rules that Gov. Northam has authority to take down towering statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee on Monument Avenue
Virginia is finally washing its hands of Robert E. Lee, 150 years after his death.
