The spirit of giving
Meadowbridge market offers free groceries to local residents
Dark and silent most days, the Meadowbridge Community Market comes alive on Saturdays.
Jones updates Council on his departure plans
City Council President Michael J. Jones said that he expected the Nov. 13 meeting of the council to be his last.
City Council president seeks to ensure successor
Outgoing City Council President Michael J. Jones plans to keep his 9th District seat until Dec. 31, according to a letter of resignation he submitted to his colleagues and the City Clerk. That appears to represent a change in the timing for the council departure of the full-time minister, who is headed to the General Assembly after winning his uncontested election to represent
A treasure trove of history
Jackson Ward couple discovers legal papers of civil rights icon Roland J. ‘Duke’ Ealey
Five years into the renovation of a 143-year-old brick house on East Clay Street in Jackson Ward, James Vigeant’s work halted. To his surprise and amazement, he found an unexpected treasure — 144 moldy boxes filled with the decaying legal papers of one of Richmond’s legal giants, Roland J. “Duke” Ealey.
Journalist, educator, public relations specialist Sylvina R. Poole dies
Veteran Richmond journalist, educator and entrepreneur Sylvina Renee Poole has died. Ms. Poole, 59, succumbed to illness Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023.
Harold C. Glenn, also known as ‘Soul Santa,’ dies at age 90
During a time that it was rare for a Black person to play the familiar holiday role of Santa Claus anywhere in the country, that fact did not deter Harold Cecil Glenn.
Casino vote aftermath
Stoney, Spanberger declare bids for governor; Paul Goldman proposes charter change
Mayor Levar M. Stoney is brushing himself off after Richmond voters for the second time rejected the $562 million casino-resort plan he fully backed and gearing up to run for governor in 2025. Separately, Paul Goldman, who led both successful no casino campaigns, is now focusing on securing public support for a change to the City Charter or constitution that would require the mayor and the City Council to put the city’s children first when it comes to spending tax dollars.
VUU sports information director creates a top internet podcast
Four years ago, James S. “Jim” Junot said he was just testing some new software to see if it would improve the sports information operation he runs at Virginia Union University.
Wanda L. Moore-Skinner, who helped provide resources for those in need, dies at age 68
For 37 years, Wanda Louise Moore-Skinner quietly provided assistance to financially desperate individuals and families.
Council approves new shelters for homeless
Proposals for two new city-supported homeless shelters – including one at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave. that drew fire from area businesses — cleared City Council Monday.
Dems win Va. House, Senate
Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin went all in on winning Republican majorities in the state House and Senate — and lost. Unofficial results from Tuesday’s elections show Virginia Democrats again will be in charge of both houses of the General Assembly.
After rebuffing repeated requests, Gov. Youngkin provides documents ahead of court hearing
For the first time, the Virginia State NAACP and its attorneys have gained a view of what they consider Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s arbitrary process for restoring the rights of individuals released from prison.
Black candidates gain historic election results
History was made Tuesday night with the election of a record number of Black candidates to the General Assembly. Of the 53 Black candidates who ran for legislative seats, a record 32 won, including 30 Democrats and two Republicans.
Shockoe Heritage Center to advance
City Hall is taking another step toward the creation of a heritage center inside Main Street Station to tell the story of the Shockoe area and the slave trade that once dominated the area’s development.
Voters reject casino bid a second time
No way. No how. That was Richmond voters’ resounding response to the question of whether a $562 million casino-resort should be developed in South Side.
Richmond Bandits leave it on the field
Three youth football teams from the city-based Richmond Bandits made it to title games in their age brackets, but none came away with a title.
An overview
Nov. 7 election will determine state’s direction on abortion, taxes and environment
Next week, voters across Virginia will fill 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 40 seats in the state Senate — and determine whether Democrats or Republicans hold a majority in each house of the General Assembly.
Mike Jones endorses Nicole Jones as his replacement on City Council
Outgoing City Council President Michael J. Jones is hopeful that a Jones will continue to fill the 9th District seat after he gives it up to prepare to serve in the General Assembly.
RPS student is back in school
Dr. Donna Robinson is heaving a sigh of relief. Her son, 11-year-old Shamar L. Muhammadali, is finally back in school.
City gains $50M for affordable housing
A national housing nonprofit announced Tuesday that it will match Richmond’s five-year $50 million investment in affordable housing — a huge boost to efforts to increase the supply of less costly apartments and homes.
Too close to call
Casino outcome hinges on voter turnout
Will Richmond voters approve a resort and casino project? That’s the biggest question on the city ballot —– a repeat of 2021 when the proposal narrowly lost.
Election Day votes likely to boost state’s Black legislators
The General Assembly is guaranteed to have a record number of Black members after voters cast their ballots on Election Day next Tuesday, Nov. 7.
Collective bargaining effect
Collective bargaining is becoming a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the wages that the city pays its employees.
Virginia Supreme Court bans ‘skill games’
Playing so-called “skill games” at gas stations, retail shops and convenience stores could soon come to a screeching halt in the wake of an Oct. 13 order from the state Supreme Court.
Virginia NAACP to gain new president
The Rev. Cozy Bailey is on track to be elected the next president of the Virginia NAACP, according to outgoing president, Robert N. Barnette Jr.
JLARC report shows the cost of child care adds up in Virginia
Most Virginia families, particularly single-parent households, currently spend far more than 7% of household income on childcare, or well above the percentage the federal government defines as affordable, according to a new state report.
No tax cut for Richmond property owners
City Council has no plans to cut the tax rate on property taxes, essentially allowing an increase in the tax bills most property owners will pay.
RVA Bandits compete for football championships this weekend
Darryl H. Johnston fondly remembers playing youth football growing up in Richmond. Frustrated that the city’s parks and recreation department was no longer fielding a team at the Broad Rock Sports Complex where he played as a child, the 32-year-old Atlantic City, N.J., native started a program in August.
$5M payday?
Tentative agreement said to be reached in Arthur Ashe controversy
City Hall and the Richmond School Board appear to be on the verge of settling a 17-month dispute over control of the aging Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center, a basketball arena and convocation center that the school system managed since it opened in 1982. As the Free Press previously reported, both sides claimed ownership of the 4.1-acre property that occupies a key corner of the planned 67-acre, $2.44 billion Diamond District redevelopment initiative — and until now, an ugly and embarrassing court battle appeared to be looming to settle which entity holds title to the building.
Pulse North-South route endorsed
Five years after installing the East-West Pulse bus rapid-transit line, GRTC has embraced a vision of a adding a North-South line – though it is at least seven years and $100 million or so away from development.
Private school’s closure leaves students without a classroom
The sudden closure of Richmond-based Metropolitan Day School has left some disabled public schools students in the lurch.
Annual checkup
A year after scathing New York Times article, Bon Secours’ prescription for East End community includes jobs, training, upgraded facilities
Richmond Community Hospital continues to buzz with construction as its owner, Bon Secours, builds up operations at the East End health care center.
Funds available for groups hurt by Enrichmond’s collapse
A promised $250,000 bailout fund for more than 80 community groups that lost most of their money in the 2022 collapse of the Enrichmond Foundation is finally available.
Southside Community Center’s $16M addition
Construction of a new addition to the Southside Community Center is officially underway.
City to open new temporary shelter
Richmond will have a far bigger temporary shelter if another tropical storm hits or the weather plunges below freezing in the next two months.
Hickory Hill hopes for historic designation
Hickory Hill Community Center in South Side is on its way to securing designation as a historic building.
Civil rights, labor unions back casino campaign
The current campaign to win Richmond voter support for $562 million casino, resort and entertainment complex has secured support from civil rights groups and a big thumbs up from the labor unions that will build it.
Council: Sheltering the unsheltered during Ophelia did not work well
Richmond is rated by the National Weather Service as a storm-ready community. But when Tropical Storm Ophelia was about to hit, the city’s emergency shelter seemed less than prepared to provide a refuge for people like Robert Harrison, 23, and Ron Thomas, 38, who are homeless.
City’s switch to VRS approved
Richmond city employees could soon have the option of becoming members of the Virginia Retirement System.
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.
Council changes housing zoning policies
Richmond is taking a swing at boosting the supply of housing in hopes of stabilizing the soaring costs that are making it hugely expensive to rent or own.
Pernell Calhoun Taylor Jr. remembered
Sports was a big element of education for Pernell Calhoun Taylor Jr.
Report details City jail stabbing
The dangers at the Richmond City Justice Center were re-emphasized Monday when one prisoner repeatedly stabbed another in the head around 6 a.m. Monday as breakfast was being served, according to internal reports the Free Press obtained.
New plans in place for 2 Richmond cemeteries
Richmond is getting a thumbs up from the community for its plan to take over the historic Evergreen and East End cemeteries on the city’s East Side, but only if volunteer groups are kept in the loop.
RRHA gets REAL about reducing gun violence
A crime-reduction initiative that Mayor Levar M. Stoney has spurned apparently will come to Richmond after all. The city’s housing authority is partnering with the nonprofit REAL LIFE to implement the same initiative in Richmond that is credited with dramatically cutting shootings and violent crime in Hopewell.
Virginia Organizing challenges Youngkin’s voting rights move
The Charlottesville-based grassroots group Virginia Organizing plans to lead a public march and protest in Richmond at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, to protest Republican Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin’s rollback of the virtually automatic restoration of voting rights for released felons, it has been announced
Winter shelter’s opening may be delayed
A planned 150-bed winter shelter for Richmond’s homeless population may not open until Dec. 1, or well after freezing temperatures could hit the city, it has been learned.
Richmond employees gain new benefits
In a bid to ramp up retention of current workers and recruiting of new workers to fill hundreds of vacancies, City Hall plans to improve benefits offered to employees in the area of workforce training and home purchase assistance. Topping the list is a new partnership between the city government and Reynolds Community College’s Community College Workforce Alliance.
