Fire Department’s grant funding will help reduce overtime hours, offset vacancies
The Richmond Fire Department is headed toward full staffing after securing a $13.7 million federal grant.
Kirby Carmichael honored with Richmond street sign bearing his name
For several decades Kirby David Carmichael spun the plat- ters at Richmond radio stations, first at WANT-AM and then at WRVQ-FM, ran Sunday night skate parties that were safe havens for area youths, held holiday turkey and toy drives and promoted events, festivals and other beneficial activities.
Lynx Ventures agrees to pay $500,000 for former school
The 5-acre site where the decaying and long vacant Oak Grove Elementary School now stands in South Side is on its way to becoming a complex of apartments and townhouses.
Insurance company details cost of rebuilding Fox Elementary
The insurance company that provides coverage for Richmond’s school buildings has reaffirmed its commitment to replace fire-damaged William Fox Elementary School.
America’s diverse roots, richness and culture mark this year’s Richmond Folk Festival
Mark your calendars. The 18th edition of the three-day Richmond Folk Festival is almost here.
Education advocate files U.S. Department of Education complaint against Richmond Public Schools
Special education advocate Kandise Lucas is taking action after learning that Richmond has been ignoring a federal law that requires public schools to serve physically and mentally disabled children who are home-schooled, enrolled in private school or enrolled in the school system.
Long-serving CARITAS CEO announces her retirement
Karen Stanley’s leadership has formed hundreds of partnerships that serve thousands
The leader of CARITAS, the Richmond area’s largest provider of homeless and addiction recovery services, is stepping down. Karen Stanley, president and CEO, has notified her board she would retire Dec. 31 after 22 years.
Fourth Baptist Church votes to keep trustees, finance team
A two-year battle for control of historic but fractured Fourth Baptist Church ended Monday night with a stinging defeat for the pastor, Dr. William E. Jackson Sr., and his deacon allies.
No November vote voids Urban One’s casino contract
The casino-resort contract that a Maryland-based Black media company had to develop in South Richmond if voters were to approve it is no more.
The cost of electricity is going up
Surging demand and a jump in the price of natural gas is about to impact electric bills in Virginia.
Mayor’s revised police review board proposal gains support
Richmond appears to be moving closer to establishing an advisory Civilian Review Board to make recommendations in cases of alleged police misconduct that result in residents being killed, injured or suffering unwarranted physical or verbal abuse.
She’s lovin’ it
Former Richmonder’s career with McDonald’s has made her a millionaire
Flipping burgers leads to millionaire status
VCU professor’s documentary sheds light on Central State’s darkness
A new Richmond-made documentary will premiere this weekend with a view of the good, the bad and the ugly of mental health treatment for Black people in Virginia.
Rep. McEachin offers platitudes for East End and Evergreen cemeteries
U.S. Rep. A. Donald McEachin has joined the worry brigade about the future of two historic Black cemeteries that a collapsed Richmond nonprofit owns.
Soaring property taxes renew calls for cuts
Two members of City Council are proposing to cut the real estate property tax rate as the value of property surged by 13 percent — but it is unclear whether Mayor Levar M. Stoney or the majority the nine-member council will go along.
Shine bright like a Diamond
RDP developers win $2.4B, 15-year, mixed-use project in baseball district
After years of talk, Richmond is ready to launch the huge Diamond District redevelopment of 68 acres of mostly city-owned property in North Side
After two-year derailment, Jackson Place apparently back on track
The city’s housing authority is poised to revive a potential $35 million development project for Jackson Place at 2nd and Duval streets in Jackson Ward.
Local landlord agrees to reimburse tenants to settle complaints
A Richmond businessman who sublet apartments to desperate people with bad credit has agreed to a settlement with the Attorney General’s Office to end a complaint that he defrauded his clients.
Members to decide fate of Fourth Baptist Church’s funds, trustees
The battle for control of Fourth Baptist Church will come down to an in-person congregational meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 19.
Laptop overload
Despite thousands of unused Chromebooks, RPS plans to buy 4,000 more
Three months ago, the Richmond School Board was told that the school system had enough Chromebooks to provide every student with a laptop “for years to come.” Now the board is being advised that Superintendent Jason Kamras’ administration plans to buy at least 4,000 more Chromebooks using a newly awarded federal grant.
New exhibit celebrates Black History Museum’s 40th year
Photographs, narratives and artifacts explore Black people in Richmond
Want to know more about Black achievements and accomplishments in Virginia?
Free insurance for released inmates
Inmates being released from the Richmond City Justice Center will leave with free health insurance, Sheriff Antionette V. Irving announced Wednesday.
Council defeats proposal to change how Richmonders vote in elections
Ranked-choice voting — aimed at ensuring that election winners have majority support — has been booted from Richmond.
Invisible men, women and children
Slavery out in tours of Gov. Mansion
One topic is conspicuously absent from the current tour of Virginia’s historic governor’s mansion — slavery.
Plan linking city traffic lights with regional emergency vehicle system stalled
When lights and sirens are activated, drivers of fire trucks and ambulances in Chesterfield and Henrico counties have equipment that can turn traffic lights from red to green as they respond to emergencies. The bottom line: Safer and smoother travel on congested streets, say officials in both counties, which began making the equipment standard in 2000. Not so in Richmond, which has far more traffic lights and more emergency calls.
City rejects South Side church bid for abandoned school
A church that has competed to buy the long vacant Oak Grove Elementary School property in South Side has been eliminated from contention — leaving an apartment developer as the only bidder with an offer still under review.
Sistine Chapel frescoes come to Richmond
Most people know about the remarkable paintings that Michelangelo created on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, even if they have never been to Rome. Now Richmond area residents can get a close-up view of his famous frescoes that still fill the ceiling of the chapel that is located within the Apostolic Palace, the pope’s official residence in Vatican City, the independent Catholic enclave inside Italy’s capital city.
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.
Petersburg’s pioneering educator and mayor, Dr. Florence Saunders Farley, dies at 94
Dr. Florence Saunders Farley, a trailblazing psychologist who also served as Petersburg’s first Black female mayor, has died.
City Council to weigh ranked-choice voting
Next week, City Council will likely decide whether to test a simple change in voting that would ensure a majority of voters elects every member of the governing body in the 2024 elections.
Council poised to launch charter review commission
Would Richmond be better off returning to a City Council-manager form of government? Or would the city operate better if the elected mayor were a member of the council as is the case in Norfolk? Should members of the governing body receive higher salaries so they could serve full time rather than juggling full-time jobs along with their government service?
World premiere musical ‘Gabriel’ portrays the statewide insurrection led by a slave
Finally, the long-awaited world premiere of a musical focusing on Gabriel and the slave rebellion he almost pulled off in Richmond 222 years ago is set to go at the Firehouse Theatre next week.
City packs heat with little impact
Gun buyback nets 126 broken weapons, 227 handguns, 117 rifles and shotguns
City Hall touted Richmond’s first gun buyback program as an “overwhelming success” despite evidence that the event is unlikely to have any impact on violence or gun ownership.
Minister continues legal pursuit of control of Fourth Baptist Church
The battle for control of historic Fourth Baptist Church is once again headed to court.
George Wythe Principal Riddick T. Parker Jr. dies at 49
George Wythe High School in South Side will start a new school year Monday, Aug. 29, without the principal who was looking forward to starting his second year of helping students achieve success in school and in their future careers.
Youngkin partnership pushes Petersburg’s economic health
Majority-black Petersburg is getting special treatment from Gov. Glenn A. Youngkin.
Delegates Filler-Corn and McQuinn launch interfaith reproductive coalition
Two Democratic members of the House of Delegates are seeking to rally Christians, Jews, Muslims and other people of faith who support abortion.
Nonprofits urged to file complaint against defunct umbrella foundation
Richmond City Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch is encouraging organizations whose funds disappeared after the collapse of the Enrichmond Foundation to file a complaint with the Richmond Police Department.
RRHA takes steps to collect rent from tenants
Nearly 1,750 housing residents in arrears
Notices to pay past due rent have hit the mailboxes this month of public housing residents who have fallen behind.
On a roll
Petersburg’s casino prospects gain momentum
Petersburg has already started interviewing developers as the Cockade City’s prospects for replacing Richmond as a host city for an upscale casino-resort appear to be gaining momentum.
Legal weapon
City’s plans for Ashe Center unlikely to win in court, says pro bono lawyer
City Hall would violate state and city laws if it moves to tear down the Arthur Ashe Jr. Athletic Center and sell the site without the permission of the Richmond School Board.
Richmond reduces charge for natural gas
The cost that Richmond customers must pay for natural gas is coming down, for now.
Mixed deal
Sheriff’s playing cards lack ‘empathy’ for crime victims’ loved ones
Sheriff Antionette V. Irving, who has been under fire for her jail management and attacks on deputies, has sought to shift the narrative.
Glennys E. Fleming, Girl Scout leader, community servant, dies at 68
When Glennys Elaine Fleming joined an organization, others quickly took note of her energy, dedication and passion.
Liberation Church’s intent is children’s learning center, not homeless shelter, says pastor
The founding pastor of Liberation Church is pushing back against a report that the city was considering placing a large homeless shelter on the site of the main sanctuary at 5501 Midlothian Turnpike. Founding Pastor Jay Patrick said the church never considered that idea.
Church of Christ Pastor Joseph H. Brown dies at age 85
One of Richmond’s longest serving ministers, Pastor Joseph Hugh Brown, has died. Pastor Brown, who served the Church of Christ for more than 50 years, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2022. He was 85.
NSU’s former president remembered
Dr. Marie McDemmond’s vision boosted university’s technology focus
Marie Valentine McDemmond, the first female president of Norfolk State Univer- sity and the first African-American woman to lead a four-year college in Virginia, is being remembered as a history-maker and educational visionary. Dr. McDemmond, who led NSU from 1997 to 2005 before illness led to her retire- ment, succumbed to cancer on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at her retirement home in Florida. She was 76. Her groundbreaking service to NSU and higher education was celebrated at a memorial service Saturday, Aug. 13, in Fort
‘We’re not giving up’
Urban One leadership acknowledges casino vote delay
Forget about a second vote on a casino-resort in November.
