Tuesday, February 28
Thank you to the Free Press
Re: “We are all refugees: Richmond faith community calls for unity, action in face of Trump ban,” Feb. 9-11 edition:
Trump and control
President Trump has been addressing the people for the last year and a half. Most of what he has said has been in terms of blame, shame and justification. These are not the terms of someone speaking from a position of power. They are the terms used by someone speaking from a victim mentality, someone seeking to control through guilt or shame.
Black history should be taught every day
It’s another February and another Black History Month. Why is it that for black history we get only 28 days? Isn’t black history American history?
Friday, February 24
School Board approves $301.6M budget request
After weeks of public input and discussion about the needs of the city’s schools, the Richmond School Board approved a $301.6 million operating budget for 2017-18 Tuesday night that would include $172.7 million from the city.
Righting grave wrongs
Virginia General Assembly approves funds for 2 area historic African-American cemeteries; state has been paying for upkeep of Confederate graves for 100 years
Two historic, but largely abandoned and bedraggled African-American cemeteries on Richmond’s eastern border with Henrico County are about to get state support.
Sentiments of black press 190 years later
In the February 1981 issue of Ebony magazine, brilliant journalist and historian Lerone Bennett Jr. provided the best reason for studying and learning from history that I have ever heard or read. In an article, “Why Black History Is Important to You,” he wrote, “The past is a bet that your father placed that you must now cover.”
Black newspapers needed more than ever
In 1960, black people in Virginia watched as the state changed the laws against trespassing to make it a more serious crime, with the penalty raised from a $100 fine to $1,000. This action was taken by the then all-white legislature in an attempt to combat the Civil Rights Movement and to more severely punish the activists engaging in sit-ins.
Unvarnished truth
There’s a tendency when people retire or die for their good deeds to be overinflated, covering up the flaws, missteps or poor choices in their lives or careers.
Life’s lessons
Life is full of lessons, as we all learn, no matter how long we live or how far or high we may go. Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney learned a big one this week with Steven Hammond Jr., a felon he hired to work in his office in the position of executive assistant.
Minority teachers, students facing same challenges of Jim Crow South
Unequal pay for teachers of color, poor quality education for African-American students, neglecting African-American history in school curricula and political activism as a means to improve education were among the major issues for African-Americans prior to the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education.
Book expo Feb. 26 at Elegba Folklore Society
Authors of adult and children’s books will be featured speakers at the Black History Book Exposition to be held 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 26, at the Elegba Folklore Society, 101 E. Broad St. in Downtown, it has been announced.
3 area students receive scholarships from Pi Lambda Theta
Three Richmond area high school seniors with dreams of becoming teachers received scholarships last Saturday at the annual Masquerade Gala benefit dinner-dance of the Virginia Area Chapter of Pi Lambda Theta International Honor Society and Professional Association in Education.
Oprah Winfrey to join ‘60 Minutes’
Oprah Winfrey has been named a “special contributor” to CBS News’ “60 Minutes.” Ms. Winfrey will bring occasional reports to the Sunday night television news magazine starting this fall, when it begins its 50th season on the air.
VUU coaches named CIAA Coaches of the Year
Virginia Union University may need to expand its trophy case following the CIAA Basketball Tip-Off Awards Luncheon on Monday in Charlotte, N.C.
VUU seeded No.1 for CIAA Tournament
Virginia Union University has drawn all “sevens” for this week’s CIAA Basketball Tournament. The Panthers must hope the 7 p.m. scheduled start times will spell long overdue good fortune. With a 22-6 overall record and a 14-2 record in the CIAA, Coach Jay Butler’s team is the No. 1 seed from the Northern Division and will open at 7 p.m. in Thursday’s quarterfinals. VUU’s first opponent will be the survivor of play-in games involving Elizabeth City State, Johnson C. Smith and Bowie State universities.
George Wythe banking on 3-point shooter in playoffs
George Wythe High School’s basketball opponents are in trouble — make that triple trouble — whenever Eugene Williams uncorks a jump shot.
John Marshall ready for regional playoffs with tall men in front, back court
Richmond’s John Marshall High School boasts perhaps the tallest basketball front line in Virginia in 6-foot-9 Isaiah Todd, 6-foot-7 Isaiah Anderson and 6-foot-6 Greg Jones.
Fouls central part of Rams’ strategy
Virginia Commonwealth University’s winning basketball recipe includes balanced scoring plus a little discussed “secret” ingredient — balanced fouling. Now with eight straight wins after last Friday’s 84-73 victory at the University of Richmond, the Rams are 22-5 heading into difficult Atlantic 10 Conference road tests at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Dayton.
Trump decries anti-Semitism, racism after D.C. museum visit
President Trump called anti-Semitic violence “horrible” and vowed on Tuesday to take steps to counter extremism.
Thursday, February 23
James Brown’s ‘Funky Drummer’ Clyde Stubblefield dies at 73
Clyde Stubblefield, a drummer for James Brown who created one of the most widely sampled drum breaks ever, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.
Woman at center of landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights case dies at 69
Norma McCorvey, whose legal challenge under the pseudonym “Jane Roe” led to the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision that legalized abortion but who later became an outspoken opponent of the procedure, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017. She was 69.
Personality: Edward H. Baine
Spotlight on recipient of the Anthony R. James Legacy Award
When 2.6 million Dominion customers in Virginia and North Carolina turn on their lights each day, they have Edward H. Baine to thank.
Petitions withdrawn seeking ouster of Petersburg officials
Petersburg Mayor Samuel D. Parham, 3rd Ward, and Councilman W. Howard Myers, 5th Ward, are keeping their city council seats.
Details still fuzzy on true cost of Altria gift to RPS
A subsidiary of Altria Group announced last month that it was donating a 288,000-square-foot building in South Side to Richmond Public Schools.
Downtown snags Owens & Minor expansion with new jobs
Hundreds of new, well-paying jobs are heading to Downtown.
South Side company plans to double workforce
Richmond gained a separate jobs boost Wednesday as TemperPack, an innovative packaging manufacturer, announced plans to invest $2 million to double its workforce in South Side.
Richmond Flying Squirrels hosting 3 job fairs
The Richmond Flying Squirrels will host three job fairs to fill part-time positions at The Diamond baseball stadium during home games, the team announced Wednesday in preparing for the home opener on Thursday, April 6.
Trespassing charge dismissed against education advocate
Just like two other area school districts, Richmond failed in its bid to convict outspoken student advocate Kandise Lucas of trespassing.
Hampton U cancer treatment center may get boost from General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is poised to hand Hampton University a major victory in its bid to boost the use of its seven-year-old, $225 million cancer treatment center that uses proton beam radiation therapy to help eradicate the disease in its patients.
Performance review team to examine city operations
Mayor Levar M. Stoney came into office promising to undertake a comprehensive performance review of City Hall departments with the goal of improving accountability, efficiency and the delivery of services.
GRTC looking for fare inspectors
The Pulse system is still under construction, but GRTC already is taking a step to ensure customers will pay the required fare to ride the rapid transit buses when the system goes into operation next fall.
VUU receives grant for student research
Virginia Union University has been awarded a $380,000 federal grant to beef up research experiences for its students.
Friday, February 17
Adele, Beyoncé sparkle at Grammy Awards
Singer-songwriter Adele flubbed on a tribute Sunday night to the late George Michael at the 59th Grammy Music Awards, but she still walked away as the belle of the televised awards program. The London-born singer took home five awards Sunday night, including album, record and song of the year.
Permanent interests
A man of vision, strength and determination who practiced what he preached, Floyd McKissick succeeded James Farmer as national director of the Congress of Racial Equality, or CORE, in 1966. And under Mr. McKissick’s leadership, CORE was transformed from an interracial, nonviolent, civil rights organization into a group that promoted Black Power.
American justice defiled
President Trump’s first three weeks in office have left Americans reeling from what Republican speech writer Peggy Noonan called his “cloud of crazy.”
Our children, our future
We welcome to Richmond the scores of educators from as far away as New Jersey and Ohio who are expected for the Teachers of Color Summit that is underway through Saturday in Downtown.
No integrity
We are starting to see what grows from the seeds of dishonesty and deceit sown by the Trump campaign and subsequent administration.
3-day Teachers of Color Summit begins Feb.16 Downtown
The disparity between the number of students of color attending public schools and the number of teachers of color educating them motivated the Virginia Education Association to host the first Teachers of Color Summit this weekend at a Downtown hotel.
Delta’s rescheduled Founders Day program Feb. 18
Postponed by snow in January, Central Virginia and Tidewater Chapters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority will celebrate Founders Day at noon Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center in Downtown.
VUU has teams to watch in 2017 CIAA Tournament
Virginia State University’s men’s team and Virginia Union University’s women’s team will be out to defend their titles at the CIAA Basketball Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 21, through Saturday, Feb. 25, in Charlotte, N.C.
Virginian Charles Haley first to win 5 Super Bowls
A lot has been said about New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady winning five Super Bowls. But a Virginian was the in the NFL to win five Super Bowl victories.
VCU still slays on the road
The road, almost no matter where it led, used to be a scary proposition for Virginia Commonwealth University basketball.
Marcus Hoosier gives VUU ‘a nice push’
Virginia Union University’s Panthers were a good basketball team without Marcus Hoosier. They’re an even better squad with him.
Like father, like sons
Clyde Austin’s sons shine in college hoops
The name Clyde Austin is back in the basketball news. Only it’s not the Clyde Austin readers might remember.
Nation of Islam Saviours’ Day on Sunday
Minister Louis Farrakhan will give the keynote address for the Nation of Islam’s Saviours’ Day 2017 on Sunday, Feb. 19.
‘Cultivating Unity in Our Community’ slated for Feb. 25
A variety of poets and speakers will highlight a public celebration of Black History Month and Kwanzaa principles and values next weekend, it has been announced.
Trump vows to end political limits on churches
Declaring that religious freedom is “under threat,” President Trump vowed to repeal a rarely enforced IRS rule that says pastors who endorse candidates from the pulpit risk losing their tax-exempt status. “I will get rid of and totally destroy the Johnson Amendment and allow our representatives of faith to speak freely and without fear of retribution,” President Trump said at the National Prayer Breakfast, a high-profile event earlier this month that brought together faith leaders, politicians and dignitaries. President Trump’s pledge was a nod to his evangelical Christian supporters, who helped power his White House win. So far, he has not detailed his plans for doing away with the rule, which he previously promised to rescind.
Personality: Lakeshia X. Allen
Spotlight on winner of Sports Backers’ first Raymond D. Patterson Award
Empowering students and their families is more than a job for Lakeshia Allen — it’s a life mission.
Grammy Award-winning singer Al Jarreau dies
LOS ANGELES Alwin Lopez “Al” Jarreau delighted music fans for nearly 50 years with his eclectic soulful, genre-blending style.
Contractor hopes vacant RPS building can teach students new lessons
When Kenneth Williams takes over the former REAL School building at Chamberlayne and Azalea avenues, he won’t be teaching students the typical reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, the 68-year-old contractor and owner of Williams Builders Plus will use the vacant building to teach young adults skills in construction.
Shake-up at City Hall leads to 4 dismissals
Six weeks after taking office, Mayor Levar M. Stoney has begun shaking up the administration at City Hall.
Advocates charge transit plan ignores needs of regular riders
Despite an outpouring of concern that regular bus riders, largely African-Americans, are being ignored and overlooked, Richmond City Council voted 9-0 Monday to endorse a proposed overhaul of current GRTC routes aimed at speeding up regular service and connecting riders with the east-west Pulse bus rapid transit system now under construction.
Détente reached after Oakley-Dolan showdown at The Garden
Former New York Knicks star Charles Oakley has a reputation of being a powerful man who doesn’t back down.
Virginia judge grants injunction against Trump travel ban
A federal judge on Monday granted a preliminary injunction barring the Trump administration from implementing its travel ban in Virginia, adding another judicial ruling to those already in place challenging the ban’s constitutionality.
Out like Flynn
Concerns grow amid reports that Trump campaign aides were in frequent contact with Russian officials before Nov. 8 election
President Trump is facing a deepening crisis over the relationship between his aides and Russia, with senior Republicans vowing on Wednesday to get to the bottom of the matter and Democrats demanding an independent probe.
Friday, February 10
President Obama deserves a lot of credit
I cannot help but reflect on the insulting treatment President Obama received during his eight years. He came into office when the country was losing jobs. The banks were making all kinds of reckless and illegal decisions, and the auto industry was falling apart. He cleaned up all this mess and got the Affordable Care Act passed. Currently, there are more people with health insurance who never had it before.
‘Keep your eyes on the prize’
In these trying times of change and challenge, my thoughts shifted to the award-winning documentary, “Keep Your Eyes On The Prize.” The documentary was about the challenges and success of the Civil Rights Movement. The prize was not the struggles they endured nor the protest marches, but the end goal of changing laws and hearts, which in many cases was accomplished.
Name Frederick Douglass Free Press ‘Personality’ of the week
Would the Richmond Free Press please name Frederick Douglass as its next “Personality” of the week after having been named Abolitionist of the Year 2017 by President Donald Trump?
Making our own black history
“There are (Black people) who are willing to worship the pyramids of 4,000 years ago but will not build pyramids in the present so their children may see what they left behind as well. We have a leadership who rallies the people to look at past glories but leave their children neglected ...” - Dr. Amos N. Wilson in “Afrikan Centered Consciousness Versus the New World Order: Garveyism in the Age of Globalism.”
What’s at stake
Our spirits are heavy with the Trump victories this week that put Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Betsy DeVos in the critical roles of U.S. attorney general and U.S. secretary of education, respectively. The fight for civil rights, voting rights, gay rights, immigration and equity in education just got tougher, but we knew what was coming and are ready for the battles ahead.
Local director adds ‘punch’ to Richmond film festival
“The Last Punch,” a feature film by Emmy Award-winning director and Richmond native Jesse Vaughan, will open the Richmond International Film Festival at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at the Byrd Theater in Carytown.
Free showing of documentary ‘Liberty & Slavery’ Feb. 16
A public showing of the documentary “Liberty & Slavery” will be presented 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, at the Virginia Historical Society, it has been announced. The screening is part of VHS’ 4th Annual Created Equal Film Series in honor of the Rev. Grady W. Powell.
Author Bert Ashe to speak at Chesterfield County library
Bert Ashe, author of “Twisted: My Dreadlock Chronicles” and a finalist for the Library of Virginia’s annual literary award for nonfiction, will discuss his book 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, at the LaPrade Branch of the Chesterfield County Public Library, 9000 Hull Street Road in Chesterfield.
Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' event set for April 8
The Petersburg Sheriff’s Office and the Petersburg Task Force on Domestic Violence want to bring attention to the causes, effects and remediation to men’s sexualized violence against women.
Entertainers, artists, activists honored with 2017 Trumpet Awards
Iconic crooner Peabo Bryson and New Edition, the band of young men that took the country by storm in the 1980s and 1990s, are among the winners of the 2017 Trumpet Awards, which recognize the accomplishments of African-Americans and others who have succeeded against great odds and inspired success in others.
Brady does it again
New England comeback beats Atlanta in first OT Super Bowl
Lady Gaga plunged from the lofty roof of Houston’s NRG Stadium at halftime to a platform far, far below. Later that night, you had the feeling Tom Brady of the New England Patriots could have performed the same act — only with no bungee cord.
VUU’s Jayda Luckie moves into the limelight
Jayda Luckie has evolved from a part-time to prime-time player at Virginia Union University. You may not have noticed her a season ago. But you can’t help but notice her this year. The fleet 5-foot-9 junior guard is one of several talented newcomers to the spotlight who has helped pace VUU to an 18-1 record overall and 9-1 CIAA record.
International player making a difference for the Rams
Considering its notable track record with global recruiting, the “U” in VCU might stand for “Universal.” Egyptian native Ahmed Hamdy-Mohamed is the current international athlete making a difference for the Rams.
Athletes may be impacted by Muslim travel ban
President Trump’s ban on visitors from seven predominantly Muslim nations could have a wide impact on international sports if the ban is ultimately upheld by the courts, according to Jere Longman, a sports writer for The New York Times.
‘We are all refugees’
Richmond faith community calls for unity, action in face of Trump ban
“We are all refugees,” said the Rev. Wallace Adams-Riley of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. “We all have the blood of refugees flowing through our veins. The story of the refugee is a part of our story — the American story.”
LaVerne Byrd Smith, 89, longtime educator, church historian, dies
Dr. LaVerne Charmayne Byrd Smith had a passion for education and writing. On the education front, she touched thousands of students and educators as a schoolteacher, university professor and reading specialist for the state Department of Education in a career that spanned 47 years.
Personality: James E. ‘J.J.’ Minor III
When James E. “J.J.” Minor III, the newly installed president of the Richmond Branch NAACP, was pulled over while driving more than 15 years ago, he never imagined he’d be in fear for his own life.
Smarter than a third-grader?
Local students could give Trump some lessons
Facts trump fiction. They always have; they always will, even when it’s the president of the United States spinning a tale that threatens truth.
Historic aviator inspires others
Jamaica native Barrington Irving moved to Miami with his family when he was 6, excelled on the gridiron and as a student and had several football scholarship offers when his career ambitions suddenly changed from football to flying.
Bourne sworn in
Jeff M. Bourne headed this week to the General Assembly as the city’s newest representative to the House of Delegates, ending his four-year tenure on the Richmond School Board.
Dr. Kinney retiring as dean of VUU’s School of Theology
After 27 years, Dr. John W. Kinney is preparing to step down as senior vice president and dean of Virginia Union University’s Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology.
Trespassing charge dismissed against TJ student
Stephanie Priddy, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, is no longer facing a charge of trespassing at the school.
DeVos, Sessions confirmed
Two of President Trump’s controversial picks for his cabinet have been confirmed by the Senate and are ready to take office.
Murder of Emmett Till based on lies
The woman at the center of the trial of Emmett Till’s alleged killers has acknowledged that she falsely testified he made physical and verbal threats, according to a new book.
Pastor delivers ‘fake news’ at White House Black History Month meeting
The Rev. Darrell Scott, pastor of the New Spirit Revival Center in the Cleveland, Ohio, area, a speaker at the Republican National Convention and a member of the Trump Transition Team Executive
Charlottesville votes to remove Lee statue
A divided Charlottesville City Council voted this week to move a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from the city’s Downtown and to rename Lee Square where it stands.
GOP lawmakers to meet with HBCU presidents
Republicans are planning to meet with leaders of historically black colleges and universities in the nation’s capital to discuss ways to help the schools survive in challenging times.
Giving sanctuary?
Mayor Stoney stops short of designating Richmond a ‘sanctuary city’
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney is taking a cautious centrist approach in addressing the uproar over national immigration policy.
Saturday, February 4
GRTC to honor local historymakers
During Black History Month, GRTC will honor local historymakers by displaying their names on bus destination headers. The transit company, which received more than a dozen submissions from the public for this year’s honorees, has chosen three individuals and a family to honor during varying weeks in February. The honorees, and the days their names will be displayed on the buses, are:
South Side church property sold in bankruptcy
A big CBRE real estate sign seeking buyers now stands in front of the former home of Southside Baptist Ministries at 5515 Bryce Lane in South Side.
Thanks for serving real journalism
Thank you to the Richmond Free Press for your article “More payouts: 3 City Council aides receive $97,000 total in severance, vacation pay,” Jan. 26-28 edition.
Immigration ban no profile in courage
President Trump’s most recent provocation — suddenly issuing an order banning the admission into the United States of refugees and immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries — created chaos and fury that had to be expected. Airports across the world were engulfed with demonstrators. Judges issued emergency orders staying enforcement of parts of the order. Families found their children studying abroad unable to return home, or their loved ones attending a funeral stranded in an airport. Translators who had risked their lives for American soldiers in Iraq suddenly found their green cards useless and their lives at great risk. Both intelligence professionals and State Department diplomats have protested the order.
Remembering Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King died on Jan. 30, 2006. Yet her legacy is very much alive as a coalition builder, a strategist and a moral voice that confronted detractors but insisted upon nonviolent approaches, such as dialogue, protests and economic boycotts, with the end goal of peaceful reconciliation.
Remembering Raymond H. Boone
Richmond Free Press Founder and Editor Feb. 2, 1938 – June 3, 2014
Richmond Free Press Founder and Editor Feb. 2, 1938 – June 3, 2014
Resistance is power
Since taking office two weeks ago, President Donald Trump has proven day in and day out why he is unfit to hold office. Since Jan. 20, he has thrown America into a state of chaos with half-baked executive orders and other actions that: • Trapped permanent U.S. residents, including students, researchers and workers, in airports across the nation, denying them entry into the United States, and barring people from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen — all largely Muslim nations — for 90 days;
For shame
Just because something is legal doesn’t make it right.
VUU plays VSU at Barco-Stevens Hall Saturday
Virginia Union University men’s basketball isn’t for the faint of heart. Coach Jay Butler’s Panthers have b
TJ basketball makes case for new gym
Just about everything regarding Thomas Jefferson High School basketball seems beyond the ordinary. The Vikings have the city’s tallest coach, shortest team, oldest gym, arguably the richest history … and a discount replacement scoreboard that will have to do for the time being.
Marie Moore, former city schoolteacher, dies at 72
She was an educator, wife, mother, socialite, golfer, businesswoman and active church member. Marie Gwendolyn McNair Moore wore multiple hats in a busy life.
Diversity Richmond sponsors series of Black History Month events
Diversity Richmond is celebrating the contributions of LGBTQ African-Americans through a series of events during Black History Month.
Louisa ASALH branch to host free seminars
“Peace, Power, Respect,” seminars organized and sponsored by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Louisa Branch, will explore education and the American justice system in February.
733-foot art print unveiling Saturday on Brown’s Island for World Cancer Day
Art on Wheels will unveil “Impressions of Courage,” a 733-foot long art print honoring 207 people whose lives have been altered by cancer.
Writers to speak at Downtown library event
Several African-American writers will speak and lead writing workshops at a Literacy Showcase for Black Authors 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, 101 E. Franklin St., in Downtown. The event is part of the library’s Black Male Emergent Readers literacy program, or BMER, and is the program’s second annual Black History Month event.
‘Hidden Figures,’ ‘Fences’ win big at SAG Awards
Free Press wire reports HOLLYWOOD, Calif. The cast of “Hidden Figures” rocketed to the Screen Actors Guild top award at a fiery, protest-laden ceremony last Sunday that was dominated by words of defiance and dismay about President Trump’s sweeping immigration ban.
Oscars not so white at least in this year’s nominations
This year’s Oscar nominations honor the largest ever group of actors of color, along with a diverse range of stories, a year after Hollywood was slammed for excluding diverse talent.
Better Housing Coalition advances plans for apartments on former St. Elizabeth’s School site
A fresh attempt is being made to create affordable apartments on the site of a long closed Catholic school in North Side. The nonprofit Better Housing Coalition is advancing the latest proposal.
City moves to donate land for state monument
Richmond is moving to donate a small piece of Brown’s Island to the state as the site for the future Emancipation Proclamation and Freedom Monument.
10,000 consumers to benefit from state deal with loan company
Thousands of desperate Virginia consumers who borrowed money from a supposed Native American company called Western Sky Financial soon will have their loans forgiven or will get a refund of the illegal sky-high interest they paid. Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced the refunds and loan forgiveness for borrowers Tuesday in disclosing a settlement with the company, CashCall Inc., that posed as the now defunct Western Sky in what he described as a deceptive and illegal borrowing scheme.
Friday, February 3
Debate over treatment of autistic student to be battled out in court
Stephanie Priddy, a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School, was taken out of the West End school in police handcuffs. Her crime: Going to class.
Dr. Frank S. Royal steps down as chair of Meharry Medical College
For decades, Dr. Frank S. Royal regularly flew to Nashville to lead board meetings at historic Meharry Medical College. But at 77, the retired Richmond physician has decided “it is time to let someone else take over.”
Personality: Ginna Cullen
Spotlight on VAEA 2016-17 Art Educator of the Year
When Ginna Cullen was an art teacher in Louisa County Public Schools, she noticed one student’s ability to beautifully cornrow hair and challenged her student’s skill for a final exam.
3 more Richmond schools accredited; total now 17
The Virginia Department of Education revised its accreditation list for Richmond Public Schools, adding three more to the list for a total of 17.
Free dental care Feb. 3 for uninsured youngsters
Free dental care will be offered to Richmond children who do not have insurance through Medicaid or other government or private programs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Pediatric Dentistry Clinic, 521 N. 11th St. in Downtown.
Petersburg recall case to be heard Feb. 6
The battle over the removal of two Petersburg City Council members will feature two veteran attorneys. Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney William Davenport has been named to represent the voters seeking to recall Mayor Samuel Parham, 3rd Ward, and Councilman W. Howard Myers, 5th Ward, the former mayor.
Town hall meeting Feb. 7 to address Trump policies
A town hall meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 7, for individuals and groups seeking to develop strategies to address new policies the Trump administration is ushering in, it has been announced.
Budget dispute may slow plans to redevelop Boulevard
A little noticed budget dispute in the General Assembly could slow Richmond’s rush to transform 61 acres of largely vacant city property on North Boulevard into retail stores, a hotel, offices and apartments. The House of Delegates and the Senate appear to be split over approving Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s proposal to authorize the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control to spend up to $105 million to buy land and develop a new headquarters and warehouse complex.
Sheriff sanctioned over loss of videotape in jail inmate’s death
Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. describes the 500 video cameras that record inside the Richmond Justice Center “as a sort of a truth serum,” a way to show “what really happened” when inmates complain or there is a disagreement about events. Those words have come back to haunt him as he seeks to defend himself and the jail against a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit stemming from the death of Erin Jenkins, 29, just five days after the new jail opened in 2014.
Serena, 35, wins title 23, pursuing 24
Serena Williams reigned supreme in tennis’ great sibling rivalry, edging an emotion-charged clash with sister Venus to claim her seventh Australian Open last Saturday.
Game time!
Super Bowl 51 is Sunday
Get out the wings and chips and dip. It’s Super Bowl 51 on Sunday. Here’s a preview of the big football game that is known as much for the halftime show and creative commercials as the action on the field.
Backlash supreme
Demonstrations around the country continue as President Trump names U.S. Supreme Court nominee, bans Muslims from U.S.
Just two weeks have passed since his inauguration, and despite a torrent of action, disruption, protests and lawsuits, President Trump has been on a tear to keep campaign promises, uplifting his legions of supporters and dismaying his legions of opponents.
Bank branch to close in Highland Park
The last Bank of America branch located in a majority African-American neighborhood of Richmond is scheduled to close in two months, according to the bank’s website.
4 named to Mayor Stoney’s staff
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney has added four new people to his staff at City Hall, including three policy advisers and a senior assistant, as he seek to put his stamp on the city government.
Broad Street lane closures for GRTC Pulse construction
Broad Street is about to become more congested between 1st and Harrison streets because of construction of stations for the GRTC Pulse, the bus rapid transit system, GRTC has announced.
VUU to host Honda Campus All-Star Challenge qualifiers
Ten historically black colleges and universities will compete next month at Virginia Union University for a spot in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge.
