Friday, June 30
Prospect of home ownership escapes 70-year-old Randolph resident
Charlene C. Harris hoped to buy the home in Randolph that she and her family have rented for nearly 50 years from the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
‘Tear those statues down’
Richmonders decry mayor’s plan to put Confederate statues ‘in context’
Ora Lomax is still fuming over Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s plans for dealing with the stone and bronze figures that have been defining symbols of Richmond for generations — the statues of Confederate defenders of slavery that punctuate Monument Avenue.
‘When is enough going to be enough?’
Re “What really happened? New details change initial police report of Mosby Court events surrounding special agent’s death,” June 8-10 edition:
Inspired by Dream Academy graduation
I really enjoyed attending the fifth commencement exercise for Dream Academy adult high school in Richmond. To hear the history of this school and how it got started, how far it has come, to where it is now, was just amazing. I too graduated from an adult high school in South Carolina in 1992 with an Honor Society award and high school diploma. So I know just how all of the students feel.
City facing crisis with violence
We are in a crisis!
Perpetuating Ashe myth
Re “Battery Park art project on tennis great Arthur Ashe to educate, elevate,” June 8-10 edition: The City of Richmond continues to perpetuate the myth that the late tennis star Arthur Ashe learned to play tennis at Battery Park.
Price of incarceration
Hip-hop legend Jay Z celebrated Father’s Day this year by allowing incarcerated fathers to spend the day with their families. Pick any day of the week in America and an estimated 700,000 people are populating our nation’s local city and county jails. Of those behind bars, 60 percent — nearly half a million people, many of whom are African-American and Hispanic — will remain in jail, not because they have been convicted of any crime, but because they are guilty of the unpardonable crime of poverty and cannot afford the court-stipulated price tag placed on their freedom.
Delays in Chemical Disaster Rule hurt minority communities
Pam Nixon lives in an area of West Virginia called “Chemical Valley,” where she is surrounded by facilities that handle dangerous toxic and flammable chemicals.
Take them down
There’s a heaping measure of ridiculousness in Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s appointment of a Monument Avenue Commission to put the statues along the street in context.
Fourth of July fireworks in city, area
Fireworks shows will occur over Richmond skies and those in the counties in celebration of the Fourth of July holiday and the United States declaring independence from Great Britain 241 years ago.
‘Reading Riders’ starts summer routes
In 2015, Reading Riders, Richmond Public Schools’ mobile library program promoting literacy among youngsters in kindergarten through fifth grade, started with a bus full of books, five scheduled stops in students’ Richmond neighborhoods and about 10 to 15 teacher volunteers at Oak Grove-Bellemeade Elementary School.
Las Amigas hosts national conclave in Richmond
“Celebrating the past, embracing the future.” That’s the theme for Las Amigas Inc.’s annual convention in Richmond.
Frank Mason III drafted in second round by Sacramento Kings
Well, some things are better shown than said — like Frank Mason III’s extraordinary ability to pass and shoot a basketball and spark his team to victory.
3 former local players hoping to be picked up on NBA’s regular season roster
Three undrafted pro basketball prospects with local ties are hoping to get lucky in Las Vegas. They will be among free agents shooting for high stakes in the desert.
Rising stars win Queen Classic events
Queen Harrison is believed to be the first female from an area high school to become an Olympic track and field athlete. Will Titiana Marsh become another?
Corey Douglas commits to Rams
Virginia Commonwealth University has a new basketball player waiting in the wings, but Rams fans will have to wait another season to see him.
N.C. A&T’s Chris Belcher to represent U.S. at World Championships
Chris Belcher won NCAA Division I All-American recognition with A&T scripted across his chest. That’s short for North Carolina A&T State University, where Belcher is a rising senior.
VSU names new softball coach
Veteran softball Coach Jennifer Lynn Gilbert has achieved much success at the high school level. Now she hopes to continue winning at Virginia State University.
Obstacles, inspiration detailed in new book about Maggie Ingram by her granddaughter
Joy Harris doesn’t remember a time when gospel music didn’t play an important role in the lives of her family. She grew up hearing her grandmother, mother, aunts and uncles sing some of the most familiar songs in traditional gospel music — “Jesus Cares,” “Without God I Could Do Nothing” and “Don’t Give Up.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses to focus on Bible, resilience
During a time when people around the world are struggling with feelings of hopelessness, the Jehovah’s Witnesses plan to address those difficulties during its annual series of conventions in Richmond during upcoming weekends. The theme: “Don’t Give Up!”
Thursday, June 29
Ramadan ends with celebrations in area, around the globe
Saturday, June 24, marked the end of the monthlong fasting that began in late May for Ramadan, a sacred observance for Muslims.
Personality: Tamara Broadnax
Spotlight on volunteer event coordinator for Black Girls Do Bike: Richmond
Tamara Broadnax has spent much of her life opening doors to women in male-dominated areas.
Richmond Police to revive Midnight Basketball
The once popular Midnight Basketball League is about to be revived in Richmond. The city police department is bringing back the program as a softer element of its crime-fighting strategy.
Children crack CodeVA
A diverse group of 281 youngsters ages 6 to 14 will spend part of their summer vacation learning the basics of computer science in a Downtown storefront.
School Board selects firm for superintendent search
The Richmond School Board voted on Monday to finish its search process for a new superintendent by Sept. 1. After a closed session, the board also voted to select Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates of Schaumburg, Ill., to conduct the national search to replace Superintendent Dana T. Bedden.
Unitarian Universalists elect first woman president
An Arizona pastor and immigrant advocate has been elected as the first woman president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
City Council seeks to allocate surplus
Just in case the city ends up with another big surplus when the 2017 fiscal year closes on June 30, Richmond City Council is trying to limit the mayor’s ability to put the extra money into a “rainy day” fund, or unassigned account, to make it off limits.
Vincent promoted to head City Department of Public Works
Bobby Vincent Jr. has just removed the word interim from his title. He is now director of public works for the City of Richmond.
Saturday, June 24
Study finds info on students’ emotional and physical disabilities left off referrals to cops, courts
Richmond area school divisions appear to be flouting federal and state regulations by withholding critical information when they refer special education students to law enforcement departments and the courts for serious misconduct, according to a new study.
Politicians put magicians to shame
Our politicians are brilliant. They have been to the best law schools to make them that way. They have enough political tricks up their sleeves to put the world’s greatest magicians to shame.
Prison profit pipeline
There is the adage that Nero fiddled while Rome burned. I fear it is the adage that may define the ways too many observers have filtered the 45 administration through a skewed lens.
Trumpcare: A pig in a poke
I’ve always heard the expression, “What goes on in the dark comes out in the light.”
Adversity and accountability
The pressure of adversity is the most powerful sustainer of accountability, so it has been said. And the Richmond School Board certainly is feeling the pressure.
Groundbreaking for Capitol Square’s new Native American monument June 24
Virginia’s Native Americans are moving closer to gaining their own monument in Capitol Square.
Franklin Military Academy financial literacy course receives high marks
The passionate discussion of Phyllis Jackson’s students can be heard long before reaching her classroom at Richmond’s Franklin Military Academy.
Richmonder Melody Barnes, former Obama administration official, among TEDxRVA headliners
As director of the U.S. Domestic Policy Council from 2009 through 2012, Melody C. Barnes worked with members of President Obama’s cabinet to coordinate the former president’s domestic policy agenda across federal agencies.
VFH receives grant to more fully tell story of Va. slavery
Students, scholars and others who want to know more about the African-American experience in Virginia soon may be able to take virtual reality tours of various sites in the state.
NBA draft looking for a few ‘freshmen’
Expect to hear the word “freshman” frequently during the NBA draft on Thursday, June 22.
John Marshall’s Isaiah Todd wins gold in Argentina
Isaiah Todd is returning from South America with a gold medal.
VUU to host inaugural Willard Bailey Classic in September
Football Coach Willard Bailey did so much for Virginia Union University. Now it’s VUU’s chance to say thank you.
NSU’s Alex Mauricio drafted by Yankees
Former Norfolk State University and Manchester High School baseball standout Alex Mauricio is now an employee of the New York Yankees.
Top 2 picks in MLB draft are African-American
The future appears brighter for African-Americans in Major League Baseball.
‘The Freeze’ a fan favorite at Atlanta Braves games
Among baseball’s budding attractions is an athlete who doesn’t hit homers, strike out batters or make dazzling plays. His name is Nigel Talton, and he’s known around the Atlanta Braves’ SunTrust Park as “The Freeze.”
Personality: Malik and Annette Khan
Spotlight on RPEC’s 2017 Peacemakers of the Year
For decades, Malik and Annette Khan have worked to build bridges between the Muslim community and others in the Richmond community.
Former Prince Hall Shriners top official dies at 88
Earl Haddon Gray, a former national leader of the Prince Hall Shriners, has died. Family and friends paid their final tributes to Mr. Gray on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Scott’s Funeral Home Chapel in North Side.
RRHA to sell 26 homes to highest bidders
A major opportunity to create affordable homes for families with below average incomes in Richmond is going by the wayside.
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.
Superintendent search firm to be announced Monday
The Richmond School Board will approve a search firm to help with its search for a new schools superintendent during a special board meeting on Monday, June 26.
It’s a boy and a girl for Beyoncé, Jay Z
Leave it to a proud grandpa to spill the beans about the birth of his grandchildren. That’s what happened Sunday when Mathew Knowles turned to Twitter to say his celebrity superstar daughter Beyoncé now was the mother of twins.
Black Lives Matter wins international peace prize award
Special to the Trice Edney News Wire from NorthStarNewsToday.com
African-American officers described as heroes in ballpark shooting
One of the U.S. Capitol Police officers injured while defending members of Congress during a shooting last week at an Alexandria baseball field is a gregarious gym-goer and hard worker who adores his mother, his friends said. The other is a high-achieving former college athlete who a former boss said “exudes confidence and dedication.”
Bill Cosby’s case ends in mistrial, but civil suits waiting
Entertainer Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial last Saturday, but his legal problems persist as he faces assault and defamation claims in civil lawsuits, where the bar for evidence is lower than in criminal cases.
Improvement plan
Richmond School Board hears details after flunking Va. Dept. of Education review
The Richmond School Board has its work cut out for it to get the city’s public school system fully accredited. The Virginia Department of Education, which outlined chronic problems within Richmond Public Schools in a recent report, shared plans for getting the school system back on track at Monday night’s School Board meeting.
Wednesday, June 21
Activist claims no signs banning interstate hitchhiking invalidates his arrest
The Virginia Department of Transportation appears to be flouting a state law. That law, section 46.2-808 of the state code, requires the agency to post signs on entryways to the interstates stating that pedestrians, horseback riders, farm tractors, cyclists and mopeds are banned from using high-speed, controlled-access highways.
Councilwoman Gray crafting new plan on severance pay
Remember the $166,000 in severance packages former Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones awarded to four members of his staff as his term ended last December and the $77,000 City Council awarded to three outgoing employees? Remember the vows of incoming council members to reform the way the city handles severance and end-of-service pay for departing employees?
18-story apartment tower planned for Belvidere, Grace streets
Richmond is losing another gas station on the edge of Downtown, but is set to gain a $100 million apartment tower in exchange.
Overby-Sheppard Elementary School set for 6-month overhaul
A North Side elementary school is about to get a $4 million overhaul — complementing the housing developments that have begun reshaping the Highland Park community.
A.V. Norrell to stay open
The A.V. Norrell Elementary School building in North Side, which was slated for closure, likely is going to fill up again with more school employees.
Friday, June 16
Irving beats longtime Richmond sheriff in major upset
By every measure, Antionette V. Irving seemed to have no shot of winning her third attempt to unseat Richmond Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr.
McQuinn wins primary, clearing way for 5th term in House
Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn is on her way to a fifth term in the House of Delegates.
Armstead to take on former City Council president in treasurer’s race
The daughter of former Richmond City Councilman Chuck Richardson is now the Democratic Party nominee for city treasurer.
Hurricanes: Plan for worst, hope for best
I was born in New Orleans in 1949 and moved to Arabi, La., in 1960. During my lifetime, I have experienced every hurricane and tropical storm that ever hit the New Orleans region.
Kudos to governor, mayor on dedication to climate issues
I am glad to see Gov. Terry McAuliffe and Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney doing their part to ensure that people are provided with clean energy, a clean environment and green jobs that will boost the economy.
Who is President Trump eager to please?
There is much one could say or write about President Trump, and not a lot of it would be good.
Brown decision’s negative side
May 17 was the 63rd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Brown v. Board of Education decision declaring that legally sanctioned and enforced school segregation is a violation of the U.S. Constitution.
On courtesy, race and 45’s defenders
Courtesy flew out of the window in Washington parlance a long time ago.
A new sheriff in town
Move over, C.T. There’s a new sheriff in town.
Get ready to rumble
The votes are in from Tuesday’s Democratic and Republican primaries.
Commemorating the Lovings and their courage
A state historical marker in Downtown now commemorates the landmark Loving v. Virginia case, which resulted in laws banning interracial marriage being overturned in Virginia and 16 other states. Gov. Terry McAuliffe and his wife, First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, were joined by Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Sen. Rosalyn R. Dance, Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan and others to unveil the marker on Monday, the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.
2 national conferences coming to Richmond
Richmond is becoming common ground for liberals and conservatives. This weekend, hundreds of anti-war activists are expected to flood into Downtown to push their agenda of bringing the troops home and silencing war drums in the administration.
Cultural historian Anthony Browder to speak at 3-day Juneteenth celebration
Cultural historian and Egyptologist Anthony T. Browder will kick off Richmond’s three-day, “Juneteenth 2017, A Freedom Celebration” this weekend by leading a symposium on the historical and genetic connections between people who live along the Nile River in Africa and those living along the James and Potomac Rivers.
3 Richmond students receive first scholarships honoring Alicia Rasin
Three graduating seniors in Richmond are recipients of the first scholarships named in honor of the late Alicia Rasin, the city’s longtime “ambassador of compassion” who assisted families of homicide victims.
Golden State takes NBA title
These two questions loom following the Golden State Warriors’ fairly easy stroll to the NBA championship on Monday night: With a youthful, 20-something nucleus, will the Warriors — fueled by the high-test addition of Kevin Durant — continue to dominate the game for years to come?
‘Bubba’ takes run in NASCAR history
There hasn’t been a full-time African-American driver on NASCAR’s premier circuit since Virginian Wendell Scott retired in 1973.
Golfer Maurice Allen captivates audience on tour
An African-American is among the top golfers in the world. But he’s not on the PGA circuit, but rather on the long drive tour.
NC A&T Belcher a possible contender for the Olympics
Christopher Belcher is North Carolina A&T State University’s rocket man in shorts and spikes, powering the Aggies to new heights.
VCU’s basketball schedule gets tougher
Virginia Commonwealth University’s already tough non-conference basketball schedule appears to have gotten even tougher.
Boys 2 Men Father/Son conference set for Saturday at Cedar Street
A former Seattle Seahawks fullback, a comedian and a gospel rapper are among the speakers scheduled for a conference designed to address some of the challenges facing African-American boys and men and to provide tools for maturely navigating those challenges.
Spiritual Boot Camp for women to start June 17
Women United For Christ Ministry is sponsoring a “Spiritual Boot Camp,” a monthly session to educate and empower women in all areas of their lives.
Personality: Gigi Amateau
Spotlight on recipient of YWCA’s Pat Asch Fellowship for Social Justice
Gigi Amateau was born in Mississippi, the same year President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. That’s the landmark law that outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin.
Triumph and tragedy
Events of last 8 days have vastly different endings for 4 Richmond teens
Tyreil Mayo and Gregory Jones both share a drive to succeed — a trait commonly found in top-performing students. But the 18-year-old John Marshall High School students, who marched across the stage Wednesday at the Altria Theater and received their diplomas, also share a passion for helping others and a strong commitment to their community.
Lessons of love from dad
A father often hopes that his son will one day follow in his footsteps. And a son often dreams to fill his father’s shoes.
Mayor hires new fire chief; fires interim chief
Melvin D. “Hank” Carter has reached the summit of the city’s Fire Department. The 53-year-old Richmond native has been named the 21st chief of the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
Congressman, others wounded in shooting in Va.
Lawmakers of all parties are decrying the heinous act of a gunman who opened fire on Wednesday on Republican lawmakers who were practicing near Washington for a charity baseball game.
Sessions denies any collusion with Russia during Trump campaign
U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Tuesday denounced as a “detestable lie” the idea he colluded with Russians meddling in the 2016 election, and he clashed with Democratic lawmakers over his refusal to detail his conversations with President Trump.
Primed for November
Primary winners Northam, Gillespie will carry Dem and GOP banners into gov. election
Virginia’s next governor will either be Democrat Ralph S. Northam or Republican Edward W. “Ed” Gillespie. The choice of the competitors was made by 900,000 voters who trooped to the polls Tuesday to cast ballots in the primary elections for both political parties.
Friday, June 9
School Board taps RPS COO as interim superintendent
After hashing out the details of outgoing Superintendent Dana T. Bedden’s early departure, the Richmond School Board selected Thomas E. Kranz, the school district’s chief operating officer, to serve as interim superintendent.
Paradox of selling water cheaply to Chesterfield
Re: “Mayor seeks to lease part of park to Chesterfield for county drinking water,” June 1-3 edition: Richmond Free Press staff writer Jeremy Lazarus deserves an award for his investigative reporting on the city’s plan to allow Chesterfield to build a water facility in a Richmond city park and charge Chesterfield a fifth of what Richmond customers must pay for a unit of water.
House candidate would seek ‘substance not symbols’
I support attorney Alex Mejias for the 70th District seat in the House of Delegates.
Candidate wants to dismantle ‘cradle-to-prison pipeline’
I was raised in Church Hill and am a 1965 graduate of Richmond’s Armstrong High School. My late parents, Helen and David Temple Sr., instilled in me the values of Christian faith and a deep commitment to public service. My father wrote the “Church Hill Spotlight” column for the former Richmond Afro-American newspaper.
Kudos Free Press in coverage of Lady Panthers
I would like to commend the Richmond Free Press for its superior, in-depth coverage of the Virginia Union University Lady Panthers basketball team coached by AnnMarie Gilbert.
Reinstate Cornell Brooks
Black people have fared best when our collective interests and goals are held paramount. We’ve made the greatest headway when our assumed leaders are guided by principles of self-sacrifice above self-aggrandizement. I pray that we have the wisdom to remember and embrace these lessons learned “over a way that with tears has been watered ... through the blood of the slaughtered.” Since 1909, the NAACP has been the most recognized and venerated civil rights organization in the United States. Most Americans respect and admire the NAACP. Those of us 50 years old and older remember that, when intervening in civil rights matters, the NAACP often mitigated outcomes of interracial conflict to the benefit of often maligned African-American victims. It’s said, “Familiarity breeds contempt.” A lapse of time often adds to that contempt. Outside of “the faithful,” the NAACP’s reputation as a relevant player in the civil rights arena had diminished. This perception was especially true among youths who were more likely to ask the question, “What have you done for me lately?” While I am an NAACP life member and I’ve always seen its relevance, many people thought the organization had moved close to being irrelevant. Several episodes of questionable leadership did little to rehabilitate its reputation. For many, that changed in May 2014 with the selection of the Rev. Cornell William Brooks as national NAACP president and CEO. Lacking the bravado and ostentatiousness of many leaders of our community, Rev. Brooks came to the job as an experienced civil rights professional. A fourth generation A.M.E. minister and Yale-trained civil rights lawyer, Rev. Brooks was eminently qualified and well focused on directing the activities of the NAACP to meet contemporary imperatives. Three years ago, he inherited a staff demoralized by layoffs and uncertain funding. Now, fundraising is up and he had begun hiring additional staff to conduct the organization’s business. In nearly three years, Rev. Brooks has led the NAACP with purpose, dignity and skillful determination. His “hands-on, lead by example” approach to activism has inspired a new generation of youths to pick up the mantle of the NAACP. We have seen substantial participation and the increased membership of young people. Young people were constantly seen with Rev. Brooks demonstrating consistent, targeted action and participation in activities that gave renewed meaning to the concept of peaceful and intelligent resistance to injustice. Rev. Brooks is not a lip service leader. With the exception of being called away for related obligations, he walked every step of the two marches he organized between Ferguson and Jefferson City, Mo., and Selma, Ala., and Washington. The marchers and he became targets of racist snipers in Missouri and he remains under threat by domestic terrorists who would love nothing more than to stop his work. Rev. Brooks’ testimony against the confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions as U.S. attorney general was topped only by his sit-in and arrest in the Birmingham offices of Mr. Sessions. He gave national attention to the fact that the NAACP was once again a genuine player in the fight against injustice. This revitalized NAACP attracted a new following and, accordingly, online memberships increased significantly. For individuals and institutions alike, longevity can mistakenly be assumed to be the same as indispensability. Logic should inform that the only foundation of indispensability is in the sustainment of relevance. Under Rev. Brooks, the NAACP escaped the image of doing little and existing in outdated ineptitude to a state of true relevance. Sadly, the NAACP executive board has chosen to take a step backward by not renewing Rev. Brooks’ contract. I pray that decision will be reversed. Rev. Brooks was the right leader when he was chosen and remains the right leader for our challenging times. The board should reverse its ill-advised decision. The writer is president of the National Congress of Black Women.
Remembering the Lovings
Monday, June 12, is the 50th anniversary of the Loving v. Virginia decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned laws banning interracial marriage in the United States.
The end, we hope
We urge our readers to tune into their TVs, radios, tablets and/or mobile devices at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 8, to hear former FBI Director James Comey testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee about President Trump’s conduct in connection with the investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election, as well as his ties to Russia and those of his campaign aides and administration officials.
Vote on Tuesday, June 13
If you want to have a say in which candidates are on the November ballot, get ready to vote. Polls across Virginia will be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, for voters to make their choices in Democratic and Republican primary elections for governor and lieutenant governor.
Generations of blacksmithing history to be celebrated June 10
Following the Civil War, Henry Jackson did not hold out any hope that the U.S. government would honor its promise of 40 acres and a mule to former enslaved African-Americans.
March for Truth makes stand
More than 600 people gather in Capitol Square last Saturday to call for an impartial investigation into Russian interference in the U.S. presidential election and Russia’s ties to President Trump, his 2016 campaign and his administration and
Bill Cosby, TV’s favorite dad, goes on trial
Andrea Constand told a packed Pennsylvania courtroom on Tuesday that she could feel Bill Cosby’s hands on her body, but the drugs in her system would not let her stop him.
George Wythe alum Jerome Jeter returns to coach football
Jerome Jeter played football for George Wythe High School when the Bulldogs were an area powerhouse. He was in the Class of 2000.
Former Highland Springs player Mike’l Simms joins VCU Rams
Virginia Commonwealth University’s ever-evolving basketball roster continues to make headlines. Last week, guard Samir Doughty announced he is leaving the Rams after displaying much promise as a red-shirt freshman. Soon after, Coach Mike Rhoades announced the signing of 6-foot-5 wing Mike’l Simms, a former player at Henrico’s Highland Springs High School who attends Cowley Community College in Kansas.
Ex-George Wythe track star signed to NFL’s N.Y. Giants
Former George Wythe High School track and field standout Kevin Snead has taken the fast track to the NFL. Known more for his blazing track speed than his modest football résumé, Snead signed a free-agent contract with the New York Giants following the team’s recent Rookie Mini Camp in East Rutherford, N.J. He has begun practicing in the Giants’ Organized Team Activities in New Jersey and is on New York’s 90-man, offseason roster.
Albert Pujols hits 600
Major League Baseball’s exclusive “600 Club” is rich with people of color. Four of the nine players to hit at least 600 career home runs are African-American, and three others trace their ancestry to the Dominican Republic.
Effects of Israeli-Arab 1967 Six-Day War still felt 50 years later
Ron Kronish was an American college student when Israel defeated the Egyptian, Syrian and Jordanian armies during the 1967 Six-Day War.
CeCe Winans talks about new solo CD and pastoring
CeCe Winans, one of the most celebrated female gospel artists, is back on tour after releasing her first solo CD in almost a decade.
Personality: Lawrence D. ‘Larry’ Wilder Jr.
Spotlight on board chair of the Southside Community Development and Housing Corp.
Lawrence D. “Larry” Wilder Jr.’s focus and passion these days is revitalization. The 55-year-old son of former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder and retiring Richmond Treasurer Eunice M. Wilder loves his volunteer work as board chairman of the Southside Community Development and Housing Corp., a nonprofit that helps first-time buyers achieve their dream of home ownership.
What really happened?
New details change initial police report of Mosby Court events surrounding special agent’s death
Travis A. Ball initially was portrayed as a depraved killer who fatally shot Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter in the head without provocation.
Battery Park art project on tennis great Arthur Ashe to educate, elevate
Sir James Thornhill has spent the past 11 years enlivening buildings, mostly in Jackson Ward, with murals depicting often forgotten African-American heroes.
Children ages 10, 11 charged in RPS employee shooting at Norrell Annex
Richmond Police reported Wednesday the arrest of three children who allegedly were involved in the May 1 shooting of a Richmond Public Schools employee during a break-in at the now-closed Norrell Annex, 201 W. Graham Road in North Side.
HUD officials: Essex Village improvements underway
The overhaul of Henrico County’s troubled Essex Village apartment complex appears to be underway. Under threat of losing $4.2 million in yearly federal housing subsidies and facing pressure from Henrico County and 4th District Congressman A. Donald McEachin, PK Management, which operates the 496-unit, Section 8 complex at Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue, has begun making improvements to address long-standing health and safety issues, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Like stances on issues among Dems seeking No. 2 post
Justin E. Fairfax hopes to become the first African-American to win the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor since L. Douglas Wilder in 1985.
Personal fight overshadows GOP Lt. Gov. campaign
Although three Republicans are running in the June 13 GOP primary for lieutenant governor, all of the drama has come from two of the candidates locked in an intensely personal fight.
Several Democrats seeking party nod in area House of Delegates races
Can Richmond Delegate Delores L. McQuinn fend off her first Democratic primary challenger since she won the 70th House District seat eight years ago?
Primary contests for city sheriff and treasurer
Races for Richmond sheriff and city treasurer essentially will be decided next Tuesday, June 13. With no Republican competition, the winners of the Democratic primaries for the two offices are virtually guaranteed to win in November in this majority Democratic city.
School advocates to seek signatures outside polls
Next week’s primary will be a big day for advocates seeking to put the issue of Richmond’s deteriorating schools on the November ballot.
Make it count
It looks like 2016 all over again in the Democratic primary as voters prepare to decide whether Lt. Gov. Ralph S. Northam or former Congressman Tom S. Perriello will carry the party’s banner into the November race for governor. Last year, Hillary Clinton, with the backing of the Democratic establishment, battled Bernie Sanders, the darling of the party’s left wing, for the presidential nomination. This time, Virginia’s Democratic Party establishment is backing Lt. Gov. Northam, 57, while the Sanders camp is pushing Mr.
Tuesday, June 6
Richmond Public Schools commencements scheduled
It’s graduation time in Richmond — the bittersweet days when high school seniors mark the end of 13 years of schooling that began in kindergarten and welcome the start of a new journey in their lives.
Surry County H.S. senior wins 4th Congressional District art competition
“The Melting Pot . . . What ‘Other’ Means,” a watercolor by Surry County High School senior Jada Epps, has won the 2017 Art Competition for the 4th Congressional District.
Friday, June 2
Finally, a listening tour
The national office of the NAACP has made a couple of significant changes lately. They dismissed chairwoman Roslyn M. Brock and president Cornell Brooks.
A return to heavy-handed criminal justice
Dear Attorney General Jeff Sessions, the 20th century called. It wants its failed, heavy-handed criminal justice policies back. In a throwback to President George W. Bush’s administration, Mr. Sessions is widely expected to formally order all federal prosecutors to impose the harshest sentences for all drug offenses and offenders, including the return of the widely unpopular and discredited mandatory minimums.
Mosby Court S.O.S.
The killing in cold blood of Virginia State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter on Friday evening in Richmond’s Mosby Court public housing community should give us all pause.
VCU’s Institute of Contemporary Art to bring artwork to local barbershops, salons
Salons and barbershops have been central communication hubs in African-American communities for as long as they have existed.
8th Annual Richmond Jazz Festival lineup announced
Pat Metheny. Common. Peabo Bryson. Erykah Badu. Joey Alexander. Dave Koz with Larry Graham. The Isley Brothers. David Benoit. TajMo: The Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ Band.
Black History Museum hosts special closing program for ‘Murry DePillars: Double Vision’
The Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia is hosting a special closing program for its exhibition, “Murry DePillars: Double Vision.”
Reunion of former Blackwell Junior High School
Alumni of Blackwell Junior High School in Richmond will take a trip down memory lane this weekend at a gala multiyear reunion.
James Madison’s home, Montpelier, to open exhibit on slavery June 5
A big change is coming to Montpelier, the historic home of James Madison, a former U.S. president and a key figure in the development of the U.S. Constitution.
Missing house key unlocks tennis career for Franklin Military Academy student
Charlesten Freeman’s tennis success story started with a missing house key. Little could anyone suspect then the potential that awkward situation would unlock.
NSU’s Alex Mauricio named MEAC Player of the Year
You might say Norfolk State University got a two-for-one deal in Alex Mauricio. The double-duty Spartan known as “A-Mo” performed admirably as a starting pitcher on the university’s baseball team this past season.
McKinney signs letter of intent with Lady Panthers
Virginia Union University women’s basketball Coach Ann-Marie Gilbert got a close-up look at Bria McKinney last fall at Barco-Stevens Hall.
VUU men’s basketball team recruits two new players
Help is on the way for the Virginia Union University men’s basketball team. Joining the Panthers for the 2017-18 season will be Jemal Smith, a community college transfer, and Raemaad Wright from King’s Fork High School in Suffolk.
Tiger Woods blames medication for his DUI arrest
Former world No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods said an unexpected reaction to prescribed medications was to blame for his early-morning DUI arrest near his Jupiter Island home in Florida on Monday.
Evergreen Cemetery sold to Enrichmond Foundation
Unkempt, but historic Evergreen Cemetery has a new owner eager to preserve and protect the burial ground for banker Maggie L. Walker, crusading journalist John Mitchell Jr. and as many as 50,000 other African-Americans. After months of talks, Enrichmond Foundation, the nonprofit support arm for city parks and recreation, completed the purchase of the 60-acre cemetery from a private family corporation.
With crackdown on panhandling, people wrestle with their conscience
Driving to his downtown clothing business, Hans Herman Thun finds it impossible to ignore the beggars. They catch his attention with handwritten, cardboard signs such as “Homeless and hungry,” “Anything helps! God bless” and even “I’ll be honest — I could really use a beer.”
Personality: Samantha Ayres
Spotlight on Richmond Public Schools’ highest achieving student
When Samantha Lynn Ayres began her sophomore year at Richmond Community High School, she found out that she was third academically in her class of 53 students. Knowing she was so close to being at the top of her class, her competitive spirit kicked in. That’s when she says she decided to put in some extra effort.
What’s all the Hoopla?
Richmond Public Library doubles its digital offerings
The Richmond Public Library just doubled its offerings of books, music, movies, TV shows, video games and other items, and it didn’t have to buy anything.
Mayor seeks to lease part of park to Chesterfield for county drinking water
Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney apparently is seeking to overturn a 16-year-old ban on development in a public park in South Side.
Rep. McEachin calls for speedy HUD intervention at Essex Village after woman’s fall
During heavy weekend rains, odorous and toxic raw sewage once again flowed freely over the lawn in Essex Village, ranked as Henrico County’s worst apartment complex.
Six Points Innovation Center to hold grand opening June 6
An empty storefront on Meadowbridge Road in Highland Park is about to open as a creative space where young people can learn advocacy, develop leadership skills and explore career opportunities.
Ben Jealous to run for gov. in Md.
Former national NAACP President Benjamin Todd Jealous is launching a political career. Perhaps recently best known as a surrogate for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, Mr. Jealous confirmed this week that he is running for governor of Maryland. He cited his long record of civil rights activism and the diversity of the state of Maryland as being in his favor.
Federal court blocks Trump’s travel ban
The fate of President Trump’s order to ban travelers from six predominantly Muslim nations, blocked by federal courts, soon may be in the hands of the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court, where the president’s appointee, Justice Neil Gorsuch, could help settle the matter.
Teenage shooter involved in infamous D.C. Sniper Case to get new sentencing hearing
A federal judge tossed out two life sentences for one of Virginia’s most notorious criminals, sniper Lee Boyd Malvo, and ordered Virginia courts to hold new sentencing hearings.
‘When is enough enough?’
Slaying of Va. State Police Special Agent Michael T. Walter grips Mosby Court
At an April community meeting, residents of Mosby Court pleaded with Richmond Police Chief Alfred Durham for a crackdown to end the violence in the section of the public housing community located off Accommodation Street in the East End.
Money moved to restore alley blitz
The alley blitz is back on track. Bobby Vincent, director of the Richmond Department of Public Works, received the $700,000 his department needs to begin hiring up to 20 temporary workers and to rent front loaders and rollers.
Va. attorney general to recoup money for Target data breach investigation
Remember when Target reported in November 2013 that hackers had stolen the personal and credit card data for more than 60 million customers?
RPS closes Norrell Annex
It took a shooting, but the A.V. Norrell Annex finally has been closed by Richmond Public Schools and boarded up. The building at 201 W. Graham Road was to be closed earlier this year, but school officials delayed the shutdown. That changed on May 1, when three intruders managed to get into the building, and an employee with the school system’s food services department was shot and wounded when she encountered them.
Senior fair set for June 6
A second information fair for Richmond’s senior adults will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 6, at the Hickory Hill Community Center, 3000 Belt Boulevard, in South Side, Richmond City Councilwoman Reva M. Trammell has announced.
