Thursday, November 30
Collecting comfort items for children separated from parents
Most people wouldn’t think something as simple as a teddy bear would make an emotional impact, but Cynthia Downing, creator of The Comfort Movement, has a different opinion.
Friday, November 24
City welcomes new schools chief
Jason Kamras from D.C. to become next Richmond superintendent
They campaigned on a platform of change for a school system that continues to rank high in dropouts and suspensions and low in student academic achievement.
‘Tiger Tom’ and ‘Bette’ Mitchell ‘now smiling and holding hands in heaven’
Re obituary for “Elizabeth ‘Bette’ Mitchell, widow of ‘Tiger Tom’ Mitchell,” Free Press Nov. 16-18 edition:
Schools referendum: ‘It’s not perfect’
Re editorial “Real results,” Free Press Nov. 16-18 edition: Your baffling editorial disparaging the massive Election Day support — 99 percent in the African-American community and 84.8 percent across the city — for the school modernization charter change referendum claimed the following about the proposal:
‘Zero tolerance for sexual harassment’
Editor’s note: This letter was sent last week by the Virginia Speaker of the House designee to the Capitol Square community.
Good news for a change
By now, you know I look forward to the opportunity of sharing my opinions with readers. I pray that the columns offer helpful, thought-provoking and uplifting ideas.
Thanksgiving: A bipartisan celebration
“This history (of Thanksgiving) teaches us that the American instinct has never been to seek isolation in opposite corners; it is to find strength in our common creed and forge unity from our great
College student feels new confidence with guide dog
La’Teia Randolph is extra thankful this year. The blind Richmonder now has a guide dog to help her get around — Della, a 2-year-old female Labrador retriever.
New Barbie in hijab modeled after U.S. Olympic fencer
The Barbie doll has come a long way since her introduction in 1959. The latest version of Mattel’s popular doll is wearing a hijab and fencing outfit. The doll is made in the likeness of Ibtihaj Muhammad, the U.S. Olympic fencer who made history at last year’s Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro as the first American athlete to compete wearing the traditional Islamic headscarf.
HU exits MEAC for Big South Conference
There’s an upside and a downside to Hampton University’s surprise decision to leave the MEAC for the Big South Conference.
VSU Trojans’ dream season ends with loss in playoffs
Virginia State University’s magic carpet ride of a football season has coasted to a close. So let the warm memories begin.
Rick Mahorn to be inducted into Va. Sports Hall of Fame
Former Hampton University basketball standout Rick Mahorn has been selected for the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame.
VCU has rare loss at home — to U.Va.
Two things Virginia Commonwealth University basketball thrives on are quality transfers and home games at the always rowdy, jam-packed Siegel Center.
Chesterfield student signs with Penn State
Rasir Bolton, a Chesterfield County resident who has played locally for Millwood School and Team Loaded AAU, has signed with Penn State University on a full basketball scholarship.
Evergreen Restoration Foundation continues work, seeks volunteers
Real estate broker Marvin Harris has spent the past 18 months motivating volunteers to restore a 15-acre section of the historic, but long-neglected Evergreen Cemetery where Richmond businesswoman Maggie L. Walker and crusading newspaper editor John Mitchell Jr. are buried.
Farrakhan calls on Trump to repent
Minister Louis Farrakhan called on President Trump to repent for what the Nation of Islam leader called America’s mistreatment of black people over the centuries.
Museum of the Bible, funded by conservatives, avoids contentious issues
Eight years ago, Hobby Lobby president Steve Green found a new way to express his Christian faith. His family’s $4 billion arts and craft chain was already known for closing stores on Sundays, waging a U.S. Supreme Court fight over birth control and donating tens of millions of dollars to religious groups.
Philip Griffin,18, dies; son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry Griffin
Philip Madison Griffin, son of Dr. and Mrs. Barry I. Griffin, has died. Philip succumbed Friday, Nov. 17, 2017, to complications from kidney disease.
Alvoston ‘Al’ Taylor, retired city educator, dies at 75
Alvoston L. “Al” Taylor Jr. was a dedicated teacher and principal who cared about his students during 35 years of service.
Personality: Hassan Fountain Sr.
Spotlight on founder of Fountain for Youth Foundation
Hassan Fountain Sr. has a vision of placing children’s libraries in every subsidized housing community across Virginia, especially in Richmond, to increase literacy and help youths see a brighter future.
Gold tapped to launch new grocery in Church Hill
Steve and Kathie Markel refused to be deterred when they could not find anyone interested in opening a supermarket in the $30 million Church Hill North retail-commercial-apartment complex they are developing at 25th Street, Fairmount Avenue and Nine Mile Road.
Thanksgiving holiday schedule
In observance of Thanksgiving Day, Thursday Nov. 23, please note the following:
Bourne to push schools referendum in Gen. Assembly
A Richmond Democrat has volunteered to promote legislation to approve city voters’ call for Mayor Levar M. Stoney to craft a fully funded school modernization plan.
Rematch underway for leadership of letter carriers local union
Once again, a battle is underway for control of one of the oldest unions in the state, the Old Dominion Branch, Local 496, of the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Highland Park grocery store closed
S&K Supermarket, one of the last grocery stores in North Side, remains closed in Highland Park, with a planned renovation on hold.
Guns and churches: Local pastors caught between welcoming strangers, congregants’ fears
Pastor Preston R. Gainer is deeply perturbed. As violence dominates local and national headlines, he now is considering whether to arm himself and members of his East End church’s safety team as part of St. James United Holy Church’s security precautions.
Serena ties the knot!
Glitter and glamour were served up at the fairy tale-inspired nuptials last week of tennis star Serena Williams and her new husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.
Rev. Jesse Jackson diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease
The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. disclosed publicly on Friday that he has been seeking outpatient care for two years for Parkinson’s disease and plans to “dedicate” himself to physical therapy to slow the progress of the disease.
Friday, November 17
‘There is no space for complacency’
Re “Virginia elects Democrats to top posts, other offices” and “House of Delegates to become more diverse,” Free Press Nov. 9-11 edition:
End NAFTA; don’t renegotiate it
To his credit, President Trump pulled the United States of America out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership that would have diminished our sovereignty. However, he is now misguided about the North American Free Trade Agreement. Instead of getting out of it, the president is talking about renegotiating it.
‘We voted for you, now we want to see results’
I would like to know when the Virginia Democratic Party will officially thank African-American women for the party’s win in the Nov. 7 election.
Actor bridges divides
Academy Award-winning actor Mahershala Ali’s journey has been one of bridging divides. Between the crime and poverty of 1970s and 1980s Oakland, where he lived with his mother and stepfather, and the musical theater scene of Manhattan, where he spent summers with his Broadway dancer father. Between basketball, which earned him a college scholarship, and theater, which captured his heart.
Obama-Trump: Great contrast
President Trump defines his administration as against all things Obama. Beneath his insults, outrages, lies and antics is a remarkably consistent attempt to undo his predecessor’s entire legacy. With Republicans in total control of the White House and Congress, President Trump can dismantle much of what former President Obama accomplished, but he ultimately will fail to overturn President Obama’s legacy. President Obama had the right moral compass; President Trump’s reaction will not be sustained. Consider the contrast: President Obama passed health care reform, enabling 20 million more people to afford health insurance. The centerpiece of his Affordable Care Act was the expansion of Medicaid to cover more than 10 million low-wage workers and their families.
Real results
We were heartened by the turnout and support Richmond voters gave last week to the schools referendum. The initiative, which calls for fully funding improvements to Richmond Public Schools aging and decrepit buildings, now goes to the Virginia General Assembly.
Police accountability
We applaud the latest efforts by a coalition of justice groups to push for creation of a police citizen review panel in Richmond.
AKA’s PROC Beautillion to present 7
Seven young men will be presented at the 23rd Annual PROC Beautillion on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
New links close family story for Richmond teacher
LaTonia Tandalet Dean was reunited with her birth mother a few weeks ago, and now she finally has made contact with her biological father.
Ella Fitzgerald talk Nov. 19 at The Valentine
Dr. John Edward Hasse, curator of the Smithsonian Institution’s exhibit, “Ella Fitzgerald at 100,” will talk about the late jazz artist’s life and career during a free program 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at The Valentine, 1015 E. Clay St. The program is part of the Richmond Jazz Society’s Jazz Preservation Initiative in conjunction with the museum to highlight the achievements and contributions of Virginians who have made a significant impact on jazz.
New fund set up to preserve African-American historical sites
A new $25 million fund is being set up through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help ensure that historical sites important to African-American history are no longer endangered.
Thanksgiving food, fellowship at area meal programs
A new $25 million fund is being set up through the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help ensure that historical sites important to African-American history are no longer endangered.
VUU fires football coach
Coach Mark James has been fired after four productive seasons as Virginia Union University’s head football coach. The question now is, “Why?”
VSU wins CIAA crown; now ready for NCAA playoffs
Virginia State University snared the CIAA football championship in dominant fashion. Now the Trojans are eyeing an even bigger game.
40th Richmond Marathon ends with 3 winners disqualified
The 40th edition of the Richmond Marathon resulted in an unfortunate historical first — the disqualification of winners.
Thomas Jefferson turnaround leads to regional playoffs
Richmond’s Thomas Jefferson High School is the feel-good story of this football season.
Early hoop dreams for VUU, VSU
Bus rides, hotels and restaurant food seem to agree — at least so far — with both the Virginia Union University and Virginia State University basketball teams.
VCU vs. U.Va.: Siegel Center thriller Friday
Virginia Commonwealth University holds the all-time basketball upper hand over every state school except one — the University of Virginia.
Bankruptcy trustee recommends RCC sale to another church
And the apparent winner is United Nations Church International. Aiming to keep the Richmond Christian Center a place of worship, a court-appointed trustee is recommending a sale of the church’s 5-acre property in South Side to Richmond-based UNCI for $2.9 million.
City police holding church safety forum
The Richmond Police Department is holding a forum about safety for places of worship. The free forum is designed to help mosques, churches, synagogues and all places of worship with safety procedures that can help protect their worshippers and property. Topics will include general safety, emergency preparation, firearms in places of worship and pastoral protection.
Religious conservatives defend Roy Moore
Conservative Christian supporters of former Alabama Judge Roy Moore are defending the U.S. Senate candidate against allegations of molesting a 14-year-old girl decades ago — and one of them used the biblical story of Mary and Joseph to rationalize an adult being sexually attracted to a minor.
Elizabeth ‘Bette’ Mitchell, widow of ‘Tiger Tom’ Mitchell
The widow of the late Richmond radio personality and journalist John “Tiger Tom” Mitchell has died. Elizabeth “Bette” Spencer Mitchell, a retired Philip Morris employee, succumbed to complications from recent surgery, her family said.
Nellie H. McLeod, former Chesterfield civil rights activist, dies at 90
Nellie Jane Hinderman McLeod earned honors for leading the Civil Rights Movement in Chesterfield County that helped end segregation of public schools in the county and for her work for equal treatment for African-Americans. Through protests and lawsuits, she forced the county to open all-white schools to African-American students, including her son.
Personality: The Rev. Kevin L. Chandler
Spotlight on new state NAACP president
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
Troubled Essex Village apartments sold, renamed
Essex Village, once labeled Henrico County’s worst apartment complex, is now in the hands of a successful African-American property investment and development firm based in Baltimore.
Mayor pushes private development of new Coliseum
A pie-in-the-sky fantasy or a realistic prospect for overhauling the Coliseum area of Downtown? That question remains to be answered in the wake of Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s call for companies to provide plans for revitalizing the 10-block area from 5th to 10th streets between Marshall and Leigh streets.
Recount expected in 3 House of Delegates races
Democrats remain two seats short of taking control of the 100-member Virginia House of Delegates based on official local counts completed Tuesday.
Justice groups press for independent police oversight panel
A coalition of justice groups is calling for the Richmond Police Department to create a civilian review board with the authority to investigate complaints against police officers.
More than 50% of African-Americans have high blood pressure under new guidelines
Well over half of all African-American adults will be classified as having high blood pressure under new streamlined diagnostic guidelines released this week, illuminating the heavy burden of cardiovascular disease in the population. Anyone with blood pressure higher than 130/80 will be considered to have hypertension, or high blood pressure, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology stated Monday in releasing their new joint guidelines.
Trump changing complexion of federal courts
President Trump is nominating white men to America’s federal courts at a rate not seen in nearly 30 years, threatening to reverse a slow transformation toward a judiciary that reflects the nation’s diversity.
Teaching pays off
Inspiring 8th-grade teacher at Richmond’s Lucille M. Brown Middle School wins $25,000 national ‘Oscars of teaching’ award
The mystery and hush filling the gymnasium at Richmond’s Lucille M. Brown Middle School on Wednesday morning became a cacophony of cheers and applause when teacher Ryan James was announced the winner of the $25,000 Milken Educator Award.
Friday, November 10
Public pressure needed to address upgrades for school buildings
I’m thoroughly disappointed that Richmond School Board action to address the emergency needs of schools facilities has stalled.
National Slave Memorial may help ‘contextualize’ Confederate statues
The push to dismantle Confederate statues became a simmering crucible in the Virginia gubernatorial race. This is no surprise as the state had an outsized role in the Civil War and the subsequent century-long American apartheid from 1865 to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Fannie Lou Hamer remembered
“You can pray until you faint, but unless you get up and do something, God is not going to put it in your lap.” – Fannie Lou Hamer
Souls2enroll: Black church and the ACA
For all of this administration’s efforts to kill — as in “repeal and replace” — the Affordable Care Act, it is still the law of the land, and still available — and required.
Local elections
We congratulate Sheriff-elect Antionette V. Irving, Treasurer-elect Nichole Richardson Armstead, Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring and new 3rd District School Board member Kenya Gibson who won Tuesday’s local elections. Dr. Irving, Ms. Armstead and Ms. Gibson each ran admirable campaigns, with messages that appealed to a majority of the voters.
Yes, Virginia, we did it!
Virginians are celebrating today, and we are, too. The reason for our joy?
VSU going to CIAA championship
What a difference a point makes!
The difference of one point — one skinny point — can fill your heart with joy or break your heart. Because of one small point, Virginia State University’s victorious and still undefeated Trojans are looking forward to the CIAA football championship game and the NCAA Division II football playoffs.
Lea, Leonard among ‘legends’ to be honored by CIAA
Sherman Lea and George Leonard have gained CIAA football “legend” status.
VUU Panthers upended in exhibition game against VCU Rams
College basketball preseason exhibitions are more about evaluating talent than the numbers on the scoreboard. In the final tune-up before the games really count, Virginia Commonwealth University used the home-floor advantage and a ferocious press to upend Virginia Union University 98-74 last Friday at the Siegel Center.
40th running of the Richmond Marathon on Saturday
The Richmond Marathon has reached middle age without showing any signs of slowing down. The area’s autumn foot race tradition will be celebrating its 40th birthday Saturday, Nov. 11, and everyone is invited to the party, regardless of how fast you move.
Springer wins World Series MVP honors
In the 113th World Series, George Springer III had more hits than almost any other slugger in the previous 112 fall classics. As the lone African-American playing a significant role in this year’s World Series, Springer led the Houston Astros to their first ever Series title, nipping the Los Angeles Dodgers four games to three.
Salacious FBI file on Dr. King shows extent to which agency tried to discredit him
A newly released secret FBI dossier on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. alleges that the noted civil rights leader was “a slow thinker” who had ties to the Community Party, used the Southern Christian Leadership Council as “a tax dodge,” and engaged in a string of extramarital affairs and sex orgies that produced a love child.
Richmond Christian Center decision to be made Nov. 20
The future of the Richmond Christian Center’s 5-acre property in South Side is to be determined on Monday, Nov. 20. U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Keith L. Phillips set the new date Tuesday after an attorney for RCC’s court appointed trustee, Bruce H. Matson, said the trustee needed just a day or two more to decide between two potential buyers.
Va. Christian Alliance hosts program on impact of technology
The Virginia Christian Alliance is sponsoring a seminar, “Digital Cocaine: A Journey Toward iBalance,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Bon Air Baptist Church, 2531 Buford Road.
Personality: Rodney A. Robinson
Spotlight on RPS 2018 Teacher of the Year
History, dedication, duty and fulfilling the dream of his mother paved the way for Rodney A. Robinson to become Richmond Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year.
Class action suit filed against BB&T for stop payment request violation
When Ronnie and Christine Gilliam told BB&T bank they were revoking the right of a payday lender to take electronic payments from their checking account, they allege the bank ignored the request.
Annual Veterans Day program moved to Dogwood Dell
Carlos Hopkins, Virginia’s secretary of veterans and defense affairs, will give the keynote address at the 61st Annual Commonwealth’s Veterans Day Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Rep. McEachin hosts Veterans’ Resource Fair on Nov.17
Congressman A. Donald McEachin of Henrico is holding a Veterans’ Resource Fair from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s Downtown campus, 700 E. Jackson St.
House of Delegates to become more diverse
The Virginia House of Delegates will be more diverse and more Democratic in January as a result of Tuesday’s elections. Voters in districts across the state produced shocker after shocker as Democrats unexpectedly won at least 15 new seats in the 100-seat House to come close to controlling the General Assembly’s lower chamber.
Irving to become Richmond’s next sheriff
“I am thankful for the confidence and support in me to lead the Sheriff’s Office to its next level,” Democrat Antionette V. Irving told supporters Tuesday night after defeating two independent candidates and a write-in challenger to become Richmond’s next sheriff.
New city treasurer plans expanded role for office
“I feel very grateful, very humbled and honored to put on this mantle to serve. The people have spoken,” Nichole Ona R. Armstead said Wednesday after outpacing two opponents in the election for Richmond treasurer.
City commonwealth’s attorney re-elected to fourth term
Richmond voters on Tuesday re-elected the city’s top prosecutor to a fourth, four-year term. Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael N. Herring, who was first elected in 2005, ran unopposed in Tuesday’s contest.
Gibson gets voters’ nod for 3rd District School Board seat
Education advocate Kenya J. Gibson, who views improving Richmond school buildings as a top priority, was elected Tuesday to represent the 3rd District on the Richmond School Board. Ms. Gibson, who works in health care marketing, is president of the Linwood Holton Elementary PTA, where the oldest of her two children is a student.
City voters overwhelmingly approve schools referendum
“The people have spoken. Now we can only hope that City Hall and the Richmond delegation to the General Assembly were listening.”
Stoney’s endorsements rejected in 2 local contests
Less than a year after taking office, Richmond Mayor Levar M. Stoney appears to be slipping a bit in his influence among city voters based on the results of Tuesday’s elections.
Obamas choose 2 African-American artists for official presidential portraits
Artist Kehinde Wiley, known for his large, edgy paintings of top music and hip-hop performers such as Michael Jackson, LL Cool J, Notorious B.I.G., Ice T and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, has been commissioned to paint the official presidential portrait of former President Obama for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
ACA open enrollment deadline Dec.15
Enrollment is open through Dec. 15 for people to sign up for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. People also may re-enroll or change their insurance plan through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace by the Dec. 15 deadline.
It’s a sweep!
Virginia elects Democrats to top posts, other offices
In a result seen as a wholesale rejection of a president many see as unfit, and a message to the political party that has backed him, fired up Virginia voters ensured Democrats retained control of the top tiers of state government and replaced at least a dozen seasoned Republican lawmakers in the General Assembly to boot.
Nonprofits to provide eye screenings, eyeglasses to RPS students
Students at Redd Elementary School in Richmond are the first to benefit from a new effort to ensure every city student who needs glasses has them.
Former GRTC CEO, 2 others appointed to GRTC board
Eldridge F. Coles, retired chief executive officer of GRTC, is Richmond’s newest representative on the bus company’s board of directors.
Monday, November 6
Free Press asks Loupassi to pull erroneous campaign literature
Richmond Free Press Publisher Jean P. Boone has asked Delegate G.M. “Manoli” Loupassi and his campaign to refrain from distributing campaign literature that falsely implies that he was endorsed by the newspaper.
Friday, November 3
Say nothing if you don’t vote
The election for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and other positions is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Our community — the African-American community — must vote in Obama-type and Wilder-type election numbers. We must show up and show out.
Write-in candidate for sheriff
Our antiquated judicial system, with its concept of “lock ’em up and throw away the key,” has improved greatly in some parts of our nation. Richmond can be credited with innovative and enhanced programs benefiting inmates confined in detention.
Get to root cause of school problems
Re “Criminal probe in lewd, racist Henrico middle school video,” Free Press Oct. 26-28 edition: There is a scripture within the 13th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew that talks about where good crops are sown, weeds are sown among them.
Council President Hilbert may be ‘confused’ about St. Luke project
Re “Hilbert critical of city’s handling of St. Luke project in Gilpin Court,” Free Press Oct. 26-28 edition:
Treasurer
We are encouraged by the energy
Sheriff
We support Antionette V. Irving for this open seat to replace longtime Sheriff C.T. Woody.
Richmond schools referendum
An editorial published in the Oct. 19-21 edition of the Free Press details our position on Proposition A on the Richmond
Richmond Free Press Endorsement Ballot General Election Tuesday, Nov. 7
Richmond Free Press
3rd District Richmond School Board
3rd District Richmond School Board With the litany of problems facing Richmond Public Schools, we believe the best person to represent the parents, students and residents of the 3rd District is Joann Henry.
House of Delegates
In the Richmond area House of Delegates races, we endorse the six Democratic candidates in large measure to strengthen the opposition to the GOP’s rigid vise grip on the House that has proven a disaster for average Virginians.
Top of the ticket
We cannot stress enough the importance of voting in Tuesday’s election for Virginia’s next governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
InLight Richmond Friday night
Richmond’s biggest light show returns to Downtown on Friday, Nov. 3, as part of the First Friday’s art walk. Dubbed InLight Richmond, the free, public event is 7 p.m. to midnight and will feature sculptures, videos, performances and other creative projects that will illuminate buildings, walls and sidewalks and will include a community lantern parade, it has been announced.
Women’s fight to vote to be topic of author’s talk
Former New York Times Editor Angela P. Dodson will talk about her new book, “Remember the Ladies: Celebrating Those Who Fought for Freedom at the Ballot Box,” at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at the Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia in Jackson Ward.
Documentary on restaurateur ‘The Hail-Storm: John Dabney in Virginia,’ on Nov. 2
African-American 19th century restaurateur John Dabney is being celebrated in a documentary. Field Studio will premiere “The Hail-Storm: John Dabney in Virginia” at the John Dabney Dinner, part of the Fire, Flour & Fork food festival, at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2.
Bigger stakes for VUU-VSU football rivalry
Area bragging rights and much, much more will be at stake Saturday, Nov. 4, when Virginia Union and Virginia State universities commence to popping pads at Rogers Stadium in Ettrick.
NSU freshman shot, killed off campus
Nicholas Jerome “Nick” Ackies, an 18-year-old freshman defensive lineman from Henrico County on the Norfolk State University football team, was shot and killed Friday, Oct. 27, at an off-campus apartment in Norfolk. NSU graduate Jaquan Anderson, 22, a former Spartans football player, has been arrested and charged with second degree murder and use of a fireman in commission of a felony.
VUU in exhibition game Friday with VCU at Siegel Center VUU in exhibition game Friday with VCU at Siegel Center
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Siegel Center and Barco-Stevens Hall at Virginia Union University are located about a mile apart on a Richmond map. But on the basketball court, the teams from the two Richmond schools were 50 points apart (94-44) when they met last in a 2012 exhibition.
Logan excels on slow-pitch softball circuit
Most men play slow-pitch softball for an excuse to slip out of the house, get some exercise and perhaps throw back a few cold ones with the guys.
Music legend Fats Domino dies at 89
Before the likes of Little Richard and Elvis Presley, Fats Domino helped usher in the era of rock ‘n’ roll with a pounding piano and an easy baritone that proved popular among all ages.
Robert Guillaume, stage, screen, Emmy TV star, dies at 89
Robert Guillaume rose from squalid beginnings in St. Louis slums to become a star in stage musicals and win Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the sharp-tongued butler in the TV sitcoms “Soap” and “Benson.”
Personality: Trina H. Lee
Spotlight on Leadership Metro Richmond board chair
Richmond has been home to Trina H. Lee since 1986 when her family moved here when she was in high school. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University and moving away for several years, Richmond pulled her back with her husband, Hugh, where they have raised two daughters.
Fallout continues over Short Pump Middle School graphic locker room video
An assistant athletic coach at Henrico County’s Short Pump Middle School has been fired and parents of some students are obtaining lawyers since the release on social media of a graphic video showing white football players on the middle school’s team simulating sex acts on at least two black teammates while shouting racist comments.
Finalists interviewed for city schools top job
Richmond soon could have a new public schools superintendent. The Richmond School Board interviewed finalists last Friday — although the names were not disclosed — and continued discussions Monday during a closed session.
St. Luke Building tagged with graffiti
The owner of the vacant St. Luke Building is furious after a brick annex attached to the historic Gilpin Court structure was vandalized with graffiti.
Va. NAACP elects new officers
The Rev. Kevin L. Chandler is the new leader of the Virginia State NAACP. The pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in South Boston, Rev. Chandler was elected president of the civil rights group Saturday at its 82nd annual convention at a Henrico County hotel.
Turnout may prove key in Va. gov. race
Now it’s up to the voters. Tuesday, Nov. 7, is Election Day — when ordinary citizens will troop to polls in Richmond and across Virginia to decide who will become the commonwealth’s 73rd governor and succeed the current chief executive, Democrat Terry McAuliffe. The main choices: Democrat Ralph S. Northam, 58, a pediatrician who specializes in children’s nerve diseases, a military veteran and the current lieutenant governor; and Republican Ed Gillespie, 56, a corporate lobbyist and former Republican Party chairman.
Dems bring out big names to get out vote
More than 150 Democratic supporters crammed into Blue Bee Cider in Scott’s Addition on Sunday to hear former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris of California campaign for Virginia’s Democratic ticket for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
‘Do not sell your soul or your vote for a chicken box’
The fight for justice doesn’t end with the removal of Confederate monuments. “If the Negro is to be free, we must sign our own proclamation,” Wes Bellamy, Charlottesville’s vice mayor told the audience at the state NAACP Youth and College Division’s Leadership Breakfast on Sunday. He was quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “People give us what they want to give us because they believe it’s all that we will take,” he said. “Do not sell your soul or your vote for a chicken box.”
Lt. gov. candidates hoping to win votes
The two major party candidates seeking to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor are hoping to make their mark in history.
Attorney general’s race pits incumbent against political newcomer
Virginia has the only attorney general race in the country this year, and it has attracted a lot of attention and a lot of outside money from both parties.
3 of city’s 5 reps in House of Delegates face challengers
Richmond voters will help fill five of the 100 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates that will be up for grabs on Election Day.
School referendum on city ballot
Do you believe City Hall needs to focus on modernizing city schools? For the first time, Richmond voters will be able to register their opinion on that question when they go to the polls on Election Day.
Richmond ties for indicted Gates
Richmonder Rick Gates, a former Trump presidential campaign official, and his business partner, Paul Manafort, who was chairman of the Trump campaign, pleaded not guilty to a 12-count indictment charging them with conspiracy against the United States, tax fraud and money laundering.
Johnson named national NAACP president, CEO
Derrick Johnson has been elected president and chief executive officer of the national NAACP, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.
Thursday, November 2
Indicted
Former Trump campaign chairman and deputy face conspiracy, money laundering charges
President Trump’s former campaign manager, Paul Manafort, and his former deputy, Rick Gates of Richmond, were indicted in federal court on Monday in a sharp escalation of U.S. Justice Department Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s five-month-old investigation into alleged Russian efforts to tilt the 2016 election in President Trump’s favor and into potential collusion by his aides.
Hilbert critical of city’s handling of St. Luke project in Gilpin Court
Richmond City Council President Chris A. Hilbert is “utterly distressd” at City Hall’s handling of the proposed $3.6 million redevelopment of the historic, but vacant St. Luke Building in Gilpin Court.
City tax amnesty program to reap nearly $2.8M
Richmond expects to collect nearly $2.8 million in delinquent taxes as a result of a tax amnesty program, Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced this week.
