VCU’s rat de-bait
State senator sounds alarm over Monroe Park rodents
Virginia Commonwealth University claims that rats in Monroe Park can rip open metal trash cans to get to discarded food—even though an inspection of the metal cans show that the bottoms are undamaged. The university, which handles maintenance of the park, issued that claim in response to a query from Richmond state Sen. Ghazal Hashmi about VCU’s expenditure of $2,400 a month to spread poison-bait rat traps throughout the city’s oldest park.
Building on a dream
Despite the nearly 1,000 signatures and letters of support Shiree Monterio obtained for a proposed Essex Point at Mt. Clement, the Essex County Board of Supervisors denied her efforts to have her family’s land rezoned for a housing development property.
Wildcats’ Byrd is the word
Armstrong’s standout athlete feels ‘capable of doing anything’
There was only one No. 5 on the Armstrong High football roster, but it must have seemed like four to the Wildcats’ opponents.
Millner’s next mission
Pastor’s retirement will not stop his service to the community
The Rev. Tyler C. Millner Sr., pastor of Martinsville’s Morning Star Holy Church for the past 33 years, will deliver his final sermon on Sunday, Dec. 31.
VUU’s Parker to coach in New Orleans
Dr. Alvin Parker’s football coaching excellence at Virginia Union University hasn’t gone unnoticed. Coach Parker has been named as a co-coach for Team Gaither in the HBCU Legacy Bowl Feb. 24 at Tulane University in New Orleans.
Kwanzaa celebration
The seven-day Kwanzaa holiday is in full swing, with the largest community event in Virginia set to take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Greater Richmond Conven- tion Center in Downtown.
Personality: Chris R. Hairston-White
Spotlight on ART 180 Board of Trustees president
Growing up, Chris Hairston-White had limited exposure to art instruction or education. Thus, she honed her natural skills and creativity without much help or outside influences, resulting in what she describes as “a creative who often creates in isolation.”
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority presents 2023 debutantes
“A Royal Holiday Affair” was the theme for this year’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Debutante Presentation and Ball on Dec. 16 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Seventeen young women participated in this year’s ball sponsored by the AKA’s Upsilon Omega Chapter in collaboration with Zenobia’s Promise Foundation.
Attorney Derrick Thomas dies at age 61
Protecting the injured was a calling for Attorney Derrick Thomas.
Ruins of ancient Nero’s Theater discovered near Vatican
Rome’s next luxury hotel has some very good bones: Archaeologists said Wednesday that the ruins of Nero’s Theater, an imperial theater referred to in ancient Roman texts but never found, have been discovered under the garden of a future Four Seasons Hotel steps from the Vatican.
City Council enters new year eyeing new leadership
Fourth District City Councilwoman Kristen M. Nye is anticipated to be the new president of Richmond’s governing body. Next Tuesday, Jan. 2, City Council will hold its organizational meeting to vote on new officers following the departure of Dr. Michael J. Jones.
New Year closing schedule
In observance of New Year’s Day, Monday, Jan. 1, please note the following:
Sharon Baptist Church hosts New Year’s Emancipation Day Service
One Jan. 1, 1863, as the Civil War raged, President Abraham Lincoln took the momentous step of abolishing slavery in Virginia and other Southern states that were fighting to break away from the United States. That watershed moment in American history once again will be celebrated in Richmond on New Year’s Day at a service sponsored by the Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity at a new location.
Free community testing for COVID-19 continues
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Prayers, encouragement at City Jail
The 7th Annual Day of Grace, Faith & Hope will take place from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 1, at the Richmond City Justice Center, 1701 Fairfield Way, it has been announced.
AMC Theatres issues apology, talks with Barber, will meet next week in Greenville after he was forced to leave over chair
AMC Theatres has issued a statement of apology and will meet with Bishop William J. Barber II after he was escorted out of its Greenville theater when he was not allowed to use his own chair to watch a movie, according to WNCT 9 television in Greenville, N.C.
A Year in Photos
Communities are defined as a unified body of individuals, people with common interests living in a particular area, a body of persons of common and professional interests scattered through a larger society, or a body of persons or nations having a common history or common social, economic and political interest. Throughout the year, Richmond Free Press photojournalists’ diligently pursue and capture such images that are reflective of our communities.
Virginia Tech’s Brooks is halfway to 1,000 wins
Coach and women’s team think like champions, play like champions
Kenny Brooks has lifted Virginia Tech women’s basketball to new heights, and he’s far from finished.
CFP has a Southern drawl
Officially, it’s the College Football Playoff. Unofficially it’s been the “Southern Showdown.”
