Getting homes winter-ready
With El Niño returning for the first time in four years, Virginia could be in for a cold, snowy winter. Chill. Help is on the way.
Richmond native successfully pitches at Black Ambition
For Leslie Winston III, it was a case of the third time is the charm when his company, Monocle, was named HBCU Grand Prize Winner at the 3rd Annual Black Ambition Demo Day on Nov. 9 at Spring Studios in New York.
Wildcats claw nearly to the finish line
Armstrong’s loss to Brentsville comes during Coach Pruitt’s absence
Armstrong High’s most illustrious football season in more than 70 years came up a smidgen short Nov. 24 in the Class 3, Region B finals.
Staying the course while steadying church’s finances is Rev. James’ mission
The Rev. A. Lincoln James Jr. still isn’t ready to use the “R” word. Rev. James still has a spring to his step, an energetic approach and plenty of words to share with the Trinity Baptist Church congregation he has led for 43 years, or most of his 53-year ministry career.
Let’s get children back outside, by Ben Jealous
Last week, after a restful Thanksgiving, my family made a deliberate choice to #OptOutside on Friday.
Richmond School Board decides not to publish graduation shooting report
Weeks after an external investigation into operations leading up to the June graduation mass shooting in Monroe Park was provided to Richmond Public Schools leadership, the next steps for the division are still unfolding.
Absence of motion?
Center City and Diamond District development proposals show little movement
Slow going. That appears to be the situation for the two largest development projects that involve City Hall.
Many voters weary about a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024
Third parties hope they can fill the gap
The 2024 presidential election is drawing an unusually robust field of independent, third party and long shot candidates hoping to capitalize on Americans’ ambivalence and frustration over a likely rematch between Democrat Joe Biden and Republican Donald Trump.
Personality: Sharon Walton Darby
Spotlight on board chair for Greater Richmond Fit4Kids
As Richmond area children continue to grow and learn in school and beyond, Sharon Darby helps to foster a healthier, better environment and experience for them every day. The board chair of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids since 2022, Ms. Darby helps the non-profit improve children’s health through physical activities, healthy eating and other programs provided through schools and the community.
Harding’s leading man status
For three seasons, Tahj Harding sat on the runway, with engines revved, at Virginia Union University. This year he’s taken off and his only limit is the sky.
Robinson triplets turn 10
Three times the charm
A decade ago, Deirdre Harris welcomed three of her daughters, Kali’Co, Keri’Co and Koh’Co Robinson. Triplets, the girls were delivered two months prematurely by Cesarean section on Oct. 21, 2013, and required medical support.
Councilwoman hopes proposed changes to City Charter find support
Under proposed changes to the City Charter or constitution, City Council would gain new authority over housing subsidies and real estate tax relief to residents with low to moderate incomes, in addition to setting its own compensation and modi- fying zoning. Fifth District Councilwoman Stephanie A. Lynch hopes to gain unanimous support from her eight colleagues at the Monday, Dec. 11, council meeting for the changes she has negotiated with Mayor Levar M. Stoney’s administration. If passed by the council, the package would be sent to the General Assembly for approval in the upcoming 2024 session. Many of the changes follow recommenda- tions that a council-created Richmond City Charter Review Commission submitted Aug. 2 after a year of study. As the most significant package of charter changes proposed since the 2004 creation of a mayor elected citywide, the amend- ments do not address the current relationship between the council and the mayor ahead of the 2024 elections for the governing body and chief executive. The biggest proposed change could well be the tax and housing initiatives that the charter review commission did not address. The proposed Section 2.09 amendment would allow the city to defer property taxes and tax increases for qualifying low or moderate income property owners, using the definition of such individuals established by the Virginia Housing Development Authority, now known as Virginia Housing. Such a program could allow the taxes to accumulate over time to be paid off from proceeds after the property is sold. In addition, the proposed charter change would authorize the city to create a program that could help such qualifying individu- als buy a home or receive rental subsidies. The city also could use state or federal funds to advance such initiatives. The charter amendment also would declare the creation of programs that could provide funds directly to individuals for housing to be “in the furtherance of a public interest” to get
COVID-19 updates
The Richmond and Henrico County health districts are offering testing at the following locations:
Richmond’s declared mayoral candidates include several business owners
Richmond voters again will have multiple choices for the next mayor of Richmond when they vote in 2024.
Virginia War Memorial, Navy League commemorate Pearl Harbor
The Virginia War Memorial and the Navy League of the United States, Richmond Chapter, will co-host the 82nd Commonwealth’s Pearl Harbor Day Remembrance Ceremony on Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be outdoors in the Memorial’s Shrine of Memory — 20th Century at 621 S. Belvidere St. The public is invited and should dress accordingly.
Walking trail sidetracks GRTC’s speed
GRTC is creating a 10-year strategic plan for improved service across the Richmond region.
How to normalize an insurrection, by Clarence Page
Well, it took long enough. House Speaker Mike Johnson has finally started releasing 44,000 hours of security footage from the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol assault that many, including me, hoped would shed more light on what really happened on that chaotic day.
Gary Flowers mum on facts, says Paul Goldman
A recent Free Press commentary by Gary Flowers highlights the fundamental political choice facing Richmond.
