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New wheels for Chesterfield schools/Al Parham, supervisor of Chesterfield County Public Schools’ bus fleet, wipes off the plug-in station for the school system’s two new electric school buses during a “Plug-in Ceremony” Aug. 12 at the county’s bus maintenance facility, 7300 Walmsley Blvd. School and county officials, along with officials from Dominion Energy, attended the event held to show off the two new vehicles that were delivered in May. Chesterfield is the first municipality in Metro Richmond to receive the electric school buses through a program sponsored by Dominion Energy. Under the program, school districts pay no more for the electric buses than they would for a diesel model. The program also covers the cost of the charging stations. The first 50 buses were provided under the program in 2020 to 14 school districts in various parts of the state. (photo: Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

New wheels for Chesterfield schools/Al Parham, supervisor of Chesterfield County Public Schools’ bus fleet, wipes off the plug-in station for the school system’s two new …

Published on August 19, 2021

Construction is one sign of normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, heavy equipment removes old concrete from the former Downtown home of Dominion Virginia Energy, the state’s largest electric utility. The work is in preparation for the dramatic implosion of the 21-story building in the 700 block of East Cary Street that is scheduled for Saturday, May 30. The 42-year-old former headquarters was vacated after Dominion completed a new 20-story building next door that fills the 600 block between Cary and Canal streets. Plans have been filed with the city for construction of a 17-story building on the site once the 1978 building is removed, but Dominion officials have not yet announced whether the company will proceed with the building to be known as 700 Canal Place. Along with 600 Canal Place, the company has employees in the 20-story 8th & Main building at 705 E. Main St. and in its three-building, national headquarters complex on Tredegar Street. In all, Dominion employs about 2,700 people at its Downtown operations.

Construction is one sign of normalcy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Here, heavy equipment removes old concrete from the former Downtown home of Dominion Virginia Energy, …

Published on April 9, 2020

Focusing on campus life // The works of Virginia Union University’s official photographer, Ayasha Sledge, are featured in an exhibit, “Behind the Lens,” focusing on campus life at the historic Lombardy Street institution. Among those enjoying the recent exhibit are the Rev. Larry Enis and his daughter, Jocelyn, below left, and Barbara Sayles, right. The free exhibit is open to the public through Monday, May 9, at the Claude G. Perkins Living and Learning Center on the VUU campus.

Focusing on campus life // The works of Virginia Union University’s official photographer, Ayasha Sledge, are featured in an exhibit, “Behind the Lens,” focusing on …

Published on April 15, 2016

He’s officially on duty // Melvin D. Carter takes the oath of office Monday as the 21st chief of the Richmond Department of Fire and Emergency Services. His mother proudly holds the Bible as the 54-year-old Richmond native takes the oath of office in the City Council Chamber with Mayor Levar M. Stoney nearby.

He’s officially on duty // Melvin D. Carter takes the oath of office Monday as the 21st chief of the Richmond Department of Fire and …

Published on July 14, 2017

New citizens- Judge Roger L. Gregory, chief judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, talks to 96 immigrants and their family members during the Fourth of July naturalization ceremony where they officially became U.S. citizens. The ceremony was held outside the Virginia Museum of History and Culture on the Boulevard. Richmond resident Beato Hernandez, 33, a native of Mexico, poses for a photo with Judge Gregory after the ceremony.

New citizens- Judge Roger L. Gregory, chief judge of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, talks to 96 immigrants and their family …

Published on July 13, 2018

Gov. Ralph S. Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam light the official Virginia Capitol Christmas tree that stands on the South Portico of the Capitol. Participating in the ceremony Wednesday night are the Eastern View High School Troubadors from Culpeper County and Bettina Ring, state secretary of agriculture and forestry. The tree lighting touches off many of the area’s holiday festivities that will take place Friday and Saturday.

Gov. Ralph S. Northam and First Lady Pamela Northam light the official Virginia Capitol Christmas tree that stands on the South Portico of the Capitol. …

Published on December 3, 2018

Nutzy’s ‘Block Party’: Nutzy, one of two mascots for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, shows off some of his salsa moves with Carmen Santiago of Petersburg last Saturday during Nutzy’s Block Party 2019. The annual event at The Diamond, complete with music, food, information and giveaways, was the opening day for individual ticket sales for the Flying Squirrels’ upcoming season. Opening day at the Richmond ballpark on the Boulevard is Thursday, April 4, when the Squirrels play the Hartford Yard Goats. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Nutzy’s ‘Block Party’: Nutzy, one of two mascots for the Richmond Flying Squirrels baseball team, shows off some of his salsa moves with Carmen Santiago …

Published on March 8, 2019

New home for City Park Church // Pastor Joe Ellison and his wife, Kendra Ellison, stand in front of Tenth Street Baptist Church, which is renting space to the Ellisons to operate their independent City Park Church. Location: 2300 Fairmount Ave. in Church Hill. The Ellisons, who previously operated a church and day care in Essex Village in Henrico County, plan for their new church to focus on programs and services for residents of the nearby Fairfield Court public housing community. Pastor Ellison also serves as a chaplain for NASCAR and for sports teams in the Richmond area.

New home for City Park Church // Pastor Joe Ellison and his wife, Kendra Ellison, stand in front of Tenth Street Baptist Church, which is …

Published on March 17, 2017

It’s spring break for Henrico brothers Neal Joyner, 9, left; his brother, Nasir Joyner, 6, center; and their cousin, Isaiah Banks, 11, of Chesterfield. But the three were “working out” Tuesday at Byrd Park with their grandfather and coach, Ronnie Harris. They were having fun running to catch their grandfather’s long passes on the grassy stretch by Fountain Lake. Mr. Harris played neighborhood football growing up, while one of the boys played for the Kanawha Red Hawks, a pee-wee team in Henrico. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

It’s spring break for Henrico brothers Neal Joyner, 9, left; his brother, Nasir Joyner, 6, center; and their cousin, Isaiah Banks, 11, of Chesterfield. But …

Published on April 7, 2022

Graffiti hits church building // Riverview Baptist Church is left to deal with graffiti that was spraypainted on the side of its vacant auxiliary building. A former disability services center, the building is set to become the home of the Carol Adams Foundation, which serves victims of domestic violence. Church officials said the vandalism took place sometime between Saturday night, July 1, and morning services on Sunday, July 2. Location: Idlewood Avenue and Robinson Street across from Fountain Lake in Byrd Park.

Graffiti hits church building // Riverview Baptist Church is left to deal with graffiti that was spraypainted on the side of its vacant auxiliary building. …

Published on July 14, 2017

It was William “Dil” Dillon Day at Virginia Union University last Saturday during the Panthers’ annual gridiron clash with the Trojans of Virginia State University. During halftime of the game at VUU’s Hovey Stadium, family members, former teammates and fellow members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity participate in a ceremony to officially retire the No. 42 jersey that the late Mr. Dillon wore as a VUU player from 1979 to 1982. The fraternity’s Alpha Gamma Chapter also donated $50,000 to the VUU football team during the ceremony. Mr. Dillon, a Detroit native who later won plaudits as a local softball player and high school basketball official before his death in 2017 at age 59, was recognized and remembered for his remarkable playing career. As recounted during the ceremony, Mr. Dillon was a star defender for the Panthers under Coach Willard Bailey. During his VUU career, he picked off 30 opponents’ passes, including 16 during his sophomore season. He was selected three years in a row as an Associated Press Little All-American while helping VUU earn four straight invitations to the NCAA Division II football tournament.

It was William “Dil” Dillon Day at Virginia Union University last Saturday during the Panthers’ annual gridiron clash with the Trojans of Virginia State University. …

Published on November 11, 2021

Work is underway on the $1.2 million renovation of Virginia Union University’s renamed Wil- lie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium. Mr. Lanier, a former All-Star and Pro Bowl player with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1967 to 1977, played on Hovey Field when he was a student nearly 60 years ago at Richmond’s Maggie L. Walker High School next door. He has played a vital role in the project to resurface the field from grass to FieldTurf. When the VUU Panthers football team kicks off its 2020 season home opener on Oct. 3 against Shaw University, the new field will be a point of pride for the team and will put VUU on the same level as universities around the nation, officials stated. “That field shows something,” Mr. Lanier stated. “It shows the ability of what it is to provide for those young individuals who can take confidence and pride in where they play and how they are able to perform.” Squares of the old grass field, which has been in place since 1907, are being sold online to help fund the project. Go to https://vuusports.com/sports/2008/11/5/MBB_1105085727.aspx?id=42

Work is underway on the $1.2 million renovation of Virginia Union University’s renamed Wil- lie Lanier Field at Hovey Stadium. Mr. Lanier, a former All-Star …

Published on July 2, 2020

Tonya Ross, left, of the state Department of Motor Vehicles helps Jeraldine Williams take care of business on the first floor of City Hall last Friday as City Treasurer Nichole R. Armstead looks on. Ms. Ross is a member of the traveling team that operates the agency’s DMV Connect mobile unit that brings services to people rather than requiring them to go to a DMV customer service center. The mobile unit is scheduled to return to City Hall at 9th and Broad streets in Downtown from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. the first Friday of each month. Other DMV Connect staff are, from left, Brandon Gunnell, Thomas Luck and Irvin Mitchell.

Tonya Ross, left, of the state Department of Motor Vehicles helps Jeraldine Williams take care of business on the first floor of City Hall last …

Published on October 12, 2018

Confidence Building: Anthony Daniels enjoys his ballroom dancing lessons with his fellow fifth-graders at Southampton Elementary School in South Side. The program is part of Dancing Classrooms Greater Richmond, which uses ballroom dancing as a way to teach students social awareness and build self-esteem among youngsters in fifth and eighth grades. The curriculum, started in Richmond in 2012, is being employed this semester in four Richmond schools and two in Chesterfield. Parents and friends are invited to the final lesson at each school, with students to be selected for a team match Dec. 4 at Huguenot High School. Anthony’s dance partner: Valerie Forrester. (Regina H. Boone/Richmond Free Press)

Confidence Building: Anthony Daniels enjoys his ballroom dancing lessons with his fellow fifth-graders at Southampton Elementary School in South Side. The program is part of …

Published on October 4, 2019

City workers Zachary Smith and D’Jermaine Layne remove graffiti from a building in the 2900 block of West Broad Street that a city official described as an “eyesore in the middle of the city.” Mr. Smith and Mr. Layne are part of a Richmond Department of Public Works crew that focuses on eliminating unwanted scribbles, initials and messages spraypainted in public spaces and on public and privately owned buildings. The department currently deploys two teams of six people and is now assembling a third team to expand the effort, according to Bobby Vincent, director of the Department of Public Works. Mayor Levar M. Stoney visited the project Monday to spotlight the department’s efforts to remove graffiti and to show that the city is committed to this seemingly never-ending effort to keep buildings spruced up. Mr. Vincent reported that the crews already have removed graffiti from 1,000 locations since July 1, double the number from the same period in 2020-21. His hope is that the dedicated crews can deal with at least 1,500 locations by June 30 and do even more locations next year. In addition, the department is contacting building owners to get them involved in this ongoing initiative. “We want to be able to clean up,” he said, but he also noted that owners need to take responsibility for tackling the problem as well.

City workers Zachary Smith and D’Jermaine Layne remove graffiti from a building in the 2900 block of West Broad Street that a city official described …

Published on April 14, 2022

Wellness center dedicated // Once a gas station, this Church Hill site is now home to the new Sarah Garland Jones Center for Health Communities. The new $1.5 million center developed by Bon Secours Virginia Health System with private donations opened Tuesday at 2600 Nine Mile Road. Bon Secours officials announced at the dedication that the building will bear the name of Dr. Jones, the pioneering African-American physician who in 1902 founded and ran the forerunner to Richmond Community Hospital, which is now part of Bon Secours. The building’s renovation and opening took longer than expected. Groundbreaking took place in April 2016, with plans to open four months later. The new center has three components, according to Bon Secours. First, the building houses a commercial kitchen for Class-A-Roll, a Bon Secours program that provides community cooking classes and food skills training to promote healthy eating. The kitchen also will be available for preparation of community dinners. The building also includes space for a coffee shop that nonprofit Church Hill Activities and Tutoring, or CHAT, plans to operate to provide jobs and entrepreneurial experiences for neighborhood teens. Finally, the building includes a separate 900-square-foot community room to be used for health and wellness programs and meeting space for neighborhood groups.

Wellness center dedicated // Once a gas station, this Church Hill site is now home to the new Sarah Garland Jones Center for Health Communities. …

Published on May 20, 2017

Warming hearts one coat at a time // Todd “Parney” Parnell, vice president and chief operating officer of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, works with team mascots Nutzy, left, and Nutasha to load coats in a van last Saturday during the 8th Annual Coats for Kids and Ballpark Warming Party at The Diamond. The Flying Squirrels were working with Coats for Kids sponsor, Puritan Cleaners, which collects about 15,000 coats for youngsters each November. The donated coats are washed, repaired and delivered to the Salvation Army for distribution to needy families in Central Virginia. The collection event at The Diamond was part of the free Ballpark Warming Party, where fans of all ages enjoyed live music, chili tasting, crafts, games and raffle prizes, including baseball memorabilia.

Warming hearts one coat at a time // Todd “Parney” Parnell, vice president and chief operating officer of the Richmond Flying Squirrels, works with team …

Published on November 4, 2016

Nellie Crump Thomas prays at the New Year’s Day program at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. The audience included leaders of Richmond City Council and the School Board, incoming Richmond state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and other area elected officials. The Baptist Min- isters’ Conference of Richmond and Vicinity, led by the Dr. Emanuel C. Harris, hosts the event to remember the day when President Abraham Lincoln issued his Civil War proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing slaves in the South. The Rev. Ricardo Brown, co-pastor of Fifth Baptist Church, served as chair of the program that also raises money for area NAACP branches.

Nellie Crump Thomas prays at the New Year’s Day program at Fifth Baptist Church in the West End. The audience included leaders of Richmond City …

Published on January 10, 2020

Homecoming 2021 was a joyful reunion at Virginia State University, where hundreds of alumni returned for a weekend of events under the theme “Back Home on the Hill.” Last Saturday was a real highlight, with people setting up tents and enjoying food, music and conversation at campus tailgates. The Trojans football team scored a big 27-7 victory against Lincoln University before a cheering crowd at Rogers Stadium. Members of the VSU Royal Court strutted during halftime. Mr. VSU, Isaiah Matthews-Braxton of North Carolina, and Miss VSU, Ashlee Gray of Maryland, enjoyed a glitzy and glamourous official coronation ceremony earlier during homecoming week, where the inaugural Little Miss VSU, 5-year-old Jae Coleman, was crowned.

Homecoming 2021 was a joyful reunion at Virginia State University, where hundreds of alumni returned for a weekend of events under the theme “Back Home …

Published on October 28, 2021

Bridging the digital divide // Ta’Niyah Brown, right, is one of 1,050 Richmond high school freshmen receiving a new, internet-connected computer tablet, courtesy of Sprint. Watching the distribution at George Wythe High School, is interim schools Superintendent Thomas E. “Tommy” Kranz, far right. Officials from the wireless communication company and its foundation gave students the free equipment and wireless service at the Oct. 19 event. Through the next four years, a total of 5,250 city students who lack computers and internet service at home will receive electronic tablets to help them do their homework. The distribution is part of the company’s 1Million Project that seeks to close the digital divide that makes it difficult for students to achieve academic success.

Bridging the digital divide // Ta’Niyah Brown, right, is one of 1,050 Richmond high school freshmen receiving a new, internet-connected computer tablet, courtesy of Sprint. …

Published on October 27, 2017