30 city employees face possible firing over COVID-19 vaccination mandate
With the City of Richmond just days away from the Oct. 1 deadline for all employees to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, all but 30 workers have gotten the vaccine or filed religious or medical exemptions to the city mandate.
RAA earns re-accreditation
The Richmond Ambulance Authority still ranks among the top ambulance companies in the country despite personnel shortages that have slowed its responses to emergency calls.
Premier Bank, which traces its history to Maggie L. Walker, sold to Ohio banking company
The bank that history-making business pioneer Maggie L. Walker founded and led in Richmond soon will be under new ownership.
VUU freshman football player collapses during practice and dies
Virginia Union University is mourning the death of freshman football player Quandarius Wilburn, who collapsed and died Sunday afternoon as the team worked out.
Educator, counselor Susie Banian succumbs at 82
Susie Ann Banian, a veteran Richmond teacher and guidance counselor who also sang in multiple church and community choirs, has died.
Secure health info profiles can help first responders in emergencies
Richmond residents can create a digital health profile that paramedics and other emergency personnel can access after a health emergency strikes, the city Department of Emergency Communications has announced.
Juneteenth celebrations planned around Metro Richmond
The first official Juneteenth celebration in Virginia will be recognized with a variety of events throughout the area sponsored by a range of organizations, groups and churches.
Polls open Tuesday, June 8, for Democratic primary
Voters are in the midst of choosing the Democratic standard bearers who will run for state and local offices in the fall election, with the nomina- tion contests to be settled by a primary election Tuesday, June 8.
Crusade for Voters announces Democratic primary endorsements
The Richmond Crusade for Voters plans to urge city voters to support incumbent Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette W. McEachin and incumbent Richmond Sheriff Antionette V. Irving in the June 8 Democratic primary.
Actor Hill Harper to launch Black-owned digital wallet
Richmond will be a stop on a national tour seeking to pump up interest in a new Black-owned financial app for cell phones that is to go live June 1.
Hanover Branch NAACP, others file legal challenge to planned Wegmans distribution center
The battle over a proposed $175 million distribution center that Wegmans Food Markets Inc. wants to build in Hanover County is headed to court.
New business investments to add more than 1,200 jobs
More than 1,200 new jobs are headed to the Richmond area as the result of new business investments.
Early voting begins April 23 for Democratic primary
Early voting for the June 8 Democratic primary will get underway this Friday, April 23 – 45 days ahead of primary day.
Mustang Club revs engines to mark classic car’s 57th birthday, service award
Thomas Victory and the Victory 7 Mustang Club are celebrating a birthday on April 17 — the 57th birthday of the Ford Mustang.
Neil S. Kessler is new chair of RRHA board
As anticipated, the board of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a new chair – Neil S. Kessler.
Fort Lee being assessed as site to house unaccompanied immigrant children
Fort Lee, which sits outside of Petersburg about 20 miles south of Richmond, might become a temporary holding center for unaccompanied minors who cross into the United States without legal status and are detained by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Electronic system allows voters to sign petitions for candidates to get on Democratic primary ballot
Signing a statewide candidate’s petition to get on the June 8 Democratic primary ballot just got extremely easy for registered voters.
General Assembly wraps up session ushering in changes
The death penalty was abolished, a new state Voting Rights Act was approved to ensure voter suppression does not happen and racial bigotry was a labeled a public health crisis.
Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter’s star to shine on Hollywood Walk of Fame
A dream of most people in the movie business is to get a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Ruth E. Carter is getting hers this week.
More federal money available for rental relief in the state
Virginia is pumping an additional $160 million into its rental relief program aimed at helping tenants and landlords avoid eviction proceedings, Gov. Ralph S. Northam announced Tuesday.
Landlord must sell properties, undergo housing training in HOME settlement
Richmond area landlord Teresa Vetter has agreed to sell her properties and give up leasing apartments for five years to end a lawsuit accusing her of discrimination against families with children and people with disabilities.
VSU launches no-cost tuition initiative for qualified high school seniors
A federal Pell Grant will be all 300 qualified high school seniors in Richmond and other nearby localities must have financially to enroll as full-time students at Virginia State University in the fall.
Mayor Stoney has COVID-19; state of city address postponed
Mayor Levar M. Stoney announced Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in a 14-day isolation after developing mild symptoms.
5 city schools get new pianos, thanks to RVA East End Festival
There will be more music in the air at five Richmond schools.
Dr. Anthony Fauci to address COVID-19 myths on city panel Jan. 8
The nation’s top doctor in the battle against COVID-19 will participate in a virtual discussion of health disparities and the coronavirus on Friday, Jan. 8, that will be open to the public.
VUU receives $6M grant from Dominion Energy; names new trustees
Virginia Union University has been awarded a $6 million grant from Dominion Energy to enable the school to beef up its offerings in science, technology, engineering and math and improve its campus.
VLBC retains strength with special election victories
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus gained two new members Tuesday night as the result of special elections to fill vacant seats in the House of Delegates.
Emancipation Proclamation Day service to take place online
With a stroke of a pen, President Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery in the warring South 158 years ago.
Capital City Kwanzaa festival to go virtual beginning Dec. 26
Like many other holiday events, the Richmond area’s largest Kwanzaa festival is going virtual and also will provide evening shows online during the full seven days of the holiday that begins Saturday, Dec. 26, it has been announced.
VCU student delivers main speech at winter commencement
Creativity and a willingness to adapt are paramount.
Statue of teen civil rights advocate set to represent Virginia in U.S. Capitol
Teenage rebel Barbara Rose Johns, who led a student strike in Farmville that ultimately helped eradicate government-enforced racial segregation in the United States, is recommended to be Virginia’s new statue in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.
Former Newport News Delegate Mamye BaCote, a member of the Richmond 34, dies at 81
As a student at Virginia Union University, Mamye Edmondson BaCote took part in the lunch counter sit-ins led by VUU students to end whites-only, sit-down service at restaurants and lunch counters in Downtown.
VSU, NSU receive multimillion $ bonanzas
Virginia State University just received a gift of $30 million, the largest private donation since its founding 138 years ago. Norfolk State University also received a record-setting gift of $40 million.
Hampton president to step down after more than 40 years
After more than four decades at the helm, Hampton University President William R. Harvey announced Monday that he will step down in June 2022.
Maggie L. Walker’s personal and professional papers donated to NPS
Thirty boxes of letters and other documents from the desk of Richmond great Maggie L. Walker are now in the hands of the National Park Service.
Food distribution set for Saturday at Petersburg church
A Petersburg church will host the distribution of 5,000 to-go meals in partnership with a Newport News nonprofit that is on the front lines of feeding people.
Minor re-elected president of Richmond NAACP
James E. “J.J.” Minor III will continue to lead the Richmond Branch NAACP.
CARITAS women’s shelter to open in December
CARITAS is focused on opening its combination headquarters and addiction treatment center and shelter for women in December, according to Karen J. Stanley, executive director of the Richmond region’s largest shelter program for the homeless.
Health Insurance Marketplace enrollment under the ACA is open
Enrollment is now open to apply for or renew health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, including the expanded Medicaid program.
4 RPS teachers among 18 area winners of R.E.B. Awards
Four Richmond Public Schools teachers are among 18 winners in the Metro Area of the 2020 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Actor Bert Belasco dies in Henrico hotel; no foul play suspected
Actor Bert Belasco, best known for his starring role in the BET comedy series “Let’s Stay Together,” was found dead Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in a hotel in Henrico County.
Dec. 5 Christmas parade to go virtual
Richmond’s 37th Annual Christmas Parade will be virtual this year because of the coronavirus.
Tim Reid launches new network “LG/CY of a People”
Internationally known American actor, director, writer and filmmaker Tim Reid has launched a new streaming network called “LG|CY of a People” to tell stories about the diverse people and cultures within the African diaspora.
32nd Annual 2nd Street Festival goes virtual Oct. 3 and 4
The 32nd Annual 2nd Street Festival in Jackson Ward will have a twist this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Instead of thousands of people flocking to the Downtown neighborhood to enjoy the history, music, food and art, events will take place virtually.
GRTC announces service changes beginning Sept. 13
On Sunday, Sept. 13, GRTC will usher in a series of service changes.
Attorney General Mark Herring to run for re-election
Virginia Attorney General Mark R. Herring has decided he wants to keep his job, rather than making a bid to become Virginia’s 74th governor.
Kirk Franklin sweeps with 6 Stellar Awards
Kirk Franklin served as a co-host and also walked off with the most awards at the virtual 35th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards.
Larry J. Bland seriously ill
Larry J. Bland, Richmond’s celebrated gospel choir director, issued an email Tuesday stating that he is suffering from a serious illness and included a request for prayers and privacy.
