Pictured left: RRHA Executive Director Anthony Scott and Lawrence Williams view designs for Dove Street. Pictured right: Demolition of Dove Court

By Tiffany Satchell
Staff Writer
A beautiful community is coming to Dove Street, an area with a few “eyesores”.
Demolition of Dove Court has begun and next on the list to be demolished are Carrington Gardens and Northridge Apartments.
This is part of Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority’s (RRHA) revitalization plan with goals of creating a vibrant new mixed–income community in Highland Park.
Anthony Scott, RRHA’s executive director, believes the Dove community plan will incorporate families again. Over the last five years, he says, they’ve lost over 200 units due to the closing of the properties. more

Carla Whitehead received her Restoration of Rights certificate during the symposium by Micah Womack Director of the Restoration of Rights and Pastor Daryl K. Kearney of Third Street Bethel Church.

By Chyneeda Hall
Staff Writer
Ex-offenders in Virginia are receiving help from legislators as they pursue getting their rights restored.
Legislators and community leaders recently held a Restoration of Rights Symposium at the Bethel Center in Richmond.
The panel discussed introducing bills to help ex-offenders during the upcoming General Assembly (GA) term, criteria for getting their rights restored, and struggles they face after completing their sentences.
Micah Womack, director of Rights and Restoration says there are two forms offenders must submit. One of the forms is for certain non-violent offenses and the other is for drug and violent offenses. Eligibility requirements include: more

Boaz and Ruth Harvest Store

By Tiffany Satchell
Staff Writer
The ongoing routine monitoring visit report for Boaz and Ruth’s AmeriCorps Program has brought what was in the dark to light.
Although the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Office on Volunteerism and Community Service (OVCS) performs annual monitoring visits of the non-profit organization, this year’s results have OVCS examining not only 2007 through 2008, but also documents from 2005 and 2006.
The program, according to the report, has identified issues regarding compliance with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and OVCS AmeriCorps policies.
Non-compliance could result in Boaz and Ruth repaying a portion of AmeriCorps funding to CNCS and OVCS. Since 2005, Boaz and Ruth has been awarded over $800,000 from OVCS. more

George Braxton

By Chyneeda Hall
Staff Writer
Richmond Public Schools (RPS) is currently offering an inclusive open enrollment procedure to offer equal education for every student.
Recently, the School Board passed the Open Enrollment Procedure 8-1.
Open enrollment will allow RPS to work towards bridging the gap of separatism, but one problem may still remain. Students that attend out-of-zone schools may not receive transportation.
Members of the School Board had different views on how the lack of transportation would directly affect students.
Outgoing School Board member Carol A. O. Wolf, said despite there being a lack of finances, she partially blames the board for not putting forth its best effort to find ways to accommodate open enrollment for every RPS student.
She says outsourcing resources such as partnerships with universities and searching for ways to save money within the transportation budget could make inclusive transportation possible. more

Mayor Wilder

Mayor L. Douglas Wilder is one of seven U.S. mayors traveling as a special guest of the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Washington, D.C. to visit Saudi Arabia from November 6 - 13, 2008.
“It is an honor to be a part of this trip as it provides the opportunity to learn first-hand about the Saudi culture, people, government, and economy,” said the mayor.
The delegation will meet the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ford M. Fraker and representatives from the National Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Human Rights.
They will also meet with high-ranking Saudi business people and government officials, including His Royal Highness the Minister of Development, His Royal Highness the Governor of the Riyadh Province, His Royal Highness the Governor of the Makkah Province, His Royal Highness the Minister of the Interior, and Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister. more