Feb. 13 Newsletter: Manchester's murals
Weather: Sunny with a high of 43. Saturday should be a pleasant day.
On this date in 1978, residents are ordered to conserve power as coal workers enter their 70th day on strike.
Manchester makes a big investment in public art
The Manchester neighborhood, just south of downtown, is using a special tax fund to invest in public art, hiring local artists to paint murals in an attempt to beautify the area and increase foot traffic.
"I think that investment in the arts is an investment in the city,” said one of the artists.
The Manchester Alliance is hoping to expand the effort in future years. Read more here.
‘Farewell’: Richmond Free Press ceases publication
The Richmond Free Press, a Black-owned newspaper that was distributed for free, has printed its final issue after 34 years.
Lt. Gov. Ghazala Hashmi wrote in a statement that she was "deeply saddened" about the closure, adding that it is "part of a broader pattern of local and independent newspaper closures across the country, threatening the health of our democracy and accessibility of local news."
Founder Raymond Boone died in 2014, leaving the paper in the hands of his wife, Jean, who has herself battled cancer in recent months. She wrote in the final edition: "Perhaps, dear Reader, we’ll meet again." Read more here.
Woman files $3M lawsuit against Siné over altercation that led to felony charge for bouncer
While out with friends at Siné Irish Pub last year, Aylla DeSantiago tried to go out to the bar’s back patio. After a dispute with the bouncer working the door, she ended her night at the hospital.
Images filed in court show DeSantiago sprawled on the floor and the bouncer who allegedly knocked her out holding a stun gun as a crowd looked on, according to DeSantiago’s account of what happened in the early morning hours of Sept. 14.
When The Richmonder called Siné, a manager refused to discuss the matter and told a reporter not to call again. The pub has not yet filed a response in court. Read more here.
Controversial Grove Ave. development wins permit after scaling back plans
A scaled-down plan to develop denser housing alongside a historic farmhouse on Grove Avenue won approval from Richmond’s City Council Monday night after developer changes led neighbors to drop their opposition.
“I believe we can add needed housing in Richmond without losing what people love about their neighborhoods,” said the neighborhood's City Council representative, Andrew Breton. Read more here.
In other news
- Henrico officials say winter storm damaged 40% of county snow plows: 'We haven’t had ice like this in 30-plus years' (Henrico Citizen)
- Richmond power bills jump after rate hike and deep freeze (Axios)
- Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day (or neither), there are plenty of local events (Style Weekly)
The editor's desk
The stories of a community are best told by that community. Richmond's Black community has been fortunate over the past three decades to have the Richmond Free Press, which brought a needed voice and perspective to the civic conversation, just as John Mitchell's Richmond Planet did a century ago.
As legacy media vanishes, it is incumbent on all of us to ensure that we continue seeking out and lifting up voices across the community, particularly marginalized ones.
Michael Phillips, founding editor
mphillips@richmonder.org
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