Saving history A6
Super Bowl highlight B2
Richmond Free Press © 2024 Paradigm Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.
VOL. 33 NO. 7
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
richmondfreepress.com
ee Fr
Fr ee
Meet this week’s Personality B1
FEBRUARY 15-17, 2024
‘Human suffering involved,’ says business owner City Council passes steps to address meals tax concerns and homelessness By Debora Timms
Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
Samuel Veney of Philly Vegan
Among the ordinances unanimously passed by Richmond City Council on Monday was one that would change how the Finance Department collects and applies meals tax payments. A number of business owners were present to detail the harm meals-tax collection policies had caused them and their businesses. Changes made in 2019 to the
way payments were allocated with little to no notice given to businesses meant that restaurant owners often were unaware that part or all of their payment was being applied to past due amounts and leaving their current month’s payment short and subject to a 10% penalty. These fees sometimes amounted to tens of thousands of dollars. “The unspoken side of this is the human suffering involved,” said Matthew Mullett,
owner of Richbrau Brewing. He said he wondered how many businesses may have failed and families may have suffered because of the stress caused by, for some, years of trying to rectify this issue. “I can’t focus on my business. I should be home with my children right now,” Samuel Veney, co-owner of Philly Vegan, said as he urged the council to support Please turn to A4
Glory As a part of the First African Baptist Church Music and Fine Arts Black History program, the Richmond Free Press was recognized as having made significant contributions to the community on Sunday, Feb. 11, 2024, during the morning worship service. In a presentation by First African’s Drama Ministry, the Free Press’ founding publisher, the late Raymond H. Boone Sr. and his wife, Jean P. Boone, were commended for their vision in establishing a weekly newspaper that “was an extension of his passion and advocacy and a platform to use the lens of civil rights and justice to provide solid, fair-minded news stories to empower readers and motivate them to take action on important issues in their lives.” A video, set to the song “Glory” written by Common, John Legend and Rhymefest, was presented. It included images of numerous awards the Free Press has received since its founding on Jan. 16, 1992. After Mr. Boone’s death in 2014, Mrs. Boone became publisher of the newspaper. “On behalf of our pastor, Rev. Rodney D. Waller, we present this award to your unwavering commitment to journalism for getting it right,” said Kimberly B. Williams, executive assistant to the pastor. “We thank you. Please continue the legacy of the Richmond Free Press for your outstanding commitment. We thank you, we thank your family, we thank your staff for the many years of contribution. Amen and bless you.” Mrs. Boone, accompanied by her daughter, Regina H. Boone, and her son, Raymond H. Boone Jr., (photo top right) expressed her “love and gratefulness” for First African and its congregants. “I am filled with gratitude,” she said. “My family is filled with gratitude. We could not be here without you. You keep us in business and if you weren’t there, there would be no us.” The VCU Black Awakening Choir, righrt, was the musical guest at the service.
Photos by Sandra Sellars/Richmond Free Press
VLBC sees progress By George Copeland Jr.
Associated Press
At least 8 children among 22 hit by gunfire at end of Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade; 1 person killed
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus announced progress in its legislative agenda in terms of voter rights, criminal justice, education, arrest and confinement, and more. Delegate Cole In a press conference early Wednesday morning, VLBC members said that more than 20 bills have successfully passed their initial approval in the House of Delegates or the Virginia Senate and are now one step closer to becoming law.
Senate Bill 300 from Sen. Aaron R. Rouse, D -7th District, seeks to ensure voters flagged for felony convictions are alerted two weeks ahead of their potential removal from voting records, allowing them to either correct an Delegate Gardner error in filing or verify that their voting rights have been restored in a sworn statement. If signed into law, it also would require the Please turn to A4
Please turn to A4
Gov. Youngkin
Delegate Scott
Virginia lawmakers plowed through hundreds of bills Tuesday as they reached a key deadline for this year’s legislative session. The House of Delegates and Senate debated topics ranging from gambling to marijuana
sales ahead of what’s known as “crossover,” the point by which all legislation but the budget bills must clear its originating chamber. This year’s session marks the third since the start of Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s term. But it’s the first since he’s taken office with Democrats in
By Karla E. Peters
full control of the statehouse after they flipped the House of Delegates in last year’s elections. Democrats have used their majorities to fend off Republican efforts to repeal previously enacted priorities, including Please turn to A4
Please turn to A4
U.S. Rep. Wexton
Sen. Aird
Lawmakers take up ‘skill games,’ minimum wage, marijuana as Assembly hits midpoint deadline The Associated Press
Rev. Thomas S. Simmons, a ‘people’s pastor,’ dies at 80 The Rev. Thomas S. Simmons always was willing to help somebody — anybody. “He truly never met a stranger,” his daughter, Angela Simmons Cason said. “Once you met him, he loved you and you loved him.” Rev. Simmons often encountered the people he helped as an unofficial carrier and distributor for the Richmond Free Press. “He would pick up a stack of papers every Thursday and take them to people in the neighborhood, around the city and everywhere,” Ms. Cason said. “He loved the Free Press.” A much-requested revivalist in the region and known as a “people’s pastor,” Rev. Simmons is being remembered for pastoring and helping people
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. Eight children were among 22 people hit by gunfire in a shooting at the end of Wednesday’s parade to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, authorities said, as terrified fans ran for cover and yet another high-profile public event was marred by gun violence. One person was killed, a mother of two identified by her radio station as a DJ. Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves detailed the shooting’s toll at a news conference and said three people had been taken into custody. She said she has heard that fans may have been involved in apprehending a suspect but couldn’t immediately confirm that. “I’m angry at what happened today. The people who came to this celebration should expect a safe environment,” Chief Graves said. Police did not immediately release any details about the people taken into custody or about a possible motive for the shootings. She said firearms had been recovered, but not what kind of weapons were used. “All of that is being actively investigated,” she said.
Rev. Simmons