It’s hard to believe that three people have been murdered on the Southside in one week.

The good news is that the suspected murderers of LaMoan Kahlil Hart are in custody. On October the third, according to the Richmond Police Department, “Terrell A. Collins, 31, of the 100 block of East 15th Street, turned himself in.” Additionally, Rashaad T. Comer, 27 of the 1600 block of Kingswood Street, was arrested on 10/2/08.

On the same day that Terrell Collins turned himself in, the Bruce Street Brothers double slaying took place. So far there are no announced suspects, but the next of kin have been notified.

You can read more about the Bruce Street Brothers murder at the Times-Dispatch.

Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 780-1000 or to call the Richmond Police Tips Line at 514-TIPS (8477).

Richmond.com has gifted us with a short interview of our 8th District City Council candidates. I’ve only reprinted the bio and statements from the article. See the link at the beginning for the whole story.

City Council
There are three candidates on the ballot running for the 8th District’s city council seat. Incumbent Reva M. Trammell is being challenged by C. Allen Barrett and Eric W. Hunter, Sr.

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Now that the debates are over and with less than three weeks remaining, isn’t it about time to fess up and admit who you want the president to be?

One thing is for certain, our future president has a lot of work cut out for him. Financial crisis, Iraq, international policy, and education are but a few of the issues in need of a great administration. Regardless of politics, we all want a president who can do a great job.

Feel free to comment on who you’re voting for and why. After all, it’s still a free country!

The City of Richmond will host the 4th annual “Imagine Festival” at Broad Rock Park on Saturday, October 25, from noon to 5 p.m.  Admission to this community and family event is free.

The Imagine Festival is an exciting event offering free food, dance performances, arts, crafts, vendors, and fun activities for the entire family. A unique component of the festival is a longstanding showcase athletic event between the Richmond Police Department and area community organizations, with baseball being the game of choice this year. The festival will also include live musical entertainment sponsored by Davidson Media Group. Event community partners include the Virginia Asian Chamber of Commerce, Radio Poder 1380 AM WBTK, Richmond Outreach Center, Nuevas Raíces, Horizontes, and Centro de Richmond.

“The Imagine Festival provides an excellent opportunity for families to enjoy themselves and interact with community partners such as the City’s police, fire and emergency services personnel to gain a broader appreciation of the benefits and services they provide toward building a stronger community for all,” said Mayor L. Douglas Wilder.

The Imagine Festival began in 2005 as a community outreach event sponsored by Richmond’s Gang Reduction and Intervention Program. Since then, the City has sponsored the festival, which has grown larger with each year.

For more information about the Imagine Festival, please call the City’s Hispanic Liaison Office at 646-0145.

Concrete workers could be seen today, updating the temporary ramps to an entrance on the Crutchfield Street side of George Wythe High school. The new ramp will also have a handrail. George Wythe has had temporary ramps made of steel and wood at this entrance for several years, but there are other entrances with concrete ramps. George Wythe also has an inside elevator for those who need it.

This ramp is an excellent improvement for a school that has recently received a large grant for beautification and school improvements. This year has also been a great start for the school as no major incidents have occurred at the school and two of its well connected programs, The Pen Project and The Dream Team continue to flourish among Wythe’s many other successful programs.

Richmond Public Schools has been battling for years to make the upgrades its aging buildings desperately need. This is certainly a positive step in the right direction for improving the quality of the Southside community.