The Virginia General Assembly passed legislation this week that lawmakers said will increase transparency and equity in the judicial system, which disproportionately impacts communities of color. The bills, introduced by Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, and Del. Charniele Herring, D-Alexandria, will create a centralized, publicly-accessible data collection system on pretrial detention. Senate Bill 1391 and House Bill 2110 both passed Thursday. Pretrial detention is the practice of holding a defendant in jail until trial. It is used, officials say, to guarantee the defendant appears in court and to ensure public safety. The compiled pretrial data would be distributed annually by...Article Link

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Virginians seeking COVID-19 vaccinations will have a number of new options as soon as next week, state vaccination coordinator Danny Avula said Friday afternoon. At least eight national and regional pharmacy and grocery store chains – including Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart and Food Lion in the Richmond region – as well as a number of independent pharmacies statewide will begin receiving vaccine directly from the federal government, Avula told reporters during a conference call. In other regions of the state, Safeway, Martin's, Harris Teeter and Giant also will be offering doses. In total, those stores and their more than 100 participating...Article Link

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WILKERSON, Joel Preston, 91, of Henrico, Va., went home to be with the Lord on February 11, 2021. He was born on October 5, 1929, in Gladys, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Clarence Wilkerson (TC) and Ady Roakes Layne Wilkerson; brothers, Thomas, Frank and Basil; sisters, Kathleen Jordan, Bernice Williams and Edna Williams; his first wife, Ruth Driskill Wilkerson; his two infant daughters, Kathryn Gail and Judy Lynn; and his son, Keith Wilkerson. He is survived by his present wife, Shirley P. Wilkerson; two granddaughters, Anne W. Swinson (Josh) and Brandi Freeland; great-grandchildren, Preston Swinson...Article Link

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Donald L. Seelmann, 83, of Mechanicsville, formerly of Varina, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 12, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 60 plus years, Sandra Wiltshire Seelmann; his children, Kim Seelmann Stallings (Buster), Don Seelmann Jr. (Andrea); grandchildren, Ashley Custalow (Ryan), Katie Kirby, Maura Davidson (Josh), Mallori Norman (Scott), August Seelmann, Peyton Seelmann, Alexandra Crews, McKenzie Crews and Ryan Crews; six great-grandchildren, Chesney Jefferson, Windsor Custalow, Wyatt Custalow, Hunter Davidson, Talon Norman, Ridge Norman; brother, William Seelmann (Susan); and sister, Barbara Miller. Donald was our ROCK; a steadfast FAMILY man who lived for and LOVED his children:...Article Link

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Helen Smith Bray, 84, of Richmond passed away on Thursday, February 11, 2021. She was born in Richmond, VA to Harry Marshall and Lena Croswell Smith. She was a graduate of Varina High School, Class of 1955, and married the love of her life, Roy Thomas Bray, Sr., on September 22, 1956. Helen retired from the State Corporation Commission in 2002. She was a loyal member of Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church and dedicated her life to serving the Lord in charge of the kitchen committee and numerous other positions and leadership roles within the church. She always made herself available...Article Link

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On Friday, Henrico County reported just 37 new cases of COVID-19 – its lowest total in one day since Nov. 15 – according to the Virginia Department of Health. The seven-day moving average of new daily cases continues to fall, dropping from 100 Thursday to 90 Friday. Henrico’s decreasing totals reflect a national trend. There were seven new hospitalizations in Henrico related to the virus on Friday and one new virus-related death – the county’s first in one week – according to VDH data. As Henrico's average number of cases continues to drop, the positivity rate among testing encounters falls...Article Link

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Power management company Eaton will invest .6 million to move production from California to its facility at 4200 Oakley Court in Eastern Henrico. The move will create 80 new jobs through the expansion of production capabilities and the addition of new lines for electrical component manufacturing. “Eaton’s decision to move production to Henrico County and expand its presence in our Commonwealth demonstrates the strength of Central Virginia’s manufacturing workforce,” said Virginia Governor Ralph Northam. “The company’s commitment to sustainable power solutions aligns perfectly with the Clean Energy Virginia initiative, and we look forward to partnering with Eaton as we work...Article Link

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Debra ‘Debbie’ Dance Blanton, 67, of Glen Allen, VA, went to be with the Lord on February 12, 2021. She is preceded in death by her mother, Ruth Blanton; father, George Dance, Sr.; step-father William Blanton, Sr.; brother, Hunter Dance; and nephew, Travis Wiley. She is survived by her loving daughter, Paula Welsh (Jimmy); her beloved granddaughters, Abby and Lily; sister, Sally Matthews (Tom); nephew, “Little Hunter” Dance; and her best friends, PJ Buchanan (Michael) and Ms. Clarke. In addition to a fulfilling career at Reynolds Metals Company, later Alcoa, Debbie volunteered over ten years for the Henrico County Police...Article Link

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On Thursday, February 11, 2021, Kevin B. Blunt went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Kevin was born in 1953 and grew up in Richmond, VA. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 44 years, Debbie. He also leaves behind a daughter, Christy, son in law, Jeremy Seward and a son, Ryan, and daughter in law, Kate Blunt. Also, three grandchildren: Bella, Peyton, and Patrick Seward, whom he adored. Also, left behind, are two older sisters, Denise and Pamela, and one older brother, Michael,(Jumahl). Kevin graduated from Hermitage High School and in 1982-2010, Kevin served as President...Article Link

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The Chickahominy River in Glen Allen, swollen from recent snow and rain, flowed past frozen remnants of Wednesday night's freezing rain and sleet mixture Feb. 18.Article Link

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