All results / Stories / George Copeland Jr.
Area churches to celebrate Easter in various, special ways
Area churches are ready to celebrate Easter by welcoming congregants back to services both inside their sanctuaries and some outdoors.
Central State Hospital commemorates 150 years of serving health needs
A key part of African-American health and history in Virginia was celebrated last Thursday, as state health officials and professionals gathered online to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Central State Hospital outside Petersburg.
City leaders, groups propose housing crisis solutions
Following months of rising rent costs, a high number of evictions and growing housing scarcity, Richmond officials have declared that the city is in an affordable housing crisis.
Thanksgiving food programs go on with COVID-19 changes
In the midst of surging cases of COVID-19, various Richmond groups have reworked their community Thanksgiving initiatives to maintain safety as they aid the hungry and others in need during this season.
Richmond’s affordable housing remains elusive
“We thought Richmond had a win” was a common refrain during a recent City Council meeting, as community and faith leaders called on council members to address ongoing issues with housing in Richmond and follow through on commitments made to address it.
MJBL, Hampton U. part of hurricane relief efforts for the Bahamas
People in Richmond and across the state are lending a hand to help residents of the Bahamas after Hurricane Dorian settled over the islands, killing at least 44 people, leaving around 70,000 people homeless and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Struck by COVID-19, Gov. and Mrs. Northam are seeing state’s response system up close
As Gov. Ralph S. Northam and his wife, First Lady Pamela Northam, remain in isolation until early next week after testing positive on Sept. 24 for COVID-19, officials in seven different health districts in the state are working to connect with scores of people the couple may have had contact with in the days before their diagnoses.
Rally-goers call for reinstatement of parole in Virginia
“He was incarcerated when I was young, and I can’t remember a day with him not behind bars.”
Eric English to become Henrico’s first Black police chief
For the first time in its history, Henrico County will have an African-American police chief.
Challenging times
Threat of COVID-19 shuts down schools, businesses and non-essential services across Richmond and the state as the number of cases and death toll rise
Virginia is gearing up for a months-long undertaking to stop the threat of coronavirus as each day brings more news of new cases, deaths and measures from local and state authorities to combat the spread.
Henrico, Chesterfield able to reopen under Phase Two of COVID-19 plan
Restaurants in Henrico and Chesterfield will be able to open Friday for limited indoor dining, along with gyms, museums, zoos, botanical gardens and sports facilities as most of the state enters Phase Two of Gov. Ralph S. Northam’s reopening guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia Supreme Court approves ‘Waverly Two’ appeal
The Supreme Court of Virginia has approved a hearing for an appeal that could lead to the exoneration of a Sussex County man sentenced to life in jail for a murder he was acquitted of decades earlier.
5th District candidates present ideas at Crusade forum
The main chapel of Fifth Baptist Church was abuzz Tuesday night with ideas for the future of Richmond’s 5th District, and the city as a whole, as seven candidates made their case for the public’s vote during a community forum that showcased how the upcoming special election has grown beyond its goal of replacing an embattled City Council member.
Ready to reopen
Va. businesses, churches and some restaurants are poised to open on Friday under state guidelines despite VLBC's opposition
Editor's Note: In a major change that took place after publication of the May 14-16 edition of the Free Press, businesses in the city of Richmond will not reopen on Friday, May 15. At the request of Mayor Levar M. Stoney, Gov. Ralph S. Northam issued a new executive order extending business closures in Richmond until at least Thursday, May 28. The order, released about 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 14, also included Accomack County on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, which also requested to delay openings. In the Richmond area, businesses in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties, however, can reopen Friday under Phase One of the governor’s guidelines. Government leaders in those three counties submitted a letter to Gov. Northam rejecting any delay in opening.
Some restrictions eased at Lawrenceville prison; concerns remain
Since late August, incarcerated men at Virginia’s privately-owned Lawrenceville Correctional Center experienced increased restrictions and punishments. What started with the end of outdoor activities and the cancellation of visitations from friends and family without warning grew to include stringent cleanliness checks and disproportionate punishments, according to inmates and their loved ones.
Richmond, Chesterfield libraries join program to distribute free at-home COVID-19 test kits
Libraries across Virginia have joined the effort to make it easier for residents to test themselves for possible COVID-19 infection.
RRHA extends eviction freeze until May 1
The Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority’s moratorium on public housing evictions will continue for another three months, through May 1, officials have announced.
Monkey pox vaccines, now available in Richmond area
In response to the spread of the monkeypox virus, the Richmond and Henrico health districts are vaccinating people who may be at higher risk of exposure but haven’t had contact with known positive cases.
Dr. Dean Climmon Williams remembered as a compassionate, caring physician
Dean Climmon Williams, known to his colleagues as “Dr. Dean,” passed away Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, at his home in Richmond, leaving behind a legacy of compassion and care in Virginia’s medical community.
Mandate: All city employees must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 1
Richmond city employees are now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19, in a move announced Wednesday amid nationwide efforts to stem the rising surge in cases.
