Henrico and YMCA of Greater Richmond officials joined friends and community supporters Wednesday, May 14 to break ground on the Henrico Aquatics Center, a first-of-its-kind facility for the county that will help address a Board of Supervisors’ initiative to “make Henrico drown-proof.”

The 21,000-square-foot facility will be built on 6 acres of county-owned property between the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center and the Health Department East Clinic on North Laburnum Avenue.

Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton said he had “long dreamed of having a pool” in the eastern Henrico community.

Vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists are increasing across Henrico County, just as they are throughout Virginia and the United States.

To reverse the trend, Henrico is responding with messages discouraging cellphone use and other distractions, targeted enforcement of traffic laws and a review of crosswalks, lighting or other design features that may be beneficial in certain areas.

2018 was one of the wettest years in Henrico County since the 1880s. The rain significantly impacted road paving and repairs.

“We lost almost half a year of production due to wet weather,” said Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Steve Yob.

Road crews missed approximately 200 days of production in 2018, so this year they hope to make up lost ground. Crews will work weekends and nights to get the job done.

Henrico is tapping local expertise as it expands and sharpens its focus on improving the county’s housing stock, its affordability and neighborhoods.

The Board of Supervisors in April established the Housing Advisory Committee and appointed its first nine members, who will serve staggered terms through 2020 or 2021. The members offer broad experience in housing issues, including for-profit and nonprofit development, home building and sales, commercial lending and law.

With a website and messages on social media, radio, television and billboards, Henrico County and its neighboring localities are working to stem the alarming rise of opioid overdoses and deaths.

Henrico, Chesterfield County, Hanover County and the city of Richmond have united as Opioid Solutions RVA to raise awareness of the epidemic and to promote resources and support to aid recovery.

When the yellow dusting of pollen hits, you know spring is in full season. It’s the perfect time to prepare your lawn and garden for a delightful summer.

The Henrico Extension Office offers a variety of services to help Henrico homeowners create a lush landscape that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

The SMART Lawns program provides homeowners with a plan tailored to fit their specific lawn-care needs.

“A Master Gardener volunteer will come to your home to evaluate your lawn,” said Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources – Horticulture Ed Olsen.

One of the most frequently asked questions of the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is who’s responsible for water and sewer lines.

“The county maintains all of the water and sewer pipes from the street to the property line,” said DPU Wastewater Collection Engineer Ricky Blunt. “Anything from the property line back toward the house — and within the house — is the homeowner’s responsibility.”

If residents encounter problems with their sewage or water lines, DPU Assistant Director Bentley Chan maintained they should call DPU first.

“If it’s an issue related to your water or sewer service, then please give us a call. We’re here to help,” he said.

Henrico’s new mobile app can help you find a park, pay a bill, report a pothole, read a HenricoNews story, contact your supervisor or watch a documentary on county history — with the app, access to the full scope of county information and services is literally at your fingertips.