County’s 22nd firehouse enhances fire, rescue response to Staples Mill corridor
Henrico has cut the ribbon on Staples Mill Firehouse 20, but its celebration was about more than a sparkling, brick building to serve a growing area of the county. In remarks to more than 500 people at the Jan. 28 grand-opening event, Brookland District Supervisor Dan Schmitt called Firehouse 20 a symbol of the Division of Fire’s excellence and praised the firefighters who will be stationed there.
“I’m thankful for the brave men and women that will fill this building with an abundance of passion, drive and a very-hard-to-explain desire to simply serve others – to literally make a life-or-death difference for the lives of others,” said Schmitt, who is the son of a firefighter. “These folks are heroes with helmets, rather than capes.”
Continue reading Henrico celebrates opening of Staples Mill Firehouse 20
Agreement with BrightSuite would provide renewable electricity for pump station
Henrico County is poised to become the first locality in the region and one of the first in Virginia to have solar panels installed at a closed landfill, which would generate reduced-cost, renewable energy to power a nearby sewage pump station.
Continue reading Solar panel system approved for 2-acre site at closed Springfield Road Landfill
‘Refreshed’ Sandston Branch Library reopens to community
A brighter, more modern Sandston Branch Library reopened Wednesday with a celebration of its recent improvements, which include user-friendly shelving and fresh carpeting and paint throughout the building.
“I walked in, and I just said, ‘Wow!’” Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson said before leading a ribbon-cutting ceremony to cap the library’s 12-week, $411,000 “refresh” project.
Continue reading ‘This is what a library is supposed to feel like’
'We engage our community ... and establish a trust that strengthens over time.'
Henrico voters’ resounding approval of a $511 million bond referendum last week is evidence of a “strong feedback loop” that keeps the county in sync with the community’s needs, County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said in his annual State of the County address.
Continue reading In State of the County address, Vithoulkas credits community engagement for success on bond referendum, other initiatives
Vote authorizes $511 million in projects for schools, parks, public safety, drainage
Henrico voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved all four questions in a bond referendum, clearing the way for the county to issue nearly $511.4 million in debt to fund capital projects for schools, parks and other public facilities. Officials have emphasized that approval of the bonds would require no increase to county tax rates.
Continue reading Henrico voters approve all 4 bond referendum questions
Radio Poder host presented 2022 Community Impact Award
Community service is instinctive for Henrico resident Oscar Contreras, a program host and marketing specialist for the Spanish-language station Radio Poder WBTK 1380 AM.
Continue reading County officials honor Oscar Contreras for exemplary service to community
County poised for further growth, with development, enhanced focus on sports tourism
Visitors spent more than $1.3 billion in Henrico County during 2021, the highest total of any locality in central Virginia and the fifth highest in Virginia, according to an annual study released today for the Virginia Tourism Corp.
Continue reading Tourist spending in Henrico eclipses $1.3 billion
Henrico will support purchase with $750,000 contribution over 3 years
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden will acquire 6.2 acres along the western edge of its Lakeside Avenue location through a purchase agreement with Lakeside Baptist Church that is being supported by Henrico County.
Continue reading Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden to buy 6.2 acres from Lakeside Baptist Church
With Henrico’s help, nonprofit uncovers thousands of gravesites in 2 years
Two years after acquiring the neglected, vine-choked property, Marvin Harris isn’t interested in slowing or pausing the work to restore historic Woodland Cemetery. Not for Virginia’s sweltering summer heat.
Not even for a broken right foot.
“You couldn’t take me away from this project,” Harris said, toweling perspiration from his face and hobbling across the grounds in a protective boot – an injury caused in March by a toppled headstone.
Continue reading Woodland Cemetery: Lost no more
Name picked in 23% of more than 1,400 votes cast at NameTheShelter.com
Henrico Pet Adoption Center was selected as the name for the county's proposed animal adoption center. The name was preferred on 23% of the 1,411 votes cast at NameTheShelter.com. Among the seven finalists, Henrico Animal House finished second, with 19%, followed by Furever Friends Pet Adoption Center, 16%; Wags & Whiskers Pet Adoption Center, 15%; Happy Tails Pet Adoption Center, 12%; Henrico P.A.C.K. (Protect and Adopt Canines and Kitties), 8%; and Henrico Hope Pet Adoption Center, 7%.
Continue reading Henrico Pet Adoption Center prevails in online vote to name proposed $15 million facility