The Henrico County Board of Supervisors approved a series of emergency ordinances at its March 24 meeting aimed at ensuring the continuity of county government and supporting residents and businesses as the county confronts the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Continue reading Henrico Board approves emergency measures to assist county operations, support residents and businesses
Henrico County is launching an initiative to support locally owned restaurants, caterers and similar businesses by purchasing meals for public safety workers and other employees leading the community’s response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
Continue reading Henrico announces effort to support locally owned restaurants
Because residents receive news and information in a variety of ways, Henrico County is providing many outlets for updates on the COVID-19 coronavirus and its impact on services and operations.
Beginning with a March 5 news release about preparations across the region, Henrico has provided regular updates to local news media, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Henrico Citizen, VPM, NBC12, WTVR and WRIC.
Continue reading Henrico offers many ways to stay informed about COVID-19, service impacts
Officials hope aggressive measures already being taken will limit the outbreak’s severity in the region.
Elected officials from the counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Goochland and the city of Richmond announced the declarations at a news conference Friday while urging the public to remain calm, stay informed and follow safety protocols, including frequent handwashing and avoiding crowds.
Continue reading Localities declare local emergencies over COVID-19 outbreak
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday received a proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year that would retain the current real estate tax rate while enhancing support for schools and public safety and delivering various capital projects, including an addition to Hungary Creek Middle School, a new elementary school in the Fairfield District and a new, permanent South Station for the Police Division.
The proposed budget for fiscal 2020-21 totals $1.4 billion across all operating funds, an increase of 5.5% from the current year’s plan. The proposed general fund, which supports most governmental operations, totals $962.5 million, an increase of 4.8%. The plan also provides $142.7 million for capital projects in fiscal 2020-21.
Continue reading Henrico’s proposed budget would advance core services, economic growth, teacher pay
Amariah Williams could sense the awkwardness when a 2-year-old boy in foster care met with his parents in a conference room at the Henrico County Department of Social Services.
Weeks later, she felt a sense of ease when they gathered in the agency’s new Family Visitation Room.
The space is warm and inviting, like a living room or playroom. It’s furnished with soft, comfortable seating, floor lamps, a Lego-building wall, books and interactive toys.
Continue reading A calm, comfortable place for kids
Local governments remain concerned about the spread of COVID-19. Today, regional cooperation and precautionary planning took a new step forward as more than 50 emergency managers, first responders, health experts, and public information professionals met to review roles and responsibilities.
Leadership of the city of Richmond, Chesterfield, Hanover, Henrico and Goochland counties and the Central Virginia Healthcare Coalition has authorized the activation of the Central Virginia All Hazards Incident Management Team to help guide the region’s preparations for, and response to, a potential local occurrence of COVID-19.
Continue reading Central Virginia localities create unified command team to direct planning for COVID-19
As vehicle crashes involving pedestrians and bicyclists continue to occur with alarming frequency, law enforcement agencies in the Richmond region and other partners are urging travelers to take simple precautions and to avoid distractions, such as mobile phones and headphones.
A video public service announcement with tips for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists is being shared by the police departments or sheriff’s offices of Chesterfield County, Hanover County, Henrico County and the City of Richmond as well as by the Virginia State Police and Virginia Department of Transportation.
Continue reading Pedestrian safety message launches for region
Henrico County is encouraging all residents to participate in the upcoming national census – the decennial count of every person living in the United States.
The 2020 Census will be the first census conducted primarily online, and responses are required to be kept confidential under federal law. It will ask for basic information about individuals and households, such as names, dates of birth and race; it will not ask about citizenship or immigration status.
Continue reading Be counted in the 2020 Census
A longstanding community group in Elko has a parting gift for Henrico County students. After nearly a century of service, The Windsor Club of Elko is dissolving and leaving more than $50,000 toward scholarships for students pursuing careers in technical fields.
The Board of Supervisors on Jan. 28 voted unanimously to approve a resolution expressing appreciation for the nonprofit club’s dedication to the community, generosity and support for Henrico County Public Schools.
Continue reading Board recognizes Windsor Club of Elko for years of service, donation for scholarships
Henrico County has appointed Monica Smith-Callahan as its deputy county manager for community affairs, a newly restructured position focusing on community outreach.
Smith-Callahan has served as assistant superintendent of policy, equity and communication for the Virginia Department of Education since April 2019. She brings more than 20 years of experience in community engagement, public and media relations and event management in the public, nonprofit and business sectors.
Continue reading Henrico names Smith-Callahan as deputy county manager for community affairs
Students from Cristo Rey High School in Richmond have been interning with Henrico County since the beginning of their school year. They help register citizens to vote, record county taxes, manage general services of the county and help libraries. And they’re only freshmen.
Cristo Rey is a private high school in Richmond that exclusively serves students of limited income. As the founding class of the 37th Cristo Rey school in the nation, the Richmond students are part of a 12,000-student body who work with more than 1,700 businesses nationally.
Continue reading Henrico’s internship program expands to students at Cristo Rey High
Three Chopt District Supervisor Thomas M. Branin has picked up the gavel as chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors and is ready to dive into issues and priorities for the year.
In remarks following his unanimous election at the board’s Jan. 14 organizational meeting, Branin thanked his colleagues for their vote of confidence and said he’s ready to get to work. The board’s third-annual retreat with senior staff will be held Jan. 24 at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen. The daylong meeting will cover a broad range of issues, including transportation, housing, public infrastructure needs, stormwater management, development and solid waste.
Continue reading Board of Supervisors taps Branin chairman, Schmitt vice chairman for 2020
On a sunny, November afternoon, artist Nico Cathcart held a tiny drawing up against a massive, blank backdrop. It was her way of spotting the precise place to add vibrant color to a symbolic mural outside the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen.
Continue reading Mural with a message on display at Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
Fifteen elected officials are set to begin new terms for Henrico County on Jan. 1, following a swearing-in ceremony that included several firsts and a surprise marriage proposal.
Continue reading Henrico officials take oaths to begin terms in January
Construction is expected to begin in March on a roundabout at Woodman and Greenwood roads — the first of several planned in Henrico County to promote safe, efficient traffic flow.
Continue reading Woodman-Greenwood roundabout set to begin construction in March
By building two high schools simultaneously, acquiring 1,200 acres on the James River and pursuing an indoor sports complex, Henrico County shows it’s willing to make bold moves to ensure the community’s success, County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said during his State of the County address for 2019.
Continue reading State of the County address reflects on ‘moon shots’
In welcoming an improved Hope Village during today’s ribbon-cutting ceremony, Henrico officials said their experiences with the project validated the county’s new approach for seeking better living conditions at older apartment complexes.
Fairstead Affordable, operating as Hope Preservation LP, bought the property in 2018 and invested more than $5 million in renovations as part of a $14 million tax-exempt financing package. The financing was approved by the Henrico Board of Supervisors based on the complex’s location and issued through the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority.
Continue reading Advocating for a better home
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday authorized negotiations for an indoor sports and convocation center that would be developed on the property of Virginia Center Commons mall.
With its unanimous vote, the board accepted the recommendation of a working group and County Manager John A. Vithoulkas to enter formal talks with The Rebkee Company. The real estate development firm was one of three companies to respond to Henrico’s request for proposals for a venue that could host indoor sports and other large gatherings, such as high school graduations.
Continue reading Henrico Board authorizes negotiations over indoor sports, convocation center
Construction has begun on a new J.R. Tucker High School and a new Highland Springs High School, a pair of ambitious projects that will deliver modern, state-of-the-art facilities to replace two of Henrico County’s oldest high schools.
County government and school officials commemorated the start of work at twin ground-breaking ceremonies held Nov. 1 with students, staff and other guests.
Continue reading Work starts on new Tucker, Highland Springs
Henrico County has appointed Cari M. Tretina as chief of staff to the county manager, effective Saturday, Oct. 12.
Tretina currently serves as director of administration for Henrico’s Division of Fire, a position she has held since April 2017.
Continue reading Henrico taps Tretina for chief of staff position
In August, four high school freshmen earned a big opportunity. The Cristo Rey Richmond students became paid Henrico County interns.
“I like learning to work because this will help me so much in the future,” said student Celiana Gutierrez Ayala.
Continue reading Henrico gives students work experience
Henrico County has agreed to buy the historic Wilton Farm property on the James River in Varina for a variety of potential future uses, including a park with 2.8 miles of river frontage, economic development, schools and a history museum.
Continue reading Henrico to acquire 1,184-acre Wilton Farm on James River