Henrico News

Henrico becomes first to earn ‘quadruple AAA’ status for water, sewer bonds

The county's 'quadruple AAA" status reflects that it has received the top ratings from all four of the main municipal rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Fitch Ratings and Kroll Bond Rating Agency.

In August, Henrico became the third county in the nation to receive AAA ratings for general obligation bonds from the four agencies.

“This elite bond-rating status – ‘quadruple AAA’ – underscores Henrico County’s commitment to excellence in fiscal management and leadership in all aspects of governance,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Dan J. Schmitt, of the Brookland District. “These ratings – first with general obligation bonds and now with water and sewer revenue bonds – represent far more than accolades. They translate into lower interest rates and ultimately millions of dollars in savings for our taxpayers as we continue to make strategic investments in facilities and infrastructure that support the county’s high quality of life. These ratings will help us provide tremendous value as we improve and modernize our public utilities system, making it stronger, with enhanced redundancies and resiliency, for all our customers.”

Continue reading Henrico becomes first to earn ‘quadruple AAA’ status for water, sewer bonds

Eight Saudi firefighters pose outside Henrico Theatre. Marquee reads, IAFC Cohort 27 graduation Oct. 15 Henrico Div of Fire.

Welcomed ‘as brothers,’ Saudi firefighters celebrate training in Henrico through international partnership

Eight members of the Saudi Aramco Fire Department spent the past six months training at four of the county’s stations through the International Fellowship Program of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Continue reading Welcomed ‘as brothers,’ Saudi firefighters celebrate training in Henrico through international partnership

An older woman holds a book with black and white photographs.

As one of Henrico’s 130 centenarians, Frances Bailey sees a lot to look forward to every day

Frances Bailey is the embodiment of active aging. At 102, she holds a prom queen title from her assisted living community, has an exercise routine named after her, wrote and self-published a memoir with her late husband and has been honored twice at Henrico’s Centenarian Celebration events.

Continue reading As one of Henrico’s 130 centenarians, Frances Bailey sees a lot to look forward to every day

Videos

'Compassion in action'; CARITAS, region to open emergency weather Surge Shelter as needed

Mobile work crew gives adults with disabilities a chance to show 'they're worthy of a paycheck'

Residents honored for reaching 100 years of age at Henrico Centenarian Celebration

Features

As part of an honor guard training, participants carry a casket.

With discipline and precision, National Honor Guard Academy shares expertise with local units

More than 50 representatives of two dozen public safety agencies across three states attended the National Honor Guard Academy (NHGA) hosted by the Henrico County Division of Fire. The training session, held Oct. 19-24, was dedicated to elevating the knowledge, skills and execution of public safety honor guard units.

NHGA came about because “there just wasn’t any training for public safety honor guards,” said Doug Swartz, the academy’s founder and commanding officer.

“Traditions were being missed or misrepresented and our fallen just weren’t being honored the way we wanted them to, so we put a training program together.”

The 45-hour course offered a mix of classroom and hands-on learning. Materials covered basic drills, church and casket protocols, proper casket handling, precise movements and flag etiquette. It culminated with a full, mock line-of-duty funeral procession to give participants a chance to practice all they learned.

Instructors are retired or active public safety officers, with both civilian and military experience.

A little girl sits in a fire engine and touches a fire helmet on a man’s head.

Community celebrates opening of Bungalow City Firehouse 23

Since opening in mid-February, Firehouse 23 has enhanced fire protection and emergency medical response to areas of eastern Henrico. Officials celebrated the station and its new fire engine with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting event that included a traditional fire engine push-in ceremony.

Located at 5618 Nine Mile Road, Firehouse 23 is named after its surrounding neighborhood of modest bungalow houses dating to the 1920s. “It’s tight-knit and resilient – a thriving community to this day,” Varina Supervisor Tyrone Nelson said of Bungalow City. “So, the name has deep roots, and it’s appropriate the fire station’s title reflects the community which it serves.”

HEART invites nonprofits to apply for second round of Community Impact Grants

Applications for funding through the Community Impact Grants Program may be submitted online through Wednesday, Nov. 26. HEART will review the applications for compliance with program requirements. Grant awards of up to $5,000 are expected to be announced in the spring.

“The Community Impact Grants Program aims to inspire and empower residents and organizations to look closely at their neighborhoods and communities for ways to create a more resilient environment,” said Samantha Hudson, director of Henrico’s Sustainability Division. “The collective impact of even small, hyperlocal projects can be quite significant, especially when paired with all the county is doing to reduce carbon emissions and build a stronger, more sustainable community.”

Henrico to acquire 5.2 miles of historic Kanawha Canal through CSX donation

The canal that extends along the James River dates to 1785 and the founding of the James River Company. George Washington was its honorary president.

Rendering of Living Building at Wilton Farm

Living Building at Wilton Farm set for construction

Targeted to open in late 2026, the 15,000-square-foot Living Building at Wilton Farm will provide a learning space for students in the Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability.

A 'generational project,' Fall Line trail's northern section opens with connection at Woodman Road

Local officials from across the region and other trail boosters gathered Sept. 24 along the paved pathway in Ashland for a ribbon-cutting and ceremonial first ride. From the Ashland Trail Line Trail, the new portion cuts through Hanover County and into Henrico with a crossing of the scenic Chickahominy River.

Ultimately, the Fall Line is planned to extend 43 miles and cross through seven jurisdictions between Ashland and the city of Petersburg. Henrico opened its first portion of the trail – the 1,400-foot Park Street section in Lakeside – in July 2024.

10 adults stand in a row to cut a red ribbon.

Newly reopened Three Lakes Park Nature Center invites community to learn about native wildlife

The facility updates include new and enhanced interactive play features, an outdoor education space, accessibility improvements and living exhibits for snakes, frogs, spiders, an eel and other wildlife.

Photo of conference room with an instructor at a white board

Emergency Operations partners practice small-scale crisis skills for future large-scale impact

They say practice makes perfect. In this case, the practice isn’t for perfection but to refine skills, further relationships and build trust with regional partners before a crisis hits.

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