Henrico News Archives for Month: October 2025

Board of Supervisors recap: Public hearing on animal cruelty registry set for Dec. 2

Henrico Board of Supervisors 2024
At its Oct. 28 meeting, the board initiated its process to consider establishing a local animal cruelty registry. A public hearing for the proposed ordinance will be advertised for Dec. 2. A state law that took effect in July 2024 allows localities to create a registry that includes the names and relevant information of people convicted of certain felony offenses of animal cruelty. Continue reading Board of Supervisors recap: Public hearing on animal cruelty registry set for Dec. 2

Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance to be available for SNAP participants

Help neighbors facing food insecurity. Feed More. Donate. Volunteer. feedmore.org.
Due to expected delays and gaps in accessing benefits, Henrico is collaborating with neighboring localities and Feed More, central Virginia’s nonprofit food bank, to ensure that the community’s nutritional needs are met. About 116,000 individuals in Henrico, Chesterfield and Hanover counties and the city of Richmond typically qualify for SNAP. Continue reading Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance to be available for SNAP participants

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

As part of an honor guard training, participants carry a casket.
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. Continue reading With discipline and precision, National Honor Guard Academy shares expertise with local units

Henrico’s residential leaf-collection programs to begin early November

Map of Bagged Leaf Collection Areas.
Free collection of bagged leaves will get underway Monday, Nov. 10 and continue through Sunday, Feb. 8. Crews will work week to week in five zones; each zone will be collected twice over the course of the program. Residents living outside the zones can order free pickup of bagged leaves by calling 804-727-8779. Continue reading Henrico’s residential leaf-collection programs to begin early November

Community celebrates opening of Bungalow City Firehouse 23

A little girl sits in a fire engine and touches a fire helmet on a man’s head.
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.” Continue reading Community celebrates opening of Bungalow City Firehouse 23

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

Utility worker working on a water valve with four sets of AAA.

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

Varina meetings in October to highlight proposed Prime Agriculture/Rural Conservation land-use designation, New Market Heights Trail

Varina Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson's Varina District Community Conversations. Monday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. at Varina High School, 7053 Messer Road. Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. at Elko Community Center, 6216 White Oak Road. Monday, Oct. 27, 10 a.m. at Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road. https://henrico.gov/supervisors/varina-district
Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson will host the meetings Oct. 20, 23 and 27 to discuss a proposed land-use designation to help preserve farmland and other rural properties in Henrico County. The Prime Agriculture/Rural Conservation category is being considered as part of the county’s 2045 comprehensive plan. Continue reading Varina meetings in October to highlight proposed Prime Agriculture/Rural Conservation land-use designation, New Market Heights Trail

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

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

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 

Henrico opens survey to enhance how it connects with, supports communities

logo for Outreach And Engagement
Henrico will use the survey responses to guide its efforts to strengthen communication, expand resources and enhance opportunities for civic participation. The input also will be used to identify strategies to deepen relationships across neighborhoods, faith communities, cultural groups and civic organizations. Continue reading Henrico opens survey to enhance how it connects with, supports communities

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

Community Impact Grants Program, with photos of a young girl cleaning up a lake or stream and a landscaped garden by an arbor. Logo for HEART - Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Team.
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.” Continue reading HEART invites nonprofits to apply for second round of Community Impact Grants

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