Henrico News Archives for Category: News Release

Graphic showing puzzle pieces. Inside the pieces are photos of environment-focused features, including solar panels, a bike lane, electronic vehicle charger, a river and grain crops. The background is a photo of a lush tree-filled landscape. Text reads, Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee.

Board of Supervisors appoints new Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee

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The 10 members of the Sustainability and Resilience Advisory Committee will serve as formal advisors to the county and will provide a community perspective on issues related to environmental sustainability, resilience and strategies for adapting to climate change.

SRAC will complement the work of two other groups focused on the environment - Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Team and Keep Henrico Beautiful.

A photo of Supervisor Roscoe Cooper III, who is raising his right hand while being sworn in by a clerk as chair of the Board of Supervisors.

Fairfield’s Roscoe Cooper III to lead Henrico Board of Supervisors in 2026

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In outlining his priorities for the year, Cooper said Henrico will continue to support investments in education as well as affordable homeownership, pedestrian safety and economic development.

“I’m filled with both excitement and humility, and a sense of duty as we embark on this journey together, continuing our collective efforts to make Henrico County an even better place to live, work, play and visit, and raise your family,” he said.

A logo for the Henrico Outreach and Engagement Agency's Older Adult Services unit. The logo features a large O and E.

Henrico invites community to ‘Spread the Love’ by creating Valentine’s Day cards for older adults

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Schools, faith-based organizations and other groups as well as individuals and families are encouraged to participate by creating cards that will be shared at local nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Cards will be collected through Friday, Feb. 6, and should be generic with an uplifting message in celebration of Valentine’s Day.
My Henrico Academy logo, with drawings of landmarks such as Henrico Theatre and Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Text reads, Helping You Connect with Your Local Government.

My Henrico Academy accepting applications for spring program

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The free leadership program is designed to strengthen connections between Henrico and its multicultural communities while encouraging civic participation and empowerment.

Entering its sixth year, My Henrico Academy offers up to 20 immigrant and descendant participants an opportunity to meet with county officials, tour facilities and deepen their understanding of local programs, services and resources.

Henrico does not tax plastic bags. Business should not be charging a bag tax. Report erroneous tax charges: 804-501-4310. Image shows a plastic bag with a slash through the message, "bag tax."

Henrico has no bag tax: Officials are contacting stores that have erroneously charged a local tax on disposable plastic bags

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Unlike Richmond and 10 other localities, Henrico has not approved a tax on disposable plastic bags. Consumers who believe they may have been improperly charged a bag tax in Henrico are encouraged to present their receipts to the businesses and request a refund. They also are asked to report the issue to the county.
Decorated Christmas tree with colorful lights and ornaments in a cozy living room encouraging tree recycling.

Henrico to accept Christmas trees for recycling Dec. 26 through Jan. 9

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Henrico County will accept Christmas trees for recycling into mulch from Friday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Jan. 9. The free service, offered by Keep Henrico Beautiful and the Department of Public Utilities, preserves landfill space and protects the environment. It is available to Henrico residents only. Nonresidents and commercial haulers are excluded.
Staff of Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services stand for a photo with the Board of Supervisors in a large meeting room.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services earns praise, reaccreditation from CARF International

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The accreditation, which extends through November 2028, represents the highest endorsement an agency can receive. In addition, CARF offered no recommendations for improvement – an accomplishment achieved by only 3% of 9,600 peer-reviewed agencies. MHDS’ nearly 500 employees provided services to more than 10,000 individuals in fiscal year 2024-25. 
Tobacco and vap shop businesses in Henrico County that have been inspected.

Henrico Board of Supervisors adopts tighter regulations on vape shops

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New stores offering products defined as “recreational substances” would be allowed only in the B-3 Business and M-1 Industrial zoning districts and would also be required to receive a provisional use permit. That would require public hearings and approval from the Board of Supervisors.

In addition, such stores would not be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school or 2,000 feet of a religious institution, day care center, public park or existing store selling recreational substances.

Supervisor Roscoe D. Cooper III will host a Fairfield Forum on Thursday December 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Avenue

Fairfield Forum on Dec. 18 to focus on holiday safety and winter activities

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 The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Eastern Henrico Recreation Center, 1440 N. Laburnum Ave. The public may attend in-person or participate remotely.

Representatives from several agencies, including the Fire, Police, and Recreation & Parks divisions and Henrico County Public Library, will give presentations and answer questions. Invited guests include state Sen. Lamont Bagby and Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling. 

Countysealcircle 150 X 150

Henrico offices, facilities and courts to close at 2 p.m. due to snowstorm

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The early closure applies to all facilities, including libraries, recreation centers and public-use areas. Trash collection is being suspended for the day, with routes scheduled to resume Tuesday, Dec. 9, weather permitting. Residents are encouraged to keep their carts by the curb or road’s edge for collection.
Henrico County Tax Bills Due notice with a banner added that reads, Deadline extended to Monday, Dec. 8. 501-4729 or taxhelp@henrico.gov, pay online: henrico.gov/finance.

Henrico extends tax payment deadline to Monday, with offices closed due to inclement weather

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With Henrico’s government offices closed today for inclement weather, the county has extended the deadline for tax payments that were originally due Friday, Dec. 5. The deadline, which applies to installment payments of real estate and personal property taxes for the second half of 2025, is now Monday, Dec. 8.

The extension provides taxpayers with additional time to submit payments without penalty.

Wooded property by Roslyn Hills Park

Henrico, Capital Region Land Conservancy and developer partner to protect historic land by Roslyn Hills Park

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The 6.4 acres of wooded property was part of Ziontown, a Black community established following emancipation by Henry Pryor, who had been enslaved at nearby Ravenswood plantation. Ziontown, which means “heavenly place,” began with Pryor’s purchase of 5 acres and prospered into the 1960s, with about 50 homes and as many as 275 residents, according to research for a historical marker installed by the county in 2020 along Ridge.

The Board of Supervisors voted Oct. 28 to acquire the land in collaboration with CRLC. With a $850,000 grant from the county, CRLC acquired the property from Dan and Linda Wilson, of University Park LLC, through a part-gift and part-sale transaction. Then, CRLC donated it to Henrico, and the county conveyed a conservation easement to CRLC, designating the site for the perpetual preservation of open space and restricting future development. The closing was finalized Nov. 24.

Logo for Henrico Outreach and Engagement Interfaith Network

Henrico to host Dec. 10 fair to help residents prepare for winter weather

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The event – Winter Ready: Henrico’s Emergency Preparedness Fair – will give attendees a chance to receive advice, tips and resources for staying prepared and safe during winter. The fair will include details on preparing homes, vehicles and families for harsh weather, power outages and other emergencies.
State of the County 2025, getting to yes, November 20, 2025, with collage image of officials, workers and scenes from the county plus the Henrico County seal.

Watch the 2025 State of the County address

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County Manager John A. Vithoulkas will host Henrico's 2025 State of the County address Thursday, Nov. 20 beginning at 7:45 a.m. The presentation by senior officials will highlight projects, accomplishments and achievements across service areas, including finance, economic development, tourism, public safety, housing, sustainability, infrastructure and recreation.
4-H Grows Here

Henrico 4-H to offer holiday-themed activities in December and January

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The Deck the Doors holiday party will be held from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4 at the Henrico Extension Office, 6800 Staples Mill Road. Youth ages 5 to 13 will explore the beauty and importance of evergreens while crafting a festive wreath to take home.

A pair of science-themed workshops geared for youth ages 9 to 13 - Make it Merry and Make it Bright - will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Dec. 22 and Friday, Jan. 2 at the Belmont Recreation Center, 1600 Hilliard Road.

Aerial photo of open land at Runnymeade Farm with a small building and a driveway leading to it.

Henrico, Happily Natural Day to establish community farm in Varina

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The community farm on the 1,052-acre Runnymeade property will encompass 10 acres during its pilot phase and could expand to 20 acres and potentially more, depending on community interest.

Farmers will be able to apply to use plots as small as a half-acre, beginning in late fall. Once it is operating at capacity year-round, the farm’s annual yield could total as much as 500,000 pounds of produce – a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and flowers.

photo of Cari Tretina, Henrico County Chief of Staff

Henrico Chief of Staff/Deputy County Manager Cari Tretina selected to lead Economic Development Authority

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Tretina has served as Henrico’s chief of staff since 2019 and in an expanded capacity that includes deputy county manager since 2022. Among her accomplishments for Henrico, she has collaborated with EDA on dozens of agreements and initiatives to attract jobs and investment to Henrico, while also enhancing business opportunities and livability in the county.

EDA is responsible for attracting business growth and investment in Henrico, which has more than 353,000 residents, 25,000 businesses and 200,000 jobs. Overall, the county represents the fourth largest economy in Virginia.

Help neighbors facing food insecurity. Feed More. Donate. Volunteer. feedmore.org.

Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance to be available for SNAP participants

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

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

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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.

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