Brookland Magisterial District News

photo of Daniel J. Schmitt, Brookland Magisterial District Supervisor

Supervisor Dan Schmitt

Brookland District
Graphic of NACo 2026 Achievement Award winner.

‘Problems solved, challenges overcome’; Henrico, HCPS lead Virginia with 56 Achievement Awards from National Association of Counties

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“The NACo Achievement Awards showcase the tremendous work our departments and dedicated staff do for our community every day,” County Manager John A. Vithoulkas said. “These award-winning programs and initiatives reflect our commitment to excellence in governance and focus on customer service. Whether it’s tackling the affordable housing crisis, promoting pet adoptions, making our transportation system safer, engaging older residents or addressing mental health needs across the community, these awards represent problems solved, challenges overcome and efficiencies achieved.”

A wooded area with remains of a Civil War fort by a ditch filled with water.

New Market Heights battlefield acquisition expands land preservation efforts, sets stage for 3.2-mile trail 

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As envisioned, the New Market Heights Trail will be a 3.2-mile shared-used path connecting Four Mile Creek Park and Deep Bottom Park. The trail will highlight how 14 members of the U.S. Colored Troops played a central role in the Union victory in the Battle of New Market Heights and subsequently became the first Black soldiers to earn the Medal of Honor. 

Portraits of four new members of the Mary Ann Bergeron Hall of Fame.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services Board to induct 4 members to Mary Ann Bergeron Hall of Fame

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The Hall of Fame’s new members are MHDS retirees Angela Bowman, A. Michelle Johnson and Beth Tetrault, as well as retired Henrico County Supervisor Frank J. Thornton. An induction ceremony will be held June 18, at MHDS' offices at 10299 Wood Road.
A green recycling truck with the logo and branding of TFC Recycling is parked in a lot. The truck has contact information and the number 9086 visible on it.

Henrico’s recycling future: How CVWMA is turning trash into progress

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Curbside recycling is available to more than 95,000 households in Henrico, with recyclables collected every other week. Each single-family home receives a 95-gallon cart to make sorting and storage easier. The county also offers 12 drop-off locations throughout the county.

“When people understand what actually happens to their recycling, they sort better. When they sort better, less goes to waste,” TFC Division Manager Angel Martinez said. 

A group of people stand together holding a metal beam at a construction site. Some individuals sign the beam. Trees and a partially built structure are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Henrico officials join YWCA Richmond to launch development of facilities for survivors of domestic abuse

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The Heights will offer 19 affordable apartments, ranging in size from one to three bedrooms, for families recovering from domestic abuse. It also will provide support services such as counseling, workforce readiness, financial coaching and case management. The model community also will include a Sprout School preschool to provide quality daycare and early childhood education for residents of the community as well as nearby neighborhoods.

Formal portrait of Douglas Clevert in Class A Fire uniform with badge displayed.

Douglas Clevert Jr. named chief of the Henrico Division of Fire

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He joined Henrico Fire in 2020 as an assistant fire chief and was promoted to deputy chief in 2023. He succeeds Jackson P.F. Baynard, who is serving as Henrico’s deputy county manager for Public Safety. Clevert has more than 21 years of experience in municipal fire service, including 15 years in senior leadership and incident command roles.

Aerial rendering of a large urban development plan featuring numerous buildings and green spaces nestled within a wooded area. The project is surrounded by roads and existing developments, with a prominent arena visible nearby.

Draft master plan, recommendations for Best Products Reimagined site, Brook Road corridor to be presented at June 1 meeting

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The draft master plan and a proposed overlay district are designed to shape the area as development occurs to accomplish community-identified objectives. They are to create great walkable places; a unique gateway experience; safe, comfortable and interesting streets; an economic center; and more access to nature and quality public spaces.

A person fills a bottle with water from a sink.

Henrico Extension to offer water testing clinic for residents on private wells

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The Henrico County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension will offer a three-part clinic to help residents test their private wells, springs and cisterns for potentially dangerous levels of contaminants. The cost to participate in the clinic is $70 per water sample, with registration and payment due by noon Thursday, June 4.
Portrait of Jackson Baynard

Jackson Baynard named Henrico’s deputy county manager for Public Safety

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As deputy county manager for Public Safety, Baynard will provide leadership on a wide variety of public safety issues, including the development of a 60-bed recovery center at the Eastern Government Center campus for individuals struggling with addition and the county’s implementation of a modern emergency communications system for the region. He succeeds Michael Y. Feinmel, who served the post for four years and returned this month to service with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office as its deputy commonwealth’s attorney.

An announcement that mental health employment services have earned a top rating. The text is presented against a background showing newspaper headlines relating to employment and the economy.

Henrico Area Mental Health & Developmental Services earns top rating for employment services in first peer review

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MHDS has seen improvements in employment outcomes since adopting IPS in September 2024. As of March, 164 individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness and served by MHDS were employed. It's the first agency in Virginia to have received a "good" or "exemplary" rating in its first review, and it holds the only top rating in the state.
Coach Harris and his family and team at the board meeting recognizing his retirement.

April 28 meeting recap: Board of Supervisors set May 26 public hearing on recodification of county ordinances, recognize retired Highland Springs girls’ basketball coach

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The Board of Supervisors held a regular meeting Tuesday, April 28. The full agenda and video of the meeting are available on the board’s webpage.  The meeting began with proclamations for Economic Development Week and Older Americans Month as well as a resolution of recognition and appreciation for Franklin Harris, who has retired as girls’ basketball coach at Highland Springs High School.