Jennie Por, an early childhood education and preschool instructor at the Advanced Career Education Center at Highland Springs, has been named Henrico Schools' Teacher of the Year. “This is the most incredible honor,” Por said at a surprise announcement Dec. 18 at the center’s Springer Preschool Academy building. “My heart is exploding right now. We strive to get our students life-ready, and we do that every single day. … I’m just so pleased to be able to represent the greatest county ever.” Por was selected from five finalists — one from each of Henrico's magisterial districts — by a committee...Article Link

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As part of its new micro-transit LINK service that provides point-to-point connections across the community, GRTC is now serving the Azalea Zone. The Azalea Zone LINK will operate from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and serves as a replacement for GRTC Route 93, which will be discontinued as of Jan. 14. Instead of waiting at a bus stop, riders can simply open the GRTC On the Go app (available at ridegrtc.com/link) or make a phone call, and a vehicle will arrive within 20 minutes to take them to their destination.  Among places of Interest in the Azalea area...Article Link

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 A new documentary released this month chronicles the Varina High School boys’ varsity basketball team’s march to its second straight Class 4 state championship earlier this year. “Built on Route 5” is a 34-minute production that includes interviews with players and coaches, interspersed with highlights from the team’s 59-56 championship game victory over E.C. Glass High School and video from locker room speeches during the game. It is the work of Newviews Productions, owned by Varina native Tyrone Nelson, Jr., who said he wanted to capture the growing sense of pride in Varina High School athletics “and expound upon...Article Link

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The Central Virginia Dance Academy presented six showings of The Nutcracker at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen Dec. 14-17. Images from the performance appear above.Article Link

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A Henrico County man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to charges of forcible sodomy. Scott Buchanon Fitzhugh, 65, of Glen Allen, was sentenced to life plus 60 years in prison Dec. 14 after pleading guilty to three counts of forcible sodomy. The case stems from a December 2022 call to Henrico Police from an area nonprofit that reported concerns that had been disclosed to them about sexual actions Fitzhugh had taken with children. The Henrico County Police Division’s Special Victims Unit was contacted and immediately started an investigation into the accusations. A grand...Article Link

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On Nov. 30, the Faison Center dedicated its newest building, Pioneer Hall, with the help of the Edmunds family: long-time Faison client Paige Edmunds and her parents, Debbie and Paul. Pioneer Hall – which boasts a clubhouse named for Paige – will house Faison's Adult Day Services and Employment Academy programs.  The Paige Edmunds Clubhouse will serve as a home base for Faison's adult clients, who spend parts of the day in community-based activities. Above, Paige Edmunds huddles against the wind and Faison President and CEO Brian McCann looks on as Debbie Edmunds prepares to cut the ribbon.  The ribbon-cutting...Article Link

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Henrico Police officials have arrested a 20-year-old Richmond man in connection with the Dec. 9 murder of 25-year-old Damarius Odom of Henrico. Odom was found shot to death in a home in the 2800 block of Fairfield Avenue shortly before noon. On Dec. 18, police announced that Reginald Robinson had been arrested and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in connection with the case. Police are still seeking input from the public. Anyone with any additional information about Odom’s murder should contact Henrico Police homicide detectives at (804) 501-5000 or...Article Link

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World Pediatric Project, a nonprofit organization that provides children in developing countries with pediatric surgical and diagnostic care, has expanded its global reach with the acquisition of Childspring International. An Atlanta-based humanitarian organization specializing in connecting children to pediatric medical care, Childspring International has a history of facilitating surgical care and fostering partnerships with healthcare professionals to address the unique medical needs of children in resource-limited settings. The integration of Childspring International into the World Pediatric Project, which is headquartered in Henrico, will allow WPP to expand the delivery of life-changing medical interventions to children in underserved communities.  By joining...Article Link

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A man was found dead at the intersection of Parham and Fargo roads Monday morning, and Henrico Police are investigating to determine what happened. The man was found dead near the roadway at about 7:43 a.m. Police are calling his death “suspicious” and will work with the state’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death. Anyone with information about the situation should call Henrico Police at (804) 501-5000 or submit tips anonymously by calling Metro Richmond Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000 or by using P3tips.com.Article Link

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The mixed commercial and residential development at Regency Square may expand again. At its Dec. 14 meeting, the Henrico Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposal from Parham Island, OZ to rezone a small piece of land (just more than one acre in size), across North Parham Road from Regency Square, from conservation to urban mixed-use planned-development designation. The site was previously an access road into the site before the intersection of Parham and Quioccasin Road/Eastridge Road was rearranged. It would be used for commercial purposes, and the project would not affect the site limit of 1,250 residences. The Rise...Article Link

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