Building positive relationships through experiences is what the Henrico Fraternal Order of Police hoped to do on Saturday morning. They held their annual Cops and Kids event with more than 125 elementary kids participating from Henrico County and New Kent Schools. The event kicked off at the Henrico Moose Lodge where kids and their families were assigned an officer who would be their partner for the festivities. They ate breakfast together and began bonding before heading to Walmart for a shopping spree. Henrico County Police Officer Britnney Pike got paired with Baker Elementary School student Mikayla. Click here to continue...Article Link

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Fatal overdose rates remain high in Virginia, even as the state begins to spread opioid settlement money to state and local agencies to help tackle the epidemic. Death from drug overdoses, opioids and fentanyl in particular, has remained the dominant method of unnatural death in Virginia since 2013, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Overdoses ticked slightly down last year, but the number is forecast to remain about the same or higher this year. The state’s opioid epidemic was officially declared a public health emergency in 2016, and opioid-related deaths increased 274% between 2012 and 2022, according to VDH...Article Link

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With six schools currently over capacity, both parents and Henrico School Board members have urged Henrico Schools officials to prioritize rebuilding schools in the West End and constructing a new elementary school in the area. Three elementary schools and three high schools, all located in western Henrico, have more students than the building capacity is meant to hold, according to an HCPS report conducted Sept. 30. Several schools are also nearing 100% capacity, with 14 schools at over 90% capacity, four of which are above 98% capacity. At a school board meeting Nov. 9, board members reviewed the division’s Capital...Article Link

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Virginia is considering adding 12 more plants to its noxious weeds list, a compilation of species that are banned from use in the state because of the damage they provide to ecosystems. On Thursday, the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services held a public hearing on the proposed additions. No one spoke during it, but one comment was submitted via the state’s online regulatory Town Hall website from Chesapeake resident Rogard Ross, who said he “strongly agrees” with the additions. “You should also add English Ivy, Japanese Stilt Grass, and Linden Viburnum,” wrote Ross.  “These are all terribly invasive plants...Article Link

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Virginia will break ground on several long-awaited rail projects next year and has recently announced funding and construction partners. Virginia’s investment in its passenger rail infrastructure aims to reduce chronic traffic, decrease its carbon footprint and catch up to states with a competitive state-run passenger rail service, such as New York and Illinois. The new focus on investment comes after decades of neglect. Flash back to a late March afternoon at Alexandria Station in 2021. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg sits masked on stage as then-Gov. Ralph Northam announces a .7 billion investment in the state’s passenger rail over...Article Link

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5000 block of Nine Mile Road – Police arrested and charged a citizen with shoplifting and possession of cocaine and synthetic drugs at a grocery store Dec. 1 at 9:13 a.m. Glenspring Road at Greenleigh Road – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with hit-and-run felony, aggravated assault, and kidnapping Dec. 1 at 3:23 p.m. 7100 block of West Broad Street – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with disorderly conduct, vandalism, conspiracy to commit robbery, kidnapping, obstruction of justice, and being drunk on the street at a restaurant Dec. 1 at 8:35 p.m. 300 block of North Laburnum Avenue...Article Link

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Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden’s Dominion Energy GardenFest of Lights display has been named the top botanical garden holiday light exhibit in the nation by readers of USA Today. The exhibit earned the top honors in the newspaper’s 10Best contest for "Botanical Garden Holiday Lights” following two years in the No. 2 spot. “It’s an honor to be consistently recognized with such well-respected gardens around the country,” said Brian Trader, president and CEO at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. “We’re grateful to all those who voted for us, and it’s especially fitting given this is the 25th anniversary of Dominion Energy’s sponsorship....Article Link

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River Road Presbyterian Church, 8600 River Road, will present “Carols and Keyboards” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7-8. This festive musical experience is an annual tradition featuring holiday favorites and traditional religious selections performed on four grand pianos alongside an organ, choir, vocal soloists, congregational singing, and special lighting. Admission is free and open to the public; no tickets required. Doors open at 6 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. For details, visit rrpcusa.org/carolsandkeyboards. *** The Shoestring Players at J.R. Tucker High School will present “Sweeney Todd” at 7 p.m. Dec. 7-9 and at 2 p.m. Dec. 10 at the school, 2910 North...Article Link

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The Henrico County 250th Committee will host a public kickoff event Saturday, Dec. 16, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Walkerton Tavern (2892 Mountain Road in Glen Allen) to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. Tea at the Tavern: 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, will be held on the anniversary of the event, which occurred Dec. 16, 1774.  The event is held in partnership with Henrico County Public Library, Henrico County Public Schools, Richmond National Battlefield Park, and with the support of local historians and reenacting groups. Nearly every adult and school-aged child has...Article Link

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Patricia Hubbard Dennis, departed this life peacefully, on November 30, 2023, surrounded by family. Born in Richmond, Va., December 13, 1933, to Mabel S. and T. Lynch Hubbard, she grew up in Richmond and Henrico enjoying summers on the Rappahannock River near Tappahannock, Va. She loved the river, knitting, pink roses, and playing Mr. & Mrs. Claus with her husband of 54 years, James Waller Dennis. She is survived by her two children, JD and Ellen (Andy); and her grandson, Ian. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandmother; parents; husband; and two younger brothers. The family wishes to...Article Link

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