Frederick Merrell Beasley (Fred), 83, of Henrico passed away October 7, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father, Ulyesses Beasley; his mother, Arthola Beasley; brothers; Boardman, Bart, Errol, Moultry; and sister, Dianna. Frederick is survived by his wife, Tonica Beasley; sons Jentson Beasley and Clint Beasley; daughter-in-law, Sarah Beasley; grandchildren; Laura, Lily Mae, Silas, and Jude; sisters, Shelda and Bonnie-Pat; and brother, Kenny. He was born in Darlington, SC in 1940, Fred grew up in the country as one of nine brothers and sisters working the farm and tobacco fields. Fred served honorably in the Army National Guard...Article Link

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Betty Jean Zartarian Duke, 72, of Henrico, VA went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 5, 2023 at Memorial Regional Hospital. She was preceded into heaven by her parents, Mushak and Alice Zartarian. She is also preceded by her step-mother, Ruby Zartarian. She is survived by her husband and soulmate of 23 years, Patrick Duke; daughter, Daphne Roberts (David); sons, Larry Madison (Stephanie), and Jeremy Vincent Krause (Estela); grandchildren, Mark, Seth, Justice, Mary, Lorien, Lana; and great-grandchildren, Saylor and Lyla. Betty was adopted and lived at St. Josephs Villa where her deep love for religion and art flourished....Article Link

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Shirley Ann Ratchford, 89, of Glen Allen, Va passed peacefully on October 8, 2023. She was preceded in death by her spouse, James Joseph Ratchford; infant sons, James and David; parents, Raymond and Rose Stevens; sister, Rosemary Hoover. She is survived by her children, Diane Murray (Bob), Annette Shaffer (Mike), Steven Ratchford (Jill), Alan Ratchford (Kyle Baxter), Edward Ratchford; grandchildren, Katie Cassidy (Shawn), Natalie Murray, Matthew Murray, Samantha Dowell (Taylor), Tommy Shaffer, Michael Shaffer, David Ratchford, Brian Ratchford, Sarah Ratchford, Mary Beth Ratchford, Amanda Ratchford, Joshua Ratchford; great grandchildren, Nathan Futrell, Julia Cassidy, Sophie Dowell, Russell Dowell; and siblings, Jean...Article Link

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For the second consecutive day, Transportation Security Administration officers at Richmond International Airport prevented a traveler from bringing a handgun onto a flight. On Oct. 12, it was a New Kent County man who was cited with a loaded gun, just a day after a Glen Allen man had been stopped with one. The New Kent man had a 9mm handgun loaded with five bullets, with five other bullets packed alongside. The gun was caught as the man, a resident of Providence Forge, entered the security checkpoint. The X-ray unit alerted on the carry-on bag, which required a closer inspection....Article Link

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10900 block of West Broad Street – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with driving under the influence of drugs, possession of synthetic drugs and heroin, and other state criminal violations Oct. 6 at 4 a.m. Laburnum Avenue at North Avenue – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with possession of cocaine, a weapons charge, and other criminal violations during a traffic stop Oct. 6 at 1:10 p.m. 1500 block of North Parham Road – Police arrested and charged a citizen with shoplifting at a retail store Oct. 6 at 4:36 p.m. 8100 block of Falcon Creek Court – Police...Article Link

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The two candidates for the Varina District seat on the Henrico School Board – incumbent Alicia Atkins and newcomer Domonique Pervall – spoke with the Citizen on a number of different issues in the county. Atkins, elected to the board in 2019, is the current school board vice-chair and sits on the board’s Varina District seat. Pervall is a licensed electrician and project manager. Atkins also spoke at the Oct. 6 Henrico Democrats forum for Democratic school board candidates. Both Atkins and Pervall have attended other events with the Henrico Democrats. As of Aug. 31, Atkins had raised ,476 and...Article Link

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The recently finalized Virginia budget makes significant investments in mental health services across the state, according to mental health advocates. Gov. Glenn Younkin signed the budget into law in early September. It allocates billions of dollars in surplus funds to be used for the remainder of the fiscal year, which ends in July. Many components of the funding for mental health services reflect Youngkin’s “Right Help, Right Now” behavioral health plan, which emphasizes community–centered mental health care. The budget allocates million from the general fund to “expand and modernize” Virginia’s comprehensive crisis services system. This includes investment in crisis...Article Link

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Crump Park will host an outdoor showing and sing-a-long of the movie “The Nightmare Before Christmas” on Friday, Oct. 13. The movie will begin after sunset, which is approximately 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a flashlight - it can double as a microphone! Popcorn will be available for purchase. Prior to the movie, a face painter will be on site from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and candy will be passed out. Admission is free. For details, visit henrico.us/calendar/movie-in-the-park-the-nightmare-before-christmas or follow Henrico Recreation and Parks on Facebook. *** North Carolina-based Nu-Blu will perform at the Henrico...Article Link

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The GRTC Board of Directors voted Oct. 12 to approve GRTC’s recommended path for a new north-south Pulse bus rapid transit line that will run from Henrico to Chesterfield. Selection of the alignment, created in partnership with consultants from Michael Baker International, represents the culmination of a year of outreach and research and establishes a corridor for further study for an expansion of GRTC’s rapid transit network. The alignment will run from its northern terminus at the intersection of Azalea Avenue and Chamberlayne Avenue in Henrico, south through Richmond across the Manchester Bridge to Hull Street, then west along Midlothian...Article Link

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A recent Virginia law dealing with sexually explicit books in K-12 schools is becoming the latest flashpoint in a high-profile state Senate race between Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, and Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico. At a news conference Wednesday morning, Dunnavant said she’s sending a cease and desist letter to the VanValkenburg campaign and TV stations airing a new ad that claims the 2022 law Dunnavant wrote inspired “MAGA Republicans” across the state to ban and censor books like “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Diary of Anne Frank.” “As a teacher, Schuyler VanValkenburg knows the difference one book can make...Article Link

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