With all 140 seats in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate up for election this November and an unusual amount of turnover due to redistricting and retirements, the Mercury is profiling some of the season’s most closely contested races. Are you interested in a particular race? Let us know at [email protected] Time will tell whether Virginia Republicans can convince swing voters they’re not the abortion-banning fanatics Democrats say they are. But few are trying harder than Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, whose Richmond-area district will be one of the GOP’s toughest to defend this fall in the high-stakes battle for control...Article Link

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Hermitage High School students went into "lock and hide" mode Tuesday morning amid a suspicious situation at the school. "Henrico Police responded to Hermitage High School along Hungary Spring Road (at about 9:45 a.m.) for a suspicious situation. It’s reported an employee at school received a threatening call. Officers investigated while students/staff remained in 'lock and hide,'" a Henrico Police spokesperson wrote. "Multiple Division resources including the explosive ordinance disposal unit, patrol, and canine worked to clear the school and determined the threat was NOT credible. At this time HCPD continues to investigate the number utilized during the phone call."...Article Link

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The Henrico Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has created an alert system that will allow residents to register to receive an email notification after the filing of any document related to their home or other real estate. The alert system is free, optional to use and designed to give residents an opportunity to confirm the validity of any court filings that may affect their property, Circuit Court Clerk Heidi S. Barshinger said. Registration is available at henricovalandrecords.org. Under Virginia law, the Clerk’s Office must record all documents that are presented for recordation if they meet the requirements for execution and recordability...Article Link

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The Greater Richmond Transit Company is planning to implement new Pulse rapid transit bus service along a north-south route, and officials are seeking input through a survey from local residents about which potential routes they prefer. The selected route ultimately will run between Henrico and Chesterfield, through Richmond. The Henrico portion of the new line is set: it will begin at Azalea Avenue, near Henrico High School, and travel south along Chamberlayne Avenue to its intersection with Lombardy Avenue in Richmond. But GRTC officials need help determining the path of the service through Richmond and figuring out where it should...Article Link

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Richmond Raceway will retain both of its NASCAR Cup Series events in 2024 – and both will take place under the lights, but with a slight twist. Richmond’s first Cup Series event, the Toyota Owners 400 race, will take place on Easter Sunday, March 31, at 7 p.m. The second, the 2024 Cook Out 400, will be held Sunday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. The Cup Series is the highest level of NASCAR competition. For years, Richmond Raceway was known for its Saturday night races under the lights before NASCAR began experimenting with some afternoon times at the track in...Article Link

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The Richmond and Henrico Health Districts will offer the new COVID-19 vaccine by appointment at their Henrico and Richmond locations beginning in November. The 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine is available now at many local healthcare providers, pharmacies and public RHHD events. But residents may schedule appointments to receive the vaccine next month at the RHHD’s Henrico East Clinic at 1400 North Laburnum Avenue or its Cary Street Clinic at 400 East Cary Street in Richmond by calling (804) 205-3501 or online at rhhd.gov/covid-vax. The vaccine is available for free with most insurance plans. Adults without insurance can access the vaccine through the Bridge Access...Article Link

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Boston soon will have a historical highway marker in Henrico. No, not the city – the thoroughbred racehorse. Boston, a regal chestnut-colored horse with a white blaze on his nose, is generally regarded as the first great racehorse in American history. He lived from 1833 to 1850 and was born in Henrico County, owned initially by Virginia attorney and breeder John Wickham (who was best known for his role in Aaron Burr’s trial for treason). The Virginia Board of Historic Resources Sept. 21 approved a request from Becky Francois for the erection of a historical highway marker that’s likely to...Article Link

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Henrico County Board of Supervisors Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton will hold his final Fairfield Constituent Meeting on Monday, Oct. 16 to highlight local candidates in the Nov. 7 general election and to share a farewell message as he prepares to retire. Thornton has invited the candidates for the Fairfield District seats on the board of supervisors and school board, as well as those running for Henrico sheriff; clerk of the Henrico Circuit Court; and Commonwealth's attorney to make brief remarks. He also will share a brief history of the Henrico County Civic League. Thornton, who took...Article Link

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Deep Run High School The Wildcats’ football squad fell to 1-6 on the season after a 23-7 loss to Tucker (2-4) last Thursday. The game started off slowly for both teams, whose offenses struggled to find a rhythm. However, Deep Run got on the board first when quarterback Trey Gauch found Shann Patel on a two-yard touchdown pass, giving the Cats a 7-0 lead with just more than 10 minutes to play in the first quarter. At the half, Deep Run led 7-3 but then was unable to stop a Tigers offense that put up 20-unanswered points that started late...Article Link

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Henrico Schools has found a quick solution for its teacher shortage: board substitutes. While the school division had more than 200 vacant teaching positions on Aug. 8 (only two weeks before the first day of school), school system officials were able to lower that number to 68.2 vacancies by Sept. 25 after hiring 119 board substitutes. Board substitutes do not have a teacher license or a provisional license but must have a bachelor’s degree. They are long-term substitutes who are required to teach a class for at least 21 consecutive days but for no more than 6 months. As of...Article Link

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