The Henrico Division of Fire's Community, Assistance, Resources, and Education Team has been named the Randy R. Bruegman Agency Innovation Award recipient by the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The annual award recognizes, incentivizes, and advocates for innovation in the fire and emergency service. The CARE Team serves citizens throughout the community who have unmet needs, including frequent users of 911 who ultimately are better served by non-emergency services. CARE Team members regularly evaluate the big picture for those people, pursuing solutions outside of emergency response in order to identify resources and reduce demand on first responders. “When we see...Article Link

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Several medical, food and financial assistance flexibilities and programs administered by the Virginia Department of Social Services and the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services are set to expire due to recent changes in federal legislation.  The programs, which have provided additional benefits and eligibility waivers to many Virginians, were offered on a temporary basis to help households cope with hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.  However, with the recent federal action announcing the end of the continuous coverage requirement on March 31, and approaching end of the federal public health emergency on May 11, states will soon return to normal...Article Link

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On March 2, the Home Building Association of Richmond held its annual MAME (Major Achievements in Marketing Excellence) Awards Gala, recognizing residential real estate products, services, and professionals that have enhanced quality of life for homeowners and residents in the Richmond region. HHHunt received several MAME Awards, including: Best Marketed Community with 501+ Homes (River Mill in Glen Allen); Best Model Home Townhome/Condominium 0-500K (The Waverly at Magnolia Green); and Best Model Home Townhome/Condominium 0-700K (The Hudson at River Mill).   HHHunt Homes team members were also honored for sales volume over the past year. Specific winners at the Platinum...Article Link

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On March 9, Henrico's Historic Preservation Advisory Committee presented the 2022 Awards of Merit in a ceremony held at Dorey Recreation Center.  Sponsored by Henrico County Division of Recreation and Parks, the awards ceremony honors individuals and groups for their efforts to preserve and promote Henrico County heritage. Henrico Director of Recreation and Parks John Zannino opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, which were followed by comments from HPAC Chairman John Shuck and Board of Supervisors Chairman Frank Thornton.  Among this year's honorees were John Hoogakker, who led corporate fundraising efforts for the Meadow Farm Museum historical programming kitchen and...Article Link

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Multiple Henrico County Sheriff's deputies were arrested and charged with 2nd-degree murder in connection to the in-custody death of Irvo Otieno, according to Dinwiddie County Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Cabell Baskervill. The arrests come as Virginia State Police investigate the circumstances surrounding Otieno's death. While the details surrounding Otieno's death have not yet been released, Baskervill called what happened to him a "horrible miscarriage of justice by individuals and institutions." Continue reading this article on WTVR.com.Article Link

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In the wake of the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, elected leaders vowed to prioritize campus safety.  Then-Gov. Tim Kaine appointed a blue-ribbon panel and within a year signed more than 30 mental health, school security and gun purchase bills aimed at preventing future mass shootings. Several appeals for stricter gun policies, however, were voted down. More than 15 years later, in the aftermath of another school shooting — this time at the University of Virginia, where three students were shot and killed in November — state lawmakers considered a range of gun policy proposals: a ban on new assault-style weapons,...Article Link

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Sheetz will open its newest location, at Regency Square in Henrico’s West End, Thursday, March 23. The store is located at 8711 Quioccasin Road. Grand-opening festivities will begin outside the store at 9 a.m. (when the store opens to the public) with multiple prizes awarded, including a grand prize giveaway of free Sheetz for a year (a ,500 gift card). An official ribbon-cutting ceremony will follow at 10:45 a.m. Customers will receive free self-serve coffee and soda all day. In honor of the grand opening, Sheetz also will donate ,500 to Feed More, which helps feed the food-insecure in 29...Article Link

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Andrew Smetana of Henrico was named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.4 or higher. *** Abigail Campbell and Rebecca Loupassi of Henrico were named to the fall 2022 chancellor’s honor roll at the University of Mississippi. To be eligible for this honor, students must earn a grade point average of 3.75-4.00 for the semester. *** The following local students were named to the fall 2022 dean’s list at Tufts University in Medford, Mass.: Nalani Payson, of Glen Allen;...Article Link

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The Virginia Department of Education’s newest draft of the state’s history and social science standards aims to address objections raised this fall over content and omissions. However, some history and education groups claim there are still lingering issues that must be addressed as the agency prepares to host a series of public hearings on the latest version beginning March 13 in Williamsburg. The newest draft of the standards requires students to analyze “The Final Solution,” the euphemism used by the Nazi regime for the mass killing of Jewish people during the Holocaust, and includes mentions of Juneteenth, the Chinese Exclusion...Article Link

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Dear Editor: My life’s work is making sure that Virginians can access the mental and physical health care they need. With the medical needs of so many in our community on the rise, it is not the time to cut vital healthcare programs. As our representatives in D.C. argue over budgets, programs, and cuts, it is important that they pay attention to some of our most successful programs. For example, Medicare Advantage serves over 530,000 Virginia seniors and those with disabilities. Cuts will only increase the vulnerability of our most at risk neighbors. I am in our community every day...Article Link

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