Henrico County officials heard a variety of possible uses for a new 99-acre park in Sandston during two virtual community meetings they hosted Mar. 1 to gather input from citizens about the development of the park and showcase some of their ideas for it. Taylor Farm Park was conceived after a Bond Referendum was approved by Henrico voters in Nov. 2016. The park, to be located on East Williamsburg Road in Sandston behind the Chickahominy YMCA, is expected to feature athletic fields, trails, playgrounds and much more. In addition to the community amenities, the park has a notable historical background....Article Link

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John Swistock of Henrico was named to the fall 2020 dean’s list at Grove City College in Pennsylvania. To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a grade point average of 3.40 to 3.59 for the semester. *** Caroline Palmer of Glen Allen was named to the fall 2020 dean’s list at Harding University in Searcy, Ark. To be eligible for the dean’s list, students must earn a semester grade point average of 3.65 or higher. Palmer is a senior Management major. *** Olivia Conti of Glen Allen and Hunter Sundlun of Henrico were named to the fall 2020...Article Link

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Henrico's COVID death count continues to climb, even as the case count levels out; the General Assembly passes bills to provide COVID-related workers' compensation packages to certain workers; the Red Cross is seeking drivers; the James River Association is planning guided trips along the river; the YWCA of Richmond begins a racial equity challenge. Today's Henrico News Minute is brought to you by Henrico County Broadband Survey.)Article Link

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The Virginia General Assembly passed multiple bills allowing health care workers and first responders to receive workers’ compensation benefits if they are disabled or die due to COVID-19. “We did it!” Del. Chris Hurst, D-Blacksburg, said in a Twitter post. “Health care heroes who got COVID on the job will get the retroactive workers comp presumption they deserve!” Hurst’s House Bill 1985 expanded workers’ compensation benefits for health care workers “directly involved in diagnosing or treating persons known or suspected to have COVID-19,” including doctors and nurses. The bill provides coverage from March 12, 2020 until Dec. 31, 2021. The...Article Link

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The pandemic has made this past year unlike any other at Beth Sholom. In late February, it seemed like we were facing a typical long term care viral threat, but I could not shake the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this was going to be so much bigger. Like other communal living organizations, we have occasionally been required to lock down visitation to prevent a community-wide spread of the flu or norovirus. In the early days of the pandemic, there was so little available information, making it difficult to anticipate and prepare for the reality of...Article Link

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Henrico County reported 59 new cases of COVID-19 on Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Health, a number in line with the reporting from other recent days. The seven-day moving average of new daily cases continued to hover near 70, reaching 71. After seeing a spike in COVID-related hospitalizations on Friday to 18 – the most reported in the county on a single day during the pandemic – Henrico reported only 3 new ones related to the virus on Monday, according to VDH data. The full impact of the post-holiday surge of cases, however, continues to become clearer as...Article Link

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From vermicelli bowls to crispy chicken, Pho Luca’s, a Vietnamesed-owned Richmond restaurant, uses plastic foam containers to package takeout meals. That may soon change after the General Assembly recently passed a bill banning such packaging. After negotiations on a Senate amendment, the House agreed in a 57-39 vote last week on an amendment to House Bill 1902, which bans nonprofits, local governments and schools from using polystyrene takeout containers. The Senate passed the amended bill in a 24-15 vote. “We’re just leveling the playing field,” said Del. Betsy B. Carr, D-Richmond, about the amendment. “So not only do restaurants, but...Article Link

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Someone needs blood every two seconds, and every day, roughly 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed in the U.S. To continue to meet that need, the Virginia Region of the American Red Cross is looking for dependable, safe and courteous drivers to deliver blood products. Apply at http://www.redcross.org/deliver or contact Charles White, senior recruitment specialist, by email at [email protected] for additional information.Article Link

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Virginia lawmakers passed a bill that will ban the use of a person’s perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity as a defense in court for the assault or murder of an LGBTQ person. “It’s done: We’re banning the gay/trans panic defense in Virginia,” Del. Danica Roem, D-Manassas, said in a Twitter post. Roem introduced House Bill 2132, which passed the Senate 23-15 on Thursday with an amendment. The House approved the amendment in a 58-39 vote. The bill now heads to Gov. Ralph Northam’s desk for a signature. The Senate amendment adds oral solicitation, or hitting on someone,...Article Link

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About 5,000 local senior citizens received COVID-19 vaccinations at Richmond Raceway Feb. 27, 2021. (Photos by Dave Pearson for the Henrico Citizen)Article Link

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