September 30, 2008
CONTACT: Mark Coakley, General Registrar, Voter Registration and Elections Office
PHONE: 501-4347
Close to 7,000 Henrico voters will cast their ballots at a new polling location in November, as the county's Voter Registration and Elections Office (VREO) has split two precincts and created new precincts - Short Pump Middle School and Rolfe Middle School - to accommodate residents on Election Day. Voters affected by the change, which has been approved by the U.S. Department of Justice, will receive a new voter registration card alerting them to their new poll site.
The high turnout during Virginia's presidential primary in February led to long lines and delays for some voters at the Deep Run High School and Varina High School precincts. To better serve these residents, Henrico's VREO began the process of splitting the precincts and creating additional polling locations. Slightly more than 2,800 voters will now cast ballots at the Short Pump Middle School precinct, while Rolfe Middle School precinct will accommodate 3,900 voters.
Henrico now has 93 poll sites and more than 189,000 registered voters.
General Registrar Mark Coakley said the changes will enhance parking, increase space and provide greater accessibility for voters at the four affected polling locations.
"These improvements are voter-friendly and are designed to provide a more positive experience for voters on Election Day," Coakley said.
For more information, voters can contact VREO at 501-4347 or log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/registrar/.
September 30, 2008
CONTACT: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager
PHONE: 501-4386
The transition of Henrico County’s mailing address from “Richmond, VA” to “Henrico, VA” becomes effective Wednesday, Oct. 1 when the county implements a new address for residents, businesses and other entities. Residents and businesses are encouraged to begin using “Henrico, VA” in their correspondence and transactions.
The address change was approved by 61 percent of respondents to a survey conducted by the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) in May. The new address will help Henrico stop the loss of an estimated $5 million annually in county tax revenues that are mistakenly paid to the City of Richmond.
“The survey clearly indicated Henrico residents and business owners want their tax dollars used for their benefit, and we are doing everything we can to make that happen,” said County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. “Implementation of the address change will be a gradual, transparent process.”
Beginning Oct. 1, mail directed to Henrico general government should include the appropriate county department and the following address:
Henrico County
P.O. Box 90775
Henrico, VA 23273-0775
Henrico residents and business owners, except those in Glen Allen and Sandston, can now use “Henrico, VA.” For mailing addresses in ZIP code 23075, “Henrico, VA” becomes the preferred address but “Highland Springs, VA” remains an acceptable alternate community name. For mailing addresses in ZIP codes shared with the city (23222, 23223, 23226, 23227 and 23230) “Henrico, VA” becomes an acceptable alternate community name.
According to the USPS, residents and business owners should not file a formal address change with the postal service. Rather, they can begin incorporating “Henrico, VA” in their correspondence; over time, they will receive mail from various utilities and businesses using the “Henrico, VA” address.
For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us.
September 23, 2008
CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis SWCD
PHONE: 501-5175
Henrico residents, homeowners and agricultural producers can learn about conservation programs and practices at the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) annual landowner meeting, set for 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9 at the Varina Ruritan Club, 8081 Recreation Road.
The meeting will feature presentations on several topics, including the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program; and Ducks Unlimited: Protecting Virginia's Resources. It also will include updates from the Virginia Department of Forestry, and the USDA's Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service.
The landowner meeting is free to Henrico residents, but pre-registration is required. Call 501-5175 by Friday, Oct. 3 to register.
The Henricopolis SWCD provides natural resource conservation programs and services for Henrico residents, landowners and agricultural producers. For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/swcd/.
September 15, 2008
CONTACT: Steve Yob, Director, Solid Waste and Recycling Division
PHONE: 727-8217
Henrico County and the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) have expanded curbside recycling to include most single-family homes in the county, subject to serviceability. Approximately 83,000 homes in Henrico are now eligible to take advantage of the curbside recycling service.
County residents not currently participating in the program or those who were previously unable are encouraged to call the CVWMA hotline for a collection schedule and to request a recycling bin. Because Henrico County pays for the service, there is no cost for individuals to participate.
Recyclables are collected curbside every two weeks and do not need to be sorted. Items such as aluminum cans and foil, newspapers, junk mail and catalogs, corrugated cardboard, narrow-neck plastic bottles as well as glass bottles and jars are accepted. More than 1,000 tons of material is recycled each month by county residents in the curbside program.
Henrico also has the largest drop-off recycling program in Central Virginia. Located throughout the county at 12 fire stations and two public-use areas, the drop-off sites serve the needs of residents not eligible to participate in curbside recycling like those living in apartments, condominiums and other multi-family residences.
CVWMA coordinates recycling and waste management services for 13 area jurisdictions, which have helped divert 33,812 tons of material from Virginia landfills in the last 12 months. For more information about recycling and curbside collection, log on to the CVWMA Web site at www.cvwma.com or call the recycling hotline at 340-0900.
September 12, 2008
CONTACT: Kendra Kyle, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office has launched its annual 4-H apple, peanut and honey sale. Proceeds will benefit local 4-H youth programs.
The sale features Virginia-grown produce:
• Winesap and York apples, $15 per half bushel;
• Raw peanuts, with recipes, $8 per two-pound sack;
• Deluxe cocktail peanuts, salted and unsalted, $11 per two-pound sack; and
• Honey, $5 per one-pound jar.
Order forms are available at the Extension Office, located in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive; at any Henrico County library; online at www.co.henrico.vt.edu/extension; or by calling 501-5160 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Because supplies are limited, orders placed after Friday, Oct. 10 will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
Staff will distribute orders from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29 and from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Human Services Building loading dock.
Contact the Extension Office at 501-5160 for more information.
September 11, 2008
CONTACT: Lisa Sanderson, Extension Agent
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico Master Gardener Association will provide an array of classes, demonstrations, products and activities for the entire family at the Henrico Harvest Fair, set for Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Armour House and Gardens at Meadowview Park, 4001 Clarendon Road.
The Henrico Harvest Fair will offer more than 20 classes on garden-related topics ranging from growing herbs indoors, gardening with winter crops and drought tolerant plants to building a rain barrel and making seasonal floral arrangements. Classes for children grades K-5 also will be available. Horticulture experts from area businesses and service agencies will lead the classes.
In addition, the event will feature demonstrations of beekeeping, pruning and composting as well as hands-on activities for children. The Master Gardener Association will hold its Green Elephant Sale of garden books, tools and plants. More than 20 vendors will be on hand to display and sell their products and services. Lunch can be purchased at the event, which will take place rain or shine.
Admission to the Henrico Harvest Fair is free. A $10 pre-registration fee will cover all adult classes; some classes will include an additional charge for materials. Children's classes cost $8. Adult classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so pre-registration is encouraged. Pre-registration is required for children's classes.
Registration forms, class listings and additional information can be obtained online at www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/extension/; at the Henrico County Extension Office, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive; at all Henrico libraries; or by calling 501-5160.
The Henrico Harvest Fair is presented in cooperation with the Henrico Extension Office and the Division of Recreation and Parks.
September 10, 2008
CONTACT: Barbara Burton/Jim Carey, Foster Care Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4056 / 501-4029
Henrico residents interested in becoming foster parents can learn about the county’s Foster Care program at information sessions offered by Henrico’s Department of Social Services (DSS) on Monday, Sept. 22 and again on Monday, Oct. 20. DSS will hold the sessions from 6-8 p.m. both nights on the second floor of the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
Participants will receive information on a variety of topics, including the special needs of foster children; what it takes to be a successful foster parent; working with DSS staff and the biological parents of a foster child; and the application and approval process. They also will have the opportunity to ask questions and sign up for the next foster parent training program, which begins in November.
Pre-registration for the information sessions is encouraged. Participants can register or obtain additional information by calling 501-7496.
Henrico currently faces a need for additional foster parents, especially those who can provide a home for sibling groups and teenagers. Foster parents are “professional parents,” available around-the-clock to bring children into their homes and provide temporary and potentially long-term care in a safe, stable environment. Parents must be at least 21, have their own source of income and sufficient living space in their house or apartment to care for a child. They can be single or married, with or without children of their own, male or female, and from all backgrounds, races and nationalities.
For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/departments/dss/foster-parenting/.
September 8, 2008
CONTACT: Kristy Marshall, Community Liaison, Public Utilities
PHONE: 501-7540
The recent wet weather pattern has caused water levels in the James River to increase significantly. In response to these levels, the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities is notifying all county water customers that the voluntary water conservation measures previously issued on Aug. 29 are lifted as of today, Sept. 8.
As always, prudent water use is recommended. Typical ways to conserve water include:
Operating fully-loaded washing machines and dishwashers;
Repairing leaks in faucets and toilets;
Installing water-saving devices such as faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads; and
Cleaning vegetables using water in a pan and a vegetable brush rather than letting the faucet run.
September 8, 2008
CONTACT: Patricia D. Hill, Ph.D. Prevention Services/East Center Manager
PHONE: 222-8194, ext. 3023
Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services and the Too Smart to Start Coalition are seeking nominees for the 12th annual Henrico Outstanding Youth Volunteer Awards. The deadline to apply is Monday, Sept. 15.
The Henrico Outstanding Youth Volunteer Awards recognize young people who have provided exemplary, selfless service to their community without monetary gain. Past honorees have engaged in a variety of volunteer activities, such as leading fund-raising efforts to benefit charitable causes, contributing volunteer service to nonprofit organizations and serving as mentors and tutors at local schools.
Nominees must be Henrico residents between the ages of 12 to 18 as of Jan. 1, 2008 and still attending school. Applications are available online at www.toosmart2start.com or by calling 727-8548.
Award winners will receive a $500 savings bond and will be honored at a ceremony Oct. 21 at the University of Richmond. The awards are sponsored by the Too Smart to Start Coalition, the University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership Studies, Richmond Elks Lodge 45 and Henrico Area Mental Health Prevention Services.
For more information call 727-8548 or log on to www.toosmart2start.com.
September 5, 2008
CONTACT: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager
PHONE: 501-4386
Due to the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Hanna and its potential impact on the area, County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. has authorized a declaration of local emergency for Henrico County. Residents are advised to take the following measures and precautions:
• During the storm, stay indoors and away from windows.
• Secure or bring indoors lawn furniture, garbage cans or other items that may be affected by strong winds.
• If a tornado warning is issued, move quickly to an interior room of your home or building.
• Avoid using candles during a power outage; use flashlights instead. Do not cook with open flames indoors.
• Generators should only be operated outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area; never operate a generator indoors or in an attached garage.
• Watch for downed power lines and weakened structures.
• Never attempt to drive through standing water. If you cannot see the lines on the roadway, do not drive in the water.
Residents can obtain general county information related to Tropical Storm Hanna by logging on to the county Web site at www.co.henrico.va.us and by viewing HCTV-17 at channel 17 for Comcast subscribers and channel 39 for Verizon subscribers.
For additional information, residents can access the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at www.vaemergency.com and the National Hurricane Center at www.nhc.noaa.gov.
Public Relations & Media Services
P.O. Box 90775
Henrico, VA 23273-0775
Phone: (804) 501-4257
Fax: (804) 501-5500