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August 26, 2002 Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton's next constituent meeting will feature a presentation and discussion of key aspects of the county's planning process. The meeting is set for 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 9, in the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road. Henrico County Planner Lee Householder will present "The ABC's of Planning" and will join Thornton for discussion. There will be a question-and-answer period as well. Thornton's constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information. August 26, 2002 In preparation for the upcoming Chevy Monte Carlo 400 NASCAR race, Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the Richmond International Raceway (RIR) on Thursday, Sept. 5; Friday, Sept. 6; and Saturday, Sept. 7. The temporary changes should minimize traffic congestion during the races. "Anyone attending the race should arrive early," Foster said. "I would advise everyone else to avoid the raceway area the evenings of Sept. 5, 6 and 7 if at all possible." Local motorists should expect heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the RIR area, especially from 11 a.m. to 8:35 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2 a.m. after the races. The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty Sept. 5-7 to direct traffic around the area before and after the races. Foster recommends that motorists not attending the race turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, Sept. 7. This measure will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area. The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 7 during peak hours: · Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue. · Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at approximately 11 a.m. and continuing until the race starts. Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; however, in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times. · Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Mechanicsville Turnpike and RIR may be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. · Prior to the race, three lanes on Laburnum Avenue between Alma Avenue and RIR may be routed eastbound, one lane westbound. · After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue. · After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road, beginning at approximately 10 p.m. and continuing until race traffic is dispersed. · After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. This change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School to close at approximately 10 p.m. until race traffic is dispersed. Police will assist motorists turning from Azalea Avenue to Thrush Lane and Pony Farm Drive. While these traffic patterns are in effect, median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except for the intersections of Pilots Lane and Laburnum Avenue and Austin and Laburnum avenues. Only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue. Police will be positioned at these intersections before and after the race to assist motorists turning onto or crossing Laburnum Avenue. WRVA-AM 1140 radio and Metro Traffic will broadcast traffic reports before and after the race. On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited both days. Additional parking will be available Saturday, Sept. 7 at two satellite lots: · The VaPark parking lot, near the Richmond Coliseum between 4th and 5th streets, and East Jackson and East Leigh streets in downtown Richmond. · The Coliseum parking deck, between 7th and 8th streets and at the Azalea Flea Market (formerly the Country Peddler) at Azalea Avenue and Richmond-Henrico Turnpike. The cost of parking in satellite lots is $5. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided. The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 5-7: · From the east (Hampton Roads area) - Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway. · From the east (Route 360) - Approach Richmond on Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike), cross Interstate 295, and continue west to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway. · From the east (Local Traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue Exit (Exit 195). Turn right and proceed to the raceway. · From the north - Follow Interstate 95 south to the Interstate 295 east interchange (marked To Norfolk - Williamsburg). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway. · From the north (Local Traffic) - Use Route 1 (Brook Road) to Azalea Avenue. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway. · From the west - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Interstate 295 south interchange (Exit 177). Follow Interstate 295 south and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway. · From the west (Local Traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit, turn left and proceed to the raceway. · From the south - Follow Interstate 95 north to the interchange with Interstate 295 south of Petersburg. Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway. · From the south (Local Traffic) - Follow Interstate 95 north to the Interstate 64 east interchange (Exit 75). Follow Interstate 64 to Route 360 east (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 east to Laburnum Avenue. Turn left and proceed to the raceway. August 20, 2002 Due to the prolonged, severe drought and the historically low level of the James River, Henrico County announced today that it would join Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond in declaring mandatory water restrictions. Pursuant to the emergency ordinance passed by the Henrico County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 13, 2002, Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. declared mandatory water restrictions on outdoor use would begin Aug. 27. "Although we have experienced several periods of rain since the initial request for water conservation in April, rainfall amounts have not been sufficient to restore water supplies to normal levels and consumption demands have not significantly decreased," said Hazelett. An increase in summertime water use is primarily due to lawn irrigation systems. The ordinance will restrict lawn watering to a maximum of three times per week. According to the Henrico County Extension Office, this amount is sufficient to maintain healthy lawns and gardens. The mandatory lawn-watering schedule will be identical to the voluntary schedule with the exception that violators of the emergency ordinance will receive a written warning for the first offense. A second offense will result in a $50 fine, and each subsequent violation will be $100. Public Utilities will impose the fine on the violator's water bill. MANDATORY WATER USE MEASURES
August 14, 2002 The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will not meet on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The board will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 10. The Henrico County Board of Supervisors regularly meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Government Center Board Room, located at Parham and Hungary Spring roads. August 12, 2002 Jennifer K. Kraegel The Henrico County Health Department has confirmed 12 birds have tested positive for the West Nile virus in the county and announced it will no longer collect or test dead birds. The Virginia Department of Health is encouraging people to continue reporting dead birds for tracking purposes; Henrico residents can call 501-4530. "Because we have established the West Nile virus is in the region, our top priority is the health and safety of our residents," said Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. "We will shift our focus from bird pick-up and testing to mosquito surveillance and control." Knowing what kinds of mosquitoes are in the area and whether they are infected with the virus will help determine the level of risk to people and the best methods of control. Henrico's two, part-time employees who have thus far focused on bird collection will now be reassigned to other aspects of mosquito surveillance. Residents can help by treating standing water around their homes. Mosquito larvicide briquettes are available in most home improvement or garden stores; they are inexpensive and very effective at killing mosquito larvae. "It's important to remember, close contact with a West Nile virus infected bird does not pose a direct risk to people," said Director of Health Dr. Curtis W. Thorpe. "An infected bird merely indicates the virus is present in local mosquitoes and should motivate people to eliminate breeding areas and prevent mosquito bites." To further reduce the risk of exposure, observe these few simple precautionary measures throughout the remainder of the mosquito season: * Empty containers around your home where water can collect like potted plant trays, toys, buckets, pet bowls and garbage can lids; drill drainage holes in old tires used for swings, etc. * Eliminate water from folds in boat covers, or other outdoor tarps * Change birdbath and wading pool water every three days * Eliminate gutter clogs, outdoor AC/heating unit leaks, or water faucet drips * When outdoors, wear long, loose and light colored clothing * Use insect repellent containing no more than 35 percent DEET for adults and 10 percent for children on skin and clothing * Stay indoors at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active For more information, call 226-NILE (6453) or log on to the Virginia Department of Health's web site at www.vdh.state.va.us and click on "West Nile Virus Update." August 6, 2002 Henrico residents can learn the basics of lawn care at the Extension Office's Fall Lawn Care Field Day on Saturday, August 17, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Henrico County Government Center, Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Participants will watch demonstrations of lawn care equipment and products, and learn about lawn care practices such as summer lawn recovery, winter preparation, and weed and disease control. The event will also feature the LawnKnowers Program, which matches Master Gardener volunteers with participants to teach best-management practices for lawns. Fall Lawn Care Field Day is free and open to the public. There is a $20 fee for participation in LawnKnowers. To register or for additional information, contact the Extension Office at 501-5160. August 1, 2002 The Henrico County Division of Police is holding a rabies clinic on Saturday, August 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at gate four of the Richmond International Raceway Complex. Rabies shots cost $6 each and include a certificate of inoculation and a rabies tag. Dog owners may also purchase a license at the clinic for $10, but must show proof of rabies inoculation. All dogs and cats ages 4 months and older are required to have a rabies shot.
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