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September 30, 2003 The Henrico County Extension Office has launched its annual 4-H apple, peanut and honey sale. Proceeds benefit local 4-H youth programs. The sale features Virginia-grown produce: · Winesap and York apples, $12 per half bushel; To obtain an order form, call 501-5160 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Order forms also are available at the Extension Office, located in the Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, and at any Henrico County library. Because supplies are limited, orders placed after Wednesday, Oct. 8 will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Staff will distribute orders from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, and on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road. Contact the Extension Office at 501-5160 for more information. September 29, 2003 The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will examine Henrico County's Real Estate Advantage Program--also known as R.E.A.P.--and the special support it provides for the county's elderly and disabled residents. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road. Henrico implemented R.E.A.P. to give qualifying elderly and disabled homeowners some relief from their real estate taxes. The meeting will feature a presentation by Revenue Division Director Ed Trice. He will join Thornton for a discussion and question-and-answer period as well. Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information. September 26, 2003 Henrico County is continuing to provide post-Isabel emergency services to residents throughout the weekend and beyond in certain cases. Please note the following updated information. · For non-emergency questions and info call the Hurricane Hotline at 501-7800. · When approaching an intersection without working stoplights, use caution and treat it as a four-way stop: When in doubt, yield to the person on your right. · Road Closings (as of 2:30 p.m., Sept. 26):
· Emergency Resource Centers Open: Godwin High & Highland Springs High, Fri., Sept. 26, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Showers (bring toiletries & towels), Emergency meals to go, bottled water. Godwin High School Resource Center will close permanently at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Highland Springs High School Resource Center will be open Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a light lunch served between 12 and 2 p.m. · Free water and ice for Henrico County residents: available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m at Dabbs House, Eastern Government Center, at Deep Run HS, and at Varina Elementary (2551 New Market Rd.), while supplies last. For more information, call 501-7800. · Storm Damage: Call 501-5869 before 4:30 p.m. to report damage to a building, or call 501-7800 after hours. Permits and inspections are free only for buildings with confirmed storm-related damage. · Free yard debris disposal (trees, tree limbs, etc.) Dorey Park and Deep Run Park, 9 a.m. to dusk through Monday, Sept. 29. Info: 261-8770. Residents only (no commercial businesses). · Free storm debris disposal including yard waste (trees and limbs) and household waste (max 6ft length) for residents at the Springfield landfill and the Charles City Rd landfill, 7:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. For info: 747-1865 or 222-7739. Yard and household debris must be separated. · Free Bulky Waste Pick-up: Non-Yard Waste Storm Debris (debris from damage to buildings, furnishings, etc., maximum of 6 ft. in length). Place debris curbside. Call 261-8770 to be placed on a list, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Apply online: www.henricodpu.org. · Free Yard Debris Pick-up (trees & limbs only, maximum 6 ft. length). Residents must place debris, NOT bagged, at curbside. Call 501-4393 between 8 am - 4:30 pm through Oct 27 to be put on a list for debris pickup. Apply online: www.co.henrico.va.us/works. Do not bag debris. · Christmas in September Arts & Crafts Show at Dorey Park on Sat, Sep 27th is cancelled. September 26, 2003 The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved the issuance of disaster food stamps for hurricane victims in Henrico County. Henrico residents can apply for disaster food stamps beginning Tuesday, September 30 through Saturday, October 4, and Monday, October 6 through Tuesday, October 7. Residents of Henrico County with the zip codes 23059, 23060, 23233, 23226, 23227, 23228, 23230, 23294, should apply at the Henrico Department of Social Services, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those with the zip codes 23222, 23223, 23231, 23075 and 23150 should apply at Henrico Social Services, Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents who are not usually eligible for food stamps may temporarily qualify if their home or belongings were damaged or destroyed and they have disaster related expenses or if they have lost income as a result of the hurricane. Eligibility is based on available income less disaster-related expenses. Applicants need to bring identification such as a driver's license, school or work ID or birth certificate, as well as proof of residency such as a utility bill or tax statement. Henrico residents who are already receiving food stamps will automatically receive a half-month benefit in their EBT account, if they have not already received benefits to replace lost food by signing an affidavit at the Department of Social Services. For more information, please call 501-4001. State and federal officials are committed to providing benefits to all eligible households. Anti-fraud staff will be on-site to ensure only eligible households receive food stamps. September 26, 2003 Henrico County is continuing to provide post-Isabel emergency services to residents throughout the weekend and beyond in certain cases. Please note the following updated information. For non-emergency questions and info call the Hurricane Hotline at 501-7800. When approaching an intersection without working stoplights, use caution and treat it as a four-way stop: When in doubt, yield to the person on your right. Road Closings (as of 2:30 p.m., Sept. 26):
Emergency Resource Centers Open: Godwin High & Highland Springs High, Fri., Sept. 26, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Showers (bring toiletries & towels), Emergency meals to go, bottled water. Godwin High School Resource Center will close permanently at 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26. Highland Springs High School Resource Center will be open Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a light lunch served between 12 and 2 p.m. Free water and ice for Henrico County residents: available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m at Dabbs House, Eastern Government Center, at Deep Run HS, and at Varina Elementary (2551 New Market Rd.), while supplies last. For more information, call 501-7800. Storm Damage: Call 501-5869 before 4:30 p.m. to report damage to a building, or call 501-7800 after hours. Permits and inspections are free only for buildings with confirmed storm-related damage. Free yard debris disposal (trees, tree limbs, etc.) Dorey Park and Deep Run Park, 9 a.m. to dusk., through Monday, Sept. 29. Info: 261-8770. Residents only (no commercial businesses). Free storm debris disposal including yard waste (trees and limbs) and household waste (max 6ft length) for residents at the Springfield landfill and the Charles City Rd landfill, 7:30 a.m. ? 7 p.m. For info: 747-1865 or 222-7739. Yard and household debris must be separated. Free Bulky Waste Pick-up: Non-Yard Waste Storm Debris (debris from damage to buildings, furnishings, etc., maximum of 6 ft. in length). Place debris curbside. Call 261-8770 to be placed on a list, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Apply online: www.henricodpu.org. Free Yard Debris Pick-up (trees & limbs only, maximum 6 ft. length). Residents must place debris, NOT bagged, at curbside. Call 501-4393 between 8 am - 4:30 pm through Oct 27 to be put on a list for debris pickup. Apply online: /works/. Do not bag debris. Christmas in September Arts & Crafts Show at Dorey Park on Sat, Sep 27th is canceled. September 25, 2003 Emergency resource centers at Godwin High School, 2101 Pump Road, and Highland Springs High School, 15 S. Oak Ave., will open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 25 and Friday, Sept. 26. The resource centers offer hot showers, emergency meals and a limited supply of bottled water. Residents who plan to use the showers should bring their own towels and toiletries. Residents can obtain free ice and water at Henrico's three distribution sites. The county expects to receive a total of four truckloads of ice Sept. 25-26 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency; the ice will be provided to residents as long as supplies last. Distribution sites for ice and water are: For more information about the resource centers, ice and water distribution and the county's other storm-related services, Henrico residents should contact the Hurricane Hotline at 501-7800. September 24, 2003 In addition to Henrico Public Works' free curbside program removing storm-related yard debris, the county's Department of Public Utilities is implementing a free program to remove bulky waste resulting from Hurricane Isabel. Bulky waste is non-vegetative debris caused by storm damage to houses, buildings and home furnishings, including items such as shingles, gutters and roofing materials; drywall, lumber and other wall-framing products; and rugs, mats and household items. Yard debris includes small trees, limbs, branches and similar lawn waste. Residents should place both bulky waste and yard debris curbside or by the edge of a nearby public roadway; however, they should be separated into distinct piles. Both bulky waste and yard debris should be no more than six feet in length. To be placed on a list for free removal of bulky waste, Henrico residents can contact Public Utilities at 261-8770 during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. They also can contact Public Utilities online by logging on to www.henricodpu.org and following the links for "bulky waste collection application." Residents will not be able to schedule a specific time for removal of their bulky waste ; rather, their names will be placed on a master list and Public Utilities will pick up their debris as soon as possible. Henrico residents can also dispose storm-related bulky waste at the public use areas at the Springfield and Charles City Road landfills. This service is also provided free of charge. Call 261-8770 for information. September 23, 2003 Henrico residents can contact the county's Department of Public Works beginning Monday, Sept. 22, to be placed on a list for free removal of vegetative debris that has fallen on their property as a result of Hurricane Isabel. Residents who want to take advantage of this free service should contact Public Works by Monday, Oct. 27. Henrico's Public Works can remove only trees and limbs with a maximum length of six feet. Debris should not be bagged and should be placed curbside or by the edge of a nearby public roadway. Residents can call Public Works at 501-4393 during regular business hours, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, starting Sept. 22 and continuing through Oct. 27. They also can contact Public Works online by logging on to /works/ and following the links for "free storm debris pick-up." Residents will not be able to schedule a specific time for debris removal; rather, their names will be placed on a master list and Public Works will pick up their debris as soon as possible. The debris removal effort could last several weeks; Public Works asks for residents' patience as it provides this service. September 22, 2003 Contact: Dianne Lee DeLoach, Public Relations Coordinator Phone: (804) 786-3455 ddeloach@tax.state.va.us TAX COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCES RELIEF FOR HURRICANE ISABEL VICTIMS Tax Commissioner Kenneth W. Thorson announced today that the Virginia Department of Taxation will grant relief to taxpayers in the designated cities and counties declared disaster areas due to Hurricane Isabel. "In the aftermath of this devastating storm, we want to ease the pressure of tax filing deadlines on Virginia taxpayers who are struggling to cope with property damage and losses," Commissioner Thorson said. "To help with the At this time, the following cities and counties have been declared disaster areas: Hurricane Isabel Federal Disaster Declarations by Jurisdiction September 21, 2003 Declared on September 18, 2003 Counties of ... Accomack Charles City Declared on September 20, 2003 Cities of ... Colonial Heights Danville Counties of ... Arlington Augusta The relief provisions will also apply to taxpayers in any other Virginia city or county that is declared a disaster area, as well as in designated disaster areas in other states. Provisions for relief include: · Withholding Tax Returns: Monthly filers in the affected areas whose August returns are due on September 22, 2003 are granted an extension until October 20, 2003 for filing and payment of the tax. Semi-weekly filers in those areas who had payments due on or after September 19 are granted an extension until September 30 to make their payments. · Other State Taxes Administered by the Department of Taxation: An automatic extension of 30 days is granted for the filing of any other state tax returns and payments with a due date falling from September 19 through September 30, 2003. The extensions for sales and withholding tax returns also apply to persons who use electronic funds transfer (EFT) for payments. EFT filers in the affected areas who receive penalty or interest assessments associated with returns and payments for which relief has been granted should contact the Department at (804) 367-8037. Taxpayers in the designated disaster areas do NOT need to file extension requests for the affected returns. To obtain an automatic extension, print" Hurricane Isabel" at the top of the return, and file the return with full payment for the tax due by the extended due date. No penalty or interest charges will apply to returns filed under the relief provisions.Taxpayers who have experienced extreme hardship due to the effects of Hurricane Isabel may request consideration for an additional extension by writing to: Department of Taxation The Department will suspend collection enforcement activities in the designated disaster areas through October 1, 2003. The suspension of enforcement actions will not stop the accrual of interest on delinquent accounts. The Department of Taxation does not plan to extend the Virginia Tax Amnesty Program, which is scheduled to end on November 3, 2003. Taxpayers who have questions should contact the Department of Taxation at (804) 367-8031 for individual accounts or (804) 367-8037 for business accounts, or visit the agency's website at www.tax.state.va.us. September 17, 2003
CONTACT: Tamra McKinney, Director, Public Relations & Media Services PHONE: 501-7401 In preparation for the impending arrival of Hurricane Isabel and its potential impact on the area, Henrico County has created a special public hotline--501-7800--to assist residents with non-emergency information. The public hotline will be activated beginning at 9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, and will be in service through the duration of the hurricane. Henrico residents can call 501-7800 for non-emergency information, such as county road closings, shelter availability and other storm-related information. Residents with emergency needs should contact Henrico Police at 501-5000 or call 911. Residents who are Comcast cable subscribers can also obtain general county information related to Hurricane Isabel by accessing Henrico County Television-Channel 37. September 17, 2003
CONTACT: George T. Drumwright, Jr., Deputy County Manager PHONE: 501-7401 To assist area residents who are temporarily relocating due to Hurricane Isabel, Henrico County will open emergency shelters beginning at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Hermitage High School, 8301 Hungary Spring Road; and at Highland Springs High School, 15 S. Oak Ave. Additional shelters will be opened as needed. Residents are reminded that shelter conditions will be sparse. They should plan to bring their own bedding, warm clothing, medicines and other personal items to facilitate their comfort. Families with infants should bring a supply of baby food and disposable diapers. Pets are not allowed at emergency shelters. Pet owners can contact the Henrico Animal Shelter at (804) 652-3360 or the Richmond SPCA at (804) 643-6785 for information about sheltering their pets. September 11, 2003 CONTACT: Barb Strohman, Administrative Coordinator, Henricopolis SWCD PHONE: 501-5175 The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District will hold "bay friendly" landscaping seminars on Thursday, Oct. 2, at Fairfield Area Library, 1001 N. Laburnum Ave.; and Thursday, Oct. 9, at Glen Allen Branch Library, 10501 Staples Mill Road. Both workshops are free and are scheduled for 6:30-8:45 p.m. " BayScaping Seminars" will teach landscaping techniques that are designed to enhance a yard's appearance while protecting the Chesapeake Bay watershed and Henrico's water quality. Topics will include lawn care, landscaping principles and rain garden design. The workshops are open to the public. Call 501-5175 to register or to obtain additional information. September 9, 2003 CONTACT: Bev Donati PHONE: 795-5757 The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will examine the programs, activities and success stories of Henrico County Public Schools (HCPS) in the Varina District. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Eastern Government Center, Glen Echo Building, 3810 Nine Mile Road. The meeting will include presentations and discussion about student achievement, school growth and curriculum. HCPS School Board Vice-Chairman and Varina District representative Hugh Palmer, Superintendent Mark Edwards and Varina District school administrators will join Donati for discussion and a question-and-answer period as well.
September 5, 2003
CONTACT: Karen Carter, Extension Agent PHONE: 501-5160
"Composting--It's Recycling Naturally" will teach residents how to recycle their leaves, lawn clippings and other organic yard waste while saving valuable landfill space in the process. The workshop is sponsored by the Henrico Extension Office, Henrico Solid Waste and Keep Henrico Beautiful. Because of limited space, advance registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 or 501-4502 to register or to obtain additional information. Disabled persons who would like assistive services or other accommodations to participate should contact the Henrico Extension Office at least 10 days before the workshops. September 2, 2003
CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors PHONE: 501-4208 Area residents can take a guided tour of the Henrico County jail as part of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton's next constituent meeting on Monday, Sept. 8. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Henrico County Sheriff's Office, 4301 E. Parham Road. Sheriff Mike Wade will lead the jail tour. The meeting will feature a presentation of an inmate drug survey and a question-and-answer period as well. Because of limited space, advance registration is encouraged. Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 to register or to obtain additional information. |