November 30, 2005
CONTACT: Gary A. Hicks, Circuit Court Judge
PHONE: 501-4705
The Henrico County Circuit Court has announced the appointment of Patricia A. Shaw as administrator of the Henrico County Drug Court program.
Shaw comes to the position from the Division of Field Operations with the Virginia Department of Corrections, where she worked as a state probation and parole officer for more than 15 years. She also has served as a member of the Drug Court planning team.
As administrator, Shaw will coordinate the daily operations of the Drug Court and its five staff members. The program, which targets nonviolent adult probation violators with a history of substance abuse, is designed to reduce recidivism and increase rehabilitation of its participants through a combination of intensive treatment, community supervision and judicial monitoring. Twenty-two adult offenders have successfully completed the program since its inception in January 2003. Drug Court currently has 33 participants.
A member of the Virginia Gangs Investigators Association, Shaw previously served as a district representative for the Virginia Probation and Parole Association and is a former member of the Department of Corrections' crisis response team. She received a bachelor's degree from Longwood University.
November 29, 2005
CONTACT: Art Petrini, Director of Public Utilities
PHONE: 501-4516
The recent wet weather pattern has caused water levels in the James River to return to normal. In response to these normal levels, the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities - along with the City of Richmond and Chesterfield, Hanover and Goochland counties - is alerting customers that the voluntary water conservation measures previously requested on Sept. 30 are lifted as of Thursday, Dec. 1.
Public Utilities recommends prudent water use. Typical conservation measures include:
For additional information, contact Henrico Public Utilities at 501-4275.
November 22, 2005
CONTACTS: Mike Magner, District Planner
501-7250
Brenda Millirons, R.N.
501-4513
Lori Dixon, R.N.
652-3167
The Henrico County Health Department will hold an appointment-only influenza vaccine clinic on Friday, Dec. 2, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at both its East and West locations:
* East Clinic, Glen Echo Building, 3810 Nine Mile Road;
* West Clinic, Human Services Building, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive.
To schedule an appointment, residents should call 652-3190 (East) or 501-4651 (West).
The cost for the flu shot is $28. The Health Department will accept cash, personal checks or Medicare Part B as payment; the department cannot accept other health insurance plans or credit cards.
The flu vaccine is now available for everyone 6 months and older. Henrico health officials recommend the shot for individuals who are at increased risk for flu-related complications.
For more information, contact the Health Department or log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/health.
November 22, 2005
CONTACT: Harvey L. Hinson, Deputy County Manager
PHONE: 501-4270
Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. announces the appointment of S. Mark Strickler as director of the Department of Community Revitalization, effective Nov. 30. He succeeds former director Jack R. "John" Marlles.
Strickler comes to Henrico from the City of Richmond, where he served as director of Community Development.
As head of Community Revitalization, Strickler will oversee a 24-employee department that spearheads the county's community development and revitalization efforts. The agency, which focuses on enhancing Henrico's existing residential and commercial development, administers the Community Maintenance program; Community Development Block Grant/HOME programs; Virginia Enterprise Zone program; Commercial Revitalization Assistance; Neighborhood Planning; and zoning enforcement for existing developed sites. Created in May 2004, Community Revitalization is the county's newest agency.
Strickler comes to Henrico after serving in a variety of planning positions with the Virginia Department of Transportation, Chesterfield County and the City of Richmond. He received bachelor's and master's degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University.
November 17, 2005
CONTACT: Megan Brown, Executive Coordinator, Keep Henrico Beautiful
PHONE: 501-7277
The Keep Henrico Beautiful (KHB) program has received a statewide award for its volunteer litter-control program, "Because We Care. "
Scenic Virginia recently recognized the Henrico County program with the award for Best Local Anti-Litter Practices at its annual award ceremony. Scenic Virginia, a private, nonprofit organization that works to safeguard the state's natural beauty and community character, cited the county program for its proactive approach to litter control and community beautification efforts.
"This award is very special because it recognizes the hard-working Because We Care volunteers who pick up litter in Henrico County year-round," said KHB Executive Coordinator Megan Brown. "They are the core of the program and they help make Henrico a cleaner and safer place to live. "
Residents participating in Because We Care adopt a certain area, such as a park, school or roadway, and assume responsibility for keeping it clean for one year. The volunteers, who range from individuals to businesses, civic groups and scout troops, agree to pick up litter in the area at least four times during the year.
The Because We Care program began cleaning county streets and neighborhoods in 1992. Currently, 78 volunteer groups work to remove litter from 44 roads, 16 parks, 13 schools and five communities in Henrico.
For more information about Because We Care or KHB, call 501-4502.
November 15, 2005
CONTACT: Sandra Corcoran, Management Specialist, General Services
PHONE: 501-7482
Henrico County has designated a drop-off location for donations of blankets and sleeping bags to assist Gulf Coast victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The special effort will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 19 and Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Henrico Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Road.
Donations of new or gently used blankets and sleeping bags will be collected in Smartboxes in the parking lot across from the Administration Building on Prince Henry Drive.
For more information, call 501-7482.
November 15, 2005
CONTACT: Veta Herbaugh, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will examine the new Medicare prescription drug coverage for senior citizens. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
"Prescription Drug Coverage for Seniors" will feature remarks and discussion by representatives from Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging and Henrico's Department of Social Services. They will join Donati for a question-and-answer period as well.
Varina town meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
November 2, 2005
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The National Association of Counties (NACo) has appointed 12 Henrico County officials to the association's policy-making committees and governing bodies for 2005-06.
Members of Henrico's Board of Supervisors received the following appointments:
Several county officials were also chosen for service:
The only nationwide organization representing county governments before Congress and the White House, NACo works to improve county government and increase public understanding of the role of counties. The association's 11 steering committees, each comprised of 60 to 100 county officials, form its policy-making arm. The committees and other governing bodies meet several times annually to examine issues key to local government and to make recommendations on legislative polices and goals.
November 1, 2005
CONTACT: Steve Yob, Chief, Solid Waste Division
PHONE: 261-8217
Henrico residents and businesses can recycle broken and out-of-use cell phones, personal computers and other electronic items at a special collection event on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Road.
Held by the Department of Public Utilities' Solid Waste division in conjunction with Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA), the electronics-recycling event is open to residents and businesses in all CVWMA jurisdictions. A variety of electronic equipment will be collected:
Most items will be accepted for free, although fees will be charged to recycle computer monitors, $7 each; televisions, $10 each; and console (wood-encased) televisions, $20 each. Microwave ovens will not be accepted. Participants are limited to recycling 10 items; anyone wishing to recycle more should contact CVWMA at 359-8413 at least 48 hours before the event.
In addition to consuming limited landfill space, electronic equipment may contain mercury, lead, chromium and other dangerous heavy metals. Proper disposal of these items prevents potential damage to the environment. For more information, log onto www.co.henrico.va.us/utility or www.cvwma.org.
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