August 2007

August 28, 2007

CONTACT: Mikki Knight, Executive Assistant, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4208

The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will provide information about the new Henrico County Police Athletic League (PAL) and opportunities for youth and adults to get involved. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road.

Representatives from Henrico Police will be on hand to discuss PAL, a national youth crime prevention program designed to use athletic, educational and recreational activities to promote communication and trust between police and young people. The Henrico chapter got under way earlier this month with a kickoff event at Richmond International Raceway and a basketball camp hosted by former NBA and University of Richmond star Johnny Newman. Police will give information about activities available for local youth and volunteer opportunities open to adults. They will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period as well.
In addition, representatives from the Richmond Strikers will provide information about two new programs for young people in Henrico. Also, officials from the county's Voter Registration and Elections Office will be available to help meeting participants complete voter-registration applications.

Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.

August 24, 2007

CONTACT: Mike Jennings, Traffic Engineer

PHONE: 501-4397

In preparation for the upcoming Emerson Radio 250 and Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.

Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.

The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty to direct traffic around the area before and after the races. WRVA 1140 AM and other Clear Channel stations will broadcast traffic reports.

Motorists not attending the race should turn on their headlights while driving in the vicinity of RIR during the afternoon and early evening Saturday, Sept. 8. This step will help police maintain a smooth flow of traffic through the area.

The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 8 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 9 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.

* 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 at Pilots Lane and Austin Avenue. 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.

On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available Sept. 8 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $6. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m. Parking also will be available at the Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike beginning at 11 a.m., $5 per car and $25 per recreational vehicle; free shuttle bus service to RIR will be provided.

The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 7-8:

* From the east (Hampton Roads area) - Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike west (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right 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 Mechanicsville Turnpike (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right 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 17, 2007

CONTACT: Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., County Manager

PHONE: 501-4386

Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. announces the appointment of Edwin W. Smith as Fire Chief, effective Aug. 18.

Smith, who has worked more than 33 years with Henrico's Division of Fire, served most recently as division chief. He succeeds former Chief Ronald L. Mastin.

As Fire Chief, Smith will supervise a division with 520 full-time personnel and a current budget of approximately $46 million. He will be responsible for the planning, development and direction of the county's comprehensive program of emergency services, including fire, disaster and pre-hospital medical services.

"Over his years of service, Chief Smith has helped Henrico County's Division of Fire become one of the nation's best, and he is exceptionally qualified to lead it," Hazelett said. "He brings a tremendous wealth of experience and expertise to this position. We look forward to his leadership as the division continues to grow and provide outstanding service to Henrico's residents."

Smith earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond and received an associate's degree from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.

August 15, 2007

CONTACT: Karen Mier, Director, Recreation & Parks
Neil Luther, Assistant Director, Recreation & Parks

PHONE: 501-5104

Henrico County and the Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association will host the 2007 Babe Ruth Baseball 14-Year-Old World Series from Friday, Aug. 17 to Friday, Aug. 24 at Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park, 3400 Mountain Road.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 at the stadium. County officials will throw out ceremonial first pitches. Games will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 18. For ticket information, contact the Glen Allen Youth Athletic Association at 527-3510 or log on to www.glenallenbrws.com.

Ten teams will participate in the pool-play format world series. Eight teams from around the country won regional titles to advance to the championship tournament; they come from Connecticut, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Florida, Missouri, Arkansas, Idaho and Arizona. The Virginia state champion from McLean and the host team from Glen Allen will also compete.

The setting for the Babe Ruth Baseball 14-Year-Old World Series is Henrico County's new, state-of-the-art Glen Allen Stadium at RF&P Park. The $4 million facility, which opened in March, features covered bleachers with more than 600 individual seats; sunken dugouts with restrooms; a large digital scoreboard and message board; and a fully lighted and irrigated playing field engineered for quick drainage. Henrico voters approved funding for the stadium in the 2005 bond referendum.

Some 886,500 youth baseball and softball players compete on Babe Ruth League, Inc. teams worldwide.

August 15, 2007

CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4318

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will not hold a second meeting in August. The board will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Government Center Board Room, 4301 E. Parham Road. Call 501-4318 for more information.

August 15, 2007

CONTACT: Bill Mawyer, Assistant Director of Public Utilities

PHONE: 501-4516

The recent dry weather pattern has caused low water levels in the James River. In response to these low water levels, the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities -- along with the City of Richmond and Hanover and Goochland counties -- is alerting customers that voluntary water conservation measures may be requested within one week if the current dry weather pattern continues. When water conservation measures are implemented, voluntary compliance will assist Henrico and Richmond in providing water to all customers in the region while also meeting the requirements of the James River Regional Flow Management Plan.

If significant rainfall eliminates the current low water level conditions, we may be able to avoid voluntary water conservation measures.

For additional information contact:

August 10, 2007

CONTACT: Helen Trevey, Henrico CASA

PHONE: 501-1675

Henrico County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is seeking donations for a communitywide yard sale it will hold on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 3001 Hungary Spring Road. Proceeds from the sale will benefit CASA programs serving abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.

Residents may donate most household items, including gently used clothing, books, toys, small furniture, compact discs, videos, DVDs and housewares. Broken appliances, shoes and mattresses cannot be accepted. Donations are tax deductible, and receipts will be provided on request.

Donated items will be accepted through Monday, Sept. 10. To schedule a donation time or to obtain additional information, contact Henrico CASA at 501-1675 or e-mail she56@co.henrico.va.us.

The yard sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 15. The site is located at the intersection of Hungary Spring and Shrader roads (look for the CASA banner).

Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. The organization trains community volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in the county's court system. For more information, log on to www.henricocasa.org.

August 7, 2007

CONTACT: Barbara Herzog, Director, Henrico CASA

PHONE: 501-1671

The Henrico Court Appointed Special Advocates program (CASA) is seeking applicants for an upcoming training program that will prepare volunteers to serve as advocates for abused and neglected children in Henrico's court system.

Henrico CASA will conduct the free, six-week training program from 6-9 p.m. each Monday and Wednesday beginning Monday, Sept. 24 at its office in the Hungary Spring Office Park, 3001 Hungary Spring Road. Applicants will undergo interviews, background and reference checks.

To apply or to obtain additional information, contact Jamie Haskins at 501-1673, e-mail has@co.henrico.va.us or log on to www.henricocasa.org by Friday, Sept. 7.

Volunteers are appointed by a Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge to represent the best interests of a victimized child in court. Participants come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds; legal experience is not required. Qualifying participants will learn to conduct interviews, research and investigate cases, provide written reports for judges and assist child welfare professionals and case attorneys.

In 2006-07, volunteers served as advocates for 220 children, donating more than 9,750 hours to their cases; both were record amounts for Henrico CASA.

Henrico CASA is a private, nonprofit organization that works closely with the county's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. For more information, log on to www.henricocasa.org.

August 7, 2007

CONTACT: Mark J. Levine, M.D., Director, Public Health

PHONE: 501-4522

With severe heat expected this week in Henrico and the metropolitan region, the Henrico County Public Health Department advises residents to be aware of the signs of heat-related illness and to take steps to protect themselves.

* Individuals especially at risk for heat-related illness include small children, seniors and people with chronic medical conditions who are not in an air-conditioned environment; however, anyone can be affected by severe heat.

* Early signs of heat-related illness can include cramping, fatigue, dizziness and fainting. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are medical emergencies requiring immediate attention -- call 911.

* Drink two-to-four glasses of cool fluids each hour; if working outside or exercising, drink fruit juice or sports beverages.

* If possible, conduct outdoor activities before noon or at night. Limit physical activity and rest frequently. Avoid sunburn; use sunscreen with a high SPF. Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothing. If working outside, make sure someone knows.

* Never leave children or pets in vehicles with closed windows, even momentarily. Temperatures quickly can reach 150 degrees, resulting in heat stroke and death.

* Keep cool indoors. Spending at least two hours per day in air conditioning significantly reduces the number of heat-related illnesses; be aware that a fan may not prevent illness when temperatures reach the upper 90s.

* Several Henrico County recreation facilities are available as cooling centers. Contact each site for hours of operation: Confederate Hills, 737-2859; Belmont, 501-5990; Dorey, 795-2334; and Deep Run, 290-0305. Henrico libraries also are available -- call 652-3200 or log on to www.henricolibrary.org for information.

* Henrico's Department of Social Services offers financial assistance for energy needs through a Cooling Assistance Program. Call 501-4099 for information.

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