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April 29, 2009 Henrico Health Officials Advise NASCAR Fans to Take Precautions Against Swine Flu In light of the recent Swine Flu outbreak, the Henrico County Health Department advises race fans to take precautions when attending this weekend's events at Richmond International Raceway. "There is no reason for fans not to attend and enjoy the events this weekend," said Acting Health Director Dr. Robert B. Stroube. "However, as with any large public event, there is a risk of spreading viruses, but there are very simple yet effective precautions you can take to avoid exposure." First and foremost, people who are sick, experiencing flu-like symptoms or have a fever should stay home from work, school and other public areas, Stroube said. Other precautions include frequent hand washing and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing. There are currently no confirmed cases of Swine Flu reported in the state, according to the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). For more information about Swine Flu, visit the Center for Disease Control's Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu or the VDH Web site at www.vdh.virginia.gov. April 27, 2009 Tuckahoe town meeting to discuss Gayton Branch Library renovation The next town meeting of Henrico County Board of Supervisors Vice Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon will examine plans for the renovation of the Gayton Branch Library. The meeting will be held in two sessions, at 2:30 p.m. and again at 7 p.m., on Wednesday, May 6 at Gayton Branch Library, 10600 Gayton Road. Representatives from BCWH Architects, a consultant from library design firm Tappe and staff from Gayton Branch Library will provide an overview of the comprehensive renovation planned for the library, which first opened in 1988. Henrico voters approved funding to enhance the facility in the 2005 bond referendum. The meeting will feature a question-and-answer period as well. Tuckahoe town meetings are open to the public. For more information, call 501-4208 or log on to www.patobannon.com. April 22, 2009 Henrico students can apply for Youth Conservation Camp by April 29 The Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is seeking applicants for the 2009 Youth Conservation Camp, set for July 12-18 on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 29. Henricopolis SWCD will select two students to represent Henrico County; they will attend the camp free of charge. Applicants must be Henrico residents and high school students in grades nine-12. Students can obtain applications and additional information online at www.co.henrico.va.us/swcd and at the Henricopolis SWCD office, 8600 Dixon Powers Drive. Camp participants will learn about Virginia's natural resources from conservation professionals and Virginia Tech faculty in hands-on, outdoor settings. Topics include lake ecology, land-use planning and watersheds, fisheries management, dairy science, forestry and wildlife research, shoreline erosion and geology. Activities include hiking, swimming, canoeing and a scavenger hunt using GIS technology. Youth Conservation Camp is sponsored by the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Call 501-5175 for more information. April 21, 2009 The Henrico County Extension Office is currently accepting applications for the 2009 Henrico Junior 4-H Camp, scheduled for June 22-26 at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center in Williamsburg. The camp is open to all boys and girls ages 9 to 14, as of Sept. 30, 2009. Located along the James River, the Jamestown 4-H Center is accredited by the American Camp Association and features air-conditioned lodges and cabins; basketball courts, athletic fields and a ropes course; and a medical clinic. Camp activities include swimming (beach and pool), canoeing, archery, shooting sports, marine science, forestry and crafts. Adult and teen counselors provide instruction and supervision; camp staff members include lifeguards, recreation leaders and waterfront directors. The $190 fee covers lodging, food, transportation, programs, materials and a camp T-shirt. Space is limited; applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 501-5160 for an application or log on to the Extension Web site at www.co.henrico.va.us/extension/4h/camps.html. April 20, 2009 Henrico Public Works advises motorists to plan for heavy traffic May 1-2 for NASCAR In preparation for the upcoming Lipton Tea 250 and Crown Royal Presents The Russ Friedman 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, May 1 and Saturday, May 2. 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. Police encourage race fans and other motorists to consult message boards on interstate highways and roadways approaching RIR for traffic information. WRVA 1140 AM will broadcast traffic reports as well. The following traffic patterns will be in effect May 2 during peak hours:
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 May 2 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 May 1-2:
April 17, 2009 Henrico students fill county's leadership roles on Student Government Day More than 160 high school seniors took the reins of Henrico County's general government and public schools administrations Thursday when they assumed the roles of elected officials and top administrators for the 52nd annual Student Government Day. Designed to give students a firsthand view of the operations of their local government, Student Government Day paired student leaders from nine Henrico high schools with key county officials, including the county manager, school superintendent, police and fire chiefs, Circuit Court judges and members of the School Board and Board of Supervisors. "County staff members provide services for Henrico residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year; Student Government Day gives us the chance to show these top students how we do that," County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. said. "We also have the opportunity to plant the seeds and get these outstanding young people thinking about a future of community service." Students shadowed their government counterparts throughout the day, gaining insight into some of the processes and details of local governance; they also had the opportunity to register to vote and tour the county jail. The day culminated with a student-led Board of Supervisors meeting, in which they held a lively debate on several items, including construction of a new fire station; expansion of the county's curbside recycling program; adoption of new measures to prevent underage drinking; and the increase fines for speeding on neighborhood cut-through streets. "These items were considered by the Board of Supervisors in actual meetings, and your questions and discussion were germane and timely," Hazelett told the students. "These are the kinds of decisions that affect the daily lives of all Henrico residents." Student Government Day is sponsored by the Kiwanis clubs of North Richmond, Tuckahoe and North Central Richmond. April 7, 2009 The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will begin its next regularly scheduled meeting one hour early, at 6 p.m., on Tuesday, April 14, for a public hearing regarding the Operating and Capital Annual Fiscal Plans for Fiscal Year 2009-10. The board regularly meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Meetings are open to the public and are held in the Government Center Board Room, located at Parham and Hungary Spring roads. Call 501-4318 for more information. April 6, 2009 Henrico spring lawn-care seminars set for April 21-23 The Henrico County Extension Office will continue its free, year-round seminar series April 21-23 with a program on spring lawn care. The seminars are scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. at the following locations (each seminar will feature the same program): Tuesday, April 21, Sandston Branch Library, 23 E. Williamsburg Road; Wednesday, April 22, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive; and Thursday, April 23, Twin Hickory Area Library, 5001 Twin Hickory Road. "Make Your Lawn a SMART Lawn" will cover a variety of general lawn-care topics, including irrigation, fertilization, soil acidity and weed control. In addition, participants can learn about SMART Lawns -- a seasonal, comprehensive program that teaches a step-by-step approach to growing a healthy lawn. SMART Lawns, which teaches environmentally friendly practices, provides participants a plan tailored to fit their specific lawn-care needs. Each session will be led by an Extension staff member or a Henrico Master Gardener. "Make Your Lawn a SMART Lawn" is open to the public. Each seminar will be led by an Extension staff member or a Henrico Master Gardener. Pre-registration is encouraged. Call 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information. April 1, 2009 Fairfield constituent meeting to examine county budget, review General Assembly session The next constituent meeting of Fairfield District Supervisor Frank Thornton will feature a discussion on the state of Henrico County and also will provide an update on the 2009 session of the Virginia General Assembly. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, April 13 at the Eastern Government Center multipurpose room, 3820 Nine Mile Road. County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. will join Thornton to discuss the county's 2009-2010 budget and how it has been affected by the ongoing economic downturn. In addition, State Sen. Donald McEachin, Del. John O'Bannon and Del. Joe Morrissey will be on hand to discuss the legislation and other actions of the General Assembly's recently concluded session. The officials will join Thornton for a question-and-answer period as well. Fairfield constituent meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information. Return to Public Relations & Media Services Page |