June 2010

June 29, 2010

CONTACT: Daniel Rigsby, Program Manager, Mental Health & Developmental Services

PHONE: 727-8424

Henrico agency, local free clinic win grant for new program

Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services (MH/DS) and CrossOver Ministry Free Clinic have received a $125,000 grant from the Virginia Health Care Foundation for a program designed to treat residents suffering from diabetes and a mental health condition.

The grant was awarded from the foundation's "A New Lease on Life" initiative, a statewide effort to help health safety-net organizations provide services for uninsured Virginians with basic mental health needs.

MH/DS and CrossOver will use the grant to treat individuals diagnosed with diabetes and a co-occurring mental heath disorder such as anxiety or depression. The program aims to serve 300 patients in its first year of funding. It also hopes to demonstrate the impact of integrating medical and mental health care.

"Research indicates that when the mental health needs of individuals with diabetes are addressed, they are more likely to follow their diet and medication regimens," said MH/DS Program Manager Daniel Rigsby.

CrossOver Ministry operates three free clinics in the metropolitan area, including one in Henrico, located at 8600 Quioccasin Road. The clinic offers services to uninsured individuals and families meeting certain income requirements.

Henrico MH/DS serves residents in a three-county area experiencing the effects of mental illness, substance abuse and intellectual disability, as well as infants and toddlers with developmental delay.


June 28, 2010

CONTACT: Jean Moore, Assistant Director, Planning

PHONE: 501-4229

Henrico to hold community meeting July 7 on proposed addition to Innsbrook Area Study

The Henrico County Planning Department will hold a community meeting to present information on a proposed addition to the draft Innsbrook Area Study (IAS) on Wednesday, July 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the atrium of the Highwoods One building, 10900 Nuckols Road.

The Planning Department conducted an initial community meeting on the draft IAS in May. Public input received at that meeting prompted the Henrico Planning Commission to request staff to consider a potential expansion of the study to include a 166-acre residential area that lies generally west of Sadler Road, east of Interstate 295, north of Interstate 64 and south of Dublin Road. The updated study recommends detached single-family residential use -- designed as a traditional neighborhood development -- for this area. The addition increases the total study area to 1,351 acres.

The July 7 community meeting is designed to present details and receive input on the addition to the draft IAS. Like the previous meeting, it will feature an open-house format with a series of stations highlighting the study's different topics; staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. Participants will be encouraged to give feedback. The draft study is available online at www.co.henrico.va.us/planning.

For more information, call the Planning Department at 501-4602 or e-mail InnsbrookAreaStudy@co.henrico.va.us.


June 24, 2010

CONTACT: Susan Fischer Davis, M.D., Director, Public Health
PHONE: 501-4522


CONTACT: Kevin Pannell, Emergency Planner, Public Health
PHONE: 501-7250

 

Henrico Health Department advises caution in extreme temperatures

With severe heat expected today 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 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. Wear a hat and light, loose-fitting clothing. Use the buddy system if working outside.
  • 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. Seek shelter from the heat by going to air-conditioned facilities such as indoor malls and public libraries.
  • Several of Henrico County's air-conditioned recreation centers are available for relief. Contact each site for hours of operation: Belmont, 262-4924; Confederate Hills, 737-2859; Dorey, 795-2334; and Deep Run, 290-0305. Henrico libraries also are available -- call 290-9000 or log on to www.henricolibrary.org for information.
  • Henrico's Department of Social Services offers a Cooling Assistance Program for residents. Call 501-4099 for information.

June 9, 2010

CONTACT: Megan Brown, Executive Coordinator, Keep Henrico Beautiful

PHONE: 501-4502

Keep Henrico Beautiful announces Land Lover-Clean Business award winners

The Keep Henrico Beautiful (KHB) Committee will honor winners of the 2010 Land Lover and Clean Business awards at the next meeting of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 22 in the Government Center Board Room, 4301 E. Parham Road.

Presented annually by the KHB Committee since 1995, the awards recognize a homeowner and a business in each magisterial district that have maintained an outstanding property through landscaping, lawn care, litter removal and recycling. Homeowners must perform their own lawn maintenance to be considered. Winners receive an engraved plaque and have an award sign posted on their property; they are also recognized online at www.co.henrico.va.us/utility/keep-henrico-beautiful.

The 2010 Land Lover Award winners are: Ronnie L. Jowers, Brookland District; Albert and Jean Scott, Fairfield District; James and Joyce Hall, Three Chopt District; Tom Wood, Tuckahoe District; and Odie and Gloria Whitlow, Varina District.

Winners of the 2010 Clean Business Award are: Courtyard by Marriott, Brookland District; Legends at Virginia Center, Fairfield District; Wachovia Operations Center-Innsbrook, Three Chopt District; Bon Secours Medical Group, Tuckahoe District; and Citizens and Farmers Bank, Varina District.


June 3, 2010

CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors

PHONE: 501-4318

Henrico officials appointed to VML committees

The Virginia Municipal League (VML) has named 11 Henrico County board members and key officials to serve on its policy, steering and other committees for 2010.

Members of the Board of Supervisors received the following appointments:

  • Board Chairman and Tuckahoe District Supervisor Patricia S. O'Bannon, environmental quality policy committee;
  • Board Vice Chairman and Fairfield District Supervisor Frank J. Thornton, chairman, human development and education policy committee; human development and education steering committee; legislative committee;
  • Brookland District Supervisor Richard W. Glover, community and economic development policy committee;
  • Three Chopt District Supervisor David A. Kaechele, finance policy and steering committees; and
  • Varina District Supervisor James B. Donati, Jr., transportation policy and steering committees.

Several county officials also received appointments:

  • County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E., general laws policy committee;
  • Deputy County Manager for Administration Leon T. Johnson, Ph.D., finance policy committee;
  • Deputy County Manager for Community Development Randall R. Silber, community and economic development policy committee;
  • Deputy County Manager for Community Operations Robert K. Pinkerton, P.E., environmental quality policy committee;
  • Deputy County Manager for Community Services George T. Drumwright, Jr., human development and education policy committee; and
  • Director of Public Works Timothy A. Foster, P.E., transportation policy committee.

VML is a statewide association of city, town and county governments that assists local governments through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services. The league's policy and steering committees make policy recommendations to its legislative committee, which develops VML's annual legislative program. Appointments are made by the league's executive committee, which also provides guidance to VML staff and serves as the organization's governing body.