Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly e-Newsletter | |
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Stay Connected with Chesterfield! | |
Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to
stay up to date on all things Chesterfield!
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County Government Offices Closed
Wednesday in Observance of Juneteenth
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Chesterfield County government offices, libraries and convenience centers will be closed on Wednesday, June 19 in observance of the Juneteenth holiday.
Visit the county website for a full list of closings.
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Inaugural Chesterfield Restaurant Week Raises More Than $10,000 for Local Food Bank | |
The numbers have been tallied: In just 10 days, the inaugural Chesterfield Restaurant Week raised more than $10,000 to benefit the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center.
The Board of Supervisors, the county’s Sports, Visitation and Entertainment team and the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce presented a check for $10,205 to the food bank last Wednesday during the Chamber’s monthly luncheon.
“We couldn’t be more appreciative for you choosing us as beneficiary of the first Chesterfield Restaurant Week,” said Kim Hill, executive director of the food bank, which serves about 20,000 individuals per month, 90% of whom reside in Chesterfield.
“I’d like to thank the restaurants who participated and the patrons who visited them. It really shows how we come together as a community and the kind of help we can provide for people who need a hand up,” she added. “With this money, we’re able to put more than 40,000 meals on the plates of people living in our county.”
Learn more in an article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog.
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Sarah Bloom Returns as Chesterfield's
Diaper Drive Ambassador
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She’s back!
For the second consecutive year, NBC12 anchor and TV personality Sarah Bloom is joining Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Families First and Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield in their summer quest to collect newly packaged baby diapers and unscented baby wipes as the Diaper Drive Ambassador.
Families First and Infant & Toddler Connection of Chesterfield are two programs of Chesterfield’s Department of Mental Health Support Services.
In 2023, Chesterfield collected a record 58,917 diapers and 647 packages of baby wipes.
This year, people have the option to purchase newly packaged baby diapers and unscented baby wipes on the Chesterfield County Diaper Drive Amazon Wish List.
Individuals can also drop off their donated baby diapers and wipes at:
- MHSS Rogers Building, 6801 Lucy Corr Blvd.
- Chesterfield Infant Program, 9711 Farrar Court, Suite 140
- Any Chesterfield Public Library branch location
Interested organizations, groups or businesses should email Ashley Rogers or Leslie Pakula to receive official Diaper Drive marketing material and to arrange a time to drop off their donations in person.
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Full Slate of Events and Activities Planned
As Part of Annual Juneteenth Celebration
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Chesterfield is celebrating Juneteenth with a series of activities and events throughout the county this month. A full slate of activities and programming can be found on the county's Juneteenth page.
Several county departments and local organizations, including Chesterfield Public Libraries and Pocahontas State Park, have teamed up to offer a variety of events, programming and activities to commemorate the occasion.
To cap off the county’s month-long Juneteenth celebration, residents and visitors are invited to attend the second annual Chesterfield Juneteenth Celebration Pop Up Night Vendor Market from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, June 29 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education, located at 11810 Centre St. in Chester.
As part of the Chesterfield Juneteenth Pop Up Night Vendor Market event, patrons will also experience a variety of shopping from Black-owned vendors and food trucks, all while jamming to the tunes of DJ MG (Melvin Gates) and band Michael’s Theirry and Friends.
If you're interested in being a vendor for the Chesterfield Juneteenth Pop Up Night Vendor Market, complete the application form for consideration by Wednesday, June 12.
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Applications Now Being Accepted
for Citizens Police Academy
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The Chesterfield County Police Department is accepting applications for its 57th Citizens Police Academy. To complete and submit an application, visit the department's webpage.
The academy will be held on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 2730 Hicks Road, beginning Aug. 1 and concluding Sept. 12.
Academy participants will:
- Learn about specialized police units, including forensics, K-9 and SWAT
- Conduct traffic stop scenarios with the Traffic Safety Section
- Ride with a police officer on patrol (if desired)
- Participate in scenarios (if desired)
- Learn about officer accountability from Internal Affairs and the County Attorney
Participants must be adults and reside, own a business or belong to a civic organization within Chesterfield County. Applicants will be screened for activities that may disqualify them from participating in the academy.
For more information, please call Corporal Matt Rogers at (804) 318-8549 or email him at RogersMW@chesterfield.gov.
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Beat the Heat at County Libraries | |
It's supposed to be hot this week!
If you need a cool place to beat the heat, head to one of our Chesterfield County Public Library branch locations. There's air conditioning, comfy chairs, outlets to charge your electronic devices and a great read -- all for free!
It's the perfect way to be indoors while still providing entertainment for the family.
The best part is, with 10 different library locations across the county, you don't have to go far to find one.
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Watch This Week In Chesterfield | |
Every Monday, This Week in Chesterfield points residents to fun, exciting and interesting things going on around their community. Each weekly video segment can be found on the Chesterfield County YouTube channel.
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Friday is Deadline to Provide Feedback
About Future of Eastern Route 60 Corridor
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Chesterfield wants to hear from residents and businesses about the future look and growth along a four-mile stretch of Midlothian Turnpike, from the Richmond line to Pocoshock Creek east of Johnston-Willis Hospital.
The county’s Planning Department has launched an online survey that's available through Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m. to obtain feedback on big-picture concepts and develop a future plan for the eastern Route 60 corridor.
The proposed Eastern Route 60 Corridor Plan will cover about 1,400 acres of land area, including a mix of commercial, residential, institutional and some industrial uses.
Residents and businesses interested in responding to the survey can learn more about the Eastern Route 60 Corridor Plan on Planning's Active Projects page. Respondents can also reach out directly to Principal Planner Drew Noxon by email or Senior Planner Brett Meadows by email.
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Chesterfield Accepting Nominations Through
July 1 for New Sports Hall of Fame
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Chesterfield is now accepting nominations for its new Sports Hall Of Fame.
The nomination portal closes Monday, July 1 at 5 p.m. An induction ceremony and banquet will be held Sept. 12 at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education in Chester.
The Chesterfield Sports Hall Of Fame will pay tribute to athletic greats, including coaches, teams or sport contributors, who have left a mark on the county’s rich sports history and legacy. Inductees will have their names physically displayed at River City Sportsplex (13030 Genito Road).
Find nominating criteria at www.ChesterfieldSportsHOF.com.
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2024 Chesterfield After Hours
Concert Series Begins Thursday
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Summertime means the return of the Chesterfield After Hours concert series to River City Sportsplex.
We're looking forward to the first show of the 2024 season Thursday, June 20, featuring Adam Calhoun and Demun Jones with special guests Dusty Leigh and Bubba Sparxxx.
Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and showtime is 6:30 p.m.
Don't forget to grab your tickets at chesterfieldafterhoursconcerts.com.
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Catch Up on Blog Posts from
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In a new article posted to the Chesterfield On Point blog, you can learn about the county's ongoing efforts to bring the oft-discussed Powhite Parkway Extension to fruition.
On June 5, Chesterfield set out to sell about $300 million in revenue bonds to fund a series of transportation projects, including Phase I of the Powhite Extension. In less than two hours, the county received nearly $1.5 billion in orders from a wide array of institutional and individual investors.
Because of such heavy demand, Chesterfield was able to both cut interest rates on the bonds and collect a premium from eventual buyers, generating $311 million for the planned infrastructure improvements while significantly reducing the county’s borrowing costs over the 25-year repayment horizon.
“That’s a great testament to Chesterfield’s reputation in the market and the attractiveness of our bonds,” said Matt Harris, deputy county administrator for finance and administration. “It was one of the busiest weeks of the year for bond sales, so there were plenty of choices out there for investors to consider. That so many of them competed to purchase our bonds once again shows we’re one of the safest investments available.”
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Summer Nights at the Perk
Kicks Off Wednesday
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Summer Nights at the Perk returns Wednesday with a performance by Dennis Coleman.
Join us at the Perkinson Center for the Arts and Education's Panchita Cline Patio from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for a free mid-week break, including some great music, cool drinks, yummy food and art activities.
RSVP by visiting the Perkinson Center's website.
During this event, the Perkinson Center will be collecting items in support of the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off at the display in our lobby. Please consider bringing a few items to donate.
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Register Now for PAL Summer Football Camp | |
Do you love football? Are you in middle school or high school? Are you looking to improve your football skills ahead of camp this summer?
Well, have we got the thing for you! The Chesterfield Police Activities League (PAL) is proudly presenting the "I Am Power" one-day football camp on Wednesday, June 26 at River City Sportsplex.
The camp runs from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn from local coaches, officers and former NFL players like Wali Rainer. Participants also will receive a shirt and lunch, while food trucks will be on site for family and friends not participating in the event.
We recommend that all participants bring a water bottle to River City Sportsplex on the day of the camp.
The cost is $20 per camper and must be paid at time of registration. The event is strictly limited to 100 participants so sign up early to secure your spot.
Register by visiting the event website.
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On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, we talk to Jim Ingle of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to discuss the new term, his thoughts on various topics in the county in 2024 and beyond, plus several important updates from the Bermuda District. | |
Your Voice Matters: Take Climate Resiliency Survey and Be Part of the Solution | |
Chesterfield Farmers Market Now Open | |
Note: The market is closed this week in observance of Juneteenth. It will be back in full swing next Wednesday, June 26
The Chesterfield Farmers Market is now open at 6701 Mimms Loop on Wednesdays through the end of September.
Market hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As always, there will be many local vendors selling a variety of products, as well as food trucks on site if you'd like to buy lunch. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Rockwood Nature Center Open
for Extended Hours Over Summer
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Did you know Rockwood Nature Center hours are extended for the summer?
That means there’s more time for you to stop by and learn about local wildlife from our experts and get an up-close experience. Come by and see us at 3401 Courthouse Road any time between noon and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
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Residents Encouraged to Provide
Feedback On ZOMod Draft 2
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In fall 2019, Chesterfield County issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking the services of qualified professionals to assist the county in a comprehensive re-write of its Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 19.1 (PDF) of the Chesterfield County Code. The Zoning Ordinance serves as the primary tool to implement the Comprehensive Plan.
While the Comprehensive Plan itself has changed over time to reflect the growth and development vision for county, much of the core content of the current Zoning Ordinance remains unchanged since the 1970s. A comprehensive re-write of the Zoning Ordinance is necessary to fully implement the future vision.
Chesterfield County’s Planning Department has released draft 2 of the zoning ordinance for public review online. A downloadable version of draft 2 (PDF), a redline version (PDF) (showing changes from draft 1 to draft 2) and public comments related to draft 1 (PDF) are available. Paper copies of the draft 2 are available upon request for $30 at the Community Development Building.
Planning welcomes feedback, comments and questions regarding the current ZOMod draft 2, which can be provided online, by emailing ZOMod or by calling 804-748-1050.
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GRTC's On-Demand Microtransit Service
Now Operating Along Hull Street Road
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Welcome, Chesterfield riders!
LINK, the on-demand microtransit service from GRTC, is now available in the Clover Dale Zone. LINK runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., connecting you anywhere in your community. Simply download the GRTC on the Go app and select your pick-up and drop-off locations anywhere within our service area, and we’ll be there within 20 minutes to get you where you need to go.
The Clover Dale Zone provides quick and convenient service along Hull Street Road from Chippenham Mall to Harbourside Centre, with direct connection to downtown Richmond via GRTC’s Route 1C and 82x. LINK vehicles are fully ADA accessible, and feature on-board WIFI and USB charging ports – and right now, LINK is entirely fare-free!
For more information, visit ridegrtc.com/link or call (804) 358-4792.
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This happy pup is Colin!
He absolutely loves life and always has a smiley face going on. Colin is super goofy and really enjoys playing with all types of toys.
At 1 year old, he is still pretty young and playful. When meeting other dogs, he does better with another calmer one. He isn't a fan of a dog jumping all over top of him – and who can blame him?
Colin is a Hound/Husky mix and weighs 42 lbs.
If you are interested in meeting this pet, please contact Chesterfield County Animal Services at 804-748-1683, option "2," to schedule an appointment. Office staff are available by phone 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.
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Visit Latino Farmers Market Saturday
Mornings at Rockwood Park
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A Latino Farmers Market is now open at Rockwood Park.
From the freshest produce to delicious homemade treats, the market brings the community together for a celebration of food, family and heritage. Get ready to embark on a flavorful journey through the heart of Latino culture.
The farmers market continues every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Nov. 2.
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Visit Experience Chesterfield Website
for Things to See and Do Across the County
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Chesterfield's Sports, Visitation and Entertainment Department recently launched the new Experience Chesterfield website, promoting and celebrating all the things to see, do and experience within Chesterfield. Visit www.experiencechesterfield.com to learn more and be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram. | |
In Case of Emergency, Get Accurate and
Up-to-Date Information from Chesterfield Alert
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Now is the time for residents to familiarize themselves with all of the different ways that Chesterfield County puts out emergency information.
One of those is Chesterfield Alert, an opt-in system that sends messages directly to you in the event of an emergency. This system can send out alerts via text, email, and phone call depending on how the subscriber chooses to receive the messages.
Sign up today!
Click here to learn more about how you can get accurate, up-to-date information from Chesterfield in the event of an emergency.
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See If You Qualify for Access on Demand | |
Searching for some independence? Find yourself having to call on family or friends to get you where you need to be?
Access on Demand is a same day, door-to-door, point-to-point service for citizens registered for mobility services. Destinations must be located within Chesterfield County, unless for work or medical appointments.
Each one-way trip is $6 and will be charged to your debit or credit card at the time of pick-up. Ride reservations must be made at least two hours in advance by calling an authorized provider for same-day service.
Register online, see if you qualify, and learn more about this service.
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Did you know your group or organization can request a speaker from the #Cfield Speakers Bureau? The Speakers Bureau features a variety of topics on current and timely subjects from county leaders who are eager to talk to your group or organization.
Our subject-matter experts want to be your best resource for getting answers to important questions about Chesterfield. Topics include:
✅ District update – Request your board member to speak
✅ Preparing for an emergency - Emergency Management
✅ Senior resources in Chesterfield - Office of Aging and Disability Services
✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners
✅ So much more.
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Updates from Chesterfield County Public Schools | |
Honors for Falling Creek Middle chorus
Congratulations to the Falling Creek Middle chorus! Led by chorus teacher Willie Griffin, the chorus won top recognition in several competitions, including:
- Music in the Parks event at Six Flags America, where Falling Creek Middle won first place in mixed choir, first place in women’s choir and first place in men’s choir and also won the Esprit de Corps Award
- Music in the Parks event at Busch Gardens, where Falling Creek Middle won first place in women’s choir, first place in men’s choir, first place in jazz choir and second place in mixed choir
- Festival of Music at Kings Dominion, where Falling Creek Middle earned an excellent rating
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On July 9, the big book party is the place to be
Chesterfield County Public Schools invites all students and families to El Librotazo, the big book party. El Librotazo is brand new, so you may wonder, “What is it?”
El Librotazo will take place on Tuesday, July 9 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road. Every child can choose up to five books to keep. That’s right: Every child from birth through high school will get books for their home libraries. That’s why this is a big book party!
El Librotazo is free. Thanks to support by the Chesterfield Education Foundation and Dominion Energy, there is no cost to attend, take home books or enjoy fun and food at El Librotazo. Families are asked to register by July 1 for free tickets at the event website.
Books for all ages will be available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Vietnamese, Pashto and Dari. But books are just one part of El Librotazo:
- An obstacle course and big inflatables will be available, along with crafts led by the
Children’s Museum of Richmond and games led by Chesterfield Parks and Recreation.
- Music and cultural performances will add to the fun.
- Hot dogs, popsicles and popcorn will be served.
- A fire truck and police vehicle will be there for children to see.
- About 20 community groups will provide helpful information for families.
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Manchester, Clover Hill students recognized
at VHSL Film Festival
Manchester High and Clover Hill High won awards at the Virginia High School League Film Festival on June 1.
High schools throughout Virginia submitted films, and only 48 films were chosen for the Film Festival: Nine of those were created by Manchester High students, and four were created by Clover Hill High students. That means almost 20% of accepted films were created in Chesterfield County Public Schools!
Manchester High had the highest number of accepted films and won the most awards:
The Clover Hill High film “Evasion” won the audience choice award in the experimental category.
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Apply to Chesterfield County Government jobs.
Apply to Chesterfield County Schools jobs.
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