Henrico Happenings

Andy Farmer from Virginia Energy Sense joins Kristin and Victoria with some helpful tips to help you save money on your energy bills this winter.

Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most traveled times of the year. Before you hop on a flight at Richmond International Airport, listen to our Henrico Happenings podcast. Airport president and CEO Perry Miller offers tips to help you get to your destination smoothly. He also shares details about projects underway at the airport that will make flying the friendly skies even better.

On Tuesday, Nov. 8, Henrico voters can participate in the 2022 bond referendum — a proposed $511.4 million investment in our schools, parks and other public facilities. Henrico County Manager John Vithoulkas and Henrico County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Amy Cashwell explain what a yes vote means for our community.

Election day is just around the corner and this year Henrico County voters will have the opportunity to participate in a bond referendum to approve more than $511 million in funding for proposed county capital projects. Brandon Hinton, Deputy County Manager for Administration, joins the podcast to discuss the four questions on the ballot. For even more information on the topic, visit https://henri...

Terrell Hughes, Director of Public Works, joins the podcast to discuss a variety of transportation projects that will impact the county and its residents. He's talking about sidewalks, bike lanes, even bus shelters! These are just a few of the projects that are planned or in some cases, already under construction around the area.

June's podcast guest is Dennis Bickmeier, Executive Director of the Henrico Sports and Entertainment Authority. He talks about the impact sports tourism has on the county, and gives an idea of future plans for facilities.

If the calendar says May, that means Summer is right around the corner! Heather Grubb, Events Manager for Henrico Recreation and Parks, joins the podcast to talk about some of the fun things planned for Henrico over the next few months. Whether it's Memorial Day, Juneteenth or July 4th, Recreation and Parks has something for everyone! For more information visit https://henrico.us/rec/

April’s podcast shines a light on a fundraiser that ultimately benefits vulnerable children in our community. Home for Good is hosted by Henrico CASA – an organization that advocates in court for abused and neglected children. For a $5 donation, you get the chance to win one of five custom-built playhouses. Those playhouses go on display at Short Pump Town Center on April 22. More info: https://he...

To help celebrate Women's History Month, Kristin and Victoria are joined by Henrico County Sheriff Alisa Gregory. She is the first female, and African American elected Sheriff in the county's history. Sheriff Gregory talks about her many years in the Sheriff's Office and whet she likes about her role.

Sheila Minor, Finance Director for Henrico County, talks with Kristin and Victoria about the 2 + 2 Tax Relief program. The Henrico County Board of Supervisors is considering a proposal that would give property owners a one-time credit on their real estate taxes and reduce this year's real estate tax rate.

The 2021 Henrico Christmas Mother, Blanche Moore, joins Victoria and Kristin to talk about this year's program. Work is done year round to make things special for the participants, so learn what you can do to help out.

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, so it's a great to time to talk about some of the ways Henrico County is helping to make the community more pedestrian friendly. Sharon Smidler, from the Transportation Division of Henrico Public Works, joins Kristin and Victoria to discuss a number of projects already underway or coming soon.

Rob Rowley, from Henrico County Emergency Management and Workplace Safety, joins Kristin and Victoria to discuss ways you can be ready in case of an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month, so it's a great time to get involved and make a plan to protect you and your family if needed.

Kristin and Victoria speak with two representatives from Henrico County Public Schools about the Learn to Swim program. The curriculum teaches second grade students a skill that’s often taken for granted. This program is in partnership with the YMCA and NOVA of Virginia Aquatics. It will resume when kids head back to school in September.

Fore! Belmont’s back with exciting new challenges for golfers of all ages. In the June episode of Henrico Happenings, find out how First Tee of Greater Richmond is working to make the course a place for the community to golf, gather and enjoy. Kristin and Victoria talk with Mark Lynch, Vice President of Golf for First Tee of Greater Richmond.

Kristin and Victoria are joined by Bentley Chan, Henrico's Director of Public Utilities. They talk about checking your irrigation system or sprinklers for leaks, and how to use water wisely to combat high water bills.

Victoria and Kristin sit down with Liz Guise, a 7-year firefighter with Henrico Division of Fire to discuss recruitment efforts and the history of women in the fire department as we celebrate National Women’s History month.

Benjamin Ross, a longtime volunteer at Woodland Cemetery, joins Victoria to discuss cleanup efforts at the historic Black cemetery. With an estimated 30,000 graves across its 29 acres, Woodland Cemetery is the final resting place for such prominent individuals as tennis champion and civil rights activist Arthur Ashe Jr. and the Rev. John Jasper, founder of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in Richmo...

Dr. Danny Avula, Director of the Richmond and Henrico Health Districts, joins Kristin to talk about the COVID-19 vaccine. He is overseeing Virginia’s efforts to vaccinate residents. Dr. Avula explains why people need the vaccine and where they can get it.

Learn more about the proposed GreenCity “ecodistrict” at the site of the former Best Products headquarters. Henrico Director of Public Utilities Bentley Chan talks with Kristin about the project’s environmental sustainability and how it could lead to infrastructure initiatives in the county.

This month, we take a look at the county’s development of an indoor sports facility and convocation center at Virginia Center Commons. Officials believe the sports and convocation center will further strengthen Henrico’s sports tourism program by adding a much-needed, high-profile venue for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports tournaments to the county’s roster of recreation facilities....

With just weeks until the 2020 General Election, we cover all you need to know to cast your ballot. Henrico County Deputy Registrar Anne Marie Middlesworth joins Kristin and Victoria to explain the different ways residents can vote this year. She also outlines some changes in the November 3 election.

Victoria and Kristin speak with a representative from the YMCA of Greater Richmond about the new Frank J. Thornton Aquatic Center. From its features to free swim, you'll learn everything you need to know to enjoy this beautiful facility.

Kristin and Victoria welcome Marvin Harris to the show. Mr Harris is Executive Director of the Evergreen Restoration Foundation. He talks about efforts to restore pride to the area's second-largest African American Cemetery. Henrico County helped the nonprofit purchase Woodland Cemetery, the final resting place of tennis great and humanitarian Arthur Ashe and other prominent African Americans.

Henrico County began integrating African American students into its schools in 1963, but the process was long and challenging. Members of the Varina 11, Rev. Barbara Miller and Junius Brown, look back on their experiences during the integration of Varina High School. If you would like to know more about this topic, you can watch the following program. Desegregation: Stories of Integration of Henri...