Henrico Citizen Audio Articles

Fifty-five-year-old James Brandon Jr. was a good Samaritan. On the evening of October 3, Crime Insider sources say Brandon tried to break up an argument between a man and a woman. The de-escalation, happening in the parking lot of a Henrico County McDonald's, turned deadly, and Brandon was fatally shot. Brandon was taken to VCU Medical Center, where he later died. Family members tell Jon Burkett and sources also confirm that he was trying to calm an argument between Tony Johnson and a woman. Click here to continue reading on WTVR.com, a Henrico Citizen partner organization.Article Link

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SEPT. 18 Daddio’s Grille, 12385 Gayton Road – The following violations were reported during a routine inspection: no supervisors or managers are certified food protection managers; person in charge couldn’t provide food protection manager certificate; temperatures of container of pizza sauce and cheese in prep unit are elevated; several cleaning spray bottles at bar and in kitchen are unlabeled; observed small flies at bar in smoking area; prep and single cutting boards are heavily scratched and stained brown; metal wires are bent and breaking on fryer baskets; observed food debris and grease residue on wire storage racks, under grill, and...Article Link

The Henrico Citizen is among five local newsrooms in Virginia and 205 nationally selected to receive funding from Press Forward, a nationwide philanthropic initiative that aims to strengthen communities through local journalism. The grantees – at least one in each state, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam – were announced today by the organization and The Miami Foundation, which serves as its fiscal sponsor. Press Forward intends to provide 0 million in funding for local journalism during the next five years. The grants announced today resulted from the initiative’s first open call for funding; each publication will receive funding...Article Link

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1805 Poplar Green, Tuckahoe District - 0,000, 1,458 SF (built in 1986), from William E. Daner Jr. and Betty B. Daner to Hanover Home Buyers LLC. 508 Luther Road, Varina District - 4,950, 1,152 SF (built in 1968), from Raymond Trippet to Stephanie A. Curtis. 10216 Wolfe Manor Court, Unit 0205, Brookland District - 0,000, 956 SF (built in 1995), from Steven L. and Ashley V. Cogbill to Philip C. Snell and Ellen M. Boesner Trustees. 4681 Four Seasons Terrace, Unit F, Brookland District - 0,000, 1,145 SF (built in 1989), from Georgia Moudilos to Rebecca M. Reynolds. 4136 White...Article Link

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Raise the subject of medical history among parents of special-needs children, and the diagnosis stories can be heard in abundance. Perhaps parents learned of their child's differences in pregnancy, or at birth. Perhaps it was a slow dawning of awareness as an infant missed the usual developmental milestones – or a sickening sense that something was wrong as a toddler suffered a series of illnesses or crises. But what about the truly puzzling cases when something is obviously not right with a child – yet the constellation of symptoms is vague, and the maladies seem to come and go –...Article Link

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently announced additional key administration and board appointments: State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Vision Impaired – John Leopold of Henrico, chief administrative officer at Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia; Live Horseracing Compact Committee – Waqas Ahmed of Henrico, executive secretary at Virginia Racing Commission; State Emergency Medical Services Advisory Board – Lisa Baber of Henrico, deputy fire chief at New Kent County Fire and Rescue Department. * * * Anabelle Krawitz of Henrico recently joined the Class of 2028 at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y. Krawitz is a graduate of Glen Allen High School....Article Link

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A new Chick-fil-A restaurant will open in Eastern Henrico Thursday, Oct. 17. The restaurant, located at 4808 Nine Mile Road (near its intersection with South Laburnum Avenue), will be open for dine-in, drive-through, carry-out and delivery from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday, with extended hours until 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The new location will be owned and operated by Greg Williams, who also operates the Chick-fil-A at nearby White Oak Village. It will join more than 25 other Chick-fil-A restaurants in the Richmond-Petersburg region. “The new restaurant is not just about welcoming more guests, but also...Article Link

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Atlantic Union Bank is hosting a non-perishable food drive at all of its branches, beginning Oct. 15, to help stock local food pantries and provide meals for families in need this holiday season. The drive will continue through Nov. 15. Donations will be accepted at the branches during normal business hours. “Food insecurity affects millions of American families, and many of those impacted aren’t a faraway statistic. They’re right here in our communities,” said Nathalia Artus, head of Community Impact at Atlantic Union Bank. “We’re proud to do our part by coordinating this food drive and rallying our communities to...Article...

Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity is commemorating the 10th anniversary of its Women Build program with the first-ever She Builds Bash, a night of celebration and fundraising, Oct. 25 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Foundation, 401 East Grace Street in Richmond. The organization's Women Build program, which engages women in the construction of affordable housing, has completed 10 home builds and raised more than 0,000 for affordable housing initiatives, engaging more than 2,000 local women in the process. This year alone, the program witnessed more than 400 volunteers contribute to the near completion of an entire Habitat...Article Link

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The Henrico Board of Supervisors in September approved redevelopment plans for Reynolds Crossing that will turn the office park (at the intersection of West Broad Street and Forest Avenue) into a mixed-use development with approximately 1,500 residential units. The development is expected to proceed in six phases during a period of 15 to 20 years: • Phase 1 would replace the existing parking lot on Forest opposite Crestview Elementary School with a purely residential building; • Phase 2A would replace the Plaza Azteca and its parking lot at the corner of West Broad and Forest with a 12-story mixed-use building...Article Link

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At its Oct. 10 meeting, the Henrico Planning Commission issued a rare recommendation of denial, to a proposed data center and light industrial complex in the Fairfield District on the Richmond-Henrico Turnpike near its intersection with Azalea Avenue. Planning Department staff had recommended approval, but the proposal had raised opposition from nearby residents who cited noise, traffic, and environmental concerns. The property is located a mile from Henrico High School and sits near the Azalea Flea Market and an Amazon distribution center. The developer, BWS Enterprises LLC, already had modified the proposal during its consultation with the Planning department, first...Article...

The southbound lanes on South Laburnum Avenue and a portion of Thornhurst Street near Jacob L. Adams Elementary School will close overnight Monday and Tuesday for waterline maintenance. The roads will close between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., beginning the evenings of Oct. 14 and Oct. 15. Traffic will be detoured using Gay Avenue, Masonic Lane and Nine Mile Road. The roads will be operable during daytime hours.Article Link

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Cushman & Wakefield | Thalhimer recently announced the following lease transaction in Henrico County: First Watch Restaurants, Inc. – leased 1.2 acres of land at Stuart’s Crossing Shopping Center, Brook Road at Jeb Stuart Parkway (Connie Jordan Nielsen and Alicia Brown represented the landlord and David Crawford represented the tenant). * * * Commonwealth Commercial Partners, LLC recently announced the following lease transactions in Henrico County: Dominion Capital Mortgage, Inc. – leased 2,242 SF at 3900 Westerre Parkway (Eric Hammond, Eliza Izard and Russell Wyatt represented the landlord); Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, P.C. – renewed its lease of 7,140 SF...Article Link

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The new Quioccasin Middle School building, set to open in the summer of 2027, will be three stories and feature an innovation lab with outdoor learning spaces, an outdoor courtyard, and more new amenities. Henrico School Board members approved the schematic design for the rebuild of Quioccasin Middle Oct. 10, with the total project estimated to cost million using funds from the county's 2022 bond referendum. The project’s design firm, Moseley Architects, predicts that construction on the new building will start in the late summer of 2025 and take about two years. The new school building will be constructed...Article Link

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Richmond Raceway will host Track Laps for Charity Oct. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., allowing fans to drive five laps around the track for . All proceeds will benefit Richmond Raceway Cares (a donor-advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation) and the Autism Society of Central Virginia. The event also will serve as a collection point for hurricane relief efforts, with donations of bottled water and diapers (child and adult) accepted. Participants and those making donations can enter through the main gate at 600 East Laburnum Avenue. “We’re pleased to continuously put on our popular Track Laps for Charity...Article Link

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Education savings program Virginia529 is rebranding as Commonwealth Savers to reflect its expanded mission beyond education savings. The organization also will rebrand its flagship education savings plan as Invest529. The rebranding reflects Commonwealth Savers' goal to become a national leader in comprehensive financial wellness, offering savings options for education, disability, and retirement, according to organization officials. In addition to Invest529, Commonwealth Savers oversees ABLEnow (a national savings program for people with disabilities) and RetirePath Virginia (a state-sponsored retirement savings program). “As we change our name and expand our offerings, some things will never change," said Mary Morris, CEO of Commonwealth...Ar...

Kain Road will be closed between North Gayton Road and Pouncey Tract Road in Short Pump from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15 for the installation of utility lines. Traffic will be detoured using North Gayton and Pouncey Tract.  Article Link

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The son of the namesake of Tom Leonard's Farmers Market has been named the Short Pump retailer's president. T.J. Leonard, who also is the grandson of well-known retailer Stew Leonard, Sr., will oversee daily operations, planning, and finance, taking the helm from his father, Tom, who has been the sole president since the store's opening in 1991. “T.J. might have been born into retailing, but he’s spent the past 20 years learning from some of the best grocers in the industry," Tom Leonard said. "I am confident T.J. will be an excellent leader for our 65 team members at Tom...

Marching bands from Henrico County's nine comprehensive high schools will perform at the school division's annual Band Showcase Oct. 21 at Hermitage High School (8301 Hungary Spring Road) beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Donations for the Henrico Christmas Mother campaign – especially canned goods, peanut butter, cereal, crackers, hats and gloves, socks and monetary contributions – will be accepted at the gate. Linda Melton, this year's Henrico Christmas Mother, will be at the event to greet attendees and donors and to share more information about the program. Melton, a 40-year veteran of...Article Link

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The Dorey Park Farmers Market will host a hula hoop dance party this Saturday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. to celebrate the life of Rick McNeil, a member of the market community who died. McNeil was known for sharing his passion for history at the market's History Table for many years, and he also was an avid hula hooper. The market will provide hula hoops for attendees to borrow, courtesy of Host of Sparrows, or guests are welcome to bring their own. The farmers market takes place at Dorey Park, near the barn, 2999 Darbytown Road in Varina.Article Link

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800 block of East Parham Road, Fairfield District – Police arrested and charged a citizen(s) with shoplifting, possession of marijuana, and a weapons charge at a liquor store Oct. 4 at 1:59 p.m. 300 block of Newbridge Road, Varina District – Police arrested and charged a citizen with non-aggravated assault at an apartment complex Oct. 4 at 4:33 p.m. 9900 block of Ridgefield Parkway, Three Chopt District – Police arrested and charged a citizen with brandishing a firearm at a park/recreation center Oct. 4 at 7:02 p.m. 8700 block of Three Chopt Road, Tuckahoe District – Police arrested and charged...Article Link

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Henrico citizens had a chance Oct. 1 to learn more about the planned westward expansion of GRTC's Pulse rapid transit service along the county's West Broad Street corridor from Willow Lawn to Parham Road. During a community open house at Libbie Mill Library, hosted by GRTC and Henrico County, attendees reviewed current plans and provided input about them. As part of the expansion, GRTC will add eight new Pulse stops along the corridor, as well as high-quality level boarding stations, providing safe places for transit riders to wait. The current Pulse route, which stretches from Willow Lawn through downtown and...Article...

Tom Leonard’s Farmers Market will host a Halloween Movie Night featuring the film “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on Friday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m. in the market’s outdoor theater. Free popcorn will be available. Admission is free. All ages invited. Bring your own seating. Tom Leonard’s is located at 4150 Tom Leonard Drive across from West Broad Village near Short Pump. Click here for details or call (804) 364-5800. * * * Goochland-based Slate River Band will perform at The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 3 p.m. Led by former Pinecastle recording...Article Link

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Joseph Julian Dziuba, Jr., 58, of Henrico, VA, went to be with the Lord on October 4, 2024. He is preceded into heaven by his parents, Joseph Julian Dziuba, Sr. and Sarah Sledd Dziuba. He is survived by his sisters, Mary Grigg and Sarah Baltz (David); nephews, Marc Grigg (Kelsie), Tyler Baltz (Kirsten), and Corey Baltz (Courtney); great-nephews, Adam Baltz and Dylan Baltz; as well as a host of extended family and friends, all of whom will miss him greatly. Known by ‘Jay’ to everyone, had a long career working for the company his parents started, The Office, Inc., formerly...Article Link

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Laura Mae Williams, 96, of Richmond went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. She is the daughter of the late Charles Huff and Pearlie Linkous Huff and is preceded in death by her siblings, Carlyn Huff, Clara Bell Sheppard, Roy Huff, Samuel Huff, Maudia Ramsey, Charles Huff, Pauline Mullen, Treva Huff and Charlene Keen. Laura is also reunited in passing with her loving husband of 47 years, Charlie C. Williams. She is survived by her devoted daughter, Tanya Marie Harvey; brothers, Albert Huff, Billy Huff and Boyd Huff and numerous nieces and nephews. Laura traveled to...Article Link

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Theresa Mae (Sears) Treumer, 91, passed away on October 4, 2024. Born in Easthampton, Massachusetts on November 2, 1932. Preceded in death by her parents, Arthur and Eva (Lebeau) Sears, her husband Clarence (Parse) Treumer, her brother Raymond Sears, her sisters Ella Pacocha and Florence Mayo, her son Henry Brissette III and wife Martha (Blevins) Brissette. She is survived by her sister Elaine Marshall, her daughter Carol Brissette (Julie Pretko), her son Daniel Brissette (Teresa Brissette) and many great grandchildren, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Theresa attended Parochial School Notre Dame in Easthampton, Massachusetts for 9 years. She is a 1949...Article Link

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Donna Cleaves Kratzert, 67, of Glen Allen, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. She died peacefully with family members at her side. Donna was born December 25, 1956, in Colonial Beach, Virginia to Ruby and Bernard Cleaves. She graduated from Colonial Beach High School in 1975. She is survived by her loving husband, Chuck; daughter, Ruby; son, Charlie (Sarah); two brothers, Larry (Betty) and Ben (Faith); and other family and friends. Donna was known for her caring and generous spirit, and devotion to her family. Besides being a wonderful cook, she was a talented individual with a passion...Article Link

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Liam Oliver Mancuso Palma, 23, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024. Liam was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and emigrated to the United States on his own at age 14. After graduating from Douglas Freeman High School in 2020, Liam was a valued employee at Publix grocery store and later worked at a restaurant in downtown Richmond. At the time of his death, Liam had begun the process of enlisting in the United States Navy. Liam was a kind and brave young man who had endured many hardships to blossom into his true self, navigating the confusing...Article Link

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Suzie Hester, the director of Henrico Schools’ Center for Spanish Language and Global Citizenship, was shuffling through papers in her office one day when she saw an old newspaper clipping from the Henrico Citizen. “Tucker High School’s Specialty Center commemorates 10 years.” The article was published in 2004, exactly 20 years ago. Hester, realizing that 2024 was the 30th anniversary of the Spanish Center, decided that now would be the time to invite back all of the center’s alumni for a big celebration – including a dinner of Spanish paella and music by a Spanish guitarist. “We’re going all out,”...Article Link

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Soccer has been part of Josh Kirkland’s life since he was four. The boyhood Arsenal F.C. fan started his career for the Richmond Strikers Elite team at 10 before becoming a star for his high school and college teams. And last month, he signed a contract with his hometown team, the Richmond Kickers. After months on trial, Kirkland (who starred at Deep Run High School and was an All-American forward at the University of Mary Washington) made his dream a reality by signing with the USL1 team Sept. 12. During his time with the Strikers as a youngster, Kirkland established...Ar...

A man was listed in critical condition after Henrico County firefighters pulled him from a West End home early Thursday. Fire crews were called to the 1700 block of Shewalt Drive just before 3 a.m. Oct. 10. "[They] immediately recognized they needed to go into rescue mode from the reports they're getting from the neighbor that a person lived in the house and they suspected them still inside," Henrico Fire Battalion Chief Jackson Baynard said. "Our first crew went in, they identified a victim inside. They were able to make a quick grab, quick rescue, and get that person out...Article Link<...

SEPT. 12 New Hunan Gourmet, 3107 Mechanicsville Turnpike – The following violations were reported during a routine inspection: dishes found in kitchen hand sink; raw chicken stored over seafood and raw shrimp stored over produce in walk-in cooler; bulk bins of sugar, flour and rice and containers of powdery white substances on hot line are unlabeled; front door to the restaurant was left wide open with no screen door and flies are throughout the establishment; food is stored directly on walk-in cooler floor; bag of onions stored directly on kitchen floor; walk-in cooler thermostat isn’t working; reach-in cooler door gaskets...Article Link

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A man is in the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a shooting near the 370 block of North Laburnum Avenue, Crime Insider sources tell Jon Burkett. Henrico Police have confirmed the shooting took place shortly after 8 p.m. Tuesday. Click here to continue reading on WTVR.com, a Henrico Citizen partner organization.Article Link

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Researchers and advocates discussed zoning ordinances and education equity in the Richmond area at an event at the University of Richmond Oct. 3. The event, titled “Reading Between the Lines: Zoning, Housing, and Education in the Richmond Region,” was hosted by UR in collaboration with Partnership for Housing Affordability, HousingForward Virginia, The Commonwealth Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Education, VCU Research Institute for Social Equity, Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia, and the RVA Eviction Lab. Researchers from HousingForward Virginia spent the first half of the evening introducing the Virginia Zoning Atlas, a statewide map showing data about the...Article Link...

The University of Richmond has launched a new initiative, the Humanities Center, to support and promote research and scholarship in the humanities across the university. The center will highlight the importance of humanities disciplines and offer opportunities for students and faculty to engage in collaborative work. "The humanities at UR are not defined as a set of majors, minors, or departments, rather these disciplines are a cluster of intellectual practices that get taken up in every field of study across all of the University’s five schools,” said Nathan Snaza, director of the Humanities Center. He emphasized the critical role of...

3823 Creighton Road, Fairfield District - 1,000, 1,415 SF (built in 1940), from Bruce S. Foster to Buying Virginia LLC. 1511 Regency Woods Road, Unit 102, Tuckahoe District - 5,000, 1,201 SF (built in 1980), from George C. Hsu Trustee to Morgan Stubbs. 2600 Hungary Road, Brookland District - 5,000, 922 SF (built in 1956), from Anthony Lynn Padgett to Cone Investments LLC. 305 Rollingview Drive, Varina District - 0,000, 1,200 SF (built in 1974), from Anna L. Gutzke and Crystal Gutzke Wilmhoff to Brian and Rachel McCracken. 7516 Moss Side Avenue, Fairfield District - 5,000, 1,196 SF (built in...Article Link

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For more than 30 years, Dennis Bickmeier has had a front-row seat to what he calls the “business of sports.” From his 11-year tenure as president of Richmond Raceway to his current role as director of the Henrico Sports & Entertainment Authority, which he’s held since its creation more than two years ago, Bickmeier not only has gotten to witness some monumental sports moments up close, but he has also had a hand in making sure those events are carried to fruition. “What I feel about the Sports and Entertainment Authority position, it’s taken everything I’ve done over the course...Art...

In an effort to bolster tourism and support local businesses, Richmond Region Tourism has announced two new grant programs. The Special Event Grant program and the Hotel Workforce Intern Grant program, both funded by the Tourism Improvement District, aim to attract visitors to the region and support the hospitality industry. The Special Event Grant program offers up to ,000 to organizers of new special events, those within their first three years, or newly created events that enhance existing ones. To qualify, events must attract at least 25% of their attendees from outside a 50-mile radius of the Richmond, region with...Article Link<...

Veterans and their families can get free assistance with their benefits claims at an information seminar hosted by the Disabled American Veterans on Tuesday, Oct. 15. The seminar will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Military Retirees Club, located at 2220 Chamberlayne Avenue in Richmond. The seminar will be staffed by DAV national service officers who can provide professional support to veterans throughout the claims and appeals process. Attendees are encouraged to bring identification, their Social Security number, and any relevant military service documentation. DAV is a nonprofit charity that provides a variety of services to...Article Link<...

The Henrico Extension Bug Bizarre will return to Deep Run Recreation Center Saturday, Oct. 12, offering a unique and educational experience for people of all ages. The free event will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, located at 9900 Ridgefield Parkway. The Bug Bizarre will provide a closer look into the world of insects. Attendees can get up close and personal with live insects, including hissing cockroaches, tarantulas, and a diverse collection in the "bug zoo." Experts will be present to provide insights into various entomology-related topics, including pollinators, garden insects, forest pests, and public...Article Link<...