Chesterfield County, Virginia's Weekly E-Newsletter
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Stay Connected with Chesterfield!
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Scroll to the bottom for more helpful links and resources to stay up to date on all things Chesterfield!
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Veterans Day in Chesterfield County
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In observance of Veterans Day, Chesterfield County Government offices, libraries and recreation centers will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
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Additionally, the annual Veterans Day Ceremony scheduled for 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 has been cancelled due to forecasted rain.
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On Tuesday, Nov. 3, Chesterfield County successfully helped hundreds of thousands of voters exercise their constitutional voting rights. In-person voting on Nov. 3 followed a successful recruitment drive for Officers of Election, several weeks of absentee ballot voting and early voting at the Registrar’s Office and four satellite locations (North Courthouse Road, LaPrade, Meadowdale and Ettrick-Matoaca libraries).
In total, over 200,000 Chesterfield registered voters cast votes in the 2020 general election. Thousands of these voters cast ballots during early voting and via absentee ballots returned either in person or by mail.
Use the buttons below to view the latest vote counts from Chesterfield County and from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
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El Juguetazo: Presents for Children in Need
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El Juguetazo commemorates the tradition of the Three Kings, who journeyed to Bethlehem to celebrate the birth of Jesus. To celebrate El Juguetazo in 2021, the Office of Multicultural Services will be distributing toys to children in need.
This year, due to COVID-19, families must register online to participate at El Juguetazo 2021 to receive toys. To register, families must complete an online form by Dec. 15, 2020.
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Toys will be distributed on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021 in the parking lot of L.C. Bird High School (10301 Courthouse Road) beginning at 11 a.m. Families must stay in their vehicles, wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. All children registered must be present to receive toys the day of the event
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Fire and EMS Recognized by National Groups
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In the years following the Great Recession, Chesterfield EMS call volume grew two to three times higher than the county’s population growth. Chesterfield first responders faced a stark problem, as this annual growth in the call volume of the 9-1-1 system stressed the county’s emergency response capabilities.
In 2014, the Chesterfield Department of Fire and EMS enacted an innovative solution: the creation of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare program that bridged a wide array of county services including Adult Protective Services, the Emergency Communications Center, the Department of Mental Health Support Services, the Police Department, the Sheriff’s Office and private partners.
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National Association Awards Chesterfield Utilities
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This award celebrates the department’s commitment to sustainable, successful programs that exemplify the attributes of an effectively managed utility.
The Excellence in Management Program began in 2003 to recognize the significant achievements of NACWA member agencies for distinctive utility management.
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This program honors member agencies that are implementing management practices based on 10 attributes that address a range of challenges including financial viability, product quality, water resource sustainability, customer satisfaction and employee and leadership development. The platinum award is the highest level of recognition for this program meaning that the department demonstrated success in at least nine of the designated attributes.
The department was recognized at the Oct. 28 Board of Supervisors meeting.
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This Month: Chesterfield's Scenic River Display
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A Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation canoe and kayak are on display now at The Gallery at Main Street Station for the 50th anniversary of the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program. The items will be on display through the end of November.
According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Scenic Rivers Program is designed to "identify, designate and help protect rivers and streams that possess outstanding scenic, recreational, historic and natural characteristics of statewide significance for future generations."
The Appomattox River, which runs through Chesterfield County, is one of 36 state scenic river segments designated through the program. To learn more about how you can experience river adventures and other nature programs on the water, visit www.chesterfield.gov/parks.
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Apply for Third Round of Back in Business Grants Beginning Thursday, Nov. 12
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The application window for round three of Chesterfield County's “Back in Business” Grants will open November 12, 2020 at 9 a.m.
In May 2020, the Board of Supervisors announced that the county would use $5 million of its Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act Federal funding to create a small business relief fund that would aim to get direct funding to those businesses most impacted by COVID-19.
For round three of funding, new criteria will enable the grants to be available to a broader segment of Chesterfield’s small businesses, including non-profits. Round 3 will also allow for a larger range of annual gross revenues to qualify. Grants in round three will be awarded on a sliding scale, based on annual revenues. With these changes to the criteria, the county expects a robust third round of funding.
Under CARES Act guidelines, funds are meant to reimburse businesses for the costs of business interruption caused by required closures due to COVID-19. The grant can be used for:
- Employee compensation (including wages and benefits)
- Working capital
- Equipment Inventory
- Rent
- Other business critical operating expenses
To get notified when the application window opens, to read more information or to view a full list of eligibility criteria, visit: www.chesterfieldbusiness.com/BIB
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Relief Fund Launched for Small Businesses
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LISC Virginia and Chesterfield County are pleased to announce the launch of the Chesterfield County Microenterprise Relief Fund. This fund will provide small businesses with five or fewer employees grants up to $10,000 to pay for payroll, rent, utilities, vendor bills, and COVID-19 related expenses.
Applications for small business owners opened on Monday, Nov. 9 at 8 a.m. through the LISC Virginia webpage. Applications will be accepted on a rolling-basis until all the funds are disbursed. Funds will be disbursed on a first-come, first-serve basis. These grants will provide rapid relief to small businesses, helping them remain operational, retain employees and continue offering vital goods and services in their community.
This program will help business owners most unlikely to access or receive capital assistance from traditional sources. To qualify for the program, the small business must be a microenterprise with five or fewer employees, one of whom owns the business. The business owner’s household income must also be below 80% of the area median income (AMI). For further information about eligibility requirements, please visit www.virginialisc.org.
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Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams
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The Social Security Administration, a federal agency, has issued the following guidance on protecting yourself from telephone and email Social Security Scams:
Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams
Telephone and email scammers are pretending to be government employees. Scammers will try to scare you and trick you into giving them your personal information and money. Don’t be fooled! Social Security will not:
- Threaten you
- Tell you there is a problem with or suspend your Social Security number
- Demand immediate payment from you
- Require payment by retail gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, wire transfer, or by mailing cash
If you receive a call or email like this, please report it to the Office of the Inspector General at oig.ssa.gov.
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Chesterfield County Public Schools Updates
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Five Chesterfield Educators Receive 2020 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence
Nov. 5, 2020: Immersing one’s self deeper in the Spanish-speaking region of the southern hemisphere in order to better relate to students and the course being taught. Tracing the footsteps of a grandfather who served in the National Guard in order to make history more relevant for students. Traveling through Europe to learn more about the Holocaust so that history can come alive in the classroom.
These are some of the rewards that await five Chesterfield County teachers, who today were named 2020 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence winners by the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond and the R.E.B. Foundation. These Chesterfield County teachers will receive almost $56,000 in professional development grants. Approximately 15 outstanding public school teachers from across the region were selected as honorees this week.
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Meet Jack!
Jack found his way into the shelter due to no fault of his own, and he doesn't like being here much as he paces the room. Can you give Jack a new home? Jack is believed to be about 14 years in age. You can see his age in his face; he has cloudy eyes and a skin tag above his right eye (it is of no concern though!).
Jack would enjoy a quiet, slow paced environment to call home. Because Jack is older, we feel it is best that he go to a home where there are no children under 12 years in age. Jack has met other pups here at the shelter, and he did good with them; however, he would probably prefer other pups who are mellow like he is.
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Jack is a Chow Chow mix and weighs 32 pounds. Animal #587993
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County Response to COVID-19
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Other important information and updates on resources for Virginians can be found at:
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COVID-19 Updates from Virginia Gov. Northam
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Governor Northam Announces $25 Million in CARES Act Funding for Medicaid Day Support Providers
Nov. 9, 2020: "Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia will allocate $25 million from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to fund monthly retainer payments for day support programs that provide services for Virginians with developmental disabilities. These programs offer day support, community engagement, and community coaching to individuals who are receiving Medicaid’s developmental disability waiver services."
Governor Northam Announces $22 Million for Virginia’s Private Institutions of Higher Education
Nov. 9 2020: "Governor Ralph Northam today announced a new allocation of $22 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to support Virginia’s private institutions of higher education. This funding is proportionate to recently announced CARES Act funding for public institutions, and will be used to support COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts at Virginia’s private non-profit colleges and universities."
Governor Northam Allocates $60 Million in CARES Act Funding for Municipal Utility Relief
Nov. 9, 2020: "Governor Ralph Northam today announced a new allocation of $60 million in funding from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to support municipal utility relief efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Combined with the Governor’s proposed budget amendment to provide $60 million for jurisdictional utilities, the Commonwealth is directing a total of $120 million for residential and non-residential utility customers impacted by the ongoing public health crisis."
Governor Northam Directs $7 Million in CARES Act Funding to Virginia Food Banks
Nov. 9, 2020: "Governor Ralph Northam today announced that Virginia will allocate $7 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act dollars to Virginia food banks to help Virginians who rely on food assistance."
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Chesterfield Health Department
Free COVID-19 Testing in November
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As part of a statewide push to increase testing across the commonwealth, the Chesterfield Health Department is hosting free COVID-19 testing events in the month of November.
The free indoor, walk-up testing events will occur on the following days and locations:
Faith and Family Center
7900 Walmsley Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23235
Thursdays, Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Chesterfield Health Department Smith-Wagner Building Multi-Purpose Room
9501 Lucy Corr Circle, Chesterfield, VA 23832
Saturdays, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21 | 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Second Baptist Church
5100 W Hundred Road, Chester, VA 23831
Fridays, Nov. 13 and Nov. 20 | 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Mondays, Nov. 16, Nov. 23 and Nov. 30 | 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Walmsley UMC
2950 Walmsley Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23234
Wednesday, Nov. 11 | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays, Nov. 17 and Nov. 24 | 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
St. Augustine Catholic Church
4400 Beulah Road, North Chesterfield, VA 23237
Wednesdays, Nov. 11 and Nov. 18 | 11 a.m. to noon
No reservation is necessary. Additional testing events are pending and will be announced once finalized.
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Learn More About Your District
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