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 Col. Frank Carpenter Jr. Sworn In as Chesterfield's New Chief of Police
 Col. Edward F. “Frank” Carpenter Jr. was sworn in last Tuesday, Nov. 19 as Chesterfield’s new police chief.
Carpenter has worked for the Chesterfield County Police Department for nearly 25 years, steadily moving up through the ranks from sergeant to lieutenant, then captain and major before being appointed deputy chief of operations in July 2023. In that role, he oversaw performance, planning and budgeting for Patrol Services, the Investigations Bureau, and the Special Operations and Tactical Operations divisions.
He is the ninth chief in the department’s 110-year history.
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In the News
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Government Offices Closed This Thursday and Friday
County government offices, libraries and convenience centers will be closed this Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29, in celebration of Thanksgiving. All Chesterfield courts will close at noon on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and reconvene next Monday morning under regular operating hours.
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Board OKs Western Area Infrastructure Contract
The Board of Supervisors has approved a $42.6 million contract for the Western Area Infrastructure Improvements Project – including construction of a new roadway, the North-South Collector, that will connect Duval Road and Westerleigh Parkway, as well as a bridge over Horsepen Creek.
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 Real Estate Taxes Due Thursday, Dec. 5
In an effort to make the payment process easier than ever, the Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office continues to offer a growing list of options for residents to pay their taxes. Payments for the second-half installment of 2024 real estate taxes are due by Dec. 5 to avoid a 10% penalty.
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 Midlothian Residents Invited to Community Conversations
Midlothian District Supervisor Mark Miller will host two community conversations with Midlothian District residents in December, providing citizens the opportunity to ask questions and discuss the county’s decision to transition to a different curbside recycling model last year.
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Get in the Holiday Spirit by Attending a Tree Lighting Next Week
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 Chesterfield Parks and Recreation invites to you to attend holiday tree lightings around the county next week.
On Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 5:45 p.m., join Matoaca District Supervisor Kevin Carroll as he and Santa Claus kick off the holiday season with the lighting of a tree at the Ettrick Recreation Center.
On Friday, Dec. 6 at 5:45 p.m., Dale District Supervisor Jim Holland – again with assistance from Santa – will light a tree at the Beulah Recreation Center.
Both events will feature a Candyland bounce house for the kids, delicious cookies and warm drinks, and holiday spirit for people of all ages.
Also on Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., there will be a holiday tree lighting at 12140 Harrowgate Road in collaboration with Odd Fellows Lodge No. 281. Bermuda District Supervisor Jim Ingle will be on hand to help light the tree. Refreshments and holiday music will be provided by the Odd Fellows.
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Upcoming Events
HS Football Playoffs: L.C. Bird at William Fleming
Friday, Nov. 29, 7 p.m. at William Fleming High School
Following their 17-16 victory over Matoaca, the third-seeded Skyhawks (8-3) visit the No. 1 seed Colonels (11-1) for the Region 5C championship.
Ye Corne Beer and Rosted Deer: Early Virginia Thanksgiving
Saturday, Nov. 30 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Henricus Historical Park
If you enjoy the smell of wood fires, iron-pot cooking over hot coals, and clay oven bread baking, this annual event is just your thing. View demonstrations of how English people mixed giving thanks for a successful harvest with what bounty Virginia offered the people arriving here, while exploring ways the settlers were influenced by other cultures and places – Asia, Africa, and the Americas – in their foods and feasts.
Author Talk: Smithsonian National Gem Collection Unearthed
Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.
Join the emeritus curator of the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection, Dr. Jeffrey E. Post, for an author talk via digital live-stream. Register by visiting the Chesterfield County Public Library website.
Frosty: A Musical Adventure Featuring The Barter Players
Friday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Perkinson Center
It's fun for the whole family. Join Billy and Frosty on a quest through New York City to discover the true magic of the season – love!
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Chesterfield on Point
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 Despite Recent Cost Pressures, Long-Range Financial Trends Show Chesterfield on Solid Ground
While the county has experienced cost pressures since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to a historically tight labor market and inflation in many goods needed to sustain its day-to-day operations, that is not unique to Chesterfield. Neither are rising residential real estate assessments. The impacts of these challenges are being felt regionally, statewide and across the nation.
Recognizing that, Deputy County Administrator Matt Harris and Budget Director Gerard Durkin recently gave a presentation to the Board of Supervisors in which they highlighted relevant data and provided important context regarding local revenue and expenditure trends.
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Chesterfield Behind the Mic
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 On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, we welcome the 2024 Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Cheri Searles to the program to talk not only about her background and how she was chosen for such an important role, but also the Christmas Mother program and how you can help spread joy this year.
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Every Monday, This Week in Chesterfield points residents to fun, exciting and interesting things going on around their community.
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 Chesterfield Behind the Mic is an audio and video podcast focusing on the people, stories and happenings of #Cfield.
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 Subscribe to our Chesterfield on Point blog to stay informed about a variety of topics and events important to the community.
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Adoptable Pet Spotlight
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Hi there, my name is Vibe!
Don't I give off a whole vibe? I mean the shelter staff thought so. So much so that they named me Vibe. I have the most beautiful merle coloring and am a bona fide doggy model. My photos are simply stunning.
I'm playful, enjoy running, and love to give kisses. I get along well with other more submissive dogs but would likely clash with another dominant dog. I'm a male, around 4 years old, and weigh 50 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.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays. Our shelter is located at 9300 Public Works Road.
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Resources and Useful Information
Properly Dispose of All Medications
Did you know medication abuse is a national epidemic? In fact, 61% of kids age 12 and older who misuse prescription pain relievers get them from a friend or family member.
Chesterfield residents can pick up free medication disposal pouches and locking bags on a first-come, first-served basis (while supplies last) at Chesterfield County Public Library locations.
Learn more about safe medication disposal and storage here.
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Connect with a 9-1-1 Dispatcher Using Prepared Live
Heads up, Chesterfield! The county's Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has launched Prepared Live.
This software enables the 9-1-1 dispatch center to receive live streams, multimedia and location information from mobile callers in real time. It greatly improves situational awareness for first responders and ensures that appropriate resources are dispatched to handle emergencies.
Participation in video during a call is completely voluntary and consent of the caller is required. If the caller consents, they will receive a livestream link via text from the dispatcher, enabling them to activate live video upon click.
It’s also important to note that the video call function does not provide Chesterfield ECC with access to the contents or settings of a caller’s phone.
To learn more about this technology and how it can benefit you in an emergency, visit the county website.
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Get Accurate, Up-to-Date Information from Chesterfield Alert
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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Request a Speaker Today!
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 Resources
✅ Chesterfield Cooperative Extension - Master Gardeners
✅ So much more
Request a speaker online.
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Art Teachers Receive Regional Recognition
Art teachers from Chesterfield County Public Schools won top regional honors from the Virginia Art Education Association. The association’s central region covers 44 school districts, stretching from the Chesapeake Bay to the North Carolina line to close to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Bridget Hendricks of Old Hundred Elementary was named 2024 Central Region of Virginia Elementary Art Educator. Each year using a unifying theme, she organizes a schoolwide exhibition featuring art from 950+ students. This not only requires intense preparation and installation of all of the art but also includes decorations and hands-on activities throughout the school. This event undoubtedly becomes a cherished memory for many.
Lydia Walters of Elizabeth Davis Middle was named 2024 Central Region of Virginia Middle School Art Educator. In addition to orchestrating multiple murals around the school, she organizes annual community art nights where at least one work from every Elizabeth Davis Middle student is displayed. Art nights include hands-on activities, concessions and fundraisers to support the art program and uplift students and parents.
Vicki Kirtley of Clover Hill High was named 2024 Central Region of Virginia Elementary Art Educator. Throughout her exemplary career in art education, she has built a culture of creativity and success. She is a valued member of the Clover Hill High community as she facilitates countless student opportunities such as serving as the senior class sponsor since 2021, co-sponsoring the school’s chapter of the National Art Honor Society since 2007 and sponsoring the Clover Hill Art Guild from 1999 to 2006.
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Schools and Teachers Earn Financial Literacy Awards
Three Chesterfield County high schools were recently honored as W!se Blue Star Schools: Cosby High, Midlothian High and Monacan High. Schools earn this national recognition by achieving an 80% passing rate on the W!se financial literacy certification test and having either a majority of students on a given grade level receive personal finance instruction or at least 10% of all students take the test.
In addition, almost 30 Chesterfield County Public Schools teachers were named W!se Gold Star Teachers. For a teacher to earn this national recognition, at least one of the teacher’s classes must have achieved a 93% passing rate on the W!se financial literacy certification test in the 2023-24 school year.
Congratulations to the economics and personal finance teachers who were named W!se Gold Star Teachers:
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Bird High: Toby Campbell and Brent Deaner
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CCPSOnline: Latizzia Bragg-Bullock and Samantha Uzzle
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Clover Hill High: Michael Bell, Kyle Miller and Rebecca Necessary
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Cosby High: Gillian Detrick, Otis Jarvis and Nichola Woznyj
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Thomas Dale High: Felicia Campbell, Patrick Sweet and Bill Wright
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James River High: Juliana Beatty and Jeffrey Bourassa
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Manchester High: Brian Graham and Paul Kline
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Matoaca High: William De Salvatore and Kendra Pahl
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Midlothian High: Thayne Bruce, Trish Reese, Brett Ridens and Gabriel Taylor
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Monacan High: Carolyn Manheim, Meredith Shuman and Daniel Zizzamia
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Explore career opportunities in Chesterfield and join our team of dedicated professionals in Government and Public Schools—apply today to shape our community’s future.
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Discover who represents you in Chesterfield and learn more about your magisterial district to stay connected and informed.
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