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Jensen Named New Director of Chesterfield Public Library
Carolyn Jensen, assistant director of Chesterfield Public Library since 2016, has been promoted to lead the county’s library system as director effective Dec. 20.
Jensen, who has more than 18 years of experience in library leadership, has been with Chesterfield Public Library in a variety of roles since 2008. She has particular expertise in community engagement, strategic planning and leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making and innovation.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Chesterfield County, is developing a Environmental Impact Statement that will identify the preferred alignment for Phase II of the Powhite Parkway Extension.
The project will enhance transportation in western Chesterfield by extending Powhite Parkway from Woolridge Road to Route 360.
VDOT will host a public hearing next Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Cosby High School. The purpose of the meeting is to present the alternatives evaluated and the preferred alignment and provide an opportunity for comments.
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In the News
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Chesterfield Accepting Food Donations at Tree Lightings
Join the Board of Supervisors and jump into the holidays at festive tree lightings in each of the county's magisterial districts. We will be accepting donations of nonperishable food items at each event to support Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center.
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Second Half Real Estate Tax Payments Due This Friday
Second half 2025 real estate taxes are due by this Friday, Dec. 5 to avoid a 10% penalty. The Treasurer’s Office offers an online portal and a growing list of additional options for residents to pay their taxes securely at a variety of locations across Chesterfield.
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Drop Off Compostable Items at Convenience Centers
In partnership with the Central Virginia Waste Management Authority and Nope Compost Co., Chesterfield has launched a new drop-off composting program at the Northern and Southern Area Convenience Centers. Organic material collected will be turned into nutrient-rich soil additive.
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Take Your Holiday Portraits at Winter Selfie Station
Chester Library's Winter Selfie Station is back for the third year through Dec. 27. Dress up (or down), walk in and take portraits during normal library hours using your own smart phone or camera. Choose from a formal black backdrop or a cozy winter set. Both can accommodate up to six adults.
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 Find Chesterfield's Tacky Light Houses
Chesterfield is glowing with holiday cheer! As mentioned by the Richmond Times Dispatch, we made a Google map of the tackiest, brightest, most magical holiday houses in Chesterfield! Use the map to plan your driving routes, or call a guided tour provider so you can sit back, relax & just enjoy the glow.
Got a house that’s not on the map yet? Send an email to experience@chesterfield.gov and we’ll add your home to the list. Help us build the ultimate Chesterfield lights list. For more holiday festive fun, visit our Holiday Hub at www.experiencechesterfield.com/holidays.
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Upcoming Events
Nov. 15 through Dec. 27 at Swift Creek Mill Theatre
Celebrate the start of the holiday season and step inside a 1940s radio studio where six actors bring George Bailey’s story to life through live voices, music, and sound effects. A heartwarming classic that reminds us how every life touches so many others. Tickets and dining experiences are available for purchase at the Swift Creek Mill Theatre website.
Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Central Library
Check out what your local makers, artisans and craftspeople have been up to this year. Buy unique handmade goods, from paintings and jewelry to crocheted toys, just in time for holiday gift giving. Then drop in to the Makerspace to make something of your own!
The Virginians Chorus Presents I'll Be Home for Christmas
Sunday, Dec. 7, 3 p.m. at the Perkinson Center
The show will be a two-hour performance of traditional and memorable Christmas music with an intermission. Featured will be a mixed ensemble of singers and many of our chapter quartets. This will be a fun-filled afternoon of music to usher in the holiday season for one and all.
Saturday, Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. at Henricus Historical Park
The 17th through 20th centuries in England, the American colonies, and the United States transformed Christmas into what we know today. Explore what Christmas looked like, smelled like, and sounded like to Virginians throughout these centuries. Your journey through time will end with a greeting from Father Christmas.
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Cohen Helped Change Lives for the Better by Bolstering Chesterfield's Affordable Housing Stock
Over his seven-plus years as director of Chesterfield’s Community Enhancement Department, Dan Cohen and his staff have done far more than simply increase public awareness about the broader social implications of soaring housing costs. By building relationships with a variety of local nonprofits, they’ve changed lives by helping to put residential units on the ground in the county that are affordable to working people with low and moderate incomes.
So it was fitting that on Nov. 17, the first day of his final week before retiring as a county employee, Cohen attended a ceremonial ribbon-cutting in which Chesterfield and its project partners celebrated the completion of construction at Ettrick Landing, a 10-unit single-family subdivision that is creating affordable home ownership opportunities on surplus county property.
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Chesterfield Behind the Mic
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On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, we welcome the 2025 Chesterfield-Colonial Heights Christmas Mother Carol Ricker 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, what it does, and how you can help them 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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Introducing Dinner Roll!
What's the best part of any holiday meal? If you said the dinner rolls, then boy oh boy do we have the dog for you! This sweet girl is such a cutie pie! She likes meeting both new people and new doggy friends. She gets so excited with another dog, especially one who is just as excited to play with her and who doesn't mind if she's in charge of play time! She would probably love going to a home with another dog or with humans who will play with her too. Dinner Roll is a 2-year-old spayed female Pitbull mix weighing about 38lbs.
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
Report Concerns or Request Assistance
Chesterfield County is dedicated to upholding the highest standards through efficient uses of resources, promoting integrity and accountability and ensuring Chesterfield is the best place to live, learn, work and play.
As part of that commitment, the county welcomes and encourages citizens to provide feedback, concerns, report fraud, waste or abuse.
If you are experiencing an emergency or to report a crime in progress, call 911. For more information, please visit chesterfield.gov/report.
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GRTC's LINK Service Now Operating on Hull Street Road
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.-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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Virginia Has Resources for Aspiring Childcare Providers
Did you know that the state has resources available for becoming a childcare provider?
The Virginia Department of Education offers the following tools for those looking to become a childcare provider and existing providers:
- Standards for licensed child day centers
- Emergency preparedness
- Low-interest loan programs
- Family and community engagement information
- Trauma toolkits
- Family childcare tool kits and much more
Find more information, visit the state's 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
✅ So much more
Request a speaker online.
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Imaginations Take Flight at Falling Creek Elementary with Monarch Butterfly Project
Students are learning life lessons through the elegant Monarch butterfly at Falling Creek Elementary. An outdoor classroom project, in partnership with Chesterfield Master Gardeners and the Virginia Master Naturalists, is giving hands-on experiences to build appreciation for nature and teach the importance of pollinators. Watch this video to see the students’ imaginations take wing.
Dec. 5 is Deadline to Apply to Specialty Centers and Governor’s Schools; Open Houses Continue
Each fall, Chesterfield County Public Schools eighth-graders explore their options for high school and decide whether or not to apply to a specialty center, governor’s school or regional technology school.
The online application for specialty centers and governor’s schools closes Dec. 5, 2025. The online application for CodeRVA opens Jan. 5, 2026 and closes Feb. 20.
Full details about high school options are online. That includes the online application form, links to specialty center websites and more.
Open houses offer an in-depth look at specialty centers and regional schools to help eighth grade families explore high school options. The final open house for 2025 will take place Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. at CodeRVA Regional High School, 2601 Durham St. in Richmond and virtually via coderva.org.
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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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