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Section 3
 Monday’s precipitation dried up just in time for a beautiful celebration of Chesterfield’s newest park.
County leaders joined community members for a ceremonial ribbon-cutting at Cogbill Park, including remarks by County Administrator Dr. Joe Casey and Dale District Supervisor Dr. LeQuan Hylton.
Attendees enjoyed free hot dogs and ice cream while exploring the park, which is located at 6700 Cogbill Road. It features an inclusive playground, basketball and pickleball courts and a walking trail.
Cogbill Park is the second new Parks and Recreation facility to open in the Dale District over the past two years. The James M. Holland Recreation Complex at Beulah was dedicated in May 2025.
An orchard at Cogbill Park also was dedicated to the memory of Mr. Holland, who was a passionate advocate for the park’s development during his 17-year tenure as Dale District supervisor. He passed away last October at age 73.
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Section 5
PlanMod's Draft Land Use Map Significantly Reduces Residential Densities in Many Areas
As part of Chesterfield’s ongoing comprehensive plan update, known as PlanMod, county staff presented an initial draft of a “repainted” land use map to the Planning Commission at its April meeting.
The proposed map significantly reduces residential densities called for in the current comprehensive plan, particularly south and west of Route 288, following the Board of Supervisors’ vote to remove the future East-West Freeway from the county’s thoroughfare plan last year.
While it encourages continued infill development north and east of 288 and still provides opportunities for nodes of higher density where infrastructure can accommodate it, the draft map also shrinks many areas designated for mixed-use zoning and replaces them with less-intense uses.
“Throughout the process of modernizing our zoning ordinance, staff consistently heard a desire from residents to take our foot off the gas pedal as far as growth, pump the brakes a little bit, and give us time to catch up on infrastructure and public facilities,” said Andrew Gillies, director of Chesterfield’s Planning Department. “That’s the overall theme we have incorporated into the changes in this proposed map.”
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Section 7
In the News
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Section 8
Adopt a Four-Legged Friend at Petals and Paws Event
Chesterfield Animal Services will host an open house on Saturday, May 16 from noon-4 p.m. All adoption fees will be waived during the Petals and Paws Adoption Event. Every adoptable animal will be spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, heartworm tested (dogs) and FELV/FIV tested (cats).
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HVAC Replacement at Jail to Cause Closures on May 18
Due to ongoing upgrades to the facility’s HVAC units, the adjacent roadway and front lobby of the Chesterfield County Jail will undergo a series of six temporary closures in day-long phases this spring and summer. The HVAC replacement project at the jail is expected to be finished in September.
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Section 9
Caregiver Panel Discussion and Resource Fair Returns
Join the Chesterfield Council on Aging at LaPrade Library on May 19 from 10 - 11:30 a.m. for a free educational event designed to support you and your loved ones. Topics include legal planning, brain health, care navigation, and end-of-life planning.
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CCPD Memorial Day Run to Take Place May 22
Join the Chesterfield County Police Department on Friday, May 22 for a Memorial Day run, walk, or ruck at the Public Safety Training Center, 6610 Public Safety Way. Registration is preferred for the free event, which begins at 3 p.m.
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Section 10
Farmers Market Now Open Wednesdays for 2026 Season
The Chesterfield Farmers Market 2026 season kicked off on Wednesday, May 6. During the season, which continues through Sept. 30, head to 6701 Mimms Loop on the county government complex from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to shop local. View the county calendar for weekly updates and vendor lists.
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Residents Have Several Options for Tax Payments
The Chesterfield Treasurer’s Office continues to offer a growing list of options this spring for residents to pay their county taxes. Payments for both personal property and the first-half installment of real estate taxes, which are due by Friday, June 5, can be made anytime at a variety of locations.
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Section 12
Upcoming Events
Saturday, May 16, 9 - 11 a.m. at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
Join Animal Services, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Chesterfield Health Department (CHD), for a rabies vaccination clinic at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds. Attendees do not need to be Chesterfield residents to participate in the clinic and registration is not required. This clinic includes a $10 cash-only fee. Lifetime dog licenses are also sold onsite for an additional $10 cash-only fee. All dogs must be leashed and cats must be crated. A second rabies clinic will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026.
Beach Road and Riverway Road Roundabout Public Hearing
Monday, May 18, 6 p.m. at Alberta Smith Elementary School
Federal funds have been secured to construct a roundabout for the Beard Road and Riverway Road intersection. Transportation will hold a public hearing to present project information for public comment.
Chesterfield County Memorial Day Program
Monday, May 25, 2 - 3 p.m. at Chesterfield County Fairgrounds
The annual Memorial Day program will be held at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds to honor military personnel who died in service of their country. The program will include presentation of wreaths, color guard, a guest speaker, musical performances, military displays, and exhibitors. Patriotic music will be played during the ceremony as tribute to those from Chesterfield who have given their lives in service of our country, particularly those who died in Vietnam, culminating with a live rendition of Taps.
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Section 14
Everyday Q&A: Behind the Wheel in Chesterfield with Sarah Bishop
Sarah Bishop is a Virginia native and Radford University alumna but finding her way to Chesterfield County happened almost by chance.
Bishop spent four years working towards a degree in speech communication with a concentration in public relations. Her future job title, General Services assistant division manager of Fleet Services, was never in her five, or even 10-year plan. She met her husband, graduated, and started working for Enterprise Rent-a-Car for her first job post-grad.
The rest is history.
Cars became her unintentional ‘thing.’ From Enterprise to auto insurance claims for an insurance company, Bishop began to find her niche on the administrative side of the automobile industry.
When it was time to settle down and buy a house, Chesterfield was on top of their list, but the neighborhood they liked was far from work and Bishop wanted something a bit closer to her new home.
Nineteen years ago, Bishop applied for a job as an automobile claims specialist and walked through the county doors for the first time soon after.
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Section 16
Chesterfield Behind the Mic
On the latest episode of Chesterfield Behind the Mic, which drops tomorrow, Natalie Spillman joins the show to talk about the county’s Intergovernmental Relations department, how the process works at the General Assembly, and what goes into the county’s work to try and participate in the legislative process both at the state and federal levels.
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Section 18
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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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Section 20
Adoptable Pet Spotlight
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Say Hello to Squinkies!
This happy little lady is Squinkies! She's at her happiest when she gets to make a bunch of new friends- she's quite the social butterfly saying hello and getting pets from everyone in the room! She especially loves playing tug of war with a toy, though she'll be satisfied with a nice chew toy or a ball to chase as well. She already knows "sit," and food seems to be her favorite reward to get in return. When meeting another dog here at the shelter, she was eager to make a new doggy friend! She'd probably prefer another dog who loves to play but doesn't mind letting Squinkies take the lead. Squinkies is a 2-year-old spayed female pitbull/shepherd mix weighing around 50lbs.
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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Section 22
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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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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Section 24
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Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Get your weekly dose of Chesterfield news by signing up for Happening in Chesterfield.
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Section 26
 It's Graduation Time!
Beginning Monday, May 18, 2026, graduating seniors from Chesterfield County Public Schools will don their caps and gowns to walk the big stage and receive their well-earned diplomas. While the ceremonies are not open to the public, they will be livestreamed on the CCPS YouTube channel. Additional information can be found on the CCPS website. The ceremony schedule is:
May 18
May 19 at VCU Siegel Center
May 20 at VCU Siegel Center
May 21 at VCU Siegel Center
May 22 at VCU Siegel Center
May 27 at Thomas R. Fulghum Conference Center
 Six Extraordinary Educators Inducted into CCPS Hall of Fame
Six outstanding educators were inducted into the Hall of Fame of Chesterfield County Public Schools during an April 30 event. Welcome these honorees and watch the special videos about their impactful careers:
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Gale Cushing, elementary school principal and director of elementary education
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Sarah Fraher, middle school principal
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Patricia Kelly, elementary reading specialist
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Mike Rose, middle and high school principal
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Dr. Beth Teigen, high school principal and executive director of school administration
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Alenia Wilder, high school principal (first woman to lead a high school in Chesterfield County Public Schools) and director of secondary education
Nominations are now open for 2027 inductees into the Hall of Fame. Former employees and volunteers can be nominated online before Aug. 31.
Jenna Ornelas is the 2026 School Nurse of the Year
Congratulations to Jenna Ornelas of Chalkley Elementary, who was named the 2026 School Nurse of the Year for Chesterfield County Public Schools. She is described as a “strong advocate for students, [who] ensures that every child receives equitable, compassionate care.” Jenna has been a nurse for 20 year, with four of those as a school nurse. Read more about Jenna’s impact and accomplishments.
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Section 28
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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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Section 30
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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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