Chesterfield County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Hey everyone, and welcome back to another edition of the Chesterfield County Community Insider! 👋

I hope you're staying cool and making the most of summer! This week, we've got a little bit of everything—from an encouraging update on our injured police officers and important news about the Shoosmith Landfill, to a story about an everyday hero who stepped up during a terrifying crash.

We've also rounded up local events, this week's weather, and a few other community happenings you won't want to miss.

As always, thanks for spending a few minutes with us each week. I appreciate you being part of this growing community, and I hope this newsletter helps you stay connected with everything happening around Chesterfield County.

Have a great week, and let's dive in!

Matt

After weeks in the hospital, there's finally some encouraging news about Chesterfield Police Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells. The two officers, who were seriously injured in the May 31 shooting on Gumfork Place, have both been released from the hospital and are now recovering at home with their families.

Police Chief Col. Frank Carpenter says the road to recovery is far from over, but this is a major milestone.

The department also thanked the community for the incredible support, prayers, and encouragement shown over the past month. Meanwhile, Gary Shaw, the suspect accused of shooting the officers and killing K-9 Knight, continues to face multiple felony charges.

Here's wishing Officers Clark and Wells continued strength and healing—we're all rooting for them.

Chesterfield County leaders are continuing to work alongside state and federal agencies to tackle ongoing concerns at the Shoosmith Landfill. During this week's meeting, officials focused on immediate steps to stabilize the site while also developing a long-term plan to safely close the landfill.

The goal is to reduce environmental risks and better protect nearby neighborhoods. While this is a project that won't be solved overnight, county officials say they're committed to finding lasting solutions and keeping residents informed as work moves forward.

A frightening crash turned into an inspiring story thanks to the quick actions of a local resident. According to a reader who witnessed the collision, a van caught fire after striking an oncoming SUV. Without hesitation, the witness pulled a baby from the burning vehicle, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and helped keep the flames under control until firefighters arrived.

The driver, who was trapped due to the collapsed dashboard, was later rescued by emergency crews and remains hospitalized while undergoing multiple surgeries.

Our thoughts are with everyone affected, and we're incredibly grateful for the bravery shown by an everyday citizen who stepped up when seconds mattered most.

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Strong storms moving through Chesterfield are believed to have caused a house fire last Wednesday evening on Okuma Drive. Fire and EMS crews responded just before 7 p.m. and had the blaze under control in about 20 minutes.

Thankfully, the person inside the home safely escaped with their pets, and no injuries were reported.

It's another good reminder that lightning can be just as dangerous as heavy rain during summer storms.

Congratulations are in order for the newest members of Chesterfield County Fire and EMS! Recruit School 72 officially graduated this week, adding six new firefighters to the department.

Please join us in welcoming Andrew Beggs, Jesse Bradby, Joshua Cocker, Sadie Dempster, Matthew Pitts, and Jathe Wampler as they begin serving our community. We wish each of them a safe and successful career protecting Chesterfield residents.

Chesterfield County/Colonial Heights Crime Solvers is asking for the public's help after a theft at the American Family Fitness on Brad McNeer Parkway. Investigators say two men allegedly stole credit cards from a locked gym locker on June 10 after possibly watching the victim enter the locker combination.

The stolen cards were later used in an attempted shopping spree at a Sam's Club in Henrico County. If you have any information, Crime Solvers asks that you call 804-748-0660, use the P3 Tips app, or submit an anonymous tip online. Even small pieces of information could help investigators solve the case.

Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Chesterfield County Government Complex, 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield, VA
Details: Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, handmade crafts, flowers, meats, and specialty foods while supporting area farmers and artisans. A great midweek outing for families and anyone looking for locally grown products.

🎵 Summer in the Parks – Cogbill Park

Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Cogbill Park, 6700 Cogbill Road, Chesterfield, VA
Details: Free family-friendly summer entertainment in the park featuring live performances, activities, and an opportunity to enjoy an evening outdoors with the community. Bring lawn chairs or blankets.

⚾ Central Chesterfield Little League Invitational Tournament

Date: Begins Sunday, July 12, 2026
Time: All Day
Location: Central Chesterfield Little League Fields, Chesterfield County
Details: The Coach Pitch 6-7 Invitational Tournament kicks off, bringing together youth teams from across the region for several days of tournament baseball. Great opportunity to support local youth sports.

🎶 Summer in the Parks – Clarendon Park

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Clarendon Park, 2428 Brookforest Road, Midlothian, VA
Details: Another stop in Chesterfield's popular Summer in the Parks series featuring free live entertainment and family activities in one of the county's neighborhood parks.

Weather forecast: Guaranteed to be 100% accurate at least 20% of the time—unless it changes. Expect sunny skies… or rain. But definitely weather. We guarantee some form of that. No refunds!

Note: While the provided forecast gives a general idea of expected weather conditions, it should be treated with caution due to potential inaccuracies in long-term predictions. Checking closer to the date will provide a more reliable forecast.

Q. What's a ninja's favorite type of shoes?

A. Sneakers.

Thanks for spending part of your week with us! I hope you found something that helped you stay a little more connected to what's happening around Chesterfield County.

If you enjoyed this week's edition, feel free to share it with a friend, neighbor, or family member who likes keeping up with our community.

Have a safe week, stay cool in the summer heat, and we'll be back next week with more local news, events, and stories from around the county.

Take care!

Matt

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