Chesterfield County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Matt here with another edition of the Chesterfield County Community Insider!

We’ve got plenty to catch up on this week — from a big debate over whether data center revenue should be used to slash the car tax, to neighbors coming together to support two of our local officers, plus upcoming events, weather, and everything else happening around the county.

Grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let’s get you caught up on what’s happening around Chesterfield.

Thanks for reading, and as always, thanks for being part of the community!

Matt

A former Chesterfield preschool teacher will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being sentenced Monday for horrific crimes involving children.

Richard Franklin Troshak III received a 565-year prison sentence, with 110 years suspended, leaving him with 445 years of active prison time. Troshak had worked at Chesterfield Early Childhood Learning Academy, and prosecutors say his crimes targeted students.

The investigation also connected Troshak with former Chesterfield teacher Shaun Jason Adams. Court documents revealed disturbing conversations between the two men involving children, while investigators found videos and photos involving boys under 13 as well as children being recorded in bathrooms at school and other public locations.

Adams previously pleaded guilty to producing and possessing child pornography after an investigation that began when Colonial Heights police looked into allegations that he photographed children inside a Southpark Mall movie theater bathroom. He was sentenced to 190 years, with 160 suspended, meaning he'll serve 30 years.

Troshak and Adams had previously worked together at a Chesterfield daycare facility.

It's an incredibly disturbing case, but Troshak's sentence ensures he will never again have access to children in the community.

A potentially huge change to Chesterfield's car tax will have to wait.

The Board of Supervisors has tabled a proposal that would dedicate data center tax revenue toward reducing the county's personal property tax rate on vehicles from $3.25 to roughly $1.79.

That's no small change. County leaders estimate that someone with a new $48,000 vehicle could save around $400 on their first year's tax bill.

The money would come from Chesterfield's growing data center industry. Google currently has three approved data center campuses in the county, and officials say the potential revenue could be substantial.

But after a nearly six-hour meeting, supervisors agreed they need more input from residents before deciding where that money should go.

Some board members argued that car taxes are a major financial burden and that residents would welcome the relief. Others questioned whether such a large new revenue stream might be better spent on schools, infrastructure, public services or other community priorities.

Residents were divided, too. For people driving older, lower-value cars, cutting the vehicle tax may not provide nearly as much benefit.

For now, supervisors plan to talk with residents and explore the options before bringing the issue back for a vote.

If you're around Church and River Roads in Matoaca and notice smoke over the next few days, don't panic.

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS says crews are continuing to monitor a brush fire along Church Road. The good news is that the fire has been contained and officials say no homes or other structures are threatened.

Even with the fire under control, smoke may remain visible in the surrounding area while crews keep an eye on things.

Officials are letting nearby residents know ahead of time so people don't mistake the lingering smoke for a new emergency. If you're simply seeing smoke coming from the already-contained fire area, officials say there's no need to call 911.

Crews will continue monitoring the site to make sure everything stays under control.

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The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office is turning to the community for help locating several people currently wanted by authorities.

Officials have released information about the fugitives and are asking anyone who recognizes them or knows where they may be staying to contact the Sheriff's Office.

There's one important reminder: don't try to confront, approach or apprehend anyone yourself.

If you have information, leave the police work to law enforcement and pass along what you know directly to the Sheriff's Office.

Community tips can make a big difference in locating wanted individuals, but officials want everyone to put their own safety first.

Chesterfield showed up in a big way for two of its own this week.

Community members came together on the golf course for a special event benefiting Officers Jacob Clark and Jacob Wells, who continue recovering after being shot during the July incident on Gumfork Place that also claimed the life of Chesterfield Police K-9 Knight.

The Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office thanked everyone who helped make the fundraiser happen — including the golfers, sponsors, volunteers, organizers and donors.

It's another example of the support the officers and their families have received from across Chesterfield following the tragedy.

Clark and Wells still have a long recovery ahead, but events like this are a reminder that they aren't making that journey alone. 💙

Here's a happier one to finish things off.

Nigel had quite the adventure before landing with Chesterfield County Animal Services. He was found wandering around the county with a severely overgrown horn that needed some serious attention.

Thankfully, a local veterinarian stepped in and was able to successfully remove the overgrown horn.

Now that Nigel has gotten the care he needed, Animal Services says he's ready for the next chapter: finding a home. 🏡

Anyone interested in learning more about Nigel — or potentially giving this unique Chesterfield wanderer a permanent place to call home — can contact Chesterfield County Animal Services for adoption information.

After everything he's been through, hopefully Nigel's wandering days are officially over.

Date: Tuesday, Sept. 1 – Saturday, Sept. 5
Time: Weekdays generally 5–11 p.m.; Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 open at 11 a.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: The county fair wraps up its 2026 run with several more days of rides, fair food, exhibits, livestock, entertainment and special events. Highlights during the final stretch include live bands, a military parade and two nights of rodeo action.

🎖️ Military Parade at the Chesterfield County Fair

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: A special military-themed parade rolls through the fairgrounds Wednesday evening. Stick around afterward for the Silver Bullets, scheduled to perform from 8–10 p.m.

🥕 Chesterfield County Farmers Market

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 2
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Farmers Market, 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield
Details: Shop locally grown produce and other goods from area farmers and vendors at the county's weekly market. The 2026 season continues Wednesdays through the end of September.

🎶 Westchester Concert Series: Funhouse

Date: Thursday, Sept. 3
Time: 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Location: Westchester commons after hours series — Main Street Stage, 15764 WC Main Street, Midlothian
Details: Bring a chair, blanket and your dancing shoes for a free outdoor concert featuring Funhouse. Food from nearby Westchester Commons restaurants is welcome, adult beverages will be sold on-site, and proceeds benefit Cinderella Dreams. Outside alcohol and drink containers aren't permitted.

⚽ Virginia Cup Soccer Tournament

Date: Friday–Sunday, Sept. 4–6
Time: Games throughout the weekend; individual match times vary
Location: River City Sportsplex, 13030 Genito Road, Midlothian
Details: One of the biggest sporting events of the weekend brings youth soccer teams to Chesterfield for Labor Day weekend. The Virginia Cup attracts 300+ teams, with boys and girls divisions ranging from U9 through U19. River City Sportsplex will host the younger age divisions, while older divisions also play at Williamsburg-area venues.

🤠 Revenge Roughstock Rodeo

Date: Friday, Sept. 4 & Saturday, Sept. 5
Time: 7 p.m. both nights
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: Rodeo action takes over the fair with events including bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, steer wrestling, team roping, breakaway and more. It's one of the headline attractions during the fair's closing weekend.

🏖️ The Tams — Beach Party Night

Date: Friday, Sept. 4
Time: 8–10 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: After the rodeo gets underway, fairgoers can enjoy Beach Party Night with The Tams, bringing classic beach-music sounds to the fairgrounds Friday night.

🥎 USA Softball Tournament

Date: Saturday–Sunday, Sept. 5–6
Time: Games throughout the weekend; individual game times vary
Location: The Diamonds at Iron Bridge, 6600 Whitepine Road, North Chesterfield
Details: USA Softball returns to Chesterfield for the first of three fall tournament weekends leading toward the state championships later in September. The Diamonds is a tournament-quality six-field softball/baseball complex with upgraded turf fields and facilities.

🎤 En'Novation — Closing Night of the Fair

Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: En'Novation helps send off the 2026 Chesterfield County Fair with a Saturday-night performance on the fair's final evening.

🥬 Chesterfield County Farmers Market

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 9
Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Government Complex, 6701 Mimms Loop, Chesterfield
Details: Another chance to shop local in the middle of the week, with seasonal produce and products from area growers and vendors.

🎬 Movie Night with Chesterfield Animal Services — Zootopia 2

Date: Friday, Sept. 11
Time: 6–9:30 p.m.
Location: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield
Details: Chesterfield Parks & Recreation and Animal Services are hosting a free family movie night featuring Zootopia 2. Before the movie, families can enjoy food vendors, balloon animals, bounce houses, glitter tattoos, a photo booth, The RVA Express and more. Bring chairs and blankets, but leave pets at home.

🎵 Trademark Live at the Perkinson Center

Date: Friday, Sept. 11
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Perkinson Center for the Arts — Jimmy Dean Theater, Chester
Details: Trademark brings an energetic mix of Motown, disco, pop, R&B, rock and swing to the Perkinson Center's Signature Event Series. Expect powerhouse vocals and plenty of recognizable music spanning several decades.

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.

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Thanks for spending a few minutes with us and staying connected to what’s happening around our community.

Whether you’re heading out to one of this week’s events, enjoying the last stretch of summer, or just taking it easy at home, I hope you have a safe and great week ahead.

See you right back here next week with more news, events, and everything you need to know around Chesterfield!

Take care, neighbors!

Matt

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