Chesterfield County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Hey everyone, it's Matt, and welcome to another edition of the Chesterfield County Community Insider!

I hope you're having a great week and staying cool out there. We've rounded up everything you need to know—from a major expansion of a lifesaving EMS program and important local news to community events, sports, and your 10-day weather forecast.

So grab your favorite drink, get comfortable, and let's catch up on everything happening around Chesterfield!

Matt

One of the biggest advances in emergency care is growing right here in our region. Chesterfield Fire & EMS is helping lead a program that allows first responders to give whole blood to critically injured patients before they even reach the hospital—and it's already saving lives.

The Regional Prehospital Blood Transfusion Program officially expanded on July 1, bringing this lifesaving treatment to Hanover, Dinwiddie, Buckingham, and Goochland counties. Chesterfield first launched the program in 2023, and since then, EMS crews have administered whole blood 85 times to patients suffering from severe injuries, internal bleeding, gunshot wounds, serious crashes, and other traumatic emergencies.

The concept is simple but powerful: instead of waiting until a patient reaches a trauma center, paramedics can begin replacing lost blood at the scene. That extra time can make all the difference, helping stabilize patients and greatly improving their chances of survival.

As the program continues to expand, officials are also reminding residents that the American Red Cross is facing an emergency blood shortage. If you're eligible to donate, your donation could help save the next life before they ever reach the emergency room.

Smoke from the Canadian wildfires drifted into Central Virginia last week, pushing air quality into the "Code Purple" category—the highest alert many residents have seen in years.

The unhealthy conditions forced several event changes across the Richmond area. Outdoor performances at Dogwood Dell were canceled, Richmond city pools closed for the day, Colonial Downs canceled Friday's live racing, and several Virginia State Parks—including nearby Pocahontas State Park—temporarily suspended outdoor programs and boat rentals.

Monday morning's commute turned chaotic when a tire flew off a truck pulling a trailer on Interstate 95 near the Route 620 exit in Chesterfield.

According to Virginia State Police, the loose tire crossed the median into the southbound lanes, striking another truck before triggering several additional crashes in the northbound lanes. In total, four separate crashes occurred as drivers tried to avoid the debris.

One person was taken to the hospital with injuries, while several other drivers escaped without being hurt. The damaged vehicles blocked the left lanes for about an hour before crews cleared the scene and reopened traffic.

Police continue to investigate what caused the tire to separate from the trailer.

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Four Chesterfield residents are temporarily without a home after a house fire on McAllen Court last week.

Firefighters responded quickly and were able to bring the blaze under control in about 40 minutes, preventing the fire from spreading further. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation as officials work to determine what sparked the blaze. Local agencies are assisting the displaced residents while they recover from the incident.

Efforts to prevent environmental problems at the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill hit another setback after the City of Richmond temporarily stopped one of the facilities processing contaminated landfill runoff, known as leachate.

The liquid, which forms as waste breaks down, must be collected and treated to keep it from reaching nearby streams that eventually flow toward the Chesapeake Bay. State officials have already expressed concern after signs of possible leachate runoff were observed near the landfill earlier this year.

Richmond and the treatment company are now working toward a permit modification that could allow processing to resume, but in the meantime, officials are exploring more expensive alternatives. Environmental groups say resolving the issue quickly is critical to protecting local waterways.

A Chesterfield man charged with killing his wife and allegedly staging her death as a suicide will remain in jail after a judge denied his request for bond.

Ross Butler faces murder and strangulation charges in connection with the 2021 death of his wife, Ashlee Butler. Investigators allege evidence collected over a four-year investigation contradicts his original account of what happened and points to a history of domestic abuse.

Prosecutors say Ashlee had planned to leave the relationship the day she died, while family and friends continue to push for justice. Butler's next court appearance is scheduled for August 4, as both sides continue preparing for trial.

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Time: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
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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 this week! I hope you found something useful, interesting, or maybe even a new event to check out around Chesterfield.

As always, if you know of a local story, event, or community happening you'd like to see featured, we'd love to hear from you.

Have a fantastic week, stay safe, look out for your neighbors, and we'll see you right back here next week with another edition of the Chesterfield County Community Insider!

Matt

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