Chesterfield County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to this week's edition of the Chesterfield County Community Insider! I hope you're staying cool and enjoying the last stretch of summer.

We've rounded up the local stories that everyone will be talking about—from an important vote that could shape the future of our schools to a major traffic enforcement effort on Hull Street Road.

We've also got community updates, local events happening over the next several days, and your 10-day weather forecast to help you plan the week ahead.

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

Have a fantastic week!

Matt

A tragic shooting near Route 1 and Route 288 left two VDOT contractors dead Friday morning.

Virginia State Police were called to a VDOT equipment yard shortly before 9:30 a.m. Investigators say one man died at the scene, while the second was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries and later passed away.

The victims were identified as Rai’Shon Eugene Delarge, 30, and Philip Avery Wilson, 34, both of Emporia. Police clarified that the men were not directly employed by VDOT but worked for a company contracted by the agency.

Investigators believe the shooting was domestic-related and say the shooter knew at least one of the victims. As of the latest update, no suspect had been taken into custody, and authorities had not released a name or description.

Several nearby ramps were temporarily closed while police investigated but have since reopened.

Virginia State Police are leading the investigation.

Our thoughts are with the victims’ families, coworkers and everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss.

Chesterfield County voters will head to the polls on November 4 to decide whether to approve a new 1% local sales tax.

County leaders say the additional revenue would be used to fund major school construction and renovation projects across Chesterfield. The money could help pay for new school buildings, updated campuses and improvements to aging facilities.

Officials have also said that if the sales tax is approved, the county plans to lower real estate and personal property tax rates. That could make the proposal a little more appealing to homeowners and vehicle owners who currently pay those taxes.

Supporters say the measure would provide a steady source of funding for needed school improvements while spreading some of the cost among residents, visitors and anyone else who shops in Chesterfield.

Opponents may question whether adding another sales tax is the right move, especially with families already paying more for everyday goods.

Either way, this will be one of the biggest local issues on the ballot this fall, and residents will have the final say.

Chesterfield County Fire and EMS responded to a townhouse fire in the 15000 block of Broadwater Way.

When the first firefighters arrived, they found smoke coming from the two-story home and flames burning on the first floor. Crews moved quickly and were able to bring the fire under control in about 20 minutes.

Thankfully, no injuries were reported.

One adult and two children were displaced by the fire and are receiving assistance while they figure out their next steps.

There was no immediate word on what caused the fire or how much damage the townhouse sustained.

It’s always tough to hear about a local family being forced out of their home, but the quick response from firefighters helped prevent this situation from becoming even worse.

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Chesterfield Police were busy on Hull Street Road Thursday, stopping 180 drivers during a targeted traffic enforcement operation.

Officers issued 224 summonses and 29 written warnings while looking for speeding, reckless driving, red-light violations, impaired driving, seat belt violations and drivers using mobile devices behind the wheel.

The highest speed recorded was 76 mph in a 45-mph zone. That driver was charged with reckless driving.

Police also arrested one impaired driver and three additional people who had outstanding criminal warrants.

Here’s an interesting twist: residents helped choose the enforcement location. Hull Street Road received nearly 400 of about 1,200 votes in a social media poll that included six possible locations.

Police are reminding everyone to slow down, buckle up, put the phone away and move over when emergency vehicles are stopped along the road.

With Hull Street Road being one of the county’s busiest and most accident-prone corridors, this probably won’t be the last enforcement effort we see there.

Chesterfield County is asking residents to follow the current outdoor watering schedule while voluntary water restrictions remain in place.

County officials say limiting lawn and garden watering can help protect the local water supply during the hottest part of summer, when demand is usually at its highest.

Residents are encouraged to water only on their assigned days and avoid unnecessary outdoor water use whenever possible. Even small changes—like watering early in the morning, checking sprinklers for leaks and avoiding watering pavement—can make a difference.

The restrictions are voluntary, but the county is hoping residents will cooperate before stricter measures become necessary.

So, before turning on the sprinklers, it’s a good idea to double-check the schedule and make sure you’re watering on the correct day.

A little conservation from everyone can go a long way toward keeping Chesterfield’s water system running smoothly through the summer.

Three Richmond firefighters and a fire marshal were recognized Monday for the exceptional care they provided to a burn victim earlier this year.

The group received Challenge Coins from VCU’s Evans-Hayes Burn Center, an honor recognizing their skill, teamwork and dedication during the emergency.

The patient was injured in May but made an impressive recovery and was discharged from the hospital this week—less than two months after the incident.

The recognition is a good reminder that lifesaving work doesn’t end when the ambulance leaves the scene. Firefighters, paramedics, doctors, nurses and burn specialists all play a role in helping patients recover.

It’s also a well-deserved moment of appreciation for first responders who often perform incredible work without much public attention.

Congratulations to the firefighters and fire marshal who helped give this patient a second chance.

🥕 Chesterfield County Farmers Market

Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Chesterfield County Farmers Market
Details: Shop fresh local produce, baked goods, honey, flowers and artisan products. Food trucks are typically on site. Kids 18 and under can receive a free summer meal while supplies last. A great mid-week community gathering.

⚽ Virginia Commonwealth Games (Final Events)

Date: July 29 – August 2, 2026
Time: Varies by sport
Location: Multiple venues including Chesterfield County and the Richmond region
Details: The inaugural Richmond-region hosting of the Virginia Commonwealth Games continues this week. Expect competitions in numerous amateur sports including soccer, baseball, volleyball, swimming, wrestling and more. Thousands of athletes are competing throughout the region.

🌽 Latino Farmers Market

Date: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time: Morning (vendor hours vary)
Location: Latino Farmers Market
Details: Fresh produce, food vendors, handmade crafts and local small businesses. Features Latino-owned vendors and a family-friendly atmosphere.

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. Why can't dinosaurs clap their hands?

A. Because they're extinct.

Thanks for spending a few minutes catching up on what's happening around the county.

Whether you're heading out to a local event, keeping an eye on the weather, or just trying to stay in the loop, I hope this newsletter helps you feel a little more connected to our community.

Have a safe and wonderful week, and I'll see you back here next time with more local news, events, and everything else happening around Chesterfield.

Take care,

Matt

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