This Week in Chesterfield

West Ridge High School and a $60 million north-south road connector in western Chesterfield County are both scheduled to open in August 2027.

Google is proposing multiple data center campuses in Chesterfield County.

Two VDOT contractors were killed in a domestic-related shooting at a staging area near Route 1 and Route 288 in Chesterfield County on July 24, 2026.

Chesterfield County Transportation will hold a public hearing Aug. 18 on plans for a roundabout at Alverser Drive and Old Buckingham Road, with written feedback accepted through Aug. 31.

Rock N Roll Sushi, a Florida-based chain, opened its first Virginia location on July 20, 2026, at a Midlothian venue featuring guitar-themed decor and rock-themed sushi rolls.

Supervisor Kevin P. Carroll provided updates on capital improvement projects in Chesterfield County's Matoaca District, though specific project details from the video source could not be verified.

An 11-year-old Chesterfield resident drew a standing ovation at a Board of Supervisors meeting on July 23 after opposing Google's three proposed data center campuses, citing concerns about scale and water consumption.

Parents and residents in Chesterfield County are raising concerns about Google data center projects, though specific connections to individual schools cannot be independently verified from accessible sources.

Chesterfield Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on July 23 to place a 1% sales tax referendum on the November ballot to fund school capital projects, potentially raising $65-70 million annually over 20 years.

Chesterfield County is pursuing data centers, particularly Google's $3 billion-plus investment, to shift the tax burden from homeowners to businesses and diversify its historically residential-heavy tax base.

East West Communities' proposal to build 199 homes on 102 acres near Spring Run Road has won planning commission approval and now heads to the Board of Supervisors, with residents expressing concerns about traffic and school capacity.

Chesterfield County is constructing dual left turn lanes on Lewis Road at Route 10 westbound, with right-of-way acquisition beginning in fall 2026.

Google is building three massive data center campuses across Chesterfield County as part of a $9 billion Virginia investment, sparking resident concerns over water usage, energy costs, environmental impact, and lack of transparency.

Chesterfield County is hosting 16 college interns across 14 county departments for its 2026 Summer Internship Program, which runs May 26 through July 30.

A claim that Chesterfield County's data center proposal ranked second to last in a Virginia state evaluation of 11 proposals could not be verified from official sources or news coverage.

Chesterfield County has launched a dedicated website providing residents and businesses with information about data center projects underway in the county.

Midlothian cosplay designer Lauren Wilkinson will showcase a DC-inspired design at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 in the Her Universe Fashion Show.

Matt Mullen, Chesterfield County's assistant director for sports and events, draws on his lifelong sports passion and six years of experience in sports tourism to shape the county's athletic programs and attract major events.

Four years after voters approved Chesterfield's $540 million bond referendum, schools, public safety facilities, libraries, and parks across the county are now under construction or completed, with over $320 million already spent.

Chesterfield County is advancing a residential subdivision rezoning, bond financing for the 860-home Sawmill Station development, and a school sales-tax referendum toward votes this week.

Chesterfield County's Board of Supervisors signaled they will not approve new data center projects beyond Google's three approved campuses, citing infrastructure constraints and community concerns.

Midlothian teen Clayton Washington won the 2026 U18 National Junior Gold bowling championship in Minneapolis, finishing first among his age group after competing through qualifying and stepladder finals.

Kaylee Hodges of Matoaca High School was recognized for 2026 softball achievements, though specific All-Metro team details could not be verified.

The Chesterfield Health District is hosting back-to-school vaccine clinics this week, with the first scheduled for Friday.

Chesterfield County offers three free community events through late July: My First School Bus preparation at libraries, Summer in the Park programs at county parks with music and activities, and a nonprofit resource fair.

A motorcycle driver was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Route 1 near Route 288 on Saturday evening, forcing authorities to close the highway for 4 to 6 hours.

A 70-year-old Chesterfield woman was shot and killed at her home on July 22, and police charged her husband with second-degree murder.

Chesterfield Police issued 224 traffic citations and 29 warnings during a one-day enforcement operation on Hull Street Road on July 24, 2026, targeting unsafe driving practices.

Chesterfield police arrested a suspect wanted in a Richmond shooting after he threatened staff with a rifle at a Wendy's on Iron Bridge Road.

A 70-year-old Chesterfield County man has been charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of his wife at their Beachcrest Terrace home.

Chesterfield County police located 73-year-old Susan W. Rapp safe after she was reported missing from Hillandale Drive early Wednesday morning.

Myra is a narcotics detection K9 officer with the Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office bringing specialized experience to the county's drug interdiction efforts.

A detached truck tire sparked a chain-reaction accident on Interstate 95 in Chesterfield County on Monday morning, triggering four separate crashes and injuring one person.

Chesterfield County announced a Drone as First Responder program that will deploy unmanned aircraft to priority 911 calls to provide real-time video to responding units.

A cooking fire on the back deck of a Beulah Road home in Chesterfield displaced an adult and two children on Tuesday afternoon, with one person treated for minor burns.

A child was hospitalized Sunday afternoon after a boat capsized on Swift Creek Lake at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County, marking the first such incident at the park this season.

A 12-year-old child and a 30-year-old woman drowned in a private pond on Bradley Bridge Road in Chesterfield County on July 26, 2026, when the child struggled in the water and the woman attempted a rescue.

Lightning struck a residential garage in Chesterfield early Wednesday morning, igniting a fire that was extinguished within 15 minutes with no injuries reported.

After multiple lightning-caused fires in July 2026, Chesterfield fire officials urge homeowners to call 911 immediately if struck and hire an electrician to inspect for hidden damage.

Chesterfield offers free summer activities this week including therapy dog reading, outdoor family events with music and games, and water slides.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Chesterfield County are executing a coordinated long-term remediation plan for the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill, prioritizing leachate removal, temperature control, and facility closure over 30 years at an estimated cost of $173 million.

Chesterfield County officials are seeking solutions as state funding for the Shoosmith Landfill cleanup runs out this fall, with the bankrupt landfill generating tens of thousands of gallons of toxic leachate daily.

Chesterfield County is hosting a free nonprofit resource fair Friday at Beulah Recreation Center, bringing together over 30 organizations offering services in senior care, recovery, and health equity.

Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors heard from Virginia DEQ officials about cleanup operations at the bankrupt Shoosmith Landfill during their July 22 meeting, as the facility continues producing tens of thousands of gallons of leachate daily.

A podcast episode featuring Chesterfield Parks and Recreation's assistant director discussing park updates and community partnerships could not be verified as publicly accessible.

A bankrupt Chesterfield landfill is generating 65,000 gallons of toxic leachate daily, with state officials estimating a $173 million cleanup effort as the investigation continues into contamination flowing toward Swift Creek and the James River.

Chesterfield County ranked No. 2 among mid-sized U.S. counties in the 2026 Digital Counties Survey for its technology-driven government modernization.

Chesterfield teenager Noah MacLauchlan won the USGA Junior Amateur on July 25, defeating the world's top-ranked junior golfer to secure an invitation to next year's US Open at Pebble Beach.

Nic Hayes, a Chester motocross competitor paralyzed in a June 2023 accident, is raising $275,000 for experimental spinal surgery scheduled for later in 2026.

Chesterfield County native Mike Browder has traveled to every country in the world and all 50 U.S. states, yet says his hometown remains his favorite place.

A Chesterfield County family is seeking relief after years of property flooding following heavy rain, with county and state agencies proposing a collaborative review.