Good morning, Short Pump.

A group of mothers in western Henrico is organizing neighbors to oppose proposed Goochland data center campuses a few miles away, citing concerns about diesel backup generators, air quality, noise, light, and property values; hundreds attended a meeting last week and the group plans to testify at upcoming Goochland and Henrico hearings.

Charlottesville-based Gearharts Fine Chocolates finalized its purchase of Miss Maude’s in August, acquiring the brand, recipes, and equipment while Miss Maude’s Henrico shop near Freeman High closed in recent weeks.

Miss Maude’s bars are now made + sold at Gearharts’ Short Pump shop at 11301 W. Broad St.

Henrico commercial real estate saw several moves: First Access Support Services expanded retail at Brookhill Azalea (5300 Chamberlayne Road) to 7,078 sqft and A Party 4 U leased 4,050 sqft there, while the Virginia Department of General Services renewed 172,111 sqft at 9960 Mayland Drive and leased 46,389 sqft at 4949 Cox Road.

Veterinarian Jaime Pickett is opening Canine L.I.F.E.

Spa, a (1,400 sqft) dog wellness center offering red light therapy, warm water tank exercise, massages, and nutrition consultations at 14231 Winterview Parkway in Winterfield Crossing; she plans to open the spa soon after her new Scenthound opens, likely within a month.

Henrico Schools' operations chief Greg Dunaway is requesting $20 million for mechanical projects and asking the county to restore the $6 million annual roofing allocation; the school board will vote next month and the plan will go to the Board of Supervisors in spring.

Rudlin Torah Academy plans to move from Patterson Avenue to 1701 E.

Parham Road to expand from K-8 to K-12 and grow from about 110 students to as many as 175. Henrico planners recommended approval and the Board of Supervisors will vote in mid-November; RTA aims to close in early 2027 and open for the 2027-2028 school year.

Henrico Schools' new chief of operations Greg Dunaway is not asking the county for extra HVAC funding; he told the School Board on Oct.

22 he will request $20 million for mechanical work in fiscal year 2027–28, the same amount allocated for the current year.

Henrico County is expanding early voting to daily hours through Oct.

31 at county early voting locations, giving residents more chances to vote before Election Day and extending weekend availability.

On Oct. 26, 1908, Virginia Estelle Randolph began work as the first Jeanes Supervising Industrial Teacher, teaching and advising more than 20 Black schools in Henrico County and creating the Henrico Plan that later became a model across the South and overseas.