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May 16, 2025

School Redistricting in Hanover, a Food Festival, and Mayo Island

Cheers RVA!

Today will be partly cloudy, hot but breezy with a high of 88 and a low of 70. Saturday is looking similar with Sunday expected to be slightly cooler.

the juice:

Hanover County has voted to redistrict 1200 students beginning in 2026 in an effort to relieve overcrowding at schools, according to Sean Jones at the RTD.

The School Board was united in needing to redistrict the quickly growing county, but divided on how to implement the change without dividing neighborhoods.

Jones writes:

The initial map unveiled earlier this year had a concept that split four neighborhoods in half. The final plan eliminated all but one of those fissures. An area of Mechanicsville remained split. A representative for the schools’ consultant, MGT, said there just wasn’t enough capacity to shift around.

Hanover’s population grew nearly 5% between 2020 and 2024, with a 21% increase in people under the age of 18.

the pulp:

  • Plans to turn Mayo Island into a park are on pace to be completed by Fall 2026, according to the Richmonder. The 15-acre island was purchased last year by the city and the mostly natural park is expected to be finished before construction begins on replacing the Mayo Bridge.

  • The 40th annual Lebanese Food Festival begins today and runs through the weekend at Saint Anthony Church on Sadler Road in Glen Allen. The event runs from 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Friday and Saturday, and until 8:00 pm on Sunday.

  • The Bon Secours East End Block party takes place on Saturday from 12:00 - 3:00 pm at 2600 Nine Mile Road. Enjoy a “fun-filled day of art, music, food, mental health resources, and community spirit”.

the vibe:

Excavation work on Mayo Island from 1921. The Mayo Bridge, constructed in 1913, is visible in the background:

image via the Cook Photograph Collection from the Valentine

Have an enjoyable day RVA!

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