Based on percentages, older neighborhoods with smaller homes were hit the hardest by this year's rise in property assessments. While the average increase was 11 percent countywide, three of Brandermill's older neighborhoods - Litchfield Bluff, Three Bridges and Seven Oaks - saw some of the largest jumps in assessed value. More...

Absenteeism is up in county schools, but it's not a case of "senioritis" - it's actually caused by the flu. According to statistics tracked by the Chesterfield County Health Department, the number of student absences has been up since the beginning of February. Teacher absentee levels are also being reported as "elevated. More...