Community Corner

🌱 Why Mechanicsville parents say Atlee Road crosswalks feel like ‘Frogger’

Spotted on the Hanover calendar: Courtside Connections 20/30s Singles Mixer!

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Good morning Hanover! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why Mechanicsville parents say Atlee Road crosswalks feel like ‘Frogger’
  • How free school breakfasts are quietly changing attendance in Hanover schools
  • Could that “sheriff” phone call demanding money be a scam?

Also on today's calendar: 2025 Big River Rivalry and 5 more events.

Find out what's happening in Hanoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Hanoverfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Thursday: Occasional afternoon rain, with a high of 54 and low of 48 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy; a stray morning shower, temps: high: 62, low: 23.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and cooler, with a high of 47 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mechanicsville parents call for more crosswalk safety equipment before a tragedy strikes (wric.com) — Parents in Mechanicsville are pressing Hanover County and VDOT to add flashing crosswalk signals on Atlee Road near Atlee High and Chickahominy Middle, where students regularly dodge speeding traffic. After close calls and viral video of risky crossings, more than 500 people have signed a petition. Officials are discussing a permanent overhead beacon, but installation could still be years away.
   

2. Free school breakfast programs boost attendance in VA schools (vadogwood.com) — Hanover families may be interested to know that chronic absenteeism in Hanover schools has edged down from 8% in 2022 to 7% in 2025, helped in part by expanded free school breakfast programs. Statewide, Virginia has seen a sharp drop in missed school days as more districts, including nearby Richmond, Henrico, and Chesterfield, make breakfast a regular, accessible part of the school day.
   

3. Hanover County warns of scammers impersonating the sheriff, demanding payments over the phone (wric.com) — Scammers are spoofing Hanover County Sheriff David Hines’ name and claiming residents face legal trouble, then demanding money over the phone. The sheriff’s office stresses it will never call to request payment or threaten arrest. Hanover residents are urged to treat such calls as scams and follow official guidance to protect their personal and financial information.
   

4. Viral Drunk Racoon Merch Raises Funds for Animal Shelter Care (onegreenplanet.org) — Hanover County Animal Protection is receiving a major boost after viral “Trashed Panda” raccoon merchandise raised more than $180,000 to support its shelter care and officer training. Sparked by a drunk raccoon rescued at a Virginia liquor store, the fundraiser shows how a quirky moment turned into lasting help for local animals and the people who protect them.
   

5. George Bond, Virginia man whose community brightened his backyard with Christmas magic, passes away (wtvr.com) — A Mechanicsville family in Hanover County is mourning George Bond, whose neighbors recently filled his backyard with early Christmas lights and cheer as he faced terminal cancer. His wife Renee organized the November celebration so their children would remember joy instead of grief, and the overwhelming community response showed the Bonds how deeply they were cared for.
   

📸 Around Hanover

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Hanover

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📣 Hanover Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Thursday December 18
  • Economic Development Authority-CANCELED
    Ashland, VA Calendar , 121 Thompson Street Ashland Town Hall , Ashland
    5:30 pm
  • Economic Development Authority
    Council Chambers , 121 Thompson Street , Ashland
    5:30 pm
  • Virtual Talk: Feeding Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia with Michael C. Hardy
    The American Civil War Museum Richmond, VA 23219
    6:30 pm
  • Tiny Bones Pop-Up Class (2900)
    Robinson Theater Community Arts Center , 2903 Q St , Richmond
    7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Hanover County, VA posted a job opening for Utility Operator (CD)- Doswell WTP in Hanover. Apply here.
  • County of Hanover Virginia posted a job opening for Solid Waste Operator - Part Time On Call in Hanover. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Hanover here.

Ok Hanover! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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