Author: operations@endocollab.com

YORK COUNTY FIRE CHIEF CHANGE OF COMMAND

York County held a ceremony honoring the retirement of Fire Chief Stephen P. Kopczynski.
Allen W. Baldwin has been appointed as the new Fire Chief, effective July 1.
Baldwin, a York County resident, brings decades of experience and served as Deputy Chief for the past 2.5 years.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and plans to focus on the department’s future readiness.
Chief Kopczynski retires after five decades of service, including 36.5 years as Fire Chief.
Under his leadership, the department expanded, modernized, and became a regional model.
Kopczynski highlighted advancements in firefighter safety and technology during his tenure.
He credited his family and department members for his success and expressed confidence in Chief Baldwin’s leadership.
Kopczynski reflected that his career never felt like a job due to the people he worked with.

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York County Honors Retiring Fire Chief Kopczynski, Appoints Baldwin

VICTORY FAMILY YMCA RENOVATIONS UNDERWAY

Renovations are currently happening at the Victory Family YMCA in Yorktown.
The two-part project includes an expanded lobby and welcome center.
Three new group exercise studios are being added.
New child watch and youth watch rooms are also part of the upgrade.
For safety, the child and youth watch rooms are being moved to the rear of the building.
Phase one focuses on the front wing, while the rear is scheduled for fall.
Racquetball courts were removed to provide space for more child watch area.
Members can use racquetball courts at nearby YMCA locations.
A groundbreaking ceremony took place in early June with community and YMCA leaders.
Speakers emphasized the community vision and expanding the YMCA’s mission.
The expansion aims to serve more people through youth programming and wellness support.
York County contributed $2 million for a generator so the building can be an emergency shelter.
The project supports family wellness and strengthens the partnership with York County.
The YMCA remains open during the renovation process.
Construction is expected to be completed by December 2025.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is planned for January 2026.
Updates on construction progress are available online.

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Victory YMCA Renovations Underway in Yorktown

JULY FOURTH CLOSURES IN HISTORIC TRIANGLE

James City County offices, recreation centers, libraries, and waste drop-off sites are closed.
James City County parks and park stores will stay open.
James City County’s Friday recycling pickup is delayed to Saturday.
York County government offices, courts, libraries, and waste facilities are closed.
York County’s Friday recycling pickup is delayed to Saturday, but garbage collection is on schedule.
Williamsburg city offices and the Quarterpath Recreation Center are closed.
Williamsburg’s Waller Mill Park operates on its regular schedule.
Williamsburg garbage collection is normal, and bill payment options are available online or by drop box.

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July Fourth Closures Around the Historic Triangle

VIRGINIA HOME PRICES RISE DESPITE SLOW SALES

Home sales activity in Virginia remained subdued in May 2025, marking the fourth consecutive month of decline.
Closed sales were down 0.6% compared to the previous year.
Despite lower sales, home prices continued to rise in most local markets.
Virginia’s median sales price increased by 3.5% year-over-year to $440,000.
Higher prices led to a 1.3% increase in total sold volume even with fewer transactions.
Affordability concerns, particularly high prices and mortgage rates near 7%, are impacting buyers.
Inventory saw significant growth, increasing over 30% from the previous year.
The median days on market rose slightly to 10 days but remains relatively quick historically.
Economic uncertainty is also making some potential buyers hesitant.

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Report: Virginia Home Prices Continue Rising Despite Sluggish Sales Activity

JULY FOURTH CELEBRATIONS IN HISTORIC TRIANGLE

Events are planned in Williamsburg and Yorktown for the 249th Fourth of July.
Colonial Williamsburg offers free one-day admission on July 4.
Colonial Williamsburg will have a Declaration reading, sing-along, fifes and drums, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg features fireworks July 3-5 for Military Appreciation Week.
Yorktown hosts its 46th annual celebration starting at 8 a.m.
Yorktown events include a parade, family activities, live music, and a hot dog eating contest.
Yorktown’s fireworks show will be at 9:15 p.m. over the York River.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will have interpretive programs and demonstrations.

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July Fourth Events Planned in the Historic Triangle

Deborah Baker’s book “Charlottesville: An American Story” examines the August 12, 2017, protest in Charlottesville, Virginia. Over 1,000 protesters gathered against removing a Robert E. Lee statue. A car attack killed a young woman and injured others during the event. The book researches the difficult day and its historical roots in the city.

A new exhibit titled ‘Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865’ recently opened at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond. The exhibit tells the in-depth stories of free Black people in Virginia, a history not widely covered in previous museums. The idea originated from a 2021 call by Timothy J. Sullivan and James Dyke for wider exploration of this history. The museum collaborated with experts and universities to develop the exhibit. It features personal, community, and family stories, including objects and documents from individuals and history organizations. The exhibit explains how enslaved people could become free and presents a circular timeline of history. Stories highlighted include Benjamin Short, who signed a bond with his name, Sarah Madden, a successful seamstress, Hezekiah Gaskins, a stonemason who bought his family, Matthew Ashby, who secured his family’s freedom in Williamsburg, and Mary Peake, who established a school for free and enslaved Black children in Hampton. The exhibit runs through July 2027, and a traveling version will tour the state from October 2028 through 2028.

Retired Gen. John Michael Loh of Williamsburg discussed U.S. military involvement in the recent Israel-Iran war. General Loh stated the U.S. Air Force objective was to destroy Iranian nuclear bunkers with minimum losses. This required destroying Iranian defenses and establishing air control over Iran, referencing attacks like those on June 22. He said massive air campaigns validated U.S. Air Force doctrine from the Gulf War. Loh noted that airpower alone may not force a stubborn adversary to quit without ground war or other pressures. Successful air warfare relied on intelligence, coordination, timing, weapons, and skilled personnel. The general concluded the conflict validated U.S. airpower as an effective deterrent.

YORK COUNTY FIRE CHIEF TRANSITION

York County held a ceremony to honor retiring Fire Chief Stephen P. Kopczynski.
Chief Kopczynski served the county for five decades, leading the department since 1988.
His leadership expanded the department, modernized operations, and improved safety and services.
Allen W. Baldwin has been appointed as the new Fire Chief, effective July 1.
Baldwin has decades of experience and served as Deputy Chief for the past 2.5 years.
He plans to continue the department’s success and prepare for the county’s future changes.
Chief Kopczynski expressed confidence in Chief Baldwin leading the department forward.

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York County Honors Retiring Fire Chief Kopczynski, Appoints Baldwin

VICTORY FAMILY YMCA UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS

RENOVATIONS ARE UNDERWAY AT THE VICTORY FAMILY YMCA IN YORKTOWN.
THE PROJECT IS A TWO-PART RENOVATION.
IT WILL ADD AN EXPANDED LOBBY AND WELCOME CENTER.
THREE NEW GROUP EXERCISE STUDIOS ARE INCLUDED IN THE PLANS.
NEW CHILD WATCH AND YOUTH WATCH ROOMS ARE BEING ADDED AND RELOCATED.
THE RELOCATION TO THE REAR OF THE BUILDING PROVIDES A SECURE ENTRANCE FOR SAFETY.
RACQUETBALL COURTS WERE ELIMINATED TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE EXPANDED CHILD WATCH SPACE.
YORK COUNTY CONTRIBUTED $2 MILLION FOR A GENERATOR TO ALLOW EMERGENCY SHELTER USE.
THE YMCA REMAINS OPEN DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PERIOD.
COMPLETION IS ESTIMATED FOR DECEMBER 2025.
A RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY IS PLANNED FOR JANUARY 2026.

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Victory YMCA Renovations Underway in Yorktown