Category: Local

James City County resident Page Brinkley wrote to the Gazette warning residents of the 1st Congressional District about a federal bill called the “Big Beautiful Bill.” Brinkley claims the bill, supported by Congressman Rob Wittman, would add trillions to the national debt through increased spending, unspecified budget cuts, and tax breaks for the wealthy. Brinkley argues this could harm programs, future generations, and the poor while benefiting the rich. The letter urges residents to research the bill’s potential impact.

Warhill High School graduated 320 seniors from the Class of 2025 Saturday at William & Mary’s Kaplan Arena. Principal Michele Newcomb encouraged graduates to celebrate small victories and embrace the journey rather than seeking instant success. Class speakers Ava Shird and Kendall Dix shared personal reflections on parting, supporting friends, and navigating life’s uncertainties like a game. The class collectively received 388 college acceptances, with 125 students earning over $3.3 million in scholarships and awards.

Lafayette High School’s Class of 2025 celebrated graduation Saturday at William & Mary’s Kaplan Arena. Over 300 students received diplomas, with 38 graduates awarded more than $2.5 million in scholarships. Speakers including valedictorian Lindsey Jones, salutatorians Lauren Peabody and Miles Thrash, and Principal Paul Rice addressed the class, reflecting on shared experiences and encouraging graduates to be curious and compassionate for the future.

Jamestown High School graduated 288 seniors Saturday morning at William & Mary’s Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg. Student speakers Zachary Matyjas and William Kerr encouraged the Class of 2025 to take risks and learn from failure. The graduating class included 70 students who earned over $3.6 million in scholarships and awards and two National Merit Scholarship finalists. Valedictorian John Yu and Salutatorian Bryn Carlson, both attending the University of Virginia, were recognized. Principal Howard Townsend and Superintendent Daniel Keever also addressed the graduates.

VIRGINIA MAN COMPLETES POWER CHAIR RIDE FOR MS

Virginia resident Randall Pope finished a 250-mile power chair ride across the state.
He undertook the journey to raise awareness and funds for Multiple Sclerosis research.
Pope was diagnosed with MS in 1995 after serving in the Army.
His ride started at Christopher Newport University and concluded at the Pentagon on June 2.
The route included stops at several Virginia universities.
He received a celebratory welcome and a challenge coin upon arrival at the Pentagon.
Pope stood to salute a Navy officer he encountered there.
Future rides are planned for the coming years.
Money raised is intended to help paralyzed veterans in Virginia and North Carolina.
Donations are still being accepted via his fundraising page.

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Virginia Man Raising Money for MS Completes Power Chair Ride to Pentagon

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG RECONSTRUCTS HISTORIC AFRICAN BAPTIST MEETING HOUSE

Colonial Williamsburg will hold a groundbreaking for the African Baptist Meeting House reconstruction.
The event is part of Colonial Williamsburg’s Juneteenth celebration on June 19th at 9 a.m.
The site was the original location of the First Baptist Church, an early African American congregation.
It served as a vital community and sacred space for enslaved and free African Americans.
The reconstruction is a multi-year project in partnership with the First Baptist Church and Let Freedom Ring Foundation.
The meeting house was a place to gather, heal, and reaffirm community and humanity due to laws at the time.
The reconstructed building will illuminate the lives and importance of the people who worshipped there.
The groundbreaking ceremony will include music and reflections from the Descendant Community.
The reconstruction project is expected to be completed by 2026.
Other Juneteenth events like the Williamsburg Bray School opening and a sunrise service are also planned.

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Colonial Williamsburg to Host African Baptist Meeting House Groundbreaking

YORKTOWN MUSEUM CELEBRATES US ARMY’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will host an event on Saturday, June 14, to honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army.
The day includes military-themed programs and musical performances by the Virginia Army National Guard 29th Infantry Division Band.
Activities feature drilling like a Continental soldier, a presentation on prisoner-of-war experiences, and an artillery salute.
An evening performance of “The American Soldier,” a one-man show based on real soldier stories, will take place at 7 p.m.
The show by Douglas Taurel highlights the sacrifices and challenges faced by military personnel.
June 14 also coincides with Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the U.S. flag.

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American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to Salute 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army

Dominion Energy Virginia reported burying 2,500 miles of outage-prone power lines statewide since 2014 through its Strategic Underground Program. The company stated burying lines significantly reduces power outages and restoration time, cutting average outage time for affected customers from 11 hours to 2 minutes. Five hundred sixty miles have been buried in Hampton Roads, including 140 in the Williamsburg area, with 4,000 more miles planned. Dominion Energy also highlighted its Mainfeeder Hardening program which replaces older poles and lines to improve reliability.

Wendy Reves, who endowed William & Mary’s Reves Center for International Studies, left 78 audio tapes detailing her life and decision to support the university. A French court is litigating a controversial later will signed by Reves in Dallas, potentially altering her original will which designated 40 percent of her multi-million dollar estate to the W&M center. The tapes, held in London, might be relevant to the legal outcome. Her initial 3 million dollar donation was W&M’s largest single gift then, prompted by a recommendation to promote her late husband Emery’s ideas.

A state transportation board approved $18.2 million for a new I-64 interchange at Exit 211 in New Kent County. The new diverging diamond interchange is needed to control traffic from a proposed Buc-ee’s travel center and other commercial developments. The project’s estimated cost is up to $94 million, and the state funding is less than the $44 million the county requested through the SmartScale program. Additional funding is required beyond the state grant, $18.3 million from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, and $10 million committed by the county. Buc-ee’s is expected to open by 2027, but the interchange completion date is not yet finalized. The project schedule is anticipated to become clearer in the coming weeks and months.