Category: Local

The Peninsula Regional Emergency Communications Center announced on Thursday that 911 callers in the Peninsula region can now share real-time video and photos. The technology covers York and James City counties and the cities of Poquoson and Williamsburg. The center states the goal is to improve communication with first responders, provide a clearer picture of emergencies, and potentially save lives. PRECC also utilizes AI technology for transcribing, translating, flagging keywords, and advanced mapping of 911 calls.

A pharmacy program at Riverside Walter Reed Hospital in Gloucester has launched an initiative to reduce readmissions for COPD patients. The program provides bedside education on medication use, healthy habits, and addresses barriers like cost and transportation, showing promising early results with nearly half of initial patients avoiding readmission for five months. Patient Leatrice Croswell is highlighted as benefiting from the program which helped him access a low-cost inhaler and learn proper usage. Other local resources like the Better Breathers Club are also available for COPD patients.

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown leaders and Dominion Energy signed an agreement on June 6, 2025, to explore building energy resiliency projects at the station. Potential options include solar farms, turbine energy, and small modular nuclear reactors. The initiative aims to ensure reliable power for the station and region amid increasing demand. A site characterization study will take 6-12 months to determine the best project type. York County is also studying potential zoning ordinances for small nuclear reactors.

Colorful Stitches Fine Yarn, owned by Bonnie J. Burton, opened at 409 W. Duke of Gloucester St. in Merchants Square, Williamsburg, in April, with a grand opening set for June 10 at 11 a.m. The shop specializes in natural and rare fibers for knitters and crocheters and plans to host community events, including a World Wide Knit in Public Day event on June 14 at 2 p.m. and a workshop on June 20-21.

Shorty’s Diner opened a new location at 6500 George Washington Memorial Highway in York County at the end of April after renovations, adding to its existing York County and Richmond locations. Owner Tony Short stated they expanded to the new spot due to the welcoming community response.

Regal Cinema at 4911 Courthouse St. in New Town is reportedly set to begin a multimillion renovation project. Upgrades to the theater are planned following a May 13 announcement of a $33.5 million refinancing of New Town Shops on Main, where Regal recently extended its lease through July 2036.

An activist-led town hall in Williamsburg discussed renaming James Blair Middle School Thursday. The Village Initiative hosted the forum at the Stryker Center to educate the community about James Blair’s history as an enslaver. The conversation continued despite the Williamsburg-James City County School Board recently tabling renaming discussions. Speakers highlighted Blair’s ties to slavery and the historical context of the school’s naming. School board member Andrea Donnor noted tabling the vote allows for continued public education on the topic. A separate effort is underway to rename Magruder Elementary School in York County.

A Coming to the Table – Historic Triangle meeting in May at Williamsburg Christian Church featured local ministers discussing faith in action for racial healing. The sixth annual Blessed are the PeaceMakers event in May used creative arts to address division, featuring testimony from a Holocaust survivor. US Sen. Mark Warner recently visited Williamsburg to discuss affordable housing and national political issues. First Baptist Church in Williamsburg will host a book signing Sunday at 12:30 p.m. for Rev. Reginald Davis’s new book on national unity.

Bethany Spector, 35, of Yorktown, won the women’s race at the Trailzilla Fast 5K on June 3 with a time of 18:52.
Benjamin Perry, 18, of Newport News, was the men’s winner at the Trailzilla Fast 5K in 17:01.
Matthew Devillers, 36, of Washington, DC, set a new men’s course record of 1:25:42 at the Taskinas Creek Half Marathon at York River State Park on May 31.
Jayme Johnson, 35, of Yorktown, set a new women’s course record of 1:47:22 at the Taskinas Creek Half Marathon on May 31.
The Fox Hill Community 5K took place at Gosnold’s Hope Park in Hampton on May 31.
Cole Shugart, 27, of Richmond, won the men’s division of the Fox Hill Community 5K in 15:47.
Megan Syrett, 42, of Yorktown, won the women’s division of the Fox Hill Community 5K in 22:15.
Six age group records were broken at the Fox Hill Community 5K.

WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

The Williamsburg Community Foundation awarded $200,955 in scholarships.
Scholarships were given to 105 graduating students.
Recipients attend Jamestown, Lafayette, and Warhill High Schools.
The awards ceremony was held on June 1.
The scholarship fund originated in 1974 and has significantly grown.
Scholarships ranged from $1,500 to $5,000.
Funding comes from local donors, including 62 named scholarships.
A record amount was awarded this year.
Twenty first-generation college students received scholarships.
The CEO highlighted the personal stories behind the donations.

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WCF Awards over $200,000 in Scholarships to 105 Students

Carolyn Keurajian will step down as President and CEO of the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra later this summer after 12 years.
She is leaving to become executive director of the Charlottesville Symphony Society because her husband accepted a job in Charlottesville.
Keurajian led the WSO through a period of growth and helped bring conductor Michael Butterman on board.
Under her leadership, the orchestra increased awareness and recently completed its 40th season.
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra is launching a national search for its next executive director.

OFF-BROADWAY ACTOR PERFORMS SHOW ON MILITARY SERVICE

Off-Broadway actor Douglas Taurel will present his one-man show “The American Soldier.”
The performance is scheduled for June 14 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
The show is based on letters from U.S. servicemen and women across history.
Taurel began the project after 9/11 to highlight veteran struggles like homelessness and suicide rates.
The show aims to make audiences understand the sacrifices and challenges faced by soldiers returning home.
It covers personal accounts from the American Revolution through the Iraq War.
The performance coincides with the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday.
Taurel hopes the show fosters appreciation for America and military sacrifice.
Tickets are available for $17 through the museum’s website.

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Off-Broadway Actor To Perform One-Man Show on Military Service at American Revolution Museum at Yorktown