Category: Local

WILLIAMSBURG LAUNCHES NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

The City of Williamsburg has launched RAVE Mobile Safety as its new emergency notification system.

The new system replaces the previous one and saves the city approximately $30,000 per year.

RAVE will send emergency messages via text, email, and voice.

Text messages will come from a specific phone number or four short code numbers.

Messages from the city will always start with WBURG ALERT.

Residents previously receiving text alerts are automatically signed up; email users need to confirm via email.

Residents can sign up and customize their alerts online at williamsburgva.gov/alerts.

Users can add addresses for geo-targeted alerts, select alert types, and choose delivery methods.

The service is free from the city, but standard message and data rates may apply.

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Williamsburg Launches New Emergency Notification System

Molly Peet, a former art teacher at Lafayette High School, will graduate Saturday from the counseling and art therapy master’s program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Peet enrolled in the program in 2022 after seeing students express difficult emotions in their art and wanting skills to help them. She will complete a final internship this summer and hopes to work with teenagers recovering from substance abuse disorders. The program, part of the EVMS School of Health Professions, offered a part-time option allowing Peet to balance work and family life.

The annual Drummer’s Call starts this Friday and Saturday in Colonial Williamsburg. The event features the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and seven visiting fife and drum units. They will perform historical military music from various periods. Friday at 7:30 p.m., there is a performance at the Charlton Stage. On Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., a Grand March and Review will take place from the Capitol to Market Square. The event concludes Saturday at 8:30 p.m. with the Williamsburg Military Tattoo torch-lit march down Duke of Gloucester Street. All Drummer’s Call events are free and open to the public. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums is a local youth group; eligible fourth-grade students in specific local areas can apply for the fall 2025 recruit class by May 31.

LOCAL MOM AND STUDIO MANAGER EMPOWERS WOMEN THROUGH FITNESS

Sydney Dennis, a military wife and mom, manages the Orangetheory Fitness studio in Williamsburg.

Despite no prior fitness experience, she was hooked after her first Orangetheory class.

The fitness community became a constant through her husband’s military transfers.

She started working for Orangetheory and eventually became the Williamsburg studio manager.

Using her Human Services degree, she helps others find their motivation for working out.

She believes the hardest step is walking through the door, and the studio handles the rest.

Dennis oversees daily operations and is passionate about the positive impact of the program.

After having her son, her fitness focus shifted from weight loss to mental health and being a better mom.

She encourages women, especially during Women’s Health Month, to prioritize their health.

Orangetheory is designed to meet individuals at any fitness level and helps them feel better.

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Local Mom and Studio Manager Helping Women Find Their Workout Why

PRESERVING LEGACIES THROUGH MEMOIR BOOKS

Williamsburg-based Legacy Life Books captures loved ones’ stories.

The company was founded by a father and son, inspired by a personal loss.

They create memoir books based on in-depth interviews with individuals.

The process includes transcription, digital photo enhancement, and book production.

Services provide hard copy books and a hard drive with interview recordings.

The aim is to preserve family legacies for future generations.

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Williamsburg-Based Business Aims to Preserve Loved Ones’ Legacies for Generations

James City County Board of Supervisors approved a $390.5 million budget on Tuesday. The budget maintains the 83-cent real estate tax rate but removes a 5-cent tax credit, resulting in higher tax bills for residents. The personal property tax rate remains $4 per $100 valuation. The budget includes $1 million more for the Williamsburg-James City County school division, bringing the county’s share to just over $100.3 million. County employees will receive a 3% pay raise effective July 1. The budget also includes $65.5 million for a new government center and library addition. Nearly 20 residents spoke against the budget, citing concerns about the cost and size.

JCC APPROVES BUDGET AMIDST PUBLIC OUTCRY

James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $390 million FY2026 budget.

The approval occurred despite significant public opposition regarding spending and rising taxes.

Key budget points include raising water rates incrementally over several years.

The property tax rate remains unchanged at $0.83 per $100 assessment, with no discount offered.

County officials clarified that tax increases cited by the public represented a two-year total, not a single year increase.

The budget allocates over $100 million to Williamsburg-James City County Schools.

The county is proceeding with the design phase for a new consolidated government center due to space constraints.

Board members defended the budget, citing priorities like public safety and education and the county’s relatively low tax rates compared to the region.

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JCC Approves County Budget Despite Public Opposition

Toano resident Lynn Trott, 75, will graduate with honors from William & Mary on Friday. She will receive a bachelor’s degree in art and art history, 57 years after beginning her college education. Trott is an accomplished artist and has been a balladeer at Colonial Williamsburg for 40 years. She enrolled as a part-time student six years ago after auditing classes since 2011. Her husband and daughter are also William & Mary alumni.

MAGRUDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NAME CHANGE DISCUSSED

York County School Board heard research on the history of Magruder Elementary’s name.

Research suggests the school is indirectly named after Confederate Gen. John B. Magruder, via Fort or village Magruder, which were likely named for him.

Some believed the school was named for the African American settlement community of Magruder.

Public comment will be taken at the next board meeting on May 19.

Board members suggested conducting a community survey about the potential name change.

Concerns were raised about the school division’s policy against naming schools after people and potential implications for other schools.

The board will explore establishing a community survey.

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Magruder Elementary School Name Change Still Under Consideration by York County School Division Officials

A Toano resident responded to a previous commentary, arguing against tax cuts for the wealthy and claiming proposed federal budget cuts would harm vulnerable citizens and average Americans by impacting social services, education, and government agencies. The letter asserted that government support aids private sector success and that Democrats promote policies aimed at upward mobility and access to healthcare, education, housing, employment, and environmental sustainability, expressing concern about potential cuts to Medicare and Social Security.

A James City County resident expressed concern that the US is being taken over by a “criminal mob,” alleging widespread lying, cheating, stealing, and kidnapping normalized within a political party and stating the former president is taking bribes, destroying government, and causing the US to lose global credibility. The letter called for the former president to be impeached and removed, describing his staff as unqualified and alleging he is openly selling favors.

A James City County resident warned local counties about the impact of data centers, stating they tend to proliferate and are appearing near neighborhoods, not just remote areas. The letter highlighted unresolved issues regarding the large power and water needs of data centers and cautioned that replacing farms and wildlife habitats with these facilities is permanent, urging local residents to carefully consider the impacts.