Category: Local

Jamestown Settlement will hold Jamestown Day celebrations Saturday marking the 418th anniversary of the 1607 founding.
The largest recreated ship, the Susan Constant, will not participate as it is in Connecticut for a $4.7 million restoration project expected to finish in June 2026.
The smaller Discovery ship will perform sailing maneuvers during the event.
Programs run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. including demonstrations at the pier and fort.
Admission applies, but residents of James City and York counties and Williamsburg, plus military members, receive free entry.
Historic Jamestowne will also celebrate Jamestown Day May 17.

Ninety-two people representing 46 countries became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on Thursday. The event, hosted by local historical and government organizations, celebrated the new citizens who expressed hopes for better opportunities and ambition in the U.S. The ceremony included speakers and concluded with a ceremonial canon firing.

Runners participated in the Virginia 24 Hour Run ultramarathon at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton on April 26-27. The event served as a benefit for the American Cancer Society, with participants running to honor cancer victims and survivors while completing competitive distances and fostering community ties.

Migratory birds cross numerous national borders, requiring international cooperation for their conservation. Political lines are insignificant to species like warblers traveling between tropical areas and North America. Conserving these species and addressing cross-border environmental issues necessitates collaboration. Effective plans for birds like the declining prothonotary warbler involve multiple countries and interagency work. Conservation efforts are compromised when countries reduce cooperation with allies. Protecting migratory birds relies on collaborative international action, often supported by government funding and nonprofit efforts. Weakening agreements such as the century-old Migratory Bird Treaty Act undermines shared bird population protection among signatory nations like the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Allowing harm to birds without penalty can diminish cooperation from other countries. Bird conservation is complex due to their mobility and depends on maintaining international alliances.

WATER COUNTRY USA 2025 SEASON DETAILS

Water Country USA opens for its 2025 season on May 10.
A new attraction called High Tide Harbor debuts this season.
High Tide Harbor is a multi-level family water play structure with over 100 interactive features and slides.
The park will operate weekends only in early May before beginning full weekly operations on May 23.
The 2025 season is scheduled to end on September 21.

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Water Country USA Opens Saturday for 2025 Season

LOCAL NEWS AND EVENTS ROUNDUP

William & Mary is hosting the Theoretical Archaeology Group’s 2025 Plenary Session this weekend, with a free public keynote lecture Friday at 5:30 p.m.

JetBlue has launched new seasonal daily flights between Boston and both Wilmington (ILM) and Norfolk (ORF) airports.

Williamsburg Regional Library’s KidLit Festival on Saturday, May 10, will celebrate children’s graphic novels with various activities and author appearances.

The City of Poquoson will hold a public hearing on May 12 to gather citizen input on appointments to two positions on the Poquoson School Board.

A VPPSA Household Chemical/Computer Recycling and Paper Shredding collection event is scheduled for Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon in York County.

The Community Leadership Service program, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Greater Williamsburg area, is seeking applicants until May 30.

The York County Chamber of Commerce is warning members about a scam email asking them if they want to buy the member list, advising them not to respond.

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News Briefs for May 9

Williamsburg City Council approved a $103.33 million budget Thursday. The budget addresses slowing revenue and infrastructure needs by increasing water, meals, lodgings, and admissions taxes. The real estate tax rate of 62 cents per $100 remains unchanged. The approved budget is down from the original $112.3 million proposal, cutting $22.8 million in capital projects and freezing some city positions. The 30 percent water rate increase is effective July 1, while the meals, lodgings, and new admissions taxes take effect in January. The budget includes $12.7 million for joint school system operating funds and $1.4 million in capital funds. Community members, including restaurant owners, voiced concerns about the tax increases.

Williamsburg-James City County School Board members on Tuesday halted talks on renaming James Blair Middle School, despite exploring the change due to the founder being an enslaver, after a public survey indicated majority opposition to the renaming.

A Codi Alert was issued Wednesday for 15-year-old Aubrey Michelle Lymon, last seen near the Belmont at York apartment complex in York County. A Codi Alert indicates a credible threat to the missing child.

WJCC SCHOOL BOARD STOPS JAMES BLAIR RENAMING

The WJCC School Board has decided not to rename James Blair Middle School.
A committee had researched the name’s history and surveyed the community.
Potential new names were presented to the board.
After discussion and an informal survey, the board chose not to move forward.
Prioritizing current students, fiscal responsibility, and budget issues were cited as reasons.
The board chair suggested teaching local history is a better focus.
Community feedback also indicated little interest in changing the name.

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WJCC School Board No Longer Considering Renaming James Blair Middle School