Category: Local

Williamsburg City Manager Andrew Trivette reduced the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget by $9 million to $103.33 million.
The revised budget includes spending cuts for items like a children’s park, African American Heritage Trail art, police vehicles, and a bike trail.
Adjustments feature reducing meals and lodgings tax rates and changing the new admissions tax to include exemptions and a dealer discount.
Additional strategies involve eliminating 34 capital projects, freezing nine vacant positions, and reassigning COVID relief and reserve funds.
Residents voiced concerns about the proposed $26 million new downtown library project during a public discussion.
City council members noted issues with the current library building, including a leaking basement and non-ADA compliant theater.
The Williamsburg City Council is scheduled to vote on adopting the revised budget plan on Thursday.

Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools appointed Daniel Keever as division superintendent effective June 1. Keever has served as interim superintendent since former superintendent Olwen Herron retired Jan. 31. He was named after a nationwide search. Keever’s three-year term runs through June 30, 2028.

A rest area on I-64 eastbound in New Kent was voted the best public restroom in Virginia and 10th best in the U.S. by a recent survey of 3,017 drivers conducted by American River Wellness.

Jamestown High grad Andrew Colley became the first Hampton Roads runner to complete a marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes. He ran a personal best time of 2:09:46 at the Prague International Marathon on May 4. Colley finished in fifth place overall at the event in the Czech Republic.

William & Mary senior Kimberly Austin’s award-winning essay in the Monitor journal examines China’s Maritime Silk Road and the String of Pearls theory. Her essay discusses China’s expansion through strategic ports in the Indian Ocean region, which China describes as commercial relationships. However, military strategists and experts, according to Austin’s work, view these ports as a potential security threat to the US and allies due to their possible use for power projection and military objectives. Frank Shatz’s article profiles Austin and her essay, highlighting her international relations studies, internships, and future plans to pursue international law.

A Kansas-based company, Diode Ventures, is proposing to build a large data center called Roxbury Technology Park on 515 acres in northwest Charles City County.
The county planning commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing and consider a rezoning request for the project on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the government administration building.
If approved, the data center could generate 800-1,200 construction jobs and 50-100 permanent jobs, providing significant tax revenue for the county.
Residents have raised concerns about potential impacts including water use, noise, traffic, and consistency with land use.
County staff are recommending approval of the project, which would then go to the Board of Supervisors for a final vote.

CNU DOMINION BAT STUDY

CNU and Dominion Energy partnered to study bat populations.
Research is happening near the Surry Power Station.
Dominion designed “Bat Flats” to serve as bat houses on power poles.
Thirteen Bat Flats were installed to provide safe roosting.
Acoustic monitoring identifies bat species by echolocation.
Data shows 13 different bat species use the area, including endangered ones.
Bats are starting to use the Bat Flats, indicated by guano.
Providing power pole habitat helps keep bats out of human homes.
This project combines energy, education, and environmental stewardship.
Dominion hopes to expand Bat Flats across its territory.
Small conservation efforts in existing landscapes can be very impactful.

Source:

CNU and Dominion Energy Team Up to Study Bat Population

FOOD LION FEEDS PARTNERS WITH COLLEGES TO FIGHT HUNGER

Food Lion Feeds partnered with 51 college basketball programs for its “Score to Give More” initiative.

During the 2024-25 season, Food Lion donated 100 meals for every free throw made, up to 30,000 meals per team.

This effort provided over 1.6 million meals this season to combat food insecurity.

Since 2019, the program has contributed over 6.5 million meals.

Meals are donated to campus food pantries or local Feeding America partners.

The initiative aims to raise awareness about hunger and engage college students.

Source:

Food Lion Feeds and Colleges Team Up to End Hunger

LANEXA TEEN MAKING WAVES IN MOTOAMERICA RACING

Brianna Cutler, an 18-year-old from Lanexa, is in her rookie season with MotoAmerica.
She competes in the all-women Royal Enfield Build, Train, Race program.
Participants in the program build their own motorcycles and train to race professionally.
Cutler is the youngest woman accepted into this unique racing initiative.
Selection criteria include speed, brand representation, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
She emphasizes that riders in the program are responsible for maintaining their own bikes.
Cutler balances fierce competitiveness on track with camaraderie off track.
She is also pursuing a degree in funeral sciences at community college.
Her personal philosophy, “Live your eulogy,” inspires her desire to make a positive impact.
Cutler aims to be a role model for young girls in motorsports, promoting success without sacrificing femininity.
She is scheduled to race at Virginia International Raceway in August.

Source:

Lanexa Teen Goes Full Throttle with MotoAmerica Racing

BIG BAD WOLF RETURNS TO BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is launching a new coaster, The Big Bad Wolf: The Wolf’s Revenge.

It is North America’s longest family inverted coaster and a return of a fan favorite.

The coaster opens to the public on May 23, coinciding with the park’s 50th anniversary celebration.

Park members get early access starting May 16 with additional exclusive times May 17-18.

The ride is an immersive experience set in a Bavarian village with speeds up to 40 mph.

Height requirements are 42 inches with a companion and 48 inches alone, making it family-friendly.

The park’s 50th anniversary includes a lookback, live music, fireworks, and historic elements.

Special anniversary offers include cheap beer, commemorative merchandise, and free member cupcakes.

Guests born in May 1975 receive free admission on May 16.

A Grand Opening Ceremony for the coaster and 50th anniversary continues on May 23 at 10:30 AM.

Source:

The Legacy Continues: Big Bad Wolf Returns to Busch Gardens Williamsburg May 23