Category: Local

ARCHAEOLOGISTS DISCOVER NEAR-COMPLETE BRAY SCHOOL FOUNDATION

Archaeologists uncovered the near-complete 18th-century foundation of the Williamsburg Bray School beneath William & Mary’s Robert M. Gates Hall.
The Bray School was an early institution for educating enslaved and free Black children, operating on the site from 1760 to 1765.
Researchers also discovered a previously unknown cellar containing centuries of artifacts.
Discoveries include pottery, jewelry, slate pencil fragments, and other items from various time periods.
The findings provide new insights into the school, its students, and the site’s history.
Artifacts will be studied further and incorporated into future exhibits at Gates Hall and Colonial Williamsburg.
The discovery is seen as crucial for understanding the history of Black education and the early republic.

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Near-Complete 18th-Century Foundation of Williamsburg Bray School Discovered at William & Mary

Williamsburg-James City County Schools will give $750-$1000 retention bonuses to returning instruction and support staff who signed contracts by June 13 for the 2025-26 school year, approved by the school board Tuesday for payment on June 30.

Hampton Roads is forecast to experience prolonged heat with heat indices reaching triple digits through June. The National Weather Service in Wakefield predicts heat indices exceeding 105 degrees, possibly reaching 110 by Tuesday, in areas including Norfolk, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton, Suffolk, and Williamsburg after a slight lull this weekend. Scattered severe storms with wind are also possible Thursday evening.

Toano Middle School’s choir will perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City this Saturday as part of the 2025 In Harmony Concert Performance.

Many US presidents used tobacco throughout history, preferring cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and cigarettes. Tobacco was culturally significant in America, originating from Native Americans and later becoming a key cash crop and source of tax revenue. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson cultivated tobacco but were not regular users. John Adams smoked and chewed tobacco, reportedly leaving stubs on the White House floor. James Madison smoked cigars, and his wife Dolley used snuff openly. Andrew Jackson used cigars, chew, and a pipe, placing spittoons in the White House. Seven presidents are noted as non-users: Lincoln, Wilson, Truman, Carter, G.H.W. Bush, Trump, and Biden. Ulysses S. Grant was a heavy cigar smoker, reportedly 20 daily, and died from related cancer. William McKinley smoked cigars but only mouthed them around his wife. Theodore Roosevelt smoked cigars but banned his daughter from smoking inside. Warren Harding was the first known cigarette smoker among presidents, also using cigars. Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight Eisenhower, and Lyndon Johnson were noted tobacco users, with FDR, Eisenhower, and LBJ having strong cigarette habits. Richard Nixon was the last to offer cigars after dinners, and Bill Clinton was the last to smoke openly. First Lady Hillary Clinton ended the White House tobacco tradition by removing ashtrays and banning smoking in the residence.

Poquoson students brought home top honors from the World Odyssey of the Mind competition in May.
The Poquoson High School team won the world championship.
The Poquoson Elementary School team placed third and the middle school team earned fourth place.
The competition encourages creative problem-solving and teamwork.
Coach Norman Remchuk coached all three successful Poquoson teams.

Former Delegate Jay Jones won the Virginia Democratic primary for Attorney General on Tuesday. Jones received 51% of the vote, defeating Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor, who had 49%. Jay Jones will now face incumbent Republican Jason Miyares in the November general election.

NEW SOCIAL CLUB CONNECTS WILLIAMSBURG YOUNG ADULTS

Sidnie Baker started the club after moving to the area and seeking connection.

Common Threads Social Club is for Williamsburg residents in their 20s and early 30s.

The goal is to help people build community and create meaningful friendships.

Baker noted positive early feedback with people saying the club was needed.

The first meetup is scheduled for June 29 at Column 15 coffee shop.

Future events are planned, including picnics, game nights, and themed nights.

The founder’s main goal is for people to make lasting connections and find community.

More details on events can be found on the club’s Instagram account.

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Finding Their Common Thread: New Social Club Connects Williamsburg 20- and 30-Somethings

Former Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi stated in 2006 that nuclear weapons are very dangerous in the hands of undemocratic regimes. Former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was described as a radical aiming for nuclear weapons to destroy Israel. Former Iranian President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani reportedly suggested one nuclear weapon could destroy Israel while hundreds would be needed against the Islamic world. Experts believe recent Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites signal a policy shift away from containment. This change is seen as occurring since the Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attack on southern Israel. Israel has increased military actions in Lebanon and Syria, calling it a new “border security doctrine.” Former US official Aaron David Miller noted a shift in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu towards using military force. The article attributes Israel’s strength partly to its high percentage of university and advanced degrees. It mentions Israeli contributions to technology including cellphones, Intel chips, and ICQ. Israel’s air force includes approximately 250 F-16 fighter bombers. An Israeli air attack reportedly used 200 F-16s to hit targets in Iran and crimple air defenses. Retired US Gen John Michael Loh is noted as instrumental in developing the F-16. The article was written by Frank Shatz, a Williamsburg resident, for the Daily Press on June 17, 2025.

Williamsburg was named one of the best places to celebrate Juneteenth by U.S. News & World Report.
The historic town is recognized for its significance in American Black history.
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery and African American life.
Various Juneteenth events are planned in the Williamsburg area.
A Juneteenth Freedom Celebration will take place at City Square Park on Thursday from noon to 6 p.m.
William & Mary will host its fifth annual Juneteenth celebration in the Sadler Center on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Colonial Williamsburg will hold events on Thursday, including a groundbreaking for the African Baptist Meeting House at 9 a.m. on Nassau Street.
Colonial Williamsburg will also have the public opening of the Williamsburg Bray School at 10 a.m. on Thursday.