Category: Uncategorized

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.

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Food Lion Feeds and Colleges Team Up to End Hunger

HAMPTON ROADS TRAFFIC SAFETY CHAMPIONS HONORED

Drive Safe Hampton Roads presented its 34th annual John T. Hanna Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety on April 30.

The awards recognize individuals and organizations for outstanding efforts to improve highway safety in the region.

The awards are named after John T. Hanna, a long-time traffic safety advocate in Virginia.

Awards were presented in categories including Impaired Driving Prevention, Law Enforcement Initiatives, Youth Traffic Safety, Occupant Protection, Traffic Safety Activism, and Transportation Safety.

Sgt. Chad A. Beale of the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office received the Impaired Driving Prevention award for his enforcement and instruction work.

Officers Kasey Bogue and Joseph Anderson-Hodgin of the Suffolk Police Department were co-winners for Law Enforcement Initiatives for their significant traffic stops and DUI/DUID arrests.

Trooper Adelaide Fischer of the Virginia State Police was honored for Youth Traffic Safety for volunteering extensive hours on peer-to-peer education and using DUI simulators with young people.

Christy King of the Christopher King Foundation received the Occupant Protection award for her advocacy after her son’s death, leading to the successful passage of The Christopher King Seat Belt Law.

Deputy Brad E. Hughes of the Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office received the Martin H. Schlosser Award for Traffic Safety Activism, sharing his personal story of injury to impact youth education.

Kristin Pettway of DRIVE SMART Virginia was recognized for Transportation Safety for developing and leading numerous safety programs and campaigns.

Source:

DSHR Presents 34th Annual John T. Hanna Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety

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

SAFETY TOWN REGISTRATION OPEN FOR INCOMING KINDERGARTENERS

Registration is open for the 30th annual Safety Town program in York County.
The program is for children entering kindergarten in the 2025-26 school year.
It teaches young children various safety skills like water, traffic, and fire safety.
First responders and community leaders teach the classes and expose kids to emergency vehicles.
The goal is to instill crucial life safety skills in impressionable young children.
Participants receive a certificate, a new bike helmet, and a backpack.
Registration costs $40 for York County residents and $55 for non-residents starting May 12.
Four week-long sessions are scheduled throughout July at Yorktown Elementary School.
More information is available on the York County website.

Source:

Safety Town Registration Underway for 2025-26 Kindergartners

NAVAL WEAPONS STATION YORKTOWN HONORED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown received a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award.
The award was presented at the 35th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium.
They earned a Gold Award for their innovative Penniman Spit living shoreline project.
The project stabilized and reclaimed nearly two acres on Cheatham Annex.
It involved adding rock and sand to stabilize the shoreline and prevent land loss.
Oyster reefs and native salt marsh cordgrass were strategically placed to promote land reclamation and habitat.
The project resulted in a continuous shoreline where it had been dividing into two landmasses.
Governor Glenn Youngkin praised the recipients for improving Virginia’s natural resources through innovation and collaboration.

Source:

Weapons Station Yorktown receives Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Local faith leader Rev. Becky Evans Glass encourages individuals and the community in the Newport News area to take action for mental well-being during May, suggesting practical steps and faith can help navigate feelings of powerlessness and life’s storms.

Busch Gardens is offering United States military veterans free one-day admission.
Veterans, retirees, and up to three dependents can register through May 11.
Tickets are valid for park visits until July 6.
The offer is part of the Waves of Honor program for Military Appreciation Month.
A valid active military ID is required for service members and direct dependents.

Recent Virginia data shows emergency room visits for heat-related illnesses increased, with 3,248 visits between May and September 2024, a 22% rise from 2023. Virginia residents, especially children, older adults, and those with chronic conditions, face health risks from rising summer temperatures. Experts advise staying hydrated, seeking air-conditioned spaces, limiting outdoor activity during peak heat, and wearing light clothing to prevent heat stress.