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Getting Social Security Disability Insurance is challenging, with around two-thirds of applicants denied. Eligibility requires a severe physical or mental impairment preventing work for at least a year. Earning more than $1,620 monthly ($2,700 if blind) in 2025 disqualifies applicants unless they are blind. Skills, education, and work history are considered; denial occurs if the applicant can perform a less demanding job. The SSA Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool can help determine eligibility. To apply, gather personal, financial, and medical information and apply online at SSA.gov/disability, by phone at 800-772-1213, or at a local office. The initial process takes six to eight months, unless it’s a fast-tracked Compassionate Allowance case. If denied, applicants can appeal, and about half of appealed cases are eventually awarded benefits, though appeals add significant time (eight to 10 months for reconsideration, 15 months for a hearing). Hiring a representative is an option, costing 25% of past-due benefits up to $9,200 if they win the case. Representatives can be helpful, especially for complex disabilities, and can be found through NOSCCR, NADR, or LSC for low-income assistance.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION HIGHLIGHTS

Colonial Williamsburg celebrated Juneteenth with significant events.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the recreation of the African Baptist Meeting House.
This meeting house was the original location of the First Baptist Church, an early African American congregation.
The project aims to restore dignity and honor the legacy of the Black community.
A ribbon cutting ceremony marked the opening of the restored Bray School.
The Bray School was one of North America’s oldest known schools for enslaved and free Black children.
The historic Bray School building was moved and fully restored at Colonial Williamsburg.

Source:

Ground Breaking, Ribbon Cutting Highlight Colonial Williamsburg’s Juneteenth Celebration

WILLIAMSBURG WATER AND SEWER BILLING CHANGES

The City of Williamsburg is changing water and sewer billing.
Billing will switch from quarterly to monthly starting in August.
A transition bill will be sent in July.
Bills will be due 21 days after the bill date.
AutoPay will be drafted monthly on the 20th.
The water rate is increasing in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
New water rates are $6.89/1,000 gallons for city residents and $8.27/1,000 gallons outside the city.
The new rate will be on August bills.
HRSD sewer charges will be billed separately by HRSD monthly starting in August.
The city utility bill will only contain water charges.

Source:
https://wydaily.com/latest/government/2025/06/21/city-of-williamburg-to-implement-changes-to-water-and-sewer-billing/

BUSCH GARDENS WILLIAMSBURG ANNOUNCES MILITARY APPRECIATION WEEK

Busch Gardens Williamsburg is holding a Military Appreciation Week from June 30 to July 6.
The event features patriotic decorations, military bands, concerts, shopping, and fireworks.
Fireworks displays will occur nightly from July 3 through July 5 at 9:15 p.m.
Selected concerts are included with park admission on July 4 and 5.
US military active-duty members and veterans receive free park admission.
Veterans can get free one-day admission for themselves and up to three dependents.
Active-duty military get free one-day admission for themselves and up to six guests/dependents during this event.
Service members receive an additional 10% discount on dining and shopping.
More details and registration are available on the Busch Gardens website.

Source:

Busch Gardens Williamsburg to Honor US Armed Forces with Military Appreciation Week

James City County citizen scientist Van Ruckman observed a distant asteroid and its moon from a local soccer field in January, a significant discovery that confirmed the asteroid’s binary nature and excited the astronomical community.

On Juneteenth, two significant sites in Williamsburg’s Black history advanced. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Nassau Street for the rebuilding of the African Baptist Meeting House, one of the nation’s oldest Black churches, founded by enslaved and free Black people in the late 1700s. The reconstruction of the original 16-by-32-foot meeting house is planned to open to the public in 2026, marking the church’s 250th anniversary. The project follows archaeological excavations that uncovered artifacts and burial shafts at the site, which had previously been covered by a parking lot. Speakers at the event emphasized the historical significance and the importance of telling the story.

Following the groundbreaking, a ribbon-cutting marked the public opening of the Bray School, one of the oldest surviving schools for Black children, located nearby on Nassau Street. The school, which taught children from 1760 to 1774, was rediscovered, moved in 2023, and restored by Colonial Williamsburg to appear as it did in the 18th century. Recent archaeological work at the school’s original site on the William & Mary campus uncovered the full foundation, cellar location, and 18th-century artifacts. The restored interior now features furniture and items mimicking the school environment, though the second floor remains closed to visitors due to the fragility of the original stairs. Officials from Colonial Williamsburg and William & Mary highlighted the school’s importance in illuminating the city’s history.

The sixth annual FURever Homes Race took place last Saturday at Jamestown High School in Williamsburg, attracting 335 entrants. The event featured 1-mile, 8K, and 5K races to benefit the Heritage Humane Society. Roger Hopper of Chesapeake won the men’s 8K with a time of 28:33. Emily Honeycutt of Newport News won the women’s 8K with a time of 33:01. Warm and humid weather conditions were noted, preventing new age-group records this year. Cesar Menendez won the men’s 5K in 19:24 and Michelle Ballin won the women’s 5K in 21:59.

VIRGINIA LOCALITIES CREATE DATA CENTER RULES ABSENT STATE LAW

Virginia is a global hub for data centers, bringing economic benefits but also stressing local energy and water resources.
Without statewide regulations, localities are developing their own rules to manage data center impacts.
Governor Youngkin vetoed a proposed state bill that would have mandated environmental impact assessments, citing local autonomy.
Local governments are implementing various ordinances to control data center development.
Examples include York County’s rules on energy/water capacity and sound studies, and Loudoun County ending “by-right” zoning.
Other localities like Chesapeake, Fairfax, and Henrico have enacted measures covering setbacks, buffers, and approval processes.
Local officials generally aim to have more control over data center projects rather than blocking them entirely.
A state study highlighted economic benefits but also significant challenges meeting the industry’s energy demands.

Source:

Virginia Doesn’t Have Statewide Data Center Regulations. Localities are Making Their Own Rules.

Williamsburg held its fifth annual Juneteenth Freedom Celebration on Thursday in City Square Park. The event, hosted by The Village Initiative, commemorated Juneteenth, celebrated community resiliency and unity, and honored the city’s Black community and displaced ancestors. The celebration featured food, games, music, a parade highlighting descendant communities, and speeches by The Village Initiative director Jacqueline Bridgeforth-Williams and Mayor Douglas Pons. Attendees gathered to mark the federal holiday honoring the end of slavery and celebrating African American life.

Williamsburg celebrated Juneteenth 2025 with a week of events organized by the Juneteenth Community Consortium to educate, commemorate, and celebrate freedom. The celebration began June 14 at Freedom Park with a community fest featuring vendors, tours, skits, and dance performances, sponsored by the local NAACP chapter and James City County. Event organizers noted the fest fostered a stronger sense of community and cohesiveness. U.S. News & World Report recognized Williamsburg’s celebrations among the nation’s top Juneteenth events. Thursday in Colonial Williamsburg featured a groundbreaking for the African Baptist Meeting House and the opening of the restored Williamsburg Bray School. The Village Initiative hosted a large Juneteenth Freedom Celebration parade and party in downtown Williamsburg attended by over 1,000 people with entertainment and vendors. Final events at the Stryker Center include today’s art exhibition reception and Saturday’s 4th Annual Journey to Racial Healing ceremony, featuring speakers discussing historical ties to slavery. These Juneteenth events aim to build community, foster dialogue, and help people learn a fuller American history.