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Dominion Energy Virginia reported burying 2,500 miles of outage-prone power lines statewide since 2014 through its Strategic Underground Program. The company stated burying lines significantly reduces power outages and restoration time, cutting average outage time for affected customers from 11 hours to 2 minutes. Five hundred sixty miles have been buried in Hampton Roads, including 140 in the Williamsburg area, with 4,000 more miles planned. Dominion Energy also highlighted its Mainfeeder Hardening program which replaces older poles and lines to improve reliability.

Wendy Reves, who endowed William & Mary’s Reves Center for International Studies, left 78 audio tapes detailing her life and decision to support the university. A French court is litigating a controversial later will signed by Reves in Dallas, potentially altering her original will which designated 40 percent of her multi-million dollar estate to the W&M center. The tapes, held in London, might be relevant to the legal outcome. Her initial 3 million dollar donation was W&M’s largest single gift then, prompted by a recommendation to promote her late husband Emery’s ideas.

A state transportation board approved $18.2 million for a new I-64 interchange at Exit 211 in New Kent County. The new diverging diamond interchange is needed to control traffic from a proposed Buc-ee’s travel center and other commercial developments. The project’s estimated cost is up to $94 million, and the state funding is less than the $44 million the county requested through the SmartScale program. Additional funding is required beyond the state grant, $18.3 million from the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, and $10 million committed by the county. Buc-ee’s is expected to open by 2027, but the interchange completion date is not yet finalized. The project schedule is anticipated to become clearer in the coming weeks and months.

NEW WILLIAMSBURG FOOD DONATION PROGRAM

PORCH Communities, a grassroots food donation program, has launched its first Virginia chapter in Williamsburg.

The program coordinates monthly neighborhood food drives where residents leave donations on their porches for volunteers to collect.

Volunteers organize and distribute the collected food to local food pantries serving the Greater Williamsburg area.

Current pantry partners include FISH Inc., Williamsburg House of Mercy, Grove Christian Outreach Center, and the WJCC Community Action Agency.

Neighborhood coordinators manage collections, which require minimal time commitment.

The program has collected significant amounts of food, with over 15,000 pounds donated in 2024 and matching that amount by the end of May 2025.

The effort is vital due to increasing demand at food pantries caused by rising living costs and decreasing government support.

Anyone can start a PORCH program in their neighborhood by emailing the chapter leader.

Source:

New Food Pantry Donation Program in Williamsburg Makes it Easy to Give Back

YORK COUNTY JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL DETAILS

York County will host its fourth annual family-friendly Juneteenth celebration.

The free, alcohol-free event is Saturday, June 14 at the McReynolds Athletic Complex Soccer Fields.

Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. and honor African American culture and heritage.

Activities include live music by SLAPNATION, guest speakers, food trucks, vendors, and children’s entertainment.

Radio personality Doc Christian will be the event MC.

Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.

Source:

York County to Celebrate Juneteenth with Family-Friendly Festival

CIAO MEATBALL COOK-OFF EXCEEDS FUNDRAISING GOAL

The Colonial Italian American Organization (CIAO) hosted a successful meatball cook-off.
The event was held on May 31 at Frothy Moon Brewhouse in Williamsburg.
Its purpose was to raise funds for scholarships for students in the Hampton Roads area.
CIAO exceeded its fundraising goal for these scholarships.
Approximately 120 people attended, surpassing the goal of 100.
An estimated $2,400 was raised for the scholarship fund.
Tony Tutino won first place in the cook-off.
Due to its popularity, CIAO hopes to make the event an annual tradition.
The event was spearheaded by Jackie Findlay and Anne Lamar.

Source:

CIAO Social Club’s Meatball Contest Exceeds Fundraising Goal

WILLIAMSBURG REALTORS CELEBRATES PLATINUM JUBILEE

Williamsburg REALTORS commemorated its 70th anniversary.
The celebration was held on Friday, May 30, at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.
Established in 1956, the organization aimed to unite local real estate professionals with integrity and advocacy.
Over decades, it has grown, championing housing fairness, inclusivity, and shaping policy.
Williamsburg REALTORS considers itself the “Voice for Real Estate in America’s Historic Triangle.”
The Platinum Jubilee event was curated by the Community Engagement Committee.
The organization thanked its current leadership and sponsors.

Source:

Williamsburg REALTORS Commemorates 70 Years with Platinum Jubilee Celebration

NWS YORKTOWN AND DOMINION ENERGY EXPLORE NEW POWER SOURCES

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown and Dominion Energy Virginia signed a Memorandum of Agreement.
The agreement explores reliable and resilient energy sources for the base.
Potential sources include natural gas, solar, energy storage, and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
The goal is to ensure energy resilience for national security and base operations.
The base is a critical logistics and munitions hub for the East Coast Navy.
Dominion Energy emphasized collaboration with military installations and the community.
Exploring SMRs is seen as a favorable option for advanced nuclear power.
The agreement follows similar collaborations at other Virginia military installations.

Source:

Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Dominion Energy Virginia Sign Agreement to Explore New Power Sources Including a Small Modular Reactor

GAS PRICES ARE LOWER THAN USUAL FOR START OF SUMMER

The national average gas price is $3.14, down two cents from last week.

Prices are 36 cents cheaper than last June and the lowest for June since 2021.

This is attributed to consistently low crude oil prices where supply outweighs demand.

According to EIA data, gasoline demand decreased while total domestic supply increased.

Local prices in Virginia are also down compared to last week and last year.

Source:

AAA: Gas Prices on Cruise Control to Begin June

James City County resident Richard Broadwell is displaying 55 World War II Time magazine covers featuring hand-drawn portraits.
The covers are on display at Turn the Page Bookshop in the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
The exhibit features portraits by artists Boris Artzybasheff, Ernest Hamlin Baker, and Boris Chaliapin from Broadwell’s 225-cover collection.
Broadwell hopes the display will interest the community and attract visitors to the bookstore.
The individual magazines are not for sale.