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MEMORIAL DAY CLOSURES IN THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE

Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 26, impacting local services.
In James City County, offices, recreation centers, convenience centers, and the garbage transfer station are closed.
James City County Parks and Park Stores remain open, while Libraries are closed May 25-26.
James City County curbside recycling collection is delayed by one day starting Monday.
Williamsburg City offices and Quarterpath Recreation Center are closed.
Williamsburg Waller Mill Park follows normal operating hours, and garbage collection is on schedule.
Williamsburg recycling collection is delayed by one day starting Monday.
In York County, offices, courts, libraries, Extension Service, and Social Services are closed.
York County curbside garbage collection is not affected by the holiday.
York County curbside recycling collection is delayed by one day.
The York County Waste Management Facility (Citizen Drop Off, Recycling Center) is open, but the VPPSA Compost Facility is closed.

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Memorial Day Closures Around the Historic Triangle

VDOT LIFTS LANE CLOSURES FOR MEMORIAL DAY TRAVEL

VDOT is suspending many highway work zones and temporary lane closures for Memorial Day weekend.
This suspension is in effect from noon Friday through noon Tuesday, May 27.
The measure is intended to improve traffic flow for the start of the summer travel season.
Some semi-permanent work zones will still be present.
Travelers are encouraged to use VDOT’s resources like the 511 app, 511 website, and holiday travel trends map for planning.
Specific alternative routes are suggested for Hampton Roads tunnels to ease congestion.
VDOT reminds drivers to practice safe habits such as buckling up, avoiding distractions, and obeying the Move Over law.

Source:
wydaily.com

HEALTH SCIENCE SUMMER CAMP AT VPCC

Virginia Peninsula Community College will host a Health Science Summer Camp.

The camp will take place from July 7-10.

It will be held at the college’s Historic Triangle Campus.

The camp is free for rising 7th, 8th, and 9th-graders.

Students will explore VPCC’s Health Science pathways and experiences.

Dean Michelle Alexander and Professor Khaliah Wilson discussed the camp in a radio interview.

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Hometown Radio Interview: Virginia Peninsula Community College To Host Health Science Summer Camp [AUDIO]

JAMESTOWN BEACH PARKING FEES RETURN

Jamestown Beach Event Park is reinstating summer parking fees.
The fees apply only to non-residents.
The fee period begins Saturday, May 24, starting at 8 a.m.
Fees are collected Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends/holidays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Residents of James City County and the City of Williamsburg park for free.
Residents must show proof of residency like a valid VA ID or photo ID with a utility bill.
Old parking decals are valid if readable but will not be replaced.
All visitors must stop at the attendant booth to prove residency or pay.
Payment methods include cash, card, check, or mobile pay.

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Jamestown Beach Parking Fees Return for Summer May 24

The Virginia Arts Festival presents violinist Lana Trotovšek, cellist Nina Kotova, and pianist Olga Kern in an all-Beethoven chamber music concert at 10:30 a.m. on June 5 at William & Mary’s Concert Hall. The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra closed its season on May 14 with music director Michael Butterman, featuring flutist R. Carlos Nakai, the world premiere of Dawn Avery’s “Secrets,” and Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9. The Virginia Arts Festival and Virginia Symphony Orchestra collaborated on the VSO’s season-closing concert, performing Mahler’s Symphony No. 9. The Williamsburg Choral Guild performed the Brahms “Requiem” and Brahms’ “Sehnsucht” under director Daniel Parks.

The WJCC School Board unanimously adopted a $207 million budget Tuesday for the next fiscal year, which includes a 3% employee raise, a new minimum wage of $15.50 per hour, and 10 new positions, funded partly by increased contributions from James City County and the state.

YORK COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES FY 2026 BUDGET

The York County School Board approved its fiscal year 2026 operating budget on May 19.

The budget is $201 million, an increase of $8.4 million (4.4%).

Funding for the increase comes from state funding ($4.3M), estimated local funding ($500k), and savings ($313k).

80% of the budget is allocated to staff compensation, including a cost-of-living adjustment and a step raise.

The budget adds 20 school-based positions to support students.

It also includes funds for textbooks, adaptive physical education resources, and the Summer Academy.

Superintendent Victor Shandor stated the budget is a commitment to the long-term success of York County.

The budget was approved by a 4-1 vote.

District Five representative Lynda Fairman voted against, citing concerns about forcing taxpayers to pay more.

Other board members, like Mark Shafer, defended the budget, noting no county tax increase in nine years and high performance despite lower per-pupil spending.

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York County School Board Approves FY 2026 Operating Budget

VIRGINIA MAN ROLLS FOR MS RESEARCH

Virginia resident Randall Pope is riding his power chair 250 miles to raise funds for MS research.
Pope, diagnosed with MS in 1995 after serving in the Army, aims to raise $250,000.
The ride goes from Christopher Newport University to the Pentagon, marking his 30th anniversary with MS.
Funds raised are intended to help people with MS in Virginia obtain power wheelchairs.
Pope wants to inspire others with MS or injuries to stay active and live fully.
His route includes stops at several Virginia colleges, including William & Mary on May 28.
He is supported by a team, including friends and family, and is partnered with the Mid-Atlantic PVA.
Pope is sharing updates and accepting donations via his “Rolling with Randall” Facebook page.

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Virginia Man to Roll Through Williamsburg on Mission to Raise Money for MS Research

PAMPERED BATH OPENS WILLIAMSBURG RETAIL LOCATION

Pampered Bath celebrated the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar store on May 16.
The new physical location is at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets.
Owner Florence Santoro launched the business online last year.
Pampered Bath sells hand-made, all-natural bath and hygiene products like soaps and bathbombs.
The move to a physical store followed the online business’s popularity and growth.
The grand opening included a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce.
The store’s address is 5711 Richmond Road, with specified operating hours listed.
Pampered Bath also ships products nationally and internationally to Canada and Mexico.

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Pampered Bath Celebrates Opening of a Brick and Mortar Location

A program called Kids, Cats and K9s is connecting schoolchildren with shelter animals in the Williamsburg area to help find them homes. The program, run by the Virginia Animal Protection Group, involves children drawing pictures and writing essays about adoptable pets. The Kids, Cats and K9s program was recently recognized by the James City County Board of Supervisors on May 13 for its work teaching children empathy and kindness towards animals. Over 100 students from Matoaka Elementary School and Providence Classical Schools participated by creating biographies displayed in local shelters and places like Trader Joe’s. The initiative aims to boost adoptions and educate children about responsible pet ownership, with some students visiting the animals they wrote about. The program was inspired by a similar effort in Richmond that successfully helped many shelter animals get adopted. Future plans include expanding the program to other areas and youth groups.