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VIRGINIA GOVERNOR PAUSES COLLEGE PROJECTS

Governor Glenn Youngkin paused over $600 million in funding for higher education projects.

The pause affects 10 renovation and expansion projects at Virginia colleges and universities.

The decision was made due to uncertainty about the country’s economic future.

Virginia retained $900.4 million from its budget, leaving a projected $3.2 billion surplus as a cushion.

The governor stated it would not be financially prudent to proceed with construction currently.

Affected institutions include VSU, VCU, William & Mary, UVA, Virginia Tech, and the VCCS.

Projects range from renovating old buildings to constructing new facilities and acquiring property.

The governor plans to reintroduce the projects in his December budget proposal if funds are available.

Some institutions are using other resources to continue planning despite the funding pause.

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Renovation and Expansion Projects at 10 Virginia Colleges and Universities Put on Pause

William & Mary track and field athletes set three school records at the CAA outdoor championships May 14-15 in Greensboro.
The men’s team finished third and the women’s team tied for fourth at the conference meet.
School records broken at the meet were the men’s 4×400 relay (3:09.63), Jackie Jones in the women’s 100 meters (11.62), and Emily Ervin in the women’s 400 meters (54.07).
Freshman Summer Mellow set a new W&M freshman record in the women’s 100 meters (12.03).
W&M won three events at the CAA championships: Collin Walsh (men’s steeplechase), Catherine Garrison (women’s steeplechase), and Brian Walsh (men’s decathlon, setting a CAA meet record).
Other school records were set earlier in the season by Lauren Jones (women’s long jump), Elizabeth Strobach (women’s pole vault), Avery Glidden (women’s 400 hurdles), Austin Rice (men’s 400 meters), and Catherine Garrison (women’s steeplechase).
The men’s 4×800 relay team ran the third-fastest time in W&M history at the Penn Relays.
The Tribe next competes at the NCAA East Region Preliminaries in Jacksonville, Florida beginning May 28.

Local pharmacist and parent Dr. Jade L. Ranger discussed coping with children growing up in a recent opinion piece. Ranger shared personal reflections on her sons’ transitions and noted that children need parents differently as they age. She offered four strategies for maintaining strong connections: being present, building shared hobbies, preserving memories, and showing affection.

WILLIAMSBURG LAUNCHES NEW EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM

The City of Williamsburg has launched RAVE Mobile Safety as its new emergency notification system.

The new system replaces the previous one and saves the city approximately $30,000 per year.

RAVE will send emergency messages via text, email, and voice.

Text messages will come from a specific phone number or four short code numbers.

Messages from the city will always start with WBURG ALERT.

Residents previously receiving text alerts are automatically signed up; email users need to confirm via email.

Residents can sign up and customize their alerts online at williamsburgva.gov/alerts.

Users can add addresses for geo-targeted alerts, select alert types, and choose delivery methods.

The service is free from the city, but standard message and data rates may apply.

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Williamsburg Launches New Emergency Notification System

Molly Peet, a former art teacher at Lafayette High School, will graduate Saturday from the counseling and art therapy master’s program at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences at Old Dominion University in Norfolk. Peet enrolled in the program in 2022 after seeing students express difficult emotions in their art and wanting skills to help them. She will complete a final internship this summer and hopes to work with teenagers recovering from substance abuse disorders. The program, part of the EVMS School of Health Professions, offered a part-time option allowing Peet to balance work and family life.

The annual Drummer’s Call starts this Friday and Saturday in Colonial Williamsburg. The event features the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums and seven visiting fife and drum units. They will perform historical military music from various periods. Friday at 7:30 p.m., there is a performance at the Charlton Stage. On Saturday from 12:30-2:30 p.m., a Grand March and Review will take place from the Capitol to Market Square. The event concludes Saturday at 8:30 p.m. with the Williamsburg Military Tattoo torch-lit march down Duke of Gloucester Street. All Drummer’s Call events are free and open to the public. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums is a local youth group; eligible fourth-grade students in specific local areas can apply for the fall 2025 recruit class by May 31.

LOCAL MOM AND STUDIO MANAGER EMPOWERS WOMEN THROUGH FITNESS

Sydney Dennis, a military wife and mom, manages the Orangetheory Fitness studio in Williamsburg.

Despite no prior fitness experience, she was hooked after her first Orangetheory class.

The fitness community became a constant through her husband’s military transfers.

She started working for Orangetheory and eventually became the Williamsburg studio manager.

Using her Human Services degree, she helps others find their motivation for working out.

She believes the hardest step is walking through the door, and the studio handles the rest.

Dennis oversees daily operations and is passionate about the positive impact of the program.

After having her son, her fitness focus shifted from weight loss to mental health and being a better mom.

She encourages women, especially during Women’s Health Month, to prioritize their health.

Orangetheory is designed to meet individuals at any fitness level and helps them feel better.

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Local Mom and Studio Manager Helping Women Find Their Workout Why

PRESERVING LEGACIES THROUGH MEMOIR BOOKS

Williamsburg-based Legacy Life Books captures loved ones’ stories.

The company was founded by a father and son, inspired by a personal loss.

They create memoir books based on in-depth interviews with individuals.

The process includes transcription, digital photo enhancement, and book production.

Services provide hard copy books and a hard drive with interview recordings.

The aim is to preserve family legacies for future generations.

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Williamsburg-Based Business Aims to Preserve Loved Ones’ Legacies for Generations

James City County Board of Supervisors approved a $390.5 million budget on Tuesday. The budget maintains the 83-cent real estate tax rate but removes a 5-cent tax credit, resulting in higher tax bills for residents. The personal property tax rate remains $4 per $100 valuation. The budget includes $1 million more for the Williamsburg-James City County school division, bringing the county’s share to just over $100.3 million. County employees will receive a 3% pay raise effective July 1. The budget also includes $65.5 million for a new government center and library addition. Nearly 20 residents spoke against the budget, citing concerns about the cost and size.

JCC APPROVES BUDGET AMIDST PUBLIC OUTCRY

James City County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the $390 million FY2026 budget.

The approval occurred despite significant public opposition regarding spending and rising taxes.

Key budget points include raising water rates incrementally over several years.

The property tax rate remains unchanged at $0.83 per $100 assessment, with no discount offered.

County officials clarified that tax increases cited by the public represented a two-year total, not a single year increase.

The budget allocates over $100 million to Williamsburg-James City County Schools.

The county is proceeding with the design phase for a new consolidated government center due to space constraints.

Board members defended the budget, citing priorities like public safety and education and the county’s relatively low tax rates compared to the region.

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JCC Approves County Budget Despite Public Opposition