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Vegan Chef David Alexander recently partnered with Bazaaro’s Deli at the Williamsburg Premium Outlets to add new plant-based menu options. Alexander aims to inspire healthier eating habits and improve the health of local residents through his vegan cooking. He also works at Williamsburg Landing, educating seniors on healthy diets and veganism.

A 24-year-old James City County man, Antonio Ziyon Harold, was arrested Wednesday.
He was charged with multiple felonies including abduction and kidnapping of a minor, rape, and weapons offenses.
The arrest followed an investigation into a forcible sex offense involving a juvenile victim on Monday.
The incident occurred at the Rolling Meadows apartment complex on Grand Strand Drive.
Police stated Harold and the juvenile knew each other.
Harold is held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail.

Bar-Q inside Bold Mariner in Norfolk closed June 1; the food truck remains open. NES Cornhole Lounge plans a grand opening June 13 at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Cook’s Burger Bar is set to open mid-June in Lightfoot at the former Skrimp Shack location.

Big Lots reopened stores between May 1 and 15 in Chesapeake and York County. Grit & Grace Counseling held a grand opening May 3 in Suffolk. Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center opened as an inpatient hospital May 6 in Suffolk. Chicken Salad Chick is slated to open in Williamsburg’s Settler’s Market. Multiple stores opened in May at Williamsburg Premium Outlets, including Yankee Candle (reopening), The Pampered Bath, Tabitha Sewer, and Williamsburg Vintage Bazaar. The former Best Western Historic Area Inn in Williamsburg reopened as Spark by Hilton Williamsburg Historic Area and is accepting reservations starting May 22.

Fresh Start Day Support facility opened April 4 in Suffolk. The Picklr indoor pickleball club held a grand opening April 5 in Williamsburg. A Touch of A Spa of Elegance, a new beauty spa, held a ribbon cutting April 9. VA Vintage held a grand opening April 12 in Virginia Beach. Canine Companions opened a site in Mathews in April. Pink Confetti creative studio held a grand opening in New Kent County in April. Sundae Scoop held a grand opening April 18 for its second location in Chesapeake. Publix opened a supermarket April 23 in Chesapeake. BJ Roberts Behavioral Health Center in Hampton held a ribbon cutting April 25. MINISO opened April 26 at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News. An Amazon delivery station held a ribbon cutting April 29 in Virginia Beach. Bar Louie suddenly closed its location in Hampton’s Peninsula Town Center in April.

District 41 Sports Bar in Newport News closed March 3. The Newport News Early Childhood Development Center opened to children in early March. Khoalitea Cafe opened in Virginia Beach. Armed Forces Brewing Company closed in Norfolk. Atlantic Waffle Co. opened mid-March in Virginia Beach. The Cardinal Restaurant & Bar opened March 21 in Virginia Beach. Sky Zone trampoline park had its grand opening March 22 in Virginia Beach. The UPS Store held a grand opening March 28 in Chesapeake. The Norfolk Wellness and Fitness Center closed to the public March 28. May’s Parlor closed its Norfolk location March 29.

Pop VB added an interactive balloon bar Feb 4 to its store in Virginia Beach. The Rochambeau Roadside Inn reopened Feb. 5 after remodeling in Williamsburg. The Muscarelle Museum of Art held a grand reopening Feb. 8 after expansion at William & Mary. Glo Fiber held a grand opening Feb. 13 in Suffolk. Legal Sea Foods closed Feb. 18 in Virginia Beach Town Center. Banfield Pet Hospital inside PetSmart in Hampton closed the week of Feb. 23. Tim Hortons opened in Norfolk. Streats Restaurant & Bar in Norfolk closed Feb. 28. Hair of the Dog Eatery at ODU closed Feb. 28. Bricks & Minifigs opened Feb. 28 at Williamsburg Premium Outlets. Several JOANN locations in Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Virginia Beach, and Williamsburg are closing; dates have not been announced.

Phoebus Auction Gallery in Hampton closed Jan. 1. Sunday 29:11 Soul Food Kitchen held a grand opening Jan. 3 in Newport News. Crush It Art Bar had a grand opening Jan. 4 in Carrollton. CrossFit 1607 moved to a larger space within the Williamsburg Indoor Sports Complex in early January. Joosse Family Orthodontics moved to a larger office in Williamsburg. Two GameStop locations closed in January in Chesapeake and Williamsburg. New Dominion Pictures put its building in Suffolk up for auction in early January. Sour Street Pizza opened in the East Beach neighborhood of Norfolk in January. Iron-Bound Gym announced mid-January plans to expand and take over Cogan’s Deli & Sports Pub space in Williamsburg. Ocean Storage self-storage facility opened Jan. 15 in Virginia Beach. Habit Burger & Grill opened its first Hampton Roads location Jan. 15 in Virginia Beach. Atomic Wings opened its first state location Jan. 18 in Virginia Beach. Hounds Town dog day care and boarding opened Jan. 18 in Newport News. Blissful Events luxury event venue celebrated its grand opening Jan. 19 in Williamsburg. Suffolk Humane Society held a grand reopening Jan. 24. US Foods opened two Chef’Store warehouses Jan. 25 in Hampton and Virginia Beach. Redwood Smoke Shack opened Jan. 28 in Suffolk. Chicken Salad Chick opened in Chesapeake’s Greenbrier neighborhood in January. UrgentVet opened a Newport News location in January. Charlie’s Antiques in Lightfoot closed Jan. 31. D1 Training gym opened Jan. 31 in Virginia Beach.

Phoebus Dive Bar in Hampton closed Dec. 31, 2024. Back Bay Brewing Co. had its last day at Back Bay Beach House Dec. 28, 2024; The Crow and Anchor pub will open in its place. Publix held a grand opening Dec. 12, 2024, for its first Virginia Beach location. The Whale Tea bubble tea shop held a soft opening Dec. 12, 2024, in Williamsburg. Pepper Palace hot sauce store opened Dec. 7, 2024, in downtown Williamsburg. New Realm Brewing Co. opened Nov. 22, 2024, in Suffolk.

Bald Guy Pies pizza food truck owners plan to open a restaurant in Williamsburg. Haru Sushi plans to open in the spring in Williamsburg Crossing. Kohl’s store in York County will close this spring. Salad House plans to open its first Hampton Roads restaurant in the Williamsburg area by spring. Voodoo Brewing plans to open a brewpub in early summer in Midtown Row, Williamsburg. Owl Creek Landing playground will open to the public in the spring behind the Virginia Aquarium in Virginia Beach. The Barry Art Museum at ODU will close July 31 for expansion and is expected to reopen in early 2027. Fogo de Chao Brazilian steakhouse is slated to open in the summer in Virginia Beach’s Pembroke Square. Funny Bone Comedy Club in Virginia Beach Town Center is relocating to Pembroke Square by early August. DraftCade arcade bar will also open in Pembroke Square several weeks after Funny Bone. Born Primitive is expanding its headquarters in Virginia Beach in the fall. Kiddie Academy plans to open a child care facility in October in Chesapeake.

Sentara Health is expanding mental health care access by embedding therapists in primary care practices across multiple locations including Norfolk, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Elizabeth City, and Northern Virginia. The initiative, which began in 2020 and continues to grow, aims to ease patient access, reduce stigma, and integrate mental and physical wellness. This approach helps patients overcome barriers like long wait times and transportation issues to receive care faster. Sentara plans to add more therapists in York County and Southside practices soon.

BUSCH GARDENS OFFERS FREE ADMISSION TO MILITARY

Busch Gardens offers free one-day admission to veterans and up to three guests for Military Appreciation Month.

Active-duty military and their guests already receive free one-day admission year-round.

These offers are part of the United Parks & Resorts’ long-standing Waves of Honor program.

The program salutes military members and families with special pricing and promotions.

Busch Gardens has provided complimentary access to over 10 million military guests through Waves of Honor for more than 20 years.

Eligible veterans and retirees must register online at WavesofHonor.com before May 11.

Veteran tickets must be redeemed by July 6.

A valid military ID is required to participate in the program.

Additional year-round discounts for military are available through MWR/ITT offices and WavesofHonor.com.

Source:

Busch Gardens Offers Free Park Admission to Active-Duty, Veterans and Families for Military Appreciation Month

PINWHEELS RAISE AWARENESS FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION

April is recognized as National Child Abuse and Child Neglect Prevention Month.
A “Pinwheels for Prevention” initiative uses colorful pinwheels to mark the month in James City County.
Pinwheels are a widely recognized symbol for child abuse prevention.
Various local groups, like the James City County Police Department, place the pinwheels.
The pinwheels represent hope for bright futures and happy, healthy childhoods for all children.
Detective Gennie Bellas highlights the community’s role in children’s development.
The pinwheels will remain on display until the end of April.
More information about the initiative is available online.

Source:

‘Pinwheels for Prevention’ Raise Awareness for Child Abuse and Child Neglect Prevention Month

SPARK COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT HELPS WJCC STUDENTS

A 9-year-old girl named Quinn Eppright and her family started a new nonprofit.
This was inspired by Quinn’s classmate being bullied for not having clean clothes.
The family learned the student lived in a hotel without laundry access.
Their nonprofit, Spark Community Empowerment, will support a laundry token program for WJCC Schools.
They will also collect clothing for a back-to-school distribution event.
Their first fundraiser, a family bingo night, is scheduled for May 16 at WISC.
Prizes for the bingo night include Busch Gardens tickets and WISC camp tuition.
A clothing and new undergarment drive is also running until May 16.
The aim is to boost student confidence and reduce the impact of hardship.

Source:

Local 9-Year-Old and Family Start New Community-Based Nonprofit to Help WJCC Students in Need

WILLIAMSBURG MAY EVENTS PREVIEWED

May will be a busy month with many events in the Greater Williamsburg area.

Selena Coles from Visit Williamsburg previewed events on 92.3 FM Tide.

Highlighted events include the 10th annual Williamsburg Craft Beer Festival, Blues, Brews, & BBQ Festival, and concert series.

Additional events are listed on the Visit Williamsburg events page.

Visit Williamsburg recently won a 2024 VIRGO Award for its Historic Holiday Pass campaign.

Visit Williamsburg is the official destination marketing organization for Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown.

They also maintain the WilliamsBLOG resource.

Source:

In The Know With Visit Williamsburg: Looking Ahead At Events In May [AUDIO]

VIRGINIA FLOOD INSURANCE AND RISK RISING

Flood insurance costs are dramatically rising in Virginia due to a new FEMA rating system.
Flood risk is also increasing across the state, particularly in coastal areas like Virginia Beach.
Only 3% of Virginia homeowners currently have flood insurance, despite the growing risk.
FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 uses property-specific data like structure, value, and location, replacing the old elevation-based system.
Critics argue Risk Rating 2.0 has significantly increased premiums and doesn’t adequately reward mitigation efforts.
A lawsuit challenging the new rates was dismissed despite claims of dramatic price hikes for some policyholders.
Virginia residents could see an average 45% increase in their flood insurance premiums.
Over 28% of homes in Virginia could face some level of flood risk in the next 30 years.
Communities can participate in the Community Rating System to potentially lower policy costs.

Source:

Virginia Flood Insurance Cost ‘Dramatically’ Rising, as is Flood Risk