Poquoson@

Friday, April 4, 2025

Williamsburg named among safest spring break destinations in the U.S.

April 4, 2025

Happy Friday, Historic Triangle!

A summertime preview is in store for us this weekend as temperatures soar.

Highs today will reach the mid-80s, about 20 degrees warmer than normal for this time of year, according to Meteorologist Myles Henderson of WTKR News 3. Scattered showers or storms are possible this evening as a cold front moves through the area.

Meteorologist Myles Henderson's 5-day forecast. (Photo via Facebook)

Highs in the mid-80s will continue on Saturday and Sunday, though windy conditions with gusts around 30 mph are expected on Sunday.

Dramatically cooler weather will move in as we start the work week. Rain and a cold front will sweep across the region on Monday, dropping the highs to the 60s and 50s.

Now to the news.

-Christin

Williamsburg ranked among safest spring break destinations in the U.S.

A horse-drawn carriage transports visitors throughout Colonial Williamsburg. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle)

Williamsburg is one of the safest places in the nation to travel to for spring break, according to a new study.

Personal injury law firm 844SeeMike conducted an analysis to determine the safest and most dangerous spring break destinations in the United States. The study reviewed a breadth of safety data for 31 popular vacation spots, including DUI incidents, pedestrian safety measures and water activity risks.

Williamsburg ranked #3 on the list of the safest places to visit for spring break 2025 based on the findings, according to a release from the law firm.

The historic city was praised for its "structured and family-friendly atmosphere" as well as its "well-regulated visitor areas" and low crime rates.

Coming in at no. 1 on the list was San Diego, California. Also ranked among the safest locations were Breckenridge, Colorad0 (no. 2), Cannon Beach, Oregon, (no. 4) and Austin, Texas (no. 5).

Conversely, Daytona Beach, Florida was listed as the most dangerous spring break destination. Other dangerous spots on the study's list included Panama City Beach, Florida (no. 2); Naples, Florida (no. 3); South Padre Island, Texas (no. 4); New Orleans, Louisiana and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (no. 5), according to the firm.

The study's methodology relied on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

WJCC School Board to consider new names for James Blair Middle School despite split community feedback

James Blair Middle School. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle)

The Williamsburg James City County School Board is planning to review new potential names for James Blair Middle School despite divided community feedback on the topic.

Findings and recommendations put forth by a recently created renaming committee were presented during school board's work session on Tuesday. The committee was appointed to review feedback from citizens and stakeholders regarding a possible school name change.

The committee voted 11-0 in favor of renaming the middle school, with one member abstaining.

Kara Wall, the division's strategic communications officer, said the committee's recommendation came after they analyzed community survey responses, considered budget implications and reviewed the history surrounding Blair, a 17th-century reverend and slaveholder who co-founded William & Mary.

Community feedback: The committee acknowledged the majority of citizens surveyed did not express support for renaming the school. Participants included James Blair teachers and staff, students who attend the school, parents of current students, residents who live in the James Blair attendance zone and the general public.

Here are the results of the survey:

43% of the general public supported the name change, while 53% did not want to see the name change and 3% were unsure.

Among parents and guardians of current students at the school, 22% said they agree with the name change, while 63% were against it and 15% were not sure.

Of current students who took the survey, 30% said they wanted the name to change, while 47% said they did not support it and 23% were not sure.

Teachers and staff from the school were also split on the topic, with 38% saying they support the name change, 48% saying they oppose it and 15% saying they were unsure.

Board member Michael Hosang said he did not support moving forward with the renaming process based on the community's feedback. Some constituents also complained that the public comment portion of the survey was rushed, he said.

"[The survey] was presented or offered on a Friday afternoon, and the cutoff was Tuesday at noon, which was not enough time for the public to respond," he said. "If we're not going to listen to these surveys from our society, from our constituents, they're not going to take them anymore. They're not going to listen to what we're trying to do if we ignore them when they come back to us and tell us what they want."

Vice Chair Andrea Donnor provided impassioned commentary on the subject, saying that James Blair was initially founded as an all-white high school a year after the Brown v. Board of Education decision. Today, the school board has the chance to correct past injustices by choosing a more inclusive name, she said.

"If I have the opportunity to right a historical wrong, my values make me have to take that step, as unpopular as it might be," she said. "I think it's valuable to spend $100,000 to fix a historical wrong 70 years later."

Acting Superintendent Daniel Keever said the next step involves reconvening the renaming committee to solicit feedback from citizens regarding potential new names.

Board Chair Sarah Ortego added that the board would not entertain naming the school after "any human beings," whether they are alive or dead.

The community will be asked to participate in a survey to generate possible options that will be discussed at a later meeting with the board in May.

Read the full story here.

Pregnant woman among 2 dead in York County crash

York-Poquoson deputies are investigating a fatal crash on Water Street. (Photo by Christin Nielsen/The Triangle)

Two people, including a pregnant woman, died in a crash on Water Street in Yorktown on Thursday night.

According to the York Poquoson Sheriff's Office, deputies were dispatched to Water Street, in the area of Daniels Drive and the Colonial Parkway entrance, around 8:15 p.m. to investigate reports of a two-vehicle crash.

Witnesses said a 2016 Dodge Challenger was driving at a high rate of speed when it swerved out of control and struck a 2015 Honda Fit.

A 21-year-old male passenger in the Challenger was killed in the crash. A 34-year-old woman who was a passenger in the Honda Fit was also killed. She was six months pregnant, authorities said.

The driver of the Challenger, identified as 22-year-old Hunter Arnold of Windsor, Virginia, sustained multiple injuries and was taken to Riverside Hospital. The driver of the Honda Fit, a 28-year-old woman, sustained a leg injury and was treated at the hospital and released.

Charges are pending for Arnold, according to officials. The crash remains under investigation.

Anheuser-Busch invests $4.2M into Williamsburg brewery

An aerial view of Anheuser-Busch in Williamsburg. (Photo courtesy of Anheuser-Busch)

Anheuser-Busch is investing $4.2 million in its Williamsburg brewery to support major upgrades to the facility, the company announced.

Why it's happening: The improvements will enhance production quality and increase the efficiency of operations to meet "the highest-quality brewing standards," the company announced in a statement.

"We've been producing high-quality American-made products for generations, and through our continued investments in places like Williamsburg, we are continuing to drive economic prosperity and create opportunity in American manufacturing," Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said.

Founded in 1972, the Williamsburg brewery plays a key role in the company's operational pipeline. It is one of 5 Virginia facilities that employs more than 750 people. Last year, the company poured an additional $6.5 million into the facility to support other renovations.

"As one of James City County's leading employers, this $4.2 million investment reinforces Anheuser-Busch's commitment to quality products and contributing to our local community," said Tom Jokerst, General Manager of the Anheuser-Busch Williamsburg Brewery.

In the Headlines

An investigation is continuing into the fatal officer-involved shooting of a man in a James City County grocery store parking lot. (WTKR)
A renowned conservation scientist will deliver the 2025 commencement address at William & Mary. (Virginia Gazette)
Newport News has launched a two-phase survey to improve quality of life for its citizens. (WTKR)
TowneBank is acquiring and merging with Old Point Financial Corp. (WAVY)
Richmond released its final water crisis report, revealing information about communication failures. (WTVR)
Abigail Spanberger is the Democratic nominee for this year's Virginia governor race. (WRIC)
Virginia was ranked the most likely state to survive an alien invasion. (Fox 5)
TikTok is slated to shut down by April 5 unless parent company ByteDance strikes a deal. (USA Today)

This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading!

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The Triangle, P.O Box 7003, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States

Tuesday, February 18, 2025

District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates by Supervisor Tom Shepperd

Thomas "Tom" G. Shepperd, Jr.

York County Supervisor, District 5

Hm: (757) 858-8591

Mb: (757) 903-1875

Email address: Shepperd@yorkcounty.gov

District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update

Subscribe for District 5 Report and Crime Watch Updates

Dear Neighbors,

The District 5 Report is designed to keep you up to date on activities in and around our area. Residents and homeowner associations are encouraged to share the information with others in their communities. Please click on the "Subscribe" to receive the report or send an email request to shepperd@yorkcounty.gov. Comments and questions are always welcome.*

Regards,

Tom

Thomas G. Shepperd, Jr.

District 5 Representative

York County Board of Supervisors

(H) 757-868-8591

shepperd@yorkcounty.gov

tgshep@cox.net

--------------------February 2025 District 5 Report and Crime Watch Update--------------------

Development News

I’m requesting your input on a proposed development in our area. The area in question is the salvage yards along the George Washington Memorial Highway (Rt.17). The development will most likely require a special use permit and rezoning by the Board of Supervisors.

For over 20 years, the County has tried to incentivized owners of the properties to redevelop the salvage yards. Several development proposals have come and gone for various reasons. The main reason for lack of development is that the area is subdivided among many owners. Some wanted to sell while others did not. This disagreement often leaves a potential developer with parcels that are too small to make a business economically viable. Another major factor is the price of land. As land values continue to increase, developers are driven to create projects that include both a business and a residential component. Over time, to make the area more marketable, several property owners successfully combined the various properties into larger parcels. This didn’t make the land any less expensive. It did succeed in making the land more attractive for development.

Recently, the County was approached by a developer, who will remain anonymous, seeking to develop approximately 20 acres of the property near the corner of Rt.17 and Victory Boulevard (Rt.171). I’m not at liberty to tell you the name of the proposed business going onto the site but can say that in my opinion the business would be a great addition to our area. To make the retail business viable, the developer needs to add a residential component that consists of several hundred homes or rental units. Again, I’m restricted from divulging the business names but can tell you that the Supervisors listened to the proposal, didn’t say “no,” and asked the developer to come back with a residential plan that provides for home ownership. The developer’s proposal identified buffering between the development and existing residential areas, and entrance and exits points from the shopping area that includes the addition of a traffic light on Rt.17 and right turn in and exit off Victory Boulevard.

I would like to get your thoughts on this proposed project. Before the project is approved by the County, it will go before the planning commission for a land use consideration and recommendation to the Supervisors. At that time, the proposed businesses for the site will be made public. The project will require a traffic study and a review of the impact on our schools and public safety. You can send your comments directly to me at shepperd@yorkcounty.gov or to the entire Board of Supervisors at BOS@yorkcounty.com.

Road Project Updates

1. Victory Blvd. (Rt. 171) Right Lane Extension – This road project is near the Kiln Creek neighborhood. After crossing Rt.17 heading westbound towards I-64, there is a right turn lane for entrance into Walmart. The westbound through lane currently becomes a merge lane just past the Walmart entrance. VDOT plans to extend the westbound lane an additional 700 feet to create a fourth westbound (outside) lane. This will push Victory Boulevard traffic very close to the homes in Kiln Creek. VDOT held a public hearing on the project on November 28, 2024. The contract will be awarded in February or March 2025. Project completion is slated for late summer 2025.

2. Wythe Creek Road Project - The Wythe Creek Road project is comprised of two projects spanning from the Wythe Creek/Commander Shepard intersection in the City of Hampton to Huntlandia Way in the City of Poquoson for a total project length of 1.8 miles. The project provides a three-lane reversible roadway from Commander Shepard Boulevard to Cary’s Chapel Road. Two lanes will be operated in the southbound direction in the morning peak hours, and two lanes in the northbound direction in the afternoon peak hours. In the off-peak hours, the center lane will operate as a two-way center left turn lane. A new 1,500 feet long bridge will be constructed through the causeway area between Hampton and Poquoson, bringing the roadway surface elevation above the 100-year flood plain. A new signal will be constructed at the Wythe Creek/Cary’s Chapel Road intersection, and existing signals will be modified at the Voyager Drive and Langley Boulevard intersections. The existing roadway over the causeway will be repurposed to a sidewalk/multiuse path and new sidewalks will be constructed to provide a continuous pedestrian facility within the project area. The pavement north of Cary’s Chapel Road will be resurfaced.

Upon completion, this project will add capacity, reduce congestion, improve pedestrian accommodations, add street lighting, and improve roadway drainage. The completion date is August 27, 2027.

3. Hampton Hwy. (Rte. 134) Bridge Rehab over Rte. 17 - The purpose of this contract is to replace the bridge deck and approach slabs and make minor repairs to the superstructure and substructure of the existing bridge on Rt. 134 (Hampton Hwy.) over Rt 17. The northbound traffic lane of the Rt. 134 bridge will be temporarily closed during construction and traffic will be detoured to Rt. 17 south via Victory Blvd (Rt. 171). Temporary median crossover on the approach roadways will be provided to maintain southbound traffic on Rt. 134 during the two phase construction. The bridge is located at 0.2 miles north of Yorktown Road (Rt. 706), Hampton Roads District. All work will be confined to the bridge deck and lane closures will be needed at times. This project will be funded with Federal Maintenance funds. The estimated start date is July of 2025 with a completion date in December 2026.

4. Virginia's Smart Scale Program (Revenue Sharing):

(a) Route 17 Widening: This project will widen Rt. 17 (George Washington Memorial Highway) from 4 to 6 lanes between 1.5 miles north of Rt. 630 (Wolf Trap Rd.) and Rt. 173 (Denbigh Boulevard/Goodwin Neck Road). Project award date is April 2027.

(b). Route 171 Widening: This project will widen Route 171 (Victory Boulevard) from 5 to 6 lanes between Rt. 17 and Rt.134. The lane will run from the GI Joe on Rt.17 to the Shell gas station on Rt. 134. The project will improve capacity and operational deficiencies at the intersection of Rt. 17 and Rt. 171. Estimate cost is approximately $4.7 million. Project award date February 2, 2025.

(c). Victory Boulevard (Rt 171) capacity enhancements between Rts.134 (Hampton Hwy). and Rt.1740 (Heavens Way.) This project will decrease congestion by installing a center turn lane at North Boman (Holly Meade neighborhood), and shoulder improvements. The project includes installation of a shared use path along Rt. 171 between Rt. 134 and Heavens Way. The shared use path will connect to the paths being developed by HRSD behind Tabb High School. VDOT is currently analyzing project requirements. The contract award date for Victory Blvd. expansion is March 2028. Contract award date for the shared use path is January 2030.

5. I-64 Gap Widening Project between York County and Richmond – This is a Design Build Project. RFP advertisement was November 2023. April 2024 was the award. Completion is scheduled for November 2027. Thanks to Delegate Barry Knight for getting $500 million for the project.

6. Crosswalk Review - Meadowlake Rd. Based on a review by VDOT, the following is recommended for Meadowlake Rd. at the intersection with Murray Way, Lanahan Dr., and Susan Newton Ln (These roads are in or border the Victory at Tabb neighborhood):

(a) Install three High Visibility Crosswalk pavement markings are recommended on the north leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Murray Way, the north leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Lanahan Dr., and the south leg of Meadowlake Rd. and Susan Newton Ln.

(b) Install six Pedestrian Warning signs on Meadowlake Rd. and Murray Way, Lanahan Dr., and Susan Newton Ln. at the crosswalk locations on both sides of the street.

(d) The County should pursue the installation of supplemental pedestrian facilities along Meadowlake Rd including sidewalks and ramps.

7. Paving: VDOT has no road paving planned in District 5 for 2025.

Fiscal Year (FY) County Budget

The County’s Fiscal Year (FY) starts on July 1 and ends June 30. In planning the FY26 budget the County Administrator must consider the budget surplus from FY25. The surplus for FY25 is projected to be $3 million. Normally, the annual surplus runs between $6 million to $8 million. The annual surplus plays a key role in funding the County’s capital improvement program for buildings, schools, fire trucks, parks, etc. This represents a strong financial management practice because the surplus funds for capital projects helps reduce the County’s reliance on debt.

While the previous paragraph talked about FY25 end of year money, projections for FY26 indicate minimal revenue growth. The revenue growth is estimated to be approximately $3 million (2%) above the current year. This represents a significant shift from the past four years, when annual budget growth ranged from 5% to 9% or $6 to $12 million.

The anticipated low year-end surplus for FY25 along with the minimal revenue projection make the FY26 budget particularly challenging. The need to sustain current service levels amid rising costs, along with increasing demands for capital improvements, school funding, and competitive employee compensation, will place additional pressure on the budget.

To address these challenges, the Board of Supervisors has directed the County Administrator to explore all available options, including potential adjustments to fees and taxes. The County Administrator will present his recommended budget on March 18th

Sheriff’s Crime Report

York County remains a relatively safe place to live, work, and play. The numbers below from Sheriff Montgomery show that crime is down, and arrest are up. For example, in 2022 there were 22 robberies, in 2023 we had 16 robberies and in 2024 there were 8 robberies. Larceny from a vehicle is another example of the decreasing number of crimes. In 2022, there were 268 larcenies from vehicles. In 2023 and 2024, the larceny from vehicles cases dropped respectively to 134 and 139 cases.

Sheriff Montgomery initiated a program titled, “Not in York County.” The underlying warning to criminals is that if you commit a crime in York County you’re going to get caught. The program is being applied across all categories of crimes and is having great success.

Crime Rate per 100,000 population:

Year Population Incident Total Rate per 100,000 Adult Arrests

2023 71,806 2,574 3,584 1,171

2024 71,806 2,464 3,431 1,832

Change - 110 - 153 + 661

Traffic Enforcement:

Year Traffic Summons Issued

2023 3,420

2024 3,958

Change + 538

DUI Arrests

2023 84

2024 136

Change +52

Civil Process papers Served

2023 18,162

2024 18,665

Change +503

Drug Arrests

2023 56

2024 72

Change+16

Public Works Projects

Meadowlake Farms – Behind the townhouses, the County created 310 feet of covered ditch piping with minimal slope to match the existing ditch. This project greatly improved erosion control of the ditch along the back of the cluster home.

Meadowlake Farms Pipe Cleaning – County work crews blew out 465 feet of pipe across the homeowner’s association property from the rear of 306 Autumn Way to the crossing of Meadowlake Road. The pipes were severely blocked with erosion runoff. All work was done within the County’s drainage easement.

Wythe Creek Farms - The County work crew installed 406 feet of 30 inch slip lining through the steel re-enforced concrete pipe to repair multiple failing joints along Brentmeade. The slip lining is a real cost saver for the County.

Colony Pines – County work crew installed along Katalina Way 245 feet of 24 inch re-enforced slip lining to repair multiple failing pipe joints.

Olde Port Cove – The concrete swale in a ditch behind a home on Port Cove was repaired after tree damage to the ditch.adding words like "free," "personalized," "complimentary," or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take action, so consider inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"

Coyote Update

Several years ago, coyotes were rumored to have moved into the western portion of Virginia. We never saw them here. Now, I can tell you for certain that they are here. They have been seen on nearby military bases and behind the new Sheriff’s building. This month I saw three coyotes cross Big Bethel Road near Tabb Elementary School. They are known to be very active, mostly at night, between March - August.

Coyotes are normally timid but may not run away from you unless you harass them by either throwing something at them or shouting and waving your arms. However, keep in mind that coyotes have been known to attack humans and their pets. I recently saw a video of a coyote tentatively chasing after a small child in the backyard of a home. The coyote got within about three feet of the child before the dad was able to disrupt the encounter. If you don’t want coyotes around your home don’t leave food laying out. Coyotes are attracted to dog, cat and bird food, and dirty BBQ grills. Also, if you have an elevated shed or open crawl space under your house, don’t be surprised if one day you find a coyote litter occupying the space. One final note, the County’s Animal Control unit will not remove wild animals from your home or property. Animal Control may provide advice as to how you might address the situation.

Board of Supervisors Actions

1. Election of Officers - At the January 7, 2025, Board of Supervisors Organization Meeting, the Supervisors elected Mrs. Sheila Noll (District 2) as Chair and Mr. Doug Holroyd (District 1) as Vice Chair. These positions are held for one year. Mrs. Noll is now in her 30^th year on the Board. Mr. Holroyd is in his first term.

I continue to serve as the York County representative to the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization (HRTPO), the Hampton Roads Transportation Accountability Commission (HRTAC), and Hampton Roads Military and Federal Alliance (HRMFFA).

2. Sexually Oriented Businesses (SOB) - Amended York County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 24.1 pertaining to Sexually Oriented Business in York County. Until this amendment, SOB was unregulated in York County. The amendment was carefully crafted so as not to run afoul of the U.S. Constitution and State Code on issues of freedom of speech and freedom of self-expression. Governments cannot outright ban a SOB. However, the courts allow governments to regulate, within reason, the secondary effects of certain businesses. Here are some of the restrictions that are now in place for SOB:

Cannot operate as a home business
Cannot operate within 500 feet of an existing or planned residential development, nursing home, place of worship, park, hotel/motel, timeshare, and another SOB
No underage access
Must close by 11 PM

3. Organizational Assessment & Staffing Study - The Berkley Group provided the assessment and report. The purpose of the assessment was to review and analyze York County’s operational structure, staffing levels, policies and procedures, workflow, and opportunities for improving efficiency. The report is over 100 pages.

My takeaway from the assessment is that the County has too few people doing too much and there appears to be an inconsistency in use of documentation and systems to organize and coordinate activities. The Berkley group recommended reorganization of positions within various divisions, the addition of 17 staffers over a period of years, and the positioning of some staff functions to the upper end of the county. I estimate that implementing all the recommendations from the assessment will cost us between $3 million to $4 million.

4. Sheriff Montgomery - The Board recognized Sheriff Ron Montgomery for 50 years of exceptional service to York County.

5. Towing Advisory Board - This Board provides recommended guidance on towing service related to policing, i.e., accidents and arrest. The County code will identify the towing service requirements such as which businesses can participate, the required response time and pricing levels. For example, if you are in a vehicle accident that requires a towing service, onsite law enforcement will contact a pre-approved towing company that must respond within 30 minutes. The price of the towing service will already be set. It is important to note that without insurance coverage the vehicle owner will be charged for any towing, storage and delivery fees. The Board of Supervisors will approve the Towing Code later this year.

Information on the Foundation for Public Education

The York Foundation for Public Education (YFPE) serves to channel and further expand the resources of the citizenry and business sector to the school division. The goals and objectives adopted by this Foundation require collaborative effort of individuals, families and businesses.

The YFPE’s focus is to enhance a tradition of Excellence in York County schools and to keep the division rated in the top 5% of public schools in Virginia. Donations benefit the students and teachers in some, but not all, of the following ways:

Grants to Teachers for Innovation and STEM-focused educational projects towards Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOL) K-12

Recognition of exemplary student achievement

Grants for school-wide initiatives that help re-shape, enhance or improve education for all students within the school

Career education programs that emphasize the needs and requirements of local businesses

To donate or learn more about YFPE, you can visit the website at YFPE.yorkcountyschools.org. 100% of all donations (after cost) are returned directly to the Foundation programs.

* Comments and opinions expressed in the District 5 Report are authorized and approved by me and do not necessarily represent the position of other elected representatives. All email correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act and to the Virginia Public Records Act, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement.

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