July 24, 2026 |
Happy Friday, Historic Triangle!
More rain is heading our way, but we'll get a break from the heat and humidity.
Highs will be in the mid to low 80s Friday through Sunday, with scattered showers expected on Saturday, according to WTKR News 3 Meteorologist Myles Henderson.
Temperatures will climb into the 90s on Tuesday, and the humidity will tick back up.
|
 |
This weekend's forecast. (Image by Myles Henderson/WTKR News 3) |
Additional storms are possible on Tuesday and Wednesday as a cold front moves across the area.
Now to the news.
-Christin |
|
|
|
James City County police aim to 'bring the community together' with National Night Out |
by Melania Frye |
 |
Families greet James City County police officers during National Night Out. (Photo courtesy of JCCPD) |
Neighborhoods across James City County will participate in outdoor block parties and receive visits from local police officers on Aug. 4 for National Night Out (NNO).
The annual event, which occurs on the first Tuesday of August, is meant to bring law enforcement and residents together in a campaign for safer neighborhoods.
A nationwide movement, NNO encourages strong partnerships between police officers and their communities while also urging neighbors to connect with one another.
For decades, the campaign has sought to positively impact communities by replacing symbolic efforts with meaningful community events, including cookouts, festivals and parades.
The James City County Police Department (JCCPD) is organizing its own National Night Out as part of the nationwide celebration.
Sergeant Jimmie Reardon, who serves in JCCPD’s Community Services division, said the general plan is to ensure police officers spend quality time in the neighborhoods they protect.
“We want to create positive interactions, build trust, encourage open communication and give residents an opportunity to get to know our officers in a relaxed and welcoming environment,” Reardon told The Triangle.
The department has designed a route through the county that will make it possible for officers to visit partner agencies and businesses, as well as neighborhoods that registered for participation.
Each neighborhood and partner organization will host their own local activities, all meant to foster a sense of unity in the county.
Larger goals involve encouraging relationship-building between citizens and law enforcement, promoting crime prevention and strengthening community bonds.
The central meeting point for National Night Out is the Abram Frink Jr. Community Center and James River Elementary School.
There will be swag bags for kids, family-friendly activities, displays of police vehicles and equipment and “always great food,” according to Patty Schlosser, the department's public information officer.
"With the one main location at James River Elementary School, we can remain stationary in a place which is convenient and accessible to all. This is also allowing us to set up a dunk tank," Schlosser said. "Chief Jamison has already promised he’ll participate." |
 |
James City County police officers mingle with residents for NNO. (Photo courtesy of JCCPD) |
Police officers will engage with residents in each neighborhood, providing opportunities for people to ask questions and connect with the officers.
In past years, the route was much longer, which shortened the time officers could spend in each part of the county, Reardon said. This year, a condensed route will allow residents more time with officers.
“I would encourage everyone to come out, meet our officers and spend some time with their neighbors,” Reardon said. “National Night Out is about building relationships, strengthening trust and bringing the community together.”
NNO visits will take place in the following neighborhoods:
- Chickahominy Haven
- Chickahominy Road
- Fenwick Hills
- Great Woods
- Lafayette Village
- Landfall at Jamestown
- Rolling Meadows
- The Pointe at Jamestown
- James River Elementary
In addition to the festivities hosted by the police department, each neighborhood can choose to offer their own activities. Some suggestions on James City County’s website include block parties, ice cream socials, cookouts, neighborhood walks, safety demonstrations and children’s activities.
“National Night Out is an annual event that the police department participates in, and we look forward to continuing to build on the event each year,” Reardon said.
Reardon’s hope is to continue to foster meaningful bonds between the department and the people it serves, outside of emergency situations and typical day-to-day interactions.
National Night Out events will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4. The full schedule is available here.
“We want our residents to know that we are here for them, not just during an emergency, but every day. Events like National Night Out give us the opportunity to connect, have meaningful conversations and continue building strong partnerships throughout James City County,” Reardon said. |
|
|
NEWS TO KNOW |
York County voters will weigh in on sales tax referendum in November |
 |
York Hall. (Photo courtesy of York County) |
The York County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday to include a referendum on the November ballot that would add a local sales tax of up to 1% to fund school construction and renovations.
Of note: The supervisors' action does not establish a new tax but allows voters to decide whether sthe county should implement the tax. |
|
|
If approved by voters, the measure would generate about $12 million in additional revenue for schools each year. The tax would remain in effect for 20 years or until the projects are paid off. |
|
|
|
|
Supervisor Stephen Roane said while he understood the reasoning behind the tax proposal, he is worried the referendum is being rushed. |
"I understand the driver behind it," Roane said. "I'm hung up on the speed at which we're moving with this. The ink is barely dried on adopting the legislation to allow this, and we haven't had an opportunity to even look at what's option B, what is option C." |
|
|
The remaining supervisors, nonetheless, agreed that it would be reasonable to allow the referendum to move forward. |
"If they don't like it, they don't like it," Supervisor Sheila Noll said. "If they like it, then we move forward." |
Looking ahead: The referendum was approved 4-1, with Roane dissenting. The question will appear on the ballot in the Nov. 3 election. |
If voters approve the referendum, the Board will have the authority to adopt an ordinance imposing the additional 1% sales tax, which will apply to goods sold in York County. Groceries and personal hygiene products would be exempt. If voters do not approve it, the sales tax cannot go into effect. |
|
|
Death investigation underway after 73-year-old man's body discovered on Richmond Road |
 |
A James City County police vehicle. (Photo courtesy of JCCPD) |
James City County police are investigating after a 73-year-old man's body was found outside on Richmond Road.
Upon responding to the scene around 8:40 a.m. on Tuesday, officers discovered the body in the wood line near the 5300 block. |
|
|
|
|
Anyone with information about this case is asked to submit an anonymous tip by calling 1-888-LOCK-U-UP, downloading the P3 tips mobile app or visiting www.P3tips.com. |
|
|
CIVIC NOTES |
The James City County Police Department is accepting applications for the 57th Citizens Police Academy. Members of the public aged 18 and older are invited to sign up for an opportunity to gain insight into law enforcement practices and procedures. Applications must be submitted by Aug. 1. The free, 12-week program will run from Aug. 19 to Nov. 18, with classes held weekly on Wednesday from 7 - 9 p.m. The Academy is limited to 30 participants. |
James City County citizens are invited to attend a town hall meeting hosted by Supervisors Barbara Null and Tracy Wainwright at 6:30 p.m. on July 30 at James City County Library, 7770 Croaker Road. Featured topics will include VDOT road improvement plans, updates on the Kongsberg industrial property's construction and other projects under consideration by the Board. A Q&A will follow. |
The City of Williamsburg is hosting a public information session about the proposed shared-use path along Strawberry Plains Road and John Tyler Lane from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 28. The meeting will be held in the community room of the Williamsburg Police Station, 615 Lafayette Street. Attendees will learn about plans for phase 2 of College Woods Circuit, an extension of the Virginia Capital Trail. City staff and design firm Timmons Group will provide a brief presentation, collect feedback and answer questions. |
York County residents are invited to take part in the third installment of the York County Gov Series, an 11-week program designed to give community members an inside look at how government works. Participants will discover the departments, services and decision-making processes that keep the county running and meet the leaders who serve the community. The application deadline is Aug. 11, and classes begin on Sept. 3. |
|
|
CRIME REWIND |
|
|
|
|
|
|
IN THE HEADLINES |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LOWEST GAS PRICES TODAY |
 |
All prices shown are per GasBuddy. To check the latest prices based on zip code, click here. |
|
|
This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen and Melania Frye. Thanks for reading! |
|
|
📰 Sign up to receive The Triangle's free weekly newsletters here.
🖥️ Visit our website to read previous articles.
📧 Want to reach out? Email christin@thetriangle.news or reply to this email. |
The Triangle exists thanks to the generous donations of readers who make our work possible. |
| Support Our Work |
|
Text |
No comments:
Post a Comment