March 2022
March 25, 2022
Spring Events Return; Jobseekers Wanted; Camp Registration Begins
Visit Yorktown Announces Upcoming Events
As spring arrives, events and attractions return. The Gallery at York Hall reopens April 1 with hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 1 to 4 p.m. on Sundays; the Yorktown Trolley is back running its route throughout town; Yorktown Market Days returns April 9 with markets on Saturdays through October; and coming up is the Pirates Invade Yorktown weekend (April 23 and 24), Historic Garden Week (April 27), Blues, Brews and BBQ (May 7), and Art at the River Juried Art Show (May 8). Check out the Visit Yorktown blog with local spring break ideas on the website. The blog is updated throughout the season.
York County Participates in the Regional Job Fair April 7
Are you looking for a new job? Want to begin a new rewarding career? Be sure to check out our website and visit us at the Hampton Roads Regional Job Fair from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Thursday, April 7, at the Hampton Roads Convention Center (1610 Coliseum Drive). Bring copies of your resume and apply on site for entry level jobs on up to professional positions!
Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg Gives Back to the Community
The Bicycle Co-Op of Williamsburg opens its doors with an official ribbon-cutting April 1. This non-profit’s mission is to accept donated bicycles, refurbish them, and donate them back to those who need them. An area for bicycle repair will be available and kids will be taught the benefits of safe cycling. The Co-Op is located at 601-E Merrimac Trail (James York Shopping Plaza). Email your questions to the Co-Op.
Start Thinking About Kids Summer Camps
Parks and Recreation offers several full and half-day camps for young athletes. Camps include soccer, baseball, volleyball, golf and tennis. Space is limited. Registration begins April 1, so don’t delay! This is just a small sampling of the camps being offered by York County Parks and Recreation this summer. Visit the website for the list of summer activities and programs.
Additional Notes for the Week…Historian and author Amy Waters Yarsinske presents “Flyboys Over Hampton Roads” at 3 p.m. on Sunday (3/27) in York Hall. This free lecture is presented by the York County Historical Committee. Don’t forget, when weather threatens, call the Rainout Line for information about sports leagues and field conditions.
Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.
March 18, 2022
Tax Relief Deadline, Proposed FY2023 Budget Released, County Job Opportunities Posted
2022 Tax Relief Deadline Approaching
York County offers a program for taxpayers who are age 65 or older or permanently disabled. Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled exempts, or partially exempts, the tax on their real estate or mobile home. An application must be filed with the Commissioner of the Revenue, annually, by April 1. Read more details and find an application here. There is also a tax exemption on real property for qualified veterans that are 100% service-connected, permanent and totally disabled, or surviving spouse due April 1. Find out details and to see if you qualify here.
The Commissioner of Social Services Comes To York County
York-Poquoson Department of Social Services welcomed a special visitor this week in honor of Social Services Awareness Month. Dr. Danny Avula, newly appointed by Governor Youngkin, held a “meet and greet” at the local office as one of his first field visits. Dr. Avula had a chance to meet the team and thank these unsung heroes for all they do to serve the families in our community. The Commissioner received a lot of positive comments and feedback for the good work being done by YPDSS and shared what his office is doing to support their efforts. As one of the higher performing agencies in the State, York County was specially selected for this personal visit.
FY2023 Proposed Budget Now Available Online
Neil Morgan, York County Administrator presented his proposed FY2023 budget at the Tuesday (3/15) Board of Supervisors meeting. This is the budget that will begin July 1, 2022 and run through June 30, 2023. Morgan shared the budget drivers and priorities but also cautioned that changes may occur depending on any General Assembly actions (i.e. grocery sales tax). The full budget document is available online now along with a link to the replay of the presentation. Comments on this proposed budget may be emailed to the Board at bos@yorkcounty.gov.
Registration Is Open for Youth Bike Series at New Quarter Park
Youth ages 5 to 17, interested in competing in any of the races may now register online to secure their spot for Weekend on Your Wheels at New Quarter Park! There are 3 race days offered: April 3, April 10, and May 1. The fee is $10 per race or $25 for the entire series. Space for each race will be limited, so be sure to register soon! For more information or to register, visit our website at www.yorkcounty.gov/parksandrec.
Additional Notes for the Week… York County is Hiring! Check out all the postings here including openings in the Emergency Communications-911 center; Summer Part-time jobs; and Seasonal Grounds Maintenance positions with a starting pay that just increased $2 an hour. Other benefits for full-time employees include paid time off, affordable healthcare, and pension. 2022 4-H Junior Summer Camp Online Only Registration opens tomorrow Saturday, March 19th at 9:00 a.m. York/Poquoson camp week is scheduled for August 1-5 at the Jamestown 4-H Educational Center. More information and links to register are posted on our website.
Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.
March 11, 2022
This Weekend’s Events are Rain or Shine; Scam Alert;
Get Ready to Spring Ahead!
Winter Markets Conclude; 2022 Market Days Season Begins April 9
March is certainly making itself known in terms of weather. Tomorrow’s final Winter Market (3/12) is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and, due to the forecast, has been moved to the lower level of the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace. Vendors will be available with all your favorite items: produce, baked goods, homemade arts, and so much more. Look to return to Riverwalk Landing on Saturdays 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., beginning April 9 for the 2022 Market Days season! Several markets have themes and we start off with a bang: the Go Green Market with a focus on sustainability. You can start by ditching the plastic and bringing your reusable shopping bags! More information about Yorktown Market Days is available on the Visit Yorktown website.
Tomorrow’s Household Chemical Collection/Shred Event Happens Rain or Shine!
Based on the forecast, it appears to be rain. This is the County’s first 2022 Household Chemical Collection/Computer Recycling/Shred Event. Bring your items to the County’s Public Works Building, 105 Service Drive (off Goodwin Neck Road), for safe disposal. The list of acceptable items is available on the Waste Management Center website and up to five boxes of documents are allowed for shredding.
March 6-12 is National Consumer Protection Week; Stay Alert!
To help protect consumers, Dominion Energy released a helpful list of steps to take if you believe you may have been contacted by a scammer: Slow Down – don’t fall for a pressure tactic; Stop – Dominion Energy never demands immediate payment and does not accept prepaid or gift cards; Hang Up – if the caller asks for personal information, don’t give it to them and disconnect the call; Verify – fact check the scammer’s claims by signing into the Dominion app, website, or by calling the number on your bill; Ignore – don’t respond to suspicious emails or texts. For more information on avoiding scams, visit the Dominion Energy website.
NASA Skywatchers Return to New Quarter Park March 26
Register by March 23 to join the NASA Skywatchers Club as they study the night sky. Telescopes will be set up for individuals to use to view stars and planets from 8 to 10 p.m. You will be amazed by all you can see! This program is free, but space is limited so sign up today! Weather may impact this event. Be sure to check with the Rainout Line for the status of this event.
Drug Take Back Coming Up in April
Twice a year, the County participates in the DEA’s Drug Take Back, a quick and easy way to safely dispose of prescription medications. 2022’s first Drug Take Back in York County is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at the Public Works Building, 105 Service Drive. Bring unused or expired medication, and personal paperwork for shredding. A shred truck will be provided for on-site shredding services. The Beautification Committee will collect non-perishable foods for donations to a local food pantry. Plastic bags collected during this event will be included in the County’s Trex Plastic Bag Recycling program. (The date published in the Beautiful York County Calendar is incorrect. Please be sure to mark your calendar with the April 30 drop off date!)
Additional Notes for the Week…As seen in the most recent issue of Citizen News Quarterly, York/Poquoson Cooperative Extension’s Healthy Lawns program begins soon. More information is available on the website. Tick tock goes the clock! And this weekend we spring ahead with Daylight Saving Time beginning at 2 a.m. on Sunday. When you change your clocks, be sure to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to be sure they are functioning correctly. Also, batteries should be replaced every six months. Get ready to dial 10 instead of 7! Beginning April 9, all local calls made within the Virginia 757 area code must be placed using 10 digits (area code + the 7-digit telephone number). On and after this date, calls placed using just 7 digits will not be completed.
Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.
March 4, 2022
March Programs; Winter Market; Celebrating Social Services Awareness Month
Local Author Will Share Stories of the Flyboys Over Hampton Roads
On Sunday, March 27th, noted historian and author Amy Waters Yarsinske will speak about the little-known history of aviation in Hampton Roads. The lecture, sponsored by the York County Historical Committee, is free and open to the public, 3:00 pm in York Hall, 301 Main Street in Yorktown. The lecture is based on Ms. Yarsinske’s book Flyboys Over Hampton Roads. In her talk, she will trace the beginnings of military aviation during World War I in Hampton Roads and will discuss the daring young men and women who flew on to fame and into history with their record-breaking flights as well as describe the tragic losses that were inevitable in early flight. Seating is limited. More information is available on the Historical Committee’s website.
60 Degrees and Sunny for Tomorrow’s Winter Market
The forecast is looking perfect for the rescheduled Yorktown Market Days Winter Market tomorrow, Saturday, March 5! Riverwalk Landing is the place to be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to shop for tea, popcorn, chocolate, chowder, and much more! Our talented local artists will be selling some special items for spring, including charming St. Patrick's Day and Easter designs. To see this week's list of vendors, click here. There’s just one more (March 12) and then the countdown is on to the April 9, Market Days Season kick-off!
Women’s History Month Special Programming on WYCG-TV
Watch WYCG-TV (Cox 46, Verizon 38) in March as we salute Women’s History Month. Specially produced features for this month’s celebration highlight the accomplishments of five of the many important women making history in our community. These will air along with special program blocks showcasing the women of NASA, the Military, our Parks Service, and the Arts. Want to see all the WYCG-TV programs on demand click here to watch online www.yorkcounty.gov.tv.
Put on Your Dancing Shoes; March Senior Center Programs Posted
Registration ends March 10th Registration ends March 10 for Beginner and Upper Beginner Line Dancing classes at the Senior Center of York. Classes will be held on Mondays beginning March 14 through April 11. To register, and find out more about programs and activities at the Senior Center please visit their website.
Additional Notes for the Week…The Commissioner of the Revenue Office is open for appointments and walk-ins. Be sure to visit their website for all the ways to transact business. Summer Fun Camp registration is now open! Check out all the dates and fees and look for more details coming soon!
Citizen News Weekly is compiled and published by York County Public Affairs each Friday to share news and events with our citizens and neighbors. This weekly newsletter is placed on our website and delivered directly to your inbox. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.