December 11, 2020

District 4 Board of Supervisors Vacancy Filled

At a meeting on Tuesday, December 8, the Board of Supervisors appointed G. Stephen Roane to fill the District 4 seat left vacant by the resignation of previous Board member Jeffrey D. Wassmer. Mr. Roane and the five other applicants made presentations to the Board of Supervisors during the meeting in York Hall. Following the presentations, the Board deliberated before appointing Mr. Roane to the position. Congratulations to Mr. Roane on his appointment to the Board. Contact information for all five Board members is available on the website.

Tourism Development Awarded Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) Recovery Marketing Leverage Grant

York County Tourism Development has received $20,000 from the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s (VTC) Recovery Marketing Leverage Program (RMLP). This grant is designed to help tourism entities within the Commonwealth to attract more visitors by leveraging limited marketing dollars through a local match of state grants funds.

The Tourism Office will use the funding to continue to tell the story of Yorktown with a goal of increasing awareness and visitation to the destination, and therefore stimulating economic activity and future travel. The funds will also support a targeted video campaign; increased digital and search advertising; targeted email campaigns; and a more prominent presence in the Virginia Travel Guide. All of the aforementioned initiatives will tie in with the Virginia is for Lovers brand campaigns.

“Tourism is a crucial section of the Virginia economy and when we invest in this industry, we support local job creation and drive regional economic growth, which is desperately needed now due to the pandemic,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “These funds give localities and businesses access to critical marketing resources that will help bring more travelers to our Commonwealth, increase visitor spending, and grow demand for Virginia products.”

“There’s no doubt the pandemic has had a devastating impact on the tourism and hospitality industries including here in Yorktown,” shared York County Tourism Manager Kristi Olsen. “Opportunities such as this from the VTC allow us to remain a relevant and desirable destination year-round in Virginia. It also helps us to continue to collaborate with local businesses, attractions, and community partners to create innovative campaigns to inspire people to come eat, stay, and play in our tip of the Historic Triangle.”

Saturday’s Mistletoe Market has Extended Hours for Your Holiday Shopping!

The Historic Yorktown waterfront will transform into a Christmas wonderland for the final Market Days event of the year. During the extended hours of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 12, children of all ages are invited to participate in this FREE fun for the community.

NEW this year - a festive live ice-carving demonstration! Don’t forget to don your most spirited attire (including a festive face covering) to march in our Toyland Parade which will make a short loop around Riverwalk to celebrate the holiday season. This community tradition will be led by the Fifes and Drums of York Town.

Additional information is available on the Market’s website.

We are taking important precautions to keep our customers and vendors safe amidst COVID-19 concerns, including required spacing between vendors and a setup to avoid congestion in typically high-traffic areas. All vendors and staff are required to wear face coverings when interacting with customers who are less than six feet away. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up as you enter, as well as signs stating that no one with a fever or symptoms of COVID-19, or known exposure to a COVID-19 case in the prior 14 days, is permitted to shop the market.

Parks and Recreation Taking Registrations for Start Smart Basketball, Adult Fitness Classes

Parents! Register your 5, 6, or 7 year old in Start Smart Basketball to help them learn the basics of this sport. Weekly sessions are held at 5:45 p.m. on Tuesdays from January 5 through February 9 at three locations: Grafton Bethel Elementary, Tabb Elementary, or Yorktown Elementary. Additional information and registration are available online. Please register by December 29.
Register now for Adult Fitness Classes at Grafton Bethel Elementary School. Class sizes are limited and participants will be spaced ten feet apart. Classes begin the week of January 11 – perfect timing for New Year’s Resolutions! Courses offered include Hi/Lo Combo, Yoga, Interval Training, Zumba, and Strength Training. Cost is $40 for residents. Additional information and registration are available online by January 8.

Peninsula Health District Offers Free Testing at Eight Sites December 12-19

The demand for COVID-19 testing has increased dramatically since Thanksgiving. The Peninsula Health District is partnering with the Hampton Health District to offer free testing beginning as soon as tomorrow (12/12). Testing is available for those ages 12 and up. The dates, times and locations are available on the Peninsula Health District’s Facebook page.

Additional COVID-19 information and links are available on the County’s COVID-19 Connection.

Colonial National Historical Park Rate Increase Begins January 1, 2021

The New Year will bring new rates to the Colonial National Historical Park: Yorktown Visitor Center and Battlefield Tour Roads, Jamestown Visitor Center, Glasshouse and the Jamestown Island Drive Tour Road. Complete details are available on the Park’s 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. If you wish to get the most recent news every week, please subscribe here. Questions? Contact Gail Whittaker, Public Information Officer: (757) 890-3310 (office); (757) 817-2665 (cell); or whittgl@yorkcounty.gov.