New Kent Middle School Theatre Earns Platinum Rating
New Kent County Public Schools recently the performance of the New Kent Middle School Theatre Department at the Virginia Theatre Association’s Middle School Play Festival, where the group earned the highest possible recognition, Platinum rating, in addition to multiple individual and ensemble awards.
The division said the NKMS Theatre Department impressed audiences and judges alike with their production of “Ariadne’s Thread: The Adventures of Theseus and the Minotaur.” The group received Judges’ Discretionary Awards for Best Choreography and The Chorus is the Star, as well as Best Costumes and Best Ensemble.
In addition to the ensemble honors, several students earned individual recognition. Four students, including Lilly Batchelder, Kayleigh Friedel, Gavin O’Neal, and Mady Taggart, received All-Star Cast medals, while Liam Courtney and Kieran Phillips were named Top Actors.
The Platinum rating earned by the group was not only the highest possible score, but also the highest among all participating middle schools at this year’s festival. For more information about the VTA Middle School Play Festival, visit its website.
New Kent High School and New Kent Middle School Earn Purple Star Designation
New Kent County Public Schools recently announced that New Kent High School and New Kent Middle School were awarded the Virginia Purple Star Designation for the 2025-26 school year for their commitment to supporting military-connected students and families.
Both NKHS and NKMS completed all required activities to earn this first-time designation, which is valid for three school years. The schools will receive official Recognition Resolutions and Purple Star Challenge Coins — a tribute to the military tradition of honoring those who contribute to the mission.
The Virginia Purple Star Designation is awarded to military-friendly schools that have demonstrated a major commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military. Schools that earn this honor receive special Purple Star recognition to display onsite, signifying their dedication to creating welcoming and supportive environments for military families.
Last year, there were 490 schools across the Commonwealth of Virginia that held an active Purple Star designation. For more information about the division’s support for military families, visit the NKCPS Military Families webpage or contact Division Military Liaison Pam Brooks at 804- 966-8518. For more information about the VDOE Purple Star Designation Program for Schools, visit the VDOE website.
DMV Honors Purple Heart Recipients with Reserved Parking Spaces
The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, along with state officials and veterans, recently honored Veterans Day by unveiling one of 16 new dedicated parking spaces reserved for Purple Heart recipients.
The DMV has installed signature purple-and-white signs to designate one reserved parking spot at each of 16 participating CSCs across the state. The DMV selected the locations were based on the number of Purple Heart recipients in nearby communities. These spaces are located near building entrances, usually adjacent to the handicapped spots, to make DMV visits accessible for Purple Heart recipients.
This initiative is part of the national Purple Heart Parking Project, which honors and raises awareness of the bravery and sacrifices of service members. For more information about the Purple Heart Project, visit purpleheart.org.
Cleaning and Restoration of Historic Grace Church Yorktown Cemetery Gravestones
On Thursday, Oct. 23, the Historic Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown Cemetery Committee met for its semi-annual meeting. In attendance were members of the Grace Church Creation Committee to share ideas and suggestions on preserving and enhancing cemetery green spaces. The Cemetery Cleaning/Restoration Workshop was led by Rachel Popp, Curator, Isle of Wight County Museum. Using methods and materials approved by the Veterans Administration and the Virginia Department of Historic Services, many historic cemetery monuments and gravestones were carefully cleaned by committee members, parishioners and friends of Grace Church.
Hampton Roads Achievement in Community Theater Awards Winners Announced
The Hampton Roads Achievement in Community Theater Awards recently announced the winners for its 2024-25 season at its second annual ceremony at the Ferguson Center at Christopher Newport University.
Winners included the Little Theatre of Virginia Beach taking home the “ACTy” for Best Season Series for the second year in a row while sweeping the Best Play and Best Musical categories. John Cauthen won two acting awards for roles at Peninsula Community Theatre and Williamsburg Players, and Jessi DiPette, Kathy Hinson, Mike Hallberg, and Jennifer Kelly-Cooper each took home a trophy for the second year in a row. A complete list of winners can be found online.
The Hampton Roads Achievement in Community Theater Awards, or the “ACTys” for short, are organized and put on by a small group of locals who love community theater and want to see it grow and thrive in the Hampton Roads area.
Langley Federal Credit Union Announces New CEO
Langley Federal Credit Union recently announced its Board of Directors has selected Gaurav Bhatia as President/Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Tom Ryan, who is retiring after 13 years leading Langley.
Bhatia brings more than two decades of executive experience spanning financial services, technology, and business transformation. Most recently, he served as Chief Marketing, Digital and Experience Officer, as well as Head of Retail Deposits at PenFed Credit Union. He has also held senior roles at several Fortune 500 organizations, including AARP, Capital One, NewDay USA, Sabre Holdings and NIIT Technologies, serving clients in the travel and financial services sectors.
Bhatia and Ryan are working closely together to ensure a smooth transition through the end of 2025, Langley said.
Dominion Energy Declares Quarterly Dividend of 66.75 Cents
The board of directors of Dominion Energy declared a quarterly dividend of 66.75 cents per share of common stock.
Dividends are payable on Dec. 20, to shareholders of record at the close of business Dec. 5.
This is the 391st consecutive dividend that Dominion Energy or its predecessor company has paid holders of common stock. The company’s last quarterly dividend was declared July 31.
Dominion Energy Announces Third-Quarter 2025 Results
Dominion Energy Inc. announced unaudited net income determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP or reported earnings) for the three months ended Sept. 30 of $1.0 billion ($1.16 per share) compared with net income of $934 million ($1.09 per share) for the same period in 2024.
Operating earnings (non-GAAP) for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2025, were $921 million ($1.06 per share), compared to operating earnings of $836 million ($0.98 per share) for the same period in 2024.
Differences between GAAP and operating earnings for the period include gains and losses on nuclear decommissioning trust funds, mark-to-market impact of economic hedging activities and other adjustments, it said.
The company said it narrowed its existing 2025 operating earnings guidance range to $3.33 to $3.48 per share, inclusive of estimated RNG 45Z income, preserving the original midpoint of $3.40 per share. The company expects to be at or above the midpoint of the guidance range, assuming normal weather for the remainder of the year. The company reaffirmed its long-term operating earnings per share growth guidance of 5% to 7% through 2029 off 2025 operating earnings per share midpoint excluding RNG 45Z ($3.30 per share). The company also reaffirmed its existing credit and dividend guidance.
Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution
At the Williamsburg Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution meeting on Oct. 11, President John Lynch made the following presentations:
