James City County Seeks Input on Bacteria Clean-up Plan
James City County is seeking comments on a draft update to the Bacteria TMDL Action Plan for Powhatan, Mill and Skiffes Creeks, which describes how the county will meet the pollution diets for these streams.
In order to restore Virginia waterways to health, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issues pollution diets setting limits on the amount of bacteria that can enter county waterways with documented high bacteria pollution. These limits are known as Total Maximum Daily Loads, the county said.
As a community with a municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit, James City County said it must take action to reduce the bacteria in stormwater runoff to the levels dictated by the TMDL. Reducing storm runoff pollution is a long-term effort and the County has a long history of working to accomplish the needed reductions.
In order to utilize county resources effectively and provide information to the VADEQ, the County developed a Bacteria TMDL Action Plan for Powhatan, Mill and Skiffes Creeks in 2017, updated in 2020. The latest draft update to the Action Plan including the Lower Chickahominy River watershed has been developed and is available online.
Comments will be accepted through May 3. Written comments may be submitted via mail at 101-E Mounts Bay Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185 or to stormwater@
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and AAA wants to remind motorists of the dangers of driving distracted and the steps they can take today to curb it.
Traffic crash data from the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles shows the following for the Commonwealth and our local region:
Here are AAA’s Top Tips to Avoid Distractions While Driving:
- Prepare for your drive. Set vehicle systems like GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time. And please, finish dressing and personal grooming at home – before you get on the road.
- Put aside electronic distractions. Never use text messaging, email, video games or internet functions, including those built into the vehicle, while driving. Stow your smartphone away, turn it to airplane mode, or activate “do not disturb” call/text blocking features.
- Stay focused. Do not let anything divert your attention. Be sure to actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. If you have passengers, enlist their help as a “designated texter.” Ask them to answer your calls, respond to texts and program the navigation.
For more information, visit AAA.com/dontdrivedistracted.
Drive Safe Hampton Roads to Present 34th Annual John T. Hanna Awards
Drive Safe Hampton Roads, a nonprofit regional traffic safety coalition dedicated to reducing traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in Hampton Roads will present its John T. Hanna Awards for Excellence in Traffic Safety Wednesday, April 30 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission board room.
The awards are presented annually to individuals and organizations who demonstrate exceptional effort promoting and encouraging traffic safety within Hampton Roads.
This year’s recipients:
- Sergeant Chad A. Beale (Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office) — Impaired Driving Prevention
- Officer Kasey Bogue (Suffolk Police Department) — Law Enforcement Initiatives
- Officer Joseph Anderson-Hodgin (Suffolk Police Department) — Law Enforcement Initiatives
- Trooper Adelaide Fischer (Virginia State Police) — Youth Traffic Safety
- Christy King (Christopher King Foundation) — Occupant Protection
- Deputy Brad E. Hughes (Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office) — Martin H. Schlosser Award for Traffic Safety Activism
- Kristin Pettway (DRIVE SMART Virginia) — Transportation Safety
The awards luncheon is sponsored by Sentara Health.
Virginia529 Education Savings Program Rebrands to Invest529, Celebrates with Tuition Giveaway
The Virginia529 education savings program is now called Invest529, and to mark the moment, individuals and families can enter to win four years of college tuition during a special giveaway, open now through April 30.
Participants simply watch a short video at Invest529.com and complete an entry form for the chance to win four years of tuition valued at $62,000, based on the average in-state tuition at Virginia colleges and universities, the organization said.
The refreshed name helps clarify the distinction between the education savings program and the organization behind it, which has now rebranded as Commonwealth Savers, which manages three, tax-advantaged savings programs, it said.
To read the terms and conditions and enter the giveaway for a chance to win four years of college tuition, visit Invest529.com.
Honoring Those Who Lost Their Lives in the Virginia Tech Mass Shooting on April 16, 2007
William & Mary’s Queens Guard placed a wreath at the foot of the Sunken Garden April 16 to recognize the anniversary and honor those who lost their lives in the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings.
