Policy on the #NNK

Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake is holding the virtual Chesapeake conversation Show Some Love: Sustainable Valentine’s Thursday, February 2 at 7:00 pm . Participants will learn about ways to demonstrate their love for the Chesapeake Bay. The two guest speakers are Imani Black and Josh Chamberlain. Imani is an African American oyster farmer from the Eastern Shore of Maryland and founder of Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA) and Josh founded Go Green OC , an environmental nonprofit transforming Ocean City into the first zero waste resort town in the country. Have questions about the event? Contact IPC staffer Mollie Rudow via email or by phone, (443) 926-4559.

Westmoreland County Westmoreland County supes meet Monday, February 13 at 6:00 pm at the George D. English, Sr. Memorial Building. The Westmoreland County School Board will meet Thursday, February 2 at 6:00 pm at Gerald B. Roane Center for Excellence (Montross). The WCSB agenda includes the organization of the board, reports and presentations, and a public comment period. A recording of the meeting will be uploaded to their YouTube channel February 3. The Westmoreland County School Board has tentatively scheduled budget work sessions for Tuesday, February 21 at 5:00 pm and Monday, February 27 at 4:00 pm . The Westmoreland County School Board will meet for their regular board meeting Monday, February 27 at 6:00 pm Gerald B. Roane Center for Excellence (Montross). The Westmoreland Electoral Board meets Thursday, February 2, 10:00 am at the Voter Registration Office (105 Court Sq, Montross). Read the elections board meeting agenda . The Westmoreland County B...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rappahannock Community College: Michele Inderrieden, Media Services Manager, minderrieden@rappahannock.edu , (804) 333-6824 January 24, 2023 Rappahannock Community College Announces New Patient Care Technician Program Rappahannock Community College (RCC) and Germanna Community College (GCC) are working together to create a refined program combining the Nurse Aide and Medical Assisting curriculum into one Patient Care Technician (PCT) program. The 10-week course includes online lectures and in-person labs and clinicals through RCC and GCC to train providers in an advanced level of patient care. The program will prepare students to perform tasks such as foley catheter insertion and care, phlebotomy, EKGs, vital signs, nutritional mechanical feeding, history taking, assist patients with activities of daily living, and more. The PCT program will lead to two certifications, the Certified Nurse Aide license and Certified Medical Assistant. These credentials m...

You may have heard the long overdue news: Native American tribe in Va. reclaims big parcel of its homeland (paywall; read here instead ). The acquisition of ancestral lands is significant for the tribe, as described in the WaPo story and these: Newly acquired property doubles Rappahannock Tribe's land holdings (FWS) Rappahannock Tribe Regains Fones Cliffs, A Sacred Site Overlooking Captain John Smith Trail (National Parks Traveler) The Rappahannock Tribe’s Return to the River (Chesapeake Conservancy) Rappahannock Tribe celebrates return of Fones Cliffs acreage (Virginia Mercury) Learn more about the Rappahannock Tribe at their website . Want to learn more about Native tribes in Virginia? Head over to Native Land Interactive Map which was created and is maintained by the Southern California Government GIS User Group. The image above is a screenshot from the site. If you are interested in the Indigenous histories of North America and beyond you may enjo...

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation is seeking public comment on the draft Community Outreach and Engagement Plan (COEP) for the Coastal Resilience Master Plan and the Virginia Flood Protection Master Plan. The deadline is January 31. Submit comments via email to Matt Dalon (email below) or use the online comment forum . Should you have questions about the draft or the process, contact Matt Dalon, Resilience Planning Program Manager, by calling (804) 613-0517 or emailing Flood.Resilience@dcr.virginia.gov . Susie's comments I submitted two documents. The first is the letter detailing my comments and the second is the draft plan with sticky notes . The 30,000 foot view of the draft plan is that it’s a solid framework to proceed. However, engagement is missing and that is a significant gap in an outreach and engagement plan . It’s obvious that those writing the draft plan have little experience with or understanding effective engagement and those thin...

Free tax filing options are available for some Virginia residents; the Virginia Department of Taxation provides deets online at Free File . To qualify, your 2022 income must have been no more than $73,000. Providers have varying criteria so be sure to check before you start your taxes. 211 Virginia , the free service which connects people with available community services, has information about tax prep. To find a location/organization, type your zip code and search phrase (I searched for "tax prep"), hit Go, and voila. Does your organization provide services but you are not in 211? Click "Update/ Add your Agency" and provide the information.

People's CDC is recognizing its one-year anniversary Thursday, January 19 with the webinar Communities are our best defense . The free event is scheduled for 5:00-6:30 pm. The organization, which envisions “a future where our freedom to live healthy lives is protected,” will provide an update of the status of their work and projects and take questions and feedback from the community. On a personal note, am thrilled that Karen Pomerantz, MPH, MLS, a retired public health educator/activist working in DC on local and national issues, is active with People's CDC. Karen is an experienced, thoughtful, committed, and amazing human. Many lives have been improved because of Karen.

The Potomac River Fisheries Commission's Oyster/Clam Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, February 8 at 6:00 pm and the public is encouraged to attend in person or virtually. The agenda will be available no later than January 25. For more information, contact Ingrid Braun via email, Ingrid.prfc@gmail.com . The Potomac River Fisheries Commission's Blue Crab Advisory Committee will meet Wednesday, February 15 at 6:00 pm and the public is encouraged to attend in person or virtually. The agenda will be available no later than February 1. For more information, contact Ingrid Braun, Ingrid.prfc@gmail.com . The Potomac River Fisheries Commission will hold its quarterly meeting and public hearing Thursday, March 9 at 8:30 am . The public is encouraged to attend and participate in person or virtually. For more information, contact Ingrid Braun via email, Ingrid.prfc@gmail.com .

Westmoreland County Wetlands Board meeting The next meeting of the county's wetlands board is Monday, January 23, 1:30 pm . The meeting will be held at George D. English, Sr. Memorial Building, Montross. Get the meeting deets . Comment on Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge proposal by Jan. 29 The US Fish and Wildlife Service is accepting comments on the proposed opening of the new Cat Point Creek Unit in the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Comments are also sought on the proposed transfer of a building to the federally-recognized “Rappahannock Tribe for outreach, environmental education, and interpretation.” According to Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge : Acquired in 2017, the 243-acre Cat Point Creek Unit will expand recreational access for the public at the Refuge, a priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The area, which has undergone extensive ecological restoration over the past four years, will offer o...

Cost-Share at Work: Piedmont Ag is a brief introduction to small farming in Virginia. Piedmont Ag in Remington, Virginia, is a crop operation that uses agricultural best management practices to ensure soil health and protect water sources. Owner Joe Gray, who comes from a long line of farmers, explains how working with his soil and water conservation district on conservation practices has benefitted his yields, his land and his financial bottom line. Learn more about cost sharing programs from the Northern Neck Soil and Water Conservation District. Call (804) 313-9102 or visit the Virginia programs page on their website .

Meetings Boards and Commissions Meeting Schedule (2023) Board of Supervisors Meeting and Holiday Schedule (2023) Resolution Section 15.2-1416 Regarding days, times, places for regular meetings Westmoreland County schools' instructional calendar (2022-23) Westmoreland County School Board Early Budget Forum , Tuesday, January 17, 5:00 pm Colonial Beach School District 2022-23 calendar Employment opps The county government has a list of jobs in- and outside of county government Jobs at Westmoreland County Public Schools Colonial Beach Police Department job openings Misc. news The Westmoreland County Sheriff's Office 2022 annual report is on rivercountrynews.com . The Colonial Beach School District org chart was updated January 2023 . The Town of Colonial Beach is developing its first ever master plan for parks and rec. According to the press release , “The Master Plan will look at the existing parks, recreational facilities, programs, and services,...

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is keen on helping protect the imperiled diamondback terrapins ( Malaclemys terrapin ) of Virginia and they need volunteers. Volunteers will count turtles and identify where, exactly, they were seen. The Diamondback Dash is expected to start this spring . Signup for more information . According to DWR , “The data collected from the Diamondback Dash will be used to keep terrapins and other wildlife healthy and safe by identifying high-priority waterways in need of protection and prioritizing shoreline conservation in areas that are of high value to terrapins.” This terrapin is found in “brackish water, saltwater estuaries and tidal marshes and can sometimes be seen in the Atlantic Ocean.” That's right, on the Northern Neck among other coastal areas of the state as is shown in the image below. Again, DWR: . . .the diamondback terrapin is considered a keystone predator of herbivorous crabs and snails in salt marsh ecosy...

There are several interesting and useful posts on the Virginia sub-reddit ( /r/Virginia ) about legislation and engagement at the state levels. The first is Check the Bills your representatives are proposing this session . This post leads with the following (also shown above in the image): Please look at lis.virginia.gov Please be an engaged citizen. Please look to see the bills your elected representatives are proposing and say something about them. I don't care what flavor you vote, but please be part of the process. You might be surprised at some of the utter crap some people push for reasons that are not transparent or good for anyone they are supposed to represent. Find your legislators using this link . The second post is Post the 2023 Bills you want to share, comment, highlight here! As time goes on, this will be an interesting read and a post that should be bookmarked. While these are obviously about legislation at the state level, many will have an impact ...

Green tourism is a real thing and Keep Virginia Beautiful and Virginia Green Travel Alliance are sharing their experience in helping make Virginia communities green and beautiful at the virtual Virginia Green Tourism Forum Thursday, January 19, 2:00-3:00 pm . Participants can ask questions, share ideas and resources, and recommend topics for future forum discussions. Register online . The event is hosted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The latest blotters from sheriff's offices via River Country News : Richmond Co. Sheriff's Office Blotter 1/5/2023 Northumberland Co. Sheriff's Office Blotter 1/6/2023 Lancaster Co. Sheriff's Office Blotter 1/9/2023

The federal government is making $42 billion in  Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funds available to states based on the data on the FCC National Broadband Map . States apply for funding starting May 13. Residents and businesses have until Friday, January 13 to challenge data on the FCC map. Challenges may be to property locations and to the availability of internet access services including upload and download speeds. MuniNetworks.org offers assistance to those who are struggling with the challenge process. The org provides written and video presentations of the ways to navigate the FCC challenge process. Want the background on broadband, inequity, and more? Read the Cardinal News' story The FCC wants to map broadband coverage. You have until Friday to make sure it has yours right. Want to know more about BEAD? The BEAD Program includes $42B for high-speed Internet access Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, BEAD is a federal grant pro...

Volunteers are the bread and butter of government commissions here on the Northern Neck and across the country. Some of Lancaster County 's commissions and boards are under-volunteered and the county's Board of Supervisors has put the call out for interested and qualified people to fill the vacancies. Individuals are needed for the following: Board of Zoning Appeals Historic Resources Commission Building Code Appeals Board Economic Development Authority Lancaster County Broadband Authority Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck Community Services Board Citizens’ Advisory Committee on Public Access and Working Waterfronts – new committee with no specific term Those interested should contact County Administrator Don Gill via email, dgill@lancova.com or phone (804) 462-5129. The Lancaster County Planning Commission is holding a public hearing Thursday, January 19 at 7:00 pm in person and virtually. The hearing sked is: Application for Change of Zoning Dis...

The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors has published a list of regularly-scheduled meeting dates and county holidays . The supes regularly meet every second Thursday of the month. If you are interested, the January 12 meeting agenda has been posted . Information about attending the meeting in person and electronically is online as well .

There's been some activity on Rte 360 in Burgess and you might have noticed where there once were structures at Rte 360 and Folly Rd, there now are none. The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors are holding a public hearing Thursday, January 12 at 7:00 pm to consider the request by Rogers & Sons Enterprises, LLC, owner and Ryan Rogers, applicant, for a Conditional Use Permit to allow construction of a service station on property in Burgess. Tax Map Parcels #27-(1)-269 and 270, located at 15619 and 15631 Northumberland Highway (Rte 360), are zoned B-1, Business. Read the application . As can be seen in the drawing below, the proposed card reader station shows where a convenience store could be at some point in the future.

Westmoreland VA Community is the new name of the Facebook group formerly known as Northern Neck Community. The group is for those living in Westmoreland County, VA only. We'll keep following the page to learn what policy topics folks are interested in.

Virginia State Parks has a number of full-time, part-time, and seasonal job openings . Part-time and summer jobs include maintenance, groundskeeping, lifeguard, housekeeping, and administrative assistant. Apply at Belle Isle . Apply at Westmoreland .