Policy on the #NNK

With the Francis Scott Key bridge tragedy in Baltimore, more eyes are on bridges. There are 70 bridges in the four counties on the Northern Neck―Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland―according to the US Department of Transportation’s National Bridge Inventory (NBI). The locations are shown in the screenshots of the inventory’s map, below. In addition to the basics of location (lat/long, route number, state, county, etc.), the NBI contains data such as the number of lanes, average daily traffic, year built, and the type of service on and under the bridge. Clicking on a dot on the NBI map pulls up all the data. Alternatively, the data for Virginia are available as an Excel file (dated March 30, 2024) can be downloaded. Whether referring to the map or the data set, use the NBI data dictionary for explanations of each item. The data in the Excel file can be manipulated to show only the bridges on the NNK or in any one county. To get you started, we’ve i...

The results of the non-scientific survey “In” or “on” the Northern Neck? are in! The basics: There were 23 responses Of the 23 respondents, 88% described themselves as come heres The heart of the matter: In/on/both: “in” (48%), “on” (32%), “both” (20%) Of the 23 respondents, 88% described themselves as come heres Of the 23 respondents, 17 (76%) described themselves as full timers As for explanations, there was disagreement over when to use “in” (“in a location”) and “on” (“One lives *on* a peninsula. But it’s *in*, if it’s a region. I had assumed it’s a peninsula.”). So, no concensus, but an interesting engagement. Many thanks to those who participated.

Talk crime and crime prevention with Sheriff Johnny Beauchamp Thursday, April 4 at 5:30 pm at Mid-County Volunteer Rescue Squad (7990 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville). The public is encouraged to attend this Neighborhood Watch meeting. Refreshments will be served (thanks MCVRS!).

The new Virginia Law Portal makes Virginia’s laws “easier to search, navigate, and find.” The Virginia Law Portal is the online home of the Constitution of Virginia, Code of Virginia, Uncodified Acts of Assembly, Regulations of Virginia, Charters and Authorities of Virginia Localities, and Compacts of Virginia. It features easy navigation and readable presentation of content. Visitors can search across all of Virginia Law to find the information they want, without having to know where the information resides. According to the overview, portal features are: Searching - Specific section look ups or more generalized keyword searches. Printing - Print out or create PDFs of entire Titles. Responsive design - Layout reflows on various screen sizes, which allows for ease of navigation on a variety of devices, such as a phone, tablet and desktop. Typography considerations were also taken to make sure the information was legible on all screen sizes. Feedback button - He...

The annual Family Fun Fair takes place Saturday, April 20, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Northumberland Family YMCA (6348 Northumberland Hwy, Heathsville). This Department of Social Services event features family-friendly activities, food, and local organization information-sharing.

The Getty Museum has made its digital collection freely available, according to The Getty Makes Nearly 88,000 Art Images Free to Use However You Like . This announcement rightly notes that the Getty’s free content is not new; they opened their content first in 2013. From Getty: The Open Content Program makes high-resolution images of public domain artwork from the Getty collections freely available, without restrictions, to advance the research, teaching, and practice of art and art history. Some uses for the work in their collection are as a screen saver (computer and phone), flyer, advertisement, needlework pattern. . . the list is endless. Image: Digital images courtesy of Getty’s Open Content Program. Photo on the left cropped.

While Baron Weather ’s A Decision-Maker’s Guide for Your Hurricane Plan is geared toward emergency preparedness professionals, it is an explainer worth reading especially if you are new to this part of the state or country. Their frame is using emotional and physical energy wisely; this means understanding what information is available when as well as the best time to make decisions. This goes for the public and professionals alike. Hurricane predictions naturally change over time. The greater the number of days from the projected event, the greater the inaccuracy. As the article states, “‘It would be haphazard to start moving resources or making solidified plans, you know 6 or 7 days out,’ says William Porter, Deputy Director of Operations Support.” No matter what the timeline for hurricanes or other weather-related emergencies/disasters, the must-do in all cases is to plan ahead. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has resources for individuals and families to ...

VDOT is holding a public information meeting on the Norris Bridge replacement project Tuesday, March 19, 5:00-7:00 pm at Lancaster Middle School in Kilmarnock (191 School St, in the Auditorium). VDOT will share information about the preliminary engineering activities on the proposed project to replace the Robert O. Norris Bridge. The bridge is the link between Lancaster and Middlesex Counties over the Rappahannock River. VDOT staff will make a presentation on the status of the project and be available through the end of the meeting, 7p, to answer questions. The meeting is not being recorded but the presentation will be shared on the project page on March 19. In addition, VDOT will post a transcript of the meeting (presentation along with questions and answers) in about two weeks. The public may comment in several ways. First, at the March 19 meeting. Second, via email . Third, by mail: Ms. Kelly Hannon, Virginia Department of Transportation, 87 Deacon Rd, Fredericksburg, VA ...

There are many reasons you might want an online map. Think tourism ( Northumberland County, VA | Do. Stay. Eat. ), shopping ( Thriftiquing in the Northern Neck ), and small biz supporters ( While visiting Sewlovelee on the Northern Neck, check out these other outstanding local businesses ). But deciding which tool to use can be confusing. Jeremy Caplan’s Create cool maps takes the guesswork out of online map making. Writes Jeremy: PamPam, Felt, and Proxi are new tools that make it easier to create, share, and publish attractive online maps. You can use them to visualize itineraries, map out your favorite restaurants, or for data journalism projects. Whipping up maps has gotten faster, more visual and more fun. Read on for examples and ideas for how to make the most of these services.

Resilient Virginia ’s Spring 2024 Resiliency Academy “virtual series will highlight available tools and resources that communities can use to integrate climate into their Hazard Mitigation Plans and other planning efforts.” It takes place from March to June ― March 26, April 30, May 28, and June 18 ― and participation is free. Registration is required and will open soon. About Session 1, Understanding Climate in Virginia: In the first session of the series, we will get acquainted with future climate projections for Virginia. Jeremy Hoffman, Director of Climate Justice and Impact at Groundwork USA and lead author of the Southeast Chapter of the 5th National Climate Assessment , will present a summary of the most recent projections for this region and additional speakers will discuss how the changing climate will impact their communities. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how communities across Virginia are going to be impacted by climate change and what they...

@FlatBlueCrab ( Facebook , Instagram ) is working with Policy on the #NNK to improve the homeowners association information in (Crowdsourced) Outreach on the NNK . The crowdsourced outreach info helps residents, visitors, businesses, and others ask questions and share information about anything and everything on the Northern Neck. While @FlatBlueCrab is particularly interested in Northumberland County, the online resources covers Lancaster, Richmond, and Westmoreland, too. The other sections ― social media, media, physical locations, and organizations ― also need reviewing and updating. Any and all help is appreciated. Don’t have anything to contribute, no prob. Use the information for all your outreach and engagement needs.

If you missed the news , the state awarded $250,000 to Sea Farms, Inc. , a family-owned company in Mathews County, to process blue catfish. The award was the first in the Blue Catfish Processing, Flash Freezing, and Infrastructure Grant Program ( enabling legislation ). Sea Farms was one of seven applicants. Virginia Mercury ’s Blue catfish are invasive in Virginia. The state is paying to get more of them on people’s tables. gives a brief history of blue cats in Virginia ― they were introduced to eastern Virginia in 1974 ― and solutions to addressing the negative impacts of the invasive fish. The Merc reports, This reimbursable grant will support the expansion, modernization of equipment and storage space with a new blast freezer in the company’s existing processing facility in Gloucester County. Once complete, Sea Farms will purchase more blue catfish from local watermen, which supports economic growth and helps to remove the invasive species from Virginia waterways.” Nationa...