Policy on the #NNK

The threat to food benefits is real. And hunger is no joke. Hunger can result in poor health outcomes, poor school performance, and poor job performance. It makes good decision-making hard. It forces individuals to pit basic needs against each other. Food or rent. Rent or child care. Gas or food. Hunger is categorized in three ways: Food security, food insecutiry, and low food security. USDA defines the terms : Food secure households had access, at all times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members. Food-insecure households are uncertain of having, or unable to acquire, at some time during the year, enough food to meet the needs of all their members because they had insufficient money or other resources for food. . . Food-insecure households include those with low food security and very low food security. Households with very low food security are food insecure to the extent that normal eating patterns of so...

Trump went for shock and awe. Now he’s mopping up. explains the mind change regarding the federal spending pause. Other takes on the pause: Trump White House rescinds memo freezing federal money after widespread confusion (AP) Trump’s spending freeze sets up a future possible Supreme Court showdown over presidential power (CNN) Trump White House rescinds order freezing federal spending, reversing course (WaPo)

The other big news from yesterday was that a federal judge has paused the pause through late Monday, February 3. Deets in BREAKING: Federal Judge Blocks Trump's Freeze on Federal Funds video and Judge blocks Trump’s spending freeze . Among others, follow Marc Elias on Bluesky and Democracy Forward on Bluesky .

The Office of Management and Budget has clarified the quite troubling spending pause memo M-25-13, Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs in a follow up memo (PDF). And yet, yesterday morning, before the uproar dominated online discussions and communications with members of Congress to take a stand, OMB circulated a 52-page document ordering agencies to answer 14 questions by the end of next week for each program that “has funding or activities planned through March 15.” (Source: Trump administration targets thousands of programs in funding freeze )

If you’ve heard about the “pause of federal loans and grants,” what I know is below (the OMB memo (PDF)). As more information becomes available, I will share here on the blog.

The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors will be briefed on the 2023-2024 Forensic Audit (PDF) Thursday, January 23 at 5:30 pm at the Northumberland County General District Courtroom (220 Judicial Pl, Heathsville). The audit concerns the county and Northumberland County Public Schools. The audit and this briefing are both incredibly important. My plan was to provide a fairly comprehensive response to the supes today. (Well, as comprehensive as possible given the posting date of the audit and the date of the briefing.) But that changed when I realized that the signs and signals have been present for some years and that while the audit provided a framework to understand and group the problems, the fundamental problems have not been addressed for years. Underneath the failure to create and implement internal controls, budget and spending rules, and the like are the failures of leadership, skill and expertise, and accountability. h So, I am not going to spend my precious tim...

Soon-to-be and current college students, this is for you: Northern Neck SWCD and VASWCD 2025 Academic Scholarship applications are now available! Northern Neck SWCD is offering two $2,000 scholarships, the J.C. Berger Conservation Advancement Scholarship and the James Edward Minor Ag Stewardship Award. The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts’ (VASWCD) Education Foundation Scholarship Awards Programs awards four scholarships to VA high school seniors interested in natural resources and the environment. The NNSWCD has one admission for the four available. Applications are due Thursday, March 13, 4:00 pm.

Westmoreland Emergency Services and VDH’s Mobile Integrated Healthcare Program are sponsoring First Responder Wellness Event/ Screening of PTSD911 Documentary . The free event takes place Tuesday, February 11 from 5:00 to 9:00 pm at Westmoreland High School (16762 Kings Hwy, Montross). The doc’s website summarizes the film this way: PTSD911 is a powerful documentary that reveals the hidden emotional battles faced by many first responders. This film uncovers the intense psychological toll they face—from life-or-death moments on the job to the private struggles behind their brave exteriors. While showcasing their courage and resilience, PTSD911 also exposes the harmful stigma that keeps many from seeking the help they desperately need. Through personal stories from a firefighter, police officer, and 9-1-1 dispatcher, viewers gain insight into the complex nature of trauma and its far-reaching impact. The documentary features expert commentary from mental health professi...

One year closer to the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, NNK250 considers the ways that people created and defined democracy. Writes NNK250 about the We the People Speaker Series: “We are a democratic nation of diverse people with different cultures, political ideas, and beliefs. Our diversity contributes to both tension and growth in American society.” All events are free and the public is encouraged to attend. Events will be recorded and shared on the Northern Neck National Heritage Area YouTube channel . Forced Founders: Indians, Debtors, Slaves, and the Making of the American Revolution in Virginia, January 26, 2p (University of Mary Washington, Dahlgren Campus, 4224 University Dr, King George): Dr. Woody Holton; In this provocative reinterpretation of one of the best-known events in American history, Dr. Holton shows that when Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and other elite Virginians joined their peers from other colonies in declaring independence from...

The Northern Neck National Heritage Area Planning Survey is underway and your input is essential. The results of the survey will inform the recommendations included in the Northern Neck National Heritage Area Management Plan. And remember, the NNNHA includes King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond, and Westmoreland counties. Hurry. The survey is open for several days more. Learn more about the NNNHA and NHAs in general by reading Inform the future of the Northern Neck National Heritage Area at two public input sessions in March .

Irvington VA Business Association (IVBA) has a new Facebook page . The old page is going away soon. The new page will feature updates, event announcements, and highlights from Irvington.

Voluntarism in Lancaster, Middlesex, and Northumberland counties is getting a boost from the River Counties Volunteer Capacity Building Project . The initiative launches Tuesday, January 28 and nonprofits and other community organizations which would benefit from increased voluntarism are encouraged to participate in the organizational meeting. Register online . Read the announcement . “The River Counties Volunteer Capacity Building Project will focus on four priorities to build volunteer capacity across Lancaster, Middlesex and Northumberland counties in Virginia:” 1. Build a stronger culture of service , volunteerism and civic engagement by implementing the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI) in the region and building awareness of and access to close-to-home volunteer opportunities across the River Counties, utilizing best-in-class technology to support volunteer engagement. 2. Unite a more robust, integrated, and aligned network of cross-sector partn...

If you work on environmental and climate issues and are scratching your head at the lack of action by regular ol’ people, Yale Climate Connections has a new resource that will help solve the problem: Solutions and Climate Action Hub . YCC provides solutions on a number of topics and interests including travel, home, health, food, money, and civic engagement. The Solutions and Climate Action Hub offers specific actions in narrow topic areas that individuals can take to reduce their negative environmental impact. The format is easy to navigate and the options are numerous enough to provide choices but not too numerous to evoke choice paralysis. And, in each topic area, people are encouraged to share their actions with others, to authentically and naturally build a collective impact.

Thanks to sheriff’s departments, everyday is a good day to rid your home of old, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. And other businesses, including pharmacies and hospitals, offer ways to anonymously dispose of drugs during business hours. Drop-off locations have rules about the types of drugs and paraphernalia may be left. Some locations allow for liquids while others do not. Contact the organization before you go to verify. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office : 8293 Mary Ball Rd, Lancaster The service is free and anonymous. The Lancaster County SO only accepts pills. To dispose of them, talk to a communications officer when you enter the building, show them what you have (they need to make sure there is no liquid or sharps), and they’ll take them from there. So they see you, but they don’t ask for any personal information. This service is available year round. Northumberland County Sheriff’s Office : 195 Judicial Pl, Heathsville NCSO “anonymously collects unwant...

The Environmental Protection Agency recently published National Wetland Condition Assessment: The Third Collaborative Survey of Wetlands in the United States . The “report summarizes the National Wetland Condition Assessment’s key findings on U.S. wetland condition. The EPA and its state and Tribal partners conducted the survey in 2021.” While there were no NNK sites incuded as part of the assessment, the locations which were included are representative of those across the country. According to the report, “the target population for the NWCA included all wetlands of the conterminous United States not currently in crop production. These included tidal and nontidal areas with rooted vegetation and, when present, shallow open water less than one meter deep.” EPA writes, “the survey characterized wetlands using indicators of ecological condition and stress.” The top-line results are: “Less than half of wetland area was rated good, based on an analysis of plant communities.” ...

Several weeks ago, Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship (NAPS) announced they would be launching their new Ghost Pot Program (GPP) to remove lost and derelict crab pots from Little Wicomico River through mid-March. In their December 26, 2024 Facebook post , NAPS illustrated some of their prep work. As the program proceeds, updates will be shared on FB by NAPS member Andy Sitison. Take a look at the updates so far: January 7, 2025 and January 8, 2025 . About Little Wicomico River This river, shown below via US Geological Survey screenshot , is a 9-mile-long (14 km)[1] river in the United States state of Virginia. The river, mostly tidal, flows into Chesapeake Bay at the junction of the south shore of the Potomac River, which is also the Maryland-Virginia boundary, with Chesapeake Bay. (Source: Wikipedia )

This Facebook post (above image and below text) by Town of Colonial Beach Town Council member Maggie Lane Sanford in the private Facebook group Town of Colonial Beach Spotlight shows leadership. This is how it’s done. 📢We Need Your Input! As I'm preparing for the upcoming Town Council Priorities Meeting on January 15, I want to hear from YOU! Please share your thoughts on the following: 1️⃣ What policies or projects should be priorities for the FY26 budget? 2️⃣ What are top priorities for the next 5 years? Comment below with your ideas!💬 #communityfirst #communitysupport #CommunityImpact #planning If you live in Colonial Beach and are not a member of the FB group, you may comment on Sanford’s campaign page, Maggie4CBVA . And back on the topic of leadership for a sec. Colonial Beach residents have the right and responsibility to hold all electeds and appointeds accountable. Get in the game. Participate in democracy.

There’s no better time than now―as we face another winter storm and California battles wildfires―to remind people that good, regular, and proactive information from government can help save life and property. Though as the article A Bay Area fire tracking app is saving lives in L.A. — and clapping back at Elon Musk points out, non-government information can also have a major positive impact. Writes Rya Jetha, Mills created the app when he moved to a sprawling ranch in fire-prone Sonoma County after 16 years in San Francisco. In 2020, his neighbor’s ranch caught fire, and Mills failed to receive warning. He decided to use his training as a software engineer to build a “megaphone” app to collect, verify, and amplify fire information. Before that, many in fire zones had no option but to rely on unverified and sometimes incorrect information on social media. Where are you going for credible information about the storm, services and supports during this weather? Share with @policyon...

Sabine Panneau, development and marketing expert , offers the following advice re: social media to nonprofit organizations: Here’s a reminder for charity leaders on social media: (read this if you're sharing content) Stop making every post about your org → Share industry insights → Offer professional tips → Celebrate sector wins → Highlight personal growth → Discuss leadership challenges Reshape your strategy today! My fave is to stop making every post about your organization or business. Exploring other topics shows you live in the real world, demonstrates that other needs/problems/challenges/solutions exist. My advice? Do this more. Online tools The sponsored content What is geocoding? (in 591: quantum of sollazzo ) reminds me of a question I've had for awhile: When mapping, such as Northumberland County, VA | Do. Stay. Eat. , does one point to the street-end of the driveway when the driveway is long/windy/treed or to the business itself? ...

Northern Neck Native Plant Company ―a new company based in Hague that sells high-quality native plants, provides site consultations and installations, and offers wholesale native plants and pop-up retail plant sales across the region (Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and the Fredericksburg-Richmond corridor)―is having a native plant sale! The sale focuses on salt-tolerant native plants, such as tidal grasses, sandy dune plants, marsh plants, and others which are happy when planted by the water. The event takes place Sunday May 4, 10a-1p at Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Park (287 Jackson Creek Rd, Deltaville). Northern Neck Native Plant Company will donate 10% of all sales to Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Park. The company will make a pre-order list available in the weeks ahead of the sale; stay tuned to their Facebook page .

If you live on even a small wooded lot, Virginia Cooperative Extension’ Fifteen Minutes in the Forest: The Woods in Your Backyard on March 28 at 12:15 pm will share ways to help you keep your lot healthy and productive. Tune in: Facebook Live , YouTube Premier , or the Virginia Forest Landowner Update YouTube Channel (any time). There are many reasons to protect even the smallest wooded areas. Net loss of treed acres on NNK contributes to region and Virginia going in the wrong direction is a good place to start.