WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

The Williamsburg-James City County School Division is considering these five textbooks for adoption for the next school year. (Ian Brickey/WYDaily)

Middle and high school students in Williamsburg-James City County schools are likely to begin the next school year with updated textbooks.

The WJCC School Board is set to approve five new textbooks for middle and high school social studies and science classes.

The selected textbooks are:

• The Cultural Landscape by James Rubenstein
• Geography, published by Holt McDougal
• Biology, published by Holt McDougal
• Earth Science, published by Pearson
• Biology Interactive Reader, published by McDougal

The books were selected by committees using the division’s textbook selection rubric, which emphasizes the books’ achievements in innovation, up-to-date content, course of study correlation and other academic criteria.

The committees also consulted the Virginia Board of Education’s list of recommended textbooks, an annual list compiled by the Virginia Department of Education to assist school divisions in selecting new textbooks.

Of the selected textbooks, only The Cultural Landscape did not appear on the state list, while each met the school division’s own criteria for selection.

The full list of criteria for selecting textbooks is available on WJCC’s website.

The school division held a public comment period on the selected textbooks April 24 through May 8.

WJCC Senior Director of School Performance Valerie DiPaola said the school division received one comment during the period, which supported the selection of the Pearson book as it aligned with Standards of Learning strategies.

The School Board will vote on whether to approve the selected textbooks at its June 16 meeting.

If the textbooks are approved, all three middle schools will have new science textbooks, and all three high schools will have new biology and earth science textbooks.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

This week, authorities are searching for a suspected beer thief, and a 19-year-old man is accused of breaking into a vacant home and stealing a pistol.

Check out all the crime stories that did not make the headlines this week and others you may have missed below.

James City County

Housekeeper Accused of Stealing $14,000 Ring Set

A woman has been charged with grand larceny after being accused of stealing a ring set from a James City County home in October.

The suspect, 45-year-old Christina Margaret Marie Walker of Shacklefords, is charged with grand larceny in connection to the theft of a $14,000 diamond ring from a home off John Tyler Highway, where she worked as a housekeeper.

Walker’s roommate told police she asked him to tell investigators he owned the ring. The roommate said he saw Walker with the ring and was able to provide a sketch of the ring that matches the description of the one reported stolen, according to a police report.

After an investigation, police arrested Walker and charged her with felony grand larceny.

The ring set has not been recovered, police said.

JCC Police Investigating Property Damage, Larceny at Tractor Supply

Police are asking the public for information on an incident at the Tractor Supply on Norge Lane.

A post on the James City County’s Facebook page said police discovered cut cable locks to the store’s riding lawn mowers and wheelbarrows May 29.

Two wheelbarrows were also stolen from the store.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP.

One Arrested in JCC Home Burglary

A 19-year-old Williamsburg man is facing a felony charge after police say he admitted to breaking into a home in the Meadows neighborhood of James City County.

Police responded to the burglary at the home on Frond Court off Ironbound Road on June 1 and June 2 and found displaced furniture, an unsecured sliding door and extinguished cigarettes and alcohol bottles. A police report said officers also smelled marijuana.

Court documents show the suspect, Keanu Rashad Tinsley, stole various collectibles and household items including alcohol and a pistol from the home whose owner recently died.

On June 3, James City County Police responded to the house again and were told by a neighbor a person had broken into the home through the garage window, police said.

Police arrested Tinsley as he was exiting the back of the house, and Tinsley later admitted to entering the house on June 1 and 2, according to court documents.

The neighbor told police Tinsley had placed items he removed from the house into his car, a 1998 Toyota sedan.

Police also discovered a .25 caliber firearm was stolen from the residence June 1 or 2.

Tinsley now faces three felony counts of breaking and entering, four felony counts of grand larceny and one misdemeanor count of destruction of property.

York County

The man pictured is accused of stealing a set of keys from Rips Food Store on Denbigh Boulevard. (Courtesy YPSO)

Sheriff’s Office Looking for Suspected Keys Thief

Deputies are asking the public for help in identifying a man accused of stealing a set of keys left on the counter at Rips Food Store.

The keys were stolen by the suspect from the store in the 900 block of Denbigh Boulevard at around 11 a.m. March 27.

Anyone with information on the suspect pictured is asked to call the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Facebook tip line at 890-4999 or Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP.

YPSO Asking Public for Help in Identifying Suspected Beer Thief

This man is accused of stealing beer from Royal Farms. (Courtesy YPSO)

The Sheriff’s Office is looking for a man accused of stealing beer from Royal Farms on Route 17 in York County.

A post on the YPSO Facebook page said the suspect stole the beer at around 1 p.m. March 17.

Anyone with information on the suspect pictured is asked to call the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office Facebook tip line at 890-4999 or Crime Line at 888-LOCK-U-UP.

In Case You Missed It:

• A man accused of robbing a teen at gunpoint in Williamsburg pleaded not guilty.
• Four of the five men accused in last summer’s James City County car break-ins pleaded guilty Friday. 
• A three-day trial ended in a hung jury in the case of a Williamsburg man accused of possessing and distributing child pornography.
• One of the shoplifting suspects arrested on a YPSO Facebook tip pleaded guilty to charges in York County. 

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Jim Kennedy

Incumbent Stonehouse Supervisor Jim Kennedy has filed with the James City County Registrar’s Office to run for re-election in November as an independent.

He is the second candidate to file for the Stonehouse seat after Republican Sue Sadler. He has served on the board from 2000 to 2003 and from 2008 to the present. He was also on the planning commission from 2005 to 2007.

Kennedy did not return a call from WYDaily on Friday.

The deadline for independent candidates to announce campaigns is Tuesday. Kennedy said Thursday he “may be putting his name on the ballot to give people an option.”

He said every race should have at least two choices on the ballot and he had not yet finalized his application for the seat.

The registrar’s office confirmed Friday that Kennedy has finalized his application and his name will appear on the ballot.

Kennedy, who last run as a Republican but has since left the party, will square off against Sadler in November’s election. Sadler is a frequent speaker at board of supervisors meetings, who said she wants to fight for a “smaller, more accountable government” and to “stand up against” tax increases.

Heath Richardson, a member of the county’s planning commission, had announced a Republican run for the seat in February. He ended his campaign a few days after it began when he learned he was ineligible to run due to his status as a federal employee.

The election is set for Nov. 3.

Related Coverage:

• Longtime Historic Triangle Resident Seeks JCC Board of Supervisors Seat in Stonehouse District

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Blaze Pizza plans to open a franchised location at 5134 Main Street in New Town. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

A California-based chain of pizza restaurants plans to open a franchised location later this year on Main Street in New Town.

Blaze Pizza offers custom-built pizzas. Guests enter the restaurant and order toppings on an assembly line. The 11-inch pizza is then cooked in 180 seconds in an open-flame oven a company spokesman described as the “centerpiece of the restaurant.”

The new store is slated to open at 5134 Main St., which is currently a vacant spot near New Town Art Gallery. It is expected to open in the last quarter of 2015.

Josh Levitt, a Blaze Pizza spokesman, said the company likes the Williamsburg-area market because it is growing fast and includes families and college students. He said the restaurant should create 45 to 50 jobs.

The chain began in 2012 at the University of Irvine, California, and has since experienced rapid growth. There are 68 Blaze Pizza chains across the country, and a new restaurant is opening every five days.

Levitt said his company values community ties and the New Town location will feature an active fundraiser program that donates to local organizations. Groups interested in participating in the program can visit the restaurant once it is open to learn more.

In addition to pizzas, the restaurant offers salads, blood orange lemonade and s’more pies.

The New Town store will be the first Blaze Pizza in Virginia, according to a map of the company’s stores.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

This conceptual plan submitted to the James City County Planning Division shows a proposed layout and depiction of Tyler Landing.

Virginia Beach Developer Allen Loree Homes has submitted a conceptual plan to build 50 condominium units on 20.35 acres of undeveloped land off John Tyler Highway.

The neighborhood, which would be located at 3970 John Tyler Highway, would be called Tyler Landing. Were the development to be built, the land would first need to be rezoned from rural residential to a zoning that would allow for greater density development.

In all, the developer seeks 50 standalone condominium units connected by sidewalks and trails. The condos would range from three to five bedrooms and from 1,450 square feet to 2,105 square feet. The neighborhood would also feature gardens, a pavilion, a community fire pit and a pet park.

A description of the proposed neighborhood submitted to the James City County Planning Division describes it as an ideal place for young professionals or empty-nesters who may not have been previously able to afford a home in the area.

The description says the neighborhood would be “low impact” on the wooded tract where it would be built. The condos would use less than 35 percent of the site to “keep it natural.”

The neighborhood would be located across the street from Williamsburg Community Chapel, near Jamestown High School and St. George’s Hundred.

The proposal still has a lengthy journey before any work can begin. Several county offices must approve the plan, and the developer must submit a formal application for the rezoning. Afterward, the James City County Planning Commission will review the application and host a public hearing. The commission will issue a recommendation to the board of supervisors, which will host a public hearing for the application before issuing a final opinion.

Correction 6/8: The developer has submitted a conceptual plan for the project that explores the possibility of a rezoning.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

A panel of federal judges has ordered the General Assembly to draw new lines for its U.S. House of Representatives’ districts after ruling the current setup unconstitutionally packs minority voters into one district that spans from Richmond to Norfolk.

Federal judges in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia issued a similar ruling in the case last year, however that was appealed to the Supreme Court of the United States. The case was then remanded back to the federal district court, which on Friday issued a ruling again calling for new districts.

At the heart of the case was Democrat Rep. Bobby Scott’s Third Congressional District. It runs from downtown Richmond to downtown Norfolk and borders the First Congressional District, which includes the Historic Triangle. Any changes to the district will likely affect some or all of the Triangle.

The General Assembly has until Sept. 1 to redraw the lines. If the lines are not redrawn by then, the judges will redraw the lines. Either way, a new set of districts will be in place in time for the 2016 election, when all House seats are up.

How much the Triangle will be affected will remain unknown until the General Assembly issues a new set of districts. The Triangle’s current congressional district stretches from the Triangle as far north as Prince William County, featuring the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. Republican Rep. Rob Wittman has held that seat since 2007.

The case was decided on a 2-1 vote, with federal judges Allyson Duncan and Liam O’Grady ruling against the existing districts. In their majority opinion, they identified several factors causing them to believe race was a motivating factor in drawing the district lines, including that the Third District is “oddly shaped” to isolate minority voters, that large parts of the district were connected via narrow strips of land and that municipal limits were disregarded.

Their order prevents the state from conducting any election for a House seat until a new plan is adopted.

In a dissenting opinion, Judge Robert Payne wrote that race was not the “predominant factor” in drawing the Third District’s lines and that the evidence showed the state legislature drew the lines to focus on protecting incumbents.

Scott issued a statement Friday noting he was not a party to the lawsuit that sent the case before the federal judges.

“I hope and expect the General Assembly will more equitably and appropriately balance the influence of all Virginia’s voters, as mandated by this decision, when they redraw the third congressional district and adjacent congressional districts by the September 1st deadline,” he said in the statement.

Congressional lines are redrawn every 10 years following the conclusion of the U.S. Census. The current set of lines were crafted following the 2010 census. Virginia currently has 11 representatives in the House, eight of whom are Republicans. The GOP representatives cover the entire state except Scott’s territory and two seats representing Northern Virginia.

Related Coverage:

• Federal Judges Order General Assembly to Redraw Congressional Districts

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Authorities say a woman was stabbed in the chest by a relative early Saturday morning in Toano during a drunken fight.

Police arrested the relative, 54-year-old Blanche Florine Lawrence, and charged her with felony maiming at her home on Weymouth Court off Richmond Road.

Lawrence told a James City County Police officer she stabbed her 51-year-old relative because she “was at her bedroom door and would not leave her alone,” the officer wrote in a criminal complaint filed against Lawrence in Williamsburg-James City County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The officer said the two pushed each other, and Lawrence told the woman to leave, but the woman refused. Lawrence then grabbed a paring knife she keeps in her room and allegedly stabbed the woman.

The officer wrote he located the knife and showed it to Lawrence, who acknowledged that was the knife used to stab her.

Stephanie Williams, a spokesperson for the James City County Police Department, said a neighbor called 911 when the victim showed up at her house with a stab wound.

According to the complaint, the woman was treated by medics at the scene and taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center in Newport News once she was in stable condition.

Lawrence’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. July 31 in Williamsburg-James City County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Lafayette High School will hold its commencement ceremony Saturday to recognize the 247 members of its class of 2015.

The event will be held at 5 p.m. at William & Mary Hall in the City of Williamsburg.

According to school division figures, the class of 2015 earned nearly $3.6 million in scholarship awards. A full list of scholarship awards is available here.

The school division will not have figures on college attendance until the summer, due to multiple students not having made their final decisions.

The valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced at the graduation ceremony.

Below is a full list of graduates in the class of 2015 and the senior class officers:

Quashawn Antonio Abson
Cailin Reed Agnello
Sean Taylor Allen
Lea Enee Alston
Carolyn Anderson
Kaitlyn Elizabeth Anderson
Rashawn Tyrell Anderson
Jeremiah Logan Antle
Michael Alex Atalay
Nathan Thomas Atalay
Skylar Reece Bache
Shayla Jean Baker
Jamil Abdul Ball
Katherine Marie Banez
Mekailah Denise Battles
Austin Tyler Bauer
Joseph Michael Beaulac
Anthony John Benecke
Rebecca Taylor Beuschel
Michelle Ann Bishop
Natasha Caitlin Blain
Makayla Shereé Blake
Daniel Ryan Blankinship
Joedy Nastassia Boyd
Paige Ambrosia Bramble
Truman Hite Brody-Boyd
Joshua Werner Brooks
Indyah Monet Brown
Jasmine Alexanderia Bunker
Tristen Nathaniel Campbell
Micah Blake Canaday
Giuseppe Chakri
Corder Liam Chambers
Patrick Graham Cheek
Gavin Alexander Claus
Ramon Hyson Clyburn
Yasmeen Jibreel Coan
Austin Louis Cohn
Mariassella Contreras-Rivas
Cristian Enrique Coriano Ortez
Joseph Cruzito Coronado, Jr.
Jessica Leigh Corson
Salvador Kenan Cotton-Caballero
Baleigh Denise Crabtree
Indigo Sofia Reimers Cristol
Autumn Leigh Crow
Ajané Uriah Cruz
Aloyshaundria Yvonne Curtis
Joshua Taylor Drake Curtis
Adam Wesley Cutler
Kenneth Wayne Davis, Jr
Adam Russell Davy
Jonathan Ernest Delaune
Hannah Jo Donnelly
Anna Grace Dwyer
Kayla Jeanne Edgerton
Christyn Rene Edwards
Dominique Adonis Elliott
Edwin Eduardo Escobar
Kathryn Jordanna Tawes Everett
Allison Nicole Everson
Shelby Madison Eyer
Jonathan Mathias Fernandez
Kelly Nicole Fetterman
Nicholas Benjamin Fiske
DeAsia Mariah Frazier
John William Gaston
Joy Marie Gatewood-Tyler
Tatiana Denae Givens
Rebecca Louise Gladden
Tinsley Coleman Goad
Margaret Ann Goetsch
Joshua Allen Golub
Meagan Taylor Gonzalez
Mikaela Anne Goodbar
Ramon Javid Graham
Shayre Michelle Graham
Donald Joseph Gray
Asia Marie Green
James Wilson Gresham
Cecilia Daniela Grijalva-Santos
Harrison Michael Grimes
Gregory Robert Allen Hale
Steven Daniel Hankins
Ariel Jeanean Harris
Hydreá Derrick Lamont Harris
Allison Mae Hart
James Walker Hart
William Tyler Haynes
Jessica Lynn Hegeman
Jacob Cody Helton
Amber Autumn Henderson
Saskia Hertell
John Andrew Hetzel
Michael Christopher Hicks
Robert Wilson Hicks
Tanya Nicole Hoatson
Dakota Diondrá Holland
Madeline Elizabeth Holm
Adriana Nicole Hooks
Elizabeth Rose Marshall Horn
Hannah Kate Horstmyer
Trevor Antonio Housepian
Matthew Tyler Hovermale
Jasanté Armel Howard
Naveen Christian Hrishikesh
Brett Julian Huckstep
Matthew Robert Hummel
Anyae Marshalle Jackson
D’Aysia Lashae Jackson
Dylan Thomas Jackson
Daquan Antonio Jacobs
Elizabeth Anne Jarvis
Sarah Heeyoung Jeon
Aaliyah Monique Jones
Davuan James Jones
Megan Jani’ Jones
William Reid Jones
Dryden Scott Joss
John Carter Kale
Tyler Burton Kaplan
Naomi Lynn Karvellas
Matthew J Keane
Peyton Elizabeth Kilgore
Kaitlynn Ann Lanning
Axel Julian Raphael Le Calm
Aleisha Nicole Lee
Brenna Denise Lee
Madison Ivey Leigh
Sophie Marie Leruth
Matthew Daniel Link
Haley Jane Lisle
Andrew Drake Loper
Laura Ann Lopez
Bryce Kenneth Losty
Lauren Patricia Lux
Grace Montgomery Macomber
Justin Michael Madison
Garrett Thomas Marcum
Dylan Christopher Marcuson
Jey’vell Malik Rico Marsh
Anna Maria Marston
Tyler Andrew Masowich
Marquis Tamara Mayo
Kaleighja Capri McCray
Brendan Christopher McGinty
James Parr McQueen
Taylor Lindley Meredith
Jordan Alexander Mock
Joel Logon Mondal
Daquan Lemyal Moore
India Renee Moore
Paige Madison Murdoch
Nora McKinley Nettles
Jordan Andrew Olson
Taylor Brent Orne
Marshall Daken Ownby-Connolly
Maranda Gabrielle Paolucci
Logan Michael Henry Parsons
Bhumishkumar Alkesh Patel
Sarang S Patel
Marquis Jovan Patton
Deondre Elijah Pittman
Luis Raul Plaza
Madison Grace Pons
Fravarti Hoshang Purveyor
Rita Rose Rahn
Kevin Alexander Ravida
Christopher Scott Reilly-Jenkins
Christopher James Robbins
Sydney Katherine Robertson
Rajai Roneil Robinson
Raul Octavio Romero-Hernandez
Alejandra Martina Rosillo
Christian Gavin Rossi
Kyle Anthony Royes
Shaylee Faye Ruescher
Griffin Peter Salyer
Corey Matthew Schlie
Victoria Marie Schluszas
Connor Michael Schmitt
Kristen Elisabeth Schumacher
Austin Garrett Seay
Tyler Gregory Shaw
Trakylah Akeona Simmons
Isaac Kegan Skeeter
Deacon Charles Smith
Susan Amanda Smith
Denzel Lorenzo Speed
Ashley Nicole Springer
Shelby Malynn Stallings
Julianna West Stanley
Joshua James Stein
William Lane Stephens
Eddie Daekwon Malachai Stevens
Jake Quinton Stokke
Eugene James Sullivan
Adja Fatou Ka Sy
Anthony Iraklis Sylakowski
Shaterrik Khali Lemar Taliaferro
Keona Nicole Taylor
Mark Cameron Thibeault
D’Andre Kwan Edward Thompson
Iain Temple Thompson
Anthony Shay Thorn, Jr
Patrick Matthew Edward Fellows Tombs
Kathryn Rose Tomczak
Kathleen Elizabeth Tubbs
Camden Kenneth Underwood
Brandon James Villanueva-Pernell
Letin Cao Vo
Kevin Russell Waid
Jarod Allen Walker
Kelsey Renee Wallbillich
Philip Nikiforos Warner
A’lahjuan Deshon Wells
A’lexus Deshai Wells
Josiah Thomas Wells
Jamal Adrian White
Jewel Nuru White
Keyera Ebony Whiting
Mallory Rachel Whitten
Kenneth Alan Wilder
Michael Sean Williams
Prince Brian Williams
Benjamin Ailsworth Wilson
Mackenzie Klein Wilson
Symone Narice Suzette Wilson
Megan Leigh Wiltshire
Levi Daniel Winger
Charles Robert Woollum III
Saintia Hennesha Wright
Sarah Elizabeth Hope Wright
Raymond Paul Wymer
Dalton Clay Yoho
Ryan Scott Zrakovi

January 2015 graduates

Alessia Nadea Banner
Kailynn Nicole Bassett
Mico Carbajal
Brittany Leighann Coley
Nazeke Iman Elmallouli
Sean Michael Erwin
Julian Alexander Jefferson
Trevor Nicholas Kaplan
Christopher Lin McDonald, Jr.
Tode’sia Alexus Randall
Aurora Kanani Reed

Senior Class Officers:

President: Shaylee Faye Ruescher
Vice President: Grace Montgomery Macomber
Secretary: Madison Grace Pons
Treasurer: Madison Ivey Leigh
Reporter: Isaac Kegan Skeeter

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Jamestown High School will hold its commencement ceremony Saturday to recognize the 295 members of its class of 2015.

The event will be held at 1 p.m. at William & Mary Hall in the City of Williamsburg.

According to school division figures, the class of 2015 earned nearly $6.5 million in scholarship awards. A full list of scholarship awards is available here.

The school division will not have figures on college attendance until the summer, due to multiple students not having made their final decisions.

The valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced at the graduation ceremony.

Below is a full list of graduates in the class of 2015 and the senior class officers:

Afrikka Kamaria Asha Abdul-Haqq
Alexa Lee Adamczyk
Alexander Joseph Akins
Joshua Kenneth Alcorn
Sarah Elizabeth Alter
Tess Cecelia Anderson
Jake Jonah Arbogast
Victoria Wren Arms
Xane Andrew Austin
Ryan Austin Babcock
Cassidy Lynn Baginski
Elisa Maria Bakker
Max Isai Ballado-De La Cruz
Jadelyn Taylor Banfiel
Alfredo Banguera
Mark Anthony Beach, Jr.
Emily Ann Beneke
Victoria Lynn Bennett
Kyle Monroe Bentley
Jessica Randolph Berg
Alejandro Miguel Bird
Alexander W. Blackmon
Kelsey Brooke Blue
Matthew James Bochain
Matthew David Bonura
Kelsy Rose Bowers
Persephone Lynn Bowman
Joshua Jennings Boyd
Joshua Cory Brenner
Christian Ronald Brockington
Abigail Victoria Broome
Ryan Kim Brown
Shannon Michaela Bryce
Rachel Sumner Buckless
Jonathan Seth Buffkin
Jol Garet Burgan
Kory Alexander Bush
Shannon Nicole Butler
Tate’anna Mea’sha Byrd
Alexander McNeely Byrne
Nathan Forrest Campbell
Shane Michael Campbell
Judson Allen Carmichael
Andrew James Carter
Mason Angel Casey
Tristian Drake Castleman
Alexandra Krista Cavazos
Hannah Louise Ceriani
Mayee Frances Chen
Adam Joseph Cho
Sara Conover Clagett
Robert William Clinton
Richard John Coates
Katherine Scott Coburn
Christy Anna Coghlan
LeAnne Caléb Coles
Eli Joshua Collins
Nicholas Andrew Concemi
Morgan McKenzie Connell
Isabel Rosemarie Contreras
Taylor Seymone Cooke
Shannon Kathleen Corbett
Christopher Carlo Cordasco
Wilson Jay Coughenour
Kelsey Ann Creech
Ryan Daryl Crisp
Bailey Alexandra Cristian
Matthew Blair Crowder
Colby Charles Crum
Breann Nicole Cruz
Samantha Reese Cucuel
Matthew Daniel Cudzik
Julia Bordon Cury
Alexandra Nicole Cyphers
Gwyneth Bronwyn Dandrea
Amarra Michiko Daniels
Sanjay Prasad Das
Madeleine Marie Dashiell
James William Daum
Cierra Nicole Davila
Dominique D’E Anthony Davis
Graham Gardner De Groft
Anthony Graciano Delapena
Brendan Sage Dellos
Raja Sunil Dhir
Luke Michael DiPette
Daniel Dmytro Dipiazzo
Bailey Reagan Doggett
Ashley Nicole Dorame
Austin Voelker Durham
Taqua Rabeh Elleithy
Nekiyah Shaneik Ellison
Jared Matthew Ende
Michael Logan Estes
Kaylin Celestina Evans
Shannon Kelly Fitzgerald
Yuri Areli Flores
Ja’shawn Lamont Flowers
Terrance Anthony Ford
Megan Elizabeth Foret
Zoe Leigh Frank
Jakema Nicole Franklin
Chanel Chiara Friedrich
Pavsee Tushar Gajjar
Alyssa Rae Garrow
David William Gerardi
Cora Galadriel Gibson
Frances Avery Gillem
Reagan Alexander Gillette
Daniel Myers Gilmour
Brooke Lauren Gipson
Nicholas Paul Girard
Tristan William Goering
James Stuart Gold
Osmar Rodrigo Gonzalez
Jordan Kathleen Gravelle
Rebekah Du Bose Griffith
Dante Peter Gualandri
Levi Davenport Haag
Allison Marie Hahn
Mackenzie Lee Summer Hard
Talia June Hart
Trevor James Hartnett
Erik West Hedstrom
Peyton Tyler Helbert
Katerina Nicole Henry
Britney Ginosha Marie Lor Herard
William Benson Hill, Jr.
Kyle James Hogge
Brady Lee Holcomb
Mary Elise Holland
Jessica Lynn Horne
Sean Patrick Hughes
Jeffrey Matthew Hunt
Katherine Lynn Hunt
Quinn Jacob Hurt
Rachel Antonina Iczkovits
Dominic Jackson
Kelsey Marie Jackson
Rebecca Laurene Jacobs
Cheyanne Harris Jansma
Brandon Michael Jenner
Glenn Nathaniel Johnson, II
Leah Alexis Johnson
Ahndrea Denise Jones
Cole Phillip Jones
Madeline Fontaine Jones
Sarah Lynn Jordan
Sue Bin Kang
Madison Sinatra Karnes
Joshua William Kaurich
Michael Scott Keesee, Jr.
Daniel Michael Kelly
Canaan Jacob Leon Kennedy
Randolph Alexander King
Rohan Kohli
Madisen Haley Kopfer
Nicole Hana Kotrola
Anna Marie Lamm
Michael James Lawrence
Courtney Michelle Lee
Tyler James Lightell
Andrew Patrick Lindquist
Mary Hannah Moriah Lindsay
Robert William Logozzo, Jr.
Braden Thomas Love
Octavious Kevin Daniel Luberus
James Edward Mahley, II
Sophie Margaret Maize
John Joseph Marciante
Hannah Rose Mason
Ryan Douglas Mason
Rachel Elizabeth Matherlee
David Samuel Matthews
Hannah Grace McMahon
Dylan Scott Meadows
Ellie Anne Michalowski
Hanna Mir
Pelin Monroe
Selin Monroe
Amanda Grace Montalvo
Kelly Nicole Monteith
Savannah Rae Moore
Colin Ray Morgan
Randall Nicholas Morrow
Christopher Alexander Moya
Michael Bailey Murphy-Molloy
Sean Patrick Napolitano
Derrick Allen Neilson
Cole Ackrom Obremski
Catherine Mary Ontko
Matthew David Oravetz
Jacob Charles Osborne
Michael James Oster
Izabella Rose Otey
Danielle Christine Ousey
De’Ja Krystine Owens Slade
Jorge Antonio Padilla
Isaiah Joab Park
Kevin Kyle Parker
Kinjal Atul Patel
Kayla Nicole Patterson
Madison Elizabeth Pinto
Elaina Carolyn Poole
Breannah Reneé DomanQuic Prescott
Tyler Thomas Price
Cheyenné Dawn Rakes
Marcus Renard Randolph
Danielle Brianna Rauchwarg
Gabriel Scott Rauscher
Roxanne Jackeline Reed
MaryBeth Richards
Daiana Mailen Riquelme
Amanda Claire Ritchie
Levan Vinsean Roberts
Corniesha Aaqila Robinson
Vonvincent Robinson
Kylie Elizabeth Roehrle
Katherine Filicidad Romero
Kaitlin Emily Rosenberger
Jennalee Rowden
Nicholas Francis Ruane
Charlotte Emily Ruhf
Richard Sterling Russell, III
Emily Ann Saintmire
Emily Anne Salamy
Paul Scott Salsman
Alexander James Sanchez
Amanda Joy Sapienzo
Ryan Matthew Satira
Ryan Michael Saul
Zachary Robert Schauffler
Kristyn Ashley Schlicher
Alyssa Maloney Shaffer
Jesse Michael Shaner
Trevor McGuire Shannon
Emily Ann Sheffield
Caroline Grace Shippey
Morgan Makana Simmons
Matthew Daniel Slade
Charles Kirkland Smith
Drayton Taejan Smith
Xavien Jarell Smith
Christopher John Sonders
Tyler Anthony Souza
Emma Kate Spangler
Olivia Rebecca Spear
Hannah Michelle Stachowiak
Feliz Elizabeth Stafford
Madison Paige Stannard
Julia Connor Steely
Abagail Rose Stephani
Richard Wilson Stevenson
William Hasaan Stevenson
Joshua David Stieff
Andrew Connor Stiles
Mason Presley Stocks
Ashton Amelia Studdard
Vincent Joseph Stumpo
Damon Rhys Sutton
Robert Luke Swift
Benjamin Peter Szykman
Yuyi Alexandria Taylor
Lane Joseph Terrill
Destiny Marie Thacker
Grace Rose Thiesse
Dylan Scott Thomas
Cole Anderson Thrift
Kaitlyn Marie Tidwell
Dylan Andrew Tross
Madalyn Rose Ullestad
Elisa Mitchell Van Dyke
Isabella Shannon VanDyke
Caleb Alexander Visser
Taylor Marie Vitaletti
Jennie Taylor Vite
Gresham Hamilton Wagner
Brandon Eugene Waid
Allison Nicole Walls
Sophie Ann Walter
Zachary William Walters
Christopher Lee Webster
Austin James West
Corey Ray Williams
Grant Allen Williams
Jessica Kathleen Williams
Megan Elizabeth Williams
Meghan Elizabeth Wilson
Madison Lynn Wise
Amanda Jocalene Withrow
Jeffrey David Wolons
Jack Davis Wood
Lucia Gabriella Yacono
Heechi Yi
Ali Jon Younes

Senior Class Officers:

President: Graham Gardner DeGroft
Vice President: Jennalee Rowden
Secretary: Caroline Grace Shippey
Treasurer: Daniel Michael Kelly
Historian: Levi Davenport Haag

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Emmaleigh Cline was born early Wednesday aboard the ferry ship “Williamsburg.” (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

Kayla Cline lives in Surry, so when she decided early Wednesday she needed to get to a hospital to give birth to her daughter, the Cline family packed into a 1989 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer and set off for the Jamestown-Scotland ferry.

But shortly after they rolled onto the ferry ship “Williamsburg,” by this time already crossing the James River, Kayla Cline gave birth to Emmaleigh Jane Cline in the Blazer’s front seat. Her husband Jonathan Cline helped to deliver his daughter, with the assistance of a nurse who happened to be on the boat and held a flashlight during the delivery. The birth was a first for the ferry.

“It was really scary,” Kayla Cline said. “I could feel it. I was thinking ‘I’m about to have a baby on a boat.’”

And so she did. Emmaleigh Cline entered this world at 3:06 a.m., coming in at 6 pounds, 12 ounces. The umbilical cord was wrapped twice around her neck, but thanks to quick action on the part of Jonathan Cline, it was not a problem.

“I hooked it and did a can opener move twice and it slid right off,” he said.

Emmaleigh Cline was placed in the nurse’s frock and began crying right away. Jonathan Cline said he offered his baby girl a finger, and that she wrapped her tiny hand around it and squeezed. Then, she made eye contact with him and smiled.

“I knew she’d be fine [when she squeezed his finger and smiled],” he said.

Kayla Cline gave birth to Emmaleigh aboard the ship. Her husband, Jonathan, delivered the child in the front seat of their 1989 Chevrolet S-10 Blazer. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

The ferry docked on the James City County side a few moments later, where emergency responders were waiting to whisk the family off to Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. The baby was declared healthy after she arrived at the hospital.

The Clines praised the ferry crew for their quick response. As soon as the family arrived at the boat and informed the crew of the situation, they immediately set sail for the James City County side. The trip normally takes about 20 minutes, but the crew made it in 13.

“[Thirteen minutes] is really cooking for us,” said Wes Ripley, the Virginia Department of Transportation facility manager for the ferry service. He said that whenever a person who needs medical assistance from the Surry County side of the river boards the boat, the ship departs immediately.

Surry County does not have the medical services that are available in the Historic Triangle, so when an emergency strikes, the ship is a vital link for people who live south of the James River.

Ripley said he asked several ferry “old timers” who have been around the boat for decades if they can remember another birth aboard the ship, but none could.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Neither the City of Williamsburg nor James City County held primary elections Tuesday, but the field of candidates for the Williamsburg-James City County School Board grew by two.

Two candidates submitted paperwork to run for the School Board before the June 9 filing deadline elapsed.

Toano resident Holly Taylor and James City County resident Sandra S. Young filed the necessary paperwork to run for the Stonehouse and Berkeley seats, respectively, on the WJCC School Board.

“I am excited about the campaign ahead,” Taylor said in an email.

Young did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.

Taylor will square off against incumbent Stonehouse board member Jim Nickols, who currently serves as parliamentarian of the School Board. Nickols announced in April he would seek a third term.

Ruth Larson currently holds the Berkeley seat on the School Board. Larson is vacating the seat to run for the Berkeley seat on the James City County Board of Supervisors.

Young will face College of William & Mary professor John “Rio” Riofrio in the race for the open Berkeley seat.

The passing of the filing deadline set a two-person race for the Roberts seat on the School Board, which is being vacated by incumbent Heather Cordasco. Grove resident Petra Nadal will face William & Mary emeritus professor James Beers on the November ballot.

The WJCC School Board is a nonpartisan board that makes curricular, financial and operational decisions for the school division, and is made up of seven members. Five are elected to represent geographic districts in James City County, and two are appointed by the Williamsburg City Council to represent the City of Williamsburg at-large.

The term of board member Elise Emanuel (City of Williamsburg) is also up at the end of the calendar year. Emanuel has said she will not seek reappointment to the School Board.

The general election will be held Nov. 3.

Related Coverage:

• Second Candidate Joins Race to Replace Cordasco on WJCC School Board
• W&M Professor to Run for Berkeley Seat on WJCC School Board
• Nickols to Seek Re-election to WJCC School Board
• Petra Nadal to Run for WJCC School Board
• No Primary Election for Voters in Williamsburg, James City County
• Filing Deadline Leaves Many Local Races Unopposed within Party

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

A political newcomer has entered the race for the Third District of the Senate of Virginia, a seat that has been held by Republican Tommy Norment since 1992.

Hugo Reyes, a Democrat, said he has wanted to run for office for a long time and that he was inspired to enter this race to help combat a partisan environment in Richmond, calling it an “us versus them atmosphere.”

“Things are starting to stagnate in Richmond, not so much like they are in Washington, but it’s heading that direction,” he said. “I’d like to help break some of that deadlock.”

The James City County resident said he wants to focus on education and transportation reform. In particular, he wants primary schools to focus more on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. He said he wants the state’s transportation system to better serve the movement of goods.

“I’d like to focus on a rail system and a road system to move goods west,” he said. “We’re focused on north and south, not going west and into the other states and into the rest of the country.”

Reyes, who has one daughter, is a cyber security analyst and consultant for a the MITRE Corporation. He has worked in information security for 25 years.

“We are delighted to have a great candidate in Hugo Reyes,” Jen Tierney, the chair of the James City County Democratic Committee, said in a news release. “Hugo is a veteran who has lived in different parts of the State, and who understands many of the challenges that everyday Virginians face. He has long been an advocate for education and we look forward to having him as our representative in the Senate.”

He submitted his candidacy Tuesday, the final day submissions were accepted. He and Norment, who filed his paperwork to run for re-election in March, are the only two candidates on the ballot for the Third District.

The Third District includes all of James City County except for part of the Grove area. It also includes a small slice of Upper York County near Camp Peary. Outside of the Historic Triangle, the district includes all of Gloucester, King and Queen, King William and New Kent counties along with all of Poquoson and parts of Hampton, Suffolk and parts of Isle of Wight and Surry counties.

Norment, a former James City County supervisor, is the current Senate Majority Leader. He is an attorney for the law firm of Kaufman & Canoles.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Related Coverage:

• Longtime Sen. Tommy Norment Submits Re-Election Forms

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Shawn Antowan Perry (Courtesy James City County Police)

A James City County man who was wanted by police in 2014 pleaded no contest Wednesday to felony credit card larceny after police said he racked up more than $650 in fraudulent charges.

Shawn Antowan Perry agreed the evidence would be sufficient to find him guilty on one count of felony credit card theft in Williamsburg-James City County Circuit Court.

Police said Perry stole credit and debit cards from a friend in July 2013 after the friend let him borrow his Ford F350 to drive to Suffolk.

Perry eventually returned the car to the friend, but the credit and debit cards were never recovered, police said.

Investigators discovered fraudulent charges on the victim’s bank account for $222 and ATM withdrawals totaling $459.

Perry was arrested in Chesapeake in January after 18 months of eluding police.

One felony charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle, one felony charge of credit card theft, two felony charges of credit card fraud and one misdemeanor count of larceny were dropped at a hearing in April in general district court.

Perry will be sentenced for the one felony count of credit card theft at 9 a.m. Aug. 5.

Related Coverage:

• Police Arrest Two of JCC’s ‘Most Wanted’ Last Week
• Most Wanted Suspects From James City County, YPSO

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

Warhill High School will graduate the 262 members of its class of 2015 at a ceremony this Saturday.

The event will be held at 9 a.m. at William & Mary Hall in the City of Williamsburg.

According to school division figures, Warhill’s class of 2015 earned more than $4.3 million in scholarship awards. A full list of scholarship awards is available here.

The school division will not have figures on college attendance until the summer, due to some students not having made their final decisions.

The valedictorian and salutatorian will be announced at the graduation ceremony.

Below is a full list of graduates in the class of 2015 and the senior class officers:

Richard Cameron Aadahl
Blanca Stephanie Acosta-Herrera
William Orlando Acree
Eric Michael Ahrendt
Althea Jane Marie Allen
Delilah Naomi Anderson
Marcus Caleb Anderson
Koby Maxillian Arndt
Dustin James Austin
Christina Marie Bagnall
Alexis Michael Bailey
Jordan Lawrence Bailey
Wyatt Pendleton Baldwin
Jordan Maria Barker
John Joseph Barrera, III
KeyAnna Angelique Bartlett
Julie Marlene Bell
Mikaela Nicole Black
Dylan Alexander Bollman
Steven Craig Booker, Jr.
Katelyn Paige Boring
Madison Grace Bowie
Alexis Lee Boyko
Justin Nicholas Bradley
De’Andra Stephon Bradsby
Cordelia Elaine Branscome
Akeira Alexus Braxton
Samyiah Renaye Braxton
Andrew Philip Breen
Lauren Amanda Bridewell
Brandea Marie Brown
Brandon Read Brown
Hannah Chasse Brown
Luke Lee Bruce
Hollyann  Bucci
Steven Michael Burcham
Kayla Beth Burns
Miriam Grace Buscher
Javid Dwight Campbell
Alexis Marie Canaday
Jordan Ray Canaday
Taylor Nicole Canter
Izhamar  Casiano-Cepeda
Eric Joseph Chai
Kollin Racin Chandler
MiKayla Rae Clarkson
Louis Edgardo Colon
McKenzie Leigh Connell
Alayna Carin Cormier
Adrien Demond Cotman
Patrick Ellis Coven
Dakota Ryan Cox
Tobori Marquies Cox
Christopher Reed Craft
Shannon Marie Crist
Anissa Christine Valledor Cruz
Elijah Christian Cruz
Courtney  Peyton Cummings
Hannah Kathryn Cummins
Desmond Ra’shon Cunningham
John Patrick Daly
Andrea Marie Davila-Delgado
Aja Briana Lynn Davis
Keron LaVelle Dedmon
Karson Anthony Dellert
Emily Danielle Diego
Jack Matthew Dillon
Kaitlin Delaney Dishman
Madison Nicole Dronen
Madison Rae Elam
Alexis Dylane Elliott
Meghan  Alexandra Elliott
Haley Benson Ellis
Tatyana Elese Epps
Matthew Philip Esposito
Benjamin James Feliciano
Victoria Ann Fisher
Erin Rebecca Forgit
Dymonique Chanel Foster
Virkem Nattez Frazier
Devin Matthew Freed
Antonio Scott Gilbert, Jr.
Dazsha Chevron Gilbert
Jasmine Marie Glassco
Emily Michelle Golden
Kayla Shae Goshen
Samuel Benjamin Graber
Victoria Nicole Gragg
Kathryn Anne Seidel Grainer
Jasmine Lynnise Green
Kemani De’Love Green
Madison Abercrombie Green
Lauren Elizabeth Gronbeck
Delaney Mae Gruendl
Kaden Alex Hackney
Alyssa Capri Hale
Megan Elizabeth Harrigan
Amber Kathryn Harris
Dillon Curtis Harriss
Kayla Nicole Harvin
William Tyler Haynes
Madison Paige Heath
Kacie Sue Ann Held
Megan Gay Henderson
Chase Albert Henzler
Chad Robert Herndon
Cole Bradford Herndon
Joseph Donald Hilton, Jr.
Hailey Miranda Hoffman
Jordan Bryce Hogge
Jamaal Lache’ Holmes
Thomas William Holt
Zachary Douglas Hotard
Jessi Todd Houle
Kelsey Nicole Howard
Jaclyn Marie Humphreys
Taylor Nicole Humphries
Siobhan Autumn Irvin
Brittany Nicole Jackson
Brad Howard Jaffe
Jaclyn Angela-Engie Jarrett
Sherod Pernall Jimmison
Alex Marie Johnson
Emma May Johnson
Ethan Thomas Johnson
Hayden Charles Johnson
Tanequa Monsche Johnson
Caitlin Marie Jones
Markisha Dayrell Jones
Matthew Odell Jones
Cody Colt Kaelin
Jerald Scott Kenney
Colin Jason Keown
Caden Walker Keyser-Cunningham
Shannon Leigh King
Collin Reid Koob
Alexandra Reid Koon
Ashlee Taylor Korlach
Clayton Lee Langenhennig
Steven Mitchell Leeds
Kevin Michael Lemere
Robert Dean Lipford
Holden Dulaney Lipscomb
Taylor Lee Lyons
Destiny Emoni Malvoisin
William Adam Marshall II
Wyatt Thomas Marshall
Wilbur Thomas Martin
Heather Marie Masters
Summer Gabrielle Masters
Daniel Jacob McNulty
Alice Maeve McVicker
Harley Nicole Meacham
Hayley Nichole Meadows
Jacob Matthew Mennella
Raegan Elizabeth Mentges
Crystal Michaela Miller
Caleb Anthony Moore
Thomas Anthony Moreno
Alvin  Mu
Yingxu  Mu
Ashwin  Nagar
Brannon Leonard Nesselrodt
Courtney Elizabeth Niles
Oliver William Nix
Lacroy Cornelius Nixon
Colby Elizabeth Norris
Kiana Yema Nuñez
Maria De Los Angeles Nuñez
Patrick MacLaren O’Dell
Kelly Alise Ohmann
Elijah Cordell Onks
Clayton Bradley Osterloh
Madison Abigail Paffrath
Kent Ray Palmer, Jr.
Brianna Marie Papik
Taylor Anne-Marie Pattie
Thomas James Perkins
Noelle Mary Christine Perry
Casey Arden Pongonis
Megan Allyce Price
April Nicole Priesman
Bailey James Radcliffe
Jovahni Antonio Ruben Ramirez
Marjory Lis Ramos
Alexandria Catherine Rangel
Malissa Maria Reyes
Kathryn Joy Rhoden
Lucas Alexander Rice
Nicole Brooke Richardson
Michael Regis Richmond
Alexis Michele Ries
Noah Thomas Ripchick
Aaron Christopher Ripley
Abigail Rose Roach
Zachary Taylor Roach
Terry Wayen Robinson
Stephanie Amber Lynn Rogers
Scott-Calvin Vergellio Sado Roldan
Christian Lee Rowland
Princess Shantana AJaynae Russell
Kylie Hathaway Rutherford
Ryan Alden Saxton
Bailee Jewel Schmuker
Kyle Andrew Seal
Hugeth Ivizel Segovia
Donovan Eugene Seldon
Jordan Marye Seurattan
Rebekah Lauren Seymour
David Crae Shalaski
Terah Danae Sharp
Terijah Lanae Sharp
Amber Marie Shea
Nathan Taylor Shirkman
Bryce Haley Shirley
Christopher William Short
Michael Hunter Slemp
Ayana Maia Smith
TeAsiah Monė Spivey
Allen Michael Stanford
TamaLee Louise Stauffer
Conner Paradis Stern
Brittany Amber Stetzer
Faith Madeline Stevens
Oleksandra  Strakhova
Brea Ashley Talley
Taylor Rene Thimmes
Autumn Leigh Thomas
Kevin Ray Thomas
Brandon Alexander Thompson
Michael David Tindall
Kasey Braie Tomes
Nikolaos  Tsitsidopoulos, Jr.
John Abram Valdez
Avalon Elissa Van Der Wall
Haley Sue Varin
Ramon TraShawn  Veal
Teresa Aracely Veliz-Alvarado
Lakyna Dajanai Veney
Tristyn Anthony Vinson
Alexandria Celeste Wade
Kayla Marie Walker
Tyler Jacob Walters
Julian James Walton
Caleb Payton Waltrip
Hannah Catherine Wensel
Brennen Christopher Whaley
Madelaine Rendol White
Jessica Sue Wiggins
Jessica Lynn Williams
Jullian Drake Williams
Rebecca Lee Williams
Satin Allicia Lee Williams
Sydney Paige Williams
Tianna Keshawn Williams
Tyler Tirrell Wise
Nicole Taylor Worthington
Ashley Brooke Wright
Jaylil Michelle Wright
Virginia Ashley Wright
Casey Elizabeth Young
Kylee Michele Zuchara

Senior Class Officers:

President: Miriam Buscher
Vice President: Emma Johnson
Secretary: Jasmine Green
Treasurer: Holden Lipscomb
Historian: Brea Talley
Parliamentarian: Raegan Mentges
Sergeant of Arms: Amber Shea & Madison Dronen

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

The James City County Board of Supervisors watches as a citizen speaks during public comment at a board meeting in January. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

Small-scale alcohol manufacturers will have an easier time setting up shop in James City County thanks to a set of revisions to the county code approved Tuesday by the county’s board of supervisors.

The board voted 4-0 to allow small-scale alcohol production in several commercial and industrial areas of the county. Breweries that produce up to 15,000 barrels per year were already allowed, however wineries and distilleries were excluded until now.

They also voted 4-0 Tuesday to incorporate recent changes in state law to the county code that allow craft breweries and distilleries in farming areas. Wineries were already permitted.

The move comes after several parties interested in starting such businesses approached the county over the last year. It amends the zoning ordinance to allow small-scale alcohol manufacturers to operate in general business and limited business-industrial zones.

Under the new regulations, microdistilleries in the two zoning districts may produce no more than 36,000 gallons of alcohol per year, while microwineries can make no more than 15,000 barrels per year. The small-scale alcohol producers may also include tap rooms, brew pubs and retail sales of their products.

The board did not discuss the change prior to its vote. Supervisor Jim Kennedy (Stonehouse) was absent from the meeting, so he did not vote. The county’s planning commission voted unanimously in May to recommend the board approve the change.

York County made a similar move last year to open more areas of that county to small-scale alcohol production.

Craft beer is defined by the Brewers Association as small, independent and traditional brewing operations that produce less than 6 million barrels of beer per year. The American Distilling Institute defines craft spirits as having come from independently-owned distilleries with maximum annual sales of 52,000 cases. The product must be distilled and bottled on site.

Over the past few years, several craft alcohol producers have opened for business or are in the process of opening in the Historic Triangle.

Williamsburg Distillery is slated to open this summer along Merrimac Trail in James City County. The Silver Hand Meadery plans to open in the City of Williamsburg near the Monticello Shopping Center. Copper Fox Distillery has acquired the former Lord Paget Motel and plans to open there. Also, the Virginia Beer Company will soon open on Second Street in York County.

AleWerks Brewing Company has been in business in Upper York County since 2006.

Related Coverage:

• JCC Planners OK Small-Scale Alcohol Production in Commercial Areas
• New Business Hopes to Make A Buzz with Craft Mead
• York Board of Supervisors Votes to Allow Microbreweries in More Areas
• New Craft Brewery Plans to Open in York County by Summer 2015
• Copper Fox Distillery Gets Final OK From City Council
• City Planning Commission Supports Distillery Permit, Timeshare Site Plan
• City Planning Commission to Review Copper Fox Distillery Proposal
• Growing Craft Beer, Liquor Industry in Historic Triangle Brings Jobs, Tourists

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

A WATA bus

The Williamsburg Area Transit Authority has launched a survey to find out how it can improve bus service throughout the region.

WATA is working to develop a six-year plan to maintain and enhance public transportation in the Historic Triangle. The survey is one of several steps the authority is undertaking to figure out how to improve its offerings.

The survey is available online or at the James City County Library, the Williamsburg Regional Library, the James City County Human Services Building, the James City County Government Center, the Williamsburg Transportation Center and the Williamsburg Municipal Building.

The survey must be completed by June 30. It asks a handful of questions, including how the survey taker gets to a variety of destinations and how familiar he or she is with bus service in the area.

WATA provides bus service throughout the Greater Williamsburg area, serving Williamsburg, much of James City County and Upper York County. It also provides service to Lee Hall in Newport News and to Surry County.

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The James City County Board of Supervisors is looking for people interested in history who want to put that interest to work by joining the county’s historical commission.

The commission works to document, preserve and promote the county’s history and legacy. It works to identify and protect historic buildings and archaeological sites, advises the county on historical considerations related to land use and conducts educational outreach to generate interest in the county’s history.

Applications are considered on a rolling basis by the board. Members are appointed to three-year terms and meets from September through May. It also hands out annual historic preservation awards to people or groups that have made a contribution to the preservation of an historic resource in the county.

The commission’s bylaws allow for between 10 and 15 members. There are currently 11 members on the board, however the terms of four are set to expire soon: Fred Boelt, Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick and Peter B. Gushue and Karlene Noel Jennings.

All but Jennings have indicated they will seek reappointment to the commission. That will leave up to five openings for anyone interested in joining.

Membership is open to anyone who lives in the county or an adjacent locality. An application is available on the county’s website.

WYDaily.com is your source for free news and information in Williamsburg, James City & York Counties.

More than 800 athletes are expected to participate in the Challenge Williamsburg Triathlon on Sunday, meaning portions of major roads in the county will be temporarily closed throughout the morning.

Drivers can expect delays on all of Centerville Road between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. Traffic will also be delayed during that window on the following:

• Greensprings Road
• John Tyler Highway
• Jolly Pond Road
• Opportunity Way
• Little Creek Dam Road
• Forge Road
• Diascund Road
• Richmond Road in Toano in Lanexa

Cranston’s Mill Pond Road will be closed to everyone but those who live on the road for the duration of the triathlon.

Though delays are only expected from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., motorists can expect to find cyclists on county roads throughout the day.

Police officers will be on hand to direct traffic during the race.

The triathlon is part of the Challenge Family, which has 44 full- and half-distance triathlons in 21 countries. It was known as REV3 in 2014, however the name has changed for this year.

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Greg Granger has the permission he needs from James City County to reopen a small barber shop in Grove, but not until he can secure a place for customers to park.

The county’s board of supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday to authorize him to renovate and reopen the Grove Community Barber Shop, located at 104 Howard Drive. The shop’s small building is located on a tiny parcel of land, erasing any possibility of having the seven parking spaces required by the county’s zoning ordinance for a two-chair barber shop.

The James City County Board of Supervisors watches as a citizen speaks during public comment at a board meeting in January. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

He tried to work out a deal for shared parking with the Old Capital Lodge across Howard Drive from the shop, but those talks were unsuccessful. Another potential site for the parking spaces has since emerged two doors down from the barber shop at 115 Howard Drive, though that deal has not yet been finalized.

Once the deal is in place, Granger can open. He wants to renovate the small barber shop, but he must keep the existing foundation and walls of the building in place, as no substantial redevelopment of the property is possible as any new construction would be too close to Pocahontas Trail and Howard Drive.

Prior to the board’s vote, Planning Commissioner John Wright appeared before the board. The commission voted 7-0 in November to recommend the supervisors issue the permit to Granger that would allow him to re-open the store.

“A community barber shop is needed to serve the Grove community,” he said. “It would not cause any significant increase in traffic and it’s accessible from [Pocahontas Trail] and Howard Drive.”

Once renovations are complete, the shop will feature two seats and up to two employees. One handicapped parking space will be located in a gravel lot behind the building.

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Local, state and federal officials gathered Friday to break ground on the Natural Resource and Farm Link Center. Pictured from left to right: Dominion Virginia Power External Affairs Manager Melanie Rapp-Beale, Colonial Soil & Water Conservation District Vice Chairman Tim Beale, James City County Supervisor Michael Hipple (Powhatan), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Jason Weller, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service State Conservationist Jack Bricker and Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Sandy Adams. (Gregory Connolly/WYDaily)

Fifteen acres of untamed grasslands located beneath the power lines splitting the Warhill Sports Complex and Warhill High School will soon have a higher calling.

Local, state and federal officials gathered there Friday afternoon to break ground on the Community Natural Resource & Farm Link Center.

The center is envisioned as a panoply of community garden plots, tilled land where students can learn the basics of farming, landscaped areas providing native flora for pollinators like bees to feed and streams built to help reduce runoff into the tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay.

It is located on land donated by Dominion Virginia Power, one of the entities that put up grant money to help fund the center. The land was cleared of larger vegetation years ago to allow for massive power lines to be built, however it has since sat undeveloped until now.

The heart of the center’s mission is generating produce. Jason Weller, the chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, attended Friday’s groundbreaking and said the center is part of a nationwide effort to address looming issues.

“We’ll have two billion more people in the world in the next 40 years,” he said. “We’re going to have to grow as much food in the next 40 years as we have in the last 500.”

The center will generate produce from plots of land where crops will be grown by students and people training for jobs as farmers. It is also likely to become a supplier of fresh, local produce to Williamsburg-James City County Schools. WJCC began a farm-to-table food program in 2009, and it currently serves up one meal made up of locally sourced produce per month.

“We’re hoping to expand the program,” said Pam Dannon, the school division’s dietitian.

She said the center represents a good opportunity for the schools to find more local food to serve in lunchrooms.

The center will be managed by the Colonial Soil & Water Conservation District. The district is a state-run agency that serves all three Historic Triangle localities with resources, educational outreach and on-site assistance for managing drainage, runoff and soil issues.

“I’m hoping this will evolve for many years,” said Brian Noyes, the district manager for the Colonial Soil & Water Conservation District.

Noyes, who came up with the idea for the center and has been working for the last year to find grant funding to get it started, said he hopes to have much of it operational within a year.

Noyes has much work ahead of him to clear out the remaining acres of the land and establish them as crop fields and demonstration areas for student farmers. He also plans to use grant funding to install an irrigation system that will draw water from a pond next to Warhill High School.

James City County Supervisor Michael Hipple (Powhatan) attended the groundbreaking and said the center is “very important” to members of the board and to the county’s citizens. He said he has been looking for land in the county to create something similar, so to see a project come to fruition is of special value to him.

“It’s encouraging to know we’ll all have this,” he said. “This stuff engages citizens. They realize ‘I can grow this and I can use this.’”

Hipple was referring to the community garden plots, which should be available at the center in the coming months. The plots will be free, and those interested in reserving space should call Noyes at 645-4895.

Noyes said the project should cost around $80,000 by the time it is mostly complete next year. At least half of that sum will come from grant funding. The center has so far drawn support from Dominion, the USDA, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Colonial Soil & Water Conservation District.

The center is located off Stadium Road next to the northern parking lot for the Warhill Sports Complex. A patch of landscaped ground full of plants that bees and other pollinators like to feed on has already been installed and is visible now.