By EVAN GOODENOW,
Loudoun Times
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Training mandated by the Virginia Literacy Act, passed by the General Assembly in 2022, will keep Loudoun County Public Schools teachers busy over the next year. Jeff Rounsley, the LCPS director of teaching and learning, outlined the professional development requirements from the Virginia Department of Education to the School Board at its April 23 meeting. … For reading specialists for kindergarten through third grade, that means 27 to 54 hours of new training, Rounsley said. All elementary school teachers and all middle school English teachers must complete 18 to 27 hours. And other middle school teachers will be required to have nine to 18 hours of training in math, science and social studies.
By SEAN JONES,
Richmond Times-Dispatch
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The Girl Scout who created “book nooks,” little libraries carrying the titles that were removed from Hanover County Public Schools over the past year, spoke to the County Board of Supervisors this week. Kate Lindley said that supervisors had “bestowed” an honor upon her greater than any proclamation when it “censored” a proclamation for her winning a Girl Scout Gold Award. A supervisor during the meeting Wednesday told the crowd supporting Lindley that proclamations are ultimately issued by the board and while requests can be made, board members have the right to vote on the wording for an award.
By CIANNA MORALES,
Virginian-Pilot
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City Council voted Tuesday to approve enhancements to the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in anticipation of becoming a year-round cruise destination in 2025.
The changes are huge, said Stephen Kirkland, who runs the cruise terminal as the executive director of Nauticus.
“A cruise ship will be here every single week, embarking and debarking passengers, and we need to be prepared for that heightened activity,” Kirkland said.
By NATALIE ANDERSON,
Virginian-Pilot
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City leaders are submitting plans to the state to acquire the Hampton Roads Regional Jail for use as the new Portsmouth city jail and aim to make the transition no later than the start of 2025.
The Hampton Roads Regional Jail Authority, which comprises city managers and other representatives from the five participating jurisdictions, voted unanimously last week to allow Portsmouth to purchase the facility. The move means the facility could serve as Portsmouth’s new city jail, allowing the city to convert the current aging waterfront jail facility into a tax-generating property — a goal the city has been working toward for years. It could also provide a safe place to accommodate juvenile detention services.
By NOUR HABIB,
Virginian-Pilot
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Some Hampton Roads school divisions will scale back virtual programs next school year because of declining enrollment, limited funding and options they believe are better for students. When the pandemic hit four years ago, schools across the country were thrown into virtual learning. The concept was not new, though: Several area schools had outside vendors offering courses. But the learning landscape changed in the aftermath. Most students and teachers happily returned to in-person learning, while some preferred online.
By BILL ATKINSON,
Progress Index
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With Wednesday’s approval of The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprises as Petersburg’s casino vendor of choice, city officials say the next step in the process is getting the Virginia Lottery Board and a Circuit Court judge on its side in approving the November referendum that ultimately decides the future of legalized gambling here. In an email Thursday afternoon, city spokesperson Joanne Williams said Petersburg and Cordish/BSE will draw up the paperwork to submit to the lottery board, the state agency that governs Virginia’s casino operations.
By STACY PARKER,
Virginian-Pilot
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Bruce Smith rolled the dice — and won. The pro football Hall of Famer and Virginia Beach developer was selected with partner The Cordish Companies to build a casino in Petersburg. “It still hasn’t sunk in yet,” Smith said by phone Thursday afternoon. “I’m so excited about this opportunity.” Petersburg residents will still have to vote on whether to allow gaming through a referendum on the November ballot. If approved, the casino project will be the largest economic development and tourism project in Petersburg history.
By GRACIE HART BROOKS,
Madison Eagle
Despite numerous resident objections, the Madison County School Board has approved changing “winter break” to “Christmas break” in the 2024-25 school calendar. In March, Madison County resident Mike Sharman made a comment suggesting the change of “winter break” to “Christmas break.” The board then suggested making that change in the 2024-25 draft school calendar. “Christmas is a cultural thing in our community,” board member Christopher Wingate said. “I support the idea.”
By C. MAX BACHMANN,
Winchester Star
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Recently implemented cameras issued 3,553 speeding citations to drivers in Winchester school zones between Feb. 26 and April 16, according to the Winchester Police Department.
The cameras were installed in the school zones of John Kerr Elementary School, James Wood Middle School and Daniel Morgan Middle School.
