12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 11 Number 3 Around Hampton Roads Help families in need keep their


water flowing Through participation in Help 2 Others, H2O, a regional program that provides assistance to families in crisis, the City of Chesapeake has helped 260 families in need stay connected to water services each year.


Help 2 Others is a community-based program that assists families or individuals in danger of losing residential water services due to an unexpected crisis. Those who qualify receive one-time financial assistance to pay their local public utility and Hampton Roads Sanitation District bill.


The program is bolstered by tax-deductible contributions. Donation envelopes will be included with residents' water bills starting this month thorough January 2017. Donations also can be made online via www.shareH2O.org.


H2O was established in 1999 by the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) and the public utilities departments of the following localities: Chesapeake, Gloucester, Hampton, Isle of Wight, James City County, Newport News, Norfolk, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Smithfield, Southampton, Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and York County. In 2011, the Help to Others program received nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status, making all program donations tax-deductible.


Governor announces 189 jobs and


a $1.87 million investment Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced today that Maximus, a contractor of program management and administrative services for government agencies, will invest $1.87 million to establish a customer support center in Hampton. The new operation will support state and federal contracts across the country. Virginia successfully competed against Pennsylvania and Texas for the project, which will create 189 new jobs.


“When a Virginia-headquartered company like Maximus chooses to again invest in the Commonwealth for its next operation, it is a tremendous testament to our unparalleled business advantages,” said McAuliffe. “We are proud to welcome Maximus to the City of Hampton and Hampton Roads, which boasts a strong workforce, infrastructure and business climate. Diversifying our industries is critical, and Maximus is a valued corporate partner contributing to our ongoing success in building a new Virginia economy.”


Maximus, with more than 16,000 employees worldwide, has its headquarters in Reston and another office in Falls Church in Northern Virginia. Other sites are in Canada, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Australia.


“Hampton’s workforce is a perfect match for Maximus,” said Mayor Donnie Tuck. “We have military spouses and those who transition from the service every year. They have a dedicated work ethic and a strong desire to serve a company that is passionate about its mission to provide services.”


Since 1975, Maximus has operated under its founding mission of Helping Government Serve the People, enabling citizens around the globe to successfully engage with their governments at all levels and across a variety of health and human services programs. Maximus delivers innovative business process management and technology solutions that contribute to improved outcomes for citizens and higher levels of productivity, accuracy, accountability and efficiency of government-sponsored programs.


The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the City of Hampton to secure the project for Virginia. Maximus is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.


Approval of federal aid


Includes Newport News Governor Terry McAuliffe was notified on November 2 that the Commonwealth’s request for federal aid to help Virginians impacted by Hurricane Matthew has been approved for Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will distribute federal Individual Assistance aid to affected Newport News residents on a case-by- case basis. The following federal Individual Assistance programs are available in Newport News:


• • Housing Assistance includes temporary housing or lodging


reimbursement for eligible applicants, as well as financial assistance to repair disaster-related damage in the home or replace home uninsured or underinsured home components.


Other Needs Assistance may help Virginians pay for disaster-related


expenses that include dental and medical expenses, funeral expenses, child care, repair or replacement of personal property including vehicles, transportation costs and moving and storage expenses.


Residents must apply for aid directly with FEMA and report damages. Those Newport News residents impacted by Hurricane Matthew should register with FEMA as soon as possible. FEMA will use the information provided on your application to begin the process of determining which programs your household is eligible for.


There are a number of ways to register with FEMA to report damages: • • • •


Register online at www.disasterassistance.gov. Register from your mobile device at m.fema.gov.


Call the FEMA toll-free helpline at 800-621-3362 or TTY 800-621-3362. You can also report damages and apply for assistance by visiting a


local Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) in person. The Newport News DRC location and operating hours will be announced shortly.


Utility work on Northampton


Boulevard to begin Friday Water and sewer utility work will reduce travel lanes in both directions on Northampton Boulevard starting this weekend, Friday, December 2. The work will take place on weekends-only from 7:00 p.m. Friday – 5:00 a.m. Monday through January 9.


Details on Utility Work


Eastbound and westbound travel lanes will be reduced between I-64 and Burton Station Road and Wesleyan Drive at Northampton Blvd. Drivers can also expect left turn lane reductions on Wesleyan Drive.


Off-duty police will assist as needed with traffic at intersections during peak hours. The schedule is as follows:


Friday, December 2 at 7 p.m. - Monday, December 5 at 5 a.m. (eastbound and westbound)


Friday, December 9 at 7 p.m. - Monday, December 12 at 5 a.m. (eastbound and westbound)


Friday, December 16 at 7 p.m. - Monday, December 19 at 5 a.m. (eastbound and westbound)


Friday, January 6 at 7 p.m. - Monday, January 9 at 5 a.m. (eastbound only) No work from December 23 - January 2


For questions or concerns, the public can call the City of Norfolk’s 24-hour hotline at 664-7220.


Holiday home decorating tips


from Portsmouth police PORTSMOUTH, Va. – With the holidays quickly approaching, the Portsmouth Police Department wishes to remind citizens of several tips that can help them stay safe while decorating their home this holiday season. • If you purchase an artificial tree, always look for the label “Fire Resistant”.


• Using a live tree? Keep it from drying out by ensuring the stand is filled with water.


• Never set up a Christmas tree close to a fireplace, radiator, and portable heater.


• Check all tree lights for broken sockets, blown fuses, loose connections, etc. before hanging them on your tree. • Be sure all lights that you use outdoors are certified for outdoor use. • Use insulated staples or hooks to hold lights in place. Never use nails or tacks.


• Never pull or tug on lights to remove them from your home. • Turn off all decorative lights before going to bed or leaving your home.


• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near evergreens. This can cause a fire.


• Do not use decorations that are sharp, breakable, have removable parts or look like food/candy if you have small children or pets in your home.


• Remove wrapping papers, bags, ribbon and bows from around your tree and fireplace after gifts are opened as they can start a fire if exposed to an open flame.


Workforce Development to host


Job Corps information session SUFFOLK, VA - The Suffolk Workforce Development Center will host a Job Corps Information Session on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at 9 a.m. The Suffolk Workforce Development Center is located at 157 North Main Street, Second Floor.


Suffolk and Franklin residents, ages 16 to 24, are welcome to attend this free session which will cover a variety of professions including automotive technology, CNA/LPN, culinary arts, electrician, health careers, landscaping, office administration, painting, pharmacy tech, plumbing, welding, security, and more. Attendees are requested to follow the following dress code: Males – button or polo shirt, slacks, belt, shoes Females – dress, skirt, slacks, blouse, shoes It is requested that all attendees not wear jeans, sneakers, or shorts. (more) If you would like to learn more about the Job Corps Program, this is the first step in the admissions process for interested students. Job Corps is the nation’s largest career technical training and education program for students ages 16 to 24. Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, Job Corps provides low-income men and women with an opportunity to gain the experience they need to begin a career or advance to higher education at no cost to the student.


For more information, contact the Suffolk Workforce Development Center at (757) 514-7730.


December 2016


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