12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 11 Number 11 Around Hampton Roads


Disaster Resource Center to open for fire victims


As work continues to assist the victims of last weekend's fire, the City of Chesapeake will open a Disaster Resource Center (DRC) on Thursday, July 20. The DRC will be a "one-stop shop" for impacted residents to connect with resources and assistance from both government and private agencies including Boyd Homes, ABBA list, and others.


The DRC will be located at New Galilee Baptist Church, 1765 South Military Highway. (Parking Map) It will be open 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursday (7/20) through Sunday (7/23). Center operations will cease at the end of the day on Sunday.


The DRC will provide information, connections, and assistance with locating resources. No financial transactions will occur and no "material goods" such as furniture or clothing will be available at the DRC. Referrals to sources of those items will be available, as resources allow. Residents may call 382-CITY (382- 2489) if they have questions about the DRC or the resources available.


Residents wishing to make monetary donations in support of fire victims may do so through the United Way of South Hampton Roads. Administrative fees have been waived so that 100% of the donations will go to assist victims. Donations made be made online at UnitedWaySHR.org by selecting "Donate" and choosing "Chesapeake Fire Victims."


Project 1619 African Diaspora Film Festival


The African Landing Commemoration Day Festival continues on Friday, August 18 with the Project 1619 African Diaspora Film Festival. The feature is American Denial, a film that sheds light on the unconscious political and moral world of modern Americans, using archival footage, newsreels, nightly news reports, and rare southern home movies from the ‘30s and ‘40s, as well as research footage, websites, and YouTube films showing psychological testing of racial attitudes. Exploring “stop-and-frisk” practices, the incarceration crisis, and racially-patterned poverty, the film features a wide array of historians, psychologists, and sociologists who offer expert insight and share their own personal, unsettling stories. The result is a unique and provocative film that challenges our assumptions about who we are and what we really believe.


The film event will also include a panel discussion following the film.


Commissioner of the Revenue accepting applications for real estate tax relief


The Newport News Office of the Commissioner of the Revenue is accepting and processing applications for Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled program available to Newport News homeowners. Those who meet specified eligibility requirements including age, income, and assets, may qualify for deferral or exemption of real estate taxes. The deadline for filing a 2017-18 application for Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled is August 31, 2017.


Eligibility requirements for deferral:


Applicant must own and reside in the home and be at least 65 years of age by December 31, 2016 or be permanently and totally disabled.


Total combined income from all sources during 2016 of the applicant, spouse, and all relatives and non-relatives residing in the home shall not exceed $50,000. Some exceptions apply.


Combined assets of all persons as of December 31, 2016 shall not exceed $200,000, excluding the residence.


If multiple persons, other than a spouse, are listed on the deed, all persons listed must meet the eligibility requirements.


Eligibility requirements for exemption:


Applicant must own and reside in the home and be at least 65 years of age by December 31, 2016.


Total combined income from all sources during 2016 of applicant, spouse, and all relatives and non-relatives residing in the home shall not exceed $25,000. Some exceptions apply.


Combined assets of all persons as of December 31, 2016 must not exceed $10,000 excluding the residence.


If multiple persons, other than a spouse, are listed on the deed, all persons listed must meet the eligibility requirements.


Household costs related to maintaining the home must equal or exceed 40% of the total household income.


For more information or to obtain an application, property owners can contact the Commissioner of the Revenue’s Office at (757) 926-3535 or visit the office at either 2400 Washington Avenue or 12912 Jefferson Avenue. Information and applications are also available on the Commissioner of the Revenue’s website at www.nnva. gov/com.


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Apply for cooling assistance through August 15 in Norfolk


Families needing help with their cooling costs this summer may apply for the Cooling Assistance Program through Tuesday, August 15th. Apply online at www. commonhelp.virginia.gov, pick up an application form at any Norfolk Department of Human Services location or call 664-6035 to have one mailed to you.


Types of available cooling assistance include: Payment of electric bills to operate cooling equipment; Repair of a central air conditioning system or heat pump; Purchase of a fan;


Purchase and installation of a window unit air conditioner for households without a working one.


To qualify for assistance, the household must contain at least one vulnerable person age 60 or older, under the age of 6, or disabled. Applicants must reside in the locality in which they apply. Maximum monthly gross income (before taxes) for a one-person household is $1,307 and $2,665 for a household of four. The maximum amount of assistance for electricity payments is $300.


Assistance is based on availability of funds. Cooling Assistance is a component of the Energy Assistance Program, funded by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program block grant.


TEAM Portsmouth celebrates the USCG during 3rd Annual Coast Guard 5K & Cutter 10K


August 2017


TEAM Portsmouth represented the City of Portsmouth and its employees in the 3rd Annual Coast Guard 5K & Cutter 10K held on Saturday, August 5th, presented by the City and Road Rage Events. The event marked Portsmouth’s celebration of the US Coast Guard’s 227th anniversary as a service branch (August 4, 1790) and the City of Portsmouth’s designation as an official Coast Guard City (November 2009).


This year, the 5K & Cutter 10K attracted over 1,000 runners and walkers and began at the Portsmouth Pavilion, traveled along the beautiful Elizabeth River and through Olde Towne, with 10K participants running through the Coast Guard Base.


Russ Turner, Organizer of Road Rage Events, said, “It's all about Happy Runners and Walkers, and this year's event in celebration of the City of Portsmouth's designation as an official Coast Guard City, was PERFECT. From the weather to the setting. Portsmouth can be proud of a stellar event.”


Congratulations to the US Coast Guard for 227 years of service…to the City of Portsmouth, an official Coast Guard City…and, to all participants...especially TEAM Portsmouth.


Suffolk Public Library to launch redesigned website


SUFFOLK, VA (August 3, 2017) Following the launch of the City of Suffolk’s newly redesigned website on July 27th , the Suffolk Public Library will be launching their own redesigned site at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 3, 2017. Both sites were part of a nearly yearlong redesign process with Civic Plus, a leading government website provider. While most of the navigation will remain familiar to library site users, there have been some improvements made for quicker access to key resources such as the library’s digital collections.


This launch coincides with a new addition to Suffolk Public Library’s digital collection, RB Digital, which combines eBooks, audiobooks, and digital magazines all in one app. To get started with RB Digital, library cardholders can visit the library’s new website and select the RB Digital button at the bottom of the home page.


To learn more about the Suffolk Public Library, visit www.suffolkpubliclibrary.com. Follow the library on Twitter @SufPubLib and check for updates on Facebook at Facebook.com/SuffolkPublicLibrary.


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