12 The Hampton Roads Messenger


Volume 12 Number 10 Around Hampton Roads


July 1 toll increase on Dominion Boulevard Veteran's Bridge


The scheduled annual toll increase for the Dominion Boulevard Veterans Bridge goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, July 1. Tolls for all vehicle classes will increase by 5% or approximately $.05 for most passenger vehicles ($1.10 with E-ZPass, $3.10 without). This toll increase is part of the multi-year toll schedule approved by Chesapeake City Council on July 10, 2012. The multi-year toll schedule, showing all vehicle types and sizes, is available at www.DominionBoulevard.com.


Tolls are collected electronically using E-ZPass transponders or through a


photographic, toll-by-plate system. E-ZPass offers the lowest toll rate option. Motorists can obtain their E-ZPass online at www.EZPassVA.com, by phone at 1-877-762-7824 or in person at any Chesapeake City Treasurer’s office or the Norfolk or Portsmouth E-ZPass office.


The Dominion Blvd Improvement Project, the largest locally administered project in the history of the Commonwealth, was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. It reached substantial completion in November 2016 when all four lanes from Grassfield Pkwy to I-64 opened to motorists. In addition to widening the road from two to four lanes, the project replaced the moveable Steel Bridge with the 95- ft high, fixed span Veterans Bridge. Interchanges were constructed at Cedar Rd, Dominion Lakes Blvd., and Great Bridge Blvd.


For more information on Dominion Blvd, visit www.DominionBoulevard.com.


Special requirements for groups that cook and sell meat


New food-handling rules could affect fundraising groups that cook and sell items such as hamburgers, chili, fried fish or roasted oysters. To reduce foodborne illnesses, the state Health Department is requiring groups to have a certified food protection manager if they are cooking animal products.


For the record, beginning July 1, Little Leagues, swim teams, football boosters and most temporary food vendors have two choices: Someone can take a course and become certified – at a cost of about $150 – or they can switch to selling pre-cooked meats (including hot dogs). Virginia restaurants and food trucks already have to have a certified manager on-site, but the regulations now include temporary food vendors. Visit www.hampton.gov/3515/Food-handling-rules for details.


'ZOOM IN on Newport News' photo contest has begun


Submit your photo by Oct. 31, 2018, for a chance to win a $500 cash grand prize


Newport News, VA, June 26, 2018 – The annual “ZOOM IN on Newport News” photo contest has returned for its 10th year! This year’s theme is “Local Favorites,” which can include everything from hidden gems to the city’s most popular attractions and events. We encourage participants to capture the beauty of Newport News Park or any of the other 30+ parks found in Newport News; the serenity found at sunset over the majestic James River; or the excitement that abounds at our special events, like 4th of July Stars in the Sky and Celebration in Lights!


Sponsored by Newport News Tourism, the contest is open to both professional and amateur photographers. A panel of judges will choose the winners.


Participants may submit up to five photographs, digital or film, in either the professional or the non-professional category. A $500 cash grand prize will be awarded to the winning entry in both.


Photographs taken prior to June 1, which was the start of the contest, are eligible to be entered. There will also be two honorable mention prizes consisting of a VIP Passport to Newport News attractions for four people, valued at $250.


Winning photographs may be featured in upcoming Newport News Tourism publications and on the city’s tourism website. The contest is open to all U.S. citizens, ages 18 and older. Entries will be accepted through October 31, 2018.


Visit www.newport-news.org for full contest details – including complete rules, entry form, online image submission requirements, and suggestions to help you get started.


Contest rules are also available at the Newport News Visitor Center, 13560 Jefferson Ave., at the entrance to Newport News Park. Call 757-886-7777 or 888- 493-7386 for additional information.


Adopted fee changes in Norfolk to begin July 1


Some fees increased as part of Fiscal Year 2019 budget


NORFOLK, VA – New fees adopted as part of the Fiscal Year 2019 budget will take effect on July 1. Fee increases will generate $3 million in additional revenue for the city and include: Cemetery fees, such as grave and mausoleum openings and closings;


Planning fees, such as conditional use permits, zoning text amendments and site plans;


Fees for emergency medical services, fire inspections and false alarms; Library printing fees and room rentals at Slover Library:


Ticket prices at Nauticus and the Virginia Zoo, and the per ticket facility use fee at cultural and entertainment venues;


Public Works permits such as right-of-way;


Fees for Recreation, Parks and Open Space facilities and programs such as recreation centers and before/after school care;


Additionally, the waste management fee was reduced. For a full list of fee changes and to see the entire budget document: www.norfolk.gov/index.aspx?nid=4063


Portsmouth activates 'Cool City' Cooling Stations July 2


The City of Portsmouth will activate “Cool City” Cooling Stations for individuals


due to the excessive outside temperatures that are expected. Individuals may go to the


following locations for shelter in reducing the danger of heat-related illness: Portsmouth “Cool City” Cooling Stations: Portsmouth Main Library, 601 Court Street: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Churchland Library, 4934 High Street West: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Cradock Library, 28 Prospect Parkway: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Manor Library, 1401 Elmhurst Lane: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Human Services Building (Dept. of Social Services Building), 1701 High Street: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. City Hall Lobby, 801 Crawford Street: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Senior Station, 3500 Clifford Street: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Behavioral Healthcare Services Building, 1811 King Street: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.


Water will be provided. Pets, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted in any building. Citizens are encouraged to seek shelter in the Cooling Stations and other public facilities during excessive outside temperatures. Individuals who are at greatest risk of heat-related injury include small children, the elderly, and individuals who are impaired or immobile. As a reminder, these individuals and pets should not be left in vehicles. Also, please remember to check on these individuals to confirm their status.


Suffolk Transit announces service enhancements


Suffolk Transit has announced a number of service enhancements including Saturday Service for the first time in their history for several Routes. These and other changes outlined below will become effective on July 1, 2018.


The Gold Route will be renamed the Pink Route to make service mapping easier to produce and read as the color was so similar and confused with the Yellow Route. The Blue Route of North Suffolk is proposed to be renamed the Purple Route. The Blue Route name will be reallocated to a new Saturday Service Route. Saturday Service will include the Green, Orange, Pink, and Purple Routes with the addition of the new Blue Route which will be a modified combination of the Yellow and Red Routes. Saturday service for the Green, Orange, Purple and Blue Routes is proposed to begin at 7:30 a.m. and end at 4:30 p.m. The Pink Route would run from 7:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. The Purple Route (formerly the Blue Route) is proposed to be modified slightly in order to provide more service to the Harbour View Boulevard area. This will allow for more convenient access to a variety of businesses and service agencies.


Hours of service are proposed to be added to the Pink Route (formerly the Gold Route). The Pink Route is proposed to operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and then from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No service will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for the Pink Route.


Hours of service are proposed to be added to the Yellow Route to make it a full-day Route. It is proposed to operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.


An additional hour of service is proposed to be added to the Red Route, allowing it to start an hour earlier during weekdays. The Red Route will operate from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.


Maps of all Routes, fares, schedules, and more are available for review at www. suffolktransit.org..


Virginia Beach developing consensus on regulations for short-term rental properties


There are two items on the Tuesday, July 3 City Council agenda related to the issue of short-term rentals. During the informal session, City Council will continue the discussion from the June 26 workshop about how to regulate short-term rentals. The second item, on the formal agenda, is an ordinance City Council plans to deny. It was deferred from the June 5, 2018 agenda and asks City Council to consider amendments and additions to the City Zoning Ordinance that address short term rental regulations.


"We have been wrestling with the issue for more than two years because it is an especially complex set of circumstances for Virginia Beach," said Mayor Louis Jones. "After reviewing the research, listening to citizens, evaluating legislation the General Assembly recently passed, considering several alternative ordinances and surveying members of the Council on options, we are finally making progress


July 2018


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