$80m Regional Sports Complex Moves Forward, Spike in Problem Gambling Calls, and More
$80m Regional Sports Complex Moves Forward, Spike in Problem Gambling Calls, and More
Historic Triangle News Roundup December 10 - 16
Howdy! It’s Sunday, December 17, and I’m reading about how one W&M staff person has spent the past few decades tracing his genealogy back to his enslaved ancestors.
“During past visits to Colonial Williamsburg, I thought about a bunch of white people riding down the street on a horse, not knowing that 55% of the folks that lived in Williamsburg were Black people, enslaved and free, and the fabric – I like that word fabric – is all tied together.”
Alright - let’s get to last week’s top stories.
Williamsburg, James City County approve joint agreement to build $80 million regional sports complex
In the works since 2014, the sports complex, which will be constructed near the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center, is intended to drive tourism in the area. York County is expected to consider the matter by the end of this month.
During the JCC Board of Supervisors meeting this week, member Jim Icenhour failed to defer the decision until January. He had previously penned an op-ed arguing that tax revenue benefits were unclear and that there was no exit strategy.
The City of Virginia Beach recently terminated its contract with operators of its own $68 million sports complex after an audit revealed it had lost millions of dollars since it opened in 2020.
Gambling helpline calls increase by 788% in VA as advocates call for more funding
The President of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (helpline: 1-888-532-3500) said that the need for help has quickly outpaced resources, despite the state giving more to address the issue in recent years.
An estimated 2% of Virginians, mainly young men, suffer from problem gambling. FanDuel and DraftKings were the top online sportsbooks in Virginia and Caesars Casino in Danville was the top for casino sports betting.
Suicide rates for problem gamblers are the highest among addiction disorders, and treatment for the disorder is drastically underfunded when compared to substance abuse disorders.
Other Headlines
Community members gave input on the future of the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport at a planning session this week following the loss of an airline and termination of its executive director earlier this year. Email your input here.
The JCC Board of Supervisors is looking into installing red light cameras in school zones in a growing trend among Virginia localities to ensure the safety of students, staff, and crossing guards.
Virginia terminated its contract with the sole privately-run prison in the state this week right after it had extended it last week. Read my report on the prison, which repeatedly understaffed healthcare professionals on site.
Upcoming Events
When: TODAY 2 - 5 PM
Where: Williamsburg Regional Library, 515 Scotland St
Williamsburg Old Time Radio Hour - Christmas Performance:
When: Dec. 23 7:30 - 9 PM
Where: Kimball Theater, 428 W Duke of Gloucester St, Williamsburg
When: Dec. 28 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Where: James City County Library, 7770 Croaker Rd
You’re all caught up! One more thing - did you know that Yorktown had its own version of the Boston Tea Party protest?