COVID Cases Rising, WJCC Rolls Out Weapon Detection Systems at Sports Events, and More
COVID Cases Rising, WJCC Rolls Out Weapon Detection Systems at Sports Events, and More
Historic Triangle News Roundup December 31 - January 6
First week of 2024 in the books! I spent New Year’s Day cycling around Colonial Williamsburg and uploaded my ride to YouTube. The goal this year is to post more Round the Triangle content on social media, so follow me on Insta, X, and LinkedIn if you want to see what I’m doing between newsletters.
Here’s last week’s top stories:
VA COVID cases increase for sixth week in a row, but hospitalizations remain low
The VA Department of Health said this week that in addition to the rise in COVID-related emergency department visits, influenza cases were also “very high.” There were upswings in Norovirus and Respiratory Syncytial Virus cases as well.
Only 30% of VA residents have received flu shots for the current season and only 12% are up to date on their COVID vaccines. You can order COVID tests online for free.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that COVID-related hospitalizations will peak later this month. The VDH recommends seeing a doctor if you feel sick, but then staying home until you feel better.
School division implements no-bag policy and weapon detection gates at athletic events
The two new policies for Williamsburg-James City County schools went into effect this week, meaning that attendees at division sports events can no longer bring any bags into events and must also pass through CEIA Opengate metal detectors.
The purchase of the weapon detection systems was approved last summer after a 2022 “threat of vulnerability” assessement conducted at WJCC. The past two years of shootings on school grounds in Virginia has been unprecedented.
I interviewed WJCC deputy superindendent Daniel Keever about school safety as part of my larger report investigating weapons detection technology. I also created a map which pins every VA school shooting in the past few years.
Other Headlines:
This week the Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce held a legislative forum where state representatives discussed hot topics like Virginia’s Right to Work law. The General Assembly convenes this coming Wednesday.
The VA Mercury published a breakdown of the Equal Justice Initiative’s Racial Injustice Calendar, which includes historic dates like the passing of Virginia’s Eugenical Sterilization Act and the lynching of a Black man in Charles City.
A William & Mary study found osprey reproduction has dramatically dropped in the Chesapeake Bay over the past two decades due to scarcity of Atlantic Menhaden. Virginia is the only Atlantic Coast state that allows reduction fishing in territorial waters.
Upcoming Events
When: Monday, Jan. 8 from 6:30 - 8:30 PM
Where: 1430 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg
When: Tuesday, Jan. 9 from 6 - 8 PM
Where: 4725 Stadium Rd, Williamsburg
“Winter Cardinal” Paint Night @ Column 15:
When: Friday, Jan. 12 from 6 - 8:30 PM
Where: 723 Merrimac Trl, Williamsburg
That’s all I got for this week. I’m going to finish listening to this NPR story about six Virginia families who are fighting for their right to recordings of their loved ones’ last moments.
Hello? Is this thing on?
Cover photo from Wikipedia.
