FIREWORKS IN THE SEVEN CITIES ARE ABOUT TO BE LIT!

The Seven Cities are known for their grand Independence Day celebrations. Here are some highlights:

Chesapeake's Celebrate Freedom: Enjoy live music and fireworks in a night filled with fun. Remember to bring chairs and blankets. Food trucks will be available. The event takes place Monday, from 6 to 10 p.m. at 900 City Park Drive. (No tents, feather flags and oversized umbrellas)

Newport News 4th of July Stars in the Sky: Funnel cakes, painted faces and bouncy houses 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Victory Landing Park, 50 25th St.

Norfolk's 40th annual Great American Picnic & Fireworks: Traditional American food and seafood will be available before fireworks at 9:30 p.m. The event is on Tuesday, from 5 to 10 p.m. at Town Point Park. 113 Waterside Drive.

Portsmouth’s Shaggin’ 4th of July Celebration: Dance to beach music under the fireworks. Live music starts at 5 p.m. and fireworks begin after the concert on Tuesday at 2 High St.

Suffolk's Stars and Stripes Spectacular: Enjoy a kids’ area, food trucks, and beer before the fireworks at 9 p.m. The event begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina. 110 E. Constance Road.

Virginia Beach's Stars & Stripes Celebration: Enjoy musical performances and fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday along the Boardwalk.

Don't miss the July 4th Celebration at Mount Trashmore with live music, food trucks, and fireworks starting at 9:30 p.m. 310 Edwin Drive

Williamsburg's July Fourth: A full day of events starting with the reading of the Declaration of Independence at 9:30 a.m., followed by music, festivities, and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Free admission to the Historic Area and Art Museums from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For free tickets, visit www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/tickets/july4.

The day's festivities include a tribute to the States by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, followed by a musket salute in Market Square at 10:30 a.m.

At 8 p.m., the Lights of Freedom event starts on the Palace Green, celebrating the language and tunes of the Revolutionary era. Attendees are encouraged to bring seating, blankets, and refreshments to enjoy the show.

Fireworks will light up the sky above the Governor’s Palace at 9:30 p.m., visible from the Palace Green, Market Square, and the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg's eastern lawn.

For more details on the events, check colonialwilliamsburg.org/july4.

Yorktown's 44th Independence Day Celebration: A day filled with music, activities, and fireworks at 9:15 p.m. over the York River on July 4. The Liberty Celebration at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is included with museum admission.

Colonial Parkway's Independence Day: Free entrance to Yorktown Battlefield, Jamestown Island, and the recreational stops along the Parkway on July 4.

Other events: The third annual Community Appreciation Day will be hosted on July 3. On July 4, there will be a yoga class at Aleworks Brewing Co., and a car show hosted by the Classic Cruisers Car Club.

On July 4, the Classic Cruisers Car Club invites you to a free car show at the Coastal Church in Yorktown, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy music, food, and a unique collection of cars. All proceeds will benefit the Gathering of Mountain Eagles, a group supporting wounded and injured American military service members and their families. More information at www.ccccva.com.

From July 1-8, Busch Gardens is hosting Military Appreciation Week. Expect military bands, fireworks each night, a close look at military vehicles, and a special shopping experience.

For a more comprehensive version of the same information, click these two links below:

https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/06/29/where-to-see-fourth-of-july-fireworks-in-hampton-roads/

https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/06/29/how-to-celebrate-independence-day-in-the-williamsburg-area/

^{"Candid Conversations: Virginia Senator's Unfiltered Tweets Spark Debate"}

In a surprising twist, the President Pro Temp of the Virginia State Senate took to Twitter with a rather unusual concern: "Is anyone else's Pornhub not working?" she asked her followers.

This same official would go on to criticize the Republican Governor for his perceived lack of action. She accused the Governor of "sitting on his ass,"(paraphrase, tweet below)in reference to the absence of an age verification system in a newly passed legislation.

While we maintain our neutrality, the colorful language and unexpected tweet from a public figure certainly merit a highlight.

So, we pose this question to our readers: Do you think the Senator's comments cross the line and deviate from traditional family values? Or do you appreciate the Senator's transparency and authenticity? Lay down your thoughts in the comments section.

For more on what caused the Pornhub outage, please check out this article:

New Laws In The Commonwealth Effective July 1, 2023

New Gun Safety Tax Credit

A $300 income tax credit is now available for gun owners who invest in safety equipment such as safes or trigger locks, aiming to encourage firearm safety and keep guns away from children.

Expanded Reading Support

School boards must now offer reading help to students from fourth to eighth grade with significant reading deficits. Previously, this support was only available for students from kindergarten to third grade.

Jury Duty Compensation

Jury duty compensation has been increased from $30 to $50 per day.

Blue Headlights Prohibited

Modifications creating blue headlights on various vehicles are now banned.

Parole Board Transparency

The Virginia Parole Board is now subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and must hold a public meeting for final deliberations and voting on parole cases.

Online Age Verification

In Virginia, websites with content deemed inappropriate for minors now require ID verification for access.

Tenant Rights

Landlords with four or more units must notify tenants of rent increases in writing at least 60 days prior to the agreement's end. Additionally, 60 days' notice is required for lease termination in buildings with multiple simultaneous lease endings.

Hemp Regulation

A new law requires hemp products to maintain a minimum 25-to-1 ratio of CBD to THC.

Reduced Tuition

Out-of-state students at Norfolk State University and Virginia State University may now qualify for in-state tuition for high-demand field programs.

Catalytic Converter Theft

Selling or possessing a detached catalytic converter is now a felony without proper ownership documentation.

Medical Bill Responsibility

A person will not be held responsible for their deceased spouse's medical bills.

For a deeper dive into the information within this article, please click on this link:

https://www.pilotonline.com/2023/06/30/these-new-virginia-laws-are-taking-effect-july-1 

_{A Richmond Times Dispatch Forum About Community Policing}

The Richmond Times-Dispatch is hosting a forum titled "3 Years After George Floyd: A Conversation About Community Policing" at 6 p.m. on July 27. The aim is to foster dialogue about the challenges faced by law enforcement and the community, according to Scott Bass, Times-Dispatch Opinion Editor and forum moderator. The event, which is free, takes place at the Richmond Times-Dispatch auditorium with parking on site.

Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards of Richmond, Henrico County Police Chief Eric English, and VCU Police Chief John Venuti will discuss post-Floyd America policing and ways to strengthen community-police relationships.

The chiefs will discuss issues including officer shortages, recruitment, diversity, and training procedures. Topics will also cover law enforcement in marginalized communities, post-Floyd community mistrust, and rising police brutality incidents.

Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Michael Paul Williams, reporter Em Holter of The Times-Dispatch, and associate professor of public policy at the University of Virginia, Brian Williams, will serve as panelists. Questions can be submitted to [email protected].

The event is seen as a potential catalyst for positive change and a step towards co-creating public safety and order. For the full article about this event click below:

https://richmond.com/about-us/times-dispatch-to-host-police-discussion-panel-with-local-law-enforcement/article_22e4ca9a-15b6-11ee-a8ac-971bfce6cbd3.html

_{Attribution Link: Pix4free.org - link to - https://pix4free.or}

_{Original Author: Nick Youngson - link to - http://www.nyphotographic.com/}

_{Rural Residents Near Richmond…..STILL LOADING….}

Julia Perkinson's home in Varina, just 25 minutes from downtown Richmond, is a two-acre floral haven. However, due to a lack of broadband connectivity, she struggles to share her blooms online or launch her retirement business selling plants. She relies on inconsistent cellular data, adjusting her schedule to use hotspots when they work best, around 2 a.m.

Fortunately, Virginia is set to receive $1.5 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, part of a $45 billion national investment in rural broadband. This funding will expand high-speed internet service across the state, a development Perkinson eagerly awaits.

Like Perkinson, the Colombo family in Hanover faced challenges with internet connectivity, relying on hotspots for their children's online schooling and work-related Zoom calls. Their situation improved after getting Starlink, a satellite internet service from SpaceX, though they had to wait two years for it.

Jeff Bohn and Christy Talbott, a Hanover couple living near the Goochland County border, also use Starlink. Despite its intermittent service and $120 monthly fee, it's their only option for now. They hope the upcoming broadband expansion will provide a faster, more affordable solution.

Hanover announced a project last year to deliver broadband to all unserved homes and businesses within three years via fiber-optic cables from All Points Broadband. Similarly, Henrico is partnering with All Points Broadband to connect 412 addresses in rural Varina.

Despite these plans, Marquita Sea, another Varina resident, remains skeptical. She's heard promises of broadband before and will believe it when she sees it. Her family, including three school-age children, struggled with virtual learning via hotspots during the pandemic, a challenge that persists as most schoolwork is now online.

For the complete story, please click the link below:

https://richmond.com/news/local/rural-residents-near-richmond-still-waiting-for-high-speed-internet/article_f19014a0-178a-11ee-8d73-57edad7daf9a.html

_{A Detainee Has Escaped From The Caroline County Detention Center}

Sometime during the late afternoon of July 2nd, 2023 a detainee has escaped from the Caroline County, Virginia Detention Center (which is owned by Caroline County but leased by the Department of Homeland Security.) Authorities have cautioned county citizens to ensure that their cars and homes are locked. Please be alert and call 911 if you see anything suspicious in that area of Virginia.

ALEXANDRIA CRIME PAYS

Structured retail theft is a growing issue in Alexandria and across the country, as evidenced by both stories and statistics. Alexandria saw a 30% spike in robberies from 2021 to 2022, along with an 18% uptick in car thefts and a 7% increase in petty theft. The city also experienced bank heists in March and April.

These so-called "victimless" crimes, where corporations are robbed without individuals getting hurt, have contributed to the shutdown of retail chains in big cities. On June 13, the House Judiciary Committee discussed the escalating issue of organized retail theft and its public safety implications. Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach noted that most stolen goods are sold online.

A local instance of this trend was the theft at the Sephora store on King Street on May 26. Four youngsters in jeans, sweatshirts, and gator masks stole a large amount of products, possibly intending to resell them. Witnesses saw the culprits leaving with bags full of merchandise.

Tricia Holley saw the thieves speeding away. An anonymous eyewitness, referred to as "Sabrina", confirmed that a customer recorded the robbers' license plate and encouraged the staff to contact the police. However, the employees did not call the authorities due to store policy.

Sabrina and Holley were surprised and upset that these crimes are not getting more attention. Holley was particularly stunned by the inaction on the scene. She noted a sense of apathy, believing that the police would be ineffective.

The Sephora theft was reported the next day by an employee, according to Alexandria Police Department Spokesman Marcel Bassett. Sephora’s corporate office did not respond to queries about their robbery response training for employees.

Bryan Porter, Alexandria's commonwealth’s attorney, expressed concern over unreported thefts. He assured that if the crime is reported, the police will investigate and arrests will be made where evidence supports it.

Former CVS manager Carlos Coutin shared that their emphasis is on safety. Employees are discouraged from chasing suspicious individuals, and it's the store manager's discretion to call the police. Coutin emphasized that policy variations exist between companies, but all aim to safeguard employees’ lives.

Please click the link below for the full unabridged story:

https://alextimes.com/2023/06/the-price-of-crime-robbery-eyewitnesses-former-store-manager-discuss-the-surge-in-victimless-robberies/