The 2024 Hurricane Season is set to begin June 1st. With the combination of record-breaking warm waters and a La Niña, this hurricane season is predicted to be very active. Forecasters predict 24 named storms, with 11 of those being hurricanes and six being Category 3+. Now is the time to get prepared! This month, we talk with Jane Wenner, Gloucester's Emergency Management Coordinator about why this season looks to be more severe and steps you can take to make sure you are best prepared for the worst! Sign up for BEE Alert today: https://member.everbridge.net/2497682396413971/login

We've had questions rolling in about the road work in progress at the Guinea Road and Route 17 intersection. Kelly Hannon, VDOT's communications manager for the Fredericksburg District, was kind enough to explain the reasons behind this median shift and what drivers can expect during construction. The short version is: they're adding a dedicated left-turn lane to address a safety concern.Here are some of the links she mentions in our April podcast:VDOT's website: vdot.virginia.govGuinea Road project landing page: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/fredericksburg-district/route-17-at-route-216-guinea-road-intersection-improvements/Report road issues: my.vdot.virginia.gov, 1-800-367-7623Check current traffic conditions: 511Virginia.org

Sticking with the theme of real estate this month, we've received many questions about why so much land is being cleared along Route 17 Southbound, just past the intersection of Burleigh Road, across from the Lowe's Home Improvement store. In Part 2 of this episode, we learn about the development, which is called The Reserve at Gloucester Village (formerly known as The Villages of Gloucester and The Barrens).We appreciate Anne Ducey-Ortiz, our Director of Planning, Zoning & Environmental Services for taking some time to discuss some of the facts surrounding the development with us. For more information on this department, visit https://gloucesterva.gov/planning-zoning.

This month, we have a two-part podcast. For Part 1, we branch off a bit from County government, and speak with Kandy Fist, President of the Chesapeake Bay and Rivers Association of Realtors (CBRAR), about Gloucester's current housing market. Kandy was kind enough to join us to discuss the trends we have been seeing in inventory of homes, how quickly they are selling, and what we can expect over the coming months. CBRAR is the local REALTOR® association for Gloucester, Mathews, Middlesex, the portion of King & Queen County known as the Buena Vista District and the portion of King William County known as West Point. For more information, visit https://www.cbrar.com/.

This month, we are joined by our School Superintendent, Dr. Anthony Vladu, who just completed his first six months on the job! He updates us on how his entry plan is going and discusses some of the current challenges the school system is facing regarding racist messages. He also provides us with some insight into what a "typical" day in the life of a school superintendent is like. You won't want to miss this episode! For current updates on Gloucester County Public Schools happenings, be sure to follow their Facebook page, www.facebook.com/gloucestercountyschoolsva.

Quinton Sheppard and Savannah Haugdahl with the Community Engagement and Public Information Department are uniquely privileged to work with all of the other departments, highlighting their work throughout the year. In the first week of January, they sat down to review some of the County's greatest accomplishments of 2023.

Almost everyone knows that criminal defendants have rights, but often, victims and witnesses of crimes don't know that they ALSO have rights. Chelsea Pierce's team of Victim Witness Advocates help those people navigate our court system and access support for their needs. Check out their podcast, "Victim, Meet Advocate" wherever you get your podcasts!https://gloucesterva.gov/commonwealths-attorneyhttps://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/victim-meet-advocate/id1571784603

In this episode, we chat with Christine Joyce, our Purchasing Agent, and Sherry Spring, our Economic Development Director about an exciting initiative coming up in December called the Reverse Vendor Fair. Are you interested in possibly becoming a vendor for Gloucester County? Do you have a business that has the potential to become a partner with Gloucester County Public Schools?Register for our Reverse Vendor Fair! We would love to learn more about what your business has to offer! County departments and school representatives want to learn what you can bring to the table as a vendor! Attend for a chance to win one of two $100 prizes sponsored by the Economic Development Authority. We love supporting local businesses, and we’re always adding new ones to our list of partners! The deadline to register is Nov. 30, and you can register by visiting www.gloucesterva.gov.

Nov. 7 is right around the corner, and Early Voting has actually already started! We have a few special circumstances on the ballot, and some new rules about voting absentee, so Bobbi Morgan is here to make sure you have the information you need to participate in our democracy.To register to vote or check election details, here's the Gloucester elections website: https://gloucesterva.gov/elections-voter-registration

This month, we are joined by Dr. Anthony Vladu, the new Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools. Dr. Vladu talks a bit about his background, his vision for GCPS, and his passion for the students and their learning experiences. Take a listen, as you won't want to miss this episode!

Debra Falkenberg was a school coordinator at Page Middle School for six years, and was just promoted to become our senior coordinator. Her team is responsible for everything from arranging field trips, to organizing food assistance for families, to making school buildings available for community use after-hours. The work of these behind-the-scenes heroes benefits everyone in Gloucester. If you like what you're hearing, you can apply to join the team!

This month, we chat with Deputy County Administrator George Bains about what projects are happening at the County level. George oversees the Community Development team, which means he's in-tune with most of the projects that are in progress or on the horizon.We've got regrading, turfing and irrigating going on at Woodville Park, a renovation at the Social Services building, enhancements coming to our water towers, maintenance at the old Page site, and lots more.

Tourism Coordinator Susan Ammons has all the details about upcoming sports, fishing tournaments, museum happenings and a 50th birthday party that you (and your family) are invited to!

Lisa Kersey, the director for Gloucester County's Department of Social Services, shares resources for adults during Older Americans Month. Social Services has resources to help people who are struggling with a disability, food insecurity, housing problem or other need. Learn more about what the Department of Social Services can offer: https://www.gloucesterva.info/293/Adult-Services

Welcome to Season 3 of the Current Conversations podcast! In this episode, we sit down with Eric Beach, Gloucester's Director of Information Technology, who provides us with the latest updates on the Broadband Project in Gloucester County. Eric is currently overseeing the project. When will you see broadband in your area? What can you expect with the service? Eric answers these, and many other burning questions during this episode.

This month, we are honored to be joined by Gloucester's County Administrator, Carol Steele. During this episode, she looks back on a few of the many accomplishments the County made in 2022 and also some of the challenges the County faced. She also looks ahead to many of the exciting things in the works for Gloucester for 2023. You won't want to miss this episode!

Join us for this important episode as we address the Opioid Crisis locally, and ways the County is working to enhance existing opioid addiction services in the community. This month, Steve Wright, Gloucester's Deputy County Administrator, discusses the first steps in how Gloucester may use an estimated $680,000 that the County is slated to receive from the Commonwealth's Opioid Abatement Fund. Gloucester County will be hosting small table discussions on the topic Dec. 12 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Gloucester Main Library Community Room. Service providers, family, friends, those in recovery, or anyone impacted by the crisis are encouraged to attend and share their experiences and recommendations. In order to help staff prepare for this event, attendees are requested to RSVP here. Those unable to attend, and who would like to provide input are encouraged to do so on the County's Community Engagement platform, which can be accessed here.

Real Estate reassessment notices for property owners in Gloucester County will be mailed out in mid-November for the January 2023 General Reassessment. This month, County Assessor Dan Thomas explains the ins and outs of the reassessment process and how the increase in real estate market values will impact this general reassessment. You won't want to miss this episode!To learn more about Real Estate Assessment in Gloucester, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/449/Real-Estate-Assessment

The month of October is Community Planning Month, so we sat down with Anne Ducey-Ortiz, Director of Planning, Zoning & Environmental Programs, and Carol Rizzio, Senior Comprehensive Planner, to discuss the history of Planning and Zoning in the community and what's next. This podcast discusses multiple ways you can become involved in the County's rezoning process. We also learn about current and future development projects taking place in Gloucester.

This month, we sit down with Robert Kelly, Gloucester's Museums Coordinator. Robert is a true history buff and is extremely engaging. In the short 2.5 years he has been in the role, Robert has worked to expand the Museum's offerings inside and outside of its walls. Over the next several months, the Museum has exciting events planned for all ages. Take a listen to learn about all that this gem in our community has to offer!To learn more about the Museum, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/820/Museum-of-History