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"Virginia Beach Local Pulse: Memorial Weekend Prep, Budget Updates, and Community Engagement"
Published 11 months ago
Description
Good morning, this is Virginia Beach Local Pulse for Thursday, May 22, 2025. We start our day with a look at what’s happening right here in our city. As the sun rises, we’re getting ready for a warm, partly cloudy day with highs in the upper seventies. We may see the wind pick up along Shore Drive this afternoon, so it could feel a bit breezy at the Oceanfront and Town Center. Keep an eye on the skies if you’re headed to the beach or planning outdoor plans after work, though the rain should hold off until late evening.
In breaking local news, the Virginia Department of Transportation has lifted lane closures across major routes for the Memorial Day weekend, so traffic should move more smoothly along I-264 and I-64. That’s good news for anyone heading out of town or welcoming guests into Virginia Beach. Expect heavier than usual volume on Atlantic Avenue, so try to plan your travel with a little extra time.
At City Hall, the big headline this week is the adoption of the revised city budget for fiscal year 2026. Our city council voted overwhelmingly to approve a $2.8 billion budget, increasing spending by nearly five percent over last year. There’s no new pleasure boat tax as originally proposed, but there’s a new annual boat registration fee to help fund dredging projects. Also starting this summer, local EMS will begin billing health insurance for ambulance rides, aiming to keep out-of-pocket costs low while supporting our city’s volunteer rescue squads and first responders. These changes aim to keep Virginia Beach growing while supporting daily services we all rely on.
On the real estate and job market front, we’re still seeing steady demand for coastal homes, with average listings in the Great Neck and Kempsville areas holding steady this spring. Local businesses are hiring for hospitality and retail roles as the summer season approaches, so anyone looking for work at the Oceanfront or Town Center should see fresh postings.
Culturally, it’s a big week for Virginia Beach. The 81st Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum is underway in the Convention Center, bringing hundreds of experts in helicopter and aviation technology to our city. You might see some unique aircraft displays on your morning drive. And for music lovers, the park concerts and local tavern stages are alive with spring sounds, including the return of the city’s outdoor symphony series at Mount Trashmore this weekend.
In schools, Cox High’s boys soccer and Princess Anne’s girls track teams both notched big region wins, drawing cheers from fans and families on the sidelines.
On the crime blotter, police report increased patrols near the Oceanfront after a series of car break-ins overnight around 19th Street. No injuries were reported, but residents are reminded to keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight.
Before we wrap up, a little feel-good story: students from Ocean Lakes High spent yesterday volunteering along Sandbridge, clearing litter and planting dune grasses to help protect our shoreline before the holiday rush. That’s community spirit in action.
This has been Virginia Beach Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
In breaking local news, the Virginia Department of Transportation has lifted lane closures across major routes for the Memorial Day weekend, so traffic should move more smoothly along I-264 and I-64. That’s good news for anyone heading out of town or welcoming guests into Virginia Beach. Expect heavier than usual volume on Atlantic Avenue, so try to plan your travel with a little extra time.
At City Hall, the big headline this week is the adoption of the revised city budget for fiscal year 2026. Our city council voted overwhelmingly to approve a $2.8 billion budget, increasing spending by nearly five percent over last year. There’s no new pleasure boat tax as originally proposed, but there’s a new annual boat registration fee to help fund dredging projects. Also starting this summer, local EMS will begin billing health insurance for ambulance rides, aiming to keep out-of-pocket costs low while supporting our city’s volunteer rescue squads and first responders. These changes aim to keep Virginia Beach growing while supporting daily services we all rely on.
On the real estate and job market front, we’re still seeing steady demand for coastal homes, with average listings in the Great Neck and Kempsville areas holding steady this spring. Local businesses are hiring for hospitality and retail roles as the summer season approaches, so anyone looking for work at the Oceanfront or Town Center should see fresh postings.
Culturally, it’s a big week for Virginia Beach. The 81st Annual Vertical Flight Society Forum is underway in the Convention Center, bringing hundreds of experts in helicopter and aviation technology to our city. You might see some unique aircraft displays on your morning drive. And for music lovers, the park concerts and local tavern stages are alive with spring sounds, including the return of the city’s outdoor symphony series at Mount Trashmore this weekend.
In schools, Cox High’s boys soccer and Princess Anne’s girls track teams both notched big region wins, drawing cheers from fans and families on the sidelines.
On the crime blotter, police report increased patrols near the Oceanfront after a series of car break-ins overnight around 19th Street. No injuries were reported, but residents are reminded to keep vehicles locked and valuables out of sight.
Before we wrap up, a little feel-good story: students from Ocean Lakes High spent yesterday volunteering along Sandbridge, clearing litter and planting dune grasses to help protect our shoreline before the holiday rush. That’s community spirit in action.
This has been Virginia Beach Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI