April 16, 2021
A publication by Gloucester's Department of Community Engagement and Public Information
Gloucester Recognizes Animal Control and Appreciation Week

With this week being National Animal Control and Appreciation Week, we applaud our Animal Control Department, which works tirelessly around the clock to keep our residents and animals safe.

Shown here, in front of the new Department headquarters are Animal Control staff members, from left, Beth Hogge, Olivia Barrero (Administrative Assistant), Jacky Wilson (Deputy Animal Control Officer), Jeff Stillman (Deputy Animal Control Officer) and Steve Baranek (Chief Animal Control Officer).

With the hottest days of summer upon us, Animal Control is alerting locals to a new state law (3.2-6500) that prohibits keeping dogs tied (tethered) outside during the following conditions:
• When the temperature is over 84 degrees or under 33 degrees
• During a heat advisory, hurricane, tropical storm, or severe weather warning
• If the animal is in danger from predators or ill-equipped to tolerate tethering, e.g., puppies or dogs who are old, ill, injured, or vulnerable in some other way

The new law also requires that tethers be no less than 15 feet long.

For more information, visit: https://www.gloucesterva.info/167/Animal-Control.


Harmful Waste Collection Scheduled for this Weekend
This free collection is open to Gloucester County residents only. Commercial quantities, quantities that exceed a reasonable residential household amount, and/or hazardous waste generated by businesses will not be accepted. 

Accepted Items
This collection allows residents an opportunity to dispose of:
  • Automobile hazardous waste - antifreeze, brake and transmission fluids, gasoline (and mixtures thereof), batteries, etc.
  • Gardening/Outdoor supplies - pesticides, herbicides, pool chemicals, etc.
  • Household items - small propane canisters and propane tanks for grills, fire extinguishers, toxic household cleaners, drain cleaners, mercury, batteries, electronics, etc.
  • Painting supplies - paints, thinners, solvents, epoxies, wood preservatives, etc.

Items NOT Accepted
Items that cannot be accepted:
  • Ammunition, explosives, fireworks, and marine and other flares
  • Asbestos
  • Drugs, medicines, and medical waste (drug dropbox at Sheriff’s office, 7502 Justice Dr.)
  • Household trash (can be taken to any convenience center)
Drug Take Back Scheduled for April 24

The Gloucester Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will be at the Gloucester Walmart on April 24, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. to receive over the counter and/or prescription drugs (expired / unwanted) from the community.

A deputy will collect the medicine from the public and stow it in provided containers, which will later be turned over to the area DEA Office for destruction. This is an annual event wherein GCSO partners with the DEA’s “Drug Take Back Initiative” to help prevent improper disposal of medications at home. We encourage you to bring your expired or unwanted medications to this event so that we may dispose of it appropriately.
Come check out the reptiles!

The Gloucester Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is hosting a program on Sunday, April 25 at the Whitcomb Lodge, Beaverdam Park, for members of the public to view and learn about several different reptiles. Participants will get an in-depth look at reptile life from Larry Mendoza, representative of the Virginia Herpetological Society! Register at http://gloucesterva.info/civicrec

Mendoza is former President of the Virginia Herpetological Society. He is an experienced field herpetologist and has been keeping snakes for over 20 years. He uses these animals to educate the public and has been an invited speaker/lecturer for many organizations, homeowners associations, college lectures, child day care centers, zoos, schools, and boy/girl scout events. 
Gloucester Main Street Earns National Revitalization Award

The Main Street Preservation Trust in Gloucester is one of six winners of the Main Street Forward Awards, which recognize communities that have shown exemplary recovery and resilience efforts amid the multiple crises of 2020.

Selected from 68 total submissions by a national jury of economic development experts, the Main Street Preservation Trust (MSPT) is being honored for its Downtown Dollars program, which raised nearly $150,000 in gift card sales to local businesses and benefited Gloucester healthcare workers.

Now Available- Classes in High-demand Fields at Little or No Cost at RCC
 
Tuition assistance programs are now in place to help area residents return to work and to higher education. Dr. Shannon Kennedy, Rappahannock Community College (RCC) President, commented, “The pandemic has caused upheaval and uncertainty in our lives, but Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck residents now have an opportunity to get training and education in high-demand fields at little or no cost.”
 
Students taking RCC classes in high-demand fields may qualify for Pell grants, as well as extra tuition assistance dollars, under these special funding programs. Some areas of study include: network and cybersecurity; game design and development; website design; industrial technology maintenance; data cabling and fiber optic installation; welding; CNC milling and turning; accounting; law enforcement; and culinary arts. Various health science concentrations qualify as well, including: certified nurse aide; medication aide; pharmacy technician; phlebotomy; EMS; and nursing.
 
RCC navigators are ready to help you take the next step. Visit www.rappahannock.edu, call 804-333-6730, or email [email protected] for assistance.

Registration Open for Development Planning Class

Registration is open for NetworkPeninsula's April 23 Development Planning class (online), at the Nonprofit Management Institute.

Training funds and member discounts are also available for qualifying nonprofits. To learn more, visit https://networkpeninsula.org/nmi/

Upcoming Courses Offered by the Middle Peninsula/Northern Neck Community Services Board

Children First Co-Parenting Virtual Program
When: Thursday, April 22, 2021
May 20, 2021
June 17, 2021

Time: 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Cost: $50.00

Pre-registration by phone is required. To register, call: 804-642-5402 or email: [email protected]

For a complete list of course offerings, visit: www.chvc.online

Current Job Openings with Gloucester County, Virginia Government

Purchasing Coordinator: $41,531 annually

Workplace Safety and Training Specialist: $62,237 annually

Utility Maintenance Worker: $29,476 annually

Utility Inspector: $46,507 annually

Park Aide (part time - as needed): $11.30 hourly

For more information or to apply, visit:
New Post on Money, Health and Other Things

Over the next two weeks, the Virginia Cooperative Extension will return to its discussion on life insurance.

Have a community event coming up? Consider listing it in The Bee Line Events Calendar!

Town Crier | 804-693-5730 | Contact Us |
6382 Main Street
Gloucester, Virginia 23061