MONDAY. APRIL 8. 2019
Newport News Recognizes National
Youth Violence Prevention Week
City to host activities throughout the week and
free community events on Saturday
Today marks the beginning of National Youth Violence Prevention Week, a national education initiative to demonstrate the positive role young people have in making their school and community safer. Newport News is hosting community events to engage with youth and increase community involvement to prevent and/or reduce youth violence. The week of violence prevention activities is an opportunity for young people and adults to work together to promote effective ways to reduce youth violence and to have positive, meaningful conversations that lead to change.

This year’s national theme is Be A Superhero: Activate Your Superpowers and the city will host a series of activities that build on this message. Events have been planned by a team of representatives from city departments, the Newport News Police Department (NNPD), Newport News Public Schools, the Mayor’s Campaign to End Bullying, the Mayor’s Youth Commission, the city wide Student Council Association, NNPD Young Adult Police Commissioners, and the Silence Empowers Violence Community Action Team. Events include an interactive forum on bullying, a conversation about violence and crime with Chief Steve Drew, a poster and PSA contest, Superhero Day at Watkins Early Learning Center, and much more. 
 
Several activities are planned for Saturday, April 13 that are free and open to the public:
 
  • Healthy Youth Day & Summer Camp Expo – A showcase of healthy activities, summer camp options, programs and events offered by the Newport News Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. The event is at Patrick Henry Mall from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
  • Kickin’ It To Violence Kickball Tournament and Block Party – Student and adult teams will compete in a fun game of kickball to determine who will be crowned the Kickin’ It To Violence champion. In addition to the game, there will be a community block party with music, games, food and vendors. The event takes place at Todd Stadium from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
  • Pop-Up Shop – Bullying often occurs because young people don’t have “up to date” clothes and shoes. The Pop-Up Shop provides young people and their families with an opportunity to acquire gently used clothing and shoes at no cost to them. The event will be held at Todd Stadium from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m.
  • Poster and PSA Contest – Elementary students will create posters and middle/high school students will create Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that promote an anti-violence message consistent with the Be A Superhero: Activate Your Super Power theme. Come to Todd Stadium from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for the PSA performances and to see the posters on display.

National Youth Violence Prevention Week was created by Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) as an initiative of the Sandy Hook Promise. This year marks the city’s first collaborative effort to recognize the week. Our goal is to enhance these partnerships to make our community safer and more resilient to youth violence. For more information on National Youth Violence Prevention Week, visit http://nationalsave.org .
City and Small Business Development Center
Host RETAIL REVIVAL Workshop
Learn how to compete with big box retailers and win customers
The Newport News Department of Development, in conjunction with the Hampton Roads Small Business Development Center, is hosting a free workshop entitled RETAIL REVIVAL on Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00 a.m. in the Piggly Wiggly community room ( 3101 Jefferson Avenue) . The workshop is designed to help small businesses compete with big box retailers and share how independent retailers and restaurants can win and keep customers. The event is open to local restaurant and retail merchants and registration can be done through the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce website .  

The RETAIL REVIVAL workshop will be facilitated by Marc Willson, a national retail and restaurant consultant for the Virginia Small Business Development Center Network. During the seminar, Willson will discuss ways that businesses can attract and keep new customers, the importance of utilizing updated technology and how to get customers in the door. Participants will be given the opportunity to ask questions that are relevant to their specific businesses .

Business owners may set up private appointments to meet with Mr. Willson for one-on-one sessions in the afternoon. During this time, Mr. Willson will either visit the retail or restaurant location or meet the business owner at the location of the morning workshop. 

To register, visit the Hampton Roads Chamber Calendar of Events then select April 10. To determine if a one-on-one private appointment slot is available for the afternoon, please contact Tricia Wilson or Shakir Johnson at 757-926-8428. 
Waterworks Releases Annual Water Quality Reports  
Newport News Waterworks has released the 2018 Water Quality Reports , which provide an overview of test results from the past year. As in prior years, the reports reveal no violations of federal or state regulations.

Waterworks publishes two water quality reports annually – one for customers in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York County and part of James City County (the Lower Peninsula System), and one for customers in the Lightfoot area of Upper York County who are on a separate, freshwater well system. In addition to providing information on water quality, the reports contain details on how water is tested, the sources of water, water treatment practices and public health precautions.

For those who do not have computer access or would prefer a printed copy, the Lower Peninsula System report is available at libraries in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson and York County. The Lightfoot System report can be accessed at the Williamsburg Regional Library branch in Toano. Both reports are available at the Waterworks Walk-In Service Center in City Center at Oyster Point (700 Town Center Drive).

To request a water quality report be mailed to your home or office or if you have questions about the reports, call Waterworks Customer Service at 757-926-1000. Representatives are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.