Bulk Waste Collection Delayed

The recent storm has resulted in a significant increase in yard debris being placed curbside for collection. As such, bulk waste collections are behind schedule. Residents should leave their bulk waste curbside until collected and are urged to wait until after the Thanksgiving holiday to place non-yard waste bulk items (i.e., mattresses, furniture, etc.) curbside for collection, if possible. Please note that garbage and recycling collections are on schedule. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

• City offices and public libraries will be closed on Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Garbage, bulk waste, and recycling regularly scheduled for Thursday will be collected on Saturday, November 28.
• The landfill, located at 550 Atkinson Way, will be closed on Thursday and Friday, but will resume normal hours on Saturday, November 28.

Curbside Loose Leaf Collection Schedule

This year's curbside loose leaf collection program will begin November 30. Every neighborhood in the city will still receive two loose leaf collection runs this season. Check the schedule to see what weeks your neighborhood will be collected. Residents are asked to rake leaves to the edge of the road, without blocking traffic or drainage ditches, by 7 am on the Monday of the week your area is being collected. Leaves placed in clear plastic bags will continue to be collected on regularly scheduled bulk waste collection days.

Community Support Agency Grant Program

The City recognizes that not-for-profit organizations fill an important role in improving the quality of life for our community. To encourage not-for-profit organizations to provide services to residents of Newport News, the City has established a system to award monetary grants to qualified not-for-profit organizations. The application deadline is January 19, 2010.

Residential Rehabilitation Tax Abatement

To improve and maintain the quality of our housing stock, the City offers a real estate tax abatement incentive for homeowners who undertake the renovation, rehabilitation or replacement of residential property. Find out if you can qualify.

Gang Awareness and Prevention Forums

The 2009 Fall Neighborhood Leadership Institute of the Office on Children, Youth and Families will present Gang Awareness and Prevention Forums. The five session Institute will cover topics such as the history and psychology of gangs, gangs in Virginia and Newport News, and prevention of gangs as well as a special session for the faith community. The forums will be held October 28th, November 5th, 12th, 19th (Faith session) and December 3rd. All sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Brittingham–Midtown Community Center.

Attention Entrepreneurs!

Looking to start or grow a business? Register now for the Start and Grow Your Hampton Roads Business seminar series, sponsored by the Department of Development and the U.S. Small Business Administration. This FREE series will be held 6pm–8 pm on Tuesdays from November 3^rd to the 24^th.

Berlin Wall Exhibit at the Virginia War Museum

Marking the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Virginia War Museum has opened a new exhibit which examines the history and symbolism of the Wall. The new exhibit centers around a 10′×10′ section of the Berlin Wall already in the museum’s collection and is included in regular museum admission.

Flu Precautions

It's that time of year again and this year we are faced with the H1N1 flu in addition to the seasonal flu. Learn how to protect yourself from getting the flu and how to prevent spreading it in your home and in the community.

Chinese Drywall

Concerned you may have Chinese manufactured drywall in your home? Here’s some useful information.