Armed 7th grader arrested at Grafton high school with hand gun, no one injured
Good morning! Also today -- governor approves more money for local schools, and a week full of budget hearings ahead.
CORRECTED VERSION to show this incident occurred on Friday, not Wednesday.
A 13-year-old Grafton Middle School student was arrested Friday carrying an unloaded handgun, the York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office announced.
Students at Grafton High School warned administrators around 11 Friday morning that the boy had a handgun.
The high school and middle school are in the same building on Grafton Drive.
The school principal and the school’s security officer found the 7th grader inside the building.
They found a semi-automatic pistol in a small bag the student was wearing around his neck, the Sheriff’s department said. The pistol was unloaded, and no ammunition was found in the bag or on the student.
He was taken into custody at the Merrimac juvenile detention center and was charged with possession of a firearm on school property, wich is a felony.
Governor approves extra school funds
Gov. Glenn Youngkin approved the larger school funding budget passed by the General Assembly, which should close a big chunk of the funding gap at local schools.
Williamsburg-James City County Schools spokesperson Kara Walls said officials were still awaiting final confirmation that they would be receiving an extra $1.9 million.
But even with the additional money, she said, the schools would be $815,000 short of the money they seek for their $195.2 million budget.
Budget approvals coming up in York, Williamsburg next week
Next week will be decision-making time on local government budgets and taxes for two of the Historic Triangle’s localities.
York County supervisors are scheduled to approve the county’s $291 million budget – including increases in real estate and personal property taxes – when they meet Tuesday evening.
In a memorandum to the supervisors, County Administrator Mark Bellamy said he adjusted his proposal to consider feedback from eight different meetings and town hall sessions that have taken place since March on the budget and the tax increases.
Bellamy’s revised budget increases the operating expense – or General Fund – by $185,238 to $200.2 million. He proposed a $555,000 contingency fund for York schools to cover potential lapses in contributions from the state.
Real estate property tax rates will go up by 4 cents, to 78 cents per $100 of assessed value, and property taxes will increase by 20 cents under Bellamy’s proposal.
The county board of supervisors meets Tuesday, May 6, at 6 p.m. in the east room of York Hall, 301 Main Street.
Williamsburg’s city council will be doing a lot of work on its budget this week.
The proposed budget has been trimmed by $1.9 million to $50 million based on feedback during public hearings. Proposed increases to the meals tax, lodging tax and a new admissions tax are budgeted to bring in $1.37 million more.
City council has a work session Monday, May 5 in the Stryker Center starting at 4 p.m. It is slated to approve the final budget at its regular meeting on Thursday, May 8, which will also be at the Stryker Center starting at 2 p.m.
Other government meetings next week:
York County:
York County’s school board has set two sessions behind closed doors next week.
The first meeting is set for Wednesday, May 7, at 1:30 p.m. to discuss a potential lawsuit. The second is set for May 9 at 12:30 p.m to discuss hires. Both are at the school board office, 302 Dare Road.
Williamsburg-James City County School Board: Tuesday, May 6, the school board meets behind closed doors to discuss personnel issues at 3:45 pm, then begins its work session starting at 4:30 to discuss its budget and other issues. School Board central office Annex, 117 Ironbound Rd., Room 300.
James City County
The James City County planning commission meets May 7, 2025 to review a special use permit for the county’s proposed $185.9 million government center. Staff says the center is consistent with the county master plan and is urging the board to recommend the board of supervisors approve the special use permit. Wednesday, May 7, at 6 p.m. in the county government center board room at 101 Mounts Bay Road.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority board meeting, Monday May 5, 3 p.m., Stryker Center.
Williamsburg Economic Development Authority, Wednesday, May 7, 3 p.m., Stryker Center Room 127.
Youngkin cuts $900 million from the budget amendments package
Guest Opinion
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I-64 Construction Update:
Single-lane closures on I-64 west from Route 199/Lightfoot (exit 234) to the New Kent County-James City County line May 4-May 10 from as early as 7 p.m. to as late as 7 a.m.
Single-lane closures on I-64 east from Old Stage Road (exit 227) to the James City County-York County line from as early as 9 p.m. to as late as 6 a.m.
Full closure of I-64 west off-ramp at Croaker Road (exit 231) May 5-May 10 from as early as 7 p.m. to as late as 7 a.m.
Brief, intermittent stoppages on Barnes Road from Skillman Drive to Old Stage Road May 5-May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Brief, intermittent stoppages on Six Mount Zion Road from La Grange Parkway to Fieldstone Parkway May 5-May 9 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Long-term, temporary traffic shift on I-64 west starting April 6 from east of Route 199/Lightfoot (exit 234) to the New Kent/James City County line. View the full traffic alert.
Long-term, temporary traffic shift on I-64 east between the New Kent/James City County line to Route 199/Lightfoot (exit 234). View the full traffic alert.
Passings
Florence Grace Zitzelberger, 96, April 28.
Carol Bunker Jones, 83, April 28.