In Gloucester
JANUARY: A large group rings in the New Year at a First Day Hike at Machicomoco State Park in Hayes …A special award is presented by the Fairfield Foundation to board president and volunteer Tom Karow for his many hours of service to the organization … Deloris Stokes raises $5,720 with her church, First Morning Star Baptist, Bena, for the Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team (GUEST) for 2024 … Pointers Country Mart holds soft opening for its new location on Jan. 17 …Kevin Smith elected chairman and Ashley Chriscoe vice chair at the annual organizational meeting of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors … Brett Lindsay, a 2017 graduate of Gloucester High School, was named head coach for the Regent University baseball team … GHS wrestlers win Mathews Invitational with 251 points … Sarah Burney named new president of Gloucester Chamber of Commerce … Helping the Homeless, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, embarks on its 15th year of service in Gloucester County and beyond … John Meyer was selected as chairman of the Gloucester County Planning Commission … Gloucester County’s Historic Resources Supervisor Robert Kelly receives the 2024 Medal of Honor from the American Society of Le Souvenir Francais Inc … the Rev. Dr. Anderson Clary Jr., retired pastor of Hampton’s Queen Street Baptist Church, is the guest speaker for the Gloucester Union Relief Association of Missionary Baptist annual King Day observance … Leonne Arsenovic is elected chair and Anita Parker vice chair of the Gloucester County School Board … Certified sommelier Michael Diaz appointed innkeeper at The Inn at Warner Hall … Gloucester Main Street awards more than $35,000 in grants in its 2024 Façade and Interior Grant Program … Gloucester board begins capital improvement plan discussions … “The Giving Box” shed set up by Quinton Andrews off Davenport Road to help those in need in the community … Gloucester County Friends of the Library seek new members … Gloucester Main Street businesses hold annual meeting … Drake Hall builds hammock stand at Machicomoco State Park for Eagle Scout project … “Silenced Voices” documentary screened at Fine Arts Museum in Gloucester as King Day program … Lady Dukes defeat Kecoughtan Warriors, 47-41 … Perrindise Marina and Club at Hayes undergoes renovations … Gloucester School Board begins preliminary budget discussions … Fire destroys home on Glass Road … GHS wrestlers beat Phoebus and Bethel; place sixth at Ram Rumble … 22 graduate from GHS in mid-year commencement … GHS track athletes earn season bests at district meets … Winslow (Win) Goodier of Nuttall’s Store in Ware Neck achieves certification as Master Chef.
FEBRUARY: American Legion Post 75, Gloucester, hosts a Four Chaplains service on Feb. 1 at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church … Dunkin opens Gloucester Point location on Feb. 1 … Local author S.A. Cosby speaks at Gloucester Library on Feb. 9 … Gloucester board reviews county’s CIP plan … Gloucester Commissioner of the Revenue’s office receives accreditation from state association … Bethany United Methodist Church, Gloucester Point, holds Mission Sunday Celebration to distribute funds to 25 charitable organizations … Peace Frogs celebrates 40th anniversary … Gloucester supervisors take a look at the use of Artificial Intelligence … Population up slightly in Gloucester according to 2024 estimates … Gloucester planners endorse establishment of Aberdene Aquatic Working Waterfront Marina at end of Aberdeen Creek Road … William & Mary alumnus Dr. R. Todd Stravitz and the Brunckhorst Foundation have pledged a $50 million scholarship gift for students pursing their bachelor’s degree in coastal & marine sciences at VIMS … Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc., Epsilon Eta Chapter, hosts its annual Black Men Cooking event on Feb. 15 at Abingdon Ruritan Club, Bena … Her 3 Boys Nifty Thrifty, located in the Salvation Army Service Center at Hayes, has new management, being run by Fred Brown and managed by Tanya Buck of Gloucester … Deborah McDonough steps down from Gloucester School Board … Gloucester Institute receives Spirit of Virginia award … Martin, Thomas Walker Optical in Gloucester reopens under new management as SPEX Optical-Eyewear … First phase of T.C. Walker House renovations completed … Gloucester supervisors consider 14 percent increase in utility costs.
MARCH: Rosewell holds a “Blessing of the Ground” event, consecrating ground where a Remembrance Structure will soon be built to recognize those who were held in bondage at the Gloucester plantation … Gloucester BOS approves CUP request for Aberdene Aquatic LLC to convert vacant seafood processing plant into working waterfront marina … Fairfield Foundation works on matching funds for $600,000 grant … School superintendent Dr. Anthony Vladu presents recommended $77.5 million budget for Gloucester schools … GHS wrestling team takes third place overall in state meet … Storm that raged through the area on March 5 leaves 6,800 without power on Middle Peninsula … GHS social studies teacher Jim Eccleston wins 2025 Region III Teacher of the Year Award … VIMS hosts 27th annual Blue Crab Bowl with local students competing in marine biology and related fields … Five apply for Gloucester School Board interim position … Gloucester Rowing Association holds Polar Plunge event at Gloucester Point Beach, raising about $10,000 … House of Ren opens on Gloucester Main Street … Thirteenth annual XTRA Home & Garden Showcase held at Gloucester Moose Lodge … GVFD battles Meandering Lane house fire … Gloucester County Administrator Carol Steele recommends $88 million budget, 4.3 cent tax increase … Gloucester School Board adopts $83.5 million budget; Fred Brewer named to interim position on board … GHS freshman Paula Ochoa Zepeda places first in oratorical competition … Lady Dukes defeat Kecoughan in softball … Cheyenne Fenton of Gloucester joins editorial staff at Gazette-Journal … Lena Weisman named executive director of Gloucester Main Street … Bob and Jackie Beyea named grand marshal for Daffodil Festival … Gloucester NAACP holds Freedom Fund Banquet … Friends of Machicomoco group completes trail project … Price jumps for construction of new GVFR Station 1 … Road safety improvement work begins at Woods Cross Roads … Ware Academy celebrates the second phase completion of its Ware Opportunities Arise building project with ribbon cutting … GHS softball records shutout wins against Kecoughtan, Hampton … 376 take part in 13th annual Gloucester 8K run and 3K run/walk to benefit Gloucester schools … Thirty members of Gloucester Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service Inc. holds training on department’s new Paratech Rescue Struts.
APRIL: The 39th annual Gloucester Daffodil Festival held in Gloucester Court House; VA250 Mobile Museum visits and 20,000+ attend … Gloucester approves 14 percent public utilities increase … Gloucester Daffodil Club members win awards at state show … Gloucester Main Street to hold Locals Night … Doug Hendrix completes Daffodil Festival poster collection … GHS boys’ and girls’ soccer teams score wins over Poquoson, Denbigh … GHS baseball falls to Hampton; defeats Smithfield and Denbigh; GHS softball posts four shutout wins … Fairfield Foundation holds “Tea at Timberneck” at Machicomoco State Park, Hayes … The Nook, a new bookstore and gift shop, opens in Gloucester Court House … The Cereal Plug opens in Gloucester Court House … Ware Neck Produce celebrates 40th anniversary … Woods Cross Roads crossover temporarily closed while VDOT works on it … Gloucester Salvation Army faces drop in funds, spike in demand … Lady Dukes post double wins against Denbigh; GHS junior Cameron Palas records 100th career RBI … Chesapeake Bank celebrates 125th birthday … Gloucester supervisors hold special meeting with GVFRS to discuss construction of new Station One … Gloucester Library now has hybrid meeting capability … VIMS dedicates new Chesapeake Bay Hall … Gloucester Arts Festival holds its first-ever Book Fair … Lady Dukes crush Raiders in softball … GHS baseball beats Warwick Raiders, 5-4 … GHS soccer posts double wins over Warwick … Gloucester Rowing Association competes in two regattas … Gloucester supervisor Ken Gibson withdraws from reelection bid; endorses Dr. Joe Leming for Petsworth seat … Kandy Fisk, Jessica Dehoux earn top honors at Chesapeake Bay & Rivers Association of Realtors Honor Society Awards … Ribbon cutting held for Buoy 22 Apparel in Gloucester Court House … Gloucester Board of Supervisors reviews funding for schools, as well as local nonprofits, in budget work session … GMHS holds groundbreaking on new building project … Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bena, volunteers pack 10,000 meals in Rise Against Hunger event … GHS track competes in first meet of season … Lady Dukes pick up two wins in softball … Blythelea, Exchange and Holly Knoll on this year’s Historic Garden Week tour hosted by the Garden Club of Gloucester and Mathews.
MAY: After almost a century, Abingdon Woman’s Club disbands … Thirteen GHS seniors take part in annual Signing Day, committing to college athletic programs … Lady Dukes defeat Menchville, York and Bethel in softball … Gloucester hosts Peninsula District meet … GHS soccer teams dominate the field … New store, Bin Haven Auctions, opens at York River Crossing Shopping Center, Hayes … Sarah Burney promoted to Regional Manager for the Middle Peninsula for Chesapeake Bank … Coleman Bridge tolls to be removed by end of year, Governor Glenn Youngkin announces … Gloucester BOS adopts $88.4 million budget … Walmart provides $1,500 grant to Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic … Lady Dukes softball team shuts out Phoebus, 23-0 … GHS soccer teams defeat Phoebus … ArtWork: Cowork in the Village opens at 6769 Main Street, Gloucester … Gloucester Animal Control seizes total of 87 animals from unsanitary and inhumane conditions at a property in Hayes … Abingdon Volunteer Fire and Rescue celebrates 75th anniversary … Beyond Cancer USA opens Gloucester chapter … Gloucester School Board adopts $81.9 million budget … Local Iota Phi Lambda Sorority chapter co-hosts regional conference … Lady Dukes softball defeats Mathews, Phoebus … GHS track competes in two meets … GHS soccer beats Kecoughtan … GHS men’s junior 4+ places second in 2025 Virginia Scholastic Rowing Association State Championships … Gloucester Daffodil Club members attend U.S. convention … Atley Weise, 16, of Hayes, making a name for himself on the race track … Middle Peninsula Detachment #1317 of the Marine Corps League hosts this year’s Memorial Day program in Gloucester … Lady Dukes softball defeats Blue Devils, Wolverines … Bacon Street Youth and Family Services hosts Mental Health Matters Awareness Walk in Gloucester … Boat overturns in York River near Sarah’s Creek; three occupants rescued … GHS softball celebrates sole senior Samatha Carlton at regular season finale; team wins 25-0 … Coleman’s Crossing Residential Association holds tea for its residents.
JUNE: Kerry and Dave Harlan, members of Friends of Machicomoco State Park, work to protect turtle nesting grounds at the park … Galoris “Gee” Brownley of Mathews is recognized by Virginia State Parks as the 2024 Individual Volunteer of the Year; she volunteers at Machicomoco State Park … A chapter in the history of Ware Academy comes to an end with the demolition of Noland Hall … Autumn Cookson of the Gloucester High School softball team is selected as the Peninsula District Player of the Year for the second consecutive season … Kaylee Jones is named valedictorian of Gloucester High School and Lilly Riffe, salutatorian; 335 seniors graduate … Lady Dukes win region title, first round of states … Fire damages kitchen of Scoot’s BBQ … The Gloucester Summer Kick-Off Carnival opens at the site of the old Page Middle School on Route 17, with rides, games, fair food and more … Eight Lady Dukes receive regional softball honors: Autumn Cookson, Avery West, Cameron Palas, Hannah Horsley, Tessa Carteret, Lilly Hogan, Kyndall Sales and Alexis Dishman.
JULY: Gloucester County is victim of a ransomware incident … Dakota Dunlap is inducted as a 4-H All Star during the Virginia 4-H State Congress in Blacksburg … Marion Randall is named 2025 Gloucester Retired Educator of the Year … Gloucester High School sophomore Autumn Cookson is named the Peninsula Sports Club’s 2025 softball player of the year … Teens spend week as archaeologists at Fairfield camp … Anthony Rinderer of Gloucester, creates Certified Wildlife Habitat … Betty Ambrose of Gloucester, has taught generations of children to swim … Phillips Energy raises $6,000+ in fight against Alzheimer’s … Gloucester High School renovation project reaches completion.
AUGUST: Toll collection on the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge comes to an end … Missing WWII plane found on Pacific island, Gloucester man, Ernest Louis Pugh, was in the crew … Sarah Finney and Beth Tripp are awarded the Toddsbury President’s Cup from the Garden Club of Gloucester and Mathews … Gloucester High School graduates eight in summer graduation ceremony … Ronnie, Ryan and Trevor Greene rescue two boaters stranded overnight in the York River … Oletha Etheridge of Gloucester, wins the top prize in the $100,000 a year scratcher from the Virginia Lottery; she opts to take the one-time cash option of $816,000 before taxes …Gloucester County is the recipient of two Virginia Association of Counties 2025 Achievement Awards, which recognize excellence in local government programs … Smooth opening reported in Gloucester schools.
SEPTEMBER: VIMS’ study finds coastal wetlands generate $90 million annually … Gloucester County Public Schools to move forward with before/after school care program … Maria Calloway named deputy county administrator … Christie Norman is named foster care coordinator at the Gloucester-Mathews Humane Society … Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal is hit by ransomware cyber-attack … Guinea Jubilee queen’s court selections will be Queen Miss Grace Stterholm, Junior Miss Braelyn Owen and Little Miss Waverly Winstead … Gloucester County receives a $250,000 matching grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to replace the Swan Bridge, a footbridge that crosses the northernmost finger of Beaverdam Lake.
OCTOBER: Guinea Jubilee doesn’t go off quite as planned; rain puts damper on festival … Gloucester Rotary raises over $18,000 at pig roast … Gloucester High School seniors Declan McCann and Mylah Santiago are crowned Duke and Duchess at halftime GHS football game … Linzie Coleman of Gloucester, claims his second national win this year in the Elite Top Dragster class at Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie … Northeast storm brings extensive flooding to area … Gloucester resident Josh Clark is honored by the Virginia State Fair with the Virginia Veteran Farmer Recognition Award … GHS celebrates renovation completion with ribbon cutting … Tyler M. Simmons, 24, of Hayes, dies in single-vehicle crash … Gloucester County School Board votes unanimously to hold the 2026 Gloucester High School graduation ceremony at Kaplan Arena on the campus of the College of William & Mary …. Gloucester Realty celebrates 70 years in business … Work on the replacement of the Route 14 Burke Mill Stream Bridge at the Gloucester/Mathews County line is complete.
NOVEMBER: State goes Democratic, Gloucester/Mathews vote (mostly) for GOP; Abigail Spanberger defeats Republican Winsome Earle-Sears in race for governor … Nicholas Bonniville, Dr. Joseph Leming and Shannon Hanson win Gloucester BOS seats; School Board seats too close to call … Drivers crossing the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge have increased delays during bridge openings, due to mechanical issues … Four Gloucester schools in Best Schools ranking in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2026 Best Schools Rankings; Bethel and Botetourt elementary schools for elementary and Page and Peasley middle schools in middle schools … Gloucester Daffodil Club members Dianne Spence and Carla Stanley receive the Mid Atlantic Regional Service and Leadership Award … Gloucester United Emergency Shelter Team is in need of host sites for winter shelter … School zone speed cameras installed in Gloucester … A 1988 cold case murder of Laurie Ann Powell is solved; the late Alan W. Wilmer Sr. of Lancaster, is named as the person responsible for the 1988 stabbing death … Regine Biggers is named Gloucester’s Deputy County Administrator … Plans underway to update Gloucester Boys & Girls Club … GHS field hockey receive state honors; players, Charlotte Houtz, Peyton Sutton, Aaliyah Mattocks, Ellary Miller, Addy Zabicki, Hannah Symonds and Hailee Johnston are recognized for state honors, and head coach Joe Dougherty is named Class 4 State Coach of the Year.
DECEMBER: Twice survived: Megan Sheppard beats breast cancer again … Gloucester-Mathews Garden Club collects, donates 200+ coats; coats were given to Gloucester County Department of Social Services and Hands Across Mathews … Denise Carter leads Christmas and Holiday Parade as grand marshal; an estimated 2,500 attend … Steve Alvin Curry, 66, of Lancaster, is arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of Branden Patrick Green, the 43-year-old executive director of Tri-River ASAP … Gloucester Mathews Care Clinic recognized by statewide nonprofit Rx partnership for its role in providing patients with free prescription medication to support their improved health … Abingdon Ruritan Club presents Dianne Woolley Ruritan Club of the Year Award; Rose Marie Smith is awarded Volunteer of the Year and Harvey Kidd, Unsung Hero … Middle Peninsula Audubon Society Christmas Bird Count takes place at locations in Gloucester, Middlesex and King and Queen counties … Christmas morning fire destroys home on Big Island Road … Antonio Donald welcomed as incoming president of Abingdon Ruritan Club … Peasley Middle School eighth graders visit Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.
Compiled by Nancy Layng and Charlie Koenig
In Mathews
JANUARY: The Mathews County Board of Supervisors receives an interim report on an energy audit of Mathews County Public Schools and other public buildings … Mathews Ruritan Club’s Christmas Blessing Fund surpasses $20,000 goal … Mathews High School wrestling team places seventh overall at its annual invitational … MHS boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball teams defeat Middlesex, 58-55 and 32-22, respectively … The westbound bridge on the Route 3/14 bridge has been taken out, with completion of repairs and replacements slated for November … Tim Doss and Tom Bowen will lead the Mathews BOS as chair and vice chair, respectively, in 2025 … MHS boys’ varsity basketball teams beat King and Queen, 80-60, but fall to Lancaster, 88-72 … ‘We are Still Not Going Back’ theme of Mathews Martin Luther King Jr. program at First Baptist Church … Mathews County Public Schools buildings in less-than-ideal physical condition, funds needed … MHS wrestlers defeat Southampton, Northampton and Essex at home quad meet … MHS boys’ varsity indoor track team places second in Lambert Timing Meet #5 … MHS varsity boys’ basketball team defeats King William, 82-75, in double overtime … MCPS closes due to potential ethylene glycol exposure at Mathews Elementary School … Red drum found cold-stunned and later dead on a bank outside of Lanes Creek at Cricket Hill, apparently due to cold weather … MHS students Jordan Sadeg, Hunter Owens and Toby Eskins selected for All-District Honor Band … MHS boys’ varsity basketball team defeats Rappahannock, 75-60 … MHS boys’ indoor track team places second at meet.
FEBRUARY: MHS boys’ varsity basketball team defeats Gloucester, 60-58 … New Point Comfort Lighthouse observation deck replacement work begins … 64 units collected at Mathews blood drive; Karen Hinebaugh reaches 100-unit milestone, while Jim Drummond receives 20-gallon pin … Mathews County experiences a 1.25 percent decline since the 2020 Census … Eric Beckley of Gwynn’s Island enjoys challenging hobby of maintaining saltwater aquariums … Diane Vogel and George Overstreet are newly elected to Mathews County Historical Society board … Mathews School Board holds public hearing on $18 million draft budget … MHS wrestling advances 10 to state tournament … MHS varsity boys’ basketball team defeats King and Queen, falls to Northampton … MHS varsity girls’ basketball team defeats Northumberland, falls to King and Queen and Northampton … James Brown the cat finds his way home to Lauren and Allen McBurney of Mathews after five months missing … Mathews School Board adopts FY26 budget of $18,167,737 … National Day of Protest held on Presidents Day, locals gather at Liberty Square in Mathews … MHS varsity boys’ basketball team closes out regular season by defeating West Point, 75-60, at home … MHS varsity girls’ basketball team splits pair of games in last week of regular play, defeating King William, 38-29, and falling to West Point, 64-28 … Mathews BOS schedules hearing to consider adding $863,321 to the current budget, allowing the county to purchase the former Mathews Boys and Girls Club for $575,000 and convert it to a firehouse … MHS boys’ varsity basketball team defeats Westmoreland, 57-54, in the Region 1A quarterfinals.
MARCH: Mathews School Board considers the implications of merging Mathews Elementary and Thomas Hunter Middle schools into one preK-7 school … Mathews Board of Supervisors entertains discussions with Mathews Family YMCA about building an indoor community pool … Four MHS wrestlers place at state tournament … MHS boys’ varsity basketball team falls to Northumberland, 68-55, in the VHSL Region 1A semifinals … Mathews School Board names Richardson’s Café to the 2025 VSBA Business Honor Roll … March 5 storm damages Dutton home … Mathews School Board notified cuts will be made to $18.17 million budget (county contribution of $10.14 million) by Board of Supervisors … Mathews County employees’ salaries lag behind other adjacent and nearby localities, according to a compensation and classification study … Sarah Rae named executive director for the Mathews and Middlesex YMCAs … MHS varsity softball team opens regular season with a 20-10 win against Essex … MHS varsity baseball team defeats Lancaster, 7-2 … MHS tennis opens season with wins against Denbigh, 7-0, and Lafayette, 5-4 … MHS varsity boys’ soccer defeats Northumberland, 6-1, and JV co-ed soccer bests the Indians, 4-0.
APRIL: Virginia’s Li’l Ole Opry, also known as Donk’s Theater, marks its 50th anniversary … 1820 Thomas James Store opens to the public following $100,000 lift and stabilization … Mathews Board of Supervisors votes 4-1, to advertise a real estate tax rate increase of 10 cents per $100 of assessed value … Elizabeth Moore, Nora Suthard, Donovan Forrest, Gavin Dustin and Jon Jenkins take first place in their respective events for the MHS girls’ and boys’ track teams … MHS girls’ soccer team wins first game of the season against Westmoreland, 5-4 … MHS tennis defeats Middlesex, 9-0 … Board of Supervisors holds workshop to consider cuts to the $26.44 million budget … North End Bridge repair work begins … Mathews Farmers’ Market opens for season … Mathews Board of Supervisors meets for eight hours to whittle the looming deficit in half, to $844,931 … Mathews residents sound off during school board meeting to express concerns over an expected cut of $1.1 million in local funds to the FY26 schools budget … MHS girls’ varsity soccer team defeats Northumberland, 7-0; falls to King William, 3-1 … MHS boys’ varsity soccer team beats Northumberland, 6-2, and King William, 3-1 … Mathews County FY26 budget hearing of a proposed $36.34 million draws large crowd … MHS boys’ track team places fourth overall at Charles City meet … MHS varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer teams post shutout wins against King and Queen, 6-0, and Northumberland, 5-0, respectively … MHS varsity softball team defeats King and Queen and Lafayette, but falls to King William.
MAY: Hands Across Mathews undergoes restructuring across the board … Mathews Community Foundation awards 43 grants totaling $194,451 to local nonprofits … MHS varsity softball team defeats Nandua, 10-8, and Northampton, 19-2 … MHS varsity baseball team beats Northampton, 11-6, West Point, 16-6 and Nandua, 9-4, but falls to Middlesex, 2-0 … Mathews May Faire enjoys clear skies, breeze … Mathews BOS adopts county budget of $36.34 million for FY26 … 140-year-old oak tree preserved by Greg and Belinda Sandor of Onemo … Maggie DeVita of Cardinal celebrates her 103rd birthday … MHS soccer teams post wins against Northumberland, Lancaster … MHS varsity baseball team defeats Charles City, 30-0, and Northampton, 13-1 … Over 460 cyclists take part in 26th annual Tour de Chesapeake … Mathews BOS unanimously votes to create a park on Gwynn’s Island …Supervisors approve by 3-2 margin a conditional use permit for a private airstrip in Port Haywood … MHS varsity softball falls to Gloucester, 11-0, and Middlesex, 16-0 … MHS tennis defeats West Point in the Region A semifinals … MHS varsity baseball team defeats Middlesex, 3-2, and Colonial Beach, 6-5 … Hunter Owens receives Blue Devils Ambassador Award from the Gwynn’s Island Civic League Foundation … Mathews student representative Suki Zheng recognized by school board … MHS tennis team named Region 1A runner-up.
JUNE: Mathews High School graduates 59 during the school’s 86th commencement … Painter Pam Manz creates mural at Cobbs Creek Arts Center … MHS boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer teams post wins in the first round of the regional tournament, but fall during the semifinals … MHS varsity baseball team falls to Lancaster, 6-2, in the regional quarterfinal game … Donovan Forrest and Gavin Dustin claim state titles for MHS in track and field … Gwynn’s Island neighbors express opposition to Bay Haven Drive park project … Mathews LOVEworks sign dedicated adjacent to Liberty Square Complex … Summer improvements underway at Mathews schools … MHS girls’ tennis wins first round of state tournament … MHS girls’ soccer falls to West Point, 6-0, in the state quarterfinal match … A crowd of 150-200 gather in front of Mathews Parks and Recreation to take part in No Kings Day … Christine Johnson named to Mathews Land Conservancy Board of Directors … Mathews Elementary School’s literacy assessments indicate that K-3 students are exhibiting progress … MHS graduate Donovan Forrest commits to Virginia State University … Mathews Little League Juniors softball team wins the Virginia Little League District 15 championship … Mathews Little League coach-pitch softball team finishes season in second … Arks and Barks Festival held at Bay School Community Arts Center … The buyboat Peggy of New Point turns 100 years old … Historical society installs interpretive panel at New Point Comfort boardwalk explaining the stabilization of the island and restoration of the lighthouse … Cooling stations available at Mathews Family YMCA And Mathews Memorial Library in midst of extreme heat … Gwynn’s Island Festival returns.
JULY: The newly formed Poplar Grove and Tide Mill Foundation acquires historic mill and Poplar Grove Estate on the East River to begin restoration project … Gwynn’s Island Festival welcomes steady flow of visitors despite the heat … Mathews Memorial Library offers Voyage Through Time summer program … David Biderman takes new role as Mathews County building official … Mathews School Board votes, 4-1, to remain as a member of the Virginia School Boards Association … 422 boats participate in Mathews Volunteer Fire Department’s Easter Riverfest Boat Docking and Fireworks Celebration … Mathews BOS extends Tompkins Cottage lease to the historical society for 25 more years … Mathews Maritime Foundation continues to keep nautical heritage alive in the county 26 years later … Carol Paul Cormier Jr. and Lacey Ann Horsley arrested in Mathews double homicide of Chad Wayne Ashford and Audrey Elaine Hudgins … Mathews Board of Supervisors evicts Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill due to back rent dispute … Water for Everyone, a Mathews Community Foundation initiative, brings relief to residents who lack access to clean drinking water … Sheriff April Edwards dissolves School Resource Officer program at MCPS … Mathews Little League 9-11 All-Star softball team advances to state championship game … Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill files emergency injunction against Board of Supervisors and County Administrator Ramona Wilson over sudden eviction … Mathews Outdoor Club advocates for wider shoulders for pedestrians, bicyclists … New LOVE sign at Williams Wharf Landing honors shipbuilding history … Dream Warriors, the Mathews-based basketball team, claims national title … Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill granted emergency injunction, allowed to reopen … Mathews County moves forward with universal broadband coverage project … MHS receives Stay in the Game Award for the 2024-2025 season.
AUGUST: Hole in the Wall owners refile suit against Board of Supervisors and supervisors Dave Jones and Mike Walls, individually, seeking $20 million in compensatory damages … MHS Marching Band begins practice for season ahead … Planning Commission tables Gwynn’s Island park request … Mathews YMCA Preschool to open at Westville Baptist Church … MCPS to start year with an average daily membership of 725 students … David Walsh and Patrick Beattie announce their candidacy for the Board of Supervisors … Feral kitten found on Glebe Road tests positive for rabies … Lucas Hernandez, Leona Walker, Nicolas Proctor and Ashlynn Scheirer graduate from MHS … Judy Jackson recognized at MCPS convocation for 40 years of service with the district … Smooth opening at MCPS … Alexander Roahrig’s digital image, “A waterman’s life for me,” wins 2025 Market Days Poster Contest … Mathews County files motions to Mathews Circuit Court to dismiss the Hold in the Wall Waterfront Grill’s temporary injunction … MHS football team plays John Marshall in pre-season scrimmage .
SEPTEMBER: Mathews residents Murphy and Chuck Heasley attacked by a rabid cat at their home in Glebe … Linda Hodges and Amy Bohannon-Stewart announce their candidacy for the Mathews County School Board … MHS varsity volleyball team defeats Colonial Beach, 3-0, in home season opener … MHS football falls to Cumberland Dukes, 46-0 … MHS cross country teams open season with first place wins … About 4,500 attend this year’s Mathews Market Days … Tabby cat Lola lives and works at Sibley’s General Store on Mathews Main Street … Gwynn’s Island Civic League Foundation donates supplies to all Mathews public schools … MHS girls’ varsity volleyball team loses to Colonial Beach and Northumberland, defeats King and Queen, 3-0 … MHS forfeits remainder of 2025 football season … Board of Supervisors discusses Phase II of the Main Street Enhancement project … Mathews Lions Club Eyeglass Recycling Center receives new Visionix VX 40 to help with processing eyeglass donations … MHS varsity volleyball team defeats Essex in come-from-behind win.
OCTOBER: Mathews County School Board grapples with statewide increases in cut scores for Standards of Learnings tests in math and reading … Emma Hundley appointed to new Mathews County Public Schools Chief Financial Officer position … Mathews High School Robotics Club relaunches after six-year hiatus … Mathews High School freshman Brandon Hubbard qualifies for state golf tournament … MHS varsity volleyball beats Northampton and Charles City, falls to West Point … Mathews NAACP holds first local candidate forum at the Piankatank Ruritan Club … MHS senior Bradley Murphy places first in two State Fair of Virginia livestock competitions … MHS boys’ and girls’ cross country teams clinch first place in home meet … MHS varsity volleyball defeats King and Queen, falls to Middlesex … Gwynn’s Island Civic Center houses final Mathews candidate forum … Public boat ramp and dock on Gwynn’s Island submerged by northeast storm during a King Tide … Mathews County Planning Commission unanimously votes to recommend denial of proposed Gwynn’s Island park … Brandon Hubbard places 39th overall in the VHSL Class 1 State Golf Championships … Third Music on Maple Avenue of the year raises funds for the visitor center and historical society … MHS varsity volleyball falls to West Point, King William … MHS harriers place first in quad meet against Rappahannock, Northumberland and Westmoreland … Mathews County Board of Supervisors unanimously votes to provide Mathews Volunteer Fire Department with $600,000 to continue its work in revamping the former Mathews Boys and Girls Club into the new Station 1 … MCPS moves forward in increasing school security…MHS varsity volleyball team ends regular season with wins against Northampton, Essex and Charles City … MHS boys’ win home cross country meet, while the girls’ place second … 105 participate in Mathews Marathon, Half Marathon and Relay … Carol Paul Cormier’s murder charges certified to grand jury … Sal Cardenas and Shelby Ray named crowned king and queen, respectively, during MHS’s homecoming celebration … MHS Marching Blue Devils receive Excellent (II) Rating at the Virginia Band & Orchestra Directors Association State Assessment performance … MHS boys’ cross country team places first in Tidewater District tournament; girls take third.
NOVEMBER: Patrick Beattie and David Walsh take Mathews County Board of Supervisors seats in election … Mathews County sites being used for “The Ice at the Bottom of the World,” an upcoming independent film … Capt. Sally Tompkins statue on display at Mathews Museum … Drum Major Jordan Sadeg of the Mathews High School Marching Blue Devils awarded Best Drum Major Award in Class AA … MHS girls’ varsity volleyball team defeats Northampton, 3-2; advances to region semifinals … MHS boys’ cross country team claims Region A title … Hole in the Wall Waterfront Grill headed to settlement conference with board of supervisors … Mathews Memorial Library Director Bette Dillehay reluctantly steps down from her post … MHS boys’ cross country places fifth overall in state meet; Chance Higginbotham and Elizabeth Moore named to all-state team … MHS girls’ varsity volleyball falls to Lancaster, 3-1, in region semifinals … Mathews farmers Mark Zamanian and Christian Brown donate over 1,000 pounds of sweet potatoes to Bread for Life in Gloucester and Hands Across Mathews … Mathews County Public Schools host State Sen. Ryan McDougle (R-Mechanicsville) and Del. Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna) for legislative tour of school buildings … Mathews County School Board discusses possible security upgrades … Williams Wharf Landing added to the National Park Service as a Chesapeake Gateways site.
DECEMBER: Seniors at Mathews Active Lifestyle Center create dollhouse with support from Bay School Community Arts Center … Mathews High School girls’ varsity basketball team falls to Caroline County, 54-19 … Mathews Memorial Library Director Bette Dillehay and Gwynn’s Island Museum Director Tom Edwards to lead Mathews Christmas Parade … MHS wrestling team defeats Northumberland, 77-6, and Franklin, 60-12 … MHS girls’ varsity basketball team falls to Westmoreland, 40-39 … Mathews Christmas Parade, “Jingle on the Bay,” receives 56 entries … Bay School Community Arts Center’s Empty Bowls fundraiser raises $26,485 for Hands Across Mathews … Mary Beth Burroughs, Christina Tomcany and John Corrigan receive Teacher of the Year awards from Mathews County Public Schools; Corrigan honored as division Teacher of the Year … MHS boys’ varsity basketball team suffers three tough losses … MHS girls’ varsity basketball teams defeats Northampton, 57-21 … Mathews County Board of Supervisors approved increases of $1.34 million to its FY2026 budget.
Compiled by Melany Slaughter
