Newport News Waterworks Reports No Violations in 2025 Water Quality Tests
Plus, City Releases Updated Timeline for Hilton, Monitor-Merrimac Pier Rebuilds; Sherwood Shopping Center demo; Bayport scholarships; job fair today
Newport News Waterworks Releases Annual Water Quality Reports Newport News Waterworks announced that its annual drinking water quality reports for 2025 are now available to customers. The reports provide testing results and information about drinking water sources and treatment methods for the past year. Waterworks publishes two separate reports covering different service areas: one for customers in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, and part of James City County, and another for Lightfoot area customers in Upper York County who use a separate freshwater well system.
Both reports confirm no violations of federal or state regulations. Customers receiving Waterworks bills will find a notice with a direct website link to access the reports. Printed copies are available at local libraries in Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, and the Williamsburg Regional Library branch in Toano. Reports are also available at Waterworks’ customer service lobby in City Center at Oyster Point. For mailed copies or questions, contact Waterworks Customer Service at 757-926-1000, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
City of Newport News Announces Fishing Pier Replacement Timeline and Updates The City of Newport News has released an update on the replacement of two popular fishing piers that were closed in April 2025 due to significant structural deterioration. Inspections revealed extensive damage to supporting timber piles that could not be safely repaired, necessitating full replacement of both structures. The city awarded design contracts in November 2025 and submitted a Joint Permit Application to state and federal agencies in February 2026. Pending regulatory approval expected in early fall, the city plans to advertise construction bids in October 2026.
The Hilton Fishing Pier is projected for completion in October 2027, while the Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park Fishing Pier should be completed by June 2028, though environmental regulations limiting in-water construction from February through June could extend these timelines. Residents can continue to enjoy waterfront activities at King Lincoln Park Pier, James River Fishing Pier, and Denbigh Park Fishing Pier while replacement work proceeds.
In other news:
City of Newport News Begins Sherwood Shopping Center Demolition for New Library The City of Newport News announced the beginning of demolition at the former Sherwood Shopping Center, marking the initial phase of construction for the new Virgil I. ‘Gus’ Grissom Library. This state-of-the-art facility represents a $40 million investment designed to serve residents of all ages with expanded educational resources and modern technology. The new 51,144 square-foot library will replace the current Grissom Library on Deshazor Drive, which opened in 1977 and has served the community for more than 45 years. Construction is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with completion anticipated in summer 2028. Demolition activities at the Sherwood Shopping Center site are expected to last several weeks, and residents may notice increased construction activity during this time. The Newport News Police Department North Precinct and Training Academy will remain fully operational throughout the demolition process.
Education
Christopher Newport University Spotlights Music Professor’s Innovative Teaching Approach Christopher Newport University posted a video about Dr. Chelsey Hamm, a faculty member in the music department, who discusses her approach to teaching and student engagement at the university.
Headline: BayPort Foundation Awards $100,000 in Scholarships, Plans Expansion The BayPort Foundation announced June 23 that it has awarded $100,000 in scholarships to 35 member students through 12 scholarship programs, supporting recipients pursuing degrees and certifications at colleges, universities, trade schools and vocational programs across the region, according to the Newport News-based credit union’s foundation. The announcement comes as the Foundation prepares to expand its scholarship program, increasing annual funding from $100,000 to $150,000 beginning next year, the Foundation said. The expanded program will raise award amounts and strengthen support for students pursuing a “2x2” pathway: completing two years at a community college before transferring to a four-year university. Under the new program, awards may cover most or all annual community college tuition costs.
BayPort has partnered with WAVY-TV 10 and FOX43 TV to recognize the 2026 scholarship recipients through a “Scholarship Salute” series, the Foundation said. The series will air daily from June 22 through July 30, with the full recognition series also available on BayPort’s YouTube channel beginning June 22. BayPort, founded in 1928 by 12 Newport News Shipbuilding workers, serves more than 156,000 individuals and businesses through 31 branch locations across Virginia.
Business
Headline: Navy Additive Manufacturing Push Aims to Ease Submarine Delays The Navy has invested heavily in additive manufacturing and workforce training to address a shrinking submarine industrial base, according to USNI News. The effort centers on the Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AMCOE) in Danville, Va., established in 2023 with $35 million from the commonwealth of Virginia. Newport News Shipbuilding president Kari Wilkinson said the company successfully created a 1,000-pound submarine casting this year. “That’s a big deal,” she said, noting that slow large-casting production had been limiting throughput on the Columbia and Virginia-class submarine programs.
AMCOE develops 3-D printed part designs that certified facilities nationwide can access and produce, including emergency parts for ships in the fleet, USNI News reported. The initiative aims to replace traditional casting and forging capacity lost since the 1980s shipbuilding era. The Navy also launched a 16-week training program in Danville, the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing, to help recruit and train workers for the submarine industrial base, which officials estimate needs 140,000 new workers over the next decade, according to USNI News. The program currently graduates about 1,000 students per month, with the Navy planning to expand similar training programs to additional locations across the country.
Newport News Shipyard Marks 50 Years Since Tugboat’s Rechristening Newport News Shipbuilding is marking the 50th anniversary of the rechristening of Dorothy, the tugboat that was the shipyard’s first hull, according to the company. The vessel, built between 1890 and 1891, was the shipyard’s earliest construction project and now serves as a historical landmark on the company’s grounds in Newport News. According to Newport News Shipbuilding, Dorothy was constructed four years after Collis P. Huntington founded the shipyard as the Chesapeake Dry Dock and Construction Company.
Following a lengthy restoration, the company placed the tugboat near Bldg. 520 in March 1976 and rechristened her on June 19, 1976. The shipyard said the milestone coincides with five decades of expanded shipbuilding, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and the Los Angeles- and Virginia-class attack submarines. Newport News Shipbuilding said Dorothy remains on display at her current location outside Bldg. 520. The company published a special edition of the Shipyard Bulletin, titled “Bring Her Home,” published after her rechristening in 1976, detailing the tugboat’s construction, service and restoration history for those interested in learning more.
Community & Services
Riverside Health System Named to Lown Institute’s 2026 Honor Roll Riverside Health System, based in Newport News, was named to the Lown Institute’s 2026 Hospitals Index Honor Roll for health systems, the nonprofit healthcare think tank announced June 23. The recognition places the Newport News-based system among 11 health systems nationwide singled out for performance on measures of health equity, value of care and patient outcomes. According to the Lown Institute, the index evaluated 331 health systems nationally, alongside 2,718 acute care hospitals and 900 critical access hospitals, using publicly available data including Medicare claims, CMS quality and cost datasets, and IRS Form 990 filings. Honor Roll status required systems to earn “A” grades in all three categories: equity, value and outcomes. Riverside was one of 11 health systems to achieve that distinction. Riverside joins systems such as Johns Hopkins Health System and Mount Sinai Health System on the Honor Roll list. The Lown Institute said the rankings highlight organizations maintaining strong performance amid broader financial pressures facing the healthcare industry. Full results and methodology are available on the Lown Hospitals Index website, at lownhospitalsindex.org.
City Hosts Job Fair Open House at Newly Rebranded Opportunity Center The City of Newport News announces a community open house at the Newport News Opportunity Center, formerly known as the Brooks Crossing Innovation and Opportunity Center. Residents are invited to attend a come-and-go event featuring tours of the newly remodeled facility and opportunities to connect with city services and community partners. The center will house five major city departments and offices including Workforce Development and Economic Mobility, Community Safety, Housing and Neighborhood Services, Sustainability, and the Innovation Team. The event features job and workforce development resources, networking and mentorship opportunities, community support services, and training programs.
The Center is hosting a job fair and open house event today. The job fair begins at 3 p.m., followed by the open house at 5 p.m. The event takes place at the Newport News Opportunity Center located at 550 30th Street. Admission is free for all attendees interested in learning more about employment opportunities and services available through the center. The open house takes place today, Wednesday, June 24, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 550 30th Street, Suite 102.
Public Safety
Newport News Man Sentenced to 15 Years for Child Exploitation A Newport News man was sentenced June 23 to 15 years in prison for production of child sexual abuse material, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Kemp Jermaine Nelson, 33, was sentenced in connection with the abuse of a 15-year-old runaway in February 2024, federal prosecutors said. According to court documents cited by prosecutors, Nelson recorded his abuse of the victim and posted the material on social media. FBI agents searched Nelson’s residence on Sept. 17, 2025, as part of the investigation. The FBI’s Norfolk Field Office investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter G. Osyf prosecuted it.
The case was filed under Case No. 4:25-CR-68 in the Eastern District of Virginia. The case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation, prosecutors said. The program coordinates federal, state and local resources to investigate and prosecute internet-based crimes against children. Additional case information is available through the Eastern District of Virginia’s district court or via PACER. If this story raises concerns for you or someone you know, the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-422-4453) is available for support.
Recreation & Events
Newport News Parade Returns for 35th Year This September The 35th Annual Andrew Shannon Southeast Community Day Parade and Festival will run Sept. 11–13 in Newport News, according to Black Virginia News. Hosted by For The People MOS Inc. with the city, it’s the largest parade in Newport News and is expected to draw thousands.
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