Current Conversations

Can anyone come into town and set up a solar farm? What are the rules? And how about new businesses - does the local government get to decide if Gloucester gets a restaurant or a gas station? In today's podcast, we talk to Anne Ducey-Ortiz, who's worked for our Planning & Zoning department for 26 years. Learn about what zoning is, how the laws constantly adapt, and how YOU can shape...

This summer is a special time to be an American, and beyond that, a historic time to live in Gloucester County. Did you know that we're celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and the 375th anniversary of Gloucester's founding? The folks on the Gloucester Parks, Recreation & Tourism team have been pouring their hearts into planning celebratory events. Th...

4-H Camp is a terrific opportunity for youth to learn citizenship, leadership, and life skills through hands-on experiences while making lasting friendships and enjoying a fun-filled week on the James River. Campers enjoy being part of a larger group and participating in campfires, recreation, and classes which may include archery, dance, canoe, kayak, swimming, arts and crafts, outdoor living ski...

Did you know that Gloucester County Animal Control organizes low-cost rabies vaccine clinics for cats and dogs every month? How about spay/neuter services? Or their standalone animal shelter, full of adoptable dogs, back behind Tractor Supply?  This department is involved in every facet of animal welfare. They have the power to rescue pets from bad situations, and the hearts to connect them to goo...

Later this month, thousands of people will visit Gloucester to attend the 40th Daffodil Festival. This milestone festival, scheduled for March 28-29, has some new additions, brings back some longtime favorites, and promises to offer something for everyone!  For Part 1 of this month's podcast, we sit down with Hunter LeClair, Gloucester's Tourism, Marketing & Special Events Manager, a...

For Part 2 of our podcast on the 40th Daffodil Festival, we talk with longtime volunteer Mary Boerner, who has helped with the event since 1992. She shares over three decades of memories, how the festival has evolved over the years, and much more! You won't want to miss this episode!  For more information on the 40th Festival March 28-29, visit https://www.daffodilfestivalva.org/. 

The Gloucester County Educational Foundation has been raising money to support Gloucester County Public Schools for almost 30 years - and the main way they achieve their goals is by hosting an annual race. Fit for walkers and runners of all ages, this is an amazing way to fund teacher mini-grants and the Teacher of the Year program here in Gloucester. There's even an option to participate vir...

Gloucester County has announced the completion of its 2026 Real Estate Reassessment, an important process that ensures all properties in the county are assessed equitably and reflect current market conditions. The updated assessments represent fair market values as of January 1, 2026, and all property owners should receive notices of reassessment in their mailboxes in early December. This month, w...

This month, we are joined by Hunter LeClair, our Tourism, Marketing & Special Events Manager, who tells us all about a new event to the County - the Fall Homestead Market! This is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 12-5 p.m. at the former Page Middle School grounds. For more information on this event, visit https://www.facebook.com/share/1CL5WyU31k/.  Hunter also tells us about many other fall events...

This month, we sit down with Katey Legg, Gloucester's Public Utilities Director, to discuss some of the challenges the utilities system is facing and the steps that are being taken to address some of those challenges.  Whether or not you are on the utilities system, this episode will give you an understanding of what it takes to run the system and keep fresh, clean water flowing into homes an...

Monday, August 25, our GCPS students will be piling onto buses for their first day of school! We sat down with the superintendent, Dr. Anthony Vladu, to talk about some of the division's goals and priorities for the year ahead. Tune in to learn more about the GHS renovation, academic achievement goals, student leadership initiatives, new partnerships with local businesses, Federal Aid, school...

Gloucester County has a list of open jobs right now that just might be calling your name. Human Resources Director Tami Nunn takes the microphone to talk about the workplace culture here, benefits, what kind of qualities we look for in new hires, and the opportunities that come from serving your local community. We're also pleased to announce that the County is a V3 “Virginia Values Veterans”...

June 1 was the beginning of the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season. This month, we look back on one of our most memorable storms, Hurricane Isabel in 2003. We are joined by Jane Wenner, Gloucester's Emergency Management Coordinator, who was involved at that time as a volunteer assisting those in need in the aftermath of that devastating storm. Links mentioned in this episode include:  Register fo...

Gloucester County has a rich history tied to our many waterways. To fish, oyster, crab and boat has long been part of our culture.  However, zoning laws along many of our shorelines don't support these historic uses - and that oversight has sometimes led to tension between our water-based businesses and our residents. How can we preserve and protect our beautiful shorelines, while also encour...

March through April is prime budget season for Gloucester County. This month, we sit down with our County Administrator, Carol Steele, and our Chief Financial Officer, Maria Calloway. Listen as they walk us through the budgeting process, and understand some of the challenges local governments face when developing a fiscal year budget. 

Virginia has set aside March 9-15 as Flood Awareness Week this year. You can expect to get a Flood Awareness Guide in your mailbox this week, but we wanted to sit down and talk about it with you, too. Do you know what you should do if you come across a flooded road? What to consider, when evacuation orders go out? How to protect your home from flood damage? This is the time to sit down with your f...

This month, we feature Katey Legg, director of Public Utilities, as she explains some exciting advances being made in Public Utilities billing and infrastructure. In this episode, you will learn about the new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which will save both the customer and the County in the long run, as well as a new e-billing feature available to customers.  For more information on e...

Deputy County Administrator George Bains works with the "development" side of our organization: Planning, Zoning, Engineering, Environmental, Building Inspections, Utilities... all of the departments that work to safely bring in new additions to our county. In the first podcast episode of 2025, we look at some of the new businesses and processes that are expected to "cut the ribbon&...

Today we’ll be introducing you to a new Parks, Recreation & Tourism employee, and talking about all of the fun holiday offerings that are just around the corner in Gloucester County. To say that these Parks and Rec folks have been busy is an understatement. Here are some of the holiday events you might want to participate in: The Festival of Trees: Friday, Dec. 6 from 5-8 p.m. Christmas Parade...

The Beehive is a quarterly community newsletter, free to all county residents, containing information about county news and resources, volunteer information, community events, and classes and activities for youth and adults. Recently, Gloucester County's hard work in revamping this publication into a full-color magazine (while lowering the cost to taxpayers) earned a highly competitive Virgin...

This month, our Chief Animal Control Officer, Steve Baranek, talks to us about the services Gloucester Animal Control offers. He also offers some tips on keeping your pets safe as cold weather season approaches.  Finally, he shares details on the upcoming Rabies Clinic for cats and dogs that is scheduled for Oct. 12 from 1-3 p.m. in the Gloucester High School parking area. For more information, vi...

What's better than enjoying the holiday decorations along Main Street? Enjoying interactive decorations with a purpose! The Gloucester Resource Council will be bringing together nonprofits, service organizations and businesses that serve people in Gloucester (and the surrounding areas) to decorate trees and wreaths based on their unique missions. There will be a seek-and-find competition, pho...

This month, Dr. Anthony Vladu, Superintendent of Gloucester County Public Schools, joins us to discuss some hot topics going into the 2024-2025 school year.  Division leadership has been working hard over the summer on a strategic plan for the school system that emphasizes safety and security. He also talks about how the division will handle the Governor's executive order regarding cell phone...

Many of you received a letter in the mail last week from our Planning & Zoning Department regarding a Zoning Ordinance update that will go before the Gloucester Planning Commission next Thursday, July 11.  No rezoning of property is proposed with the Zoning Ordinance update; your current zoning district will not change under the proposed ordinance.   The proposed update, in general, will allow...

In the era when many people find reading materials and conduct research online, public libraries have taken up the mission of remaining a community "place."  For our Main Library, the draw isn't just the 90,000 print volumes in our collection. The building has to support students coming to quietly study, adults coming to learn new technologies, families conducting genealogical resea...