Community Corner
🌱 Will VA job cuts slow the new Chesapeake clinic’s full opening?
Make time for Naval Station Norfolk TAP - Recruitment Table (Active Duty Military Only) on the Chesapeake Patch calendar
Morning Chesapeake! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Will VA job cuts slow the new Chesapeake clinic’s full opening?
- What Chesapeake teachers can no longer ask about students’ pronouns
- How a long I-64 lane shift could affect Chesapeake commutes
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Chesapeake? Post it to Chesapeake photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Find out what's happening in Chesapeakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Chesapeakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and not as cold, with a high of 46 and low of 28 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 55, low: 32.
- Thursday: Some sun, then turning cloudy, with a high of 64 and low of 57 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. VA eliminates 25,000 unfilled positions nationwide amid Democratic criticism (wtkr.com) — Veterans in Chesapeake should watch how a nationwide VA move to cut 25,000 long-vacant positions could affect staffing at the city’s new clinic, already criticized for opening at roughly a quarter of needed staff. Federal officials insist patient care won’t suffer, but Virginia lawmakers are pressing for assurances that the Chesapeake facility will still be fully operational by January 2026. 
2. Chesapeake School Board prohibits employees from asking others to use preferred pronouns (wtkr.com) — Chesapeake residents should know the School Board has voted 7–2 to bar district employees from asking students or coworkers to use pronouns that differ from their biological sex, effective immediately. The change to Policy 8-02 came after extensive public comment, with most speakers opposing the move and some warning it could create a hostile environment for LGBTQ+ staff and students.
3. I-64's next major traffic shift will stick around deep into 2026 (pilotonline.com) — Drivers from Chesapeake should know that I-64’s Hampton segment is shifting traffic into the right lanes between exits 267 and 268 as early as Tuesday night, a pattern expected to last well into 2026. The change supports the Hampton Roads Express Lanes network that will eventually stretch from Newport News to the I-264/I-664 interchange in Chesapeake, and VDOT suggests I-664 as an alternate route during the work.
4. Flock cameras lead to Chesapeake man's arrest in Rockbridge County (13newsnow.com) — A man from Chesapeake was arrested in Rockbridge County after license plate-reading Flock cameras flagged a vehicle stolen from Virginia Beach, leading deputies to box in the car at a truck stop. Authorities say the suspect faces several serious charges, including abduction, vehicle theft, attempted robbery, and burglary, and that a stolen firearm was safely recovered.
5. Virginia Gov. Youngkin's last budget includes $50 million to improve Child Protective Services, foster care (kentucky.com) — Virginia’s outgoing governor is proposing $50 million to overhaul Child Protective Services and foster care, a move that would affect families and social workers in Chesapeake and statewide. The three-year Safe Kids, Strong Families plan would raise pay for front-line staff, centralize CPS intake, expand overtime for urgent cases, and better connect child welfare with behavioral health, though the incoming administration may revise the budget.
📸 Around Chesapeake
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Chesapeake
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Naval Station Norfolk TAP - Recruitment Table (Active Duty Military Only)
Chesapeake, VA Calendar
11:00 am - Deck the Hall
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
5:00 pm - Chesapeake Bay Preservation Area Board Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Chesapeake City Hall - City Council Chambers 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
6:00 pm - Chesapeake Commission on Health and Well Being
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Department of Human Services - Chesapeake Thrives 100 Outlaw Street , Chesapeake
8:30 am - Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Public Safety Operations Center 2130 S. Military Highway , Chesapeake
2:00 pm - Economic Development Authority Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , Summit Pointe 555 Belaire Avenue, Suite 310 - Economic Developme , Chesapeake
2:00 pm - Deck the Hall
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , 306 Cedar Road , Chesapeake
5:00 pm - South Norfolk Revitalization Commission Meeting
Chesapeake, VA Calendar , The Portlock at South Norfolk 3815 Bainbridge Boulevard , Chesapeake
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
📣 Chesapeake Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Economic Development Authority
Portsmouth, VA Calendar , Portsmouth@work Conference room 200 High Street, Suite 201 , Portsmouth
9:00 am - Color & Calm
Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
11:00 am - Wednesday Wordsmiths!
The Muse Writers Center , 2200 Colonial Avenue, #3 , Norfolk
5:00 pm - The Help Desk: 1-on-1 Computer Help by Appointment
Portsmouth Main Library , 601 Court Street , Portsmouth
11:00 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Chesapeake PatchAM possible:
- Manuel’s Mobile Detailing — (757) 799-0614
Affordable Mobile Detailing in your area - Hurricane Fence Company — (757) 853-5669
Providing Expert Fence Services Since 1994
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- When Rebel the Cat lived outside I would feed him Wet Can Cat food as a treat.
He would only eat part of it and leave briefly only to return with nearby feral Cats. He would then sit there and watch those cats eat. He did this… (Nextdoor Indian River Park) - Missing cat
Our cat MaoMao has been missing since last night around 7:30. We live in the 2500 block of Chesapeake Avenue. If you live near us you probably know… (Nextdoor Portlock)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Late Night Team Member - Service Champion in Chesapeake. Apply here.
- Aramark posted a job opening for Custodial Services Worker - Chesapeake Health and Rehabili - EVS in Chesapeake. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Chesapeake here.
Ok Chesapeake! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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