Local Pulse: New Meals Tax, Stormwater Bonds, and July 4th Celebrations in Virginia Beach Podcast Por arte de portada

Local Pulse: New Meals Tax, Stormwater Bonds, and July 4th Celebrations in Virginia Beach

Local Pulse: New Meals Tax, Stormwater Bonds, and July 4th Celebrations in Virginia Beach

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 Good morning, this is Virginia Beach Local Pulse for Thursday, July third. We start today with some major changes that are sure to affect our daily routines and plans. A new meals tax is now in effect across Virginia Beach, going up by half a percent as of July first. Local restaurants like The Stockpot on 19th Street are feeling the impact, and the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association is actively voicing concerns about how this might affect both business owners and diners. More than fifteen hundred people have already signed a petition pushing back on the change, so it's something we’ll want to keep our eye on, especially as we head into the long holiday weekend.

From City Hall, the council just approved several conditional use permits, including one for a new open air market at six sixty-one Sandbridge Road and another for a short-term rental on Baltic Avenue. There’s also a continued focus on short-term rental regulations, with a newly established task force looking at ways to tighten enforcement and improve the registration process. Meanwhile, the city is set to issue up to ninety million dollars in stormwater utility bonds to fund ongoing drainage and flood improvements, which should bring some relief to areas that have struggled with high water during storms.

Speaking of storms, today’s weather is looking warm and humid, with temperatures reaching up to the upper eighties by midday. There’s a chance for afternoon thunderstorms, so if you’re planning to be outdoors—whether for a stroll at the Oceanfront or for evening events—keep an umbrella handy. The weekend is looking much the same, so stay weather-aware as you celebrate.

Now, as for what’s happening around town, the Totally Tribute Music Fest kicks off today at the Oceanfront’s 17th and 31st Street Parks. This free festival runs through July fifth and promises tribute concerts to classic acts like The Rolling Stones, Billy Joel, and Earth, Wind & Fire. Tomorrow, July fourth, the Stars and Stripes Celebration begins at 7 p.m. with a fireworks finale planned for 9:30 at the Oceanfront, so expect heavy traffic and plan accordingly.

In local business news, several boardwalk cafes are set to open with new management, including Seaside Raw Bar Café and 11th Street Tap House. These spots are hoping to draw the summer crowd as regulations ease and events return in full swing.

On the job front, the beach area continues to see strong seasonal hiring, particularly in hospitality and retail. Unemployment is holding steady, with about 13,000 open positions across Hampton Roads—rounded from recent numbers.

Now, a quick word on public safety: Virginia State Police and local officers are increasing patrols today and through the weekend for Operation CARE, targeting impaired driving and speeding. With July third and sixth expected to be the busiest travel days, let's all buckle up and drive safely. No major incidents reported overnight in Virginia Beach, but authorities urge all of us to keep fireworks off the streets and leave the shows to the professionals.

On the lighter side, we want to shout out the Princess Anne High School girls soccer team, who clinched a regional championship last night—an inspiring win for our young athletes and the community.

This has been Virginia Beach Local Pulse. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.
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