Last Word

Last Word on sales tax increase, Feb. 28

Sales tax increase I don’t appreciate the sneaky way this tax hike is being motored through to support tourism and another-named slush fund. Please list the names and phone numbers of who we can call in Richmond for York, James City and Williamsburg to let our voices be heard. Thank you. Editor’s...

Last Word on sales tax, Feb. 24

Sales tax increase Instead of a 1 percent sales tax increase to feed the tourism oligarchs, how about an increase to promote affordable housing for the people who do the work that runs the tourism industry in the area? Seems like the Chamber of Commerce, JCC Supervisors and the Williamsburg City...

Last Word on Florida shootings, Feb. 21

Florida shootings A question for Congress: Why is the possession of assault weapons more important than school children's lives? Don't those children have a right, under the Constitution, to live full lives, in liberty and in the pursuit of happiness? I’m in high school and I’m scared to go to...

Last Word, Feb. 17

Shooting in Florida To all those who write in demanding rights to carry in schools, churches and other public places: do you also demand similar rights for convicted criminals, the mentally ill and those with restraining orders? Should they be allowed to build up arsenals of assault weapons? Anyone...

Last Word on harassment, Feb. 14

Looking good To whoever is decorating Lake Powell Road and Brookwood Drive with decorations: They look amazing. Can’t wait to see what you put up for Easter. This is harassment I worked at a big box hardware store. Every day, the male customers would make degrading sexual comments to any of the...

Last Word on workforce housing, Feb. 10

City taxes Here we go again, as the Williamsburg City Council looks to raise taxes after its annual retreat. The city manager can’t offer a specific reason why he anticipates a reduction in revenues from the meal and room taxes. The mayor and council members keep looking for ways to increase our...

Last Word on tourism taxes, Feb. 7

Tax for tourism I think the proposed 1 percent added sales tax for James City, York and Williamsburg is a big crock. It’s a complete, unfair burden to the citizens to have to pay this to fund tourism. Why don’t they keep doing like they’ve been doing? They’ve got taxes on the rooms and meal taxes....

Last Word about CW finances, Feb. 3

Williamsburg budget The Virginia Gazette's recent reporting on the Williamsburg City Council discussions on potential tax increases and the need to add a new position to administer the new Tourism Development Fund is very revealing. If the city ran like a business, as revenues decline, the focus...

Last Word on an angel, Jan. 31

Met my angel I had a very important doctor’s appointment the other day and stopped at a store for water on my way. I got back to my car and it wouldn’t start. I cried because I could not get to the appointment. Then my angel called, “Ma’am, Ma’am.” I looked and she offered me a ride. I had to take...

Last Word on the shutdown, Jan. 27

Williamsburg Inn On Wednesday, Last Word published a comment that said The Williamsburg Inn had been awarded the Forbes Travel Guide Fifth Star. The Inn was awarded the AAA Five Diamond designation in November 2017, one of just 120 hotels in North America to hold this distinction. However, Forbes...

This 'enemy of the people' works in your interest

How Medicare covers diabetes

Socialism expands the 'basic needs' list

Williamsburg needs our attention as much as it ever did

Aretha Franklin, the 'Queen of Soul,' dead at 76

Raw Video: York-Poquoson Deputy saves a man from sitting on overpass ledge

Trump Revokes Security Clearance of Former CIA Director John Brennon

Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters moves into historic Yorktown house

Facebook Purchases Vidpresso to Make Interactive Video

Close to 10,000 People Have Gotten Cancer From 9/11 Dust, Officials Say

Community group brings school supplies, resources to families in need

With school starting up in just a few weeks, some area families are facing tough decisions as they struggle to make ends meet while looking for ways to send their children to class with important school supplies. Local community organization Real People Educating Others aimed to soothe those economic...

Runners compete in first-ever Jamestown Island Democracy Dash 10K

Over 150 area residents laced up their running shoes for the inaugural Democracy Dash 10K at Jamestown Island Saturday morning. Runners lined up bright and early at the start of the Virginia Capital Trail, and followed a course that took them through Jamestown Island’s tour roads before ending...

Williamsburg Police earn accreditation for 'highest standard of policing'

The Williamsburg Police Department has earned yet another accolade to tout for its efforts in community policing. The department has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, according to Williamsburg Police Department spokesman Maj. Greg Riley. The...

Literacy for Life leader joins state workforce development board

Joan Peterson, executive director at Literacy for Life, is joining forces with the Virginia Board of Workforce Development. She was sworn in at a ceremony Aug. 9. “It’s really exciting and I’m thrilled,” Peterson said. She hopes to use her new role as board member to benefit Literacy for Life’s...

Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen reported in bank fraud probe for over $20 million in loans

Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is under scrutiny for over $20 million in loans obtained by him and his family’s yellow taxi businesses in New York, it was reported Sunday. Federal probers are investigating possible bank fraud charges against Cohen for the loans from two lenders that cater to...

'Truth isn't truth': Giuliani weighs risks of possible Trump interview in Russia probe

Rudolph Giuliani, President Donald Trump's lead attorney in the ongoing Russia probe, said Sunday that he will not allow special counsel Robert Mueller to rush Trump into an interview because investigators could try to catch the president in a lie based on their version of the facts. "I am not...

• Giuliani: 'Truth isn't truth'

Korean family reunions bring tears for separated families as countries push reconciliation efforts

The 92-year-old South Korean woman wept and stroked the wrinkled cheeks of her 71-year-old North Korean son on Monday, their first meeting since they were driven apart during the turmoil of the 1950-53 Korean War. "How many children do you have? Do you have a son?" Lee Keum-seom asked her son Ri...

• Korean leaders to meet in Pyongyang in September

Pope on sex abuse: 'We showed no care for the little ones'

Pope Francis issued a letter to Catholics around the world Monday condemning the crime of priestly sexual abuse and its cover-up. He demanded accountability but offered no indication of how he plans to sanction complicit bishops or end the Vatican's long-standing culture of secrecy. Francis begged...

• 'Wasted our lives': Catholic sex abuse scandals again prompt a crisis of faith