Latest news with #PhillipJones
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Newport News mayor says city will provide $4M to keep airport operating
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The commission overseeing the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport is officially asking for help from the taxpayers to keep the operation funded through June 2026. In a meeting of the Peninsula Airport Commission last Thursday, the board voted unanimously to make a request of the city of Newport News to provide funds to close the more than $4 million shortfall it faces for the 2026 fiscal year. After six years of financial losses, it's projected the commission will only have $1.4 million left in unrestricted cash by the end of June. The airport's proposed FY 2026 budget anticipates spending $2.7 million more than it will bring in. Mayor Phillip Jones informed commission members during the meeting that the city had committed to the funding. However, it appears not all his fellow City Council members were aware that commitment had been made. Report: Maintaining commercial air service at Newport News Williamsburg Airport financially unsustainable 'The city of Newport News remains committed to supporting the Peninsula Airport Commission with a total contribution of $4 million for Fiscal Year 2026. This includes $3 million dedicated to operations and up to $1 million allocated for current capital projects. The appropriate funding source will be identified at that time based on feasibility and availability. Depending on the source of the funding, separate appropriation by City Council may not be required. This approach provides the city with the flexibility to meet its commitment in the most responsible and efficient manner. Should there be any changes or developments, we will be sure to keep you informed.' — Mayor Phillip Jones and Alan K. Archer, City Manager The nearly 80-year-old airport that straddles the line between Newport News and York County is governed by the commission, made up of representatives from both Newport News and Hampton. While the airfield, also known as Patrick Henry Field (PHF), was home to multiple commercial carriers and saw around 1.1 million passengers travel through in 2010, 2024 saw 142,000 passengers fly on one airline. American Airlines is now running four to five direct flights to Charlotte on 50-seat Embraer 145 jets. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many airports across the country of PHF's size faced issues due to shortages of pilots and flight support staff of the major airlines, according to the airport's recent audit. 'It led to a greater concentration of passenger traffic to the airports capable of attracting and handling larger and more fully-loaded aircraft,' an audit completed by Cherry Bekaert stated. In Hampton Roads, that means neighboring Norfolk International Airport, less than 30 miles south, which saw a record 4.8 million travelers in 2024. A 2024 study from aviation experts suggested the airport cut ties with commercial service in order to save money and instead pursue non-traditional aviation uses, such unmanned flight and advanced air mobility. However Lindsey Carney-Smith, the commission chair, has maintained 'we are not getting rid of commercial air service,' pointing to people who enjoy the service. Instead, she has said the airport will pursue non-traditional uses alongside commercial air service. Under the airport's charter with the Commonwealth of Virginia, taxpayers of the commission's member municipalities are responsible to make up any deficient. However, Carney-Smith said since the airport is in Newport News, the city would take the lead on subsidizing the operation. In a joint statement to 10 On Your Side Monday, Jones and City Manager Alan Archer detailed their plan to financially support the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport. The statement detailed $3 million would be for operations, while $1 million would be set aside for capital projects. The 1992 terminal building roof is scheduled to be replaced in the coming year. However, both council members Marcellus Harris and Cleon Long said that level of financial commitment is not something they have had communicated to them yet. 'We are committed to finding out what the next thing at the airport is going to look like,' Harris said Monday. 'As far as money commitment, we are still in discussions from what I understand.' Long echoed much of Harris' comments. 'If there is any allocation of funds, [City Council] would have a discussion on it,' Long said. While Jones declined an interview request, he did say in the previous Tuesday's council work session that discussions on the airport's future would continue. However, in his statement, he indicated 'depending on the source of the funding, separate appropriation by City Council may not be required.' The FY 2026 Newport News budget as passed by council does not include line item allocations to the airport. Under Virginia Code, municipal budgets can be amended without council approval, as long as the funds are less than 1% of the overall budget. This means the taxpayers may not have the chance to weigh-in on the proposal. Should Newport News Williamsburg airport cut passenger service? What mayors are saying, and aren't saying Newport News will be far from the only local municipality to use tax money to fund airport operations. The cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk and Franklin also send annual payments to airfields within their boundaries. However, Newport News' proposed payment will be more than 11 times that of average payment to the municipal airports. The future of the Newport News-Williamsburg Airport has long been a political conundrum for the city. In 2017, Virginia temporarily cut the amount of money send to the airport after the then-transportation secretary determined funds were misspent to pay off a loan to a private airline. Known as the People's Express scandal, it landed the airport in negative headlines, Newport News' city manager out of a job, a criminal conviction for the airport's former executive director and jail time for a former airline executive. The airport's most recent executive director was terminated in February 2023, and while Carney-Smith initially had hoped to have a new one hired by last Fall, she said 'family matters' kept that applicant from taking the job. She is hopeful to make an announcement of a hire soon. Others, such as former Virginia Secretary of Transportation Aubrey Layne, is backing a single authority to be created to run both commercial airports in the region. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘Friday Night Nets' returns to support the Newport News youth and community
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — The community engagement program 'Friday Night Nets' is making a return to Newport News. 'This program is a testament to our commitment to supporting our youth and creating positive experiences for all members of our community,' said Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, in a release. The program is part of the Mayor's Youth T.H.R.I.V.E. Initiative, which seeks to empower the youth by providing an active and social outlet, a release states. 'Friday Night Nets offers a fun and safe space for young people to engage in meaningful activities, and we're excited to see it grow bigger and better in 2025,' said Jones. 'I encourage everyone to join us, whether for a game of basketball, a fun night of gaming, or to take advantage of the many resources available. Together, we're building a stronger, more connected Newport News.' Each night of the event offers various 'Open Rec' style activities ranging from sports, games, free food and even haircuts. It runs May 16 through Aug. 22 and is held every Friday night. Although the program is catered towards younger folks, it is open for community members of all ages. The event is divided up into two sections based on the age range. The youth (17 and under) time slot takes place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The adult (18 and over) time slot goes from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. The free event is held at two different locations: The Denbigh Community Center and at the An Achievable Dream Tennis Center. To register, click here or call (757)-926-1400. You can also register in person by stopping by a Newport News Community Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
NDOT officials prepare roadways for incoming wintry weather
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — With a winter storm warning in effect for Music City starting Tuesday evening, officials with the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure (NDOT) are already doing what they can to keep roads passable. Winter weather has made its way to parts of Middle Tennessee. With several inches of snow expected in parts of Davidson County, NDOT officials said they've prepared key roadways. TDOT makes final preparations for upcoming snow event 'I think the pre-planning, where we have an opportunity to get out and get the brine down before an event like this comes in without the threat of rain [is] kind of the main thing,' NDOT's assistant director of operations, Phillip Jones, told News 2. 'We've got some new equipment; we've got new routes. We've added an additional 800 lane miles. We've had a lot of positive response; we've been able to do more.' Eight thousand tons of salt, 100,000 gallons of brine, 40,000 gallons of calcium chloride, and 40 snow removal trucks are at the ready. Crews spent Monday pre-treating 2,400 miles of roadway. According to NDOT officials, low temperatures Thursday and Friday after the snow is predicted to stop falling could have a big impact on removal efforts. Want the forecast delivered directly to your inbox? Sign up for the News 2 Forecast Newsletter 'This is a different event than the last event,' Jones added. 'It looks like this is coming in as a dry or powdery snow versus a wet snow, so it just depends on the amount of accumulation. If we can keep up with it and keep it off, we'll be fine. The things that don't get treated; it's going to be there for a few days.' NDOT invested in a snow removal truck driving simulator, which is a tool used to train drivers on a wide range of conditions. That way, when the real thing happens, they're more efficient. 'I'm seeing more confidence in the drivers,' Jones said. 'They feel more prepared. We feel like they're more prepared. I think it's a win-win.' NDOT crews will work in 12-hour shifts until the weather event ends. Don't forget to take the power and reliability of the WKRN Weather Authority with you at all times by downloading the News 2 Storm Tracker app. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Zawya
10-02-2025
- Zawya
AlUla strengthens position as premier eco-tourism destination with new Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre
The 2025 edition of International Day of the Arabian Leopard celebrated each year on 10th February, sees the launch of the 'Leaps of Hope' campaign across the globe AlUla, Saudi Arabia – AlUla is marking International Arabian Leopard Day 2025 with a landmark announcement: the establishment of the first wildlife breeding centre in the Sharaan National Park, reinforcing AlUla's commitment to conservation and comprehensive regeneration. Currently, all 30 Arabian leopards under human care in Saudi Arabia are housed at the Royal Commission for AlUla's Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif. The success of the centre, where a rare litter of triplet cubs was born last year, has increased the need for a new, state-of-the-art facility in AlUla itself, a region renowned for its breath taking desert landscapes and dedicated protected nature reserves that make up over 50% of the land. For the first time in decades, the critically endangered Arabian leopard will return to AlUla, where they once roamed freely. The new initiative enhances global conservation efforts and strengthens AlUla's position as a world-class eco-tourism hub where premium guest experiences, rewilding, and sustainability come together. Phillip Jones, Chief Tourism Officer of RCU, said:"Bringing the Arabian leopard back to its native home in AlUla has been a core mission and promise - one that we are proud to deliver on with the upcoming Wildlife Breeding Centre in AlUla. As we continue to welcome travellers and capture the attention of global tourists and eco-tourism enthusiasts, we are turning our vision into action, proving that sustainable, light-touch tourism can go hand in hand with environmental regeneration." The first phase of the new Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre in AlUla will be established in Sharaan National Park with construction due to start within the next months. This facility will serve as the first centre of its kind in the world to focus on rewilding, as well as breeding. In addition to housing and breeding Arabian leopards, the Centre will breed key prey species essential to reintroducing the leopards to the wild in the future. The Arabian Leopard is classified as 'Critically Endangered' by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 120 remaining in the wild and none recorded in Saudi Arabia for over a decade. Dr. Stephen Browne, Vice President, Wildlife & Natural Heritage, RCU says the leopards coming back to AlUla is a huge milestone: 'We estimate that the leopard arrived in Arabia around 500,000 years ago and there are in fact ancient rock inscriptions all around AlUla that depict the leopard in its natural habitat. To see this flagship species back in AlUla, even if not in the wild just yet, is a major achievement of the project and a big step towards our most ambitious conservation goal.' Recognising the urgent need for action, the 2025 edition of International Day of the Arabian Leopard Day, celebrated on 10th February, sees the launch of the 'Leaps of Hope' campaign across the globe, bringing widespread awareness to conservation efforts. A highlight of the celebration will be the unveiling of a new long-term partnership with the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), solidifying AlUla's role as a leader in wildlife protection. To date, RCU in partnership with the Arabian Leopard Fund has spearheaded several initiatives to restore the species, including the United Nations adoption of a resolution to officially designate 10th February as an international day for Arabian Leopards in 2023, the creation of a fund to promote conservation efforts, a 10-year partnership with Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organisation, and an ongoing partnership with Catmosphere, a foundation for big cat conservation. AlUla's commitment to wildlife conservation is closely aligned with its transformation into a boutique heritage and eco-tourism destination. With its renowned heritage sites, world-class hospitality offerings, and expansive natural beauty, AlUla offers a unique travel experience where visitors can explore stunning landscapes while being surrounded by active sustainability efforts. Visit to learn more. -Ends- For further information, please contact: media@ About AlUla: Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in North-West Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned. The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia's first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and is comprised of 111 well-preserved tombs, many with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement. Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Roman's conquered the Nabataeans in 106 CE. In addition to Hegra, AlUla is also home to ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms and considered to be one of the most developed 1st millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula, and Jabal Ikmah, an open air library of hundreds of inscriptions and writings in many different languages, which has been recently listed on the UNESCO's memory of the World Register. Also AlUla Old Town Village, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12th century, which has been selected as one of the World's Best Tourism Villages in 2022 by the UNWTO. For more information, please visit:
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NN Mayor Phillip Jones to deliver State of the City address
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones is set to deliver the annual State of the City address Thursday evening. The address is scheduled to take place starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University. The theme for 2025's address is 'Our City. Our Story. Our Moment.' Jones will be joined alongside former mayors Barry E. Duval, Mckinely L. Price and Joseph C. Ritchie, where they will discuss the city's accomplishments from the previous year, ongoing projects and shared goals for the future of the city. The address will be livestreamed on the city's website for those who cannot attend in person. Individual tickets to attend in person start at $55. For more information on the address or for getting tickets, contact Allie Carson via email at allie@ or via phone at 757-325-8157. Continue to check for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
