Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What Portsmouth residents should know now that the sewage water advisory ended
And check out Rickey Smiley on the Portsmouth Patch calendar
Coffee in hand, Portsmouth? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Portsmouth PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
- AARP Virginia — (866) 542-8164
- AARP Virginia
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In today's newsletter:
- What Portsmouth residents should know now that the sewage water advisory ended
- How tight groundwater limits could reshape Portsmouth's future growth plans
- What Portsmouth's casino boom reveals about rising Bitcoin gambling interest
Also on today's calendar: Back To School Fundraiser and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the man leave his watch in the bank? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 92 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Wednesday: Partly sunny, hot and humid, temps: high: 90, low: 72.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny; hot and humid, with a high of 94 and low of 73 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Portsmouth lifts water advisory after $3 million-gallon sewage spill (pilotonline.com) — A major sewage spill that sent about 3 million gallons of wastewater into Hull Creek has now been cleared by state health officials, and Portsmouth's drinking water was not affected. The sewer main break near Douglas Avenue prompted a recreational water advisory earlier this month, but wastewater service to Portsmouth customers stayed uninterrupted while repairs and cleanup were completed. Residents are still urged to avoid foul-smelling or discolored water. 
• DEQ study warns of groundwater limits (suffolknewsherald.com) — Portsmouth's Lake Kilby plant is already one of the region's biggest groundwater users, and a new state study says Southeast Virginia aquifers have very limited room for major new withdrawals. That could sharply constrain future data centers or other big water users, pushing them toward alternatives like public or reclaimed water instead of new wells. Suffolk's ongoing data center debate now has clear implications for Portsmouth's long‑term water planning.
• What Virginia's casino build-out says about rising BTC casino interest in 2026 (augustafreepress.com) — Portsmouth's new casino is part of a rapid Virginia build-out that signals strong regional demand for gambling, both at resort properties and online. The piece connects those cranes on Portsmouth's edge to rising interest in Bitcoin-based casino play, explaining how crypto gambling works, its legal gray areas in Virginia, and why the odds stay the same regardless of payment method.
📸 Around Portsmouth
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Portsmouth
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Rickey Smiley →
Rivers Casino Portsmouth, 3630 Victory Blvd, Portsmouth
8:00 pm
Friday August 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- LCD August - Virginia Stage Company
Little Theatre of Norfolk Wells Theatre (108 E Tazewell St, Norfolk, VA 23510, United Sta
9:00 am - CES Meet and Greet
Churchland Elementary School Portsmouth, VA 23704
4:00 pm - Back To School Fundraiser →
Westhaven Elementary School, 3701 Clifford St, Portsmouth
9:00 am - Nashville Sounds at Norfolk Tides →
150 Park Ave Parking, 150 Park Ave, Norfolk
2:35 pm - First Day of School
Norfolk , VA 23510 - Churchland Lions Club →
Portsmouth Public Library - Adults Coleman Meeting Room - Churchland Branch - 4934 High Street West Portsmouth VA 23703
5:00 pm - Orientation Day - Vera Stark
Little Theatre of Norfolk Little Theatre Of Norfolk 801 Claremont Ave, Norfolk, VA 23507
7:00 pm - Creative Nation - Wave Fest →
Portsmouth Pavilion, 16 Crawford Cir, Portsmouth
5:00 pm
Thursday August 20
Friday August 21
Saturday August 22
Monday August 24
Sunday August 30
📣 Portsmouth Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Digital Media Group Orientation →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 235 E. Plume Street, Norfolk
3:00 pm - Workshop: Introduction to Animation Tools →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 215 E. Plume Street, Norfolk
5:00 pm - Social Cycling Ride with Bike Norfolk →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 2406 Colley Ave, Norfolk
6:30 pm - The Weight: Veterans on Fighting America's Foreign Wars Documentary Screening and Panel Discussion →
Norfolk, VA Calendar, 198 Bank Street MacArthur Square, Norfolk
7:00 pm
Tuesday August 18
Wednesday August 19
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Have A Wonderful Week Portsmouth!!
Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. Right from the start. go ahead and stand up for what you believe in. As I've learned, that's… (Nextdoor ) - Need 1 Strong Helper Today – $80
Looking for 1 dependable guy to help with two jobs today. I already have another worker lined up, just need one more person. First job is loading a… (Nextdoor Twin Pines)
- TJX posted a job opening for FT Merchandise Coordinator in Portsmouth. Apply here.
- Lowe's posted a job opening for Retail Sales – Part Time in Portsmouth. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Portsmouth here.
🗞 Nearby News
Norfolk
- Public Records: S.L. Nusbaum commits to another 10 years in downtown Norfolk; Virginia Beach hotel portfolio sells (pilotonline.com)
- The world's third-largest shipping line has a new US chief (freightwaves.com)
- Speaker Johnson to campaign for Kiggans in competitive VA-2 race (wtkr.com)
Chesapeake
- Chesapeake to establish Hampton Roads' first animal cruelty registry (pilotonline.com)
Ok Portsmouth! 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: So he could save time! (Thank you Lorraine S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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