Community Corner

🌱 Why one supervisor wants Westside Elementary rebuilt right where it stands

You won't want to miss Cross Country Meet on the Smithfield Patch calendar

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Tuesday October 6th Patch AM
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Good morning to you Smithfield! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Why one supervisor wants Westside Elementary rebuilt right where it stands
  • What's really holding up the Benns Grant school site decision?
  • See which race Smithfield's boys team drew at the VA Showcase.

Also on today's calendar: Witches Craft Night and 6 more events.

Today's riddle: Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Tuesday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 69 and low of 46 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 74, low: 53.
  • Thursday: Plenty of sun, with a high of 81 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Garner: Build new school on site of existing Westside (smithfieldtimes.com) — Local leaders are split over whether a new elementary school should be built on a controversial former borrow pit behind Riverside Smithfield Hospital or rebuilt on the existing Westside Elementary site on West Main Street. Concerns center on the $6 million land price, questionable soil conditions with deep uncontrolled fill, and an appraisal that assumed adequate subsoil support without full testing.
   

2. School Board eyes moving forward, two supervisors want alter... (smithfieldtimes.com) — School Board members and county supervisors remain divided over purchasing an 18-acre Benns Grant parcel—overlapping the former Jackson Pit—for a new school serving the Smithfield area. Officials cite multiple environmental tests, questions about fly ash and uncontrolled fill up to 16 feet deep, and whether the $6 million price should be renegotiated to offset costly foundation work.
   

3. VA XC Showcase Preliminary Race Assignments Released! (milesplit.com) — Smithfield High's boys cross-country team is locked into the Morning Session at the VA XC Showcase in Mechanicsville, competing against schools from across Virginia and nearby states. Organizers stress that these race assignments are preliminary and may change before registration closes, and they invite coaches with conflicts to contact meet management promptly.
   

4. IW prosecutor receives State Police report on in-custody dea... (smithfieldtimes.com) — Prosecutors are reviewing a Virginia State Police investigation into an in-custody death at Riverside Smithfield Hospital that the medical examiner has ruled a homicide. Kyle Brown, a 28-year-old Smithfield resident, died May 5 from mechanical and positional asphyxia, and the Isle of Wight Commonwealth's Attorney will decide whether any criminal charges are warranted.
   

5. EPA to Give $90M for Clean Water and Restoration Projects in Chesapeake Bay Watershed, 28 in Virginia (royalexaminer.com) — A top EPA official came to Smithfield to announce $90 million in grants for Chesapeake Bay cleanup and restoration, including 28 projects in Virginia. The funding will support living shorelines, stormwater upgrades, farm conservation practices, and oyster reef work, even as federal and state leaders debate how strongly Washington should steer Bay protection efforts.
   

📸 Around Smithfield

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Smithfield

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📣 Smithfield Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Wednesday October 7
  • School Security Officer Appreciation Day in Virginia
    Isle of Wight County Smithfield, VA 23430
  • Grafton JV Football @ Smithfield →
    Smithfield High School, 14171 Turner Dr, Smithfield
    6:30 pm
    • Friday October 9
  • WHS Homecoming Parade
    Georgie Tyler Middle School
    5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • I often go through the drive-thru for breakfast.
    Kendall is always very nice and makes my morning with her friendly manner. (Nextdoor Grimesland)
  • Smithfield Foods, Inc. posted a job opening for Materials Planner in Smithfield. Apply here.
  • L3 Harris posted a job opening for Welder - Manufacturing in Carrollton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Smithfield here.

Ok Smithfield! 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: "Why do Norway's navy ships all have barcodes?" — So when they come back to port they can just scan-da-navi-an! (Thank you Jessica C. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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