u/susiecambria

>HAMPTON, VA – Results of the 2026 Bay-wide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey show a 46% increase in the abundance of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay, for a total population of 349 million crabs. This increase comes despite another cold winter, which increased the overwintering mortality of crabs throughout the bay and caused cold-stun events in several finfish species throughout Virginia. Overall, the results suggest improved conditions for the 2026 fishery.

>The Winter Dredge Survey found the total estimated population of blue crabs in Chesapeake Bay increased from 238 million crabs in the winter of 2024-2025 to 349 million crabs in the winter of 2025-2026. This was driven mainly by an increase of 120% in juvenile blue crabs, up to 228 million juveniles. Adult male crab abundance also increased, from 26 million to 37 million crabs. The adult female population, however, declined to 81 million. Similar conditions were observed following the severe winter conditions experienced in 2014. While overwintering mortality was also elevated during that period, the blue crab population demonstrated resilience and rebounded in subsequent years without long-term impacts to the stock.

>Over the last 15 years, blue crab fishery managers in Virginia, Maryland, and the Potomac River Fisheries Commission have used the annual Winter Dredge Survey estimates to help inform management for the coming fishing season. Additional information on the blue crab population is also anticipated through the completion of a bay-wide benchmark stock assessment. Managers will review that information alongside other ongoing monitoring efforts as it becomes available.

>The Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee (CBSAC), an advisory group under the Chesapeake Bay Program, met on May 13 to discuss the results from the 2025-26 Winter Dredge Survey and the upcoming release of the benchmark stock assessment. Their analysis of the Winter Dredge Survey will be published in the full CBSAC Annual Report this June. The results of the Winter Dredge Survey will also be presented to the Crab Management Advisory Committee in a public meeting on May 27, 2026, at 4 PM. (Emphasis added)

Fish Consumption Advisories -- The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) has issued new fish consumption advisories. A fish consumption advisory is not a prohibition of eating fish, but a warning about the contaminants present in a fish species. Each advisory specifies the waterbody or segment of a waterbody affected, the contaminants present, and meal recommendations for eating specific fish species caught there. The meal recommendations presented were developed to protect the general public. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children are advised not to eat any fish listed in a fish consumption advisory. Learn more at https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/public-health-toxicology/fish-consumption-advisory/ (includes a table of current fish consumption advisories in Virginia that is searchable by species, locality, waterbody, or contaminant). New advisories (updated: April 27, 2026) include:
   ++ Chickahominy River for PFOS
   ++ Flannagan Reservoir for PCBs
   ++ Potomac Watershed/ Occoquan River for PFOS

Original from Announcements 2026.5.12 Virginia Water Monitoring Council Google Group email. To subscribe: virginia-water-monitoring-council+subscribe@googlegroups.com

The Northumberland County Department of Emergency Services has a new emergency alert system: Everbridge.

Everbridge replaces CodeRED as the county’s emergency alert system. To receive alerts with the new system, people have to register with Everbridge.

According to the May 11 Facebook post, Everbridge fuctionality includes sending texts and emails about severe weather, public safety incidents, evacuations, road closures, and more.

Signing up is easy. There are three ways; select the one that is easiest for you.

1. Download the “Public Safety by Everbridge” mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Or, scan the QR code in the flyer below, and follow the instructions.
2. Text NCVAREG to 888777 and follow the instructions.
3. Visit the member portal: https://member.everbridge.net/88684095340714/login

Note: Search for Northumberland or NCVA to sign up for the correct alert system. If asked for an organization code, enter NCVA (exact match is required). If you need help registering, call Chief of Emergency Services Chris Bailey at (804) 580-2589.

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Original blog post.

Virginia SUN Bucks helps eligible families pay for groceries during summer break, when most schools are closed. In 2026, each eligible school‑age child will receive a one‑time $120 benefit. Benefits will be added to your household’s SNAP EBT card. Eligible families who do not have a SNAP EBT card will be mailed a separate Virginia SUN Bucks card that works like a debit card.

You can use SUN Bucks to buy groceries — including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and meat — at grocery stores, farmers markets and other businesses that accept SNAP EBT benefits.

More info: https://www.dss.virginia.gov/relief/food-assistance/sunbucks/

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The National Quilt Project has launched and NNK-made small quilts (18” square!) are being coordinated by Susie Cambria, quilter and Policy on the NNK blogger, via NNK Region ~ National Quilt Project.

As NNK Region ~ National Quilt Project explains, the project is

>an idea that can help repair our torn social fabric.

>Everyone is invited to participate: Children, adults, artists, those with no artistic ability but an interest in reducing the polarization across the US, English speakers, non-English speakers, paper artists, painters, quilters, trash-to-treasure afficianados! You name it, we’d love for you to join us.

>Joining entails organizing an event at which blocks are made and/or making 18” square quilts. The blocks will be shown across the country starting this July and the final tour stop will be in Washington, DC in 2030.

Please, don’t be put off by “quilt.” This project embraces many forms of art and artistic expression. The point is that we share our take on American values and ideals.

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Original blog post

“Museums for All helps families with SNAP/EBT get free or low-cost admission to participating museums, usually between $0 and $5. It’s a great way to enjoy spring break, explore something new, and make family memories on a budget!” One thousand six hundred museums participate across the US.

Two museums on the NNK participate: Menokin in Warsaw and Stratford Hall Historic Preserve in Stratford.

Museums for All lists and shows in a map the participating museums. To take advantage of Museums for All, families show their EBT card and ID and these documents allow up to four people to pay no more than $5 for admission. Families may use Museums for All as many times as they like.

This Institute of Museum and Library Services program provides support to museums every step of the way. There are toolkits, evaluation, and FAQs.

M4A reports 45,248 museum attendees in 2025 in Virginia. Of those, 3% attended using the Museums for All program. The total economic benefit for M4A visitors was $446,712.

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Original

The Thriftiquing in the Northern Neck map has been updated! The map, maintained by the Northern Neck Tourism Commission, tells you “where to find antiques, collectibles and decorative items in the Northern Neck of Virginia, from fine antiques, upcycled painted furniture to kids’ clothing and books!”

Send updates/corrections to the NNTC staffer via email, nntc (at) northernneck (dot) org.

Original

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From Friends of Westmoreland State Park on FB:

You're Part of Something Big.

If you live anywhere near Westmoreland State Park, you're one of 18 million people who call the Chesapeake Bay Watershed home and you're in good company!

Sharing this incredible ecosystem with us are countless fish that nourish our beloved resident bald eagles and migratory osprey, oysters working hard to filter and clean our waters , and aquatic plants providing vital habitat for it all

The reality is that living in the watershed means we all live downstream of someone else — and that means caring for the Bay isn't just something we do, it's a responsibility we are proud to hold.

Join us for Clean the Bay Day!

Westmoreland State Park

9:00 AM | May 2nd

Help us clear our beach of trash that has made its way down the Potomac River and give our beautiful Bay the love it deserves.

Sign up here: https://www.cbf.org/ scroll down to the Montross, VA – Westmoreland State Park listing to register!

We'd love to see you there!

From Facebook:

"Our next venture. The historic Reedville Market Restaurant. Please be patient, it will take a few months. We will be looking for a complete staff from managers to all positions."