The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program (FPUC), which provided an additional $600/week in benefits to individuals who could not work during the COVID pandemic, is ending on July 25, 2020.
At the June 23, 2020 Work Session, City Council discussed the possible renaming of Jubal Early Drive. Several correspondences and a petition from community members prompted the agenda item. In order to determine the community’s opinion on the matter, Council directed City staff to solicit public input.
A list of frequently asked questions and a short survey is now available online at www.winchesterva.gov/jubal-early-drive-renaming. The deadline to submit the survey is July 13, 2020 at 8 am.
The City of Winchester will be awarding grants to eligible, locally owned micro-sized businesses, large-sized businesses, and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Micro-sized businesses and 501(c)3 non-profit organizations may receive a maximum grant award of up to $5,000. Large-sized businesses may receive a maximum grant award of up to $10,000.
For the past several years, visitors to Old Town Winchester have grown accustomed to a familiar tradition of summer events. Faced with the continuing spread of COVID-19 and public health recommendations from state and national officials, the City has canceled its major public events through September (see below list). However, there’s still plenty to love in Old Town Winchester—especially with the new engaging and socially distant Summer Vibe programming on the Loudoun Street Mall.
Since June 1, 2020 the Jim Barnett Park outdoor pool has been open for lap swimming and swim team practices only. Beginning Friday, July 3, the pool will be available for general swimming during designated times. Reservations will be accepted for general swim for individuals and groups of 10 or less. Reservations are not available for lap swim. Please note that the slide (main pool) and mushroom (wading pool) will remain closed.
The lap swim and general schedule will be as follows beginning July 3:
For the protection of public health and safety, the City has made the difficult decision to close the Old Town Winchester (OTW) splash pad and adjoining public restrooms for the remaining 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The splash pad and restrooms are located on the south end of the Loudoun Street Mall (between Cork Street and Boscawen Street).
The Winchester Fire and Rescue Department (WFRD) and the Winchester City Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) will be hosting the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive on Friday, July 17 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The drive will be held at the Jim Barnett Park Rec Center, 1001 East Cork Street in Winchester.
In observance of the Independence Day holiday, the City of Winchester will operate the following schedule.
City administrative offices will be closed on Friday, July 3. Online services are available on our website, if needed.
WinTran routes will be canceled on Friday, July 3.
The Joint Judicial Center (courts) will be closed Friday, July 3.
Refuse Collection Schedule Change:
The City of Winchester’s bond rating has once again been affirmed by S&P Global Ratings to ‘AAA,’ the highest possible rating, in advance of the City’s upcoming General Obligation bond sale scheduled for June 23. The rating reflects an unbiased assessment of the credit-worthiness of the City’s debt obligations to investors in the public financial market. The higher the rating, the greater the likelihood of full and timely repayment of the debt which equates to lower risk to investors and lower interest rates to municipalities.
Virginia’s Cooling Assistance applications are now being accepted. There are three ways to apply for Cooling Assistance benefits:
The application deadline is August 15.