Stephen Faleski

Isle of Wight County is proposing zoning ordinance changes that would increase housing density by decreasing the minimum distance between homes.

Isle of Wight County's violent crime fell 28.7% in 2025. Burglaries, larcenies, fraud and vehicle thefts also declined, according to new state data.

Isle of Wight's Planning Commission has endorsed raising the residential hen limit from six to 10, sending that change and a slate of other proposed zoning changes to county supervisors for an Aug. 20 public hearing.

A severe thunderstorm brought 60-70 mph straight-line winds to Smithfield on Aug. 10, downing trees and power lines and leaving more than 1,100 Isle of Wight County Dominion customers without power. Some remained in the dark as of the morning of Aug. 11.

Smithfield Foods cut its 2026 adjusted operating profit outlook to a range of $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion, citing cautious consumer spending.

Miss America Cassie Donegan will return to Smithfield for a meet-and-greet during Friday's free Downtown Summer Concert Series performance.

Surry supervisors expect a final cost estimate and to vote Sept. 3 on borrowing up to $24 million to fund a YMCA following a public hearing on the proposed ground lease.

Five applicants seek to fill Brandi Perkins' vacant District 1 seat on the Isle of Wight County School Board, with public interviews planned before a Sept. 1 vote.

Surry County saw an uptick in assaults last year, though the county maintains a lower violent crime rate than all but one of its neighbors.

Smithfield's Boo, Pet Partners' Pet of the Year, will serve as grand marshal of the Isle of Wight County Fair's inaugural all-creatures parade Sept. 19.