| Feb 28, 2026 |
| Good morning, Historic Triangle!
A mostly pleasant weekend is ahead, though more wintry weather will soon be heading our way.
Highs will be near 60 degrees on both Saturday and Sunday, and rain chances will be low.
Temperatures will tumble dramatically on Sunday evening as a cold front moves across our region, according to the 13News Now meteorology team. Overnight lows will be near freezing, and daytime highs will remain in the 30s.
A wintry mix is expected for our area on Monday night into Tuesday morning as rain mixes in with sleet, freezing rain or snow.
|
 |
| Big temperature swings are in the forecast for the week ahead. (Image by 13News Now Chief Meteorologist Tim Pandajis) |
| A warming trend is likely mid-to-late week, with temperatures in the 60s on Wednesday and Thursday and low 70s on Friday.
Now to the news.
-Christin |
| |
|
|
Toano named among 'friendliest places to live' in Virginia |
 |
| Historic Toano. (Photo courtesy of the Toano Historical Society) |
| Toano is one of the friendliest places to live in the Commonwealth, according to a new study by Nextdoor.
The neighborhood social networking website released a list of the friendliest communities in every state using data derived from positive interactions between neighbors.
Several factors were taken into account to determine the rankings, including the tone of interactions between neighbors, how often requests for help or recommendations were fulfilled, how many free items were shared and how strongly residents supported local businesses.
"When people are considering where to live, they want to know more than just the statistics — they want to understand what it's really like to be part of that neighborhood," said Kelsey Grady, Chief Communications Officer at Nextdoor.
Toano ranked no. 15 overall on the list of 20 Virginia localities.
Other nearby communities included on the list are Gloucester Point at no. 5 and Barhamsville at no. 11. Great Falls earned the top spot at no. 1.
The report recognized Toano as a "peaceful, family-friendly town known for its beautiful landscapes and clean environment" and highlighted its quiet surroundings and "strong sense of community."
The historic James City County community is home to 10,478 residents, per the latest U.S. Census.
Less favorable was Toano's affordability ranking, which currently stands at 68 out of a possible 100, based on residential and demographic data. Nextdoor's affordability score is calculated based on factors such as median incomes, home values and rents, as well as tax rates and regional prices analyses.
In addition to highlighting the friendliest cities and towns across the U.S., Nextdoor compiled a list of the friendliest neighborhoods for 2026. In Williamsburg, Ford's Colony topped the list, coming in at no. 1 for its "quiet, tree-lined streets" and "sense of safety."
Colonial Heritage, Longhill Station, Five Forks, James Terrace, Scott's Pond, Kingswood and Kingsmill also made the cut.
"This year's list shows that strong neighborhoods exist in every corner of the country — and that the people in them are what make the difference," Grady said.
To view Nextdoor's full rankings for each state, click here. |
| |
'Absolutely devastating': Highway Pizza suffers major fire damage |
 |
| Firefighters responded to a blaze at Highway Pizza in Williamsburg on Monday morning. (Photo courtesy of the Williamsburg Fire Department) |
| Highway Pizza in Williamsburg is facing an extensive rebuilding process after a fire tore through the restaurant on Monday morning.
More than 30 firefighters from the City of Williamsburg and nearby localities responded to the scene after reports of the blaze were called in at about 10:15 a.m.
Crews arrived to find thick black smoke pouring from the back of the business. Upon entering the building, firefighters discovered active flames inside the kitchen.
Nearby businesses were evacuated, and the fire was brought under control at about 10:52 a.m. No injuries were reported, and the incident remains under investigation.
In a message to customers posted on Facebook, the restaurant's ownership described the fire as "absolutely devastating" and expressed feeling "heartbroken" over the state of the building.
"Highway Pizza means so much to our family, but it also means so much to this community," the owners said. "Standing outside this morning, waiting for the fire department to allow us back inside, was one of the most emotional moments we've ever experienced." |
 |
| A view of the kitchen at Highway Pizza following Monday's fire. (Photo by Highway Pizza via Facebook) |
| A GoFundMe has been launched to help support the restaurant's staff as they face the possibility of prolonged unemployment.
"Highway Pizza was built with love, resilience, and community," the owners said. "And we believe that same community will help carry us through whatever comes next."
As of Saturday morning, a total of $9,325 had been donated to Highway Pizza through the GoFundMe.
Several other community businesses have launched their own efforts to support the restaurant, including a t-shirt fundraiser coordinated by Parkway Printshop. |
| |
| NEWS TO KNOW |
Williamsburg City Manager resigns, interim manager named |
 |
| Andrew O. Trivette. (Photo by Stephen Salpukas/William & Mary) |
| Williamsburg City Council accepted the resignation of City Manager Andrew O. Trivette during a special City Council meeting on Feb. 25.
Deputy City Manager Michele Mixner DeWitt was appointed to the role of Interim City Manager, effective immediately. |
-
DeWitt has worked for the city for 21 years, serving as Economic Development Director, Assistant City Manager and then Deputy City Manager. She also served as Williamsburg's Commissioner of the Revenue in 2025. |
| Background: During his time serving the city, Trivette launched the Future Festivals and oversaw several major construction projects, including the new fire station, police station and Greater Williamsburg Sports and Events Center. |
| |
| No additional details were made available about the situation, as the city called the resignation a "personnel matter." |
| |
| |
Deputies investigate string of arsons, robberies across York County |
 |
| Varry Darnell Shannon. (Photo courtesy of the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office) |
| An effort to uncover the cause of a fire at a local car repair shop has evolved into a larger investigation surrounding a series of arsons and break-ins across York County and surrounding localities.
Deputies responded to reports of flames engulfing two vehicles at the Peninsula Heavy Duty on George Washington Memorial Highway on Feb 8. An investigation revealed that the blaze was intentionally set. |
-
"Sheriff's Office and Fire and Life Safety personnel initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire and quickly determined that this was the result of arson," The York-Poquoson Sheriff's Department said in a statement. "The damage estimate exceeded $10,000." |
| |
| After digging further into the incident, detectives have come to believe that the two teens are connected to additional crimes committed in York County over the past two months, including: |
| |
-
Feb. 1: A break-in leading to a burglary was reported at a home in the 600 block of Claxton Creek Road. Property damage exceeded $1,000, and the perpetrators attempted to set a building on fire using accelerant. |
| |
| What's next: The investigation remains ongoing. Deputies say additional charges against the two teens are pending in York County and surrounding localities. |
| |
WJCC teacher faces charges in connection to alleged sexual assaults involving students |
 |
| Andre Scione. (Photo courtesy of Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail) |
| A Warhill High School teacher was arrested in connection to the alleged sexual assaults of three female students. |
-
Andre Scione, 34, of James City County, is facing two counts of sexual assault and three counts of assault and battery of a minor. |
| An investigation was launched by James City County police in response to a complaint filed by a student. Williamsburg-James City County Schools then placed Scione on administrative leave. |
| |
| |
| Anyone with information that may be relevant to this case is asked to contact the James City County Police Department's Investigations Unit at 757-259-5152. Anonymous tips can be submitted through the Crime Line at one-888-LOCK-U-UP or online at P3Tips.com. |
| |
| IN THE HEADLINES |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! |
| |
| 📰 Sign up to receive The Triangle's weekly newsletters here.
🖥️ Visit our website to read previous articles.
📧 Want to reach out? Email christin@thetriangle.news or reply to this email. |
| The Triangle exists thanks to the generous donations of readers who make our work possible. |
| Support Our Work |
|
|
