BASKETBALL RECRUITING

Churchland High’s Sincere Jones gave Virginia Tech its first men’s basketball commitment from the class of 2025, according to his Instagram.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward visited Virginia Tech last week. He said on zagsblog.com that he has scholarship offers from Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Robert Morris, Manhattan, Mississippi State and VCU.

Jones is ranked the No. 43 overall power forward nationally and No. 13 player in Virginia, according to 247Sports.

WNBA

Knee surgery for Va. Beach’s Williams

Ten-year WNBA player Elizabeth Williams, who grew up in Virginia Beach, will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus she suffered June 6 while playing for the Chicago Sky against the Washington Mystics. She’ll be having surgery on her knee to repair it.

Williams was averaging 10 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game through nine contests. She is in her second year with the Sky after starring for Princess Anne High and Duke, from where the Connecticut Sun chose her No. 4 overall in the 2015 WNBA draft. Williams played one year for the Sun, six for the Atlanta Dream and one for the Mystics before going to the Sky.

CHARLESTON, WV–As the first heat wave of 2024 sweeps across the nation, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) urges everyone to learn and practice heat safety to stay safe and cool. With temperatures rising, it’s crucial for all populations, especially caregivers of and those in vulnerable groups (like infants, children, and adults over 65) to plan ahead.

“West Virginia is facing a significant heat wave for this time of year,” said WVEMD Director GE McCabe. “It’s very important that we all take precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our pets. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and check on your neighbors.” 

Heat Safety Tips

1. Stay Hydrated – Drink lots of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated drinks and alcohol as they can cause dehydration. If you’re active, consider sports drinks to replace salts and minerals.
2. Keep Cool – Spend time in places with air conditioning. Malls, libraries, or cooling centers can be used to help.
   • Pets, children, and incapacitated adults should never be left in a parked car. If you see a pet, person, or child in a hot car, call 911 immediately.
   • If you don’t have air conditioning at home, use fans and take cool showers or baths.
   • When outdoors, wear loose, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
3. Limit Outdoor Activities – Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day. Take frequent breaks in cool areas, avoid heavy meals, and stay out of direct sunlight.
   • Children and pets can be burned by hot pavement or sidewalks. Plan walks and play time for cooler hours of the day.
     • Check the sidewalk temperature by placing your hand on the surface for five seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for kids and pets.
   • Playground equipment also becomes quite hot. Check the surfaces before allowing kids to play.
   • Historically, the coolest parts of the day in West Virginia are before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. The hottest parts of the day are the hours between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
4. Recognize Heat-Related Illnesses – Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness, thirst) and heat stroke (throbbing headache, confusion, sweating may be reduced or absent) and seek immediate medical help if you or someone around you experiences these symptoms.
   • Muscle pain and cramping are often the first sign that your body is having trouble with the heat. If you experience muscle cramps, take a break and drink water or a sports drink. Find medical help if cramps last longer than one hour.
   • Check on elderly neighbors, kids, and pets often to ensure they’re well, hydrated, and cool.
5. Plan Ahead – Create an emergency kit with essential supplies including water and medications. Stay informed by monitoring local weather alerts and news updates.
   • The CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard allows the user to enter their zip code and learn the heat risk and air quality for the week, in addition to tips to help you plan ahead.
   • If you need assistance finding a cooling center, please contact your county or local emergency management agency.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has awarded a $1,965,525 to the askHRgreen.org public awareness initiative to bolster its “Start Smart, Recycle Right” recycling education and outreach program in Hampton Roads.

The grant is part of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes a component to expand recycling infrastructure and education for waste management systems, a release states. The EPA grant will help amplify recycling awareness, educate residents on the benefits of recycling and improve access to recycling information.

“Our region, like so many others, needs a culture shift in recycling behavior, and the EPA grant will help us elevate our ‘Start Smart, Recycle Right’ message to help residents understand what is and is not recyclable locally,” said Katie Cullipher, HRPDC Principal Environmental Education Planner and a team leader of the askHRgreen.org initiative. “With this funding, we’ll work on streamlining messaging and making the information more accessible to all residents of Hampton Roads.”