Virginia Minn.- The Virginia Police Department has released a quick public service announcement as we head into the end of spring. In a post on social media, law enforcement has asked residents to keep their distance from bears this spring and to not approach them. They added if a bear climbs a tree it will come down on its own once it no longer feels threatened. The reminder comes after they say they’ve received several reports of a bear on the North side of town.

Washburn, Wis.- Registration is open for the 18th annual Superior Vistas Bike Tour. Riders start in Washburn and travel anywhere between 13 to 100 miles. There is also a fat bike route and for the first time, it will also offer a mountain bike option. There are rest stops along the routes and some overlap so riders can alter their distances and turn back if needed. The event is not a race, just a fun ride. Riders will hit the road on June 22 rain or shine.

Copper Harbor Mich.- In the Keweenaw Peninsula, mountain bike enthusiasts will be happy to know trails up there are now open. At least a good portion of them. The Copper Harbor Trails Club says the core network of trails near town is open, but East Bluff trails are still too damp. Saturday, May 4 is International Women’s Mountain Biking Day so the club will is hosting a ride at 3 p.m. at the Michigan Tech Trails. All are welcome to join.

Tips: If there’s something going on in your neighborhood that you think we should know about, send us an email at CitybyCity@NorthernNewsNow.com, and it might be featured as we go around the Northland City by City.

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JAMES CITY — Jamestown Settlement is holding its annual Indigenous Arts Day on Saturday to honor the Virginia Indian tribal communities who have occupied the land for centuries.

Beginning at 11 a.m., the day will celebrate traditional and contemporary art forms by Indigenous artists, including special performances of music and dance. A full schedule is available at jyfmuseums.org/indigenous-arts-day.

Red Crooked Sky American Indian Dance Troupe will lead the day’s performances with Stoney Creek Singers on drum, along with Nottoway flutist Nathan Elliott and Lakota storyteller Felicity Meza-Luna.

A variety of Indigenous artists and craftspeople will display and demonstrate their work throughout the day, some of which will be available for purchase. In case of inclement weather, activities will move indoors.

Visitors to Jamestown Settlement can also learn about 17th-century Virginia Indian history and culture in the museum’s permanent gallery exhibits featuring artifacts, innovative films and interactives.

The settlement is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Special event activities are included with museum admission; $18.00 for adults and $9 for ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and under are free.

Citizens of Virginia Indian tribes receive free admission during Indigenous Arts Day. Residents of James City County, York County and Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.

For more information, visit jyfmuseums.org. Jamestown Settlement is located on Route 31 southwest of Williamsburg.

“As our energy demand increases, we’ll need to think of novel ways to generate supply, and programs like solar leasing and net metering help incentivise deployment where it’s needed most,” said Suhas Subramanyam, a member of the Virginia Senate.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), more than 50,000 Virginia homes have solar systems installed, and the market is expected to grow by nearly ten times in the next decade. In 2020, the Virginia General Assembly passed the Virginia Clean Economy Act (VCEA), which mandated a goal of 100% zero carbon energy generation by 2050.

“As thousands of Virginia families consider their energy choices and install solar over the next decade, the solar and storage industry is taking steps to ensure every installation is safe, reliable, and meets customer expectations. SEIA will continue to advocate for policies that open the market for solar, put customers first, and strengthen Virginia’s energy economy,” said Caitlin Vincent, Southeast senior manager for the SEIA.

As of the end of 2023, Virginia boasted 4.84GW of installed solar capacity while it added 591.6MW in 2023, according to the SEIA, and solar met 6.56% of power demand in the state last year. Regarding solar installations, utility scale projects have accounted for the majority of additions since 2020, while residential solar installations have gained traction since 2020 as well.