Hampton Roads, Virginia

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/22029541

HAMPTON, Va. — On April 17, Mary the Tunnel Boring Machine emerged through the headwall at the Hampton end of the HRBT.

Exactly six months later, she's starting her next journey: creating the twin eastbound tunnel, headed toward Norfolk.

Crews are still working on installing fire suppression systems, jet ventilation and the roadway in the first tube.

SUFFOLK, Va. — On Oct. 18 at around 6:30 p.m., Suffolk police were called to the 100 block of Wellons Street after there had been reports of gunshots. After checking the area, police could not find a victim.

About 25 minutes later, a victim with a gunshot wound was reported at a local hospital, though the injury was reportedly non-life-threatening.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — We continue to Verify claims made in local campaign advertisements. The first campaign ad in the Portsmouth mayoral race has aired where the vice mayor, Lisa Lucas-Burke, attacks the current mayor, Shannon Glover.

Are the claims in it true?

Let's Verify.

The ad, paid for and approved by Lisa Lucas-Burke, references a lawsuit filed by former city assessor, Patrick Dorris. The suit claims he was fired last year because "he refused to commit unlawful directives from [Mayor] Glover and [Councilman Bill] Moody to not tax the Elizabeth Manor Golf and Country Club.”

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia State Police (VSP) have arrested 19-year-old Jordan Kendrell Copeland in last week's shooting that stemmed from a road rage incident.

According to VSP, the shooting was the result of a road rage incident involving two vehicles traveling northbound on I-664 at the Pughsville Road off-ramp, around 5:19 p.m on Oct. 12. The victim of the shooting was a woman, VSP said, and sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A local youth baseball team honored one of its player’s fathers at a tournament Saturday.

Virginia Beach firefighter Matthew Gallina’s son plays for the Tidewater Drillers U13 team. Gallina died in August from esophageal cancer, caused by occupational carcinogens.

The team wore matching fire department-inspired uniforms as part of the 'Field of Screams' tournament. Each team was able to choose a costume to wear on the field. Parents told 13News Now Saturday, they’re proud their sons chose to support the Gallina family.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — City council members in Chesapeake have been given the green light to construct what would be the tallest tower in Virginia. It is part of what will soon be a submarine cable manufacturing facility.

South Korean based LS Greenlink searched all across North America for the perfect site. They chose the area near Paradise Creek because of how close it is to deep water and adequate infrastructure.

At the Tuesday council meeting, company representatives and local leaders boasted the roughly $681 million investment for potentially bringing about 330 “high paying” jobs to the city.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — In Newport News and in Virginia Beach, when no one dials 911, police can rely on technology such as the ShotSpotter system, which alerts police to the sound and location of gunfire.

ShotSpotter has been around for decades but is relatively new in Virginia. It keys on vibration the same way scientists detect earthquakes. Two local police chiefs swear by it, but some cities have dropped it.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew would be the first to let you know that his city is on track for far fewer shootings this year compared with last year. But in just a 10-day span last month, the city’s ShotSpotter system got horribly busy.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — In a twist to the saga surrounding a houseboat that was beached at Portsmouth City Park, a source confirmed that its operator, Willie Gray, has been taken into custody by Virginia Marine Police for outstanding warrants and probation violations, primarily in Virginia Beach and Suffolk.

10 On Your Side had learned previously from law enforcement that the name of the operator of the Troy was Willie Brown. However, that turned out to be an alias, and Gray, indeed, is his real last name, as confirmed by his family.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — Attorneys for former Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner and the Newport News School Board clashed Friday in Newport News Circuit Court over information that each side said they’re refusing to provide the other.

Zwerner was shot by one of her 6-year-old students in January 2023 and filed a $40 million lawsuit against the school board, former assistant principal Ebony Parker and former Newport News Public Schools superintendent Dr. George Parker III for failing to prevent the situation. The mother of the 6-year-old boy, Deja Taylor, was convicted on gun and child neglect charges.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The death of a man who was in Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office custody back in June has been ruled a homicide.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Norfolk shared the update with 10 On Your Side on Friday afternoon, saying Rolin Hill died from “positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint with neck and torso compression.”

The update came after the Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that five deputies involved in the Hill incident had been terminated, and a day after 10 On Your Side requested the autopsy report in the case.

JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) — A woman who worked as a temporary assistant cheerleading coach at Jamestown High School in 2022 is now facing charges after an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 14-year-old boy, according to court documents.

On Aug. 13, police received a report of a possible inappropriate relationship between a 14-year-old boy and a 44-year-old woman. During the investigation, police conducted interviews and received cellphone downloads to identify the woman as Sarah Deaver of James City County.

Deaver was a cheerleading coach for Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools in fall 2022 and received a temporary coaching stipend, according to the school division. She’s also a mother of three.

HAMPTON, Va. (WAVY) — Security is poised to tighten up at Joint Base Langley-Eustis following more than a dozen cases of mysterious drones flying overhead.

In an Wall Street Journal article published Saturday, it was detailed that over 17 days in December 2023 “a dozen or more” of the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flew over the base where the F-22 Raptor stealth fighters — one of the main aircrafts used to help defend us here at home — are based.

One official is quoted to have said it was “unlike any past incursion.” Around dusk, “a dozen or more” of the Unmanned Aerial Systems would appear.

DETAILS:

• Friday, October 25, 2024, 6:00-10:00pm
• Colley Avenue between Shirley Avenue and Brandon Avenue (essentially in front of the Naro)

Masquerade in Ghent is free and open to the public. Ample parking can be found along the streets and parking lots.

• Pre-Judging for Costume Contest: 6:00pm
• Parade: 6:30pm

After the parade, get ready for a monster mash with live music. Plus, there will be activities for kids, refreshments and adult beverages.

DETAILS

• October 25 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm EDT
• Virginia Zoo
• 3500 Granby St, Norfolk, VA 23504

Note: "For the wellbeing of our animals, all trails and the Goat Yard will be closed during the event."

OP's thoughts: so what the hell is the point of going to the zoo when you can't walk around and see the animals? Well it looks like they will have other activities available to enjoy {laser tag, escape room, tarot readings, etc}, and TBF it will be close to dark when the event starts, so the animals really do need to come in to bed down for the night. The World of Reptiles will be open, and the train will be running. If you are a fan of the zoo grounds, then you'll enjoy this event. If not, then see my other post for Oct 25 events.

ZooBoo Kid-Friendly dates are Oct 19 and Oct 20

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The U.S. Navy says it's trying to figure out what led to faulty welding on ships that were built or repaired at Newport News Shipbuilding.

On Sept. 30, the shipyard's president, Jennifer Boykin, released a statement, saying leadership discovered the quality of welds on some submarines and aircrafts were faulty.

People still looking for the flu shot had the opportunity to get one without ever leaving the car over the weekend.

Sentara held more than a dozen drive-thru flu shot clinics in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina on Saturday morning.

Drivers could pull up, have everyone inside the car fill out a registration form and then they could all receive this season's flu shot from Sentara volunteers.

SUFFOLK, Va. — Nearly 50,000 people were expected to turn out Saturday for the third day of the 46th Annual Suffolk Peanut Festival.

The festival comes as the city celebrates its 50th anniversary of the merger of Suffolk and Nansemond counties. This year's theme is "Shell-ebrating Suffolk's Roots, From Our Hearts to Our Boots" — calling back to a key moment in the city's history.

Saturday's events featured one new activity—the Dockdogs dog diving competition which continue on Sunday.

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A stabbing left a man dead in Portsmouth Saturday afternoon.

Around 1:10 p.m., Portsmouth police said officers were called to the 200 block of Webster Avenue.

Investigators found a man with multiple stab wounds, police said. He died at the scene.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Something in the Water was supposed to happen this weekend at the Oceanfront. When Pharrell Williams' event—one of Virginia Beach's biggest music festivals—was postponed to next April, it left many people wondering what to do.

Now the people, city, and hospitality industry are adjusting and planning ahead.

Local artists filled stages along the boardwalk Saturday for a new festival, Pulse Fest, in place of Pharrell's festival.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Neighbors at Atlantis Apartments were treated to a surprise Saturday morning, as Virginia Beach-native Pharrell Williams stopped by to visit the community where he grew up.

The appearance comes the same weekend as the music superstar's LEGO biopic film "Piece by Piece" released in theaters.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Roughly 80 Virginia Task Force 2 members returned home to Virginia Beach Saturday afternoon after helping with search and rescue operations and humanitarian efforts related to hurricanes Helene and Milton.

They were stationed in Florida ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall on Sept. 26. Then, they headed to Mitchell County in Western North Carolina which had been devastated by flooding.

CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Virginia State Police said they are looking for any witnesses after a road rage shooting on I-664 in Chesapeake Saturday night.

State Police said around 5:20 p.m., two vehicles heading northbound at the Pughsville Road off-ramp were involved "in a road rage incident that involved shots being fired."

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Hampton Roads’ economy is strong and is poised for a fourth-straight year of growth, according to the 25th annual State of the Region report from Old Dominion University’s Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy, which was released Tuesday.

On average, the region is growing faster than at any time over the past 15 years, with 2023 wages higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, more people employed that ever before in the civilian workforce and inflation dropping from 9% in 2022 to less than 3% this summer. The report states that trend, along with falling interest rates, will continue into 2025.

“The region’s economic engine has picked up speed,” said Robert M. McNab, director of the Dragas Center and lead author of the report, presented at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

The report noted some less-than-ideal economic conditions, however, with residents leaving to seek better job opportunities, and negative consumer perception of the cost of housing, goods and groceries.

“We are poised for growth in 2025,” McNab said. “That is a seismic change in terms of how the economy is performing in Hampton Roads. It’s not a minor change. It’s moving up more than 150 points in terms of the rankings of Hampton Roads relative to other metro areas.”

It’s mostly good news, though, when it comes to the region’s ‘three pillars’ — defense, the Port of Virginia and the hospitality and tourism industry.

Defense spending locally topped $28 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach more than $30 billion by 2030.

But even as the Port of Virginia outperformed most other ports on the East Coast, according to the report, the amount of cargo moving through it wend down due to lower consumer and producer demand for imports. The port, though, has invested in improvements and is primed for future expansion, the report states.

“We were able to compete for cargo with all the other ports,” said Vinod Agarwal, economics professor and deputy director of the Dragas Center for Economic Analysis and Policy. “Investment in the port is paying off and the port has become efficient.”

And while the hospitality and tourism industry outperformed markets in Virginia and the U.S., the report noted the increase in housing costs due to a 15-year construction deficit, with home prices in the region up 56% from 2015. It said many are housing-cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of wages on a mortgage or rent.

The report said, however, that localities could improve the housing market by making changes to regulations to make building them in Hampton Roads easier for developers. It said building any type of housing influences the overall market and puts the responsibility on cities and counties to make needed changes to fix the housing shortage.

The report also discussed public libraries, the aging populations and disability rates.

To view the complete report, see below:

https://www.wavy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/10/ODU-state-of-the-region-report-Oct.-2024.pdf