RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s cabinet officials are hitting the road as part of an annual effort to increase their visibility around the state. This year’s “Cabinet on the Road” takes place this week in the Hampton Roads area. The governor, his wife and several of his top aides will take part in various … Continue reading
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — Federal budget gridlock could negatively impact Navy personnel in the Hampton Roads region. The Daily Press in Newport News reports (http://bit.ly/2o7y54w) that Congress faces an April 28 deadline to approve new spending. Even if lawmakers agree to keep funding at 2016 levels, the military would still come up short. Military officials … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Authorities say they’ve netted 10 convictions of people arrested in a recent sweep of people who sell illegal guns or drugs. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in eastern Virginia said in a statement Tuesday that the defendants are among more than 30 nabbed during Operation Riptide in Hampton Roads. Last fall’s sweep recovered … Continue reading
WINCHESTER, Va. (AP) — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has opened a new parts distribution center in Winchester. An event marking the opening of the more than 400,000-square-foot Mopar Parts Distribution Center was held Tuesday. Mopar is Fiat Chrysler’s parts and accessories brand. FCA US says the facility adds more than 70 jobs over two shifts. The … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Old Dominion University says its new Barry Art Museum will open in the fall of 2018. The school said in a press release that the museum’s groundbreaking took place on Tuesday. The 24,000-square-fooot facility will primarily focus on the American glass art movement. It will display more than 100 pieces from … Continue reading
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — The University of Virginia is getting its first large solar project. Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced Tuesday that the school will put a 324-panel system at the school’s Clemons Library. The solar panels will produce enough energy to power about 15 homes. McAuliffe praised the school for pursuing a solar project. The … Continue reading
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) — A 36-foot military museum on wheels that is filled with artifacts from dozen of Virginians who served in both world wars will roll into Newport News. Daily Press reports (http://bit.ly/2oMO8mY) the display is part of an annual convention that will bring distinguished combat veterans to the town for a series … Continue reading
BARHAMSVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities say two inmates were severely injured when they tried to break out of a Virginia jail. Media outlets report that the inmates are being treated at a hospital after they were cut by razor wire at Henrico Jail East on Tuesday night. The Henrico Sheriff’s Office said the two inmates … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia’s Democratic governor is facing mounting pressure to halt next week’s scheduled execution of an inmate whose case has seen two witnesses recant, years after he was convicted of ordering his ex-girlfriend’s killing. Ivan Teleguz, 38, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection April 25 unless he’s granted clemency by Gov. … Continue reading
HAMPTON, Va. (AP) — State transportation officials have reiterated their promise to expand the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel. The Daily Press reports (http://bit.ly/2o30dq0) that officials met with more than 300 interested contractors and developers in Hampton on Monday. Virginia Department of Transportation commissioner Charlie Fitzpatrick said calls for proposals will be accepted next year. Contracts will … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A navy base in Virginia was briefly placed on lock down while officials investigated what appears to be a false report of shots fired. Kelly Wirfel is a spokeswoman for Naval Station Norfolk. She says the base was locked down around 1:55 p.m. on Tuesday after someone reported that they heard … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Experts plan to discuss the impact of climate change on the Chesapeake Bay region. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation says it’s sponsoring an April 25 forum in Norfolk along with Old Dominion University. The discussion will focus on the environmental impact as well as lessons learned from flooding and sea level rise. … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Virginia (AP) — A New York seafood dealer has pleaded guilty to federal charges of trafficking more than $150,000 worth of baby eels. Federal prosecutors say Tommy Water Zhou, of Brooklyn, pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of illegally selling or purchasing baby eels, called elvers, in interstate commerce after they had been illegally harvested … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new benefit in Virginia’s Medicaid program aims to help people with substance abuse disorders get treatment. The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports that (http://bit.ly/2oI8UTs) the state is increasing provider rates for things like substance use intensive outpatient and medication assisted treatment for opioid addicts. Provider rates are also going up for partial … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A new study has found Virginia’s solar job market grew 65 percent in 2016. The Solar Foundation’s report said Virginia is tied for ninth in country for fastest solar job growth last year and there were more than 3,200 solar jobs in the state last year. Gov. Terry McAuliffe praised the … Continue reading
LOVINGSTON, Va. (AP) — A laborers union has sent hundreds of letters of support for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to Virginia’s senators. The mid-Atlantic region of the Laborers’ International Union of North America delivered nearly 1,600 letters from workers to U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner last week. It’s the latest demonstration of union … Continue reading
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (AP) — A medical examiner has concluded that the 20-year-old who died at Hampton Roads Regional Jail hanged himself. Donna Price, administrator of the chief medical examiner’s Norfolk office, told the Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/2mXh7Tm) Wednesday that Jakim Shareike Funderburk’s cause of death was hanging, and the manner was suicide. Jail staff found Funderburk the … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A candidate running to be Norfolk’s top prosecutor has apologized after he had a company make automated campaign calls from what appeared to be a city phone line. Commonwealth’s attorney candidate Ron Batliner tells The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/2ncgtlS ) that he recorded a campaign message from his city office on the night … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A clerical error has postponed a civil trial for a Virginia police officer accused of recklessly shooting a mentally ill man. The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/2mRtXT1) that there was a mixup over potential juror lists. No new date has been set. In 2014, Norfolk police officer Carl Seger shot Lawrence Faine, a … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — It’s unclear whether public transit riders will face a rate hike this fall. The Daily Press reports (http://bit.ly/2mx6wCk) that Hampton Roads Transit may reconsider a plan to increase fares. It would take effect in October and raise the price 25 cents to $2.00. The agency took a big financial hit last … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) â A Navy SEAL has been sentenced to 89 days confinement for assaulting a female sailor he used to date. A Navy press release said Friday that Stephen Varanko III will also lose his rank of Chief Special Warfare Operator. He will now have a rank of Petty Officer 1st Class. Varanko … Continue reading
BURKEVILLE, Va. (AP) — Authorities are investigating after a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus train hit a tractor-trailer in Nottoway County. It happened Monday afternoon near Burkeville. No one was hurt. Local news outlets report that officials say the train collided with the tractor-trailer after the truck became disabled on the tracks. State … Continue reading
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Navy veteran and Bronze Star recipient charged with stealing the identities of at least two subordinates to obtain fraudulent loans has been sentenced to more than four years in prison. The Virginian-Pilot reports that (http://bit.ly/2nbJDka ) Clayton Pressley III of Chesapeake was sentenced Monday to four years and two months … Continue reading
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — Adil Hasan and his wife, Enas Ibrahim, came to the U.S. in 2008 as refugees from Iraq, and have been living peacefully in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., ever since. To get here, though, they faced a dilemma as they sat in a camp in Jordan, where they were required to … Continue reading
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — High school students in Virginia are getting the chance to learn more about the FBI. The FBI Richmond field office is launching a new outreach effort called the Richmond Youth Academy , which will kick off this summer. The two-day program will give as many as 50 high school students a … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 