Family sues PETA for $9.7M, says workers euthanized pet NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A family is suing PETA for $9.7 million after they say workers from the organization euthanized their Chihuahua. The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1N6OzM1 ) reports Wilber Zarate and his daughter each sued the group Tuesday in Norfolk Circuit Court for $2 million. They are also suing PETA workers … Continue reading
Author Archives: snjohnson74965
Virginia public colleges expect enrollment growth to slow
Virginia public colleges expect enrollment growth to slow RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Enrollment growth at Virginia’s public colleges and universities is expected to slow over the next six years, unlike private institutions in the state. Overall, public two- and four-year schools expect a 5 percent increase by 2021-2022. Four schools anticipate a decline in enrollment. The … Continue reading
Female veterans’ stories preserved in Virginia Beach exhibit
DENISE M. WATSON, The Virginian-Pilot NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — During World War II, Therese Hughes’ mother was an officer in the Navy’s WAVES, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service. But her mother never talked about her time, and Hughes knew nothing of her service until years after Hicks died in 1977. Hughes, now a photojournalist, … Continue reading
Man wanted on 2008 child sex charges apprehended
Man wanted on 2008 child sex charges apprehended NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A fugitive from Chesterfield County has been captured in Hampton after seven years on the run. The U.S. Marshals Service says 32-year-old Daniel Soriano Avila was apprehended Thursday without incident. He was wanted on multiple child sex charges. Avila was charged in November 2008 … Continue reading
Man found not guilty of dragging officer in his patrol car
Man found not guilty of dragging officer in his patrol car NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A jury has found a Norfolk man not guilty of dragging an officer with his own squad car. The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1ktjrQF ) reports a Norfolk Circuit Court jury found 31-year-old Marius Mitchell not guilty of charges including malicious wounding of a police officer and eluding police … Continue reading
Former Suffolk mayor gives archives to historical society
Former Suffolk mayor gives archives to historical society SUFFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Historical Society will be using former Suffolk Mayor Andy Damiani’s personal archives to bulk up the society’s 20th century collection. Damiani tells the Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1HSTaWc) that he’s saved decades of newspaper clippings, live radio records, videos and other items related to … Continue reading
Trump releases plan aimed at improving veterans’ care
JILL COLVIN, Associated Press NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump released a plan on Saturday aimed at overhauling the Department of Veterans Affairs and improving veterans’ health care and employment services. Under Trump’s plan, eligible veterans would be able to bring their veterans’ identification cards to any private doctor or facility that … Continue reading
Head of Portsmouth drug ring gets 30 years in prison
Head of Portsmouth drug ring gets 30 years in prison NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The leader of a Portsmouth drug trafficking ring has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison. The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1RUgliH ) that 35-year-old Alonzo Outten was sentenced Wednesday for his role in the drug ring that put nearly 200 pounds … Continue reading
Virginia Zoo’s 2 elephants moving to Zoo Miami in 2016
Virginia Zoo’s 2 elephants moving to Zoo Miami in 2016 NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Zoo’s two African elephants will move to a new home in Florida next year. The zoo in Norfolk announced Tuesday that female elephants Lisa and Cita will be relocated to Zoo Miami during the spring of 2016. The move … Continue reading
Gang leader sentenced to life for drug, gun crimes
Gang leader sentenced to life for drug, gun crimes NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Hampton Roads gang leader has been sentenced to life in federal prison for drug and gun crimes. The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1PWEmbw ) that 32-year-old Christopher Smith of Portsmouth was sentenced Friday in U.S. District Court in Norfolk. Smith pleaded guilty in … Continue reading
Former Norfolk SPCA bookkeeper sentenced for embezzlement
Former Norfolk SPCA bookkeeper sentenced for embezzlement NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A former bookkeeper for the Norfolk Society for the Prevention of Cruelty has been sentenced to 4½ years in prison for embezzling more than $135,000. The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1M2PDkr ) that 44-year-old Kimberly A. Raeburn was sentenced Friday in Norfolk Circuit Court. She pleaded … Continue reading
Port of Virginia seeks $350M to grow, prepare for big ships
ALANNA DURKIN, Associated Press NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — After years of financial woes, the Port of Virginia is finally back in the black and wants the state to help it grow. When the General Assembly returns to Richmond this winter, port officials will lobby lawmakers for $350 million in upgrades to enable one of its … Continue reading
Newspaper sues to get data on Virginia law enforcement
Newspaper sues to get data on Virginia law enforcement NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1GTgHAn) has filed a lawsuit seeking information about law enforcement officers and those with police powers. The newspaper filed the lawsuit Tuesday in Norfolk Circuit Court against the Department of Criminal Justice Services to gain access to a state database … Continue reading
Norfolk to retime dozens of traffic lights
Norfolk to retime dozens of traffic lights NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Norfolk will receive up to $600,000 in state and federal funding to change the timing on dozens of the city’s 311 traffic lights. The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1R6rIEe) reports the city will begin researching traffic patterns and the timing of its traffic lights to determine which … Continue reading
Flooring company pleads guilty to environmental crimes
Flooring company pleads guilty to environmental crimes NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Lumber Liquidators pleaded guilty Thursday to environmental crimes related to importing flooring manufactured in China from timber illegally logged in eastern Russia, the habitat for the world’s last remaining Siberian tigers and Amur leopards. The Toano, Virginia-based company entered a plea agreement to one … Continue reading
Spartan Echo 