Editor’s note: This is the final of six installments of our Year in Review 2018, where we will look at the good and bad news of 2018, two months at a time. The date listed is the date of the edition in which the story ran.

 

Nov. 1 — The Obici Healthcare Foundation announced it would make a $1 million grant to help improve early childhood education in Suffolk and Western Tidewater, signaling a shift in the way it funds programs and initiatives that improve the health of local residents. The move was a response to research showing that factors like education and income also affect health.

 

Nov. 6 — One person was killed in a Sunday afternoon shooting. Corey Lovell Baker, 30, died in the shooting in the 1000 block of Nansemond Parkway. Tavarus A. Gray Jr., 21, was named as a suspect and arrested a couple of days later.

 

Nov. 7 — Mid-term elections saw strong turnout in Suffolk. In local elections, voters chose four new School Board representatives for open seats, as the incumbents chose not to run for re-election. Sherri Story, Karen Jenkins, Lorita Mayo and Tyron Riddick won their seats. On the City Council side, incumbent Donald Goldberg beat challenger Art Bredemeyer, and Mike Duman, Leroy Bennett and Tim Johnson returned to their seats unopposed.

 

Nov. 8 — The long-awaited opening of the new Kroger store in downtown Suffolk took place after the Farm Fresh location closed earlier in the year.

 

Nov. 9 — ForKids held a grand opening of its Regional Services Center on West Constance Road.

 

Nov. 11 — Northern Shores Elementary School received the prestigious Purple Star designation from the Virginia Council on the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The school received the award by committing to helping military children and families at the school.

 

Nov. 16 — Cooke Seafood USA announced it would add 70 jobs, a corporate office and seafood production lines at its Suffolk facility on Northgate Commerce Parkway during the next three years.

 

Nov. 18 — Phyllis Murphy died on Nov. 8 at the age of 85. She was a cherished Driver shop owner and animal lover.

 

Nov. 27 — Former state Sen. Fred MacDonald Quayle died at age 82 after a short illness. In addition to being a legislator, he served on the Virginia Parole Board, was assistant and adjunct assistant professor at Christopher Newport and Old Dominion universities, a member of the Virginia State Bar and more.

 

Dec. 7 — The city of Suffolk won first place in its category for the fifth time in 10 years for its participation in National Night Out in August.

 

Dec. 25 — Lori Boone and her daughter, Kiana, move into a Habitat for Humanity house in Lake Kennedy, becoming the ninth and final family to occupy a nine-house development by the organization there.

 

Dec. 28 — Bon Secours announced that Maryview Medical Center has officially received approval from the Virginia Health Department to establish a new hospital in North Suffolk. An application by Sentara to establish a new hospital in the same area was denied, but a CT scanner it applied for was approved.

 

Dec. 28 — The Suffolk Public Library will once again compete in the Beanstack Winter Reading Challenge sponsored by software company Zoobean and “Shark Tank” star, billionaire investor Mark Cuban.