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January – March

April

SFD battles 2-alarm commercial fire at Carts Unlimited

On April 23, 2024, a fire broke out at Carts Unlimited in Suffolk, Virginia. The fire was reported at 10:04 p.m., and firefighters arrived at the scene at 10:07 p.m. to find heavy fire and smoke emanating from the building. Firefighters initiated an interior attack to search for occupants, but an evacuation order was issued at 10:51 p.m. due to the intensity of the fire. The fire was brought under control at approximately 3:43 a.m., but crews continued to work on hot spots. Main Street remained closed from the 1200 block to the intersection of East Constance Road well into the afternoon of April 24. The building sustained significant damage, including partial collapse. Two residents of a second-floor apartment in the building were displaced by the fire, but no injuries were reported. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management and the Portsmouth Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team were called in to address hazardous materials present in the building. 

Multi-million-dollar defamation lawsuit filed against two SPS board members

On Apr. 11, 2024, Deborah Wahlstrom filed a $6 million defamation lawsuit against Suffolk Public Schools board members Tyron Riddick and Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck. Wahlstrom alleges that both board members made false and defamatory statements that damaged her reputation.

The lawsuit against Riddick stems from a video he posted on social media of Wahlstrom being escorted out of a school board meeting on Jul. 22, 2021. The video, which is no longer available, was allegedly 4 minutes and 44 seconds long. The lawsuit alleges that in the video Riddick made comments about Wahlstrom possibly being capable of committing a shooting. Wahlstrom previously sued Suffolk Public Schools for violating the Virginia Freedom of Information Act in relation to this incident and won the case.

The lawsuit against Brooks-Buck stems from statements she made in a notice of proposed disciplinary action against board member Dr. DawnMarie Brittingham on May 26, 2023. Brooks-Buck alleged that Brittingham violated school board policies during a town hall meeting she hosted on May 18, 2023, at which Wahlstrom was a speaker. In the complaint, Brooks-Buck stated that Wahlstrom gave questionable data about reading scores and that there were discrepancies in Wahlstrom’s online profile and biography.

The case is still listed active. Suffolk News-Herald is working on a follow-up to this developing story.

Suffolk’s Cotton Rose Farm set to be auctioned

On April 17, 2024, Hall and Hall Auctions announced the upcoming auction of Cotton Rose Farm, a 363-acre property located in Suffolk. The auction is scheduled for May 15 and will offer the property in eight tracts, ranging in size from five to 123 acres. The farm features four homes, wooded areas, and farmland currently used for cotton production. Located at 4124 Mockingbird Lane, the property is conveniently situated near retail centers, Sentara Obici Hospital, King’s Fork High School, and the Suffolk Bypass.

Two SPS board members announce decision to not seek reelection

On April 12, 2024, Suffolk Public Schools (SPS) board members Phyllis Byrum and Dr. Judith Brooks-Buck announced they will not seek reelection in the upcoming election. Their terms expire in Dec. 2024. Byrum, who is in her fourth term, represents the Whaleyville borough. Brooks-Buck, who is in her third term, represents the Nansemond borough. Both women expressed their commitment to public education and their enjoyment of serving the community. Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III said that their departure represents a loss of over 30 years of school board experience and over 90 years of service to public education. Byrum and Brooks-Buck were the first two chairs he worked with during his tenure. She called Gordon to tell him he was chosen as superintendent, and he met with Brooks-Buck the following week.

$13.5 million wellness center arrives at Lake Prince Woods

On April. 18, 2024, Lake Prince Woods, celebrated the grand opening of its new $13.5 million wellness center. The project was funded in part by the Mind, Body, Spirit capital campaign, which raised over $1.4 million. The groundbreaking ceremony for the center took place in Sept. 2022, marking the 20th anniversary of the retirement center’s opening.

The new wellness center features an array of amenities for residents, including an art studio, fitness areas, a beauty salon, and a health clinic. Renovations were also made to the community’s Commons area to enhance resident amenities, including an upgraded auditorium and a pub-style billiards room. Lake Prince Woods Executive Director Judy Raymond expressed her excitement about the new center, stating that the opportunities it offers to residents and staff are “mind-blowing.” Lee Syria, President and CEO of EveryAge, the parent company of Lake Prince Woods, acknowledged the patience of the residents during the four years of planning, approvals, and construction. He believes the new center will create a more vibrant living experience for current and future residents.

May

Familiar North Suffolk restaurants under new ownership

On May 10, 2024, Smithfield Station restaurateur Randy Pack announced that he, his brother Brian, and Ken Dodd have purchased three North Suffolk restaurants from M&M Hospitality, owned by Brian and Teresa Mullins. The restaurants are Decoys Seafood, River Stone Chophouse, and Vintage Tavern. Pack stated that the group had admired these properties for years and saw them as a good fit for their company’s growth strategy. He emphasized that they are committed to maintaining the quality and atmosphere of the establishments and do not plan to change their names. Pack mentioned minor improvements are being made to Decoys’ deck area to enhance its family-friendliness. According to land transfer reports, the sale prices were $7.5 million for Decoys Seafood, $3.8 million for River Stone Chophouse, and $2.225 million for Vintage Tavern.

Developer of The Riverfront purchases portion of Cotton Rose Farm in auction

On May 15, 2024, East West Communities purchased 350+ acres of Cotton Rose Farm at an auction for $6 million. The property is located near King’s Fork High School in Suffolk, Virginia. Branch Lawson, president of East West Communities, said the company had been interested in the property for a long time. He said it is too early to know what they will do with the property, but they are excited about the purchase. East West Communities has developed several other communities in Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida, including Smithfield, Carrollton, and Williamsburg.

Local restaurateur Bryan Mullins purchased the remaining 11 acres of Cotton Rose Farm, including the waterfront home, for $1.275 million. Mullins recently sold three of his North Suffolk restaurants: Decoys Seafood, River Stone Chophouse, and Vintage Tavern. Randy Pack, Brian Pack, and Ken Dodd purchased those restaurants on May 10, 2024.

Two historic sites in Suffolk listed on endangered list

On May 19, 2024, two of Suffolk’s African-American Waterman Villages, Oakland and Hobson, were added to Preservation Virginia’s 2024 list of the most endangered historic places. Each May, Preservation Virginia releases a list of historic places across the Commonwealth that are facing imminent or sustained threats. The goal is to encourage individuals, organizations, and local and state governments to advocate for the preservation of these locations. Only 10% of sites listed since the program’s inception have been lost to demolition or neglect. This year’s list represents nearly every region in Virginia and includes a total of 11 historic places.

June

Man charged with abduction after unauthorized entry to Kilby Shores Elementary

On Jun. 14, 2024, Vontrail Marquis Thorpe, 42, of Suffolk, was charged with two counts of abduction after gaining unauthorized access to Kilby Shores Elementary School. At 11:32 a.m., the Suffolk Emergency Communication Center received notification of an unauthorized person at the school. The first officer arrived two minutes later and found Thorpe in a bathroom occupied by students, preventing school staff from entering. Police detained Thorpe, who was unarmed, at 11:40 a.m. without incident. The school went into a code red status during the incident but is currently in a code green status. No injuries were reported.

Thorpe was also charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, possession of a Schedule I/II substance on school property, and breaking and entering. In a letter to parents, Kilby Shores Elementary Principal Lorrie Banks said that staff immediately noticed Thorpe when he entered the building as students and staff were leaving for recess. The school was placed on a code yellow, and authorities were contacted. The staff was aware of Thorpe’s whereabouts, and no students or staff were harmed. Police arrived quickly and took Thorpe into custody.

In the days following the incident, many in the community and on the school board criticized the division for its perceived lack of communication.

Suffolk man one of two indicted for operating $430 million dark web marketplace

On June 15, 2024, a Suffolk man, Raheim Hamilton, also known as “Sydney” and “Zero Angel”, 28, was indicted in federal court in Chicago for operating “Empire Market,” a dark web marketplace. Hamilton and Thomas Pavey, 38, of Ormond Beach, Florida, allegedly facilitated the sale of over $430 million in illegal goods and services from 2018 to 2020 through four million transactions. The indictment charges Pavey and Hamilton with conspiring to engage in drug trafficking, computer fraud, access device fraud, counterfeiting, and money laundering. These charges carry a maximum sentence of life in federal prison. Empire Market sold controlled substances, counterfeit currency, and stolen credit card information. Transactions were completed using cryptocurrency. Federal law enforcement seized $75 million in cryptocurrency, cash, and precious metals during the investigation. Both men are in custody awaiting arraignment in Chicago.

SPS elementary rezoning decision postponed

On June 13, 2024, the Suffolk School Board unanimously voted to postpone a decision on rezoning seven elementary schools. The board will discuss the rezoning, which would affect the 2025-26 school year, at its August work session. Additional work sessions will also be scheduled for the board to discuss the decision. The decision was tabled after discussions about ongoing efforts to achieve unitary status and comply with the United States Department of Justice’s desegregation requirements. Board members felt they lacked options and that the decision had already been made without their input.

Superintendent Dr. John B. Gordon III clarified that the DOJ will not provide options, but they will evaluate options presented by the school division. Board Member Kimberly Slingluff expressed frustration, stating that the board is being forced to choose between going to court, losing federal funding, or rezoning. Board Attorney Wendell Waller hopes that when the time comes to petition for unitary status, the DOJ will not object, avoiding an adversarial situation.

Purchase of Suffolk Presbyterian Church property complete

On June 3, 2024, TowneBank completed the purchase of the Suffolk Presbyterian Church property at 410 N. Broad St. for $1.4 million. The church announced in May that it would relocate to West End Baptist Church at 105 St. James Ave. due to infrastructure issues with its current building. Allie Wittkamp, TowneBank’s director of marketing communications, confirmed that plans for a new branch at the site are in the early stages and require approval from the City of Suffolk. 

Later in the year, city council approved a rezoning request, paving the way for the construction of the new location, including a drive-thru.

Kings Highway Bridge Design project receives $3.04M funding

On June 25, 2024, Sen. Mark Warner presented a $3.04 million check to the City of Suffolk for the initial design phase of the Kings Highway Bridge replacement project. This funding will cover about 30% of the design costs, which include environmental impact studies, bridge specifications, and geotechnical work. The new bridge will span the Nansemond River, connecting Kings Highway (Route 125) to Godwin Boulevard (Route 10) and will feature pedestrian and bicycle paths. It is expected to reduce traffic congestion on Routes 17 and 58 and provide an alternative route for western Suffolk residents.

The estimated cost to complete the bridge was $186.3 million in 2021, but due to rising material and labor costs, it is likely to be higher. Mayor Mike Duman praised Senator Warner, Senator Tim Kaine, and Representative Jen Kiggans for their bipartisan effort in securing the funding.

The Suffolk City Council proposed the new bridge in Oct. 2021 and selected Five Mile Road, about a mile south of the previous location, as the construction site. This decision aligns with the city’s long-term transportation goals and was made despite residents’ preference for rebuilding at the original location. The previous Kings Highway Bridge, built in 1926, was demolished in 2007 due to structural deficiencies.

 

July – September

October – December