January 

 

Suffolk man jumps off JRB to avoid arrest

According to VSP, a DMV special agent observed a 2021 Hyundai sedan driving recklessly in the northbound lanes of the James River Bridge (JRB). The DMV agent attempted to stop the vehicle, but Golden refused to stop. Vehicles were stopped in the lanes of travel due to a bridge lift as this was unfolding. Golden struck three vehicles in an attempt to flee the agent. A 2022 Toyota RAV4 was sideswiped, and a 2018 Dodge Charger & 2019 Ford Fusion were struck in the rear. Upon hitting these vehicles, the DMV agent said Golden exited the vehicle and jumped off the south side of the JRB to avoid apprehension. The drivers of the other vehicles involved were not injured in the crash.

Golden has been charged with reckless driving for the crash, and the DMV agent is expected to take charges out for the eluding.

Kroger completes $2.2 million upgrade to North Suffolk store

On Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, Kroger Mid-Atlantic celebrated the completion of a $2.2 million renovation of their North Suffolk store located at 1017 University Blvd. The ceremony included a ribbon cutting with Kroger company officials, store employees, and Suffolk City Council members in attendance. The store upgrade included updates to the meat, deli, and sushi departments, and expanded produce, bakery, and adult beverage sections. New kitchen and apparel sections were also added, and the restrooms were remodeled.

Solenis to invest $193 Million in Suffolk expansion

On Thursday, Jan. 11, 2024, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that Solenis, a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, will invest $193 million to expand its operation in the City of Suffolk. The company will construct a new 80,000-square-foot production facility, packaging facility, and tank farm. They will also add a new rail spur to accommodate the production of polyvinyl amine (PVAm) polymer products used in paper and cardboard manufacturing. The project is expected to create 34 new jobs.

February

Council approves 4 million towards Suffolk Fire and Rescue staffing

On Feb. 13, 2024, the Suffolk City Council approved an ordinance to accept a $4,115,448 grant from the Department of Homeland Security. This grant will fund 18 new firefighter positions through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program. The grant will cover the first three years of salaries for the new firefighters, and the city is not required to provide a local cash match. Fire Chief Michael J. Barakey stated that, after completing the fire academy, the new firefighters will be distributed throughout the city based on need and experience levels. Although the new hires will support the upcoming Fire Station 11 in Harbourview, they “cannot place all 18 new firefighters at the same station”. The council also approved two additional ordinances for Suffolk Fire and Rescue. The first was a $21,781 grant from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for emergency management salary match. This grant requires a local cash match of $21,781, which is available in the department’s budget. The second ordinance was for the acceptance of a Medical Response Access Transport (MRAT) unit valued at $73,000 from the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission. This unit, a MedStat 500 Off Road ambulance, will support the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Medical Response System and Suffolk Fire and Rescue with medical incidents. The addition of the unit will increase the department’s fleet expenditures by $800 annually for fuel and maintenance costs.

New expansion arrives at Western Tidewater Free Clinic

On Feb. 27, 2024, the Western Tidewater Free Clinic celebrated the completion of their dental expansion project. The clinic, located at 2019 Meade Parkway in Suffolk, added 1,000 square feet and two additional dental chairs. With this expansion, the clinic expects to serve an additional 200 patients per year, bringing the total number of dental patients served to 900. Executive Director Ashley Greene expressed excitement about the project, noting that it allows the clinic to have a full-time dental team. The expansion was made possible through the support of donors, including the Obici Healthcare Foundation, as well as foundations, municipalities, individuals, and corporate donors. Mayor Michael D. Duman spoke at the ribbon cutting ceremony, highlighting the importance of the clinic’s role in providing quality medical care to the underinsured and uninsured in the community.

Suffolk mourns the loss of Derl’z owner Donna perry

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2024, Donna Perry, the owner of Derl’z Restaurant and Pub in Suffolk, Virginia, passed away at the age of 63. She was a beloved member of the community and was known for her generosity and her commitment to helping others.

Perry was also an excellent cook. Her restaurant was a popular gathering place for locals. She had a motto for the restaurant, “Enter as Strangers, Leave as Family”. Her daughter said she lived by this motto beyond her restaurant.

Perry was known for using her restaurant to help those in need. She held fundraisers and provided support for families and community members. She was described as someone who “fed people — fed their stomachs and their spirits — and made a place where everyone felt welcome.”

Former NSA Saint has a chance to become repeat Super Bowl champion

Cole Christiansen, a former Nansemond-Suffolk Academy star, is on a journey to possibly become a repeat Super Bowl champion. After playing college football at Army, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad. Last year, the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII. This year, on Jan. 30, 2024, Christiansen was elevated to the active roster.

He will be traveling with the team to Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII which will be played on Feb. 11. His family is very excited about his success. He almost wasn’t able to play in the NFL because before a rule change in 2019, upperclassmen at service academies could not pursue professional careers until after fulfilling their service obligations. Christiansen will join the Army when his NFL career is over.

On Jan. 23, 2024 in the AFC Divisional Round against the Buffalo Bills, Christiansen made a pivotal play. He stopped Damar Hamlin two yards short of the line to gain on a fake punt. This helped pave the way for the Chiefs to make it to the Super Bowl. Christiansen earned Chiefs Special Teams Player of the Week for the play

 The Chiefs went on to win Super Bowl LVIII and are poised to make a run at a three-peat. Christensen is currently listed on the Chiefs practice squad.

 

March

Overpass project to be completed in summer of 2025

Construction was in full swing on an overpass along Wilroy Road and Nansemond Parkway in Suffolk. The $27 million project will see the construction of an overpass over the Commonwealth Railroad, along with the realignment of Nansemond Parkway and Wilroy Road. The project is expected to be finished in the summer of 2025. The Director of Public Works gave an overview of the project and explained that preliminary work began around 2015 and continued until 2023. Right-of-way acquisition began in the winter of 2022 and concluded in the summer of 2023. The project is expected to have minimal impact on traffic.

SPS begins rezoning conversations in an effort to achieve unitary status

On Mar. 19, 2024, Suffolk Public Schools (SPS) began discussions regarding the rezoning of seven elementary schools. The rezoning efforts are part of an ongoing process to achieve unitary status and remain in compliance with desegregation requirements set forth by the United States Department of Justice. The rezoning will affect Booker T. Washington, Elephant’s Fork, Hillpoint, Kilby Shores, Mack Benn, Nansemond Parkway and Southwestern Elementary Schools. Northern Shores, Creekside, Florence Bowser and Oakland Elementary Schools will not be affected.

The superintendent stated that this will be a multi-month process with town hall meetings held at each school affected by the rezoning. The school board will be taking all feedback into consideration before making any decisions. The only area that remains unresolved before SPS can achieve unitary status is student assignments.

Desegregation efforts in Suffolk began in 1970 with a lawsuit filed against the Nansemond County School Board. The lawsuit alleged that the school board maintained a dual system of public schools, with separate facilities and staff for Black and white students. In 1971, a federal court ordered the school board to desegregate its schools. The case was closed in 1978 but was reopened in 2014 when the Department of Justice (DOJ) reviewed the school division’s compliance with desegregation obligations after the school board proposed to build a new school.

The DOJ did not agree with the rezoning plans submitted by the school board for the new elementary school because they failed to materially further desegregation. A consent order was entered by the court that modified the school board student assignment plan. This order introduced a Majority to Minority (M to M) program in the 2014-2015 school year. The program allows Black students attending schools with a Black majority to attend schools with a majority of white students and vice versa.

The M to M program has placed a burden on transportation and will eventually result in the overcrowding of Southwestern Elementary School. The school division believes that rezoning is the only viable option to address racial disparities in certain schools.

The division later decided to postpone rezoning discussions.

Paul D. Camp breaks ground on new Workforce center

On Mar. 25, 2024, Paul D. Camp Community College held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Workforce Trade and Innovation Center. The center will be located at the former site of Farmer Joe’s on Carolina Rd. The project came about after Coastal Virginia Developers donated the property in Aug. 2023. The property is valued at $1.1 million.

The 15,000 square foot center will offer industry credential training and help students find jobs. The facility will also provide maritime trades and infrastructure trade programs. The center will strengthen the talent pipeline, support private industry and help to address critical workforce needs.

The college president, Dr. Corey L. McCray, called the groundbreaking “monumental”. He said it would help the college achieve its goals of student success, workforce preparation, and community engagement. McCray believes the center will change the lives of people in the community by providing opportunities for them to improve their job prospects in six to eight weeks. The center is expected to open in the spring of 2025.

End of an era: Ed Young departs as Nansemond River boys basketball coach

After 20 years as the head coach of the Nansemond River High School boys’ basketball team, Ed Young’s contract was not renewed for the 2024-2025 season. Young, who began his coaching career in 1987, wanted to coach for one more year. He is not ready to retire and hopes to find a coaching position at either the high school or college level. His first coaching job was at Suffolk High, where his team won a state championship in 1987. He then moved on to Norview High, where he led the team to the Eastern District title in 1991-92. After Norview, he became the coach at Green Run High, where he transformed a winless team into a competitive program. In his second season at Green Run, he took the Stallions to the second round of the regional tournament. Young then landed at Nansemond River High, where he was the coach for 20 years. He led the Warriors to a 295-161 record and a state tournament berth in the 2006-2007 season. Over his 34-year coaching career, Young holds a 517-297 record.

 

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