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January – March

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July – September

October

Suffolk Public Schools sued for $8M in student assault case

On Oct. 29, 2024, a Suffolk family filed a lawsuit seeking $8 million in damages from Suffolk Public Schools and several school officials after their child was allegedly assaulted by another student at Turlington Woods School in May 2022. The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk Circuit Court on Oct. 8, 2024, claims the school board and staff showed “grossly negligent and reckless disregard for the safety” of the student, leading to physical and emotional harm.

The lawsuit alleges that on May 13, 2022, the plaintiff, a 14-year-old girl, and a male student with a history of assault were left unsupervised in a classroom trailer by a teacher. The complaint states that school officials were aware of potential threats posed by the male student but failed to supervise him, leading to the alleged assault. The plaintiff had been expelled from Colonel Fred Cherry Middle School in April 2022 for possessing a vape and transferred to Turlington Woods School. The family filed an appeal to reverse the expulsion but received no communication until May 23, 2022, approximately one week after the alleged assault. The family’s attorney, Kevin Biniazan, expressed concern over the school system’s recurring failure to protect students from assault and sexual abuse. The case is pending in Suffolk Circuit Court.

Suffolk Speed Camera Lawsuit dismissed

On Oct. 3, 2024, a lawsuit involving Suffolk’s Speed Enforcement Cameras was dismissed by the Fifth Judicial Court. The case, Curtis David Lytle v. City of Suffolk, was dismissed based on “prejudice for lack of jurisdiction,” with the court sustaining the City of Suffolk’s “Special Plea of Governmental Immunity.” Plaintiff Curtis David Lytle received a notice of violation/summons for alleged speeding in Suffolk, with a $100 payment demand. Lytle argued that the city’s failure to “issue a Virginia Uniform Traffic Summons” and a court date schedule, as is typical procedure in traffic cases, “constitutes what amounts to a material failure to follow the same procedures as traffic cases and traffic violations.” He also claimed the city failed to follow procedures for filing an “affidavit for non-liability.” However, the city’s use of photo speed monitoring devices is authorized by VA. Code 46.2-882.1. In March 2023, the city adopted ordinance 23-0-029, amending the Suffolk City Code to include additional sections on traffic regulation, including Section 86-318, which mirrors the language of Va. Code 46.2-882.1. Attorney Timothy Anderson of Anderson & Anderson Associates, who represented Lytle, stated that the Suffolk Circuit Court found the operation of speed cameras to be a governmental function of the City of Suffolk. He dismissed the lawsuit for lack of jurisdiction under the doctrine of Sovereign Immunity. Anderson is waiting for a ruling from Chesapeake Circuit Court before deciding on next steps, which could include an appeal or a different type of legal action.

 

November

Unexploded Ordnance Found in Suffolk Neighborhood

A live ammunition round was discovered in the Magnolia Lakes neighborhood of Suffolk on Thursday, Nov. 14, prompting the evacuation of nearby residences. The incident began at 3:41 p.m. when Suffolk Emergency Communications received a report of unexploded ordnance in the 1100 block of Nansemond Parkway. Upon arrival, Suffolk Police and Fire & Rescue confirmed the presence of the ordnance and evacuated nearby residences as a safety measure. The Suffolk Fire Marshal’s Office and the Virginia State Police Bomb Squad were called to investigate. The Virginia State Police Bomb Squad took possession of the live ammunition round for further evaluation.

 

December

Duman returns as mayor, Wright ousts Fawcett and school board welcomes two new members

On Dec. 3, 2024, election results certified by the Virginia State Board of Elections showed that Michael D. Duman won the Suffolk mayoral race by a narrow margin of 164 votes (0.32%) over his opponent, Clinton L. Jenkins. This close margin could have triggered a recount, but Jenkins was initially unsure if he would request one. Given the margin was less than 0.5%, the local electoral board would have been responsible for the cost of the recount. However, on Dec. 5, 2024, in a statement to the Suffolk News-Herald, Jenkins conceded to Duman and announced that he would not request a recount.

Other certified results for contested local races in Suffolk include:

• City Council (Whaleyville Borough): LeOtis L. Williams won, surpassing Jason A. Wooldridge by 1,373 votes (21.49%).
• City Council (Sleepy Hole Borough): Ebony N. Wright ousted incumbent Roger Fawcett by 636 votes (7.05%).
• School Board (Nansemond Borough): Valerie B. Fields secured the seat, outpacing James E. Shores by 2,391 votes (43.61%).
• School Board (Sleepy Hole Borough): Incumbent Heather Howell won the seat with a 10.33% lead, translating to an 887-vote difference over Carly A. Bosco.
• School Board (Whaleyville Borough): Sean P. McGee narrowly defeated Thelma V. Hinton by a slim 57 votes (0.9%). 

Duman sells part of his longstanding auto dealership

On Dec. 4, 2024, Suffolk Mayor Mike Duman sold the sales, service, and parts division of Mike Duman Auto Sales to Priority Automotive. Duman had owned the dealership for 54 years. The sale closed on Dec. 2, 2024. Duman is retaining the rental car and collision center operations. He will also remain at the dealership for at least three years to assist with the transition. Duman said he sought out a “first-class operation” with a reputation for taking care of its customers and being philanthropic. Duman, who was re-elected to his second term as mayor on Dec. 3, 2024, admitted to mixed emotions about selling part of his business. Negotiations had been ongoing for the past year. Duman said that he would not have run for re-election unless the sale had occurred, but the deal did not close as early in the year as he had hoped. He described the last few months as stressful. Duman said it has been challenging both mentally and physically to run his business, negotiate the sale, and campaign for re-election while serving as mayor over the past year. He believes he will be in a better position to serve the citizens of Suffolk with the sale finalized, as he will have more time to devote to his mayoral duties. The signage at the business had already changed by Dec. 4, 2024.

Suffolk police investigating shooting at an area church

On Dec. 8, 2024, an adult male entered the Divine Church of Deliverance and Transformation in Suffolk, firing one shot at a church staff member during service hours. Fortunately, the staff member was unharmed. Bystanders attending the service apprehended the subject and detained him until Suffolk Police arrived. The subject was known to the church. On Dec. 9, 2024, police officials identified the subject as Tremonte Smith, 24, of Chesapeake. Smith is charged with multiple felonies, including Second-Degree Attempted Murder, Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, and Discharging a Firearm in an Occupied Building. The incident is currently under investigation.

Council approves 2045 Comprehensive Plan amid community pushback

On Dec. 18, the Suffolk City Council voted 6-1 to approve its 2045 Comprehensive Plan. Councilman Leroy Bennett voted against the plan, and Councilman Timothy Johnson abstained. The plan underwent several changes following a decision in November to table the vote. Some of these changes include expanding the central growth area boundary along Route 58. Other changes include revising definitions of future land use types to allow for more mixed-use development, adding residential as a secondary use to the employment center land use type, updating transportation numbers, and reducing the northern growth area. Johnson said the city needs growth to receive state funding for road improvements. Councilman John Rector said the plan was “malleable” and could be changed as the city’s needs evolve. Council member Shelley Butler Barlow said she wanted the growth area to be smaller, but she was willing to move forward with the plan. Mayor Michael Duman was unhappy with how long it took to get to this point, noting that this was the fifth version of the plan the council had reviewed.