2+ week, 3+ day ago (495+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH " On Nov. 15, 1775, a group of minutemen set up an ambush along what is now Kempsville Road, in the southwestern corner of Virginia Beach. They tried to catch Virginia's British governor, Lord Dunmore, and his soldiers off guard, but they fired too soon, and the experienced loyalists drove the patriots deep into the woods with their bayonets. While the minor battle at Kemp's Landing was a loss for the American colonists, it played a role in shaping the outcome of the American Revolution. To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Skirmish at Kemp's Landing, the city will host a weekend-long event that kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues through Sunday at City View Park. The event is free and will include artillery demonstrations and a reenactment of the clash between the patriots and British forces. "It just happens to fall…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (42+ words) On Nov. 12, 1975, six Virginia Beach principals met at a local restaurant to discuss starting a new Virginia High School League district. Now with 11 schools, the Beach District is one of the strongest in the state. More in Sports Columnists...

2+ week, 2+ day ago (877+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH " A renowned city-owned golf club could be sold to a private developer interested in building a residential project adjacent to the course. A recently released request for proposals to sell Virginia Beach National Golf Club and surrounding properties comes after more than a year of confidential discussions with Dragas Companies'according to documents obtained by The Virginian-Pilot. Interest in Virginia Beach National and adjacent properties has been growing among other developers, too, according to City Councilman Michael Berlucchi, who serves as a liaison to the Virginia Beach Development Authority. "The city received three or four unsolicited proposals related to that site," he said. City economic development officials began holding confidential discussions with the Dragas Companies" corporate leaders in April 2024, but only recently released a public request for proposals. The request indicates the city"s desire to maintain a publicly…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (707+ words) A previous editor of The Virginia Gazette who honed the skills of numerous journalists during his career died earlier this month. Graham "Rusty" Carter Jr. died Nov. 6 from complications from an illness. He was 63. Carter, a native of Portsmouth and an Old Dominion University graduate, spent 28 years at The Gazette before his departure in 2015. He got his start covering high school football games for The Virginian-Pilot before becoming sports editor for the Suffolk News Herald, then moved to The Gazette to become its sports editor in 1987. He rose from sports editor to assistant editor before being named editor by then-publisher William O'Donovan in 2004. "Rusty was an icon at the Gazette, a serene force in the chaos of newsroom pressures," O'Donovan said earlier this week. "He learned from his sports writing that accuracy lies in the details. He broke important stories…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (143+ words) Longtime incumbent Rob Bloxom, Jr., 62, is poised to win the House District 100 race. Bloxom, a Republican, faced a challenge from Liz Richardson, 34, a Democrat. He has served in the House of ... Longtime incumbent Rob Bloxom, Jr., 62, is poised to win the House District 100 race. Bloxom, a Republican, faced a challenge from Liz Richardson, 34, a Democrat. He has served in the House of Delegates since 2014. The district encompasses portions of Virginia Beach as well as Accomack County and Northampton County on the Eastern Shore. While an official call has not been made, voting results on Tuesday night showed Bloxom receiving about 53% of the district's votes as of 11:30 p.m. His term will be for two years. Bloxom, a business owner, said his top priority is to make Virginia's government effective and efficient....

2+ week, 3+ day ago (25+ words) Amani Hansberry and Neoklis Avdalas led a dominant scoring effort for the Hokies" starters, who poured in a combined 63 points. More in College Sports...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (846+ words) When Virginia Beach's historic Francis Land House closed for preservation and restoration in July 2020, few anticipated that the essential overhaul of the historic structure would take over five years. "We had an amazing turnout. We had probably 800 people who reserved tickets online. It's been constant since we opened," said Mary Taylor, an interpreter with the Virginia Beach History Museums. "There has been lots of traffic. It's been great." The initial focus of the preservation project was to mitigate moisture problems that had developed in the dwelling's foundation, brick walls, and cellar floor over decades " and forestall any future reoccurrences. For six generations, the Francis Land family lived on the property and cultivated the land. The house, according to dendrochronological analysis, was constructed circa 1805. The existing structure was believed to have been built by Francis Moseley Land and was surrounded at…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (40+ words) Among Tech's visitors Saturday were Denbigh High quarterback Kevin Parker, Tabb offensive lineman Tyler Maddock, both class of 2027, and at least a handful of 2026 players who had previously committed to Franklin at Penn State. More in Sports Columnists...

15+ hour, 56+ min ago (713+ words) In 1920, prohibition was enacted. The 19th amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified. The country was still on the gold standard. And the First World War had ended just two years earlier. Sliced bread wasn't commercially sold until 1928. On Dec. 1 of 1920 " a month after Warren G. Harding was elected president of the United States " Elizabeth Barrett was born. "How old are you turning?" one of her eight children playfully asked recently. "Oh, I don't know," Barrett, who to close friends and family goes by "Betty," said with a chuckle. Barrett served as a flight instructor in World War II. She and her late husband, also a veteran of that war as well as Korea and was in the reserves in Vietnam, built a number of homes and later managed a racquetball club in Virginia Beach. Much later in life, she…...

3+ day, 10+ hour ago (125+ words) The Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation announces the return of the Virginia Beach Holiday Boat Parade of Lights next Saturday. The Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation announces the return of the Virginia Beach Holiday Boat Parade of Lights next Saturday. The event features illuminated vessels cruising from Broad Bay to the Lynnhaven inlet with proceeds supporting the city's volunteer Emergency Medical Services system. Boats will begin to move along the parade route at approximately 5:40 p.m. Spectators can watch along the route and the walkway on Lesner Bridge, along with prime viewing spots including Chick's Oyster Bar, 2143 Vista Circle. For the parade route, visit vbboatparade.com/parade-route. For more information on registration, sponsorship, and viewing locations, visit vbboatparade.com....