1+ day, 3+ hour ago (124+ words) Virginia Beach firefighters contained a brush fire Saturday evening after smoke was reported near a wooded area off Aloma Court. Virginia Beach firefighters contained a brush fire Saturday evening after smoke was reported near a wooded area off Aloma Court.Fire crews were dispatched around 5:10 p.m and arrived minutes later to find heavy smoke coming from the woods near Bluegrass Lane and Bentgrass Court Because the fire was burning deep in a densely wooded area with no roadway access, crews used a brush truck and a utility terrain vehicle to reach the roughly 100-by-100-foot burn area.No civilians, firefighters or pets were injured, according to Virginia Beach Fire Department officials.The cause of the fire remains under investigation....

4+ day, 22+ hour ago (278+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Free parking at the Virginia Beach Oceanfront may soon become a reality for city residents under a proposal presented to city leaders Tuesday. Earlier this year, the City Council directed Public Works to study the creation of a resident parking program designed to encourage more locals to visit the Oceanfront. The department's recommendation on Tuesday calls for a $50 digital parking voucher that residents could use in designated areas along Atlantic and Pacific avenues. Under the plan, the $50 credit would renew each year. Residents who exhaust their annual amount would be able to reload the voucher one time with an additional $50 in parking for the cost. of $25. The credits could be used at the Second Street, Fourth Street and Rudee Loop lots, as well as the 9th, 25th and 31st Street garages. "That voucher would have credits usable at the locations…...

5+ day, 22+ hour ago (264+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " A long-delayed beach nourishment project at Croatan Beach is back underway after work was paused earlier this year to protect a sea turtle nest. The city of Virginia Beach and the Army Corps of Engineers restarted construction again last week, three months after crews were forced to halt operations when baby sea turtles were discovered in August. Officials waited until the hatchlings made it to the ocean before resuming work. Orange fencing now lines portions of Croatan Beach as contractors place new sand dredged from the Chesapeake Bay. The project is designed to reinforce the dunes and protect nearby homes. "It's great news," said Mike Kelly, president of the Croatan Civic League. Kelly said he remembers first talking about plans for new sand placement in 2015 and has watched the beach grow narrower over the years. "I've been…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (154+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " A Kempsville High School assistant principal and his brother are facing charges after police received information about the pair allegedly threatening to commit violence against local police and ICE agents, according to VBPD. Mark Bennett, 59, and John Bennett, 54, were arrested at Norfolk International Airport on Wednesday around 9:40 a.m. and 10:50 a.m., respectively. The Bennetts are brothers, police tell News 3. John Bennett is one of Kempsville High's assistant principals. Virginia Beach City Public Schools says he has been with the school district since 2009 and he's currently on leave. Both men are charged with one count of conspiracy to commit malicious wounding, police say. Police did not elaborate further on the allegations against the men. This incident is still under investigation. Anyone with information is asked to call VBPD at" 757-427-1749"or anonymously through Crime Solvers at"1-888-LOCK-U-UP....

1+ week, 3+ day ago (285+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " After nearly two decades of delays and growing resident frustration, Virginia Beach will finally begin construction this month on temporary pedestrian and cycling improvements along Shore Drive. The city plans to install continuous ADA-compliant sidewalks, curb ramps and gutter improvements along both sides of the busy corridor. Officials say the temporary upgrades will address immediate safety needs while residents wait for a comprehensive redesign still years away. "I thought it was completely unacceptable that in the meantime, we would have another couple of generations of kids and residence and visitors not able to safely traverse shore drive," City Councilman Joash Schulman said. The Shore Drive improvement project has been stalled since 2005, leading to widespread community frustration. A website titled "Shore Drive Sucks" reflects residents' anger over the prolonged delays. Resident Tim Solanic expressed his disappointment with the…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (133+ words) Joining in the holiday light fun with yet another dazzling display is the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, returning to Virginia Beach next month. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Joining in the holiday light fun with yet another dazzling display is the Holiday Boat Parade of Lights, returning to Virginia Beach next month. The Dec. 6 event, which begins in Broad Bay and ends at the Lynnhaven Inlet, supports the Virginia Beach Rescue Squad Foundation and features boats decked out in from bow to stern in colorful light displays. The event begins at 5 p.m., with the parade starting about 40 minutes later. Organizers say Chick's Oyster Bar will be a prime viewing location between 6-6:45. Boat owners are invited to register now at vbboatparade.com/register if they'd like to participate....

2+ week, 3+ day ago (116+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Two state troopers were pepper sprayed by a woman on I-264 in Virginia Beach Thursday morning, according to Virginia State Police. This happened near Independence Boulevard around 6:20 a.m. when a trooper was told about a pedestrian on the highway. When the trooper arrived and asked the 20-year-old woman to get out of the travel lanes, police say she refused. The woman kept refusing after another trooper arrived. Police say the woman ran away, but the troopers caught up with her shortly after. However, she pepper sprayed both troopers while they were taking her into custody, according to police. The troopers also received minor scratches from the incident....

2+ week, 3+ day ago (313+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Military families in Virginia Beach are turning to community food assistance in growing numbers as financial pressures continue to challenge those who serve the country. Growing Need Among Military Families The Armed Services YMCA's Patriot Pantry has become a lifeline for approximately 100 military families each week, providing groceries and essentials to help stretch tight budgets. "Being out on maternity leave, it's been a really big help," said Katrina Jimbo, a military spouse. "We actually just used the last bit of meat we had in the freezer that came from here." The pantry serves families facing various financial challenges, from deployment-related income changes to the costs of raising young children on military salaries. Families Share Their Stories "It's been really nice knowing it's here," said Molly Farnesi, another military spouse. "They make it easy for someone like me…...

3+ week, 21+ hour ago (441+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Nearly two years after 23-year-old James Beckles IV was struck and killed while crossing the intersection of Lynnhaven Parkway and Princess Anne Road, the driver responsible has been sentenced for involuntary manslaughter. Beckles was killed in February 2024 while walking his bike home from work. The driver, Rodney Coleman, stayed at the scene after the crash and was later charged with involuntary manslaughter. Coleman's bench trial took place in August. The 23-year-old grew up playing sports at Atlantic Shores and at Landstown High School. According to Beckles' father, James Beckles III, Coleman told the court he was originally on his way to the store but decided to turn back home. "Lynnhaven to Princess Anne, he was crossing over and had successfully crossed all the way over, but the last two lanes," Beckles said. "The guy was in the…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (286+ words) RICHMOND, Va " It's the final push to get people to the polls as candidates make their last round of campaigning ahead of Election Day. Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic candidate for governor, stopped at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond on Monday, urging young voters to cast their ballots. "You all, I just ask that you get every last person out to vote. Because at this moment their voices matter," Spanberger told the crowd. Watch related: At rally for Spanberger, Obama tells crowd choice for Virginia governor is clear Her visit to VCU focused on energizing supporters and addressing challenges Virginians face, including affordability, housing and the job market. "In Virginia, we need a governor who will stand up against the chaos and endeavor to create stability, steadiness and job growth here on the ground," Spanberger said. Spanberger's final campaign push came…...