15+ hour, 52+ 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…...

2+ day, 2+ hour ago (264+ words) Holiday travel could bring a rise in contagious illnesses such as the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, according to Virginia health specialists. As of Nov. 22, the most recent data available, the Virginia Department of Health reports that overall respiratory illness activity in Virginia is "low and stable." "We're starting to see indicators that things are most likely going to take off really quickly here in the next few weeks with respiratory illness trends," Diskin said. "We're keeping a close eye on that." Older adults, younger children and those with underlying conditions are the most at-risk, she said. Public health officials encourage the public to be proactive to prevent the spread of illness, and Diskin said that incorporating small habits can make a big difference in spreading illness. "Because we're seeing the flu season starting a little bit late this year,…...

3+ day, 1+ hour ago (481+ words) After the largest food drive of the year, Virginia food banks are still struggling to ensure Virginians in need are fed as the holiday season approaches. The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank, the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and Eastern Shore and the Food Bank of Albemarle, North Carolina, held their annual food drive over the weekend when people could drop off donations. According to Peninsula Foodbank CEO Bob Latvis, the event garnered more than 1 million meals across all three locations, more than 250,000 of which were donated to the Peninsula. Latvis said the drive was a much-needed boost for a community that has seen a spike in food insecurity this year. "We see a greater need at the holiday period and then going into winter," Latvis said. "The need goes up as the weather gets cooler." Food bank staff are still finalizing data,…...

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....

3+ day, 21+ hour ago (122+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH " Police charged three men with solicitation of prostitution in connection with a human trafficking investigation. While three men were charged criminally, others were connected with support services. Virginia Beach residents Alex Gonzalez-Cinto, 28, and Timothy Jameson, 25, along with Norfolk resident Patrick Brigman, 39, were charged. The Special Investigations Bureau is a part of the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force and regional Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. The Hampton Roads task force provides services to human trafficking victims, investigates and prosecutes crimes related to sex and labor trafficking and conducts public outreach activities to bring awareness to human trafficking. Anyone can confidentially report human trafficking crimes to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888....

5+ day, 5+ hour ago (353+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH " A pay increase for members of Virginia Beach City Council is temporarily off the table. The council unanimously agreed to defer a vote on the matter Tuesday night and instructed a city process improvement committee to research the issue further. Council members had faced a slew of criticism from constituents for considering a raise. At a public hearing last week, several residents said they thought it was unnecessary and the timing was off with some taxpayers feel financially strapped. The salary increase would have gone into effect July 1, 2027. Before heading into Tuesday's meeting, Councilman David Hutcheson, who galvanized a vote on the pay increase, told his colleagues he was backing off on the idea, at least for now. He requested a review from the city's Process Improvement Steering Committee, which serves in an advisory capacity to council and…...

5+ day, 16+ hour ago (564+ words) Since 2010, data centers in Virginia have not had to pay the state's sales and use tax. At a rate of 4.3%, that foregone revenue adds up: Over the past decade, data centers have been exempt from paying $2.7 billion. The state lost out on $1 billion through the data center exemption in fiscal 2024, up from $685 million in fiscal 2023. That's according to the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, which compiles an annual report on state spending for economic incentive programs. Those economic incentives are designed to encourage businesses to locate or expand operations in Virginia and include measures such as grants, tax credits and exemptions, business loans and gap financing. "So the tax revenue impact has been really increasing rapidly as well in Virginia." Virginia isn't the fastest-growing market for data centers any longer, Rephann said, as data center growth expands to other…...

5+ day, 17+ hour ago (524+ words) If you have free time over the Thanksgiving holiday, why not head for one of Virginia's state parks? With the opening of Hayfields State Park in October, the commonwealth now has 44 state parks, in every region from the mountains to the coast. These parks are a treasure. They protect valuable properties from development while offering them for the enjoyment and enrichment of the people of Virginia " and for many who live somewhere else but travel here to savor our natural and historical riches. Visiting a state park is a great way to burn off some calories, enjoy the outdoors with family and friends, have new experiences and maybe learn something about Virginia's history and natural wonders. Most parks charge a small fee for entry or parking " a bargain when you consider what they offer in the way of recreation, education…...

1+ week, 1+ hour ago (584+ words) James Madison's women beat Virginia Tech 65-56 Sunday in Harrisonburg, finishing on a 12-1 run after trailing 55-53 with 3:36 remaining. Before 3,320 fans inside the Atlantic Union Bank Center, the Dukes (4-3) held the Hokies (5-1) to one field goal on their final seven attempts. JMU outrebounded Virginia Tech 47-27. JMU's Peyton McDaniel finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Graduate student Ashanti Barnes, from Lake Taylor High, tied her career high with 16 rebounds and registered 14 points. Zakiya Stephenson, from Princess Anne High, had seven points and two steals. Virginia Tech's Carleigh Wenzel led all players with 20 points. Howard 64, William & Mary 53: The Tribe (1-4) lost to the Bison (6-1) in Washington, though W&M's Cassidy Geddes posted her first college double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds and Monet Dance had 12 points. W&M outrebounded Howard 40-32 but was hurt by 22 turnovers. Howard's Zennia Thomas had 18 points and 10 rebounds. Richmond 69, Navy 56: Maggie Doogan posted…...

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…...