7+ mon, 1+ week ago (424+ words) The WTKR News 3 Investigative Team continues to shed light on the issue of human sex trafficking in the local community, with a new case involving a 15-year-old victim. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " A man accused of sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl at the Oceanfront in Virginia Beach has been arrested and charged with several crimes. According to federal prosecutors, 30-year-old Johnny Banks was arrested and remains in jail, accused of sex trafficking the girl and several other related charges. In July 2024, Virginia Beach police were notified that the missing teen from Charlotte, N.C. was being held against her will and forced to "sell her body." Authorities say she was advertised online and taken to hotels at the Oceanfront and in Suffolk. After being arrested, prosecutors allege that Banks was heard on a jail call saying the police messed up "my pimpn". The…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (119+ words) The Virginia Black Film Festival is back and bigger than ever, with more than 60 films screening in Hampton. It's bound to be the premier destination for the Black film buff. HAMPTON ROADS, VA'The Virginia Black Film Festival is back and bigger than ever With more than 60 films screening in Hampton, it's bound to be the premier destination for the Black film buff.Not only is the festival anchored in downtown Hampton, it is also spread to the campus of Hampton University and Fort Monroe There are workshops, guest speakers, the Black Business Expo, and an on-screen combat Workshop.Virginia Black Film FestivalJune 19-22, 2025American Theatre, HamptonJuneteenth ConcertThursday, June 196-8pmContinental Park, Fort MonroeFREE ADMISSION...

8+ mon, 1+ day ago (417+ words) John Hood joined the WTKR News 3 team in October of 2023 as an MMJ. He's happy to be home in Hampton Roads after previously reporting in Harrisonburg and in Richmond. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Families in Virginia Beach may face increased costs for attending sporting events next year. At Tuesday night's Virginia Beach City Public Schools School Board meeting, school leaders presented a proposal to raise ticket prices and implement ticketing for events that have previously been free. "It's just fun getting out there and cheering him on," Kim Jerald, a parent said. Jerald's son plays soccer for Independence Middle School and plans to play on the junior varsity team at Bayside High School next year, but it could cost her to watch her son. "The administration is seeking your approval to increase ticket prices, which would help generate an additional projected…...

10+ mon, 1+ week ago (215+ words) Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a lawsuit against TikTok and it's China-based parent company ByteDance Ltd. Friday, according to the Commonwealth. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares filed a lawsuit against TikTok and it's China-based parent company ByteDance Ltd Friday, according to the Commonwealth.The lawsuit alleges the app was designed specifically to be addictive and the companies deceived parents by claiming the content was suitable for children above the age of 12.For years, TikTok has marketed itself to Virginians and Americans alike as a harmless, safe, and enjoyable social media app," said Miyares." Yet the facts of the matter are that TikTok harms our kids and exposes them to severe profanity, sexually explicit material, violence, mature themes, and drug and alcohol content."In addition, the suit alleges TikTok of misleading the public regarding the app's connection to and potential…...

5+ mon, 3+ day ago (261+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Tucked behind the Virginia Aquarium, not far from Ocean Breeze Water Park, Owl Creek Landing is waiting for visitors. The outdoor entertainment area had a soft opening on Friday, June 27. A standout feature of this new attraction is the Nautilus Lookout Tower, a steel structure that rises 65 feet high. Originally planned to reach 125 feet, developers made a compromise to secure necessary permits. One notable aspect of Owl Creek Landing is the abundance of shade. Developers preserved many trees to complement the nearly half-mile treetop walkway and the children's treehouses. In addition, Bahman Azarm, CEO of Outdoor Venture Group, said they planted 5,000 ferns in the area and hope to plant more. The attraction has generated buzz with the talk of the longest stainless-steel slide in the country. It is located at the center of the tower. Builders are…...

11+ mon, 2+ week ago (314+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " The Virginia Beach School Board will vote on a revised outline for their cell phone policy Tuesday evening. The school board says the policy aligns with the Virginia Department of Education's official guidance, which was released in response to Gov. Glenn Youngkin's Executive Order 33. Watch related coverage: Mental health expert talks cell phones in school Superintendent Dr. Donald Robertson said at a board meeting last month that the division may look into banning phones during lunch as well, but that change would take place at the start of the next school year. News 3 previously reported that VBCPS saw an increase in violations this year with regards to their current cell phone policy. Officials hope to fine-tune the policy so it can be more effectively implemented. The Norfolk Public School system announced their no cell "from bell to…...

5+ mon, 6+ day ago (136+ words) If you are looking for some outdoor fun closer to home, the city of Virginia Beach is making it easy to get out on the water with a new kayak rental kiosk. Cruise Stumpy Lake with a kayak from Virginia Beach's newest rental kiosk VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " If you are looking for some outdoor fun closer to home, the city of Virginia Beach is making it easy to get out on the water. The city shared that visitors can now access its new kayak rental kiosk at the Stumpy Lake Natural Area with the ease of a smartphone. All you have to do is download the Rent.Fun app and scan the kiosk. You can borrow a kayak for $25 for up to two hours and $15 an hour after that. More stories from Virginia Beach...

10+ mon, 2+ week ago (214+ words) HAMPTON ROADS, Va. " The cities of Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News, and Williamsburg are all celebrating their winter Restaurant Weeks this month where eateries offer meal deals to get diners in the door. More than two dozen restaurants in the Williamsburg Area Restaurant Association are offering deals and prix-fixe menus as part of their 2025 restaurant week. A two-week affair on the Peninsula, Newport News restaurant week begins Sunday, Jan. 12 and runs through the 26th. Chains like Bonefish Grill and Plaza Azteca are offering deals, as well as several local establishments like Sage Kitchen and Circa 1918. Downtown Norfolk's restaurant week begins Monday, Jan. 13, and runs for one week with numerous establishments offering dining deals. From breakfast spots like d'Egg, to lunch at Freemason Abbey, to popular bars like Grace O'Malley's, many of the city's restaurants are joining in the fun. Virginia Beach…...

9+ mon, 3+ week ago (415+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Vape shops are under attack in Virginia Beach. News 3 has uncovered a problem that several local businesses are dealing with. One local owner who didn't want to be identified showed us security video of two people checking out the front of a vape store off Witchduck Road in Virginia Beach. Moments later, you see them come back with a rock and throw it at the window, causing damage. More from News 3 Investigates: Couple believes scammers accessed their bank account and sent $15K wire transfer The owner said he is frustrated by what's been happening. An employee at another store told us, "They spray paint the cameras and legitimately just break through the door" My bosses have had to sleep here over the summer because it was so bad. It happened once a month, then it started happening twice…...

4+ mon, 3+ week ago (426+ words) VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. " Two women have pleaded guilty to their involvement in a multi-million dollar coupon fraud scheme based in Virginia Beach. The leader of the operation is currently serving a 12-year sentence, while five individuals who purchased the counterfeit coupons from her were also arrested several months ago. Watch previous coverage: More arrests made in $31M coupon fraud scheme started by Virginia Beach couple Investigative reporter Margaret Kavanagh has been covering this case from the beginning, when the shocking crime sent a husband and wife to prison. Lori Ann Talens was sentenced to 12 years in 2021, and her husband Pacifico received a 7-year sentence. The couple was running a $31 million coupon scheme from their Virginia Beach home, one of the largest coupon fraud schemes ever discovered in the country. Watch previous coverage: Feds accuse Virginia Beach husband and wife of multimillion-dollar…...