McAuliffe to announce new milestone in restoring rights

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s office says the governor plans to make a major announcement on his efforts at restoring certain civil rights of former felons. The governor has scheduled an 11 a.m. news conference Friday at the Capitol to make the announcement. McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said the governor had restored … Continue reading →

Ordinance could allow backyard chickens in Hanover County

HANOVER, Va. (AP) — Residents in Hanover County may soon be able to keep chickens in their backyards. WRIC-TV reports (http://bit.ly/1Qrxaz9) the county’s planning commission approved an ordinance on Thursday that would allow chickens in residential areas. It’ll now head to the Hanover County Board of Supervisors. This ordinance only allows for six chickens, all … Continue reading →

Norfolk agrees to pay woman attacked by police dog $200K

  NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The city of Norfolk has agreed to pay an Army reservist and college student nearly $200,000 after she was mauled by a police dog last year. The Virginian-Pilot reports (http://bit.ly/1SJ8bZj) that under the deal signed last month, 22-year-old London Colvin has agreed not to sue the city or police because … Continue reading →

‘Lion dog’ to be adopted after owner breaks plea agreement

‘Lion dog’ to be adopted after owner breaks plea agreement NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Norfolk’s popular “lion dog” will soon be up for adoption after its owner was caught letting the animal run free. Deputy City Attorney Cynthia Hall told media outlets in a statement that Charles the Monarch was seen on camera without a … Continue reading →

Woman stopped after trying to carry loaded gun on plane

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A woman has been cited after officials say she tried to bring a loaded gun on a plane at the Norfolk International Airport. Multiple media outlets report the incident happened Thursday morning. Transportation Security Administration spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein says the woman was passing through a security checkpoint when an X-ray machine … Continue reading →

Williamsburg psychiatric hospital loses Medicare funding

  WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — Eastern State Hospital in James City County has lost its Medicare funding after federal and state surveyors found the facility failed to comply with requirements of participation for psychiatric hospitals. The Daily Press (http://bit.ly/1VGpRMs ) reports that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently submitted a termination notice, effective … Continue reading →

Funeral held for Virginia trooper slain at bus station

HAMPTON, Va. (AP) — Virginia State Trooper Chad Dermyer’s intuition told him something was wrong when he pulled a woman over last year for expired license plates. Authorities say it turned out that the remains of her long-missing son were hidden in the trunk. Those same instincts were on display on the last day of … Continue reading →

Class-action suit challenges US government’s watch list

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — For Yaseen Kadura, a U.S. citizen of Libyan descent, placement on the no-fly list caused problems far beyond the airport. He was handcuffed and interrogated for hours when he tried to cross borders by land. He struggled to pick a medical school, unsure where he could travel. And when he tried … Continue reading →

Family seeks answers on death of man in Virginia jail

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — The family of a 56-year-old Norfolk man who died in jail is seeking answers. The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1VNZiU6 ) reports that Reginald Brehon Cooper was completing the third of five weekends in the Norfolk jail when he was found unconscious in his cell last month. He died at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital … Continue reading →

Officials investigating fire at shipyard in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Officials are investigating a fire that occurred at a shipyard in Norfolk. Local media outlets report the fire happened Tuesday night at Lyon shipyard. No injuries were reported. Norfolk Fire-Rescue spokesman Chief Bill Tull says crews responded at 10 p.m. and noticed smoke coming from a maintenance building. Firefighters located a … Continue reading →

Police investigating after pro-Nazi fliers found at ODU

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Police at Old Dominion University are investigating after fliers that appear to promote Nazism were found on campus. Media outlets report that the school’s newspaper, Mace & Crown, says the fliers were discovered over the weekend on monorail poles between the engineering and education buildings. That newspaper reported that one of … Continue reading →

Researcher who exposed Flint water crisis at VMI symposium

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) — The Virginia Tech professor who led a team of researchers that exposed the Flint, Michigan, water crisis is among the featured speakers at Virginia Military Institute’s annual environmental symposium. Marc Edwards is a MacArthur “genius” grant recipient and one of the nation’s top experts on water contamination. He will join Gov. … Continue reading →

Virginia prison inmates can get college credits in 5 courses

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia is offering state prison inmates college credit for five career and technical education courses. The courses are recommended by the American Council on Education’s college credit recommendation service. Department of Corrections inmates can receive credit for classes that include introductory business, commercial arts and design and software applications, among others. … Continue reading →

Body of war veteran to return home after more than 60 years

MARTINSVILLE, Va. (AP) — The body of a Korean War veteran who went missing more than 60 years ago is returning home. Local media outlets report Raymond McMillian will soon find his final resting place in Martinsville. He joined the military in 1948 and served as a medic during the Korean War, earning the title … Continue reading →

Navy warns sailors of consequences of March Madness gambling

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — Navy officials are reminding sailors not to participate in March Madness gambling in the workplace. The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/1RkgyQK ) reports Judge Advocate General’s Corps member Lt. Kathy Paradis wrote on an official Navy blog that sailors are prohibited from engaging in most gambling activities, which could include pay-to-play March Madness office … Continue reading →