Jimmy LaRoue

New schedule coming for SPS high school students in ‘23-’24

A new schedule is on the horizon for high school students in Suffolk Public Schools. Though some School Board members had concerns about its implementation, they voted 5-1 Thursday to adopt a 4×4 block schedule that will begin with the 2023-2024…

Sausages are the main link, but there’s much more to Providence United Methodist Church’s annual bazaar

The homemade sausages will be back once more at Providence United Methodist Church’s annual bazaar. The event, set for Oct. 22 at 3109 Providence Rd. near the intersection with Pruden Boulevard, will last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and feature homemade…

Column – Time to say goodbye

If sorry seems to be the hardest word, as Elton John sang, then goodbye is trying to cut in line. Friday was my last day at the Suffolk News-Herald after nearly four years, and as that day got closer, it didn’t get easier to admit I was indeed…

Equal to 26 football fields, Lowe’s to build 1.5 million square foot distribution center in city

Lowe’s will open a $75 million, 1.5 million square foot regional distribution center in the 932-acre Virginia Port Logistics Park off of U.S. Route 58, bringing with it 100 jobs. Following a brief closed session at Wednesday’s Economic Development…

Rec center, pool in line for 2023 openings

The city’s Parks and Recreation department is winding down its work on a new recreation facility while initiating work at other locations. Department Director Mark Furlo told City Council at its Oct. 5 meeting that renovation work to prepare the…

‘People everywhere’ as Peanut Fest draws estimated 100,000-plus

The Suffolk Peanut Fest is the city’s largest event, and this year, it may have had its largest-ever crowds along with its largest-ever traffic jam. Theresa Earles, publicity coordinator for the event and the city’s tourism development manager,…

Suffolk Remembers

First responders lead 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit downtown to the Suffolk Peanut Festival site The 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit made its way through downtown Friday morning on its way to the 44th Annual Suffolk Peanut Fest at the city’s…

More than 1,200 have voted early in Suffolk

More than 1,200 city residents have voted as of 2 p.m. Friday, according to general registrar Burdette Lawrence. She said 1,235 people had voted thus far, with early voting robust in the city. “It has been going busy just like we like it,” Lawrence…

City approves nearly $400,000 to be returned to SPS for sinkhole repairs

Suffolk Public Schools will receive the nearly $400,000 it requested from the city to repair sinkholes that have plagued several schools over the past year, but the money didn’t come without scrutiny by some members of City Council, including Mayor…

NSA gets a ‘friend’ to be head of school

Nansemond-Suffolk Academy will have a new head of school to succeed Debbie Russell, who announced in January that she would retire at the end of the current school year after 11 years. Mike Barclay, the current head of school at Virginia Beach…

Survey says? That’s for you to decide. SPS families asked to weigh in on ‘23 schedule, school start date

Suffolk Public Schools’ students and families can weigh in on possible division initiatives to change high school schedules and start school prior to Labor Day. The school division has asked its stakeholders to weigh in on a shift to a 4×4 block…

A not so rising tide: Water doesn’t rise as much as anticipated

Schools were closed and city operations were affected by what was expected to be dangerously high tides Monday, but they had less of an impact in the city than anticipated. While a coastal storm warning remained in effect through Wednesday morning…

Council to hold public hearing on ordinance to grant license agreement to Cox for business services

City Council will hold a public hearing Wednesday on an ordinance that would grant a license agreement for Cox Communications to build, install and maintain telecommunications services for its business services in Suffolk. If approved, Cox would…

‘Taylor’-made: SCA senior crowned Peanut Fest Queen

It was hard to tell who was more nervous before and during the 2022 Suffolk Peanut Fest Queen’s Banquet and Fashions — Taylor Rockett, or her mother Tiffany. While mom’s nerves showed as she didn’t eat anything throughout the day and during the…

Developer looks to build up to 300 homes near busy U.S. 58 corridor, asks for delay in public hearing for rezoning request

A developer proposing to build up to 300 single-family homes on 114 acres off of Manning Road near U.S. 58 had a recently-scheduled public hearing delayed to provide time to adjust proffers for it. That intersection is in the area of the current 3.1…

15 city public schools fully accredited, 4 accredited with conditions

All public schools in Suffolk received state accreditation for the 2022-2023 school year, though four were accredited with conditions. Booker T. Washington, Elephant’s Fork and Mack Benn Jr. elementary schools, and John F. Kennedy Middle School, were…

Police: Shooting death of 4-year-old boy not intentional

Suffolk Police Chief Al Chandler said Tuesday that the shooting death of a 4-year old boy Sunday night was not intentional. Antonio Larnell Melton, 38, of Suffolk, was arrested “a short time later” after the shooting and charged with second degree…

Opponents plot next steps in fighting Port 460 project as developers move forward

Opponents of rezoning for the Port 460 Logistics Center were vowing to continue to fight to put a stop to it even before City Council’s vote approving the plan for 10 new warehouses on property off U.S. 460. Council voted 5-3 to allow for the…

Kyiv City Ballet captivates hearts

Local students had the opportunity to visit backstage and see the Kyiv City Ballet during a field trip to the Suffolk Cultural Arts Center Tuesday, Sept. 20. The Ukrainian ballet company is shown here during their practice sessions during the…

Rezoning for Port 460 warehouses approved

People opposed to the rezoning of 540 acres of property off of U.S. Route 460 for the construction of 10 warehouses and five commercial buildings gathered outside City Hall Wednesday afternoon ahead of a vote by City Council, which voted 5-3 to…