Norfolk's voters made clear last week what they think of government being able to condemn property for private enterprise or economic development.
The destruction of a small business
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Success stories all around us
Last month, a piece of good news slipped by almost unnoticed: Virginia has demonstrably fewer people living on the streets than in 2010. The number of chronically homeless is down 36 percent.
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Bringing Christmas to Trashmore
A painting contractor had driven by Mount Trashmore for years and admired the giant menorah that lights up the night during the holidays. But he'd always wondered: Why, at this popular Virginia Beach park, is there no Christmas tree, too?
On Monday, Paul Bohannon posted a message on Mayor Will Sessoms' Facebook page: Could you have a Christmas tree put up next to the Hanukkah symbol?
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Where are we, exactly?
I'm from just outside of Raleigh.
That's what I used to say when someone asked me where home was. Everybody knows North Carolina's capital. Few knew of Cary, a bedroom community west of Raleigh that had maybe 15,000 people when I lived there.
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A journey with Maribel
I thought when I volunteered 10 years ago to mentor a child from the South Side of Chicago that I was doing a noble thing. I thought perhaps I could be a good influence, provide stability and encouragement and improve what I believed were long odds of the child finishing school.
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When lawmakers pick their constituents
When former Amerigroup CEO Jeff McWaters was campaigning for the state Senate in late 2009, he said a bipartisan redistricting commission would be the fairest way to draw congressional and legislative district lines.
He was right.
The past two years have shown why.
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Filling a need and teaching a skill
Sixteen high school students have spent months learning anatomy, studying infections, polishing mannequins' teeth and getting over any squeamishness at the sight of blood or whiff of bad breath.
As they memorize the characteristics of lateral incisors and canines, these Virginia Beach teenagers are also becoming community ambassadors for oral health.
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Real sacrifices left unacknowledged
Last week, the Pentagon announced a new award to recognize service to our country.
Finally, I thought, the military is righting a wrong, authorizing a medal to honor loss of life in war.
But that wasn't it.
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The phones should be ringing
A sweet old dog named Batman died last month at the Virginia Beach Animal Care and Adoption Center after he was left out in the cold for a night. A necropsy showed the 10-year-old pit bull had severe heart and lung disease, but the report was inconclusive on how much hypothermia had contributed to his death.
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Watchful eyes can make a difference
For a few years when I was growing up, my family lived in a tiny town in North Carolina where everybody knew everybody's business. Mrs. Rowland lived down the street, and she kept track of our comings and goings, much to our amusement and occasional annoyance. She watched us play kickball in the front yard. She saw us riding bikes past her house.
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Peace officers in Lake Edward
Police officers banged on doors Wednesday night - a noise that understandably brought wary Lake Edward residents peering through peep holes and then cracking open doors.
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A rescue center in need of rescue
Eyegore, a year-old injured gray seal found during a military exercise last month at Fort Story, is swimming aggressively in a tank off Birdneck Road.
He's being given antibiotics for his left eye, which is infected. He eats 6 pounds of herring a day. Researchers monitor his immune system, appetite and behavior, hoping he'll be ready for release in the ocean in a few weeks.
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A choice for Republicans in Virginia Beach
Three Republican candidates for a House of Delegates seat faced a room full of Ruritans Monday night, fielding questions about transportation, education and ethics.
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Taking control after a deadly diagnosis
It's hard for those who haven't been through cancer to understand the depths of pain and despair it can bring. Not so much the diagnosis, though that's terrifying enough. But the day-to-day indignities that suck away strength and energy and joy.
The shampoos that result in clumps of hair in the drain.
The drives toward the chemotherapy center that make you sick just thinking about what's next.
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A reflecting glass on Death Row
I feel no sympathy for William Van Poyck, a gifted writer and career criminal who was executed this week in Florida. I will miss his observations of prison life, his passionate, reasoned arguments for reforming the justice system, but I cannot mourn a man who hurt so many.
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HRT's missed connections
When my husband and I were looking for a house in Chicago's suburbs more than a decade ago, my first question was always whether the property was within walking distance of the train station.
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Treasure at Pleasure House Point
I was counting my blessings the other day, and after the usual ones — a loving family, loyal friends, a fulfilling job, good health — I thought about where I live.
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A responsibility in reverse
Last week, a Charlottesville alternative newspaper published a profane, racist comment as part of its collection of anonymous rants from readers.
The comment, which accused black residents of asking for free food at restaurants, prompted protests from readers, who correctly said Charlottesville Weekly should not have given space to such filth. They wanted the anonymous comments to stop.
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Venturing into parenthood
Most parents work their way up to this after dealing with diapers and the Terrible Twos, after bedtime stories of "Green Eggs and Ham" and "Goodnight, Moon," after the Tooth Fairy has come and gone.
Not me. I skipped straight to the part where I try to register a teenager for honors classes at the local high school.
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Creating a sense of belonging
It's easy to drive past the guy at the intersection holding a sign: "Homeless. Please help. God bless."
Many of us refuse even to make eye contact, assuming he's a deadbeat who won't help himself.
Maybe he is. Or maybe he's lost his job, has no family and seemingly no way to get out of the rut he's in.
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