SUFFOLK The School Board decided again Monday to delay a decision on whether to close three elementary schools. Board members said they're hoping a retirement incentive, the restructuring of some departments and programs, and other smaller cost-savings measures will be enough to balance the 2010-11 budget.

SUFFOLK

A motorcyclist was sent to the hospital by helicopter after a crash with a vehicle that had also been driving south on Godwin Boulevard.

By James Thomas Jr.
Correspondent
After a January snowstorm delayed its open house, the new Sentara St. Luke's Healthcare Campus in Smithfield, with greatly expanded urgent care hours, held its eagerly awaited official welcoming late last month.
The occasion turned out to be an added bonus for patients and guests who were awarded one day of free basic health care.

RICHMOND Standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall, Del. Chris Jones isn't one of the taller legislators who sweats it out on the basketball court most Tuesday nights during the General Assembly session, his brown hair flopping as he zips up and down the floor. "I have no game," he readily admits. But Jones knows how to rebound.

SUFFOLK After meeting Thursday for nearly 12 hours, the School Board is coming together again Monday to discuss next school year's budget. The work session is scheduled for 5 p.m. in King's Fork High School's Black Box Theater.

SUFFOLK Hundreds crowded a high school auditorium Thursday night, urging the School Board to save everything from assistant principal positions to arts education to a preschool program for at-risk children. "Our children must still grow up and compete in the global economy," parent Shaylyn Baker told the board. "They cannot do that without the best possible education."

SUFFOLK

Police are asking for the public’s help to solve a series of burglaries that have occurred in the Nansemond Parkway area.

At least six burglaries have occurred in the 1100 to 1900 block of Nansemond Parkway since November and in most cases, the burglaries occurred when the victims were away for extended periods of time, a Suffolk police news release said.

SUFFOLK Library media specialist Florence Michener held a tangled chain made from construction paper. She pointed out messages on the links - "FUND Florence Bowser" and "SAVE OUR SCHOOLS," slogans written by students who fear that their school might close.

SUFFOLK Homeowners can expect to see their real estate assessments go down this year by about 4 percent, the City Council was told Monday.

SUFFOLK Suffolk's public schools will be in session Saturday, thanks to Wednesday's snowfall that canceled class. Staff and students will follow the regular, full-day schedule, spokeswoman Bethanne Bradshaw said. Students in grades five, eight and 11 who were scheduled to take the Standards of Learning writing assessment on Wednesday will take the test today.