|
|
|
Suffolk Police Department and U.S. Coast Guard Join Forces to Make Waterways Safe
Suffolk has a new tool to fight crime, and protect its waterways, thanks to a generous grant from the Coast Guard. The Suffolk Police Department took delivery of its new SAFE boat, as part of a no-match American Recovery and Reinvestment grant through the United States Coast Guard. The Police Department was awarded this grant with the understanding that the boat would be able to be deployed in a regional fashion.
The Police Department intends to assist the Coast Guard in regional efforts such as search and rescue missions, escorts, regional Coast Guard training operations, and responses to calls for service received by the Coast Guard to which the Suffolk Police Marine Patrol is in close proximity. The Coast Guard monitors the marine channel and frequently receives calls regarding capsized boats, boating under the influence, and other calls, to which a quick response is desired. By funding the Suffolk Police Marine Patrol, the Department can assist the Coast Guard with a more rapid response to incidents such as this. When not assisting the Coast Guard, the Department will have a boat on the Suffolk waterways almost daily from May 15th through September 15th.
This specific boat was chosen because it is designed for use in police patrol boating, while being custom-fitted to conduct dive operations. It has walk-around capacity, while at the same time providing enough space for dive equipment used in recovery operations.
"We are very fortunate to have this boat, and a great partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. Regional initiatives such as this allow both our agencies to maximize our response capabilities," said Chief Thomas Bennett of the Suffolk Police Department.
Lt. Chris White, Chief Enforcement Branch of the U.S. Coast Guard remarked, "The Suffolk Police Department is an agency the Coast Guard has come to rely on. This new SAFE Boat is a tremendous asset to have in the port. The citizens of Hampton Roads deserve a safe waterway to work and play, and the Suffolk Police Department is committed to providing a secure environment."
|
 Suffolk Police Department Promotions
The Police Department held a promotional ceremony on April 1, 2010, at 7 p.m., at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, where seventeen members of the department were promoted. The ceremony marked a historical event when Captain Stephanie Burch became the first female ever to attain the rank of Major in the department. Burch previously headed up the Criminal Investigation Division. In her new assignment, she is leading the department's
Operations Division, which includes Uniform Patrol and Criminal Investigations.
The following were promoted to the listed ranks:
To the rank of Captain:
Lieutenant C. Steve Patterson
To the rank of Lieutenant:
Sergeant J. D. Buie
To the rank of Sergeant:
Detective J.McCarley
Investigator T. A. Smith
Master Police Officer M. T. Erie
To the rank of Master Police Officer:
Investigator D. L. White
Officer C. R. Butler
Officer D. W. Chipman
Officer J. B. Carr
Investigator K. T.Dodson
Detective K. C. Hutt
Officer B.A. Wages
Officer J. N Whitehead
Officer D. F. Jordan
To the rank of Senior Police Officer:
Officer W. B. Williams
Officer C. A. Scherer
|
|
Patterson Graduates from the FBI National Academy Program
 Suffolk Police Lieutenant Steve Patterson was among 253 law enforcement officers who recently graduated from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia.
The 240th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 50 states. Included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 20 international countries, four military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 19 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
FBI Director Robert Mueller was the principal speaker at the ceremony.
Training for the program is provided by FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.
Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of the many courses offered.
A total of 43,483 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it began in July 1935. Of this number, approximately 25,971 are still active in law enforcement work.
Suffolk Police Chief Thomas Bennett traveled to Quantico for Patterson's graduation and at that time announced to Patterson and his family that Patterson would be promoted to the rank of Captain on April 1st. Patterson is married to Pam, and they have two daughters, Meagan and Lauren.
|
|
Suffolk Crime Line's Bikers Against Crime
 On Saturday, April 17, 2010, Suffolk Crime Line hosted the Fifth Annual Suffolk Crime Line's Bikers Against Crime motorcycle ride. The fun ride took participants along the scenic roadways of Suffolk and Isle of Wight. This event, which is a fundraiser for Suffolk Crime Line, began and ended at Nansemond River High School, located at 3301 Nansemond Parkway.
The ride began at 11:00 a.m. Food was provided by Sonic of Suffolk Restaurant and music by the band Long Shot. This was also a Suffolk National Night Out event.
Crime Line is a non-profit, community program that unites the public, the media, and the police in the fight against crime. Crime Line offers anonymity and cash rewards to citizens who furnish information. If information leads to an arrest, recovery of stolen property or the seizure of illegal drugs, callers receive a cash reward of up to $1,000.
Since 1982, Crime Line & Crime Solvers in Hampton Roads have closed the book on more than 15,000 cases and assisted in the recovery of millions of dollars in stolen property and illegal drugs.
|
|
Police Personnel Honored at Awards Event
The Suffolk Police Department recently held its Annual Awards Dinner at Planters Club. The event is designed to recognize outstanding performances by both sworn and non-sworn members of the department. Mayor Linda Johnson was present and spoke on behalf of Suffolk City Council.
Those that were recognized at the event include:
 ECOS Rosalind Britt,
Emergency Communications Operator of the Year
 Officer Robert Burton,
Police Officer of the Year
 Sergeant Sandy Springle
Department Commendations:
Officer Jason Price Officer Eric Crawley
Detective Kevin Hutt Sergeant Robert Ross
Detective Carlos Gonzalez Officer James Goben
Detective John Jones Officer Jason Lyons
Sergeant Edward Bender Officer James Sober
Officer Jesse Epperson ECO Cathy Click
Officer Frederick Panton Officer Paul Hutta
Officer Brian Hearn Officer Ryan Linville
Citizen Awards:
Randy Sorge Monica Holland
Jessie Kimbrough Lavoskia Torain
Chris Follin Pete Irizarry
Quheem Lassiter Leon Hamlin
Noteworthy Performance of Duty Award:
Detective Kevin Hutt Officer Sergey Solodyankin
Officer Jason Lyons Sergeant Timothy Smith
Officer William Shockley Lieutenant James Buie
Officer Scott Spencer Officer Robert Swan
Officer Andrew Fenneman Officer Michael Holan
Officer Thomas Camp Officer David Heroux
Investigator Isaac Lopez Sergeant John McCarley
Officer Eric Crawley Detective John Jones
Officer Cassandra Osteen Officer Nicholas Thompson
Officer Jennifer Protzeller Officer Tyron Langston
Officer Lamont Greer Officer Jason Carr
Officer Jesse Epperson Officer William Phippins
Officer Phillip Johnson Officer Ronald Colby
ECOS Nicole Duncan ECO Erin Hughes
ECO Gloria Harper ECO Jodi Holliman
Call Taker Carmen Brown
|
|
Top Awards at the Finish Line:
Shake, Rattle & Roll 2010
Chrome and custom paint gleamed, pedal cars burnt rubber, and hula hoops swished on Main Street throughout the Shake, Rattle & Roll  Spring Car Show, which hosted some 160 car entries on Saturday, May 15, 2010. The second annual event honored the racers, records and fans of the former Suffolk Raceway, which operated from 1964 to 1991 at Suffolk Airport. The day concluded with an awards presentation for the People's Choice Awards and the Top 15 in Show (pre-1975 vehicles only). Pedal-car racing awards and hula-hoop contests winners also were celebrated. Next year's event is scheduled for Saturday, May 21, 2011.
People's Choice Awards:
1st Place - 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, Joe Frole
2nd Place - 1967 Ford Mustang, Brian Thomas
3rd Place - 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, Dale Wharam
Best in Show Awards:
1st Place - 1967 Doge R/T Coronet, Glen & Betty Morris
2nd Place - 1956 Chevrolet Corvette, Kenneth Brumley
3rd Place - 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air, Larry Chavis
4th Place - 1939 Chevrolet two-door, Dick White
5th Place - 1951 Chevrolet pick-up truck, Dave Brown
6th Place - 1967 Ford Mustang, Brian Thomas
7th Place - 1971 Chevrolet Corvette, Peggy Gray
8th Place - 1965 Ford Mustang, Bud Erickson
9th Place - 1969 Dodge Charger, Cecil Corwett
10th Place - 1957 Chevrolet Bel-Air, Norman Riddle
11th Place - 1929 Ford pick-up truck, Jim Fowlkes
12th Place - 1956 Ford F100, Sam Harrison
13th Place - 1970 Plymouth Superbird, Billy Cones
14th Place - 1966 Ford Mustang, Cindy Cematteo
15th Place - 1966 Chevrolet Malibu, Rick & Bunny Riddick
Pedal-Car Racing (two races, age 6 and under):
1st Place - Kaylee Barlow (age 5)
1st Place - Javon Artis (age 5)
 Hula Hoop Contest (two contests): 1st Place - Claire Toler
2nd Place - Willie Powell
3rd Place - Todd Toler
1st Place - Faith Lytle
2nd Place - Chris Hunt
3rd Place - Jamie Carr
Honorable Mention - Jamal Artis
|
|
Volunteers Needed for 'Clean The Bay' Day
The City of Suffolk is a participating locality in the 22nd Annual "Clean the Bay Day," a regional waterway and shoreline litter cleanup sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The cleanup is June 5th, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Suffolk volunteers will be cleaning Bennett's Creek Park, Lone Star Lakes, Highway 58 East and West, and the Nansemond River Bridge on Highway 17.
Anyone can volunteer, by foot or by boat... individuals, families, civic organizations, business groups, scouts and students! Boaters: bring your kayaks, canoes, or any shallow water boat. Larger boats also are helpful as collection points for smaller boats.
There were 85 Suffolk volunteers that joined in to clean during last year's cleanup. The goal this year is 185.
Registrations are being taken now. To sign up, call Hattie Lester, Suffolk Litter Control Coordinator at 757-514-7604 or e-mail her at hlester@city.suffolk.va.us.
Let's join in together, take action and Keep Suffolk Beautiful.
|
Theme Park Tickets Available
Through Parks & Recreation
Suffolk Parks & Recreation, through Virginia Recreation and Parks Society, is offering Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion and Water Country USA tickets for purchase. Tickets can be purchased at the Suffolk Parks & Recreation Administrative Office, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
 Busch Gardens tickets:
ˇ Fun Cards are $61.95 (for Virginia residents only) - valid March 26th-Sept. 6th
ˇ Discount Days (age 3-9) are $38.00 - valid June
1st-Sept. 6th
ˇ Discount Days (age 10 & up) are $51.00 - valid
June 1st-Sept. 6th
 Kings Dominion tickets:
ˇ Spring Savings Days are $31.00 - valid every
Saturday & Sunday beginning April 17th and
ending on May 31st
ˇ Good Any Day (Jr./Sr.) are $32.00 (Ages 3 to 61
and under 48" tall or ages 62 and older) - valid any
operating day
ˇ Parks & Rec. Days are $31.00 - valid July 2nd- August 6th
ˇ Good Any Day are $42.00 - valid any operating day.
 Water Country USA tickets:
ˇ Discount Days (age 3-9) are $28.00 - valid May
22nd Sept. 6th
ˇ Discount Days (ages 10 & up) are $35.00 - valid
May 22nd - Sept. 6th.
For more information, please call 757-514-7250.
|
Welcome to the Neighborhood!
 OBICI Healthcare Foundation Opens New Office In Downtown SuffolkThe OBICI Healthcare Foundation has completed construction on their new 7,000 square-foot facility located at 106 West Finney Avenue. To celebrate, they held an Open House on Wednesday, April 14, 2010, which was open to the public. The Foundation was created from Amadeo Obici's estate and from the proceeds of the sale of the hospital in 2006. The Obici Healthcare Foundation continues Amedeo Obici's legacy to provide access to medical care for all. The mission of the Foundation represents a continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Obici's legacy of caring. This philanthropic organization addresses the unmet needs of the medically indigent and uninsured. It also supports programs that have the primary purpose of preventing illness and disease. For more information, call 757-539-8810 or visit www.obicihcf.org.
 AAA Tidewater Opens Doors to New Center in SuffolkOn May 3, 2010, AAA Tidewater opened the new Suffolk Center at 3529 Bridge Road. The new location offers an exciting new concept in travel and automotive services to the community. The Suffolk Center is a combination travel agency, membership and insurance service center, as well as a full-service car maintenance and repair facility.
 Healing Time Café Opens in SuffolkOn May 8, 2010, Councilmember Robert Barclay hosted a Grand Opening celebration for Healing Time Café, a new inspirational café located at 3235 Bridge Road in the Creekside Village Shopping Center. The Café serves organic coffees, espresso-based beverages such as lattes and cappuccinos, flavored coffees, tees, smoothies and bakery items such as gourmet muffins and pastries. The café will also serve a variety of delicious sandwiches as well as provide outside catering.
 The Broken Egg Bistro Cracks Open a New Location in Northern SuffolkOn May 10, 2010, Mayor Linda T. Johnson hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for The Broken Egg Bistro, located at 5860 Harbour View Blvd., Suite B-9, at the Harbour View Station West shopping center, next to the AMC Grand Theatres. This new location is the second endeavor for The Bistro, who opened the first Broken Egg in Chesapeake in 2007. The Broken Egg Bistro combines a mom-and-pop diner with upscale bistro food to create a relaxed family environment. They offer fresh, innovative food in a hip and trendy way. Visitors to the Bistro will find a wide variety of breakfast favorites, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Operation hours for Breakfast and Lunch are Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Happy Hour is Wednesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a special appetizer menu. Dinner hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, call 757-967-0103 or visit www.thebrokeneggbistro.com.
 Panera Bread Rolls Out a New Bakery-Café in Suffolk
Panera Bread recently opened its newest bakery-café in Suffolk at 6255 College Drive, in the Market Center at Harbour View Shopping Center. With its identity rooted in handcrafted, freshly-baked, artisan bread, Panera Bread is committed to providing great tasting, quality food that people can trust. Panera Bread also offers a variety of year-round favorites to complement seasonal items and breads baked fresh daily in each bakery-café by skilled bakers. Panera's innovative take-out concept and catering option will be offered at the new bakery-café, available for breakfast, lunch and snacks. The café will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information, call 757-483-3670.
 Express PC Solutions Expands to SuffolkExpress PC Solutions, Suffolk's largest and oldest computer store and repair center, opened their second location at 914 N. Main Street in the Suffolk Plaza Shopping Center on May 18, 2010. Express PC Solutions specializes in computer sales, service and software upgrades. Other services include installation of virus software, spyware removal and general repairs. The original store, located at 2108 Holland Road, opened for business in 1997. Express PC Solutions hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call 757-539-5377 or visit their website at www.express-pc.com.
 ADS Management Group Holds Grand Opening Event for Their Newly Renovated Headquarters BuildingOn Tuesday, May 19, 2010, Mayor Linda T. Johnson hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for ADS Management Group, located at 506 N. Main Street. The ornate 7,000 square-foot building is near the heart of historic downtown Suffolk. The building went through extensive top-to-bottom renovations and has been beautifully restored to its early 1900's original charm. ADS Management Group was founded in 1988 and provides dealership development and Finance and Insurance (F&I) products and services to automobile dealerships throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Currently they are managing professional relationships with over 240 dealers in seven states.
|
|
 A new market season kicked off on Saturday, May 15, 2010, with much more than fresh produce. Opening Day included a cow, a goat, a pony, chickens and other farm animals to entertain children and adults alike!
Launched in 2006, the Suffolk Farmers' Market is an open-air gathering place offering fresh, locally-grown foods, value-added products and hand-crafted goods. Held beneath brightly striped tents at "Market Park" (the mini-park adjacent to the Seaboard Station Railroad Museum at 326 N. Main Street), the Market will operate rain or shine on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., through September.  Within the City of Suffolk, there are 1,155 farms comprised of 59,000 acres in agriculture production. The farmers' market is an outlet for some of the fruit, vegetables and plants grown on these farms. The Suffolk Farmers' Market is sponsored in part by the Obici Healthcare Foundation and is managed by the Suffolk Division of Tourism. For vending information, call the Suffolk Visitor Center at 757-514-4130. The Suffolk Visitor Center, located at 321 N. Main Street in the historic Prentis House, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and around the clock at www.Suffolk-Fun.com. |
 Registration is underway for this year's Fire and Life Safety Camp, for kids ages 7-10. Camp activities include a ride on a fire truck, using real fire hoses, Fire Safety House, water safety, hands-on first-aid training, natural disaster awareness, a police drug-detection dog in action, a 55-foot obstacle course with slide, lots of videos and activity sheets, and lunch with the firefighters.
 The Fire and Life Safety Camp is designed to be fun, challenging, entertaining and educational, all at the same time. Campers will learn safety lessons about hazards encountered every day around their homes and schools. They will experience what it's like to be a firefighter with the Suffolk Department of Fire and Rescue, while building a sense of teamwork and responsibility. Short periods of lectures and lessons, followed by exercises, will reinforce lessons learned. Additonal lessons and activities will center around fire and life safety issues, including basic first aid, water safety, bike safety, search and rescue, and many other interesting topics.
 Attendees will be grouped into teams of five and will operate as a "fire company" for their activities. Leadership principles are taught to each child directly and indirectly. Each child will get the opportunity to apply these principles as "company officer" for the day. Many of the activities planned correlate with requirements for several Boy and Girl Scout patches.
This year's camp will have four sessions with the cost at $65 per session for each child. The cost includes lunch and snack each day, materials to enhance the life safety messages learned during the camp, the graduation reception, and a camp tee shirt.
Dates, times and locations are as follows:
ˇ Session 1 - July 12-16 @ Fire Station #5, located at 3901 Bridge Rd.
ˇ Sesson 2 - July 26-30 @ Fire Station #5, located at 3901 Bridge Rd.
ˇ Session 3 - August 9-13 @ Fire Station #3, located at 1001 White Marsh Rd.
ˇ Session 4 - August 23-27 @ Fire Station #3, located at 1001 White Marsh Rd.
Hours for all sessions are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Campers can be dropped off at camp locations after 7:30 a.m., and must be picked up by 1:00 p.m. Deadline for applications is June 17, 2010, at 5 p.m.
Early registration is suggested, as the sessions fill up fast!
|
New Service Provider Makes Recycling Easier at Local Convenience Sites
 TFC Recycling, the same company offering a subscription-based curbside recycling program to Suffolk residents, is now servicing the existing convenience sites throughout the City. SPSA's old roll-off containers have been replaced with TFC's 8-cubic-yard size containers. These new bins are designed to receive mixed recyclable materials, meaning residents can dump their items without separating them first.
At each convenience site, TFC Recycling will collect and process all recyclable materials, including:
ˇ ALL types of office paper and other papers, including mixed paper (white and colored), white office paper, catalogues, magazines, newspapers, telephone books and unwanted mail
ˇ Cardboard - corrugated boxes, "old corrugated containers" (OCC)
ˇ Paper board (examples: envelopes, file folders, single-layer cardboard used for copy paper and stationery boxes)
ˇ Cans (aluminum cans, and semi-rigid aluminum packaging such as "pie plates"; steel cans, most commonly used for food products and beverages)
ˇ ALL plastic bottles (#1 and #2) - soda and water bottles, and juice, milk and water jugs and pint-size milk containers ("chugs")
ˇ Glass containers (bottles and jars) - brown, clear and green container glass
Suffolk convenience sites:
ˇ Holland Athletic Field - 6620 Holland Road
ˇ Pughsville Park - corner of Town Point Rd. and Donald Ave.
ˇ Kings Fork Ball Field - 460 at Kings Fork Rd.
ˇ Municipal Center - 441 Market Street (cardboard also accepted)
ˇ Sleepy Hole Park - 4700 Sleepy Hole Park Road
ˇ Route 10 & Burnetts Way - park and ride lot near Obici Hospital (cardboard also accepted)
ˇ Tysons Court - corner of Carolina Rd. and Tysons Court
ˇ Whaleyville Community Center - Whaleyville Blvd.
ˇ Kings Highway, Chuckatuck - Kings Hwy. at Crittenden Rd.
ˇ Old College Drive - 4796 Bridge Rd.
ˇ Wilroy Industrial Park - corner of QVC and Progress Rd. (cardboard also accepted)
ˇ 117/120 Forest Glen Drive - near Animal Control
ˇ White Marsh Road - 1226 White Marsh Rd. (Old Food Lion Shopping Center)
|
New Lights at Holland Athletic Fields
 The City of Suffolk Department of Parks and Recreation joined with the Holland Athletic
Association on May 22nd to celebrate the
installation of the new ball field lighting at the
Holland Athletic Fields. Councilman Jeff Gardy
threw out the first pitch.
The Holland Athletic Association provides
baseball, football and cheering leagues to
hundreds of Suffolk children. This new lighting
will allow them to continue providing quality
athletics to youth in a fun safe environment.
|
|
|
|
__________________
TGIF Summer Concert Series Is Almost Here!
The 2010 TGIF Summer Concert Series at Constant's Wharf Park and Marina and at Bennett's Creek Park is just around the corner.
Open from 5:30-9 p.m. every Friday, families can enjoy food, fun and music under the stars. Free and open to the public. | Bands lined up for TGIF include:
Constant's WharfJune 25: Slapwater
July 9:
The Rhondels
July 16:
A Touch of Spice
July 23:
Strictly Bizness
Bennett's Creek
August 6:
Fat Ammons Band
August 13:
Cedar Creek
August 20:
The Janitors
August 27:
Overtime Band
September 3:
Island Boy
Sponsorship and on-site setup opportunities are available for your organization and business. For more information, please call 757-514-7267. | _________________
|
| Council Meeting Schedule | |
Wednesday,
June 2, 2010:
7 p.m.
Wednesday,
June 16, 2010:
7 p.m.
All meetings take place in the Council Chambers on the 2nd floor of the Municipal Center.
_______________
|
| Municipal Center | |
441 Market Street
Suffolk, VA 23434
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
757-514-4000
_______________
|
|
|
