BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO — Before he retired as a master police officer with a unique specialty, Chuck Lauchner spoke about his boyhood back when you didn’t have to look all that hard to find a farm in Virginia Beach. There… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO – Dr. Basil Gooden, the state agriculture and forestry secretary, visited Virginia Beach to meet with the city agriculture staff and state extension representatives and tour local farms in the southern end of the city. The… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS CREEDS — Organized basketball for youth from age 4 through fifth grade is back in the southernmost reaches of Virginia Beach. The season opened in January. The league was organized by the Creeds Athletic Association. In addition to… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS PUNGO — Here are some of images that, with few exceptions, we ran in print or online during this past year. Click on any image below to begin the slideshow, and then navigate using controls or your arrow… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE BACK BAY — In the city’s south, where a number of churches stretch back hundreds of years, Back Bay Christian Assembly is something of a new kid on the rural block. This year is the 30th anniversary for… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS CREEDS — Students returning to Creeds Elementary School found that the stairs have a new look and, perhaps, that their opportunities to learn have multiplied. There are multiplication tables on the stairs. Casey Conger, the principal at Creeds… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS COURTHOUSE — The former Captain George’s and marina site in southern Virginia Beach is scheduled to open to the public as the 20-acre Pungo Ferry Landing Park on Friday, Sept. 16, a spokesperson for the city parks department said… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH — Red Wing Park may be known for its gardens, but it’s grown a reputation as a hotspot for players of the mobile game Pokemon Go, which launched this past month. “Everyone is playing,” said Jessica… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS COURTHOUSE — Police Chief Jim Cervera said there was an increase in the number of rapes in the first six months of this year compared to the same period last year, and he said police also are concerned… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO — The Independent News seldom gets to engage in the sort of H’wood biz “slanguage” pioneered by Variety. So you may want to sit down before reading on. A glossary of terms appears at the bottom of… Continue Reading