Ed. — This story appeared in the Friday, Nov. 29, print edition. BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH – Weeks after Election Day, questions remain about the political activities and policy goals of a nonprofit organization that quietly was formed by a… Continue Reading
Ed. — This story originally appeared in the Friday, Nov. 15, print edition. The VBTA has not responded to requests for information detailed below. BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH – Early on Election Day, state Del. Barry Knight, R-81st District, drove… Continue Reading
Ed. — This column originally ran in the Friday, Sept. 20, print edition. BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO — On Labor Day, the end of our summer, we are together in the madhouse, making coffee, figuring out chores, awaiting the start of the… Continue Reading
BY JANE BLOODWORTH ROWE CREEDS — Getting to know the community and the students is the key to being an effective elementary school principal, according to Douglas Knapp, the new principal at Creeds Elementary School. Knapp, who replaced Casey Conger as… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS Ed. — The following are responses to questions posed by The Independent Newsto candidates for the Rose Hall District seat on the Virginia Beach School Board in the special election on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Answers to our questions… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE COURTHOUSE – The School Board on Tuesday, May 28, chose Jessica Owens, a state social service curriculum writer, to fill the vacant Rose Hall seat until a special election is decided – and the board’s chairperson vowed… Continue Reading
BY SHELLY SLOCUM AND JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE COURTHOUSE – The School Board on Tuesday, May 21, chose Michael Mullins to represent Rose Hall — a unanimous pick by a sometimes divided body to fill a vacancy. Yet the following morning, Mullins… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE PUNGO — My wife strapped the five year old into her booster in the backseat of the truck, and she headed back into the house while I waited for the 12 year old. She would be delivered to… Continue Reading
THE INDEPENDENT NEWS PUNGO — Here are some of images that ran in print or online this past year, including a couple of provided images of significant news or community events. Click on any image below to begin the slideshow,… Continue Reading
Ed. — This appeared in print on Friday, Nov. 9. It was archived online on Thursday, Dec. 13. THE INDEPENDENT NEWS COURTHOUSE — Kim Melnyk, a Christopher Farms resident who first joined the Virginia Beach School Board as a challenger four… Continue Reading