BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH — A nonprofit organization that is not required to identify its backers raised more than a half-million dollars last year and spent much of that money to influence voters to support extending light rail to Town Center… Continue Reading
BY CHRISTOPHER MELE The Independent News won three awards – two for news and one for photography – from the Virginia Press Association at a ceremony on Saturday, April 8, in Short Pump. The honors were given for works published… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE COURTHOUSE – Virginia Beach City Manager Dave Hansen on Tuesday, March 28, unveiled a spending plan that would raise real estate taxes to help establish full-day kindergarten throughout the city while redirecting money from a previous property… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH — It may be months before Virginia Beach citizens have any sense how much money light rail advocates spent to influence their votes on Election Day – and the sources of that money may never be… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE VIRGINIA BEACH – State Sen. Bill DeSteph, R-8th District, wants the state attorney general to determine whether it is appropriate for a nonprofit to advocate a position in the Nov. 8 light rail referendum without forming a… Continue Reading
BY MARTHA MCCLEES VIRGINIA BEACH — Virginia Beach is far more diverse than most citizens realize – in its history, natural assets and character. As we plan for the city’s future, we will be wise to grow and enhance those elements… Continue Reading
BY JOSH WHITENER COURTHOUSE — City Manager Jim Spore, who will retire on Jan. 1, attributes many of his accomplishments to the others that helped make them happen. “I’m a believer that if you create a vision and a plan to achieve… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE COURTHOUSE — City Councilmember Bob Dyer this month introduced a draft resolution that would ask the circuit court to place a light rail referendum on the November 2016 ballot. Dyer said the draft is only a starting point, but… Continue Reading
BY JOHN-HENRY DOUCETTE COURTHOUSE – John Atkinson, the city treasurer, is following what was a self-funded anti-light rail advertising campaign in local newspapers with the formation of a political action committee, or PAC, focused upon influencing the City Council. Atkinson on Monday,… Continue Reading