The 2024 election will continue as planned under the current ward-based system, said Deputy City Attorney Chris Boynton.

Former Norfolk Judge Charles Poston presided over a hearing Monday on a lawsuit brought by former Councilman Linwood Branch and several other residents who contend that the city “illegally manipulated the Virginia Beach electoral system by eliminating three at-large seats that are expressly established under the City Charter,” and deprived the rights of voters.

On Friday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin vetoed a bill that would have aligned Virginia Beach’s city charter with its district-based election system, citing the pending lawsuit.

SB189 and matching HB416 would have amended the city’s charter to establish a city council with only single-member districts and a mayor. Youngkin had previously amended the bill to say it “shall not become effective unless reenacted by the 2025 Session of the General Assembly.” The senate rejected the amended bill and sent it back to the governor, who then vetoed it in its original form.

Youngkin said in his veto statement that he wants the court to “adjudicate the correctness of the implementation,” and that the bill could be reintroduced at next year’s General Assembly session.

Following the governor’s veto, state Sen. Aaron Rouse, a Virginia Beach Democrat and the bill sponsor, said in a statement that the governor “has proven to the people of Virginia Beach that he is beholden to special interests that seek to take us back to an old system that was not representative of our city.”

Last year, the City Council formally adopted a redistricting plan and authorized a ward-based election system, the same method used in November 2022.

The council used to have four members, including the mayor, who were elected at large. Those four could live anywhere in the city and were elected by residents across Virginia Beach. The remaining seven members represented districts but also were elected by the population at large.

Virginia Beach’s election system was overhauled as a result of a lawsuit filed in 2017 that alleged the at-large system that allowed residents from across the city to vote in every council race was illegal and diluted minority voting power. A federal judge agreed in 2021, and the court imposed a district-based election system on Virginia Beach and appointed a special master to draw 10 new voting district maps.

The so-called 10-1 system was used in the 2022 election and includes 10 districts. Representatives must live in their district and only residents who live in the district can vote for their representative. The mayor is elected at-large.

The General Assembly also approved legislation in 2022 that required candidates for City Council and School Board appear only on the ballots for the voters who reside within the bounds of their district.

The effects of the changes to the city’s voter system were immediately evident. The council sworn into office in 2023 was the most diverse — and possibly the youngest — in city history with four Black representatives and four members under 45.

But the City Charter doesn’t yet align with the election system overhaul, and an amendment requires General Assembly approval.

Brandan Goodwin, the plaintiffs’ attorney, argued Monday state law doesn’t allow the city to take away the at-large seats defined in the charter. He had asked to halt an election using the 10-1 system in November, but the judge denied that request Monday.

Boynton said the 10-1 system complies with the Virginia Voting Rights Act and was the city’s only viable option.

“We had no other choice,” Boynton said. “There was one path; we took that path.”

Poston said he will review the city’s defenses and decide if the plaintiffs’ case can prevail.

Stacy Parker, 757-222-5125, stacy.parker@pilotonline.com

The city has allocated more than $1 billion toward youth engagement in its operating and capital improvement budgets for 2024 and 2025. Mayor Phillip Jones said this includes money for recreation centers, schools and services such as mental health resources.

“The center of gravity of Newport ĂŰčÖAPP is our youth and I believe strongly in the importance and power of youth engagement,” Jones said during the conference, held outside Riverside College of Health Careers. He called the funding — around $500 million each this fiscal year and in 2025 — “unprecedented.”

The city has dubbed the initiative Youth T.H.R.I.V.EĚý— transforming hearts, renewing investment and valuing empowerment.

Among the programs Jones highlighted was “Friday Night Nets,” a 3×3 basketball league at Denbigh Community Center and An Achievable Dream Tennis Center. The program began a few weeks ago and will continue through late August. The program is for children 12 and older and the events will offer free food, haircuts and other resources.

The Rev. Kevin Swann of Ivy Baptist Church said his church helps transport kids to and from the program. He said he often speaks to teens who complain there is nothing to do on a Friday night. This program fills that need. Swann said the program could also be named “The Return of the Village.”

“That’s what our young people need, the village where they see adults and people who care about them, who wish them well and who want to see them succeed.”

The city has also brought back its , partnering with various businesses to provide jobs. The city will cover the $15-an-hour wage for workers and businesses will provide educational and training opportunities. Among the partner organizations are Riverside Health System and Newport ĂŰčÖAPP Shipbuilding.

Jennifer Shinn with Riverside said the health system has designed shadowing and educational experiences to give participants “insights into the ways to build their careers and their financial futures.” The programs will show that not all health care jobs are about direct patient care and will include pathways that don’t require many years of college education.

Xavier Beale with Newport ĂŰčÖAPP Shipbuilding said they expect to hire 19,000 workers over the next decade. Part of their involvement with the Youth Careers Program is encouraging more people to stay in the city.

The two programs cost about $2.2 million.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

Most of them attend the division’s Virginia Peninsula Community College Academy of the College Experience — or ACE — at Phoebus High School.

Hampton’s four high schools have academies, such as law and public safety, performing arts and entrepreneurship, to expose students to college and career opportunities. The academies also include ACE, in which students can complete one of two associate’s degrees — free of charge and without needing to leave their high school campuses.

The academy has grown since it started in 2017. The first group to graduate included 26 students. In 2022 and 2023, 34 and 41 students, respectively, graduated with degrees. Of this year’s 58 students, 57 attend the academy.Ěý

Isaac Horne earned his associate of social science and will graduate from high school next month. The draw to ACE was simple: “I wanted my degree.”

The program allows students to graduate two years ahead of schedule and shaves off two years of tuition. Horne said his parents are thrilled that he will complete a college degree without a “full, four-year financial burden.” The program also helped him during the college and scholarship application process.

“It allows us to demonstrate that we’re already familiar with doing the college-level work.”

Horne earned multiple scholarships to Morehouse College in Atlanta where he will pursue a bachelor’s in business followed by a master’s.

Hampton City Council recognized the graduates earlier this month. City officials noted that a few families moved to HamptonĚýfor the program.

Other local divisions have dual enrollment arrangements and more will soon have tuition-free classes. A spokesperson for Tidewater Community College said starting this fall that students in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach can take dual enrollment courses at their high schools at no cost.

At Hampton, ACE students are taught by teachers certified in dual enrollment instruction through VPCC. Teachers must have a master’s degree or 18 hours of credits in their teaching area.

Elizabeth LaBreck, who used to teach at VPCC, now teaches English courses in the Hampton program. LaBreck said the classes are structured like a college course — students receive a syllabus and the rigor is the same.

“We were definitely held to a higher standard when it came to our dual enrollment classes,” Horne said.

Students in the academy are also considered VPCC students. They can get college IDs and use campus resources such as the library or counseling services. Dual enrollment teachers get VPCC IDs, email addresses and can participate in the faculty senate. School officials said Phoebus High is considered a VPCC satellite campus, because of the number of students enrolled.

But students are still receiving high school support, which can be aĚýboost for first-generation college students.

Chief Academic Officer James Harris said students are accepted into the program coming out of the eighth grade. That gives them time to complete prerequisites in the ninth grade at the Freshman Academy. Harris said this eliminates one barrier to making dual enrollment accessible to everyone. Students enrolled in other academies can take dual enrollment courses, too. Many do and accumulate college credits that transfer once they graduate. In addition to the associate in social science, the ACE plan offers an associate of science.

Students in Hampton’s dual enrollment programs have earned more than 32,000 credits, saving their families millions of dollars in tuition costs, officials said.

Next year, 100 students will enter ACE and the division is working to expand the program. So far, Hampton has accommodated applicants without resorting to a lottery. The division will also offer financial reimbursement to teachers completing certification requirements. Teachers will be eligible for up to $500 for each class. More information will be available to teachers in the summer.

Nour Habib, nour.habib@virginiamedia.com

The city’s Summer RAYS camp program is completely booked for the summer, and 400 of the city’s youth will get to participate for free regardless of income thanks to an investment from Portsmouth City Council. Following a request first made by council member De’Andre Barnes several weeks ago, the council agreed to spend $115,000 to fund free summer camp for all 400 children enrolled. The move also means those who have already paid will be refunded in the coming weeks.

The city’s is a seven-week program for youth and teens between the ages of 5 and 17, held across various locations Monday through Friday from June 24 to Aug. 9. Without the city covering the bill, the seven-week camps would cost $231 for residents and $385 for nonresidents.

Like most summer camps, children will have plenty of activities to enjoy in large and small groups, including sports, games, arts and crafts, music, dance, and even character and leadership development sessions. Camps also offer science and technology, reading, and environmental educational opportunities. Breakfast and lunch are provided each day through the USDA Summer Meals program.

Barnes, who grew up attending the same camps, said the investment is a “step in the right direction” in dealing with crime in the city as it keeps children “occupied and out of trouble” during a time when crime typically peaks. And those without jobs or other opportunities are often the ones who resort to crime, he added.

“(Right) now we’re making an investment in 530 kids, which ultimately, those kids won’t be getting into trouble this summer,” Barnes said. “We wanted to make sure that we did something that all of our kids can benefit from because ultimately they will all benefit from each other and being around each other.”

In addition to the free summer camps, a new program will offer 130 teenagers summer jobs in the city at a cost of just under $400,000, according to Barnes. He said details are still being finalized and more information is on the way, but youth can earn up to about $3,000 across several weeks.

“They’ll be making some money. They’ll be learning tools that they can use in the future that will keep them out of trouble,” Barnes said. “So I think (the investment) was definitely a bang for the buck.”

Through the camps, youth also enjoy field trips across Hampton Roads and swim days at Cavalier Manor Pool and the splash park at Neighborhood Facility Rec Center. One of the camp sites, Cradock Recreation Center, offers a therapeutic program for individuals with special needs aged 5 to 21.

Portsmouth Parks and Recreation Director Mark Palamarchuck said since the 2024 Paris Olympics are taking place this summer, camps will be themed around that. Palarmarchuck said the investment from council to make this happen was “fantastic” and also helps many parents.

Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com

The hands-on exhibit explores the antics of Shaun the Sheep and his pals on Mossy Bottom Farm. Designed for children ages 3 through 9, the exhibit builds on problem-solving themes in fun, engaging ways.

Exhibit components and activities encourage children to playfully explore themes around problem-solving and resilience in a safe and lighthearted manner.

Children can hop on balance boards, traverse a wall, balance on tires, try on a “championsheep” inspired costume, create a stop-motion animation using items from the scrap heap, hop into a truck and pretend to drive to the village, grab a sheep seat and cozy up to read a book and more.

Admission to the exhibit is included in general admission. Museum members get in free. All tickets must be reserved online. Visit for more information.

Extra clouds will be present this morning with more sunshine by the afternoon. Highs will try to reach 70 today with a little bit of a NE breeze.

Clouds are expected tomorrow morning with sunshine by the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid 70s tomorrow.

Highs will warm to the mid 80s on Wednesday and the upper 80s on Thursday. A cold front is set to move into the region late on Thursday. We could see some scattered showers and storms by Thursday evening/night.

• Today: Partly Cloudy. Highs near 70. Winds: NE 5-15
• Tonight: Partly Cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Winds: E 5-10
• Tomorrow:ĚýPartly Cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s. Winds: E 5-10

Weather & Health

• Pollen: Mid-High (Grasses, Oak, Birch)
• UV Index: 9 (Very High)
• Air Quality: Good (Code Green)
• Mosquitoes: High

Hosted by THRIVE Peninsula, the fundraiser is aimed at bolstering services to residents of Newport ĂŰčÖAPP, Hampton and York County. The theme “Give What You Can” is inspired by the many THRIVE clients “who give back to the organization by offering donations from their limited budgets,” the nonprofit said in a news release.

In November, THRIVE opened in its new location, which hosts the Market at THRIVE — the Peninsula’s first free grocery store — the Free Bookstore and the Garden at THRIVE.

Since it opened, THRIVE resources have provided healthy groceries, books and more to more than 12,000 people, but the charity relies on donations to continue its work.

THRIVE Day begins with Donations for Donuts from 8-11 a.m. at the THRIVE offices at 12749 Nettles Drive, Newport ĂŰčÖAPP. Make a donation of cash/check/card or food items to stock the market and receive freshly made donuts from TNT TastyTravels and coffee from Fennario Coffee Roasters.

At noon, the nonprofit hosts Not Your Mother’s Garden Tour for a look at the garden at THRIVE and information about innovative gardening techniques using a combination of garden towers, raised boxes and beds.

There’s also an afternoon commute donation drop-off from 4-6 p.m. Stop by to drop off your donations and receive a complimentary reusable THRIVE tote bag.

All day, donations will be matched dollar for dollar, until $20,000 is reached. For more information, see .

Forget a sturdy iron-banded chest stuffed with gold and silver and secured with an imposing padlock to keep out greedy hands. King’s simple wooden and glass box contains a paper treasure, and it’s not cash.

The glass pane on the lid invites inquisitive visitors to take a peek at the priceless contents: a law book with an unusual handwritten inscription.

“The book is priceless at Riddick’s Folly museum because of the contents of the letter, who it was written to, and the book it was written in,” King said. “It was one of Nathaniel’s law books. This may not be a treasure anywhere else, but it is here.”

Maj. Gen. John Peck commanded Union forces in Suffolk. When threatened by 25,000 Confederate troops commanded by Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, Peck organized the Union forces into a large defensive ring surrounding the town.

“That’s when Nathaniel Riddick and his wife fled to Petersburg,” King said.

Nathaniel Riddick’s pretentious mansion served as headquarters for Peck and his command staff in the heart of the occupied town during the siege of Suffolk. Riddick’s home remained inhabited by Union soldiers until the end of the War of the Rebellion.

“When they left, they took 85 to 90% of what was in the building. As far as we know, we only have one original door knob. They took the rest of the door knobs,” King said. “The Riddicks came back to a completely looted home.”

Riddick’s law office in a separate, single story building next door to the looted mansion fared better than his home. Riddick’s elegant furnishings were far more attractive to looters than his law books.

On the inside cover in one of the books in Riddick’s law office, a signal officer on Peck’s staff left a cordial message for Riddick, the absentee owner.

In spite of being actively engaged in a tragic civil war, Lt. Amos M. Thayer was a visionary in that he was able to disagree with Riddick’s politics without berating his unwilling host.

Curator Lee King has memorized Lt. Thayer’s pleasant note to Riddick and routinely offers to recite Thayer’s comments for Riddick’s Folly visitors during house tours.

“We know it was written by A. M. Thayer. He was a signal officer for the Union troops,” King said. “He wrote this letter in the front of one of Nathaniel’s law books, and he left it behind for him to read.”

It says: “Mr. Riddick — Dear Sir — Whilst you were away from home striving to subvert this Government the necessities of war made me an inmate of your office — I have great respect for your evident desire to promote the agricultural interest of Eastern Virginia — great respect for the taste displayed in ornamenting your grounds and I’ve no doubt that a better acquaintance would make me a more admirer of the talents which you evidently possess — But whilst I am no abolitionist I must confess that I believe the cause in which you are engaged decidedly wrong — We shall see however — I hope to meet you on friendly terms in more peaceful times and enjoy you socially.”

It was signed: “A. M. Thayer Signal Officer U.S.A.”

After the war, Lt. Amos Madden Thayer became a U.S. Circuit Court judge. Riddick also served as a local judge following the war and as mayor of Suffolk. Riddick died in his law office in 1882.

As for the book with the cordial inscription, it was purchased at a yard sale in Suffolk for the grand sum of 50 cents by Marion Watson, a local historian and author, who knew the historic value of the tome, with the personal message. When Riddick’s Folly became a house museum, the volume was donated to the museum.

Today, the prized book is locked in a small glass and wooden case to protect it. Thayer’s handwritten note has faded with time but is still clearly legible.

We will dry out and warm up just in time to kick off the work week.

Skies will clear up Monday as the day progresses. Temperatures will warm to the upper 60s, which is about 10 degrees below normal for this time of year.

Expect partly cloudy skies Tuesday with highs in the low 70s.

We’ll finally warm to the low 80s on Wednesday. Skies will be mostly sunny.

Thursday will be the warmest day with highs in the mid 80s. We could see a late-day storm. There is a better chance for scattered showers on Friday with highs near 80.

After sitting stuck in the Patapsco River following its into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, the vessel is scheduled to leave its position at high tide Monday around 5:24 a.m. after being prepped for the journey to a local marine terminal around 2 a.m. The entire process to move the ship is estimated to take about 21 hours, according to a Unified Command news release.

The sequence of preparation activities for the ship to undergo before the transit is scheduled to start 18 hours beforehand Sunday.

During those 18 hours, the crews will release anchors and mooring lines currently attached to the ship, de-ballast some or all of the 1.25 million gallons of water pumped onto the ship to compensate for the weight removed from it last Monday and be inspected for any remaining obstructions that may have been missed by dive survey teams.

Once the ship is free, up to five tugboats will shuttle it 2.5 miles to a nearby terminal, pushing it at about a mile per hour.

Clearing the Dali from the bridge area is key to reopening the river’s main 50-foot-deep, 700-foot-wide shipping channel, which has been closed since the late March crash nearly eight weeks ago and is .

During Sunday morning’s “Meet the Press” on NBC, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he is proud of the progress made so far in clearing the channel.

“Despite the fact that people said [clearing the channel] could take six or nine months, I am proud that we are on track and by the end of May, we will have that federal channel opened and within days, we are going to have that massive vessel out of the channel,” Moore said.

One of the commitments Moore said he made when the bridge fell was to have the bridge rebuilt on time and on budget.

Acknowledging criticism from lawmakers over President Joe Biden’s promise to have the Key Bridge reconstruction project fully funded by the federal government, Moore said the American people “will be made whole” and that his focus remains on timely project completion.

“For people concerned about the cost, my thing is this: The ĚýAmerican people will be made whole on this,” Moore said. “We just have to make sure we get this done fast and on time and on budget and that is our focus.”

The announcement of the refloating date follows a major step in the process that occurred last Monday when that was weighing down the top of the ship’s bow. The ship has been dormant in position for more than 50 days. Six people working on the bridge when it was struck by the Dali and were presumed dead the next day. Their bodies have all since been recovered from the river.

After the Dali’s journey to the terminal, crews will remove more wreckage from the bow and some of the roughly 4,500 containers on board. It will then undergo various inspections by entities including the National Transportation Safety Board, which will attempt to gather more information about what led to the crash.

Baltimore Sun reporters Matt Hubbard and Dillon Mullan contributed to this article.