Police responded to the 6100 block of Old Townpoint Road following a report of a shooting at about 2 p.m. Officers found a man with a gunshot wound in his chest.

The victim later died at a hospital. The investigation is ongoing.

No further information was made available as of Monday evening.

Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com

Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Hampton have installed speed cameras in local school and work zones to deter speeding and enhance overall public safety.

Though law enforcement leaders tout the equipment as a safety measure to deter speeding, the cameras can also be significant moneymakers — with Chesapeake and Suffolk already raking in millions.

Chesapeake has a dozen cameras that have been active since 2022. The city reports a total of 158,075 violations since then, along with about $9.7 million in revenue.

Another 10 cameras in Suffolk went active in fall 2023 along with one at a work zone. Since then, the city reports roughly 196,000 citations, collecting $14.2 million in revenue. After paying the vendor, net revenue is $10.5 million. Suffolk did not specify whether the citation and revenue figures provided to The Virginian-Pilot were specific to school and work zone speed cameras only. The city also operates red light and school bus cameras.

Both cities previously said net revenue would go toward highway safety improvements and personnel costs.

The school zone speed cameras in Chesapeake and Suffolk are targeted in two lawsuits brought by former Del. Tim Anderson, an attorney who alleges the cities are improperly issuing speeding violations and allowing third party vendors to impersonate local government when collecting fees.

Anderson’s case in Suffolk is awaiting an order from a judge on whether it will move forward. A hearing in the Chesapeake case is scheduled for Sept. 18.

The Virginia General Assembly approved legislation in 2020 that allows state and local police to set up speed cameras at highway work sites and school crossing zones. Under that law, only motorists caught going at least 10 mph over the speed limit are ticketed up to $100.

Hampton is in the process of rolling out a dozen cameras in school zones this fall as part of a pilot program with staggered warning periods.

A 30-day warning period began Aug. 26 for cameras located near Bethel High School, Hampton High School and Hunter B. Andrews Pre-K. A 30-day grace period will begin for cameras at Jones Magnet Middle School, Kecoughtan High School, Lindsay Middle School and Machen Elementary School by Sept. 30. And cameras at another set of schools — Mary W. Jackson Elementary School, Thomas Eaton Middle School, Aberdeen Elementary School, Barron Elementary School and William Mason Cooper Elementary — will have a 30-day grace period beginning no later than Oct. 15.

Hampton city officials said about $3.5 million would be budgeted for the school zone speed camera pilot program.

Norfolk has 19 cameras in place across 10 public school locations. A 60-day warning period was slated to end in May, but a city spokesperson said last week that the cameras are still in an active warning period “until summons language can be resolved with the general district court and our vendor, Verra Mobility.”

Part of Anderson’s complaint in his lawsuits was that officers weren’t issuing an official Virginia summons document consistent with other traffic infractions when making the speeding citations.

Portsmouth has 16 cameras, and police began fining drivers in December. The city reports 28,289 citations and $951,061 of revenue collected between January and June. Of the total revenue, $565,042 will be paid to the third-party vendor.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the latest citations and revenue figures from the city of Portsmouth. The city provided the figures after the article published.

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

And industry leaders view improvements in technology as another way to expand access to banking.

Chase Bank continues to expand its retail banking presence in Hampton Roads and expects to open at least 10 more branches by 2027, regional director Alfonso Guzman said.

“We’re big believers in our branches,” Guzman said. “We really believe they are the pillars of the community and they’re important parts of every community.”

Chase currently has two branches in Norfolk and Williamsburg and one each in Newport News and Virginia Beach. By the end of this year, Chase plans to open a second branch in Virginia Beach along with branches in Hampton and Chesapeake, Guzman said. The remaining five new branches will open between 2025 and 2027.

While Chase puts its digital focus on the forefront, Guzman said its branches are still a part of its strategy to meet clients within their communities.

“It’s not either/or,” he said. “We want to make sure that human-to-human interaction is still top of mind and a priority for us as we continue to grow.”

Dollar Bank has opened nine branches since entering the market, said Dave Paradise, senior vice president of Dollar Bank’s Virginia Division. Dollar Bank has 13 branches in South Hampton Roads, including four from its acquisition of Bank @lantec in 2017.

While Dollar Bank has no immediate plans to add branches, it actively looks for opportunities in low- to moderate-income census tracts throughout its markets, Paradise said.

“Technology has really improved access to banking services, which means that it is easier for people to bank with us in a way that is convenient for them,” Paradise said.

In an effort to help Hispanic and immigrant consumers, Chartway Credit Union, which has 16 branches in Suffolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake and Norfolk, opened its first fully bilingual branch in the state in Virginia Beach at the end of April.

And Fulton Bank launched a diverse business banking program designed to meet the needs of minority, women, veteran and LGBTQ business owners last summer. Fulton Bank operates five financial centers in Hampton Roads, including three in Virginia Beach and one each in Chesapeake and Newport News, spokesperson Steve Trapnell said. Last year, Fulton opened a commercial banking office in Norfolk.

“We are committed to making financing and banking products more accessible to groups that, historically, have been underserved,” Fulton Bank Chairman and CEO Curt Myers said.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

Defined as a census tract without a physical bank branch within a certain geographic radius from the population center, banking deserts exist where banks are more than 2 miles from an urban area, 5 miles for suburban and 10 miles for rural communities.

While the 2008 financial crisis led to bank closures and consolidations, the pace of branch closures accelerated during and since the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of bank and credit union branches in the U.S. declined by 5.6% and the number of banking deserts increased by 217 between 2019 and 2023, according to a national report published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. The focus of the report is full-service, brick-and-mortar retail branches, including those of savings and loan associations, commercial banks and credit unions.

Hampton Roads experienced a 38% reduction, or a loss of 143 bank branches from 381 in 2008 to 238 branches in 2023, according to Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. market share reports. The region experienced a 22% reduction by 69 branches from 307 in 2019. These figures don’t include credit unions.

The branch closures coincide with the rise of digital banking, including mobile and online services, and the use of kiosks and ATMs. Long gone are the days when consumers had to walk inside banks for their transactions.

But banking deserts affect people who struggle with transportation, digital services, high-speed internet access and skills to navigate websites and apps, according to the report. It can also greatly impede consumers with lower incomes, disabilities or language barriers — who may still tend to favor in-person banking.

The Fed study shows that 5% of census tracts in Virginia last year were banking deserts and 3% may become a desert if a branch closes. Of those tracts, 80% are suburban and 46% have limited access to broadband.

In Hampton Roads, the Federal Reserve’s interactive dashboard map shows that the southern parts of Virginia Beach (including Blackwater, Sandbridge and part of Pungo), Chesapeake and Suffolk are all banking deserts with the nearest branches from 2 miles to 9 miles away. The region is considered a mix of urban and suburban.

A small urban tract in the Lee Hall section of Newport News, with a population of approximately 3,400, shows its nearest branch is 3 miles away. In Willoughby Spit and West Ocean View on the northern end of Norfolk and in the Lynnwood section of Virginia Beach, consumers have to travel between 2 to 3 miles for their banking needs.

Parts of Isle of Wight and Gloucester counties and the northern Outer Banks area of Corolla also fall within a banking desert. Hampton, Portsmouth, Poquoson, Williamsburg, James City County and York County show no banking deserts although Mathews County is marked as a potential desert, meaning the area is one branch closure away from becoming a desert.

Both larger banks and community-based banks reduced their physical presence in Hampton Roads over the past several years, according to closing notices with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The merger of BB&T and SunTrust as Truist in late 2019 led to a major consolidation of branches in the region. Bank of America and Wells Fargo have closed multiple branches across Hampton Roads. Bank of America closed its Fort Eustis and Lynnhaven Square branches this year. Wells Fargo most recently closed its Richmond Road branch in Williamsburg in January and its Wells Fargo Center branch in November in downtown Norfolk, where it maintains an ATM.

Hampton-based Old Point National Bank has also closed multiple branches over the past several years and recently announced it will close its downtown Norfolk branch in September due to cost-cutting efforts.

Suffolk-based TowneBank’s acquisition of Windsor-based Farmers Bank also meant the closure of the Farmers branches in Pungo and Chesapeake last year as TowneBank operated locations nearby. TowneBank also closed its Harbour View branch at 6255 College Drive in Suffolk last year.

PNC Bank plans to close a standalone branch at 3012 Pacific Ave. in Virginia Beach on Oct. 18 in an ongoing effort to optimize its physical bank network, spokesperson Kelby Krauss said. Customers will be directed to the branch at 1324 N. Great Neck Road. PNC Bank has 10 branches, ATMs and video banking machines in Hampton Roads.

“Branch locations remain an essential aspect of how we connect with and support our clients and the local community,” Krauss said.

View the banking deserts dashboard at fedcommunities.org/data/banking-deserts-dashboard/.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

Donna and Deborah Taylor, siblings who live together in Suffolk, came up with the idea seven years ago. It all started because of Deborah’s dismay one morning of Donna’s worn baby doll nightgown and mismatched bonnet.

“My sister said it looked horrible and didn’t look comfortable,” Donna Taylor said. “And she was right.”

Admitting she doesn’t usually pay attention to her younger sister’s comments, Donna Taylor said she thought maybe this time she had a point. She searched for sleepwear with matching bonnets, but when she couldn’t find any, she sat down at her sewing machine — a skill learned in New Jersey grade school — and designed her own.

At the time, the Taylor sisters were both in the throes of menopause with hot flashes and night sweats in full swing. So, they agreed the sleepwear needed to be luxurious but also cooling.

“It couldn’t just be any type of fabric,” Donna Taylor said. “It had to be breathable and comfortable as well as presentable.”

They selected pajama pants and short sets, nightgowns, sleep shirts and onesies made from brushed viscose, a soft fabric derived from bamboo known for its moisture-wicking properties. The Taylors design the custom-printed fabric.

Each item comes with a matching satin-lined elasticized bonnet with a drawstring. Bonnets or some sort of hair covering are a staple in the Black community to keep hair from tangling, frizzing and drying out.

The sleepwear, available up to size 3X, is for women going through perimenopause, menopause or those with sensitive skin who also want to protect their hair.

“We are offering a solution from a sleep perspective to address the need that women have,” Donna Taylor said.

And the five-star reviews on the business’ website reflect that they have done just that. One customer commented that she has horrible night sweats and hot flashes but slept well after using one of the pajama pants sets, so she ordered another pair.

The sisters first launched the business in 2018 on a designer’s platform before revamping and relaunching two years later as e-commerce business Sleep Sassy.

Donna Taylor left corporate America after 40 years to become an entrepreneur. Deborah Taylor maintains a full-time job in the pharmaceutical industry, but helps her sister often.

In April, the duo auditioned for “Shark Tank,” a TV show where entrepreneurs pitch their concepts to famous investors, at Rivers Casino in Portsmouth. They weren’t selected but plan to try again.

For more information, visit sleepsassy.com.

Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com

Suffolk Circuit Court Judge Alfred Bates III heard a case Tuesday brought by former Del. Tim Anderson against the city of Suffolk. In April, Anderson filed a lawsuit in the circuit courts of Chesapeake and Suffolk alleging the cities are improperly issuing speeding violations and allowing third party vendors to impersonate local government when collecting fees. State code says that “any prosecution shall be instituted and conducted in the same manner as prosecution for traffic infractions.”

The crux of the dispute at Tuesday’s hearing was whether the city is entitled to sovereign immunity, a legal doctrine that protects government entities from some legal action. Suffolk Assistant City Attorney Rebecca Powers also disputed, through examples of case law, the interpretation of the word “shall” in state code, noting that the term doesn’t mean it’s mandatory to follow the law precisely as written. The city also argues, through a demurrer, that the plaintiff’s claims are false and the case should be tossed out.

After the hearing, Powers declined to comment. A city spokesperson also declined to comment.

Anderson has said state code for school and work zone cameras in particular is specific about issuing citations with the same official uniform Virginia summons issued for other traffic infractions. It also allows cities to contract with third-party private companies to provide the services. But Anderson’s argument Tuesday was that while cities have the right to use the equipment and issue fines, they can’t do it through a private third-party. And that by doing so, the city waived its sovereign immunity.

“(When) courts have wrestled with this before, there’s really never been a situation where the government has said, ‘You owe us money,’ and then the citizen says, ‘I don’t think you’re doing it legally,'” Anderson said after Tuesday’s hearing. “So I think it’s a case of real first impression for the court to wrestle with.”

The General Assembly approved legislation in 2020 allowing state and local police to set up speed cameras at highway work sites and school crossing zones. Under that law, only motorists caught going at least 10 mph over the speed limit are ticketed.

Several Hampton Roads cities have installed speed cameras since in an effort to deter speeding and enhance public safety. A dozen cameras went live in Chesapeake in 2022. Suffolk has cameras at 10 schools and one work zone — launched last year.

As of April, Chesapeake police issued 150,788 citations and collected $9.35 million in fines, according to information provided by the city. Suffolk issued 167,883 as of March and had collected $11.72 million in fines.

Anderson’s client in the Suffolk case, whom he’s representing pro bono, is Curtis Lytle from the city of Zuni. He received a notice of violation in June in a Suffolk work zone.

A hearing in the Chesapeake case is scheduled in September. Anderson had also filed a federal lawsuit challenging the use of the cameras, but said Tuesday that case had been withdrawn while the state lawsuits play out.

The judge said he’d issue a ruling on the sovereign immunity claim as well as the demurrer within 30 days via a letter.

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

Pawley’s goal: To create a European bar experience at the new Sojourn Fermentory in Suffolk’s Bridgeport community. He also wants to serve fresh, high quality food that isn’t complicated.

The name of the business, he said, came from words often attributed to Plato: “Life is but a Sojourn. Enjoy the best of it.” We stay only for a time.

I was there for an early sneak peek at the 9,200-square-foot place (including the outdoor beer garden), which is owned by Pawley, Jinson Chan and Scott Osborne, who all have a passion for brewing.

Pawley spent two months in Austria learning how to brew European lagers. He also worked at Commonwealth Brewing Co. and Back Bay Brew House Farmhouse, both in Virginia Beach. Chan has an engineering background and co-owns High Side, a modern craft beer bar in Fairfax. Osborne, pastor at Redemption Church, has an appreciation for craft beer and the process of making it. He and Pawley became friends and shared a dream of opening a brewery with world-class beers.

The brewery, cidery and tasting room offers European-style lagers, American ales, modern IPAs, fruited sours and barrel-aged stouts. Two of the four ciders were available when I visited.

I tried Paradise, a cider made with Pink Lady apples. It shined with a touch of sweetness and finished with a subtle dryness. I was ready for the fall season, and this put me in a fall season mood.

Sojourn also has a full kitchen run by chef Mario Owens, whom Pawley calls “the flavor guy.” The menu features Roman-style pizza with house-made dough that’s been fermented for 72 hours.

While I waited to sample the cheese, pepperoni and meat lovers pizzas, I sat at one of the two picnic tables in the family-friendly area.  A stage for kiddy play was in the corner near a Lego station. I could imagine the theatrics that would take place as people enjoyed their food. I smiled.

The pizzas arrived hot and looked appetizing. I couldn’t pick a favorite. The magic was in the dough. Airy. Fresh. Magnificent.

The spot also serves small plates such as tasty truffle fries and karaage (Japanese fried chicken bites) with sweet chili sauce.

At the bar, I admired the triangle indention in the wall where the 16 taps reside. What a sleek design. I sipped the Midnight (dark lager) and Czech Pils (light lager). Both were foamy, creamy and refreshing on this warm Thursday afternoon.

I looked forward to returning with friends and staying awhile.  

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya

___

If you go

Where: 1400 Bridgeport Way, Suffolk

Hours: Noon to 9 p.m. Monday, closed Tuesday, noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 8 p.m. Sunday

Prices: $4 to $8, beer and cider; $12 to $18, pizza

Details: 757-922-9909; sojournfermentory.com

John Edward Williams stopped on the shoulder of the northbound lanes of Interstate 664 on the bridge in Newport News just before 11 p.m. Saturday for “mechanical issues.” A spokesperson for Virginia State Police said Williams got out of his 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and checked the engine. At the same time, David Clayton Rosas, 34, was driving northbound when he ran off the roadway and struck the back of Williams’ Malibu. Williams suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to Riverside Regional Hospital. He died there about two days later.

State police said speed and alcohol were not factors in the crash. Rosas, of Virginia Beach, has been charged with reckless driving.

Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com

“We’re all about bringing people into the city,” said Kevin Sary, the visitor center’s supervisor. “We want our visitors to have a great time.”

On the first floor of the old Nansemond County Courthouse, the center offers a plethora of brochures, maps, tour information and the Great Dismal Swamp Gallery.

The original courthouse that stood on the site was constructed in 1755 and burned by the British in 1779 during the American Revolution. Following the Revolutionary War, the Nansemond County Courthouse was rebuilt. During his American tour, General Lafayette dined at the courthouse as the guest of honor in 1825. The structure burned again during the Great Fire of 1837.

This reconstructed Roman Revival courthouse with imposing Tuscan columns served as part of the headquarters of the Union army under Gen. John Peck during the Civil War. The courthouse again caught fire, was restored, and served the area as a courthouse until 1998.

The visitor’s center is within walking distance of a number of interesting local historical sites.

Next door to the tourism center, Riddick’s Folly, an ostentatious residence built by Mills Riddick following the Great Fire of 1837, has four floors, 21 rooms and 16 fireplaces. The former Riddick home is among the most impressive residences on Suffolk’s Main Street. All four floors are included in the guided house museum tour.

Nearby Historic Cedar Hill Cemetery offers visitors pleasant strolls through old tombstones etched with the names of notable local citizens. The graves provide visitors a tangible encounter with a community that has been a vital part of American history for centuries.

A few blocks down Main Street, the Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum. which is temporarily closed, connects visitors with a restored Victorian era railroad station that served Seaboard Airline Railroad and Virginian passengers until 1956 when the Virginian line ceased offering passenger service.

Tours are also available through the Suffolk Visitor Center. Reservations are required. Tours include Historic Suffolk Narrated Bus Tour; Legends of Main Street: A Ghost Walk; and Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge “Swamp Safari.”

For additional information visit visitsuffolkva.com or call 757-514-4130.

The owners of M&M Hospitality Group, Brian and Teresa Mullins, made the announcement Wednesday evening on Facebook.

They didn’t cite a reason but wrote, “We are actively exploring fresh and captivating additions to this location, offerings that we believe our vibrant community will embrace with equal enthusiasm.”

In May, the Mullinses sold other Suffolk properties — Vintage Tavern, River Stone Chophouse, and Decoys Seafood and Bennett’s Creek Marina — to Pack Brothers Hospitality, according to a Pack Brothers website. M&M says it still owns Cork & Bull Chophouse, in Chesapeake, and caterer Bullet Smoke BBQ, Suffolk.  

Amedeo’s Ristorante, which serves North Italian cuisine, opened three years ago in North Suffolk’s Bridgeport community. It was named after Amedeo Obici, who founded Planters Peanuts and was a major businessman and philanthropist in Suffolk. The food was based on recipes from his hometown, Oderzo, Italy.

On social media, customers expressed their sadness about the closing.

“I’m heartbroken. I have enjoyed your pastries since you opened,” a commenter wrote. Another wondered where she was going to get a carrot cake. Someone else declared that Amedeo’s had the best pizza in town. Other folks raved about the coffee.

The bakery serves European treats and breakfast items such as croissants, cannoli, and eggs and bacon on a Parmesan cheese bagel.

Amedeo’s also has house-made pastas, breads and desserts. Dishes included tortellini Amedeo’s with sautéed vegetables, crispy bacon and sautéed chicken in an alfredo sauce; and lasagna Bolognese with ricotta, pasta and fresh mozzarella.

Rekaya Gibson, 757-295-8809, rekaya.gibson@virginiamedia.com; on X, @gibsonrekaya