🌱 Avelo Airlines Leaving Airport + Student Brings Gun To School

Hello, everybody. I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town these days. Today you'll learn about these stories and more:

• Avelo Airlines to stop serving Newport News
• Woodside High School student brought a firearm to school
• Newport News Public Schools plan to enhance student/staff safety

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Breezy in the a.m.; sunshine. High: 82 Low: 58.
• Friday: Cooler; breezy in the morning. High: 65 Low: 39.
• Saturday: Cloudy, a little rain; cooler. High: 44 Low: 39.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and warmer. High: 60 Low: 44.

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Here are the top five stories today in Newport News:

1. Avelo Airlines announced it is leaving the Newport News/Williamsburg Airport. The budget airline informed the Peninsula Airport Commission that it would discontinue service after Apr. 16. Avelo has been providing non-stop flights from Newport News to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale on select days since October. (Subscription: The Virginian-Pilot)
2. A Woodside High School student is facing multiple charges and expulsion Wednesday after bringing a firearm to school. The school went into lockdown after staff learned a student had a gun on campus. The gun was recovered, and the student was cooperative and taken into custody. The school board says it plans to have more security systems in place by Mar. 14. (13newsnow.com)
3. Following the shooting which occurred about a month ago at Richneck Elementary School, Newport News Public Schools plans to increase school safety for its students and staff. During a school board work session on Feb. 21, members discussed the top safety concerns of the district's staff and faculty. The school board has begun to make a plan to add security officers to each school, hire a director of safe schools, add 12 additional met detectors, include a weapon detections system, and partner with the Newport News Police Department for an Adopt An Officer lunch program. (WAVY.com)
4. The investigation into the shooting at Richneck Elementary School, where a 6-year-old student shot and wounded a teacher, has been completed by detectives. The local prosecutor's office will now review the case. Police confirmed that the mother's legally purchased 9mm handgun was used in the shooting and that the weapon was secured in the home and had a trigger lock. Teacher Abby Swerner was shot at the school by the boy on Jan. 6. (WSET)
5. Newport News police responded to a shooting on Roanoke Avenue late Tuesday (Feb. 21) afternoon. Police found a man suffering from a gunshot wound who was transported to a hospital, where he died shortly after. Authorities have not yet identified the victim, and there is no information on the suspect. The investigation is ongoing. (News 3 WTKR Norfolk)

Coming up in Newport News:

Thursday, February 23

• Foster Parenting Live Q&A Session, Hosted By Newport News Human Services (6:00 PM)
• SEO Training At The Offices @ Two Five & J (6:00 PM)

Friday, February 24

• Jazz Friday At The Train Station Restaurant (6:00 PM)

Saturday, February 25

• The Rhythm Of The Story: Storytelling Through The Performing Arts At Pearl Bailey (1:00 PM)
• Crowbar And Eric At Cove Tavern (6:00 PM)

Monday, February 27

• Artsy Toddlers At Virgil I. Grissom Library (10:30 AM)

Tuesday, February 28

• Energetically Aware Gentle Yoga At Bleevable Prana Yoga & Wellness (6:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• An 89-year-old man is missing from nearby Hampton. Alphonso Stephenson was last seen in the Fox Hill part of Hampton driving a tan 2001 Toyota Tundra. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
• Hampton University Terpsichorean Dance Company students made an appearance in the six-part docuseries, "The 1619 Project" on Hulu. (News 3 WTKR Norfolk)
• Thinking of dipping your toes into the housing market? Check out the list of open houses happening on Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Newport News area at the link.(Newport News Patch)

You're all caught up for today. I'll see you back in your inbox soon with another update!

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.