🌱 Norfolk Police Vacancy Rate Rises + NIA To Receive $33M

Good day, people of Norfolk! It's me again, Carla Varner, your host of the Norfolk Daily.

First, today's weather:

Partly sunny and warm. High: 84 Low: 55.

Here are the top three stories in Norfolk today:

1. Norfolk City Manager Chip Filer revealed that as of Apr. 5, the police force had a historically high vacancy rate of 25.5 percent. This was disclosed in a letter Filer sent to city council members as the council considers the continuing shrinking of the city's police force in light of next year's budget. Michael Lynch, president of the Norfolk PBA Chapter, said that the exit has been massive, and it just keeps going. (WAVY.com)
2. The Blocker Norfolk Family YMCA is hosting an interfaith prayer breakfast to raise funds for Ukrainian citizens on Apr. 22 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Williams School gymnasium on site. YMCAs in Ukraine, Romania, Moldova, and Slovakia have been providing daily humanitarian aid to 15,000 citizens inside Ukraine and 40,000 beyond the border. The funds raised will be used to purchase supplies for the Ukrainian people. (WAVY.com)
3. Norfolk International Airport is slated to receive $33M in federal funds for much-needed improvements. Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Newport News) outlined exactly where the monies from the Bipartisan Infrastructure law would go. “Norfolk airport is almost 75-years old and obviously, a lot of things have reached past their useful life,” said Scott. (13 News Now)

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Today in Norfolk:

• Non-Binary + Social Support Group At Virtual (6:30 PM)
• Dreamgirls At The Wells Theatre (7:30 PM)
• Perpetual Groove At Elevation 27 (8:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Eggleston Farmers Market announced it is starting an indoor farmer's market that will operate year-round. The company is partnering with Martin's Island Produce from Knotts Island, North Carolina, beginning Apr. 22 to carry seasonal produce and offer locally made items like peanuts, honey, soaps, and more. (WAVY.com)
• The Norfolk Public Schools Virtual Scholars Academy is accepting applications through Friday, Apr. 29. The academy is open to students in grades K-12. (WAVY.com)
• The City of Norfolk is conducting a transportation study to evaluate whether golf carts should be allowed to drive the area's main roads. The city's study is taking at a look at improving transportation safety on Ocean View Avenue for all travelers and deciding if the roadway can accommodate golf carts as well as scooters, runners, and bicyclists. (The Virginian-Pilot)

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Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Thursday! See you all tomorrow for another update.

— Carla Varner