🌱 Investigation Of Teacher Shooting Concludes + City Hiring 100+

Hello, friends. Sean Peek here with your fresh copy of the Portsmouth Patch newsletter, full of all the community news you need to know right now. Including updates on...

• Portsmouth activist is seeking to save city from gun violence
• The city announces water system to temporarily switch to Chlorine
• City of Portsmouth is hiring for more than 100 vacant positions

But first, today's weather:

Cooler with occasional rain. High: 48 Low: 39.

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Here are the top stories in Portsmouth today:

1. The investigation into the shooting of a first-grade teacher in Newport News has been completed by the police, and the case has been passed to the local prosecutor's office for review. The 6-year-old boy is accused of intentionally shooting his teacher using his mother's 9mm handgun, which he had taken to school. Police Chief Steve Drew has described the shooting as intentional, stating that the boy aimed at the teacher and fired one round, hitting her in the hand and chest. (Virginia Patch)
2. This past week, Hodges Manor Elementary School in Portsmouth hosted a book fair, giving over 500 students the chance to pick five free books each. The event was made possible by fundraising efforts from the "If You Give a Child a Book" campaign, a partnership between Scholastic Books and Title I schools in the Hampton Roads area. The fair was seen as an exciting opportunity for students and was described as a big deal for some who may not have had the opportunity to own five brand-new books at any given time. The book fair at Hodges Manor Elementary School ran through Friday, Feb. 24. (News 3 WTKR Norfolk)
3. The Department of Public Utilities, along with several cities and counties, will switch from chloramines to free chlorine as the disinfecting agent added to city water from Mar. 8 to Mar. 29. The temporary free chlorine conversion will affect water for all Portsmouth water customers, potentially causing discoloration, cloudiness, and a strong chlorine odor or taste. However, the change poses no impact to public health or the safety of the city water, and the City will continue to monitor chlorine concentrations and perform chemical and bacteriological analyses to ensure that customers are receiving high-quality water. (City of Portsmouth)
4. Thirty-seven girls who have undergone etiquette and poise training will be crowned "Princesses for a Day" in Portsmouth. On Mar. 25, the girls will receive their tiaras and sashes and walk the Red Carpet at a gala event held at the Renaissance Hotel on Water Street. The event is dedicated to empowering young people and reminding them of their unique and special qualities, with a fashion show also on the program. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
5. Darrell Redmond, who leads the anti-violence group Give Back 2 Da Block, hosted a public forum in Portsmouth to discuss strategies to reduce gun violence in the city, with 11 homicides reported so far this year. Redmond used state grants to bring in Joel Miller Jr., a consultant from Baltimore, who presented an evidence-based intervention and prevention approach that targets high-risk teens vulnerable to violence, which he says reduced gun violence by 35% in six months in Baltimore. The city is considering the strategic plan, which involves community members, stakeholders, and government entities, but the mayor says more information is needed to determine if it will work. (News 3 WTKR Norfolk)

Today in Portsmouth:

• Virginia Festival Of Jewish Fim At Zeiders American Dream Theater (Feb. 23 - Mar. 1)
• Portsmouth Olde Towne Farmers Market (10:00 AM)
• Saturday Crafts At Portsmouth Public Library (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Adopt one of these adorable pets from the Portsmouth area! These Adoptable Pets of the Week are waiting for their forever homes in Falls Church area shelters. (Portsmouth Patch)
• The City of Portsmouth is hiring for more than 100 vacant positions, including front-line careers! Positions include between 50 to 55 police officers as well as the city's chief financial officer, law clerks, EMS paramedics, a clinical therapist, and more. The openings can be found on the city's human resources website. (13newsnow.com WVEC)
• The Everywoman Book Group meets every fourth Tuesday of the month at the Churchland Coleman Meeting Room to discuss Fiction and Non-fiction books by, for, and about women. The club aims to introduce new authors, explore different cultures, and engage in insightful conversations from a woman's perspective. The upcoming meeting will take place on Feb. 28, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (Portsmouth Public Library)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you around!

— Sean Peek

About me: Sean Peek is a writer and entrepreneur with a degree in English Literature from Weber State University. Over the years, he has worked as a copywriter, editor, SEO specialist, and marketing director for various digital media companies. He currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.