PORTSMOUTH
The company that proposed building apartments and retail space instead of condominiums in the New Port area may revisit that idea next year, Fred Brusso, special projects administrator for the planning department, told the Economic Development Authority Tuesday.
Portsmouth Venture One LLC, owned by Virginia Beach-based developer L.M. Sandler & Sons, withdrew requests for the planning commission to consider its plans.
The company had asked to build 300 apartments and 100,000 feet of retail space instead of 427 condos.
Many homes and townhouses have already been built in New Port. Some residents objected the new plan.
- Jen McCaffery
NORFOLK
Judge tosses more complaints in bar case
A federal judge here Tuesday threw out most of the remaining issues in the civil rights case filed by the Oceanfront bar Hammerheads against the city of Virginia Beach.
But U.S. District Judge Robert G. Doumar delayed ruling on whether the Beach 's Establishment Review Task Force violates the constitutional rights of Hammerheads' owners.
The task force of police officers and other city workers can issue "reports" to bars, noting improper behavior or criminal violations by patrons.
Hammerheads' owners argue reports violate constitutional due-process rights because the city doesn't have a way to challenge them. The city says reports help bar owners see problems before they worsen. Challenges can be made to the police department's internal affairs office.
Doumar indicated Tuesday that he would side with the city because Hammerheads has not shown "imminent danger of direct injury." Attorneys have another week to submit arguments.
Doumar already ruled that city policies of policing outside Hammerheads did not racially discriminate against the club.
- Tim McGlone
No jail time for woman in home-repair scam
A co-defendant in a home-repair scam of several elderly people pleaded guilty to four felonies in Circuit Court on Tuesday.
Keaton A. Taylor was sentenced to five years on each charge of obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiring to obtain money by false pretenses. That time was suspended. Taylor must be on good behavior for 10 years and pay almost $13,000 in restitution, says a plea agreement. She cannot be involved in any business that contracts for services.
A man charged in the case, Timothy S. Levine, was sentenced to four years for his convictions on nine felony charges.
Previously, a prosecutor said Levine and Taylor approached the elderly people at their homes in 2007 and offered free inspections for insect and moisture damage.
They said damage existed and offered repairs. Keaton and Taylor insisted on upfront payments, and the victims wrote checks. Taylor and Keaton kept the money and never performed work.
- Michelle Washington
Former officer to pay $250 fine for DUI
A former Norfolk police officer must pay a $250 fine for his conviction on drunken driving.
Stuart Shoup resigned from the police department after he was charged with drunken driving about a year ago. In court Tuesday, Shoup's lawyer, George Neskis, said his client was contrite and emotional about his conviction.
Circuit Judge Charles E. Poston vacated Shoup's conviction for refusing to take a breath test. Poston suspended Shoup's driver's license, but said he could obtain a restricted license. He also must complete an alcohol safety program.
- Michelle Washington
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