MONROVIA, LIBERIA Just outside of the capital, tucked away in a compound for ArcelorMittal employees, Joe Mathews gathers with friends and co-workers for dinner in his home away from home. His Liberian cook prepares authentic Indian cuisine.

If you were wondering where longtime local TV news anchor and reporter Les Smith landed, here's a clue: Ask which turnpike exit. Smith joined News 12 New Jersey last month as a reporter in its Trenton bureau, a human-resources official there said. News 12 is a 24-hour news channel owned by Cablevision Systems Corp.

Two tidbits for downtown Norfolk restaurant junkies to chew on: Machismo Burrito Bar, on West York Street in Freemason, plans to move by the end of the month to the corner of Boush Street and College Place. And 219, closed since at least March, has been bought by a restaurateur who already has four eateries in the vicinity.

CAMDEN COUNTY Sparked by federal stimulus money, a nonprofit announced plans Monday to lease 10 acres from Camden County near the Chesapeake border to start a long-delayed green commerce park.

NORFOLK Just in time for Harborfest, the debris, overgrown weeds and two small lakes on the site of the failed Granby Tower condominium project are being cleaned up. Earlier this week, workers began draining rain that accumulated in two large holes. Friday morning, crews began using two earth movers to mow down the weeds, remove construction debris and level out mounds of dirt.

It seems an unusual time for any car business to expand, but Priority Automotive is doing just that.

West Corp. might lay off 176 employees, or nearly one-third of the staff, at its Hampton call center, a company executive said today. The telecommunications company filed a notice with the state announcing that 176 layoffs would begin by Aug. 30.

NORFOLK A local company won three orders worth up to $100.7 million from the Navy to install solar power systems at facilities in Norfolk and elsewhere.

VIRGINIA BEACH A California court imposed $1.16 million of civil penalties on Liberty Tax Service, saying Liberty engaged in deceptive practices when promoting its refund anticipation loans to tax-return filers.

WVEC-TV Channel 13 this week suffered its third wave of layoffs in the past six months, its general manager said today.

Jim Berman, the president and general manager, declined to say how many jobs were cut, citing the policy of the station’s owner, Belo Corp. But Berman said that those affected lost their jobs Monday and that none was an on-air personality.