PORTSMOUTH A woman drove down a highway exit ramp in the heart of the city Tuesday and held two dollars out the driver's side window of her minivan. "Are you seeking a donation?" she asked Pastor James W. Suggs, who stood on the side of the ramp near Victory Boulevard, bucket in hand.

PORTSMOUTH Portsmouth police said they seized computers and arrested five people on allegations they ran illegal gambling operations.

The arrests were made Thursday evening, police said Friday.

PORTSMOUTH

Beginning Friday, passengers boarding The Loop shuttle in downtown Portsmouth can receive free tokens for discounts at participating Olde Towne restaurants, museums and gift shops.

By Catherine Carlock

PORTSMOUTH In a unanimous vote Thursday, the School Board re-elected James Bridgeford to a fifth term as board chairman. Bridgeford has served on the board since 1990. The board also unanimously re-elected Linda Ridenour to a fourth term as vice chairwoman.

PORTSMOUTH The city's economic development director was reassigned Thursday to a new position that will oversee federal stimulus funds. Steven Lynch will become director of economic recovery, City Manager Kenneth Chandler announced. Portsmouth's manager of business development, Mallory Kahler, will serve as the interim economic development director.

HAMPTON

The Air Force will spray several areas next week for mosquitoes, a news release says.

Spraying will happen from 6 to 9 p.m. July 7 to 9, the release says.

PORTSMOUTH The Portsmouth Humane Society has agreed to continue to serve as the city’s pound.

The city has worked out a contract that will pay the humane society $350,000 for the next two years to care for the animals brought in by Portsmouth’s animal control officers.

Heads of State and Jagged Edge will headline the annual UMOJA Festival on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the nTelos Wireless Pavilion.  Heads of State features Bobby Brown and Johnny Gill and Ralph Tresvant, all formerly of New Edition. Learn more.

By Jaedda Armstrong The cutter Legare is set to leave Wednesday for Africa, the Coast Guard announced. Unit size: About 100 Coast Guardsmen Leader: Cmdr. Dennis Bauby Location of deployment: Central and western Africa Deploying: Wednesday, July 1 Returning: Expected three-month deployment

NORFOLK

A former Portsmouth police officer faces a minimum of five years in prison after pleading guilty this morning to federal charges of possessing child pornography.

Paul Alonzo Ewing, 38, admitted having images of child pornography on his home computer when he was arrested last fall on state charges of taking indecent liberties with a teenage girl.