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4th Circuit: Coast Guard properly detaining coal ship
NORFOLK, Va. — The Coast Guard is properly detaining a Maltese-flagged coal ship and its 20-member crew on alleged environmental violations, a federal appeals court ruled Monday. The Antonis G. Pappadakis has been kept in Virginia since April and its owner contends the bond the Coast Guard set for its release was arbitrary and unreasonable. […]
New panel to advise Kamenetz on Sparrows Point options
A 16-member panel of business leaders will advise Baltimore County economic development officials about the best use for the Sparrows Point peninsula in the wake of last week’s announced woes at the steel plant, which will be laying off nearly 2,000 workers. At a news conference in Towson, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said the […]
Plan moves forward for Atlantic seismic research
NORFOLK, Va. — The U.S. Interior Department said Wednesday it is seeking comment from the public on a plan to allow energy companies to begin seismic testing to find oil and natural gas reserves in the Atlantic Ocean. Officials have released a programmatic environmental impact statement on seismic testing for public review. The testing would […]
7 arrested in multi-state jewelry-theft ring
NORFOLK, Va. — Seven people have been charged with operating a jewelry-theft ring based in Richmond, Va. that authorities say stole more than $4.6 million in merchandise from traveling salesmen in Virginia and several other states. Those charged had initial court appearances in federal court in Newport News, Va., on Tuesday. U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride […]
Virginia governor wants increased transit funding
NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled a list of transportation proposals on Thursday that call for increased state funding to reduce gridlock, which he says would help boost economic development and create jobs. Virginia has some of the nation’s most congested roadways, particularly in populous Northern Virginia and in Hampton Roads, home to […]
Reward offered in slaying of Cummings’ nephew
NORFOLK, Va. — The family of an Old Dominion University student who was fatally shot off-campus is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Christopher Cummings was found slain at his Norfolk home on June 10. The 20-year-old Cummings was the nephew of Rep. Elijah Cummings. Norfolk police say anyone with information […]
Pirates appeal conviction in 4th Circuit
RICHMOND, Va. — Attorneys seeking to overturn the first piracy conviction in a U.S. courtroom in nearly 200 years told a federal appeals panel Tuesday the actions of five Somali men who attacked a Navy warship in waters off Africa did not meet the legal definition of pirates because they did not board the ship […]
Maryland man who faked death gets 7 years in prison
NORFOLK, Va. — A defiant Maryland man who faked his death by jumping into the Chesapeake Bay near Virginia Beach has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison, which he says amounts to a death sentence. Larry Deffenbaugh was convicted in May of conspiracy and communicating a false distress signal. Deffenbaugh’s brother reported him […]
Airlines begin canceling flights in earnest
Hundreds of thousands of airline passengers will be grounded this weekend as Hurricane Irene sweeps up the East Coast, past some of the nation’s busiest airports. JetBlue Airways said Friday it was scrubbing about 880 flights between Saturday and Monday, most of them to and from hub airports in New York and Boston. American Airlines […]
Md. man sues Va. hotel over credit card printout
NORFOLK, Va. — A Maryland man is suing a Virginia Beach hotel and its owner, alleging his credit card’s expiration date was printed on his receipt in violation of federal privacy laws. James T. Buechler of Baltimore County filed the lawsuit this month in federal court in Norfolk against Marjac Suites and its owner, Burlage […]
Red algae blooms stain Virginia waters feeding bay
NORFOLK, Va. — Red algae blooms have returned to Virginia waterways that feed the Chesapeake Bay. The blooms have been active in the lower James, York, Elizabeth and Lafayette rivers for several weeks, Old Dominion University researcher Margaret Mulholland told The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/qqsyY8 ). The blooms suck oxygen from the water, making it difficult for […]
Piracy includes failed attempts, prosecutors tell 4th Circuit
NORFOLK, Va. — The convictions of five Somali pirates sentenced to life in prison should be upheld because the definition of piracy under international law includes failed attempts, according to a court filing by federal prosecutors. The Somali men were sentenced to life in prison in March for attacking the USS Nicholas off the coast […]
