A viral video of a coven of witches in Germany inspired Ocean View resident Cheryl Hahn to start the OV Sea Hags. 💃🏽

The group, primarily older women, embraces age and lives well-lived.

Summoning others to be part of the fun, to move to song, to celebrate sisterhood and community defines the OV Sea Hags, who have spent the last year doing all of that while raising money and awareness for nonprofits.

They’ll share their joy along with some local history at the Ocean View Witch Walk: 250 Years of Legends and Lore at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mary D. Pretlow Library in Ocean View.

(Story by Vicki L. Friedman, voice over by Denise Watson)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/arts-culture/2026-10-15/brooms-pointy-hats-and-wicked-smiles-the-ov-sea-hags-cast-spells-of-joy-and-fun

The USS San Antonio returned home Friday after a second deployment this year.

The ship was out for four months after a previous nine-month deployment ended in April. Capt. Matt Gleason said the crew had very little downtime during the last four-month stint.

“We kept an upbeat mentality, very positive. We were heavily employed, so there was no boredom or time to sit around and really worry, and just do that while also maintaining comms with our families back home,” he said.

The crew of 355 sailors, has been part of the U.S. campaign to target small boats in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.

(Story by Steve Walsh, photos via the Department of Defense)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/military-veterans/2026-10-16/uss-san-antonio-returned-home-friday-after-second-deployment-this-year

Let me know what other rivers, hikes, and bike trails you’d like to see! I love documenting the outdoors here in Norfolk and Hampton Roads in general

Local resident Helene Clehr joined the OV Sea Hags after seeing the cackling troupe of broom-dancing witches perform during Ocean View's Saint Patrick's Day Parade.

Formed last October by Cheryl Hahn and Jennifer Newby, the 22-member volunteer group consists mostly of crones who spread joy and raise awareness for local nonprofits.

The OV Sea Hags maintain a year-round schedule that includes mixing local history with dance routines, such as performing at the Ocean View Witch Walk at the Mary Pretlow Library on Saturday.

Members supply their own brooms and custom costumes, practicing on Wednesday evenings and welcoming dancers of all skill levels from across the region.

Operating as community ambassadors, the troupe offers older women a supportive outlet to celebrate sisterhood, fun and life experience together.

(Story and photos by Vicki L. Friedman)

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/arts-culture/2026-10-15/brooms-pointy-hats-and-wicked-smiles-the-ov-sea-hags-cast-spells-of-joy-and-fun

My wife and I recently took an Uber from Norfolk to Richmond and had a wonderful conversation with our driver, Larry. We discovered that we were both originally from the Bronx, and we really hit it off. Larry, if you're reading this, I'd love to reconnect! Feel free to send me a private message here on Reddit.

Sometimes you meet the nicest people in the most unexpected places!

Anyone know any tailors in the Hampton Roads area who can fix a broken jacket zipper pin?

As Old Dominion University tries to reinvent itself, and move on from the fatal shooting of an ROTC instructor, the university’s relationship with much of its faculty has collapsed.

What began as professors’ worries over a deviation from a traditional college’s instructional format has snowballed into a belief that the university’s top leadership has no interest in addressing the piling concerns of its classroom educators or retaining those who oppose the changes.

Multiple faculty members described the university as operating under a “culture of fear.” At its very worst, the professors said, many have been fired or have resigned because they are not “sufficiently enthusiastic” about the transformation the college is undertaking.

The angst and distrust has deepened after the March attack. Select members of the faculty assert the university appears to be driven by maintaining its image rather than taking accountability for safety concerns they said predate the Constant Hall shooting. Instead of engaging with the issues they’ve highlighted, the professors said, campus leadership has made a habit of communications that were petty and adversarial.

Brian O. Hemphill, ODU’s president, has a rebuttal — the university had to change, and quickly, or become irrelevant. He dismissed notions that there hasn’t been a cooperative relationship between administration and faculty.

Years ago, the university was losing students and funding was thus drying up. If that steady decline in enrollment had continued, he said, the Norfolk-based university now would be facing reduced budgets, slashed programs and fewer employees.

A program Hemphill said the university spent years developing seeks to address those issues by implementing 8-week, asynchronous, online courses at scale. The initiative is called the Forward-Focused Digital Transformation; it grows upon the existing online ODUGlobal infrastructure. There are nearly 900 of these, often general education, 8-week courses available this fall. Over 500 instructors participated in preparing the rollout.

Enrollment is up — about 24,000 students, more than 7,000 of whom take only online classes, according to the university. Thousands more are enrolled in both online and in-person classes. Student numbers were still increasing as of early October.

The plan has been divisive from the start, Hemphill acknowledged. He knew the initiative was never going to be supported by the faculty without some dissent.

“Am I going to lead and be courageous?” asked Hemphill, in an interview. “Or am I not going to do what’s in the best interest of this campus and this community, even though it’s unpopular?”

Click the link above to read more.

Norfolk City Council effectively banned new Airbnbs and other short-term rental properties in the Willoughby neighborhood this week, voting 7-1 to prohibit new units from operating within 300 feet of existing rentals.

Now, civic league presidents in other parts of Ocean View are wondering whether it’s time to impose similar density restrictions.

“I am not opposed to STRs in general,” said Pete Garner, president of the nearby Greater Pinewell Civic League. “However, I absolutely believe there needs to be limitations on the density within neighborhoods agreed upon by the civic league and city.”

Residents and short-term rental operators packed City Council chambers Tuesday to speak on the zoning restrictions, which ban new short-term rental applications within a 300-foot buffer area of any existing registered short-term rentals in Willoughby Spit. New rentals are also only allowed to be single-family units or duplexes.

Ward 5 Council member Tommy Smigiel, the sole vote against the restrictions, expressed frustration at not being included in the process of creating the new rules. Willoughby is in Ward 1, which is represented by outgoing Vice Mayor Martin Thomas. Thomas did not respond to a request for comment.

Smigiel again expressed concern the effective ban would shift new Airbnbs to other parts of Ocean View. According to the city, around 7-8% of properties in Willoughby are registered short-term rentals. The majority of the city’s 261 registered rental properties are located in Ocean View.

“There has not been public discussion with my civic leagues on the impact that this change will have on the rest of the civic leagues,” Smigiel said.

Garner said the city needs to get ahead of the issue before it causes a larger impact in surrounding communities.

Click the link above to read more.

Norfolk this weekend, by day. Below that, a short list from elsewhere in Hampton Roads.

These come off public listings, so double check before you drive. Times move.

Friday

NEON Nights (NEON District)

Galleries and shops stay open late and the pop-ups spill onto the sidewalks, so the district itself does the navigating for you. Friday 5:30 to 9:30 PM in the NEON District. More details

Mozart's Gran Partita (Attucks Theatre). Virginia Symphony wind players, one focused program, reserved seats. Friday 7:30 PM at 1010 Church St. More details

Saturday

ZooBoo (Virginia Zoo, $8-$30)

Trick-or-treat stations through the Zoo, pumpkin enrichment for the animals, costume contests and a vendor market. Tickets are capped, and the usual ADA admission discount is not offered for this one. Saturday and Sunday 9 AM to 4 PM at 3500 Granby Street. More details

Fall Wine Festival (Town Point Park)

The 38th year of this one, with more than 25 Virginia wineries pouring. Worth knowing the gates stay open until 6 but the pouring stops at 4:30. Saturday and Sunday 11 AM to 6 PM at Town Point Park. More details

Military and Community Helper Family Appreciation Day (MacArthur Memorial, Free)

Built for servicemembers, first responders, teachers and their families, with The Wizard of Oz at 10:30 AM and 2:30 PM, plus crafts while supplies last. The Memorial asks for an RSVP. Saturday at 198 Bank Street. More details

Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival (Stockley Gardens, Free, Drop-in). More than 125 artists across both days, and a free garden party Saturday from 5 to 7. More details

Ocean View Witch Walk: 250 Years of Legends and Lore (Ocean View Beach Park)

The OV Sea Hags run a twilight procession along the bay with music, dance and storytelling checkpoints, pegged to 250 years of Ocean View history. Saturday 6 PM at 100 W Ocean View Ave. More details

Sunday

Special Topics Tour: Angels and Demons (Chrysler Museum of Art, Free)

A docent walks angels and demons across works from several faith traditions. No registration, so you can decide that morning. Sunday 2 to 3 PM at 1 Memorial Pl. More details

Elsewhere in the 757

• Poquoson Seafood Festival (Poquoson, Free admission, $10 cash parking), Friday through Sunday at Poquoson Municipal Park. More details
• Yorktown Victory Weekend (Yorktown), Friday through Sunday, 9 AM to 6 PM daily at Riverwalk Landing and the battlefield. More details
• Ghost Walk at Fort Monroe (Hampton, $28.37), Friday through Sunday from 6 PM, rain or shine. More details

Let me know if I missed anything in Norfolk.

I put out a local newsletter, The 757 Current, with these plus more on Thursday mornings: https://the757current.com/?utm_source=reddit&utm_campaign=norfolk

I’m looking for someone who witnessed a biker swerve to avoid a car and fell on Colley, a little over a week ago, on Wednesday, October 7th around 6-6:30pm, between 44th and 43rd. Thank you.

The owner said one of the employees created it.

okay this is a super long shot but I was tossing and turning and had a core memory come up from summer of 2020.

long story short--

I was in north carolina sometime around June/July of 2020. and I ended up staying in this nature spot ducked off outside of asheville, nc for a couple weeks.

during my time there, I met this guy who said he was from norfolk. y'all he was so cute and I just can't let it go. maybe he will want to reconnect with me too so if this sounds like you or someone you know!! ugh so random, weirdly I feel like there's a chance he isn't even single but worth a shot.

although I dont remember more exact details-- here's what I do remember.

He was like around mid twenties, my guess is he's 32ish now. give or take. couple tattoos, blonde hair I wanna say brown eyes. kinda sweet faced, kinda young in the eyes. has a sweet yet super playful presence, at least I remember he was constantly making jokes, honestly a quick witted person with a healthy mix of sad boy. I wanna say he either played in a band or was an artist. he was staying in this old super rusted out bus for a visit at this artist residency spot. we went to the river together. we acknowledged attraction, but I think he had been recently out of a longterm relationship.

anyways, six or so years later or whatever I hope he's doing good, and he made an impression <3

Looking at new car dealerships only, currently our first pick in a kia niro hybrid , but are still open to other cars

I have to be in Norfolk on Halloween so unless we trick or treat in Norfolk I will miss it this year. Where are some safe places for kids to Trick or treat? And what are their times.

The Stockley Gardens Fall Arts Festival this weekend will transform the verdant Ghent park into a free two-day event featuring more than 115 artists, musicians and food vendors.

The festival includes activities and educational tables for children and artists across various media, including glass, sculpture, photography and painting.

Proceeds from the twice-yearly arts festivals go to Hope House Foundation, the only Virginia organization that provides support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities exclusively in their homes.

The fall festival runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Saturday's musical lineup includes TA Gatling (rock and soul), Tiara & Andrew (alt folk and pop), Jade Loving (pop and rock) and the Indie rock act Community Witch, which will play at the award party beginning at 5.

Sunday's entertainment includes singers from the Virginia Opera, alt-rockers Mike Gomas Jr. and The LifeHacks, and jazz rock act Big Stupid Circle.

The spring and fall festivals generate $80,000, which is used for medical and dental care, clothing, housing and food assistance.

The aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush is back in the Middle East, supporting the U.S. war against Iran after its first port stop in more than six months at sea.

The Norfolk-based carrier arrived in Phuket, Thailand, on Oct. 4 for a five day port visit. The crew of nearly 5,000 sailors were provided tours and attended a U.S. vs. Thailand soccer match before leaving last Friday. It was the ship’s first port visit since leaving Norfolk on March 31, according to the U.S. State Department.

USS Bush has been in the Middle East supporting the U.S. war against Iran. USS Bush had been out to sea for more than six months without a break. 

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/military-veterans/2026-10-14/the-crew-of-the-norfolk-based-uss-george-hw-bush-is-back-in-the-middle-east-after-a-brief-break

My company is working to staff a contract we've won supporting MSC in Norfolk. These are the roles we are looking to fill:

IT Project Manager

Network Engineer

Senior Enterprise Architect

Senior HW/SW Install Technician

Test Engineer

If you have a minimum of a SECRET level clearance and feel you might be qualified, get your resume in order and then hit me up so I can put you in touch with my recruiting team. Thanks!

Norfolk’s Bureau of Cemeteries oversees more than 182,000 graves spanning eight historic municipal sites, including Elmwood Cemetery.

City ordinance requires municipal crews to mow and trim every two weeks, leaving little time for detailed preservation work beyond basic groundskeeping. 

To fill the gap, the city relies on a public-private partnership with the nonprofit Norfolk Society for Cemetery Conservation, which organizes volunteers to clean headstones, remove ivy and repair deteriorating monuments.

Read more here: https://www.whro.org/local-government/2026-10-14/how-norfolk-maintains-tens-of-thousands-of-graves-at-its-historic-cemeteries