[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6657940,"mediaKeyId","5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a","parentId",5063161,"title","Newport News City Council re-adopts budget, approves waterfront grants and infrastructure agreements in unanimous votes","audioSeconds",762,"startMs",1390000,"endMs",2152000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a&start=1390&end=2152","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a/thumbnail_1390000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657940/Newport-News/Lee-Hall-County/Virginia/Newport-News-City-Council-re-adopts-budget-approves-waterfront-grants-and-infrastructure-agreements-in-unanimous-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657940-299c49fd8d373466612510f4ba761ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179456&Signature=XwQGQAei4IKfvjjEKW2eIB5wOuWWm05vpp-ILMGoFZ1l7oVKLbWfZ2XJNK8l~l2CvQpChDmfkT3AyY2X833HduuwRVxWeOVBloYPGNJ3i32qsaMAy4ag0kpyBB9APbX0G9GZJskcM5GTAMwbuWnc0DxkJRi9USc9QdUTzHe2UgGMRzXfZNikOTzBChTufqjQJN8gqut7fyM-v6lQFuMwMt4QD-ElQvptKvCixJqA32J-HSVLpa0CzaSU8c-Qu2r-pqJMAQ4PNE~0kwpnjyIeujdiVS3hK4baKl4UNh0wpn75FkM0H2Avl0L0CyYC2ZLVdT-tU4Yx3PhiDGebVirIuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Newport News City","date","2025-06-24T00:00:00Z","article","Newport News City Council on June 24 re-adopted the city's operating budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2024, and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions to advance waterfront dock work, a downtown lease, interlocal utility agreements and property actions.

The re-adoption of the fiscal 2024'025 budget was approved by a recorded roll-call vote of 7-0. Councilmembers then approved a series of related ordinances and resolutions with no recorded opposition.

Why it matters: the package includes grant-funded work on Jefferson Avenue and the seafood industrial park, a new bulk-water purchase agreement with the city of Williamsburg that will allow Newport News Water Works to provide supplemental water during Williamsburg construction, and property authority to pursue voluntary sale or condemnation checks needed to repair a City-owned bridge structure over CSX railroad tracks.

Key adopted measures and outcomes (motions and roll-call results as recorded at the meeting):

- Readopt FY2024-25 operating budget (ordinance amendment tied to Ordinance No. 7985, as previously amended by Ordinance No. 8007, and Resolution No. 13829). Motion carried by roll call, 7-0; ordinance adopted, 7-0.

- Restriction agreement for 701 Jefferson Avenue: Ordinance authorizing the city manager to execute a restriction agreement among the Economic Development Authority, the City of Newport News and the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Motion and adoption recorded, 7-0.

- Port Host Communities grant for 701 Jefferson Avenue: Ordinance directing the city manager to execute documents to effectuate and implement a Port Host Communities Fund grant for 701 Jefferson Avenue. Motion and adoption recorded, 7-0.

- Lease of Seafood Industrial Park, Parcel 1: Resolution authorizing the lease of city-owned Seafood Industrial Park Parcel 1 by the Economic Development Authority of the City of Newport News. Resolution approved, 7-0.

- Mercury Boulevard bridge access / property acquisition: Ordinance authorizing the city manager to make offers to acquire by voluntary sale or condemnation portions of property needed for repairs to the Mercury Boulevard bridge over the CSX Railway (Route 17), structure No. 1820. Motion and adoption recorded, 7-0.

- Easement to Hampton Roads Sanitation District: Ordinance authorizing and directing the city manager to execute a deed of easement granting additional easements on city-owned property at 100 City Farm Road. Motion and adoption recorded, 7-0.

- Consent items (minutes and a city-code technical amendment): Approved as submitted by a single motion; roll call 7-0.

- Interlocal/billing and utility agreements presented by staff: Several resolutions were approved by roll call, 7-0, including a bulk-water purchase agreement with the city of Williamsburg and an agreement under which Newport News Water Works will bill and collect Hampton sewer and solid-waste fees on the same bill as water service.

- Redevelopment services agreement: Resolution authorizing a FY2026'030 agreement with the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority to support redevelopment in the Southeast community and downtown (includes options for annual renewal tied to CIP funding). Approved 7-0.

- Donation to Bethea Family Foundation: Resolution authorizing donation of lawn equipment to the Bethea Family Foundation for property maintenance under an existing license agreement. The resolution passed with one abstention; the clerk recorded the abstention and a signed written declaration was placed on file. Recorded outcome: motion carried, 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstention.

- Appropriations for seafood-dock work and port-host match: Two appropriations were approved by roll call, 7-0. The council appropriated $1,000,000 in fiscal 2024 Community Project Funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for seafood-market and Seafood Industrial Park dock improvements (dredging, demolition of old piers, installation of new commercial moorings). Council also appropriated $1,600,000 in fiscal 2024 funds that combine an $800,000 Port Host Communities Revitalization Fund grant from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development and the required 1:1 local match; those funds will support dredging, demolition of deteriorated piers, installation of new commercial moorings with shore power and water, and construction of an ADA-compliant floating dock at 917 Jefferson Avenue.

Meeting close: council proceeded through its agenda and, after public comments and council remarks, the mayor declared the meeting adjourned.

Note on recordkeeping and disclosure: where roll-call votes were recorded, the clerk read each council member's name and the recorded response; where a single abstention was recorded for the Bethea Family Foundation equipment donation, the clerk noted a signed conflict-of-interest declaration was filed and the abstention is reflected in the meeting tally.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Jun 24, 2025 Regular City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Newport News City Council on June 24 re-adopted the city's operating budget for the fiscal year that began July 1, 2024, and approved multiple ordinances and resolutions to advance waterfront dock work, a downtown lease, interlocal utility agreements and property actions.","taxTitle","Newport News, Lee Hall County, Virginia","taxId",53170,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657931,"Citizen tells council he has been targeted by hacking and threats, says FBI has been notified",193,2195780,2389359,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a&start=2195&end=2389","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a/thumbnail_2195780.jpg","/articles/6657931/Newport-News/Lee-Hall-County/Virginia/Citizen-tells-council-he-has-been-targeted-by-hacking-and-threats-says-FBI-has-been-notified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657931-737e299447cacdcdd08b0fa5a391a447/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179456&Signature=PodiJK6tUYYzrXDFVwZgj4Gm9JgXnDCxWByQsowU5KrdwTbX9Zht9fbRv9Nk-pLH7~QDO2iFPXPSg0q7kCrD6ACxtRsPFfW9aKkBfSkmcZ-qfxdsr8sOzPE7CY~4b9z95z9OM8mSDMDG9vAIGv~g7ouxMsxDcfsFmtn4~zfnT8xtWxlYRSazYPIB1RGujwUImme5X4oBg-tViXLM0vAj38~NZffte0auCeEfiucabbqRdZ87KVTEF5VfpMr9LpmHN3BPeTsRpq05DkahAhfgf5UKyvqcdJ0HR4zbojjJ~x4WpSzJmqS6jmHgAJxnrLEsby5stlj2ALLISrR5MXe8ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Anderson Cuffee used the citizen-comment period at the June 24 Newport News City Council meeting to outline a personal allegation that he has been the target of hacking, threats and related alleged crimes since October 2020.

Cuffee said the incidents began in October 2020 and involved unauthorized access to his iPhone and MacBook Air, the upload of videos and threatening messages, and ongoing attempts to monitor or intimidate him. He named Tori (Tory) Roberts, identified in his remarks as \"senior pastor\" of the Potter's House Church in Los Angeles, and Roosevelt Stewart, whom he described as another pastor at the same church, as participants in what he characterized as an ongoing pattern of abuse. Cuffee said he fled California during the episode and later moved to Virginia.

Cuffee told council that he has contacted the FBI (including the Los Angeles office and the Norfolk field office) and that local law enforcement is aware of the matters; he said he was told by FBI personnel that the matter was an ongoing investigation and that certain details could not be disclosed to him. He said arrests had not been made and that he planned to keep making the council aware of the issue.

Cuffee additionally said he has experienced email compromise, loss of phone functionality since late February 2024, and other intrusions. He asked the city clerk to accept written materials for the record.

What the council record shows: Cuffee's remarks were delivered as public comment; the council did not take action on the claims during the meeting. Cuffee said federal investigators have been told; the council did not confirm any independent follow-up or direct staff to take action on the record.

Caution on allegations: these are claims made by a member of the public during citizen comment. They were reported here as presented to the council; the claims were not verified by the council during the meeting and no arrests or charges were announced on the record.","During the public-comment period, Anderson Cuffee told the council he has been the target of sustained hacking, threats and doxxing that began in October 2020, named individuals and said he had contacted the FBI and its Norfolk field office; he asked the council to note the problem and to help raise awareness.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657936,"Pastor and volunteer propose St. Paul's assembly hall for holiday meals and evening programming for sailors and downtown residents",216,2397974,2614605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a&start=2397&end=2614","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5063161-c980d1f0bc2e0a5c7b66d8ef376ddc0a/thumbnail_2397974.jpg","/articles/6657936/Newport-News/Lee-Hall-County/Virginia/Pastor-and-volunteer-propose-St-Pauls-assembly-hall-for-holiday-meals-and-evening-programming-for-sailors-and-downtown-residents","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657936-677b34ac0bcebccfd98447eabe9c1868/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179456&Signature=EjYvVcPs3AdcdmWlGsPZPaPoKZTt00bCd8bR~dLpe4Ibtpeznfz0V-P3ur28v57EqLf4XW9XP7n95tDcb-qeWha0JG20s41oKXwLLYl-g9v6uWuAF9fjuOiTnQ7v4Gxl2DR8~y3upK-km-JuOX9kR~CegBp-hgP000H7r3GDc81K5jhqhbkj0HUZsW1zl0NlimBHiAD7~Bu-53ca40imMy8H~IccPlJhE96npYOe1hxWRkv0uLphPOXcZ6ph4JMDqh-fUiFjVlUqgATIjNE97C4MDVKBN4goS2il0UQr72hyUsTWUA3yb0Pw2O6YrWBr2ucI1~kg0cBook465iQ1Yg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the citizen-comment period at the June 24 Newport News City Council meeting, community organizer Alan Tanner introduced Pastor Roberto and Valerie Portis, who described plans to open the assembly hall at St. Paul's Church (22130 Fourth Street) for community programs aimed at shipboard service members and downtown residents.

Pastor Roberto (introduced by Tanner) said he and partners have entered a contractual arrangement concerning St. Paul's and described a vision to revive a \"watch care\" or community-gathering ministry that would welcome military personnel, college students and local workers to a supervised, family-oriented space.

Valerie Portis, who identified herself as a manager of the downtown 7-Eleven that sells gasoline, outlined specific programming she would host in the church's assembly hall: holiday meals (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter), school-drive events, occasional live music, and arcade-style community activities. She said the space would be open to about 8 p.m. to avoid late-night disturbance and to provide a short, safe activity window for sailors and other workers who lack transportation or nearby family during off-hours.

Why it matters: downtown Newport News has a substantial transient military population and residents who may lack evening social options. The proposers said their goal is to provide short-term, supervised social activities and holiday meals that would offer companionship and support without creating a late-night public-safety concern.

Next steps noted in public comment: the speakers said they have a contractual arrangement related to St. Paul's and asked council to be aware of the initiative and to consider city staff support where appropriate. They did not request specific council action during the meeting.

","At the council meeting, a community member introduced Pastor Roberto (public comment) and Valerie Portis, who outlined a plan to use St. Paul's Church assembly hall at 22130 Fourth Street for holiday meals, school drives and evening programming for military personnel and downtown residents.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Newport News City Council re-adopts budget, approves waterfront grants and infrastructure agreements in unanimous votes

Citizen tells council he has been targeted by hacking and threats, says FBI has been notified

Pastor and volunteer propose St. Paul's assembly hall for holiday meals and evening programming for sailors and downtown residents