May 23, 1981

Staff

Published Sunday, May 23, 2004

Stories featured in the Suffolk News-Herald on this date 23 years ago include:

Two arrested in drug bust

The biggest on-shore drug bust in Virginia history has netted 15,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $5 million, two suspects and a small cache of arms, said state police Saturday.

Kyle E. West, 32, of Ivor and Timothy S. Provo of Newport News were charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. They were each held on $500,000 bond, said Dennis Robertson, special agent in charge.

More arrests were anticipated after Friday's raid on a "stash house" where marijuana was found in an isolated area of Isle of Wight County.

West and Provo did not resist arrest when authorities raided the house about 5 p.m., Robertson added.

"We caught them completely by surprise," he said.

City denies error in rezoning suit

The city of Suffolk denied several charges filed against it by a Suffolk farmer who alleges a vote by the city council to approve a multi-family rezoning request was illegal.

Lester Mansfield, who lives near the proposed townhouse location on Nansemond Parkway, filed suit against the city and the Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority in late April.

Suffolk attorneys denied charges that Mayor George Barnett was improperly influenced to issue a tie-breaking vote in favor of the rezoning request because the housing director, Judson Barnett, is his son-in-law.

The city also denied charges filed by Mansfield that a conditional zoning provision is illegal.

Canine officer joins downtown police beat

Suffolk Patrolman William S. Coco spent Saturday and will spend most of Monday fulfilling a lifelong dream-walking a beat with a canine partner.

Coco and Thor, a German shepherd police dog, were asked to patrol the downtown area where a number of purse snatchings have recently occurred. Coco, who has worked with Thor for about a year, was more than happy to comply.

As he told Denison's manager and owner Gene Denison, he jumped so high with joy that the "chief now has to repair the hole in the ceiling."

Coco, who volunteered his time off to patrol during the Memorial Day weekend, said he was glad for the opportunity to get more street experience with his canine partner owner said, Gene Denison, he jumped so high with joy that the "chief now has to repair the hole in the ceiling."

Suffolk college branch meets the city residents' needs

It all began in the fall of 1979. Paul D. Camp Community College, perceiving a need in this area, opened its Suffolk center in a renovated elementary school. And it has been growing ever since.

According to Tom Tarantelli, a counselor for Paul D. Camp Community College who splits his time between the Suffolk center and the Franklin campus, the Suffolk branch was mapped out after Dr. Perry Adams, college president at the time, and several Suffolk people "believed the market here in Suffolk was not being tapped." With the rise in transportation costs and desire local residents voiced to take on a few classes, the Suffolk center idea was put into action

The Suffolk center occupies the former John Randolph Elementary School, which was closed in June 1979. The community college began renting the building from the city and with a few changes, turned it from a school for children into one for adults.

Turner to lead state's jewelers

A Suffolk jeweler has been elected president of the Virginia Jewelers Association.

A. Johnson Turner, president and manager of Brewer Jewelry Co. Inc, was elected president of the statewide association during the group's annual convention May 17-19 at Virginia Beach.

Turner will serve as president from 1981-82. He has served as former director for six years and second vice president for the past two years.

- Compiled by Allison T. Williams

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