Good morning, Scoopers!

💙 A big round of applause for Carol Hulbert, The Suffolk Center's first-ever Volunteer of the Year! 🎉

And a special thank-you to Mildred Turner, who has dedicated an incredible 21 years of volunteer service to The Suffolk Center! 👏

It's people like Carol and Mildred who make Suffolk such a special place. Thank you both for giving your time and heart to our community! ❤️

🌦️ Weather

🏫 What Suffolk’s $175K school audit actually found

🎓 Why Dr. Okema Harper was chosen for a national leadership academy

🏈 A Suffolk native makes his NFL comeback

📅 Local events

Let’s get into it 👇

The News: Suffolk Public Schools’ $175,000 forensic audit reviewed more than 14,000 disbursements and 7,000 deposits from fiscal years 2023 through 2025. Auditors found no evidence of systemic misappropriation, but they did identify weaknesses in documentation and internal controls, along with 12 recommendations for improvement.

Why It Matters: The audit followed months of concern over school spending and financial oversight. While no pattern of theft was found, the district still has work to do tightening its financial controls.

👉 The Move: The School Board is expected to hear the district’s corrective action plan on Oct. 22. That’s the next date to watch.

Learn More…

The News: Dr. Okema Harper was selected as one of just 25 Black women educational leaders nationwide for the inaugural NABSE Black Women Superintendent Academy, created through a partnership between the National Alliance of Black School Educators and Howard University’s School of Education.

Why It Matters: The program includes professional learning, executive coaching, mentorship, and access to experienced education leaders. Selection came through a national application and interview process.

👉 The Move: Congratulations, Dr. Harper! That’s a big national recognition for a Suffolk educator.

The News: Suffolk native Deatrich Wise Jr. returned to the field for the Washington Commanders after 395 days away recovering from a torn quadricep. In his first game back, he recorded three tackles against the New York Giants.

Why It Matters: Wise grew up in Chuckatuck and attended Oakland Elementary and King’s Fork Middle School. His return comes after missing 19 games while working his way back from a major injury.

👉 The Move: One of Suffolk’s own is back on an NFL field. Keep an eye on Wise as he continues his comeback

Learn More…

Dancing Through the Decades – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts (110 W Finney Ave) | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

INTALEK & Friends: Hip Hop Art After Hours – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts (110 W Finney Ave) | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM

3rd Annual Fall Market on the Farm – Little Acre Farm LLC (7981 Carr Ln) | 9:00 AM onwards

The Pumpkin Patch at Chuckatuck Library – Suffolk Public Library (Chuckatuck branch) (5881 Godwin Blvd) | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

The Witching Hour: A Spooktacular Market & Movie Night – Suffolk Visitor Center (524 N Main St) | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Suffolk Art League's 2026 Annual Juried Show "Fresh Squeezed" – Suffolk Art Gallery (118 Bosley Ave)

Hallowpaws Pet Costume Contest & Local Market – Bridgeport Plaza (1400 Bridgeport Way) | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Suffolk Restaurant Week – Participating Restaurants Throughout Suffolk, VA

The Salute to Veterans Stall Crawl is set for Sunday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Suffolk.

The event brings together three local barns for one patriotic day of horses, community, and honoring veterans. 🐴

These two pups were found together on October 10 in southern Suffolk. Do you recognize them?

📋 Log #49493 & #49494
📞 Call 757-514-7855 with any information.

❤️ Please note: These dogs are NOT available for adoption.