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Good morning, Scoopers!
Suffolk students have been busy doing some pretty cool things lately.
🧠 Nansemond-Suffolk Academy: Aidan DeFeo, Chase Eliason, Jack Kokosinski, and Grant Starkey traveled to Richmond for the first round of Battle of the Brains, the high school academic quiz show.
🚢 JFK STEM in Action: JFK Wolverines spent the day at Norfolk Naval STEM Day, exploring shipyard history and getting hands-on with engineering, electrical, quality assurance, and rapid prototyping teams.
Brains, boats, and big future plans. Not a bad way to start the morning. 😄👏
In this Suffolk Scoop Issue…
🌦️ Weather
🏙️ Downtown Suffolk’s next chapter is starting to take shape
🖥️ Suffolk temporarily hits pause on data centers
⚠️ Suffolk confirms its sixth rabies case this year
📅 Local events
Let’s get into it 👇
Many parents blamed themselves, or their kids, for the hours lost to the feed. But legal claims allege social media companies built in psychological triggers on purpose: intermittent rewards, endless scrolling, toxic social comparison, and recommendation engines that pull kids into content rabbit holes.
Now families are filing legal claims against platforms like Instagram and TikTok.
You may be eligible if:
Excessive social media use started under age 18
There was a diagnosis of an eating disorder, severe anxiety, depression, or self-harm
ClaimsHero checks whether you qualify for a claim and gets your family justice. Nothing upfront. We only get paid if your claim is successful.
🏙️ Downtown Suffolk’s Next Chapter Is Starting to Take Shape
The News: Suffolk is considering updates to its Downtown Master Plan that could include a possible Amtrak passenger stop, improvements at Peanut Park, and new redevelopment sites. Other projects already moving forward include new offices at the former Virginian-Pilot building, a $1.9 million restoration and plaza at the historic Phoenix Bank of Nansemond, and the proposed MLK memorial at Peanut Park.
Why It Matters: Taken together, these projects could significantly reshape downtown Suffolk over the next several years, bringing more activity, investment, public spaces, and historic preservation.
👉 The Move: The Downtown Master Plan update is still in progress. Watch for public input opportunities and City Council discussions as these projects move forward.
🖥️ Suffolk Temporarily Hits Pause on Data Centers
The News: Suffolk City Council voted unanimously to approve a temporary moratorium on data centers, giving the city time to create rules before new projects can move forward. Hospitals and businesses with their own computer network hubs are exempt.
Why It Matters: Suffolk wants regulations in place before large data center projects arrive. A draft under discussion could limit them to manufacturing zones, require soundproofing, restrict generator testing hours, prohibit well water use, and require underground transmission lines.
👉 The Move: Watch for the Planning Commission and City Council to bring back final data center regulations in the months ahead.
⚠️ Suffolk Confirms Sixth Rabies Case This Year
The News: A skunk picked up in the 1700 block of White Marsh Road has tested positive for rabies, marking Suffolk’s sixth confirmed case of 2026. Earlier cases this year have involved other wild and stray animals, and Virginia health officials have also reported increased rabies activity statewide.
Why It Matters: Rabies is preventable with prompt treatment, but once symptoms appear it is almost always fatal. Residents should avoid wild or stray animals, keep pets current on rabies vaccinations, and seek medical care after any bite or scratch.
👉 The Move: If your pet had contact with a wild animal, call Suffolk Animal Control at 757-514-7855 or the Suffolk Health Department at 757-514-4751.
Thursday, October 22
INTALEK & Friends: Hip Hop Art After Hours – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts (110 W Finney Ave) | 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday, October 23
First Annual Peanut Crawl – Suffolk Visitor Center Click to open side panel for more information (524 N Main St) | 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
Slime, Science & Smores – Parent's Night Out – Jungle Jamz Play Cafe (1238 Holland Rd, Suite 105) | 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
C.A.Y. (Centered Around You) Live Music Series – Bridgeport Plaza (1400 Bridgeport Way / 3800 block of Bridge Rd) | 6:00 PM
Outdoors at the Center – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Click to open side panel for more information (110 W Finney Ave) | 6:00 PM
Wicked Wheels Bike Ride – Lone Star Lakes Park (401 Kings Hwy) | 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Saturday, October 24
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
Saturday, October 24 – Friday, December 4
Suffolk Art League's 2026 Annual Juried Show "Fresh Squeezed" – Suffolk Art Gallery (118 Bosley Ave)
Sunday, October 25
Hallowpaws Pet Costume Contest & Local Market – Bridgeport Plaza (1400 Bridgeport Way) | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Sunday, November 8 – Sunday, November 15
Suffolk Restaurant Week – Participating Restaurants Throughout Suffolk, VA
Meme of the Day
Howl-O-Scream Teen Trip
Suffolk Parks & Recreation is taking teens ages 13–17 to Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream on Friday, Oct. 30. Registration is required and the cost is $30 per person.
🚌 East Suffolk Recreation Center: Depart 4:30 p.m., return 11:30 p.m.
📍 138 S. Sixth St.
🚌 Bennett’s Creek Recreation Center: Depart 5 p.m., return 11 p.m.
📍 1500 Bennetts Creek Park Rd.
📞 757-514-4500
📧 [email protected]
🎃 Fright Night
Suffolk Parks & Recreation is hosting Fright Night on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m. at three locations across the city.
📍 Curtis Milteer Recreation Center
132 Robertson Street
📍 East Suffolk Recreation Center
138 South Sixth Street
📍 Creekside Recreation Center
1000 Bennetts Creek Park Road
Families can enjoy candy, face painting, a haunted house, bounce house, games, contests, and free candy bags for kids while supplies last.
📞 757-514-7250
🫡 Salute to Veterans Stall Crawl
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. 🐴
📣 Sponsored by The Pink Box Sweets
🎃 Halloween Treat Night at The Pink Box
Join The Pink Box Sweets on Thursday, Oct. 29 from 3–7 p.m. for Halloween treats, giveaways, and Pink Box Bucks.
🎁 First and last costumed customers win prizes
💰 Spend $18+ and get $5 Pink Box Bucks for November
🧁 Cupcake giveaway on Instagram
📍 5860 Harbour View Blvd., Suite B2, Suffolk
Pre-orders are encouraged.
📲 757-679-3144
🌐 thepinkboxsweets.com
Come dressed up, grab something sweet, and enjoy a little Halloween fun. 🎃🧁
🐾 Two Strays Found Together in North Suffolk
These two strays were found together on Oct. 19 in the Northern area of Suffolk.
Log #49561 & #49562
📞 757-514-7855, option 2
These animals are not available for adoption.
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