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Good morning, Scoopers!
Quick heads up for Suffolk families. 📚
Suffolk Public Schools and offices are closed today, Friday, September 4, because Virginia law requires school divisions that start before Labor Day to close the Friday right before the holiday. Schools and offices will also be closed Monday, September 7 for Labor Day.
Enjoy the long weekend, Suffolk. Students and staff return Tuesday, September 8.
In this Suffolk Scoop Issue…
🌦️ Weather
📷 License plate reader program
💙 Goodz Foundation gives back
🍎 Free teacher supply store moves
📅 Events
Let’s get into 👇
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📷 Suffolk Police Explain License Plate Reader Program
The News: Suffolk Police gave City Council a detailed look at the city’s license plate reader program after residents raised privacy and surveillance concerns. Police said the city has 90 fixed readers and 208 readers in marked police vehicles, with the current program in use since 2022. The cameras check plates against state law enforcement hotlists for things like stolen vehicles, stolen plates, wanted people, and missing people.
Why It Matters: Police say the technology has helped with stolen vehicle cases, missing-person investigations, an attempted child abduction, and homicide investigations. But some residents worry about government surveillance, who can access the data, and whether it could be shared beyond Suffolk. Police said the data is kept for 21 days, unless it becomes evidence, and is not shared outside Virginia or with federal agencies.
👉 The Move: Suffolk Police say they will continue updating the department’s Community Transparency Portal with more information about policies, vendors, and audits. This is one to watch because it sits right where public safety and privacy meet.
💙 Goodz Foundation Turns Friendship Into Service in Suffolk
The News: A close group of family and friends from Suffolk is using its bond to give back through the Goodz Foundation. Founded by Warren Beatty in 2019, the group helps students, supports neighbors in need, and connects people with volunteer opportunities across the community.
Why It Matters: The foundation started with the Goodz Giveback & Cookout, where the group packed food, hygiene products, and other essentials for people who needed help. Education has since become a major focus, with back-to-school drives and a new book scholarship that awarded four Suffolk high school seniors $500 each for college books and school needs.
👉 The Move: Follow the Goodz Foundation online for volunteer opportunities, events, and updates on its upcoming 2026-2027 book scholarship application. This is Suffolk people taking care of Suffolk people, and that always deserves a spotlight.
🍎 Teacher Supply Store Moves to Bigger Home in Suffolk
The News: The Teacher Supply Store, a free resource for Suffolk educators, has moved to a bigger space on the third floor of Suffolk Christian Church in downtown Suffolk. The store is a partnership between the Suffolk Education Foundation and Suffolk Public Schools and helps teachers get classroom supplies at no cost.
Why It Matters: Teachers often spend their own money on classroom supplies, so this gives local educators another way to get what they need for students. The store offers items like pencils, staples, copy paper, and organizational materials.
👉 The Move: The official ribbon cutting is September 3 at 1 p.m., and educators can shop starting at 2:30 p.m. The store will be open Thursdays from 2:30 to 6 p.m.
Thursday, September 5
KWPN-NA Dutch Warmblood Keuring – Six Pound Farm | Starts at 8:00 AM
Gospel Fest – Downtown Festival Park (215 W Washington St) | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Band-It Live – Il Paesano Pizza & Grill Click | 7:00 PM – 11:15 PM
Sunday, September 6
Myths & Monsters Market – New Realm Brewing Co. (5941 Harbour View Blvd) | 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Monday, September 7 – Saturday, September 12
Suffolk Plein Air Festival – Historic Downtown Suffolk & Surrounding Waterways
Wednesday, September 9
Suffolk Sheriff's Office Blood Drive – Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Friday, September 11
Suffolk Peanut Fest Golf Tournament – Sleepy Hole Golf Course (4700 Sleepy Hole Rd) | 11:30 AM Registration & Practice | 1:00 PM Shotgun Start
C.A.Y. Live Music Series: Brasswinds – Bridgeport Plaza (3800 block of Bridge Rd / 1400 Bridgeport Way) | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 13
Black Beard's Bounty Bazaar – New Realm Brewing Co. (5941 Harbour View Blvd) | 11:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday, September 17
Oil Painting Class (6-Week Series Begins) – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Youth Programs Meet & Greet – Creekside Recreation Center (1000 Bennetts Creek Park Rd) | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Friday, September 18
Art of Wine Dinner: Collette Mann – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts
Heirloom Sale – Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society (308 N Main St) | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday, September 19
Heirloom Sale – Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society (308 N Main St) | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Nansemond Brewing Re-Grand Opening! Celebrating 7 Years of Craft Beer – Nansemond Brewing Station (212 E Washington St) | 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday, September 25
Marshall Charloff's Purple Piano – Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts | 8:00 PM
Saturday, September 26
Adult Recess: Kickball – Wellons Park – 6:00 PM–9:30 PM
Sunday, September 27
Fall Wine Social – Decoys Seafood | 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Meme of the Day
🍽️ Taste of Suffolk Turns 20
The 20th annual Taste of Suffolk Downtown Street Festival is set for Saturday, September 12, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in historic downtown Suffolk. The fun continues with an After Party from 5 to 8 p.m. at Downtown Festival Park. Expect food, vendors, entertainment, and family-friendly fun across downtown. Check tasteofsuffolkva.com for details.
🌊 Nansemond River Cleanup Coming Up
Help clean up the Nansemond River on Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Constant’s Wharf Park and Marina. Volunteers can help on land or bring their own canoe or kayak. Supplies will be provided, and the cleanup is pet-friendly.
Questions? Contact Keep Suffolk Beautiful at 757-514-7604 or [email protected].
🥜 The 48th Annual Suffolk Peanut Fest returns this October
The 48th Annual Suffolk Peanut Fest returns to Suffolk Executive Airport from October 8 through 11 with country headliner Chris Cagle, a brand-new drone show, a live butterfly walk-through exhibit, and more. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Generations, One Picture Perfect Memory at a Time!” The festival is one of Suffolk’s biggest annual events, and this year’s new drone show and butterfly exhibit give families even more reasons to mark the calendar.
🐾 Two Strays Found in Southern Suffolk
Two strays were found together on August 22, 2026 in the Southern area of Suffolk. Call 757-514-7855, option 2 and reference Log #49193 and #49194.
These animals are not available for adoption.