Jeff Sheler

Column | Study would help determine new plan for city jail

hamptonroads.com — When the City Council this week takes up the proposed operating budget for fiscal 2014, it also will consider whether to begin looking for a permanent solution to crowding at the city's jail.

Column | You have one more shot at budget input

hamptonroads.com — If you have concerns, comments or questions about the city's tax and spending plan for next fiscal year, you'll have one last chance to voice them next week. The City Council is scheduled to hold a second and final public hearing May 14 on the proposed $910.5 million budget submitted last month by City Manager James Baker.

CMNewsome: 1st day as the new Suffolk ...

twitter.com — 1st day as the new Suffolk city hall reporter for @PilotNews Wish me luck! Check out my new digs... pic.twitter.com/bIfwNIgYTi

Column | Your flood insurance set to go up bigtime

hamptonroads.com — If you live or own property in a flood-prone zone, you've probably already heard the bad news: Your flood insurance is about to go through the ceiling. Due to changes in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), flood-insurance rates in the city soon will go up by 25 to 850 percent, City Council members were told last week.

Column | New to your city, but not to the game

hamptonroads.com — Hello Chesapeake. I'm Jeff Sheler, and I'm happy to make your acquaintance. For the next little while, you'll be seeing my name - and sometimes my face (and for that I apologize) - on Pilot and Clipper stories emanating from City Hall.

Suffolk budget plan has 6-cent real estate tax hike

hamptonroads.com — SUFFOLK With property values down for a fifth straight year, city leaders Wednesday offered a budget blueprint that raises the real estate tax rate, boosts school funding and holds most other spending in check. The proposed $179.3 million operating budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 reflects a $5.7 million increase from this year.

Column | New homes, new hope coming

hamptonroads.com — SUFFOLK A mini-construction boom will soon get under way in the East Suffolk Gardens neighborhood off of White Marsh Road, east of downtown. City Council agreed March 20 to hand over 3.1 acres of city-owned land on Lake Kennedy Drive to Housing Hampton Roads Inc., a subsidiary of Habitat for Humanity, which plans to build up to a dozen houses for low-to-moderate income families.

Suffolk to ban dog-tethering

hamptonroads.com — SUFFOLK After months of wrangling over the details, the city is about to go from being one of the most lenient to one of the toughest on dog owners who leave their pets tethered and unattended outdoors. The City Council voted 6-2 to enact an outright ban