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Articles by Connie Morrison
Reader agrees with letter decrying country’s turmoil
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2026 9:00 am Independent Newsmedia By Connie Morrison | Sun City West Although I have been a Democrat for many years, I have voted Republican on occasion. I proudly voted for John McCain for senator because he exemplified honor and integrity. These are qualities completely lacking in today’s GOP. Today, Americans in Democratic cities are being terrorized by masked, armed ICE agents.
Reader agrees with letter decrying country’s turmoil
Posted Tuesday, February 10, 2026 9:00 am Independent Newsmedia By Connie Morrison | Sun City West Although I have been a Democrat for many years, I have voted Republican on occasion. I proudly voted for John McCain for senator because he exemplified honor and integrity. These are qualities completely lacking in today’s GOP. Today, Americans in Democratic cities are being terrorized by masked, armed ICE agents.
Sun City West reader responds to Hanson letter on civility
Latest Opinions on YourValley.net OPINION — It is with no slight amusement that I perused Katharine Hanson’s letter of 1/7/2026 decrying my overly dramatic and unsupported rhetoric regarding President Trump’s actions. Her ongoing angst over my letter of 12/17/2025 strikes me as somewhat disingenuous. OPINION — Jan. 12 marks National Pharmacists Day — a time to thank pharmacists for the contributions they make in health care. It also marks the beginning of the 2026 Arizona legislative session.
Reader stands by comments on Trump
Latest Opinions on YourValley.net OPINION — In response to Katharine Hanson’s opinion letter of Dec. 10, 2025, I’m amused that she feels I have “fanned political friction” through hyperbole concerning President Trump’s actions over the last several months. OPINION — The holiday season is often a time of joy, family and togetherness, but it also can be a period marked by loneliness, grief and emotional complexity. OPINION — In her Dec.
Response to Goncalves letter on political temperature
Latest Opinions on YourValley.net Regarding the letter, Political temperature letters make me laugh , sent in by Jean Goncalves of Sun City West: With all due respect to Ms. Goncalves, I would be thrilled if President Trump … During National Homelessness Awareness Month each November, we are reminded of the complicated and deeply human realities of homelessness.
Chincoteague Ponies Delight in Annual Beach Walk
By Connie Morrison — Silhouetted by the rising sun, and following a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, the northern herd of Chincoteague’s famous ponies, marshaled by the stalwart Saltwater Cowboys, made its annual trek down the beach around 7 a.m. Monday. The beach walk has become a favorite of visitors during Pony Penning week, as evidenced by the estimated thousands of spectators. Marty and Amanda O’Bryan traveled from Kentucky to attend Pony Penning for the first time.
Reported Seine Net Break Causes Dead Menhaden to Wash Up in Northampton
By Connie Morrison – Residents of Silver Beach are reeling from the stench of thousands of rotting fish carcasses that are washing onto shore and they say Omega Protein’s menhaden fishing is to blame. “Boats were so close to shore which is troublesome as our waters and existing marine life are being adversely affected,” wrote Gail Kleintop in a message to the Post. She was visiting Silver Beach over the holiday weekend.
Chincoteague Seafood Festival Returns This Year For 68th Run
Heather and Trae Crenshaw, of Smithfield, Va., created a cozy spot to enjoy the seafood festival. The pair had their second date five years ago at the festival and have been married for a year. Photo by Connie Morrison. By Connie Morrison – On-and-off drizzle didn’t seem to hamper attendance or enthusiasm for this year’s annual festival.
Accomack Approves $74M 2023 Budget, Sends Cigarette Tax to Hearing
By Connie Morrison – The Accomack County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved fiscal year 2023 budget and the county’s capital improvement plan Monday in a special meeting held at Metompkin Elementary. The $74 million budget includes revenue from a planned tax on cigarettes.
Rocket Lab Breaks Ground on Wallops Island Manufacturing Plant
Dignitaries break ground on site of the future Rocket Lab manufacturing facility at Wallops Island. Photo by Jim Ritch. By Connie Morrison — Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck brought his family from New Zealand to the Eastern Shore for the groundbreaking on a 250,000-square-foot rocket manufacturing complex just outside the entrance to Wallops Island launch facility on a 28-acre parcel that formerly held nine poultry houses. Beck and his family were joined by Gov.
Eastern Shore Christmas Lights Tour: Southern Accomack
One of several decorated homes and lawns on Hall Street, Onancock. By Connie Morrison — Onancock is definitely a hot spot for Christmas lights. This Christmas town is incandescent. Entering Onancock on Market Street from U.S. Route 13, it’s hard to miss the glow of an entire block on Hall Street, on the left just before the car wash. Residents on both sides of the street participate and this location seems to get brighter — and have more inflatables — every year.
Eastern Shore Christmas Lights Tour: Northampton
A winter wonderland at 20190 Seaside Road. Photo by Jim Ritch. By Connie Morrison – Let your inner child delight at 20190 Seaside Road, where a winter wonderland awaits, packed with more than 70 inflatables. Proceed south on Seaside Road, turning right on Sunnyside, to 5317 Sunnyside Road. Terry Thomas’ elegant white lights and a dazzling white cut-out manger scene are accompanied by music.
A musical gift for my first Christmas with Jim
Christmas has always been a happy time for me and now, without Jim, I have many memories of happiness for comfort. I remember one Christmas in particular as I think about the holidays of the past. It was 1963 and my first Christmas with Jim as his wife. He was an Airman Second Class at Dover Air Force Base and, of course, we were poor. I think his monthly allotment was something like $125. Credit cards were still in the future and our rented living quarters were tiny.
Uniformed Eastville Officer Spotted Placing Campaign Signs
An Eastville police officer places campaign signs Tuesday morning in front of the Northampton Voter Registrar’s office. Submitted photo by Patrick Gordon Oliver. By Connie Morrison — An Eastville police officer — in uniform and driving a police vehicle — was photographed placing election signs in front of the Northampton County voter registrar’s office this week. A reader forwarded photos to the Eastern Shore Post taken Monday, Oct. 25, around 7:45 a.m. Eastville police officer Maj.
Shore Track and Field Athletes Shine at State Tournament
Members of Nandua’s track teams pause for a group photo at the state tournament held June 19 in Harrisonburg, Va. Not pictured: Madison Johnson. Photo by Courtney Harned.
New Virginia Labor Law Puts Accomack in a Bind for Overtime
By Connie Morrison — Despite a carefully planned and adopted budget, Accomack County could face a budget shortfall of an estimated $241,000, thanks to the Virginia Overtime Wage Act, which was passed by the General Assembly in its last special session and goes into effect July 1. Under the act, employers must pay hourly and salaried nonexempt workers for all hours worked over 40 hours per week. Nonexempt employees have little say in how their work is done and are directly supervised by managers.
Motorists Rush To Fill Up, Government Officials Seek to Reassure
Cars are queued at Royal Farms gas pumps in Onley. Photo by Connie Morrison. By Connie Morrison — Eastern Shore motorists were filling up on the way home from work Tuesday, the same day Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency to address disruptions from a cyberattack that shut down a 5,500-mile pipeline that supplies fuel to the southeast United States.
Michael Teets: One-of-a-Kind Teacher, Musician, and Friend
By Connie Morrison — Michael Teets was destined to have a music-filled life, said his cousin Jody Leonard. As an 8-year-old, he drank in organist Diane Bish’s “The Joy of Music” on PBS at Leonard’s house, a show in which Bish plays and demonstrates features of pipe organs around the world. At just 4 or 5 years old, he would hear music and try to pick out the tunes on the piano.
All Accomack County Public Schools Learning Will Be Virtual or Remote Effective Jan. 11
By Connie Morrison — Households with students in Accomack County Public Schools, as well as teachers, will have to shift gears quickly because beginning tomorrow, Monday, Jan. 11, all students will be moved to virtual or remote learning. Parents began reporting the calls and emails announcing the change beginning around 7:30 p.m. Sunday night. Accomack County Public Schools Superintendent Chris Holland told a Post reporter the change is until further notice.
Accomack Airport Hangar Survives Budget Battle
By Connie Morrison Its future was in question after Gov. Ralph Northam asked for funding to be struck for a new $2 million hangar at the Accomack County Airport, but on Nov. 18 the governor signed the biennial budget amendments with the airport funding intact. Del. Rob Bloxom introduced the funding request during the General Assembly special session. “This long-fought battle was won with the help of Sen.
World War II News Clippings Could Be Family Treasures
This news clipping about Thomas Windsor Mears' Navy service during WWII is one of many collected by Doris Edwards Lewis. Her children found the clippings in her belongings after Lewis' death. By Connie Morrison — Peggy Holloway and her brothers were going through the belongings of her late parents, Clarence and Doris Edwards Lewis, and came across newspaper clippings her mother had collected of Eastern Shore servicemen during World War II.
Coronavirus Reported at Chincoteague Elementary
By Connie Morrison — Add Chincoteague Elementary to the list of local schools where coronavirus cases have been recorded. Accomack County Schools Superintendent W.C. “Chris” Holland alerted parents Nov. 10 via letter that a Chincoteague Elementary student or staff member has been diagnosed with coronavirus, the virus that causes COVID-19 disease. “This person was on school premises on November 9, 2020 and did have direct exposure with several members of our community,” Holland said in the letter.
Nandua Middle and Kegotank Elementary Each Post Coronavirus Case
By Connie Morrison — Accomack County Public Schools Superintendent W.C. “Chris” Holland notified parents by letter Monday, Nov. 9, of a coronavirus case at each of two schools: Kegotank Elementary and Nandua Middle School. “Our school division is informing parents and guardians that a student or staff member has been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19),” Holland wrote to Kegotank parents.
Metompkin Is Latest School With Coronavirus Case
By Connie Morrison — Accomack Public Schools Superintendent W.C. “Chris” Holland informed parents by letter Wednesday that a student or staff member at Metompkin Elementary has been diagnosed with coronavirus. “This person was on school premises on October 28, 2020 and did have direct exposure with several members of our community,” Holland said in the letter, which can be read in its entirety here.
Shore Mourns Death of Educator, Community Leader Savage-Wells
By Connie Morrison — Shore native and longtime Nandua educator and forensics coach Carla Savage-Wells, 61, died Sunday at her home in Virginia Beach. Savage-Wells had been battling cancer and confronted the challenge as she did everything: with strength, dignity, and style. She posted prolifically on social media, a practice that continued throughout her chemotherapy and hospital stays. The selfies and inspirational quotes that fill her Facebook timeline convey wit, wisdom, warmth, and faith.
Arcadia Middle School Staff Member Tests Positive for COVID-19
By Connie Morrison — Accomack County Pubilc Schools Superintendent Chris Holland confirmed Monday afternoon, Oct. 26, that a staff member at Arcadia Middle School has tested positive for COVID-19. Holland said that upon learning of the COVID-19 case, the school division followed its COVID-19 protocol and contacted the health department. He declined to say whether the case affected a classroom or a larger area of the school. “School will be open tomorrow,” was all he would confirm.
Carla Savage-Wells Named to Nandua Athletic/Academic Hall of Fame
Carla Savage-Wells speaks from behind a lectern during a high school forensics event during her early days of coaching the Nandua High School forensics team. Submitted photo. By Connie Morrison — Longtime Nandua High School forsensics coach Carla Savage-Wells was this year’s Nandua 2020 Athletic/Academic Hall of Fame inductee. Forensics — public speaking and debate — in its competitive form is organized under the Virginia High School Athletic League.
U.S. Navy Plane Crashes in Bloxom
U.S. Navy E2 aircraft. U.S. Navy photo. By Carol Vaughn and Connie Morrison — A Navy aircraft crashed Monday afternoon in a soybean field off Mason Road in Bloxom, triggering a massive emergency response. The crash was reported around 4:05 p.m. The plane was a Navy E-2C Hawkeye aircraft, the kind that practices touch-and-go operations at NASA Wallops Flight Facility.
$4.5M Allocated for Virginia Fishermen; Where’s the Excitement?
Waterman Scott Wivell, of Cape Charles, tongs for oysters. Photo by Rachel Stevens, Bayside Studios. Used with permission. By Connie Morrison — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced earlier this month the allocation of $300 million of CARES Act funding for fisheries and the seafood industry, with just over $4.5 million headed to Virginia. The funding was ballyhooed by Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine in a press release.
Northampton County Has Highest COVID-19 Fatality Rate in the State
By Connie Morrison — The Virginia Department of Health has reported a COVID-19 death each of the last four days, including in the data released Sunday, May 17, bringing the total COVID-19 related deaths in Northampton County to nine. Accomack County also has nine deaths attributed to COVID-19. Northampton County has the highest rate of deaths from COVID-19 in the state at 77 per 100,000. The next highest rate is 67 deaths per 100,000 in Page County, in the Shenandoah Valley.
Governor Grants Accomack 2-Week Delay, Putting Brakes on Chincoteague's Reopening Plans
By Connie Morrison — The office of Gov. Ralph Northam issued a notice late Thursday afternoon that the governor had approved Accomack County’s request to delay its move into Phase One of reopening, extending the current level of business restrictions two more weeks, until 11:59 p.m., May 28, 2020, and classifying the county as a Phase Zero jurisdiction.
Two More ESVA Long-Term Care Facilities Have COVID-19 Outbreaks
Shore Health and Rehabilitation is alleged to be the site of the second of three COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care facilities on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. By Connie Morrison — Two more Eastern Shore long-term care facilities have been added to the tally of local coronavirus outbreaks. The Virginia Department of Health lists eight outbreaks on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, three of which are at long-term care facilities.
Eastern Shore Counties Have 2nd and 3rd Highest COVID-19 Case Rates in State
By Connie Morrison — As of Sunday morning, May 3, Accomack county had 400 confirmed COVID-19 cases and Northampton had 134. There have been six deaths related to COVID-19 in Accomack and one in Northampton, and a combined 25 hospitalizations — 21 in Accomack and four in Northampton. The new cases place Accomack and Northampton in the second and third highest rates of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 residents on the commonwealth at 1,234 and 1,142, respectively.
National Guard Testing Heritage Hall Residents, Staff for Coronavirus
Heritage Hall in Nassawadox on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Photo by Connie Morrison. By Connie Morrison and Carol Vaughn — The National Guard is helping test residents and staff of Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Nassawadox for COVID-19, according to a spokesperson for American Healthcare, the facility’s parent company. The Virginia Department of Health called in the Guard for support as they seek to do more testing across the state, according to American Healthcare spokesperson Jennifer Eddy.
Businesses Feeling Effect of COVID-19 Community Spread
By Connie Morrison — As the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s COVID-19 case numbers surpassed 100 Friday, and Gov. Ralph Northam outlined the process for easing restrictions on Virginia businesses, some workplaces were feeling the effects of community spread of the disease. Accomack County on Friday had 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and Northampton had 15, according to the Virginia Department of Health website http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus/.
DJ Grushon Wilson Gets the Groove On for ESVA Every Tuesday Night
Grushon “Crush Groovey” Wilson DJs a #ESVATuesday online dance party. Wilson hosts the online events every Tuesday night from 7-10 p.m. on his Facebook page. Photo is a screenshot from a video posted on Wilson’s Facebook page. By Connie Morrison — Globetrotting DJ and Eastern Shore native Grushon Wilson might live in Richmond, Va., now, but his roots pull him back to the Eastern Shore every Tuesday night for the biggest virtual party around, #ESVATuesdays.
Accomack Sees Five New Cases of COVID-19, Bringing Shore Total to 24
By Connie Morrison — As the Accomack County Board of Supervisors closed out its monthly meeting Wednesday night, April 15, Supervisor Donald Hart gave them some breaking news: “While we’ve been at this meeting, I just was notified that we’ve had five new cases of the coronavirus today in Accomack County.” A check of the Virginia Department of Health’s online data portal showed four new cases in Accomack County as of 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning.
Parksley Community Services Board Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
By Connie Morrison — Eastern Shore Community Services Board Executive Director Lisa “MiMi” Sedjat said an employee at CSB’s Parksley location has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Because that employee was in direct contact with clients and other employees, more people have been placed in quarantine. “We gave the health department the list that they requested, which was anyone who was in 6 feet or less distance for more than 10 minutes at a time … from March 29 to April 6,” she said.
Eastern Shore Fisherman Says ‘Farmers of the Water’ Are Hurting
Former U.S. Rep. Scott Taylor (second from left) and Del. Rob Bloxom (right) join local fishers Katie (left) and Jim Dawson (second from right) to show support for fishermen. Submitted photo. By Connie Morrison — Even though he works in isolation, Chincoteague waterman Jim Dawson says he and other fishermen are feeling the effects of COVID-19. Dawson, one of Virginia’s largest sea bass harvesters, says markets for fresh fish have dried up leaving him with nowhere to sell his product.
New Church Man Charged With 3 Convenience Store Robberies
Accomack County Sheriff Todd Wessells. By Connie Morrison — A New Church man was arrested and charged with robbing the Oak Hall Corner Mart at gunpoint March 26 and two other recent convenience store robberies, according to a press release from the Accomack County Sheriff’s Department. The Oak Hall robbery was reported around 9:51 p.m., March 26, according to the release.
Chincoteague Mayor Orders Island Lodgings To Close
Chincoteague Mayor Arthur Leonard (right) and Vice Mayor Denise Bowden. Photo by Linda Cicoira. By Connie Morrison — Chincoteague Mayor J. Aurthur Leonard gave lodging providers until noon Sunday, March 29, to close for business and remain closed until April 27.
Gov. Northam Daily Briefing: 'We Are Still in the Early Stages'
The sign at the Roseland Theatre in Onancock displays a message of encouragement on Thursday, March 19, 2020. Photo by Carol Vaughn. By Connie Morrison — At 11 a.m. Sunday, a time, said Gov. Ralph Northam, “when many Virginians would ordinarily be sitting in a church pew,” the governor again briefed Virginia on the COVID-19 state of emergency.
A Moving Tribute
American Legion Northampton Post 56 members Merchelle Enright, Past Post Commander Glenn Purvis, Second Vice Commander Dave Krough, and Bill Lewis, turn out the colors Feb. 11, 2020, at the corner of Cherrystone Road and U.S. Route 13 in honor of a fallen hero, Lt. Col. Paul K Voss. Photo Courtesy of Barron Downing, Cheriton Volunteer Fire Department. By Connie Morrison It was a dreary day, several people in the office announced.
Accomack Sheriff's Office Investigates Death
By Connie Morrison — The Accomack County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a man found early this morning in Onancock. According to a press release from Sheriff Todd E. Godwin, his office received a report around 1:42 a.m. on Dec. 13 of shots fired on Jacob Street. Responding deputies found a male subject “lying in the living room floor suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.” The victim later died from his injuries.
More PFAS Investigations For Chincoteague Water Supply
By Connie Morrison — A federal agency has agreed to investigate whether per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), the toxins identified in April 2017 in the Town of Chincoteague’s drinking water, were present before April 2017. PFAS are man-made industrial chemicals manufactured since the 1940s that are persistent in the environment and in the human body.
Supervisors Proceed With Accommodations for ‘No Excuse’ Absentee Voting
By Connie Morrison Voters and public safety communications were on the minds of Accomack supervisors Wednesday night as they considered two major initiatives. The first was characterized by supervisors as an unfunded mandate from the state: renovating a building to house the county registrar to accommodate the anticipated increase in absentee voters after the Virginia General Assembly approved a “no excuse” absentee voting law this year that goes into effect for the 2020 general elections next.
Suntrust To Sell Onancock, Cheriton Branches
By Connie Morrison — SunTrust branches in Onancock and Cheriton are among 30 being sold to First Horizon Bank as part of the $66 billion BB&T/SunTrust merger approval announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ conditioned its approval on the sale of 28 SunTrust branches “to resolve antitrust concerns arising from BB&T’s proposed merger with SunTrust,” according to a DOJ press release. Two more branches were added to the sale to bring the total number of branches being sold to 30.
Bloxom Urges Decision on HRSD in Time for State Budget Request
By Connie Morrison If local officials want funding in the state budget for the proposed mid-Shore force-main sewer project along U.S. Route 13, time is of the essence, Del. Rob Bloxom told a room full local officials and interested citizens last Thursday, Oct. 24. Counties and towns should join the Hampton Roads Sanitation District via petition to the circuit court, “sooner than later, if I’m going to Richmond and sell anything,” he told the assembly, “because after Jan.
4-Car Crash in Onley Injures 15
Two of four vehicles involved in a Friday afternoon crash. Photo courtesy of Onancock Volunteer Fire Department. By Connie Morrison — A four-car crash on US-13 in front of McDonald’s injured 15 people, at least one critically. “Three vehicles were stopped at the light. The fourth vehicle failed to stop, which in turn hit the other, which in turn hit the other” said Onley Police Chief John Spivey, describing the chain reaction.
Friday Afternoon Fire Claims Townsend Home
Townsend residential fire. Photo by Joe Beattie. By Connie Morrison — A late afternoon fire Friday claimed a Townsend house that was under renovation and damaged a neighboring home. There were no injuries, said Cheriton Volunteer Fire Company Chief Thomas Moore. The Eastern Shore 9-1-1 center took the call at 4:01 p.m., according to Moore. “The first engine arrived at 4:14,” he said. “When we got there, she was fully involved.” “A house fire is an automatic five-company alert,” Moore said.
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