Thursday was homecoming day for the fleet replenishment oiler Patuxent, the Military Sealift Command announced. Crew size 81 civil service mariners, 3 military Leader Capt. Sean Tortora, ship’s master Location of deployment Mediterranean Sea, Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf Deployed Jan. 2 Returned Thursday, July 29

NORFOLK The Navy's newest surveillance plane doesn't look much different from its predecessor: It's got the same dinner-plate-shaped radar dome perched atop its fuselage, the same twin propellers, the same wingspan.

NORFOLK A Portsmouth man was charged Thursday in a fatal shooting Saturday in a BP gas station parking lot. Kendres Lamont Owens, 31, of the 100 block of Allen Road was arrested in Portsmouth, police said. He was charged with murder and using a firearm in a felony in the death of Tremaine Vernell Pugh, 33, of Portsmouth.

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A Smithfield woman pleaded guilty Thursday to three federal charges, admitting she stole the identities of customers from her farm equipment store to obtain more than 80 loans worth $1.7 million.

NORFOLK Federal agents say Big Daddy's restaurant was dishing out more than just Southern cuisine. The Drug Enforcement Administration said it has busted one of the largest drug rings in the area, a $9 million operation allegedly run for the past 10 years by the owner of Big Daddy's restaurant in Virginia Beach.

NORFOLK A federal judge has refused to dismiss most of the charges against a group of Somali nationals accused of attacking a Navy ship but reserved decision on whether to throw out the most serious charge of piracy, which carries a life prison term.

NORFOLK The Virginia Zoo this morning announced the birth of a bongo.

The bongo, born Monday, was named Emma, according to the announcement.

Three bongos were born last year at the zoo. The herd now includes the calf, three juveniles, an adult male and three adult females, according to the zoo.

NORFOLK Somali nationals pleaded not guilty at their arraignment Wednesday in federal court, with one calling piracy charges against him "an injustice" and others defiantly telling a judge they did not commit any crimes.

NORFOLK Four adults and two children were displaced after a fire in their home in the 2500 block of Rush St. About 9:15 p.m., Norfolk Fire-Rescue was called to the house and found significant smoke and heavy flames, originating from a back deck, Battalion Chief Harry Worley said.

By about 9:30 p.m., the fire extended into and underneath the house. The fire was under control by 9:42 p.m.

When a foodie friend at work suggested I try Pelon's Baja Grill in Ghent, I knew it would be worth my while. She described a neighborhood place tucked into 22nd Street that served a mean margarita and plump, interesting burritos. She's a caterer and an aficionado of good cheap eats, so I knew I couldn't go wrong.