THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 21, 1995 TAG: 9510210270
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Long : 111 lines
NORFOLK
INJURED SAILOR IDENTIFIED: State police have released the name of a Navy man who was seriously injured when the car he was driving careened off the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel on Thursday afternoon.
The man was identified as 20-year-old Kenneth M. Dejong, a 3rd class petty officer on the carrier Enterprise. State police spokeswoman Tammy Van Dame did not identify his hometown.
He was in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital on Friday.
Dejong was driving a 1989 Isuzu Amigo westbound on Interstate 64.
He apparently lost control and the vehicle crashed through a guard rail and fell about 20 feet between the twin bridges near the tip of Willoughby Spit.
He was rescued by two fishermen from Norfolk.
He was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital with serious head, face, chest and internal injuries. He was listed in critical condition Thursday night.
HEARINGS ON GENERAL DIPLOMA: In a move toward higher academic standards, city school officials will hold holding hearings next week to gather comments on eliminating the high school general diploma.
Superintendent Roy D. Nichols Jr. has recommended dropping the diploma, arguing that it allows students to take watered-down courses in English, math and science and graduate without the skills needed for college or work. Students who pass the minimum courses now required by the state can earn the diploma.
A public hearing on the issue will be held Monday at Northside Middle School at 7 p.m. Another hearing will be held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Ruffner Middle School. People wishing to speak can sign up beginning at 6 p.m.
Nichols proposes to eliminate the diploma beginning with the Class of 2000. It is one of several initiatives being considered as a way to improve academic achievement in the city's schools.
FUND-RAISER FOR FUNERAL: A Norfolk woman who has been trying to raise money to pay for the funeral of Larry Romero, who was killed last summer in Alabama, is holding a fund-raiser today.
The event, which will run today from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., will include a raffle, pig roast and bake sale, said Iretta Grady, who organized the event.
Grady said the function, sponsored by Grady Construction, is for anyone who has been involved in raising money for the funeral.
Lawrence ``Larry'' Otto Romero, 30, was killed in Huntsville July 8 when he was struck by a vehicle, possibly a truck, the Alabama State Police said. The body of the Norfolk native may have been struck by a second vehicle, police said. Police were unable to trace the driver of vehicle. There were no witnesses and no suspects.
Grady, for whom Romero had worked as a carpenter for 12 years before moving to Huntsville, has offered a $1,000 reward. She said she set up a fund to pay for his funeral.
The event will be held at 7933 Merritt St. in Norfolk. Anyone with questions about the function is asked to call Grady at 583-9167.
HAMPTON
ARMED INTRUDERS KILLED: Police said two armed men who barged into an apartment were shot and killed early Friday, apparently by the apartment's occupants.
A third armed suspect, a 17-year-old boy, was arrested nearby.
Police spokesman Donnie Moore said this is what happened:
Tijuan K. Howard, 18, Tory M. Jordan, 19, and the 17-year-old confronted one of the apartment occupants outside the residence on Elizabeth Road. At gunpoint, the armed suspects forced the occupant to open the apartment, and the suspects rushed in.
Gunfire erupted and Jordan was killed. Howard was also wounded, and he died later at Sentara Hampton General Hospital. The 17-year-old wasn't hurt, but was charged with robbery and using a gun in a crime.
Moore said investigators are still sorting out what happened, and won't be able to say whether other charges will be filed until the evidence is examined.
The addresses of the armed men weren't available. The names of the apartment occupants weren't released.
ACCOMAC
2 ACCUSED OF ROBBING BANK: A 21-year-old Onley man and a juvenile have been arrested in connection with the robbery of the Crestar Bank in Accomac.
Sheriff Robert Crockett identified the adult as Michael S. Brankley. He said Brankley and the juvenile were arrested Thursday after someone wearing a mask and carrying a handgun robbed the bank of an undisclosed amount of money.
The suspects were in a car taken from a bank employee when they were arrested, Crockett said. Brankley was being held in the Accomack County Jail without bail. The juvenile, who was not identified, was taken to the Norfolk Detention Center, pending a hearing.
VIRGINIA BEACH
CHILDREN'S SABBATH: Virginia Beach will join communities across the nation in celebrating the fourth annual Children's Sabbath this weekend.
An Interfaith Family Festival will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the 17th St. Oceanfront Park. The festival will include an interfaith worship service, a children's choir sponsored by the Virginia Beach Police Department and children's choirs from local churches.
It will include step shows, karate demonstrations, song and dance groups from the Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation, costumed characters, children's artwork and displays.
Families are asked to bring blankets and lawn chairs.
The Children's Sabbath is sponsored nationally by the Children's Defense Fund, a nonprofit advocacy group for children founded in 1973. The Children's Sabbath is a celebration for all faiths. Religious leaders throughout the city have been asked to honor the Children's Sabbath in their worship services.
The purpose of the Children's Sabbath is to raise public awareness of the problem of impoverished children in America.
For more information on the Children's Sabbath, call 425-1413. by CNB