THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 19, 1997 TAG: 9701210448
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sun Spots
LENGTH: 96 lines
11:45 a.m. - Circuit Court, Suffolk
The lawyers for both sides are examining a sawed-off shotgun that has been entered as evidence.
As they turn over the weapon, the barrel aims directly at Judge Westbrook J. Parker.
``Hey,'' says the judge, unwilling to trust that the gun is unloaded. ``Point that thing at the ceiling,'' he says, as the lawyers quickly do as they are told.
- Susie Stoughton
12:20 p.m. - Circuit Court, Suffolk
Prosecutors call the first witness, who has been sent into the hall with the others who have been sworn.
But the witness has apparently gone to a waiting room and doesn't hear the summons. Court reporter Susan Goodwin - who has apparently had a long morning - doesn't wait for a bailiff to return from the other court room to get the witness.
She goes to the door behind her and asks him to come in. As she sits back down at her machine, she smiles and says, ``I'm hungry.''
- Susie Stoughton Monday, Jan. 13
9:35 a.m. - City Council chambers, Suffolk
Police Chief Jimmy L. Wilson introduces his parents and three of his brothers, who have come from Durham, N.C., to see him sworn in as head of the police force.
He comes from a supportive family, says Wilson, 51. He asks his relatives and a close friend to stand in the court room filled with Wilson's new, extended family - police officers and city officials.
``You don't just get me,'' says Wilson, who is single. ``You get a whole family.''
- Susie Stoughton Wednesday, Jan. 15
2:15 p.m. - North Main Street, Suffolk
A young mother, who is pushing her child in a stroller, appears to have her hands full.
With one hand on the stroller, she is trying frantically to manage alarge dog pulling on his leash.
Strong and playful, the dog is leading the way at a fast pace and appears to be in charge of the afternoon stroll . . . er, run.
Next time, mom might try roller blades!
- Shirley Brinkley
4:10 p.m. - Magnolia Lakes Trailer Park, Nansemond Parkway, Suffolk
Rescue officials have rushed to save ``several children trapped in a water tower.''
But the excitement's over, with no injuries.
Fire trucks, ambulances, rescue squad cars and police cruisers are turning around to leave. But trailer occupants are still peering at the top of the ``tower'' - a tall, straight radio antenna, not a water tank - that pierces through nearby woods into the sky.
Two men with safety harnesses strapped around them are making their way to the top, on a routine mission to change the light bulbs in the lofty perch.
The ``several children,'' who had been chasing a dog near the foot of the tower, had heard the men hollering something that sounded like ``Help.'' Excitedly, they ran to tell one of their mothers, who called for help.
If there had been a real emergency, even the fire department's ladder truck would have been useless, says Fire Battalion Chief L.E. Taylor. The Tidewater Regional Tactical Rescue Team would have had to be called, he says.
``We would have never been able to help them back in the woods,'' he says.
- Susie Stoughton
7:10 p.m. - City Hall, Suffolk
After serving ten years in office, Councilman Chris Jones is a little surprised that he's actually been on the council that long.
Some folks in the audience feel like Jones is still a little boy.
``I can't believe it either,'' one man said. ``He still looks young.''
- Katrice Franklin
7:10 p.m. - City Hall, Suffolk
Vice Mayor Charles Brown will never be forgotten by Suffolk second graders.
Second Grade Teacher Leonna Copeland and her class at Florence Bowser Elementary School enjoy it when vice mayors drop by to see them.
``I don't think they'll ever forget that their vice-mayor is Charles Brown.''
- Katrice Franklin Thursday, Jan. 16
9 a.m. - Va. Route 32
Are they the last to wish us Merry Christmas, 1996, or the first to wish us Merry Christmas, 1997?
The front yard of a brick house by the highway offers everything from the manger scene to Santa and still more seasonal decorations.
It is a complete look at Christmas - '96 or '97.
- Frank Roberts