Virginia
Virginia Beach residents disgusted by dead fish and lack of answers
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — In the Great Neck area of Virginia Beach, residents report that an unusual number of fish are dying at a body of water known as Lake Conrad. It’s in the Laurel Cove neighborhood.
Some shared information about the “fish kill” on community social media pages to alert neighbors.
One homeowner, Todd Freischlag told News 3 reporter Angela Bohon that he first noticed it on Thursday, August 29. He said he contacted the City of Virginia Beach who did send employees with Public Works to the area to check it out, but he feels there hasn’t been a sense of urgency with addressing the problem.
“I’ve never seen this before since 1998 when we moved in,” stated Freischlag. “It’s very unusual and very concerning.”
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He then contacted the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
A spokesperson for DEQ says a staff member visited the site and observed approximately 50 dead and decaying fish, specifically largemouth bass and bluegill.
DEQ described a “fish kill” as “a sudden and unexpected or atypical death of fish or other aquatic animals in a clearly defined area” and wrote that “Fish kills can occur anywhere inhabited by fish and can be caused by water pollution or by natural events.”
They say they measured low levels of dissolved oxygen and that the cause of the low oxygen levels is under investigation.
Neighbors tell News 3 that a few weeks ago, they noticed a contractor working on the storm drains and that whatever substance they were using had a horrible odor. They fear it could have something to do with the fish dying.
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“It was so noxious, I actually had to change the route in which I was going,” Anita Miles said while describing her daily walks.
Miles added that she’s lived in the home for decades and has never smelled this type of odor before and also never seen fish dying in high volumes at the lake.
A spokesperson for the City of Virginia Beach says that its Public Works department is working with a private contractor who has been re-lining storm pipes.
“The City of Virginia Beach and the Department of Environmental Quality are actively reviewing the situation. We will release additional information as soon as it is available.”
Freischlag hopes to get answers as soon as possible.
“We may well have carcinogens in the lake exposing the residents, the kids who fish in the lake, the wildlife of something really bad. So the city needs to sample and test for that right away to eliminate that as a possibility,” Freischlag said, describing his frustrations.
DEQ says that no additional impacts have been reported.
Homeowners are concerned that contaminated water could spread from Lake Conrad to Great Neck Lake or through other environmental factors.
“We had eight black vultures who were eating a lot of the dead fish which is a good thing unless, again, there’s carcinogens in it. That could spread into the ecosystem. I’d really like the city to rule that out,” Fresichlag said.
Resident Jessica Ludwig is also hoping for answers. “Looking out on the water every morning, it’s just so peaceful,” she said. “There’s just something about the water. It’s really enjoyable until all of this started to happen.”
The Oklahoma Sooners are fully in the swing of transfer portal season in early January, as they’re making additions to the roster and seeing former players land at their new schools. The portal officially opened on January 2nd, and it will be open until January 16th.
One of the latest players to find his new school is former OU defensive back Maliek Hawkins, who has committed to West Virginia. Hawkins is the son of former Oklahoma defensive back Mike Hawkins Sr., who played for the Sooners in 2002 and then played multiple years in the NFL. He’s the younger brother of former OU quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr., who started five games in Norman over the last two seasons. Both Hawkins brothers are now headed to Morgantown, with the older Hawkins hoping to win the starting QB job, and the younger Hawkins hoping to crack the rotation at cornerback.
Hawkins was a member of Oklahoma’s 2025 recruiting class, signing with the Sooners as a three-star recruit. He played in just one game during his true freshman season, and now arrives at WVU as a package deal with his older brother.
Despite the Sooners expecting to return starters Eli Bowen and Courtland Guillory at the CB spots in 2026, the portal exits of Hawkins, Devon Jordan, Gentry Williams, and Kendel Dolby have thinned the depth at that position. With Jacobe Johnson also expected to return, Oklahoma will be looking to add a key rotational cornerback or two in the transfer portal ahead of next year.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Aaron on X@Aaron_Gelvin.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. – A Virginia State Police trooper was injured in a crash during a pursuit on Interstate 495 Sunday afternoon, according to the Virginia State Police.
At 3:47 p.m., a trooper attempted to stop a Honda Accord for reckless driving on Interstate 495 westbound. The vehicle refused to stop, leading to a pursuit, a press release says.
The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle exited at Van Dorn Street. The trooper terminated the pursuit to avoid a collision with another vehicle, resulting in the police vehicle going off the road and striking a tree.
Trooper’s condition and ongoing investigation
What we know:
The trooper involved in the crash suffered minor injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, according to the release. The injuries are not considered life-threatening.
The incident is still under investigation by Virginia State Police to determine the exact circumstances and any potential charges against the driver of the Honda Accord.
What we don’t know:
The identity of the driver of the Honda Accord and whether they have been apprehended remains unknown at this time.
The Source: Information from a Virginia State Police press release.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. – Get the flu shot, wash your hands and stay home if you’re sick — that’s the message coming from Virginia’s Health Department as data shows flu cases soaring in northern Virginia.
Flu-related emergency room visits have tripled in just the last couple of weeks.
Pharmacies including this one are also reportedly seeing more patients coming in for the flu, with more severe symptoms.
By the numbers:
According to new data, 30% of Virginia residents received flu shots this year, despite doctors saying it’s one of the best ways to protect against the illness.
“I’m seeing an increase in the number of people who are coming here for medication and severity as well,” said Janice Granmayeh, who works at a pharmacy in McLean. “Peak season in our area is usually January, February, March.”
The Virginia Department of Health says flu diagnoses at emergency room visits tripled the last two weeks of December.
“I’m a firm believer in the vaccine. I’ve been vaccinated. All I can say is do your best to stay healthy,” Manassas resident Michael Spratley told FOX 5.
We’re told flu cases across all of Virginia are increasing based on two reporting periods — one ending Dec. 13 and another ending being Dec. 27.
During this second reporting period, there were 1,800 reported flu cases compared to just shy of 100 COVID cases.
What they’re saying:
Health officials say while a spike in flu during the holidays is normal, it’s the extreme spike that’s raising concerns.
“The first thing is vaccination. Vaccination is still very effective even with the news,” said Dr. David Rose with the Alexandria Health Department.
It’s not too late to get the flu shot and doctors and pharmacists are encouraging people to do so.
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