Virginia
Family of fallen Navy SEAL holds Virginia Beach fundraiser to help veterans
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Navy SEAL killed in action in 2003 was remembered in Virginia Beach Saturday.
Despite the rain, a group gathered at Back Bay Farmhouse to listen to words about IC1 Thomas Retzer.
“He always wanted to be a Navy SEAL even at like five, six, seven years old when we knew him. He got his dream. He got his dream,” said Ret. Navy Senior Chief and family friend Sam Moore.
Retzer was a Navy SEAL in California before moving to Virginia Beach and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). His mom told News 3 she’s so proud of Retzer’s achievements.
“You try really hard not to think about the scary parts and all you can do is be there and support him,” explained Retzer’s mother Leona Retzer.
Fears turned to reality in August 2003 when Retzer was killed.
“He was in Afghanistan and they were ambushed,” said Leona Retzer.
“I was sitting at home reading the newspaper, the pilot newspaper, one night and there was an article about Navy SEALs and the things they were doing and things they were trying to set up for SEALs that were KIA and Tommy’s name was mentioned in it and I had to stop reading it,” said Moore.
In the years since the family has made sure Retzer’s legacy lives on with the Thomas Retzer Memorial Foundation.
“I cried long enough. It was time instead of mourning his life, it was time to celebrate it,” said Leona Retzer.
They held a fundraiser for the past ten years in California. This year they brought it to Virginia Beach. It was complete with a table set to remember those who hadn’t come home and a reminder to honor those who served.
“Keep your veterans in mind. Keep them smart. Keep them safe. Do whatever you can to help them. I know that some of them think the cliche ‘thank you for your service,’ it gets old. But to a lot of veterans it means something,” said Moore.
The money raised at Saturday’s fundraiser goes to help veterans pay for various expenses like bills and appliance repairs.
Virginia
Virginia hospital halts NICU admissions after babies found with ‘unexplainable fractures’
A hospital in Virginia shut down its neonatal intensive care unit after three pre-term babies were found with “unexplainable fractures” – more than a year after several newborns suffered similar injuries.
Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond paused all admissions to its NICU and initiated an internal investigation after medical officials made the disturbing discovery in late November and December.
“Out of an abundance of caution, we are not admitting any additional babies into our NICU at this time,” the hospital said in a statement on its website, adding that it informed families, authorities and regulatory agencies of their findings.
“While fractures occasionally happen with pre-term babies since they lack full fetal bone development, we are actively working to determine how these fractures occurred.”
The medical center said the injuries shared similarities to an incident involving four babies last summer, explaining that they are taking immediate steps to enhance safety measures in the hospital wing.
Safety improvements include mandatory training for staff who interact with minors, refined examinations, new security, an observer system, and live-streaming technology allowing parents to view their babies.
Footage from the NICU has also been provided to “proper authorities,” with healthcare professionals reviewing hospital surveillance, the medical center said.
“The process is thorough and time-consuming, but they are making steady progress,” the hospital wrote.
“So far during our review of the videos, no misconduct or accidental actions have been found. The safety of our NICU babies is our highest priority and we are actively working to pursue additional precautions to prevent any future incidents.”
The Virginia Department of Health, along with state police, is also probing the unsettling situation, according to Fox Richmond.
Henrico police said no charges have been filed.
“Henrico County is prepared to utilize all available resources to ensure a thorough investigation,” police said in a statement to the outlet.
“Henrico police are partnering with Child Protective Services within Henrico’s Department of Social Services, Virginia State Police, and the Virginia Health Department, and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure all evidence is examined meticulously.”
Virginia
Obituary for Virginia Kay Gregory at EVARTS FUNERAL HOME
Virginia
West Virginia Pursuing Big-Name Talent in the Transfer Portal • The Voice Of Motown
MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — New West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez has been hard at work putting together his staff, attempting to keep players on the current roster, and finding players in the transfer portal.
Since Neal Brown was fired earlier this month, West Virginia has lost 18 players to the transfer portal, including Jaylen Anderson, Ryder Burton, Raleigh Collins, Hudson Clement, TJ Crandall, CJ Donaldson, Will Dixon, Aiden Ellis, Ric’Darious Farmer, Ayden Garnes, Josiah Jackson, Trey Lathan, Sullivan Weidman, Tomas Rimac, Bryce Briggs, Josiah Trotter, Johnny Williams IV and Obinna Onwuka.
Since Rodriguez has taken over, he has brought two players from Jacksonville State – former Martinsburg High School players Jarod Bowie and Jacob Barrick – as well as Tulsa offensive line transfer Walter Young Bear, Jordan Scruggs, a cornerback from South Alabama and Oran Singleton, a wide receiver from Eastern Michigan.
Rodriguez now has his eyes set on several players who are set to Morgantown in the coming weeks. Here’s who West Virginia is currently targeting in the transfer portal:
1. Cam Vaughn: Vaughn tells me that he has already visited West Virginia, but has other visits set up in the coming days. Vaughn, a freshman from Temple, Georgia, 49 receptions for 804 yards and 5 touchdowns last season under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. Vaughn is a big (6’2) receiver with great speed who would be a perfect big-play receiver for the Mountaineers. (8/10 confidence)
2. Fred Perry: Perry, a 5’11 safety from Vienna, Georgia, is another former Jacksonville State player who has visited West Virginia since Rodriguez became the head coach of the Mountaineers. An All-Conference player last year, Perry finished his junior year with 97 tackles (42 solo), nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles, two pass breakups and two quarterback hurries. (9/10 confidence)
3. Hauss Hejny: Hejny, a 6’0 freshman quarterback from Aledo, Texas, Hejny had 15 rushes for 65 yards at TCU during his freshman season, but did not throw a pass. Hejny has followed several WVU-related accounts over the last couple of days on social media and clearly has interest, but it remains to be seen if West Virginia has the same level of interest. Since entering the portal last week, Hejny has reportedly been contacted by BYU, James Madison, UCF, Utah, and Utah State. Hejny would be an ideal backup to presumed starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol, but he may want to play immediately. With elite speed and athleticism, Hejny could make his way on the field next season in certain spots while he develops under Marchiol for the next two seasons. West Virginia has its starter, but will need to add depth with freshman Khalil Wilkins not yet ready to step in to lead the program yet. (7/10 confidence)
4. David Pantelis: In four seasons with Yale, David Pantelis has 127 career receptions 1,778 career receiving yards, and 17 career touchdowns. That’s an average of 14 yards per reception. He also averaged 52.3 yards per game. Pantelis was exceptional in 2024, finishing the season with 69 receptions for 1,018 yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games. (8/10 confidence)
5. Adam Tomczyk: A 6’3 250 pound defensive end, Tomczyk is an under-the-radar player who the coaching staff has identified as a Power 4 talent who can contribute immediately. According to his social media footprint, Tomczyk and West Virginia have major mutual interest right now. (9/10 confidence)
6. Matthew Henry: A 6’1 wide receiver from Miami, Florida, Henry had 63 receptions for 1,179 yards and 6 touchdowns this season at Western Illinois before entering the transfer portal. Henry is an ultra-talented receiver who has a ton of experience. (8/10 confidence)
7. Mo Westmoreland II: A two-time JUCO All-American, 2 time Conference USA first team All-Conference player and Conference USA’s Sack Leader in 2024 with 7.5 sacks, Westmoreland is an experienced, proven player on the defensive line that West Virginia is very high on. (9/10 confidence)
8. Chris Henry, Jr.: The son of former West Virginia wide receiver Chris Henry and the “nephew” of Adam “Pacman” Jones, Henry, Jr. is the #1 rated wide receiver, the #1 player in California and the #6 overall rated player in the nation, and is reportedly being heavily recruited by Rodriguez and the Mountaineers. Although he is currently still “locked in” as a commit at Ohio State, there are multiple programs, including West Virginia, attempting to steal him from the Buckeyes. Henry recently told national recruiting analyst Tom Loy that Oregon, Tennessee, Alabama and West Virginia are all heavily pursuing him, despite his current commitment to Ohio State. On his interest in West Virginia, Henry said, “Rich Rod coached my pops (the late Chris Henry, Sr.) and my uncle (Adam “Pacman” Jones). It’s West Virginia.” (5/10 confidence)
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