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Hollywood legend, local ‘down home’ neighbor: Robert Duvall remembered at Northern Virginia restaurant – WTOP News

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Hollywood legend, local ‘down home’ neighbor: Robert Duvall remembered at Northern Virginia restaurant – WTOP News


Locals at a Virginia cafe remember Oscar-winning actor Robert Duvall as a humble regular known for his kindness and love of comfort food.

Actor Robert Duvall, the Oscar‑winning star of films including “Tender Mercies” and “The Godfather,” died at the age of 95 at his home in Middleburg, Virginia, on Sunday.

At a small cafe in Fauquier County, the memories of the late actor are flowing as easily as the conversations he used to spark there.

In Marshall, Virginia, the Hollywood giant was known worldwide, but to locals he was simply a familiar face who often stopped in the Old Salem Cafe for comfort food and good company.

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Donna Armstrong, the cafe’s co‑owner, said Duvall often came in for lunch with the people who worked on his farm.

“He used to come in there with his farm hand with and treat him to lunch. Very kind man,” Armstrong said.

She recalled the first time she approached him for a photo, and how easy it was to strike up a conversation about local people and history.

“We talked about some of the locals and some of the things that have happened in the past. Some of the things that he knew, I can’t really discuss them, but he knew a lot, that’s for sure,” Armstrong said with a chuckle.

“The first time I wanted to go approach him, I was like, ‘is he the type that you can go up and approach and ask to have a photo with?’ And absolutely, he was. He was amazing,” Armstrong added.

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One memory that stood out for Armstrong was when Duvall wanted to meet Henry Green, an orchard owner in Hume, Virginia, who lived to be 103.

“Robert Duvall was like, ‘I would really like to meet that man.’ And I thought, now this is really something,” Armstrong said.

She arranged the meeting, and said Green was thrilled.

CLICK PHOTO TO ENLARGE: Donna Armstrong, co‑owner of the Old Salem Cafe, with late actor Robert Duvall. (Courtesy Donna Armstrong)

“Oh, my goodness, Mr. Green was so excited that he got to meet Robert Duvall and shake his hand,” Armstrong said.

Despite his fame, Armstrong said Duvall never acted like a celebrity.

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“Most of the time, if you met a movie star or somebody as big as Robert Duvall, you’d be nervous. No, it was not like that at all,” Armstrong said.

She remembered how approachable he was when she worked up the nerve to ask for a photo.

When asked about Duvall’s favorite orders, Armstrong said he liked the Reuben, patty melt, and hamburger steak — “just your normal comfort food.”

She also recalled his quiet generosity, including when he took part in a fundraiser several years ago to held to help a chef that was ill.

“He was a generous man,” Armstrong said.

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The news of Duvall’s death, she said, devastated their cafe family.

“I couldn’t believe it … it was devastating. It was hard,” Armstrong said.

For Armstrong, Duvall’s legacy is simple: one of humility and kindness.

“Just your regular, down home guy that was rich and famous,” she said.

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Ding! Ding! Virginia Beach trolley season kicks off May 10

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Ding! Ding! Virginia Beach trolley season kicks off May 10


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Four new trollies will join the VB Wave Trolley fleet beginning May 10, when Virginia Beach Wave Trolley will resume its seasonal service along the oceanfront.

Trolley season lasts through September 25-27 for the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival.

A total of 14 new trollies will be part of the fleet this year, gradually replacing the older versions. The 29-foot trolley replica buses seat 29 people and feature wooden seats, with “sky-blue and sand-colored brown exterior,” according to Hampton Roads Transit (HRTS). Last year, 281,507 riders used the trolley system.

“This year marks the 42nd season of the VB Wave trolley, and these new trollies will provide a comfortable, safe, and efficient ride for visitors and locals alike,” William E. Harrell said. He is the president and CEO of HRT. “As part of our partnership with the city of Virginia Beach, the VB Wave makes it easy for everyone to visit attractions and explore the Oceanfront and beyond without the hassles of parking or the high cost of gas,” Harrell said.

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The following routes will operate May 10 through Sept. 27 for the Neptune Festival:

Route 30 is the Atlantic Avenue Trolley, running along the Oceanfront between JT’s Grommet Island Park to Fortieth Street. This service operates daily from 8 a.m.- 2 a.m.

Route 31 is the aquarium and campground trolley along General Booth Boulevard. It runs daily from 9:30 a.m.-11:10 p.m. through Labor Day and again on Fridays through Sundays from Sept. 11 through Sept. 27. Route 31 also extends to Atlantic Avenue and 18th Street.

Route 35 is the Bayfront Bus, providing service between Parks Avenue and 19th Street and Shore Drive and Pleasure House Road, enabling customers to visit Chesapeake Bay beaches, First Landing State Park, and Bayfront restaurants. It operates daily from 8 a.m.-12:30 a.m. through Labor Day and then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only from Sept. 11 through the Sept. 27 festival

The VB Wave trolley connects to HRT bus lines, Routes 20 and 960, with access to the Newtown Road Light Rail Station and the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.

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Fares are $2 one way or $4.50 for an all-day pass. Kids 17 and under ride free with a paying adult. Riders can pay for tickets using HRT’s GoMobile app and a credit card. Riders can create and manage multiple virtual cards and reload value for easy group boarding, and need to have a unique scannable virtual card for boarding. Children are not required to scan a virtual card or pay fare when boarding with an adult.

Customers can also tap to pay using credit and debit cards. KOA Campground, Virginia Gift Shop, nine Sunsations locations, and Ocean Wave Gift Shop sell tickets. Riders can also pay with exact change cash onboard the trolley.

In addition, HRT is introducing a new route in Virginia Beach beginning May 10. The new Route 981 will connect the Amazon Fulfillment Center (ORF 4) at 1795 Dam Neck Road with the Downtown Norfolk Transit Center.

Route 33 service is being restored to Atlantic Avenue and 68th Street 365 days a year to support the oceanfront hospitality industry.

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PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments

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PHOTOS: Virginia Beach Police investigate firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments


VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Beach Police are at the scene of a firearm-related incident at Carriage House Apartments Saturday afternoon, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

The department also confirmed there are no shooting victims at this time.

10 On Your Side is at the scene and working to gather more information about the situation.

10 On Your Side will update this story when more information is available.

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Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.



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Hampton Roads leaders, experts weigh in on Virginia Supreme Court redistricting ruling

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Hampton Roads leaders, experts weigh in on Virginia Supreme Court redistricting ruling


PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Virginia Democrats are not happy about a state Supreme Court decision declaring last month’s referendum to draw new congressional districts null and void.

Democrats, however, have filed a motion asking the Virginia Court to delay its 4-3 decision while they file an emergency appeal to the United States Supreme Court.

Virginia’s current map that favors Democrats by a narrow 6-5 margin will stay in effect for the midterms. Both sides, though, have a lot to say to say about today’s decision.

Two months ago, you couldn’t avoid the political ads and mailers on both sides of the issue.

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“Everybody remembers we got a few million dollars worth of flyers in our mailboxes, and everything with redistricting that whole referendum has now been overturned by the court decision,” said Old Dominion University Associate Professor of Political Science Jesse Richman.

On April 21, Virginia voters approved redrawing congressional maps that would have given Democrats a 10-1 advantage, giving them a strong chance to pick up four additional seats in November.

More than two weeks later, the Virginia Supreme Court rendered the results null and void, saying the required constitutional processes were not followed before this was put up for a vote. So what does that mean for Virginians?

“As it is, we stay with the districts we have,” Richman said. “If [Democrat] Bobby Scott’s your representative, he’s still your representative. The lines aren’t moving. If [Republican] Jen Kiggans is your representative, [she’s] still your representative.”

Scott and Kiggans spoke to 10 On Your Side shortly after today’s decision.

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“I’m disappointed,” Scott said. “People voted, three million people voted, it carried in 55 of the 100 House of Delegates districts, so the people spoke.”

“It’s a big day for Virginia today,” Kiggans said. “It’s a victory for the rule of law [and] it’s a victory for fairness.”

That split reaction has also been felt among voters, some even rallying in front of the Virginia Supreme Court. One of them was Hampton’s NAACP Branch President Gaylene Kanoyton.

“We have got to make sure that we mobilize and don’t let this get us down,” Kanoyton said. “We need to be energized.”

Virginia Democrats have vowed to fight Friday’s ruling, saying they intend to file an emergency appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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“I expect we’ll see more intense political campaigning in the midterms in this area because of the Supreme Court’s decision,” Richman said.



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