Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
Virginia
Virginia high school track star struck in head with baton cleared to run in Nationals — days after opponent rallies supporters
The Virginia high school track star concussed by a baton-wielding opponent will look for redemption when she returns to the starting line to race for a national title as her attacker faces assault charges.
Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker secured her spot at the Adidas Track Nationals in Virginia Beach after she received clearance from her doctors to return to competition, her father told TMZ.
The 16-year-old will race in the preliminary heats of the girls’ 60-meter and the 200-meter dashes at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex, according to race lineups for the meet.
Tucker will also join her schoolmates under the name Brookville TC in the 4×200 meter relay, the same race in which she was attacked.
The sprinter’s season had been in the dark since she suffered the head injury at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University on March 4.
Tucker, the second leg in the relay race, was battling IC Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett for second place when she was allegedly attacked.
Everett was captured on video bringing her right arm backward before launching it forward and striking Tucker with the metal baton.
Tucker detoured off the track, grabbing her head and falling to the ground.
The ailing runner immediately pulled herself and her team out of the race, while officials disqualified Everett and her school.
Tucker’s initial prognosis was grim when she was told that she suffered a concussion and “possible skull fracture.”
Everett has maintained her innocence, saying she “would never hit someone on purpose.”
She argued that her baton got “stuck” on Tucker’s back and rolled up and hit her opponent’s head.
“I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again,” Everett said, according to TMZ.
The Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Office deemed otherwise, charging the 17-year-old with one count of assault and battery stemming from the incident.
Everett and her family were also the subject of a protective order, filed against them by the Tucker family.
A rally was held at a local park in support of the teen after she was charged.
Tens of people turned out to the event Everett thanked her supporters.
“There’s no one else that wanted to hear my story, except the people that know me and people that know I would never do anything like that, I would never harm anybody. I’m not a fighter, I’m not even confrontational, I wouldn’t even do that on purpose, and I thank y’all for believing in me. I love y’all,” she said according to WAVY.com.
Everett’s speech was met with loud applause and a chant of “We stand with you.”
The president of the Portsmouth, Virginia NAACP said the Everett family had been targets of racial slurs and other threats since the viral attack.
“The Everett family has experienced racial slurs, they’ve experienced death threats, and we think unequivocally that those things are unacceptable,” James Boyd said at the gathering.
Virginia
First responders train in Blacksburg
BLACKSBURG, Va. (WDBJ) – First responders never stop training, and this week almost 500 from across Virginia are honing their skills in Blacksburg.
The Virginia Association of First Responders now includes EMTs, firefighters, police officers and many others who answer the call in an emergency.
Thursday, a farm accident and a collision involving a car and school bus were just two of the scenarios they encountered.
“It’s a week-long opportunity, not only for technical stuff like this, but for medical classes,” said Covington Volunteer Rescue Squad member Greg Burton. “People call 911 every day for something. And we’re just here to help ease the problem a little bit.”
The annual conference also includes a Rescue Camp for young people with an interest in emergency services.
43 campers are taking part in a variety of activities, including a session on scuba diving Thursday afternoon.
Copyright 2026 WDBJ. All rights reserved.
Virginia
Brush fire in Virginia Beach set by children playing with fire
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A brush fire in a wooded area on Criollo Drive Wednesday afternoon was set by children playing with fire, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.
Units with Virginia Beach Fire and Virginia Beach Police were dispatched to the 3700 block of Criollo Drive in reference to a report of a possible fire in a wooded area at approximately 5 p.m.
Upon arrival, crews saw light smoke coming from a wooded area. They quickly had the brush fire under control at 6:05 p.m. and marked out at 6:37 p.m.
There were no injuries reported to civilians, firefighters or pets.
A VBFD Fire Investigator determined that the fire was set by kids playing with fire.
There are no charges being filed currently.
Virginia
Virginia Beach Fire Department battles multi-family structure fire on Rookery Way
For Navy Vice-Admiral Douglas Perry, you could say all roads, or waterways, lead to Hampton Roads.
“It is more than full circle,” said Perry, who noted he went to the first Harborfest downtown in 1976.
And when he saw those tall ships led by Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle, “I was sold. I wanted to go to sea. I wanted to be a naval officer.”
Link: https://www.wavy.com/living-local/50th-harborfest-weekend-more-than-full-circle-for-navy-vice-admiral/
-
Tennessee2 minutes ago8 Biggest Winners, 4 Losers from Tennessee Titans’ Minicamp
-
Texas5 minutes agoSweep in the heart of Texas: Twins beat Rangers again
-
Utah10 minutes agoRock Canyon fire doubles in size overnight near Arizona-Utah border
-
Vermont17 minutes agoPossible tornado causes damage in small Vermont town during Thursday’s intense storms – The Boston Globe
-
Virginia20 minutes agoFirst responders train in Blacksburg
-
Washington25 minutes agoWashington State University Vancouver faculty, staff anxiously await details of 15% budget cuts
-
Wisconsin32 minutes agoPresident of Wisconsin’s largest mosque released from ICE custody
-
West Virginia35 minutes agoCommunity Catalyst Grant applications are open through West Virginia First Foundation through June 30 – WV MetroNews