Latest news with #TheVirginian-Pilot
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Norfolk firefighter who lost his job over medical marijuana use challenges firing after change in Virginia law
For as long as he can remember, Brandon Beltaine wanted to be a firefighter. He grew up watching the 1991 film 'Backdraft' and took pride in people who worked hard. 'There's not people that work harder than those who are trying to save somebody's life,' Beltaine said. Beltaine attained that dream, completing the fire academy and started working as a Norfolk firefighter in 2018. But Beltaine's career is now in jeopardy. He was fired in 2023 for medical marijuana use off the job — a dismissal that would now be illegal under changes made to Virginia law last year. In an effort to get his job back, Beltaine has filed a grievance with the city challenging his firing, which will be heard this week. He argues the city unfairly targeted him and he was protected by a policy the city changed after he informed them of his medical cannabis use. Beltaine detailed a timeline of events related to his medical marijuana use and firing and provided The Virginian-Pilot with copies of Norfolk human resources polices related to substance abuse in place at those times. According to the policy documents provided, medical marijuana use was not a fireable offense at the time Beltaine alerted the city to his medical marijuana use in 2022. Rather, updated policies show the city changed the policy to forbid medical marijuana in 2023 after interactions began between Beltaine and human resources workers. The documents show the policy was changed yet again in July 2024 to allow employee medical cannabis use after Beltaine's firing. The city declined to comment on Beltaine's firing but argued the policy forbidding medical cannabis was communicated to employees in mid-2022, despite not becoming a written policy until May 2023. Marijuana is still a Schedule 1 substance under federal law, which forbids its manufacture, distribution, dispensation, and possession. However, the drug became quasi-legal in Virginia in 2021, when former Gov. Ralph Northam signed a law making possession of up to an ounce of marijuana legal. Still, retail sales of cannabis remain illegal under state law. A separate medical marijuana program was initially established for epilepsy patients in 2015 and expanded to other conditions by the legislature in 2018, according to the Virginia Cannabis Control Authority. Patients can receive a certification from a medical practitioner and then purchase cannabis from a state-licensed dispensary. Beltaine, who struggles with depression, anxiety and ADHD, said he self-medicated with alcohol for years before getting sober. Other treatment for his depression and anxiety, like the medicines called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, caused side effects like gastrointestinal issues and problems with thermoregulation. After receiving his medical cannabis certificate in May 2022, Beltaine said the substance helped him relax in the evenings after a stressful shift at the fire station. But issues with the city began almost immediately. In August 2022, after Beltaine emailed the city informing them of his medical card, a city official emailed back saying the cards would not be exempt from the city's substance abuse policy, according to a city-authored timeline Beltaine provided to The Pilot. The position came despite a city policy enacted in July 2021 that said medical cannabis was not a violation of the policy per se, but should be communicated to the city's human resources department. Beltaine said he was following that policy by sending the August 2022 email notification. Beltaine remained transparent about his medical marijuana use with the city but declined to stop, believing he was protected by the city policy. In May 2023, Beltaine noted on a yearly physical that he used medical cannabis. After a positive drug test, the city instructed him to again stop using the drug. After declining, Beltaine was fired in October 2023. Also on a May 1, 2023-dated document, the city updated its substance abuse policy to include medical marijuana as a fireable offense. However, Beltaine said the old policy allowing medical marijuana was still online until at least May 12, 2023. The amended document cites federal drug laws and the possibility of losing federal grant money as reasons for disallowing medical cannabis. In an emailed statement, the city said even though the policy was not changed in writing until May 1, 2023, it was effectively changed in mid-2022, around the time Beltaine first contacted human resources. 'Employees were advised that the policy document itself would be updated to reflect that the use of medical marijuana was not permissible,' according to the statement. Beltaine did not dispute the city's account, but again noted it took months for the written policy to be updated. State law on the issue was also evolving as Beltaine challenged city policy. A 2021 state law protected private sector employees from retaliation for medical marijuana use, but the law unintentionally left out public sector employees, according to bill sponsor Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax. The General Assembly opted to close that loophole and passed legislation in 2024 that protected public sector employees from retaliation for medical cannabis use. 'Virginia law is clear in providing explicit employment protections for medical cannabis patients,' said Virginia NORML Executive Director JM Pedini in an email. 'No employer is permitted to discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee for their lawful use of medical cannabis.' After the law went into effect in July 2024, Norfolk changed its policy on medical marijuana yet again. The city confirmed it reverted back to asking medical cannabis patients to contact the city human resources department. Other Hampton Roads cities also have policies that comply with the state law. In Chesapeake, fire department policy states that the city won't discipline, discharge or discriminate against employees' lawful use of cannabis oil as long as they have a valid written certification from a health care practitioner. Those who have a valid written certification are still subject to the city's reasonable suspicion, post-accident and random testing procedures. In Virginia Beach, the drug policy is similar, stating that the city will not discharge, discipline, or discriminate against an employee for the lawful use of cannabis as prescribed in the medical cannabis program. Portsmouth's administrative manual also authorizes medical marijuana with written certification for treatment. Kurt Detrick, district representative for the Virginia Professional Fire Fighters union, said he's seen firsthand how medical cannabis can help reverse alcohol and drug abuse among his profession and aid with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. 'There are some reasons for it that are helpful, and they're being responsible with it, and Brandon was being responsible with it,' Detrick said. Beltaine is still fighting for his job. He will attend a grievance hearing with the city on June 4. If he is unsuccessful, he said he plans to file a civil suit. 'They teach us that we're supposed to have integrity,' Beltaine said about continuing his fight. 'It's one of our core values.' Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Federal list of ‘sanctuary jurisdictions' leaders said erroneously included Hampton Roads cities deleted after criticism
The webpage for a Department of Homeland Security list of localities it said were in violation of federal immigration law was taken down over the weekend following statements by Hampton Roads officials that their respective cities were included on the list in error. The page was created Thursday at with the header 'Sanctuary Jurisdictions Defying Federal Immigration Law.' By Sunday, the page had been deleted. The original page stated it would be continuously updated and that the jurisdictions listed would receive formal notice of their noncompliance. It also included a 'demand' that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws. Virginia Beach, Hampton, Portsmouth, Newport News and Gloucester County were included on the list of localities that, the page read, 'are deliberately and shamefully obstructing the enforcement of federal immigration laws endangering American communities' and protecting 'dangerous criminal aliens from facing consequences and put law enforcement in peril.' Hampton Roads cities accused by Homeland Security of obstructing federal immigration officials Spokespersons for Virginia Beach, Gloucester County and Hampton said in emailed statements to The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press that they were included on the list in error. Thirty-three Virginia localities were included on the list, including Richmond and Fairfax County, which has the largest population in the state. It also includes areas that voted heavily in favor of Trump in the 2024 election, including Gloucester and Middlesex counties on the Middle Peninsula. National Sheriff's Association President Sheriff Kieran Donahue on Saturday said the list 'lacks transparency and accountability' and 'could create a vacuum of trust that may take years to overcome.' 'This list was created without any input, criteria of compliance, or a mechanism for how to object to the designation,' Donahue's statement reads. 'Sheriffs nationwide have no way to know what they must do or not do to avoid this arbitrary label. The completion and publication of this list has not only violated the core principles of trust, cooperation, and partnership with fellow law enforcement, but it also has the potential to strain the relationship between Sheriffs and the White House administration.' Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806,
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Early voting in Virginia primary elections starts this week. Here's what you need to know.
Early voting in Virginia's primary elections starts Friday and voters in Hampton Roads have several choices to make ahead of general elections in the fall. Election Day for the primaries is June 17. Virginia is an open primary state, meaning voters can request a Democratic or Republican ballot. All qualified voters may vote in either primary, but not both. Voting in a party's primary does not mean the voter will be 'registered' with that party, as the state does not have party registration. Three statewide offices are up for election in the fall: governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. But there are only Democratic primaries in the lieutenant governor and attorney general races. Several House of Delegates races also have primaries, as do several city-specific races. For more information on the races and candidates, check out The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press election guide. 757 Votes: The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press 2025 primary election guide Here are the primary elections on the ballot for Hampton Roads voters: Lieutenant Governor — Democratic primary Attorney General — Democratic primary House of Delegates District 70 — Republican primary House of Delegates District 89 — Republican and Democratic primaries House of Delegates District 97 — Republican primary Chesapeake Sheriff — Republican primary Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney — Democratic primary Newport News Commonwealth's Attorney — Democratic primary Newport News Treasurer — Democratic primary ___ No primary will take place in the governor's race. Democrat Abigail Spanberger will face Republican Winsome Earle-Sears. Six Democrats have thrown their hats into the ring for lieutenant governor. Voters will choose from candidates Ghazala Hashmi, Aaron Rouse, Levar Stoney, Babur Lateef, Victor Salgado and Alex Bastani. John Reid is the Republican nominee. For attorney general, two Democrats will compete for the nomination: Shannon Taylor and Jay Jones. The winner will face Republican incumbent Jason Miyares in the fall. ___ In the 70th District, which is in Newport News, two Republicans will vie for the nomination. Cindy Scaturico will face off against Hailey Dollar. The winner will campaign against Democratic incumbent Shelly Simonds. The 89th District, which includes parts of Chesapeake and Suffolk, will have primaries for both parties. On the Democratic ticket, voters will decide between Blaizen Buckshot Bloom and Karen Robins Carnegie. For the Republican nomination, Mike Lamonea and Kristen Shannon are on the ballot. Republican incumbent Baxter Ennis is not running for reelection. For Virginia Beach voters in the 97th District, the Republican primary features two candidates: Tim Anderson and Christina Felder. The winner of the primary will face off against Democratic incumbent Michael Feggans. ___ In Norfolk, a Democratic primary for commonwealth's attorney pits incumbent Ramin Fatehi against challenger John Butler. Newport News has Democratic primaries for commonwealth's attorney and treasurer. The commonwealth's attorney primary features incumbent Howard Gwynn and challenger Shannon Jones. For treasurer, voters will choose between Sanu Dieng-Cooper and Derek Reason. Voters in Chesapeake have a Republican primary in the sheriff's race. Dave Rosado, who was appointed to the position in 2024, will face off against challenger Wallace Chadwick. ___ Early voting starts Friday, May 2. The last day to vote early in person is June 14. The deadline to register to vote or update registration is May 27, but voters may register after this date through Election Day and vote using a provisional ballot. All localities offer early voting, and voters are only allowed to vote early in the jurisdiction in which they are registered. Voters can cast ballots in person at their voter registrar's office. Hours of operation may vary and voters should contact their registrar's office for more information. Chesapeake — 411 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA 23322 Hampton — 101 Kings Way, Hampton, VA 23669 James City County — 4095 Ironbound Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23188 Newport News — 2400 Washington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607 Norfolk — 810 Union St., Suite 100, Norfolk, VA 23510 Portsmouth — 801 Crawford St., Floor 1, Portsmouth, VA 23704 Suffolk — 440 Market St., Suffolk, VA 23434 Virginia Beach — 2449 Princess Anne Rd., Building 14, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 Williamsburg — 401 Lafayette St., Williamsburg, VA 23185 York County — 5322 George Washington Memorial Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692 ___ Registered voters can request an absentee ballot either in-person, by mail or by contacting their general registrar's office. Voters can also apply for a ballot online, and no reason is needed to request an absentee ballot. Once submitted, voters can track their absentee ballot by logging into Ballot Scout. If voters are returning their ballots by mail, it must be postmarked on or before Election Day (June 17) and received by their general registrar's office by noon on the third day following the election (June 20). Voters can also return ballots at the general registrar's office or polling location on Election Day. Eliza Noe,
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Yahoo
School wrongly suspended student ‘trying to do the right thing,' judge rules
A Virginia Beach Catholic school's decision to suspend a student for not immediately reporting that a classmate had a bullet was 'appalling,' and violated the terms of his family's contract with the school, a judge ruled this week. The decision was issued Monday by District Court Judge Vivian Henderson after she heard testimony from the student's mother, as well as the former principal of St. John the Apostle Catholic School, and the superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Richmond, according to a transcript of the hearing. 'The unfortunate victim in this matter was (the boy who reported the incident),' Henderson said in announcing her decision. 'Because to see him punished as the person who was trying to do the right thing is appalling … Especially in an environment where students are forced, younger and younger kids are being forced, to make adult-like decisions, without clear boundaries or parameters.' Rachel Wigand sued St. John's in September after her 11-year-old son was suspended for 1½ days. The lawsuit claimed the school breached its contract with the Wigand family by punishing the boy for something not in the student-parent handbook. The handbook doesn't say anything about needing to immediately report incidents in which a student has ammunition, according to the complaint. The only thing it says must be immediately reported is allegations involving sexual harassment. In an interview with The Virginian-Pilot last year, Wigand said her son waited a couple of hours to come forward because he wanted do it when the other boy wasn't around. She also said her son couldn't understand why he was punished, especially when it was the same disciplinary action received by the student who brought the bullet to school. In her lawsuit, Wigand asked that she be reimbursed for the $4,780 in tuition she paid for her son for the first half of the school year. But on Monday, her attorney Tim Anderson told the judge she was only requesting $81, as well as attorney's fees and other costs. The $81 represents about how much a day and a half of tuition amounted to, Anderson said. 'This wasn't about the money,' the lawyer said. 'It was about much more than that. What we wanted was a clear ruling from the court that this was a suspension and that it was not allowed under the contract.' St. John's officials repeatedly claimed the punishment was not a suspension, Anderson said, and that it was allowed under the rules. The Catholic Diocese of Richmond issued a statement Tuesday in which it said it stood by the school's decision. 'At St. John the Apostle School, we are dedicated to maintaining a safe and focused learning environment for our students,' the statement said. 'While we disagree with the court's decision, we respect the legal process. Our focus continues to be providing enriching and Christ-centered learning experiences for our students, and we are hopeful this conclusion will bring all parties involved an opportunity to move forward.' Wigand applauded the judge's decision Tuesday. While her children still attend St. John's, she's considering sending them elsewhere next year. 'I truly appreciated having an independent third party recognize that the school's decision was wrong,' she said. 'After seven months, it was a weight lifted off my back for just trying to do what was best and right for my child.' Jane Harper,
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
‘Miracle Man' thanks first responders who saved his life after a heart attack
VIRGINIA BEACH — Tears flowed and tissues were passed around as David Preuss thanked the men and women who saved his life. A half dozen paramedics, dispatchers and first responders stood in line to meet Preuss and his family, each getting a big hug from him. Thursday was the first time they have met since his cardiac arrest more than a year ago. 'This is a very healing process for us, finally seeing everybody,' Preuss, 61, said of the meeting at Virginia Beach's emergency services headquarters. On the morning of October 21, 2023, Preuss, a Virginia Beach resident, had a sudden heart attack in his home. His wife Lisa and his son Tyler immediately called 911, and staff at the Emergency Communications center guided her through chest compressions. Within just six minutes of her call, first responders were at the Preuss residence. After the EMTs arrived, they quickly worked to save Preuss. He said paramedics used defibrillators on his chest eight times and administered epinephrine, or adrenaline, five times to help revive him. The first responders introduced a LUCAS machine, a mechanical chest compression device, into the mix, as well. During cardiac arrests, time is of the essence. CPR helps keep the heart pumping and oxygen moving through the body. Within minutes of no oxygen, there is a risk for brain damage. Once the brain is damaged, prognosis can quickly become grim. Resuscitation efforts were continued for more than half an hour before Preuss's pulse was back. Lisa Preuss, through tears, said she and her family have thought of those first responders, doctors and nurses every day and prayed for their safety. David Preuss said the time with his family since that day has been 'a road I never thought I'd travel again.' Lisa Preuss becomes emotional as her husband, David, shares the story of the day he went into cardiac arrest at his home in 2023 at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. The Preuss family wanted to personally thank the team of first responders who helped save David's life. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Donna Lynn, a volunteer EMT with VB Rescue, shows the heart pin on her identification badge at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Lynn was part of the team credited with saving David Preuss' life when he went into cardiac arrest in 2023 and it was the call where she earned her heart pin for the life-saving measures she performed. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Donna Lynn, a volunteer EMT with VB Rescue, smiles as David Preuss tells his story and extends a heartfelt thank you to the first responders who helped save his life at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Lynn was part of the team credited with saving Preuss' life when he went into cardiac arrest in 2023. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) David Preuss looks on as the first responders credited with saving his life enter the room at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Preuss went into cardiac arrest in 2023, entered into multiple organ failure and was placed into a medically-induced coma but has since made a full recovery. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Lisa Preuss embraces Mathew Grant at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Grant was a 9-1-1 dispatcher at the time Preuss' husband, David, went into cardiac arrest in 2023. Grant walked Lisa and her son, Tyler, through performing CPR on David and kept her on track by counting the compressions. After going into multiple organ failure and being put into a medically-induced coma, David made a full recovery. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Lisa Preuss blows a thank-you kiss to Mathew Grant at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Grant was a 9-1-1 dispatcher at the time Preuss' husband, David, went into cardiac arrest in 2023. Grant walked Lisa and her son, Tyler, through performing CPR on David and kept her on track by counting the compressions. After going into multiple organ failure and being put into a medically-induced coma, David made a full recovery. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Lisa Henderson, friend and coworker of David Preuss, becomes emotional as he shares his story to the first responders who helped save his life at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) David Preuss' son Tyler looks at his dad as he shares his story and extends a heart-felt thank you to the first responders who helped save his life at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Lisa Preuss holds hands with Donna Lynn, a volunteer EMT with VB Rescue, at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Lynn was part of the team credited with saving her husband, David Preuss', life when he went into cardiac arrest in 2023. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) David Preuss stands with his wife, Lisa, and son, Tyler, as he shares his story and extends a thank you to the first responders who helped save his life at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Preuss went into cardiac arrest in 2023, entered into multiple organ failure and was placed into a medically-induced coma but has since made a full recovery. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot) Show Caption1 of 11David Preuss shakes hands with Daniel Meller, a captain with Virginia Beach Fire Department engine five, at Virginia Beach Department of Emergency Medical Services headquarters on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Meller was part of the team credited with saving Preuss' life when he went into cardiac arrest in 2023. (Kendall Warner / The Virginian-Pilot)Expand 'While I lay unconscious, (first responders) showed compassion to my family,' David Preuss said. '(Their) dedication to the profession isn't just a job. It's a gift that ripples through families and communities. Every shift, every call, every patient matters.' While at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, his lungs collapsed, one of his kidneys began to fail. His blood had gone septic, so the ICU placed him under a medically induced hypothermia, or a coma, for two days. 'My body seemed determined to give up,' David Preuss said. But the staff would not let that happen, he said. During his stay, they called him 'The Miracle Man,' and David Preuss said he is thankful to each person that became part of his healing journey. Donna Lynn, a volunteer EMT with Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad, received a heart pin for her role in performing life-saving CPR. 'When (first responders) arrived, I wasn't exactly present, but every breath I take now, every moment I share with my family — that shouldn't exist,' David Preuss said. 'It all came from (their) ability to make all the right decisions that morning. But what I want (responders) to know is that their impact extends far beyond just saving my life or not. (They) saved a family, a son from losing a father, a wife from losing her husband… They didn't just save a patient, they saved a family.' Eliza Noe,
