Good morning Portsmouth! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: Gently Viewed Art and Yard Sale and 6 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. 2026 Hampton Roads Halloween & Fall events guide (wavy.com) — Portsmouth families get clear guidance that city trick‑or‑treating for kids 12 and under ends at 8 p.m., plus a full lineup of local Halloween fun. You can choose from the city's Safe Trunk or Treat at the Portsmouth Pavilion, Harley Halloween on Frederick Boulevard, a Ghostly Golf Ghouls tournament at Bide‑A‑Wee, and the Halloween Hustle 5K and Kids Spooky Shuffle at St. Julien's Creek.
2. This is how government services will be affected by Indigenous Peoples Day (pilotonline.com) — If you live in Portsmouth, expect city offices, libraries, and most recreation centers to be closed on Indigenous Peoples Day, though schools, trash pickup, and HRT transit will run on normal schedules. Knowing which services are open or closed Monday can help you plan errands, childcare, and recreation without unnecessary trips or surprises.
3. Following the Funds: Do campaign donations influence how a politician votes? (wavy.com) — From right here in Portsmouth, this piece breaks down how campaign donations really work and whether big contributors can sway a politician's votes. A local political scientist explains that money mainly buys access, not guaranteed outcomes, as new Virginia campaign finance reports are set to be released next week. It's a timely primer for residents watching local and federal races.
4. Break-In Attempt on a Quiet Portsmouth Street Ends With the Intruder Dead at the Scene (usacarry.com) — A man was fatally shot while allegedly trying to break into a home on Shoreline Drive in Portsmouth early Monday, and police say they are not seeking any other suspects. Investigators are still determining whether the shooting was legally justified under Virginia's self-defense laws, while longtime neighbors describe the street as typically quiet and safe.
5. Collective bargaining debate continues across Hampton Roads as cities weigh employee needs, budgets (13newsnow.com) — Portsmouth City Council has approved a collective bargaining ordinance that lets eligible city employees formally organize and negotiate over pay, benefits, and working conditions. The move, part of a broader Hampton Roads debate, could affect how Portsmouth competes for workers and balances employee needs with budgets for schools, infrastructure, and public safety in the years ahead.
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Ok Portsmouth! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you call somebody who crosses the ocean twice and doesn't take a bath?" — A dirty double crosser ! (Thank you Theresia F. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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