Latest news with #Donatelli
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New owner of Portsmouth events venue once went to school there
Giovanni Donatelli used to walk the halls of Portsmouth Catholic High School as a young boy. Now, almost four decades later, Donatelli is the new owner of the renovated and renamed building, Cambridge Hall. An entrepreneur who moved to the U.S. in 1982, Donatelli is the founder and CEO of The Language Group, a Virginia Beach-based translation service company established in 1999. His company employs 70 fulltime employees and 600 linguists skilled in 225 languages. The Language Group also has a secondary office in Hamburg, Germany. In early April, Donatelli purchased the building at auction for $660,000. There was also a separate transaction totaling $25,000 to buy the intellectual property rights for the business, including the event hall, website, furniture, artwork and baby grand piano. William J. 'Billy' Summs Sr., auctioneer with Atlantic Asset Management Group, said Donatelli was the perfect buyer. The Italianate-style building was transformed into a wedding and event venue in 2022 by Ed O'Neil, an insurance agent with New York Life in Norfolk. Donatelli plans to reopen it this summer as an event hall to host family and company functions. An immigrant from the east coast of Italy, he said he identifies as a local boy from Portsmouth and cherishes the building. 'I stood where my locker used to be and you can see where the desks used to sit,' he said. 'I can almost see myself sitting in the classrooms again.' Armed with ideas, Donatelli said he will continue to operate it as a rental event hall for now — including employee functions for his business — but he is also thinking about using part of the more than 6,000 square feet for nonprofits. Overjoyed with the amount of care the two most recent owners put into the building following years of neglect, Donatelli, a resident of Virginia Beach, said it's now up to him to be a proper steward of it. 'I would love to have a reunion to celebrate the different classes that graduated from there — back in their own building,' he said. 'And I'd like to make a wall to honor the school with a copy of all the yearbooks.' Situated at the corner of London and Washington streets in Old Towne Portsmouth since 1892, the structure was originally St. Paul's Academy for Boys, then St. Paul's Catholic High School before it became Portsmouth Catholic High School in 1964. The Donatelli family's journey to Hampton Roads began in the late 1970s when his father, Otero, a tailor in his native land, was recruited by Morris Rapoport, late patriarch and founder of The Quality Shops. 'They couldn't find anyone in the U.S. so they extended their search and found my father,' Donatelli said. Rapoport sponsored the family's visas and after 6 years they applied for their citizenship. Donatelli's mother, Grace is known throughout Hampton Roads for her seamstress skills. Donatelli and his younger brother, Sandro began their schooling at the now defunct Shea Terrace Elementary where he fondly remembers they learned to speak English. His love of languages only grew from that experience. When Donatelli was in seventh grade, he started his studies at Portsmouth Catholic. An altar boy in Italy, Donatelli said he continued his faithful service to the church every Sunday, serving mass at St. Paul's Catholic Church adjacent to the school. 'I used to play right there and fly my kite on North Street in the parking lot,' Donatelli said. 'It's my home; even though I'm an immigrant, I really grew up in Portsmouth.' Portsmouth Catholic shuttered in 1991 and Donatelli graduated from Churchland High School the following year. 'It feels right; the sentimental connection is there, and it's really special that I was able to do this,' he said. 'It's really nice to feel like I can offer something back to the community by buying my old schoolhouse.' Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836,
USA Today
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'Love Island USA' winners announce engagement: 'She said yes'
'Love Island USA' winners announce engagement: 'She said yes' Show Caption Hide Caption Ariana Madix is the new host of 'Love Island USA' TV star Ariana Madix has been announced as the new host of 'Love Island USA.' Bang Showbiz Two former "Love Island USA" contestants (and winners) are officially engaged. The newly engaged couple, Marco Donatelli and Hannah Wright, jointly shared the news in a May 29 social media post. Donatelli opted for an intimate proposal, giving a heartfelt speech to an audience of just Wright before getting down on one knee at a beach in Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic as first reported by People magazine. "5.28.2025♾️" Donatelli wrote in the caption. "To my forever, Last night, I asked the love of my life to be mine forever and she said yes." "I was shocked I had no idea and I was convinced that we were solely there for a vacation trip," Wright told People. "I was crying the whole time the setup was beautiful and felt like a dream." The ring, which was custom-made for Wright, was even engraved with a special message from Wright's father, who passed away suddenly in March of this year, according to People. Donatelli and Wright are also the first couple from "Love Island USA" to reach the relationship milestone, per People. Donatelli met Wright just a couple days into his "Love Island" journey, which premiered in July 2023. It didn't take the couple long to grow close, eventually winning the hearts of viewers as they navigated ups and downs over the course of the season, Parade reported. Donatelli and Wright ultimately left the luxury villa in Fiji together, splitting the prize money they won from the show. Donatelli and Wright have been living life since their Season 5 win, attending sport events to adopting to a pet together. Marco Donatelli pens sweet message to fiancée In announcing his engagement to Wright, Donatelli penned a love letter in the caption. "From the very first moment we met, we were inseparable," Donatelli wrote. 'Through every high, every challenge, every laugh and every tear we've done it all side by side." Donatelli went on to say that while they both have lost the people who brought them into the world, he "truly believed" his mom, who passed in 2021, sent Wright to him. "I feel her peace in your touch. And I know, without a doubt, your dad has been watching over us step by step, second by second leading us right to this moment," Donatelli wrote. Donatelli "can't wait to spend forever" with Hannah, who he called his light, his rock, his best friend and his home. "Here's to the next chapter and every one after that." Wright responded to Donatelli's thoughtful message in the comments of his post, writing "And that's Mrs. Donatelli for you." More: Meet the cast of 'Love Island USA' 2025, from a pool boy to a big-time influencer How to watch 'Love Island USA' The new season of "Love Island USA" won't premiere on Peacock for another couple of days, but Seasons 1 though 6 are available on Peacock. Peacock offers two plans to prospective customers, offering Premium for $7.99 a month ($24.99 for one year) or Premium Plus for $13.99 a month ($139.99/year). Seasons 1 through 3 of "Love Island USA" may also be streamed on Hulu. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health officials across DMV issue exposure warnings after 2 confirmed cases of measles
The Brief Health officials in D.C., Maryland and Virginia have issued exposure warnings after two cases of measles were confirmed in the area. The two new cases were identified in individuals who had traveled internationally and arrived back in the states through Dulles International Airport. The individuals traveled to several locations throughout the region. The full list of potential exposure sites can be seen below. WASHINGTON - Health officials in D.C., Maryland and Virginia are issuing a warning about measles exposure after two confirmed cases were identified in the region. Officials say these two cases are not connected to the positive case in Howard County, which was confirmed almost two weeks ago, making for a total of three cases in our area in the month of March. Just like the confirmed case on March 5, these two new cases were identified in people who traveled internationally and arrived back in the states through Dulles International Airport. Leaders with the Maryland Department of Health say the two people who tested positive are from Prince George's County. They visited a number of places after arriving at Dulles. What we know Officials say anyone who visited the following locations during any of the listed hours might have been exposed: Washington Dulles International Airport: Concourse A, on transportation to the International Arrivals Building (IAB) and in the baggage claim area March 5th, 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Kaiser Permanente Largo Medical Center, 1221 Mercantile Ln, Upper Marlboro March 5th, 7:30 p.m. - March 6th, 4:30 a.m. March 13th, 4:15 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. March 15th, 7:45 a.m. - 3: 15 p.m. March 17th, 2:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport: Terminal Shuttle Bus March 14th, 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Washington Metro Area Transit: Yellow Line Train from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station transferring at the L'Enfant Plaza station to the Silver Line Train heading towards the Downtown Largo station March 14th, 12:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Passport Toyota, 5001 Auth Way, Suitland March 17th, 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. What they're saying Health officials continue to urge caution as measles is described as "one of the most contagious diseases in the world" but Dr. Lucia Donatelli with Maryland's Department of Health says if you're vaccinated, you shouldn't be too worried. "Getting measles disease in the United States right now is primarily if you are unvaccinated. It is important for you to stay up to date with your vaccines. We have two really effective and safe vaccines that prevent measles. One dose is 93 percent effective, two doses is 97 percent effective," said Donatelli, the Chief of the Center for Immunization, Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Outbreak Response Bureau for MDH. Some early symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, watery red eyes and a cough. Then, a rash begins to appear on the face before spreading to the rest of the body. If you think you may have been exposed, you're asked to call your doctor immediately. Donatelli adds that the best way to protect yourself from the disease is by getting vaccinated. "Please if you are planning on going anywhere overseas, please check to make sure that you are vaccinated against measles," she said. Maryland Department of Health Virginia Department of Health D.C. Health The Source Maryland Department of Health, Virginia Department of Health, D.C. Department of Health and Human Services
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Yahoo
Winton Hills grocery store firebomber sentenced to prison
The man convicted of firebombing a Winton Hills grocery store in 2023 was sentenced to five and a half years in prison Tuesday. Donald Donatelli pleaded guilty in federal court in Cincinnati to the attack in October of last year. According to court documents, he has never said why he did it. Prosecutors said Donatelli "cased" the Tree Top Grocery on Gwinnett Road on Nov. 26, 2023, entered the store and walked around. Then, about four hours later, he returned, lit a rag hanging out of a bottle filled with gasoline, and smashed in the entryway of the store. The owners scrambled to put out the fire with water bottles they sell in their store, according to court documents. No was injured, but fire investigators determined the blaze caused $330,000 in damage. The incident was filmed on Snapchat by his co-defendant Angela Schweitzer. Schweitzer pleaded guilty to related charges in January. She has not yet been sentenced. Prosecutors said Donatelli tried to get Schweitzer to delete the video and attempted to create an alibi for himself. It was an anonymous tip that led investigators to Donatelli who was arrested in Clermont County following the fire on charges of theft and receiving stolen property. "While there is no excuse for such acts, the defendant has never offered an explanation for his firebomb attack," prosecutors wrote in court documents. "The victims have repeatedly asked why they were targeted for such brutality." Prosecutors said Donatelli has shown no remorse for the attack. U.S District Court Judge Matthew W. McFarland ordered that Donatelli's sentence begin the completion his sentence for the offenses in Clermont County. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Man convicted in Winton Hills grocery firebombing sentenced to prison
