Latest news with #IsleOfWightCounty
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Smithfield Foods Donates $500,000 to Support Riverside Smithfield Hospital
SMITHFIELD, Va., Aug. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riverside Health and Riverside Foundation are proud to announce a transformational philanthropic gift from Smithfield Foods in support of the new Riverside Smithfield Hospital. This investment addresses a critical need in our region: full-service, inpatient hospital care for Isle of Wight County. 'Access to quality health care is essential to a thriving community,' said Shane Smith, president and CEO of Smithfield Foods. 'Supporting Riverside Smithfield Hospital reflects our company's commitment to the health and well-being of our employees, our neighbors and the area we've called home for nearly a century.' Smithfield's $500,000 investment in Riverside Smithfield Hospital underscores its deep-rooted commitment to the health and vitality of Isle of Wight County and surrounding areas. As one of the region's largest employers, the company recognizes that timely, high-quality medical care is critical for its team members, their families and the community's long-term resilience. 'Riverside Smithfield Hospital is the community's hospital—built by and for those in and around Isle of Wight,' said Jessica Macalino, president of Riverside Smithfield Hospital. 'This gift from Smithfield Foods helps make it possible to bring advanced, compassionate care closer to home.' The impact of the gift goes beyond expanding hospital services—it strengthens the overall health of the community. By bringing emergency, inpatient and specialty care closer to home, this investment supports better health outcomes, reduces barriers such as transportation and travel time, and ensures that individuals and families can receive world-class care locally. 'This is more than a gift—it's a statement of belief in the people who live here,' said Kristen Witt, chief philanthropy officer of the Riverside Foundation. 'Thanks to Smithfield Foods, we can expand access to high-quality health care services locally and ensure no one has to travel out of our area to get the care they need.' Together, Smithfield Foods and Riverside Health are investing in a healthier, more resilient future for Isle of Wight County and the surrounding communities. To learn more about Riverside Smithfield Hospital, visit To learn more about Smithfield's community initiatives, visit About Riverside Health Riverside Health is an integrated health network providing over 2 million services annually. Serving Eastern Virginia since 1915, Riverside is guided by a mission to 'care for others as we would care for those we love.' The health system offers a variety of services and programs in the areas of prevention, primary care, diagnostics, neurosciences, oncology, orthopedics, aging-related services, rehabilitation, medical education, home care and hospice. RHS operates four acute-care hospitals, a mental health and recovery hospital with a dedicated psychiatric emergency department, in addition to a physical rehabilitation hospital and a critical illness recovery hospital in partnership with Select Medical. Riverside Health is also constructing the new Riverside Smithfield Hospital, scheduled to open in early 2026. Riverside Medical Group has more than 750 physicians and advanced practice providers across a broad spectrum of specialties in over 110 locations throughout the region. Riverside Lifelong Health operates six nursing home facilities and three vibrant continuing care retirement communities alongside Riverside Home Health and Hospice services. In addition to these health care services, RHS operates the Riverside College of Health Sciences and six medical residency programs. The company employs more than 9,500 team members throughout Eastern Virginia. For more information on Riverside, visit About Smithfield Foods Smithfield Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: SFD) is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. Photo caption (L to R): Jim Monroe, vice president, corporate affairs, Smithfield Foods; Keller Watts, chief business officer, Smithfield Foods; Jessica Macalino, president, Riverside Smithfield Hospital; Dr. Mike Oshiki, president, acute care, Riverside Health; Shane Smith, president and CEO, Smithfield Foods; and Kristen Witt, chief philanthropy officer, Riverside Health, tour the Riverside Smithfield Hospital building and grounds coming soon to the Isle of Wight community. Contact: April Weston Director of Integrated Communications, Riverside Health (757) 755-1855 Ray Atkinson Smithfield Foods, Inc. (757) 576-1383 ratkinson@ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
CTV News
18-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Man accused of stockpiling bombs, using Biden photo for target practice, pleads guilty
This image provided by U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia shows a stockpile of homemade explosives Federal agents seized when they arrested Brad Spafford, a Virginia man on a firearms charge in Dec. 2024. (U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Virginia via AP) NORFOLK, Va. — A Virginia man pleaded guilty Friday in a federal case that accused him of stockpiling the largest number of finished explosives in FBI history and of using then-U.S. President Joe Biden's photo for target practice. Brad Spafford pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk to possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December. Federal authorities said they seized about 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices last fall at Spafford's home in Isle of Wight County, which is northwest of Norfolk. The investigation into Spafford began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and ammunition, according to court documents. The informant, a friend and member of law enforcement, told authorities that Spafford was using pictures of then-President Joe Biden for target practice and that 'he believed political assassinations should be brought back,' prosecutors wrote. Two weeks after the assassination attempt of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2024, Spafford told the informant, 'bro I hope the shooter doesn't miss Kamala,' according to court documents. Former Vice President Kamala Harris had recently announced she was running for president. On around the same day, Spafford told the informant that he was pursuing a sniper qualification at the local gun range, court records stated. Numerous law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched the property in December. Spafford stored a highly unstable explosive material in a garage freezer next to 'Hot Pockets and frozen corn on the cob,' according to court documents. Investigators also said they found explosive devices in an unsecured backpack labeled '#NoLivesMatter.' Spafford has remained in jail since his arrest last December. U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen ruled against his release last January, writing that Spafford has 'shown the capacity for extreme danger.' She also noted that Spafford lost three fingers in an accident involving homemade explosives in 2021. Spafford had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in January. Defense attorneys had argued at the time that Spafford, who is married and a father of two young daughters, works a steady job as a machinist and has no criminal record. Defense attorney Jeffrey Swartz said at Spafford's January detention hearing that investigators had gathered information on him since January 2023, during which Spafford never threatened anyone. 'And what has he done during those two years?' Swartz said. 'He purchased a home. He's raised his children. He's in a great marriage. He has a fantastic job, and those things all still exist for him.' Investigators, however, said they had limited knowledge of the homemade bombs until an informant visited Spafford's home, federal prosecutors wrote in a filing. 'But once the defendant stated on a recorded wire that he had an unstable primary explosive in the freezer in October 2024, the government moved swiftly,' prosecutors wrote. By Ben Finley.
The Independent
18-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Man accused of stockpiling bombs, using Biden photo for target practice, pleads guilty
A Virginia man pleaded guilty Friday in a federal case that accused him of stockpiling the largest number of finished explosives in FBI history and of using then-President Joe Biden's photo for target practice. Brad Spafford pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk to possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December. Federal authorities said they seized about 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices last fall at Spafford's home in Isle of Wight County, which is northwest of Norfolk. The investigation into Spafford began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and ammunition, according to court documents. The informant, a friend and member of law enforcement, told authorities that Spafford was using pictures of then-President Joe Biden for target practice and that 'he believed political assassinations should be brought back,' prosecutors wrote. Two weeks after the assassination attempt of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2024, Spafford told the informant, 'bro I hope the shooter doesn't miss Kamala," according to court documents. Former Vice President Kamala Harris had recently announced she was running for president. On around the same day, Spafford told the informant that he was pursuing a sniper qualification at the local gun range, court records stated. Numerous law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched the property in December. Spafford stored a highly unstable explosive material in a garage freezer next to 'Hot Pockets and frozen corn on the cob,' according to court documents. Investigators also said they found explosive devices in an unsecured backpack labeled '#NoLivesMatter.' Spafford has remained in jail since his arrest last December. U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen ruled against his release last January, writing that Spafford has 'shown the capacity for extreme danger.' She also noted that Spafford lost three fingers in an accident involving homemade explosives in 2021. Spafford had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in January. Defense attorneys had argued at the time that Spafford, who is married and a father of two young daughters, works a steady job as a machinist and has no criminal record. Defense attorney Jeffrey Swartz said at Spafford's January detention hearing that investigators had gathered information on him since January 2023, during which Spafford never threatened anyone. 'And what has he done during those two years?' Swartz said. 'He purchased a home. He's raised his children. He's in a great marriage. He has a fantastic job, and those things all still exist for him.' Investigators, however, said they had limited knowledge of the homemade bombs until an informant visited Spafford's home, federal prosecutors wrote in a filing. 'But once the defendant stated on a recorded wire that he had an unstable primary explosive in the freezer in October 2024, the government moved swiftly,' prosecutors wrote.
Associated Press
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Man accused of stockpiling bombs, using Biden photo for target practice, pleads guilty
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) — A Virginia man pleaded guilty Friday in a federal case that accused him of stockpiling the largest number of finished explosives in FBI history and of using then-President Joe Biden's photo for target practice. Brad Spafford pleaded guilty in federal court in Norfolk to possession of an unregistered short barrel rifle and possession of an unregistered destructive device, according to court documents. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for December. Federal authorities said they seized about 150 pipe bombs and other homemade devices last fall at Spafford's home in Isle of Wight County, which is northwest of Norfolk. The investigation into Spafford began in 2023 when an informant told authorities that Spafford was stockpiling weapons and ammunition, according to court documents. The informant, a friend and member of law enforcement, told authorities that Spafford was using pictures of then-President Joe Biden for target practice and that 'he believed political assassinations should be brought back,' prosecutors wrote. Two weeks after the assassination attempt of then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2024, Spafford told the informant, 'bro I hope the shooter doesn't miss Kamala,' according to court documents. Former Vice President Kamala Harris had recently announced she was running for president. On around the same day, Spafford told the informant that he was pursuing a sniper qualification at the local gun range, court records stated. Numerous law enforcement officers and bomb technicians searched the property in December. Spafford stored a highly unstable explosive material in a garage freezer next to 'Hot Pockets and frozen corn on the cob,' according to court documents. Investigators also said they found explosive devices in an unsecured backpack labeled '#NoLivesMatter.' Spafford has remained in jail since his arrest last December. U.S. District Judge Arenda L. Wright Allen ruled against his release last January, writing that Spafford has 'shown the capacity for extreme danger.' She also noted that Spafford lost three fingers in an accident involving homemade explosives in 2021. Spafford had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges in January. Defense attorneys had argued at the time that Spafford, who is married and a father of two young daughters, works a steady job as a machinist and has no criminal record. Defense attorney Jeffrey Swartz said at Spafford's January detention hearing that investigators had gathered information on him since January 2023, during which Spafford never threatened anyone. 'And what has he done during those two years?' Swartz said. 'He purchased a home. He's raised his children. He's in a great marriage. He has a fantastic job, and those things all still exist for him.' Investigators, however, said they had limited knowledge of the homemade bombs until an informant visited Spafford's home, federal prosecutors wrote in a filing. 'But once the defendant stated on a recorded wire that he had an unstable primary explosive in the freezer in October 2024, the government moved swiftly,' prosecutors wrote.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ferry traffic chaos and more in our snapshots from the past
The Isle of Wight County Press has been bringing the news to Islanders since 1884. We've delved into the archives to find out what was happening in days gone by. 125 years ago, in June 1900: Fanny White, wife of the landlord of Ventnor's Crab and Lobster Hotel tap, was charged with selling adulterated rum. The rum consisted of a mixture of drippings from various empty spirit and sherry bottles, which the court believed should never have been sold. Mrs White was fined £1 with £1 1s 6d (£1.07) costs. 100 years ago, in June 1925: Read more: Dog hitches ride to Newport on bus: Stories from days gone by 11th century wall discovered and more in days gone by Islanders who believed that they were ageing too quickly were urged to reach for a bottle of Doan's kidney pills. An advertisement stated that many Islanders felt older and slower than they should because their kidneys were not filtering blood quickly enough. The pills promised to: "Strengthen and stimulate your age-worn kidneys and make you feel years younger." 75 years ago, in June 1950: Two double-decker buses were put into service for the first time on the Island since the 1920s. The buses, which covered Sandown routes, were introduced to carry more passengers. In brown and cream colours, they ran on the enterprise route. Six thousand more passengers used the Portsmouth to Ryde ferries over Whitsun than the previous Whitsun holiday. On Saturday and Sunday four extra boats had to be put on. 50 years ago, in June 1975: A visit to the Island by the Queen Mother was enjoyed by many. After she attended St Lawrence Church for the dedication of the memorial windows, she opened a new home for mentally handicapped adults in East Cowes. 25 years ago, in June 2000: IW ferry company Wightlink called the police to assist with the boarding of ferries after eight hour delays caused the area to be gridlocked. Roads around the Fishbourne terminal were marred by traffic chaos due to an electrical fault on board St Helen. The delays fell on one of the busiest weekends of the year for the ferry company.
