Chesapeake honors longtime educators and recognizes public-communications team for opioid series

Chesapeake City Council paused regular business to present certificates of recognition to educator Craig Blackman of Indian River High School and to Kimberly Hammers of Grasspill High School for longstanding service to students and the community. Both recipients were invited to the podium and received applause.

Council also honored the public-communications department for producing a four-part series on opioid addiction that the city manager said had earned a National Communicators Award of Excellence. Heath Covey, the city's communications director, thanked the council and described the department—s mission: "Our mission in public communications is to inform and educate the city of Chesapeake, the citizens, the residents, and people who are interested in the city about the workings of the city." The manager said the series features interviews with medical professionals, first responders and a local recovery story and noted the program is available on the city of Chesapeake YouTube channel.