The Portsmouth Service League will honor retired U.S. Navy commander R. Malcolm Fortson III as Portsmouth's First Citizen. The annual award, given since 1932, recognizes residents for their volunteer service to the community. Fortson, director emeritus of Primeplus Norfolk Senior Center, is receiving the accolade because of his charitable work and service on community organization boards.

PORTSMOUTH Jason Knorowski, president of the Virginia Police Benevolent Association, pleaded guilty in Circuit Court on Friday to a charge of reckless driving. The Portsmouth police officer was charged with driving under the influence in October after police responded to a call about a minor accident in the parking lot of the 7-Eleven at 725 London Blvd.

CHESAPEAKE A motorcyclist was injured Friday night after refusing to stop for an officer, according to a news release. Around 8:15 p.m., an officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the motorcyclist, who was headed northbound on the Chesapeake Expressway. He refused to stop and later crashed in the Interstate 464/64 area, the release said.

Former Norfolk Southern CEO David Goode and his wife, Susan, will be honored Feb. 25 with the Cosmopolitan Distinguished Service Award Medal, presented annually by the Norfolk Cosmopolitan Club to Norfolk's First Citizen. The group has given the award since 1928. The couple is being recognized for their civic involvement and leadership.

An approaching storm brought increasing clouds overnight with lows in the mid- to upper 20s for inland and rural areas, while coastal spots pretty close to freezing. The clouds will continue to thicken today and by late in the day, there could be a few isolated showers. Highs should be in the lower 50s.

PORTSMOUTH The Virginia Department of Health has named a new director for the local health district. David Chang will start March 1 with the Portsmouth district. He is currently director of the Three Rivers Health District, which serves the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck.

As a way to promote healthy lifestyles and celebrate Valentine's Day, the South Norfolk Community Center will sponsor the "Valentine's (Save Your Heart) Health Fair" today. The health/fitness event, free and open to all ages, is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the community center, 1217 Godwin Ave.

At Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, contestants including junior Yazjae Pressey compete Friday in a preliminary round of the Exodus National Spelling Bee tour, sponsored by Cory “CoCo Brother” Condrey and State Farm Insurance. Senior Omar Tariq won and will represent Hampton Roads schools in the contest in Atlanta. (Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot)

VIRGINIA BEACH A 10-month-old baby, Braxton Taylor, died two years ago at the hands of his foster mother. She’s locked up on a voluntary manslaughter conviction after investigators determined she shook the boy to death.

WILLIAMSBURG The United States is in peril - not so much from foreign threats as from mean-spirited partisan feuds that make it impossible to solve the nation's problems - former Secretary of Defense Robert Gates warned Friday.